Testimonials

The following is a list of students who have benefited from The Comprehensive College Selection Program:

Marc Ohlhausen
Liberty North High School, Liberty, MO
Washington University-St. Louis (Early Decision)

“We are very happy we chose to tap Jim Heryer’s expertise. My son, Marc, had done well in school but really had no clear direction for college. Jim was able to review Marc’s qualifications and key in on his personal characteristics to come up with a wide-ranging list of choices for him. It was empowering for our son to have someone outside the family validate his accomplishments and encourage him to apply to more selective programs. Because of this, he was able to navigate the entire process with more confidence and was very pleased to get his top choice for college. I would highly recommend seeking Jim Heryer’s guidance for this important process that otherwise can be quite daunting!” Deborah Ohlhausen, MD (Parent)

“Mr. Heryer took the time to get to know me and helped me focus on what I really wanted in a school. I think it helps a lot that he is familiar with and has connections to many schools across the United States. Having Mr. Heryer as a counselor really helped me get through this difficult process with as little stress as possible.” Marc Ohlhausen

Marjorie Townsend
Pembroke Hill School
Belmont University, TN

“Jim is top of his field. I have a business closely associated with college and university placement and I send my children to exclusive private college preparatory high schools… yet the school can  not provide the kind of one on one coaching and guidance that Jim can in the college selection process. His individual one on one approach helps students visualize their goals and begin to focus on the right college choices. Well worth the investment.”  – Guy Townsend (Parent)

The Chapline Family
Blue Valley North High School, Leawood, KS
Tom Chapline, Southern Methodist University – The Cox School of Business & Mark Chapline, University of Missouri-Columbia – School of Journalism

“We were extremely pleased with the professional guidance and assistance that Jim Heryer gave to both of our sons.   He presented us with a realistic timeline for the college application process, which was very helpful, especially as “first-timers.”

The self-assessment process was extremely important in helping our sons develop insight.  By facilitating a thorough examination of their accomplishments to date they were then able to translate that knowledge into the discovery of appropriate college choices. He exposed us to a variety of schools in specific categories, which in turn helped our sons differentiate and segment the overwhelming amount of choices that are out there.

Jim has a fantastic network of college admissions counselors and his assistance in making the connections is invaluable.

The end result was that both of our sons were accepted to a variety of schools that were good “fits” and received academic scholarships as well.  We are grateful to have had this guidance during this critical time in our sons’ lives.” Robert and Elise Chapline (Parents)

Melissa McKittrick
Shawnee Mission East High School, KS
Vanderbilt University, TN (The Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship – full tuition)

“From the beginning, Jim focused on getting to know Melissa and helping her identify colleges that would be a good fit for her. He helped all of us work through the process and keep it in perspective. Jim was very responsive and insightful when we had questions. We were very pleased and recommend working with Jim”  Bev McKittrick (Parent)

Hillary Stark
Pembroke Hill School, MO
Colgate University, NY

“The strengths of the program include Mr. Heryer’s experience, his extensive knowledge of the college and connections with admissions personnel. He takes time to learn the strengths of each student and individualize a list of colleges most appropriate for that student. Mr. Heryer takes the added stress of searching for the perfect college from the parents and student and focuses on the positive aspects of the process” Kelly Stark (Parent)

Sarah Arn
Shawnee Mission South High School, KS
Yale University, CN

“While many people were scrambling to figure out the college selection process, Mr. Heryer gave me a clear picture of what to do and how to decide what I wanted. He made me consider aspects of college life and college selection I would have otherwise overlooked. As a result, the application process was a breeze for me” – Sarah Arn

Vernon Estes
St. Thomas Aquinas High School, KS.
University of Texas – Austin

“The biggest strength of the program is being able to talk to/email/or meet with Mr.Heryer when we had a question and that he would always respond when we had a question in a timely manner…He made the entire program much easier and kept all of us on deadlines .” – Sondra Estes (Parent)

Doug Dellinger
Blue Valley North High School, KS
Duke University, NC ED Early Decision

“The greatest strengths of this program are Mr. Heryer’s experience and intuition in matching students to schools and his vast network of students and employees at institutions who are able to help.” Doug Dellinger

