I genuinely believe that I would not be where I am today without Colleen's incredible help and support. This whole college process can seem like a chaotic jumble of doors that are all painted slightly different colors, and to a mere high schooler who doesn't know exactly what they want in a school, it can start to feel like a game of Russian roulette. Colleen kept me on task and helped me meet all of my deadlines, and trust me, this is no small feat. I love that she really took the time to get to know me, both in order to find the schools where I would be happiest and to help me bring out my personal voice in every aspect of my applications.
CONNOR
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Colleen saved the day! She guided not only my granddaughter, but also me, her grandma, in the application process for college. Colleen's patient, kind support of our family will always be remembered. We trusted her because she was ethical and knowledgeable--there was never a time she did not jump in to help through the process. Her guidance was gentle and clear, and she helped my granddaughter to find her own power along the way. We will always be grateful!
BARBARA, GRANDPARENT OF BARBARA
HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY
From the moment we met Colleen I felt like we were in great hands. She was super patient and very organized. She broke down each piece of the overwhelming process one step at a time. She was always quick to get back to us to answer any and all questions. Most importantly, I could tell she really cared about finding the best fit school for our son. She gave him several schools to research each meeting and helped him create a very balanced list. When all was said and done my son had amazing schools to choose from. He is very happy with the university he is attending in the fall. I would highly recommend Colleen to anyone who is needing guidance or feeling overwhelmed by the college application process.
VERNA, PARENT OF MILA
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND
Colleen was always there to offer me motivation and support, and she knew exactly what kind of programs would be a great fit for me. I'm incredibly grateful for Colleen's help, and I wouldn't be where I am today without her. Coming into the college application process, I felt lost. Both my parents had attended college outside of the US, and my counselor at school didn't have the time to walk me through the detailed steps. That's where Colleen came in. She was there to answer every one of my questions and guided me through all the intricacies of the admissions process. Her feedback on my essays was invaluable, and her tips and tricks helped me improve my writing drastically.
ALAN
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - LOS ANGELES
At the beginning of my college application process, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Collegewise took a lot of the stress off of me and allowed me to focus on what was important, which was researching colleges, instead of scrambling to try to figure out how to apply to them. My counselor, Colleen Boucher-Robinson, was fantastic. She was very flexible with meeting times, and that was especially important to me with my multiple varsity sports and volunteer services. Colleen also developed a personal relationship with me. I never once felt like a client, but more of a friend. When my friends started to panic about getting their apps done, I was already finished with all my applications. Collegewise made applying to college easy.
ANTHONY
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY - MAIN CAMPUS
My experience with Colleen was amazing. The college application process is very stressful and confusing, so having someone with knowledge and experience in the field is a huge relief. There were things I would’ve otherwise overlooked had I not talked with Colleen about it. It is so reassuring to know that Colleen was there to answer any questions, concerns, or even topics I hadn’t thought of. She had my back and always provided me with certainty and clarity when I was unsure of anything.
SKYLAR
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - SANTA BARBARA


Colleen Boucher-Robinson, College Counselor
For more than 10 years, Colleen has helped hundreds of students navigate the ever-changing admissions landscape with confidence and clarity. Colleen has supported her students in submitting successful applications to all of the UCs, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, Yale, Wesleyan, University of Michigan, Vanderbilt, USC and many more. Her combination of insight, empathy, and clear guidance helps students put their best foot forward without losing sight of who they are.
Colleen grew up in the Bay Area, a graduate of Mission San Jose High School in Fremont and the child of two engineers. While she understands the high expectations that often come with a STEM-focused environment, she is also deeply attuned to how quickly the professional landscape is evolving - especially in tech. Colleen works with students to showcase themselves as both impressive and adaptable, equipping them to pivot as new academic and professional opportunities emerge.
Although immersed in the world of tech, Colleen was drawn to the intellectual rigor of the humanities, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Classics at Loyola University Chicago before receiving her master’s degree in English from Boston University. It’s there that she honed the writing and editing skills that now give her students a powerful edge in crafting authentic, standout college essays.
Over the course of her career, Colleen has thoughtfully built a 360-degree view of the college admissions process. Prior to joining Collegewise, she worked behind the scenes in administration at Stanford University, managed private tutoring programs and taught test prep at The Princeton Review, and evaluated applications as a reader for the University of San Francisco. This comprehensive perspective allows her to guide students and families with insider knowledge of how admissions decisions are made and how students can stand out.
Ultimately, Colleen believes the college application process is a powerful opportunity for students to discover who they are, articulate what truly sets them apart, and prepare to create the future they’re envisioning. She encourages her students to embrace this moment not just to get into college, but to step into the next chapter of their lives with purpose, clarity, and excitement.
Outside of work, Colleen is training for her first triathlon, loves exploring her local theater scene, and is a dedicated advocate for family court reform.
Education & Experience
M.A. in English Language and Literature, Boston University
Magna cum laude graduate, Loyola University Chicago
Outside application reader, University of San Francisco
Co-author, The 2019-20 Collegewise Guide to the Common App
Co-author, The Collegewise Guide to Summer Planning
Professional Organization Memberships
NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling
