WisePath
People are talking!
Thank you to our hardworking students and supportive parents for their thoughtful testimonials.
Sue Bickett, Mother of USC Graduates, and USC Junior
“I’ve known Kira Fay and her family for twenty years. She has helped to guide my three children through the college application process. Her attention to detail is unsurpassed and she has an uncanny way of organizing college essays. There was a great amount of thought and review that went into every application. Kira is a natural at the college application process and takes the painfulness away. She has been our best resource! She has always been an exceptional mother and a loyal friend and this helps to make her an outstanding college consultant.”
Lucia Engel, Mother of University of San Diego Junior
“The college process can be extremely overwhelming, but not if Kira is involved. She understands teenagers and works well with them. After working with students for the past 10 years, she knows exactly how to navigate the process with extreme detail and has made life for us stress-free. Kira is a natural coach and her students and parents trust her immensely. She has organized my son and helped us achieve a stress free timeline for the college application process. She has a great understanding of the nuances of applying to different schools and strategizing about how and when to apply to them. Kira has made this process as positive experience as possible.”
Henry Farrell, Harvard Senior
“A strong foundation in service is a cornerstone of a strong college application, and I am so grateful that Kira was there to guide me through that aspect of my high school experience. Youth for Direct Relief (Y4DR) exposed me to adults, interviews, and interactions– all of which increased my confidence and prepared me well for my interviews here at Harvard. The skills I acquired through Y4DR as well as the contacts I made through Kira sharpened by communication skills which are constantly put to the test while joining new clubs on campus. Kira has continuously put herself on the line for students like me, and her record speaks for itself.”
Julia Guglielmo, USC Sophomore
“As a first-generation student, I was not only intimidated by the college application process, but unsure how to successfully represent my character and accomplishments. With Kira’s guidance, I learned how to write intriguing college essays as well as demonstrate how my extracurricular interests relate to my career goals. My application was intrigual in my award of the Chancellor’s Scholarship at UC Berkeley. Kira’s compassion and organizational skills eased the process. Kira has been an influential figure for me throughout the college process because she never stopped believing in my dreams. I would not have been able to achieve my goals without Kira’s continuous support and comprehensive knowledge about the college process. Thank you for everything!”
Barbi Zimmerman, Mother of UC Berkeley Senior
“Kira has a passion for youth and more importantly for the success of our youth. Her enthusiasm and interest in our daughter’s achievements made her the perfect person to help compile a strong resume and “list of activities” for the Common Application. Her warm and caring personality made it easy for our daughter to build a trusting relationship with her and her vast knowledge of the college application process greatly helped to set my mind at ease.”
Jessica Schaeman, Mother of USC Senior
“Kira was instrumental in helping our son find colleges that fit his area of study, size, and environment. She recommended specific courses offered in high school and at the local city college that inspired him. Most importantly, she listened and understood his motivations allowing him to showcase his unique strengths in his college applications.”
Susanna Sinclair, USC Senior
“Kira Fay has done an extraordinary job of not only helping me with my college applications, but also becoming a finalist in the Goleta Teen of the Year competition. It all started freshman year when I decided to join Youth for Direct Relief, which she was in charge of. From the minute I met her, I could see how organized, dedicated, and excited she was to help others, and for the past four years has helped me countless times in my preparation of college and scholarship essays. It was not until I met Kira that I was able to understand how important her vast knowledge of the college application process was. Kira was always quick and smart to respond by text or email when I had any questions, which made the process very easy. She was always there to answer any questions I had regarding the college process, and has been an essential figure in my successful high school performance. Everybody respects her, and finds her to be such a gem. Kira is a brilliant person, who is kind, dedicated, and full of energy. Kira, I want to thank you again for helping me with all that I have accomplished.” Kindest regards, Susanna Sinclair
Will Rottman, Stanford University Junior
“Mrs. Fay has helped me greatly and understands the college recruiting process for men’s volleyball. She is concerned about the best fit for me not only athletically, but academically and socially. She helped me to find a major at Stanford that I’m extremely interested in. My application truly reflected who I am which was important to me. I can always count on her to support my best interests.”
Cord Pereira, UCLA Graduate
“With Kira’s straightforward and enlightening approach to college counseling, I was able to get really clear on where I wanted to go, why it felt like the right fit for my personality and strengths, and how to get there with energy rather than feeling overwhelmed. Kira helped me to align my strengths with what the schools offered. I feel extremely motivated and on a clear path to a future I’m really excited about -that I didn’t realize I could have. Thank you so much, Kira.”
Tessa Dewell, UC Berkeley Graduate
“When my college application process started, I was extremely stressed. I applied to 12 schools and had to complete 4 different applications, while playing varsity volleyball, taking 4 AP courses and retaking the ACT. I had a lot on my plate. Luckily Kira was able to help me organize my work and navigate the different applications because of her prior experience working with them and her excellent organizational skills. She kept me on top of my work and made sure all of my writing supplements were of the highest quality possible before I turned them into schools. She also helped me with time management to help me minimize the stress I was feeling. I was actually able to enjoy the college process!”
