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sharon@allaboutucc.com

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All About Me

SHARON MACDONALD

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SHARON MACDONALD

Iwas educated in the college admissions process through the UC Irvine Independent Educational Consultant Certificate Program, and am a parent who has recently gone through the college search and selection process. I understand that while this is a time of great growth and excitement for high school students and parents, it also can be a source of contention.

I have made it my mission to guide students and their families through the unpredictable college admissions landscape, making the process enjoyable and resulting in the best possible outcome for each student.

As a “student of colleges”, I am committed to staying on top of the latest offerings of colleges and universities and am continuously expanding my knowledge of trends and the ever-changing college admissions process. I draw upon my professional and personal experiences, to offer my clients strategies and recommendations that are relevant and personalized.

I understand that not all parents have the time nor the inclination to fully immerse themselves in the intricacies of today’s college planning and application process. You know your child. I know about today’s college landscape. Together we will work to find a college where your child will thrive.

Hover on the photo for detailed information about Sharon’s background.

Contact Me

Sharon MacDonald

Founder, All About U College Counseling
Independent Educational Consultant

508-366-8002 x700
sharon@allaboutucc.com

Sharon launched All About U College Counseling in 2017 to meet a growing need to help high school students and families navigate the college search and selection process. She has a comprehensive background working with teens as both a career counselor and internship coordinator. In these roles, Sharon has assisted students in identifying their strengths and interests and connected them with opportunities to develop and explore. With All About U College Counseling, Sharon expands her vision to help students realize a fulfilling, successful and happy educational experience, by helping them find colleges and universities that will enable them to grow and thrive.

“As a first-generation college student, I did not receive any guidance when choosing my college or major. I learned firsthand how a lack of information during the college selection process and lack of awareness about my interests and goals, made the path much more difficult and costly than it should have been. As a college counselor, I love assisting students through the self reflection and brainstorming that is necessary before writing an impactful and personalized essay. I also enjoy helping students to define their interests and career goals and assisting them in creating a plan towards personal fulfillment and academic success. While I have worked with students at every academic level, I especially like working with the “average student”. Some of these students can feel a little lost in the shuffle during high school and I love watching them grow during the process and helping them to select a college where they will find their stride.”

Sharon holds a BA in Public Administration from Stonehill College, she is a Certified Career Services Provider through the National Career Development Association (NCDA), and a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). She held the positions of Internship Coordinator and Assistant Program Coordinator at The Education Cooperative, and served as President and Fundraising Chairperson of the PTG at Cornerstone Academy in Northborough, MA.

Sharon is the the mother of two sons.

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Ruth Ann Cote

Independent Educational Consultant

508-366-8002 x701
ruthann@allaboutucc.com

Ruth Ann brings her background as a marketing professional, freelance writer, and internship coordinator to All About U College Counseling. Her expertise in developing brands, honing messages, and working with students on presenting themselves on paper and in person makes her a valuable part of the All About U team. Ruth Ann helps students optimize their achievements, strengths and personal qualities to develop their academic presence in the college admissions process.

“Every student is unique. I enjoy working with students to uncover their story — using this as a launching point to find colleges that are right for them. From there, a student builds confidence, and creates a narrative from which they can craft meaningful essays and present themselves in an authentic way in applications and interviews. I feel getting to know a student, and encouraging a student to be true to themselves from the onset, is the key to successful college selection. A student should never try to ‘fit themselves to a particular school.’ Rather, a student should discover who they are and then find the schools that are the best fit.”

Ruth Ann holds a BS in Business Administration/Marketing from Providence College, a certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California, Irvine, and is a member of the Higher Education Counselors Association (HECA). Ruth Ann has worked as an Internship Coordinator for The Education Cooperative; as a Marketing Communications Manager of a Fortune 500 company and was the Vice President of Reale/Fitzgerald Marketing Communications Inc. She has served on volunteer educational boards including the Hopkinton Education Foundation (Board Member & President), the Hopkinton Middle School Council and the Hopkinton High School Council.

Ruth Ann’s daughter and oldest son are recent college graduates and her youngest son is a sophomore in college.

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Kim Pucci

Independent Educational Consultant

508-366-8002 x702
kim@allaboutucc.com

Kim’s experience in school counseling and her commitment to improving educational environments offers All About U clients a distinct advantage of understanding successful educational outcomes from multiple perspectives. Kim draws on her education and background to connect with students and effectively counsel them to find a path that is right for them. Kim’s strength is helping teens identify their passions and goals so that they can find colleges that are the right fit and develop applications and essays that reflect their true selves.

“I enjoy working with teens to identify and leverage their strengths to achieve success in the classroom and beyond. As an IEC, my goal is to understand each student’s learning style, needs, values and aspirations and use this information to find a right “fit” school. Through support in planning, time management, and informed decision making, I hope to lessen anxiety and demystify the college admission process. I want this to be a time of exciting opportunity and believe that each student can have a positive journey to finding the college environment where they can learn, contribute, and grow.”

Kim has a Masters in Education from Harvard University, a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross, a certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California, Irvine, and is a member of the Higher Education Counselors Association (HECA). She has served on the Hopkinton Education Foundation as a board member and President; held Program Coordinator/Counselor positions at the Howard Taft Middle School (Harvard University), Washington Irving Middle School, Alliance for Intervention and Prevention, and the Northeastern Family Institute. Kim has worked with student athletes throughout the admissions process at both DI and DIII schools.

Kim is the mother of three college-aged children.

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