Working with Palladis
What does a university admissions consultant actually do?
Applying to university is a long string of decisions. I help students make each one well. Where to apply, and why. What to write, and how to say it in their own voice. Who to ask for references. When each piece is due. I manage the school list, the timeline, the essays, the interviews and every deadline in between, so everything is covered. The deeper work happens along the way. After hundreds of small decisions, students see themselves more clearly than when they started. The full walkthrough is in The Palladis process.
Do you work with families across Canada?
Yes. I’m based in Vancouver, and my students live all over Canada and the world. We meet by Zoom. Families come to me for applications to undergrad programs in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, for everything from Fine Arts to Engineering. Clients often come back for graduate programs in healthcare, psychology and the professions. Wherever you are, the work looks the same. Close, careful, and built around your student, often for the whole journey from high school to career. More on this in My clients.
What happens in the initial consult?
Every engagement starts with a complimentary 30-minute consult. We talk about your student’s goals and background, and you leave with a ballpark sense of pricing. Read more in The Palladis process.
Who is the ideal Palladis client?
I work best with students who have interests to develop, and with families who want one trusted advisor from the first school list through the final decision. More on this in My clients.
What are the packages at Palladis?
We offer two package options, the Kick-Start and Palladis Package. The Kick-Start is the admissions discovery phase, where we build the timeline, school list, profile sketch, and course plan. The Palladis Package is the full admissions offering, which is highly customizable to meet each student’s specific needs and carries a complete strategy through essays, applications, interviews, and offer sorting. The full walkthrough is in The Palladis process.
How do you compare to other educational consultants?
Consultants tend to fall into styles such as the Contractor, the Assembly Line, the Autopilot, and the Strategist. I work as a Strategist, which means collaborative planning with the student’s own voice at the center. Read more in How I compare to other educational consultants.
How long does it take?
Most high school students complete the Kick-Start in four to six weeks. The Palladis Package runs six to eight months, from opening applications to offer sorting. Timelines are laid out in The Palladis process.
What results do your students get?
Every student receives an offer from at least one of their top three schools, and students rarely transfer after enrolling. See more in My results.
How much does Palladis cost?
Pricing depends on scope and timing, so I review it transparently in the consult. A missed deadline or a mismatched school list can cost a family more than a consulting fee. Cost is covered further in The Palladis process.
Choosing schools
How do Canadian and American admissions differ?
American schools evaluate the whole applicant through essays, extracurriculars, and references. Canadian schools weigh grades most heavily. Deadlines, application systems, and costs also vary. Read more in Canadian vs. American university admissions.
Is the most prestigious school always the best choice?
Prestige opens doors, and so does fit. In my experience, fit creates more opportunity than families expect, especially for students aiming at medical school, law school, or a research-based master’s degree. More on this in Big fish, small pond.
How should a student decide about Early Decision?
Weigh the school’s early fill rate, your finances, your admission odds in each round, and how much you want to attend. The thinking behind this is in Every decision matters.