About Me

I am passionate about education and I believe preparation is the key to optimizing and maximizing a students college selection choices. I help expose and match students to opportunities that will define their college choices and potential careers. I believe that enhancing students' experiences differentiate their applications.

Working with students has always been my passion. I tutored for many years prior to college consulting. In addition, I have taught college planning classes at the Monmouth Country Park System and the Parsippany Library System. I am also a firm believer in giving back to community. Each year I take on pro bono work for qualifying students in the Morris County area. I had also had a fulfilling career as a senior executive in industry. Having interviewed hundreds of candidates during my professional career, I know what hiring managers are looking for in candidates and I use this knowledge to help students find and prepare for interviews and internships.

Steps I Use to Stay Current
College admissions process is always changing, especially in these times. To stay current I am a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and a member of the New Jersey Association for College Admissions Counseling (NJACAC), National Career Development Association (NCDA) and Gap Year Association. Each of these associations sets membership requirements consisting of years of specialized experience, education and training, and a commitment to continuing education including college visits. I participate in IECA meetings virtually with admission counselors from a variety of colleges both in the US and abroad. I attend National College Fairs hosted by the NJACAC. I attend webinars on current topics such as changes in the college admissions process due to COVID-19, LGBTQ college events, and racial equality in colleges. I attend regional meetings with IECs where I learn and share best practices and have intimate meetings with regional admissions officers from colleges across the country. I personally visit 10-15 schools a year. Please see some of the insights from my visits here. I attend the NJCACAs part of the NCDA I keep current on career trends and I attend webinars on career development. I attend webinars on Gap Year trends and best practices. I believe in giving back and I support several pro bono students every year. Each of these associations sets membership requirements consisting of years of specialized experience, education and training, and a commitment to continuing education including college visits.

Why Work with Me
By nature, I am a driven passionate individual. I use these skills to help each of my students turn their dreams into realities. Students describe me as knowledgable, insightful, compassionate, and responsive. Check out more testimonials here.
doreen.helmke.cag@gmail.com

Specialty Areas

Students Enrolled

Syracuse University, Boston University, Pennsylvania State University -- University Park, University of Pittsburgh, University of Miami, Northeastern University, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey -- New Brunswick, Indiana University Bloomington, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The George Washington University, Florida State University, Florida International University, University of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University, New York University, University of Virginia, The University of Arizona, Delaware Valley University, Louisiana State University, University of Kentucky, Mississippi State University, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, West Virginia University, University of Delaware, University of Missouri -- Columbia, The Ohio State University -- Columbus, Ramapo College of New Jersey, St. Peter's University, Rider University, William Paterson University of New Jersey, Monmouth University, Drew University, Montclair State University, Caldwell University, Kean University, The University of Alabama, College of Charleston, Cornell University, Vassar College, Harvard University, American University, University of Rhode Island, James Madison University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University, Virginia Tech, University of California -- Los Angeles, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, George Mason University, University of Maryland, College Park, College of William and Mary, University of Hartford, East Carolina University, The College of New Jersey, Rowan University, University of Vermont, Ithaca College, Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, University College, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, SUNY -- Albany, The University of Scranton, Wentworth Institute of Technology, University of California, San Diego, Berklee College of Music, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Connecticut, University of California, Davis, Sacred Heart University, College of the Holy Cross, Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, Case Western Reserve University.

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