Heather Keddie, College Counselor
Keddie (she prefers to be called by her last name) has spent more than two decades in college admissions, wearing nearly every hat possible in higher education. She began her career on the college side, working in admissions offices at Whittier College, the University of Southern California, and finally Stanford University, where she served as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admission. Her transition to school counseling came naturally as she discovered her true calling was helping students navigate toward their best-fit colleges rather than saying “no” to exceptional applicants. She later served as Director of College Counseling at Sage Hill School, Co-Director of College Guidance at the Archer School for Girls, and spent a year as a Seasonal Admissions Consultant at an independent college planning firm before joining Collegewise in 2022.
Keddie's students have earned acceptances to an impressive array of schools, including Stanford, Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Penn, Dartmouth, Yale, all Seven Sisters colleges, all UC campuses, and dozens of other selective institutions nationwide. Her students have been accepted to at least 75 different colleges, including several international universities.
What sets Keddie apart is her genuine enthusiasm for teenagers and her ability to see potential in every student. As she puts it, "It's easy for me to love working with my kiddos, and I think they can tell my enthusiasm for them is genuine." This authentic connection resonates particularly well with students who want a personal relationship with their counselor or those who need encouragement along the way. Families consistently praise Keddie for understanding what their children need and appreciating them for who they truly are.
Keddie is at her counseling best during two critical phases: the college list-building and research process and essay development. Her extensive background gives her unique insights into what colleges are actually looking for, while her training in clinical psychology (she earned an M.A. in clinical psychology) helps her understand the emotional and developmental aspects of the college transition.
For Keddie, college admissions isn't just about getting into college—it's about possibility, potential, and fit. She believes higher education represents freedom, personal growth, and having one's mind expanded in ways students can't yet imagine. Coming from a family where her parents were college professors, she has spent much of her life on college campuses and understands firsthand the transformative power of the college experience.
Outside of work, Keddie enjoys hockey, spending time with her dog on the beach, and exploring New England food traditions—from lobster rolls to whoopie pies—since her return to the East Coast.
Education & Experience
Mount Holyoke College, B.A.
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Antioch University Los Angeles, M.A.
Admissions Intern, Mount Holyoke College
Assistant Director of Admission, Whittier College
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission, University of Southern California
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admission, Stanford University
Director of College Counseling, Sage Hill School
Co-Director of College Guidance, Archer School for Girls
Associate MFT, Antioch University Counseling Center
Seasonal Admissions Associate, Independent College Planning Firm
Professional Organization Memberships
NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling
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