We take the stress out of college admissions.
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Kate Barker and Jennifer Schlegel
Founders and Co-Owners of My Admissions Sherpa
TEAM MEMBERS
JENNIFER SCHLEGEL
Jenny has a BA in History and Secondary Education, a Masters in History and will finish a Masters in Educational Technology this spring. She has been working as a private college admissions counselor since 2001 and has loved every minute of it. Over the years, Jenny has acquired a unique knowledge of the culture of individual schools as well as their respective admissions processes and procedures. She excels at matching students with schools that meet their specific list of wants and needs. Jenny also develops instructional materials and writes curriculum. She recently c0-authored an online course that walks students through the admissions process. And....teenagers are her absolute favorite age group to work with!
KATE BARKER
Kate has a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and a dual certification in Secondary Education School Counseling and English. She has over 24 years of experience in the field and utilizes her skills and knowledge of the developing adolescent to help them as they prepare for their post secondary experience. She loves helping students achieve their personal and academic goals. As a secondary education counselor and family therapist, Kate also has the unique ability to provide personal counseling to students and families as well.
MICHELLE PURCELL
Michele Purcell has a Master of Education degree in counseling psychology with a dual certification in school counseling. She has over 20 years experience in college admissions counseling, and is proficient in helping improve college acceptances & assisting students in finding the “right fit” in the college selection process. She has aided students in applying & getting accepted into numerous schools such as The University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Yale, Cornell, University of Notre Dame, Georgetown, & Johns Hopkins just to name a few!
ABBEY LEDERMAN
Abby Lederman is the co-author of Finding the Path: A Novel for Parents of Teenagers and has written many professional articles on topics ranging from children’s theater to overcoming the fear of swimming in older adults. She has been supervising programs for young people and teens in the United States and Canada since 2012 and is currently writing a historical novel about a female inventor growing up in the mid-19th century. Abbey works as an Editor for My Admissions Sherpas.
JACKIE JOYCE
Jacqueline Joyce serves as a college adviser with the College Advising Corps where she has worked in both the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Camden City Schools. She received her B.A. in 2019 from Dickinson College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with degrees in Spanish and Sociology. Through both her current work and her previous experience as a tour guide and career adviser, Jackie has become well-versed in the intricacies of the college admissions process and knowledgable about best practices in constructing successful application materials. In addition, Jackie has revised and assisted with hundreds of admissions essays, personal statements, resumes, and cover letters in both higher-ed and high school settings, while bringing her recent experience navigating the rigorous fellowship application process, where she has earned two U.S. Department of State Fellowships. Her position as a near-peer and newly-minted college graduate allows her to connect with students from diverse backgrounds as well as provide a hands-on approach to advising students in their post-secondary endeavors.
KIM LENT
Kimberly Lent has a Bachelor's of Science in Speech Communication and English Education from Ithaca College. From there, she went on to pursue her Master's in Higher Education Counseling plus Elementary and Secondary Counseling from West Chester University. Kimberly has been a Counselor in the Philadelphia School District for the past 27 years, and although challenging, absolutely loves her career! She has experience in K-8th grade counseling, but the majority of her career has been working with high school students, and helping them to plan their future educational and/or career paths.
PAULETTE ANDERS
Paulette Anders has a Master of Science degree in school counseling from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Mount St. Mary’s University. She is a dedicated and solution-driven school and college counselor with over 30 years of college admissions experience at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. Paulette has proven success in establishing rapport and building trusting relationships with students, parents, and admissions offices. She demonstrates a commitment to students’ success by implementing effective coaching techniques, providing solutions, and promoting realistic student expectations and resiliency. Currently, Paulette serves as a college and career consultant to Saint John’s Catholic Preparatory School. Paulette and her husband claim Florida as their home but find themselves in Maryland often with their daughters. Easily connecting with high school students and families, Paulette brings confidence to the high-stress college admissions process.