David Isenberg
Shawnee Mission East High School, KS
Macalester College, MN

“We found that Jim was very knowledgeable, organized and was able to give us good timetables in terms of getting David’s applications in on time. He also is an excellent editor and made good suggestions and changes” Ann Isenberg (Parent)

Anee Sophia Jackson
Shawnee Mission East High School, KS
University of Notre Dame IN, ED Early Decision

“Using your services gave us a sounding board independent of the other resources normally used. The separate time with Anee was also helpful.” Bill Jackson (Parent)

Harrison Campbell
Blue Valley North High School, KS

“After a very thorough search in mid-2011, we hired Jim as a College Coach for our soon-to-be-junior in high school. We were looking for someone with deep experience and great college/university contacts across the country who could communicate effectively with our son. Jim was highly recommended by a number of folks. All of us (including our son) are very pleased with the process, work and results to-date.”

Gillian O’Connell
Shawnee Mission East High School, KS
Dartmouth College, ED Early Decision 

Thank you for your help Jim with Gillian and Robert during the college application process. Although the process is arduous, your assistance lightened the worries. We all enjoyed getting to know you in  the process and feel free to use us as references anytime. – Sara O’Connell (Parent) 

Robert O’Connell
Rockhurst High School
Hampshire College, MA

The greatest strength of the program was its ability to make the abstract concrete by offering a step -by-step guide through various procedures. In addition to this, having someone to proofread essays and work through them with me was also helpful. Robert O’Connell (Student)

Sean Mangiaracina
Pembroke Hill School
Loyola University – Chicago

The program really helped to make the Resume look more professional and Mr. Heryer gave comments on how to improve the essays. Also doors seemed to open easier when we visited campuses. When preparing for interviews in pre-med the program certainly helped. I don’t think anyone at 18 years is ready for that. Sean was very happy to be accepted to all colleges he applied to and is excited to attend Loyola University – Chicago. 

Hannah Malvey
Notre Dame de Sion
Texas Christian University, Faculty Scholarship

One of the most beneficial aspects of the program for me was the Resume drafting process. Mr. Heryer provided comprehensive guidance including examples and suggestions for developing a strong Resume. Another benefit was the assistance and feedback Mr. Heryer provided while I was completing the college application essays.  Hannah Malvey (Student)

Patrick Martinsen
St. Thomas Aquinas High School, KS
New York University

The program helped us competently navigate the admissions process. The service is particularly valuable for students seeking admission to highly selective schools as Jim has built relationships with admissions counselors across the U.S. and is familiar with admission and testing requirements. – Sarah Martinsen (Parent)

Cacey Clark
Olathe North High School, KS
Southern Methodist University

I felt the biggest strength of the program was that it specifically targeted me and my specific needs as an individual.  Mr Heryer spent a lot of time helping me focus on what I wanted from schools and then took me through the process of selection of applications and decision making. My parents were particularly happy that he kept me focused and on time through the process. – Cacey Clark (Student)

Brigette Tripp
Liberty North High School, M)
Lewis and Clark College, Merit-based Scholarship – Debate

Our daughter may have been an exception but our problem was getting her to complete the application process. She would not accept help from anyone and our thinking was she might have taken it more seriously if she had to sign a contract. Mr. Heryer, your persistence and follow up with the application process made all the difference. 

My recommendation of Mr. Heryer comes without hesitation and with much gratitude for directing our daughter Brigitte’s college choice. Not only did he recommend the college, also, the follow up was impeccable.Michelle Tripp (Parent) 

Connor Manning
Blue Valley North High School, KS
William Jewell College, MO

One of the most beneficial parts of the program was having an outline to follow and steps to complete it. An important benefit was Mr. Heryer’s experience and  knowledge of what needs to go on a Resume, how to write an introductory email and what to do on a campus visit. It gave us the ability to reach the goal of finding a college that best suited Connor. He  was admitted to all three colleges he applied for and two of the three offered him very nice academic and sports scholarships. We also benefited from Mr. Heryer’s personal contacts, especially at William Jewell College, Connor’s ultimate choice. – Roxane Manning (Parent)