My counselor boosted my confidence and helped me push myself while staying realistic about the college admissions process. She was there for me every step of the way, and even though I started working with her fairly late in the process, her help couldn't have been more valuable. Without her help, there's no way I would still be in one piece—not to mention going to my dream school! Collegewise made a very difficult process feel downright manageable—even enjoyable at times.

S.

TUFTS UNIVERSITY

Sarah did a very good job at not just making sure that I was prepared for all scenarios, but also making sure that I never felt too stressed. She was pushing me enough to get through all the work needed without making me feel too overwhelmed by the process

RESTON

WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Marina started with Sarah Turner at Collegewise Sophomore year. I have nothing but the best to say about Sarah. We did initially question the need for a college advisor, but ultimately decided to go ahead with Collegewise and it was the best decision we made. Marina got very little help through her high school in regards to where to apply. It was very important for us for Marina to go to a University which was a right fit for her. This journey began with Sarah - who was most definitely the right fit for her in regards to a college advisor.Marina looked forward to her meetings with Sarah. She became more of a friend/mentor to Marina as opposed to an advisor as the process unfolded. She was always available to Marina as well as to us for any questions that would arise. She was certainly a very calming stabilizing influence to Marina during this anxiety driven process. She was invaluable in helping to get Marina's essays edited and out to the colleges on time. I would 100 % recommend Sarah as a college advisor to consult. We all loved her !!!!!!!!!!

VIVEK, PARENT OF MARINA

With Collegewise experience, Sarah was not only incredibly helpful, but we were able to develop a close bond throughout the entire process. Every question I would ask would be given a thorough and thoughtful answer. She pushed me to stay on schedule and get all my work done at a reasonable pace. Because of this, my college application experience was WAY less stressful than I know some other seniors might have had. One of my personal favorite experiences with Sarah was brainstorming my supplements and personal statement essay. With each thought I gave her, she challenged me to dig deeper and ask myself some super hard questions. Without that final push, my essays would not be as high quality as they ended up being. When I was rejected from my ED school, Sarah sent me a thoughtful message and encouraged me to be hopeful about other opportunities on the horizon. It was so refreshing to have a college counselor who was able to assign me helpful work and give me deadlines, but also one who was a friend and an incredible mentor. Thank you Sarah, for such a wonderful experience! I am so grateful for your help getting me to the place I am today.

MAE

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Our counselor was a dream! I don’t know how we would’ve managed the college search, applications, and decisions without her. She had valuable information about all of the colleges she recommended. I highly recommend this service for anyone with a college-bound child. She kept our daughter engaged and helped manage her stress levels. An absolute godsend!

A., PARENT OF I.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Working with Sarah was a great experience! She was encouraging, helpful and also a realist. I am so glad I had another person to help balance out the process and provide perspective. She helped me think about more than just where my stats got me academically but also cultural fit and location. In the end I feel that the overall fit of the school I chose was the best fit for me and I couldn't be happier!

MERIDAN

BOSTON COLLEGE

Sarah Turner pattern

Sarah Turner, College Counselor

In a college counseling career that began with serving students at multiple independent schools and has continued at Collegewise since 2019, Sarah has successfully guided students to admission from more than 200 colleges, including highly selective schools like Dartmouth, Columbia, and University of Chicago, large public universities like UCLA, University of Michigan, and UT-Austin, liberal arts colleges like Bates, Colby, and Pomona, and tech schools including RPI, RIT, and Virginia Tech, not to mention international universities, musical theater programs, film schools, women’s colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and art schools—at the risk of belaboring the biographical point, Sarah has deep experience advising students towards application success at all types of colleges and universities, and there are few college counseling scenarios that have not previously crossed her desk.   

 

One of our most requested Collegewise counselors, whose caseload is comprised almost entirely of referrals from current and previous families, Sarah serves as the Co-Lead of our internal Collegewise Freshman Forum, a series of professional development opportunities to help new Collegewise counselors further enhance their best counseling practices. Sarah is one of a select group of Collegewise counselors to serve students in our formal partnership with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. And she is also a regular presenter for our internal IEA (Inclusion, Equity, and Access) Board to help Collegewise counselors incorporate awareness and tools for anti-bias work.

 

A teacher at heart, Sarah particularly enjoys working with students who are excited about the process and bring lots of questions, and she relishes the opportunity to play myth-buster to help students and parents separate college admissions fact from fiction. 

 

Testimonials from Sarah’s Collegewise families frequently cite the relationships she builds with her students, her clear and consistent communication, and her ability to create a positive, calm atmosphere. Sarah has found her students enjoy the most success when parents are willing to step back and trust their kids to own the process with her, knowing Sarah will keep families informed at appropriate times. 

 

A professionally self-aware counselor who wants her families to be predisposed to appreciate her approach, Sarah admits she might not be the best fit with families for whom “prestige is your only goal.” She loves encouraging all her students to dream big, but Sarah does not believe an acceptance to a highly selective college should be the only acceptable measure of success for a high-achieving student’s hard work (decisions from colleges are never ultimately in the student’s or the counselor’s control). As she puts it, “This time in a student’s life is a journey, not an outcome.”

 

When she’s not enjoying life just outside of Boston with her husband, son, and rescue dog, Sarah loves playing tennis, advocating for justice and equality, and searching for the perfect restaurant.    

 

Education & Experience

Bowdoin College, B.A.

Director of Admission, The Gordon School (East Providence, RI)

Director of Admission & Financial Aid; Director of Secondary School Placement & Outreach; Middle School Dean, Cambridge Friends School (Cambridge, MA)

Associate Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Waynflete School (Portland, ME)

Assistant Director of Admission & Financial Aid, North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth, ME)

Professional Organization Memberships

NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling

NEACAC: New Engalnd Assocation for College Admission Counseling

 

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