Lane Peus, University of Virginia Sophomore
“Kira played a crucial role in finding colleges that were a good fit for me and was extremely helpful in guiding me through my applications. She helped me highlight my strengths, improve my resume, and encouraged me to become more active in the community. Kira had me dive deep into my college research and I was able to select my first choice school, submit a strong application, and apply early decision. I was accepted early at UVA and enjoyed my senior year of high school. Thanks to her my college plans have come to fruition.”
Lizzie Peus, Mother of Stanford University Graduate, University of Virginia Senior & Sophomore
“My sons have held leadership positions with Youth for Direct Relief, and I am indebted to Kira for getting them involved. I have no doubt that their experiences have been very beneficial to their college application process. My faith in her led me to select her to be my youngest son’s college counselor. I know he’s in great hands!”
Winifred and Logan Lender, Mother & University of Pennsylvania Graduate
“Kira (Ms. Fay) is incredibly organized and is able to motivate students to achieve at their highest potential. She helps students find the niche in which they can excel and educates them about the importance of community service. Kira empowers students to help in their local community in efficient ways. The skills she imparts help students in high school and support them when they are looking for ways to become involved in community service clubs at college.”
Yong-Ling Beiman, Mother of UC Irvine Sophomore
“Kira is an outstanding strategist and coach. She develops an insightful understanding of her students. She made specific helpful recommendations for our daughter, including courses offfered at the local city college and summer internships, both of which inspired our daughter in choosing a direction for her career and in building confidence in that path. Kira understands teenagers and was able to influence and guide our daughter through the complicated and detailed college application process in a manner that made our lives stress-free. We recommend Kira enthusiastically and without hesitation.”
Pam and Steve Kessler, Parents of UCLA Freshman
We engaged with Kira for our son when he was a Sophomore in HS. Our public HS, while a superior school, does not have a great math department. Out of the gate, Kira provided us an alternate method for our son to complete all his math curriculum via an online platform at Laurel Springs. We were at a loss and under duress to find a solution for this dilemma, and Kira solved this issue for us in one phone call. She laid out a comprehensive plan of academic classes needed for our son in order for him to achieve the highest possible chances of acceptance at his dream schools. On top of the incredibly valuable HS counseling she provided (which in public schools is generally generic and of little value unlike Kira’s customized approach), she explained the importance of outside school activities beyond athletics. She impressed on our son that without this other key element, grades and sports alone may not be enough in the competitive environment of highly selective schools. Our son listened (shockingly) and created his own club at school and it thrived under his leadership. Her time with our son ramped up with each semester in HS until his Junior year when Kira spent an enormous amount of time with him tracking his application process. She guided him on the key elements of all the various essays and was an absolute task master with him on his time management to stay on track with each aspect of the multitude of applications. We, as parents, were able to step back and disengage from the stressful process and let Kira run with it, entirely. That alone is worth every penny we spent. It was a stress free college application process for us. Ultimately our son was accepted at many highly selective schools and ended up choosing UCLA. This year they had a historic low acceptance rate of 10.7% with the most diverse freshman class in school history. Without Kira’s superior knowledge of how to navigate this complex process and her genuine desire for each of her clients to succeed, our son would not have been accepted to UCLA or many of his other schools. We are forever grateful to her.
Madeline Gunderson, Boston University Freshman
The college application process is dauting and can be very stressful, but with Kira’s help, I was able to succeed! Through her weekly sessions, I learned an incredible amount about college applications and was able to complete my work with ease in a timely manner. With Kira’s help, I was accepted into Boston University and am now committed to the college of my dreams!
Medeighnia Westwick, Mother of University of Washington Sophomore
Kira Fay, whom I have known since college, was a life saver when it came to the college admissions process. She was relentless in the most positive way!! She was a patient, organized, and knowledgable guide. She helped our son figure out what he hoped to get out of college, find the schools that fit his priorities, and then show those schools his potential. She alerted us to options that we hadn’t yet considered, and she then helped him keep track of the many details and deadlines with the applications themselves. What could have been a stressful experience instead became a chance to learn about the many possibilities and get excited about making them happen. Kira continues to amaze me with her commitment and work ethic. She will guide your child like one of her own. Our son, Caden, is now a very happy student at the University of Washington. We are forever grateful!
Macy Chrystal, Southern Methodist University Sophomore
Kira was my guardian angel during the college process! Not only was she organized, but she thoughtfully gave her unique input to each and everyone of her clients. I was overwhelmed and applied to many schools. With Kira’s help and guidance, I am now at Southern Methodist University, and happier than I could have imagined. Kira assisted me with organization, lists, due dates, and incredible essay support. I truly could have not done it without her!
Brad Finefrock, Father of St. Andrews Freshman
The college application process is an extended series of stepping stones that must be strategically navigated in order to maximize your child’s acceptance rates. Kira went to the next level with our daughter by keeping her on the WisePath proven model during her four years of high school. I highly recommend Kira’s program if you want to put your child in the best position to stand out from the competition. She will give you the personal attention and considerable direction that high school counselors are not equipped to offer their students.