Results & Testimonials

- Acceptance Rate:  91% – 27% higher than all other students nationally.

- $16,000/year average scholarship ($64,000/4 years) for 2011 clients.

- Clients saved an average of 40% off the sticker price of college

From the 2011 Client Survey:

- “Overall satisfaction with the College Advisor of New York ” – 9/10

- 77% “gained peace of mind.”

- 72% “made a more informed, systematic college decision.”

- 52% “saved time.”

- 40% “saved money.”

“Working with you was the best pre-college investment we’ve made.  My son is now about to enroll in a school he loves with a sizable scholarship.  Thanks again Dean & Staff !”

 Leslie Iarusso, East Greenbush, NY

“The College Advisor Of New York helped us in so many ways. By taking us out of the equation, they were able to get our son to write the essay during the summer (without complaint) and keep to a schedule for everything he needed to do in the fall. We were ambivalent about whether we would qualify for financial aid. Dean strongly encouraged us to try, and took us through the process step by step. We are so glad we did – our son is going to an excellent college with a bigger aid package than we ever expected!”

Becky and Mike Steiner, Bethlehem, New York

“Dean, we can’t thank you enough for the help you provided Emily and our family. As anyone who has been through it knows, the college selection and application process is complex and can be very challenging.

It was extremely comforting to know that you were there to guide us every step of the way. Knowing what we should be doing, how to do it, and when, relieved us from ever being in panic mode because we missed something. We would have been lost without you.

Laura is a freshman, so we’ll be back in touch before we know it.”

Mike Wanerka, Ballston Spa, New York

THANK YOU FOR SUGGESTING ST. JOES!!!! I love it here! My professors are awesome, and I have already had so many experiences I know I will hold dear to me.  I have high hopes for my next four years here… and it is all because you said to “please check out this school”!

Rosanna DeFilippo, Loudonville, New York

“Thank you for all your help! We can’t imagine trying to do this without you. Something would have been done, but it clearly would not have been as informed and intelligent a process. We shudder at the thought of doing this without your firm.”

Brian & Patti O’Donnell, Voorheesville, New York

We received notice from Ithaca that they have awarded Emily an additional $2,000 a year for a total of $8,000! This was a direct result of your assistance in the scholarship appeals process. Your help was well worth your fee!

Kevin & Ann Hull, Jefferson, NY

“When my daughter gave me the great news regarding her scholarship, I was pleased about our family decision to reach for help. I certainly believe that this was a wise step, and there is no doubt that you were the right person. Cyndel and I are thankful for your help; you were honest about the probabilities, you did an amazing job at guiding her writing, and I certainly believe that you did turn the table. I look forward to working with you again.”

Gerald Carreau, Vacaville, California

Matt is really loving George Washington University, and we really appreciate all your help in getting him there! It is a perfect fit for him, academically, socially and politically speaking. Thank you for all you did for us.

Kathy Grifferty, Schenectady, New York

“It was definitely worth the peace of mind. You helped Alicia seriously explore her interests and abilities so that she was better able to assess each college. You and Maggie developed your own relationship with her independent of us, which was the key to this being a good experience for the whole family.”

Marta Gomez, Clifton Park, New York

“Dean has been a lifesaver for my family. My daughter is a typical teenager, very sweet, but often thinks she knows EVERYTHING… especially more than her parents. Dean and Maggie took her through the entire process, from career and interests options to all submissions the schools required. We live in a great school district, one of the top schools in the state. And as much as I like the guidance staff, I know we would never have gotten the attention necessary to complete this process so easily. Dean and Maggie made it downright simple for us.”

Mary Jaconski, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“Hiring you was the best thing we could have done to get through this so smoothly. I think a lot of Alicia’s friends could have used your help. I’m convinced that had they worked with you they might have considered other schools, found ways to finance their education, or decided that higher priced schools were worth the price.”

Ariel Caticha, Clifton Park, New York

“Working with Dr. Dean Skarlis and The College Advisor of NY proved to be a great experience for my son, Michael, and our family. With Dean’s help, Michael was able to focus on the colleges and universities that offered him the educational and lifestyle characteristics he was looking for. Dean also made the application process extremely easy by setting deadlines and holding Michael accountable for meeting them. With Dean as the “driver” of the admissions process, our family was able to enjoy this time, rather than have it be tense and stressful.”

David Hunter, Salem, Virginia

“Dean, we could not have done this without you. You truly reduced our stress throughout the process. Your level of knowledge about a wide variety of colleges and the financial aid process helped Gwenn get in to a school that’s a perfect fit for her. What’s more, you saved us thousands of dollars. Your fees paid for themselves at least 5 times over. Thank you so much!”

Michel Patterson, Loudonville, New York

“Having you onboard to narrow Casey’s list of schools really helped her maintain focus. It was amazing that the Meyers-Briggs assessment summed her up so well! That helped us to understand the direction she was heading and what schools would match with who she is. For Casey, and I’m sure for a lot of other kids, it’s “I’ll do it later”. They don’t realize later is now. With her high energy and somewhat stubborn personality, your guidance was very beneficial for all and a stress reliever for me!! Thanks Dean.”

Maura Orchard, Clifton Park, New York

“As you well know, the college selection process is an emotional and mental roller coaster, and the experience of The College Advisor of New York was critical in helping us focus on priorities and meet important time frames. Your strategies and suggestions were very helpful in how we pursued the early decision process with Mike’s choice of Clarkson University.

Dean, your professionalism and proper balance of motivation and support of both our boys was key in making the college search process very positive for our entire family. Thanks again for all your help.”

Jack Davis, Guilderland, New York

“Although my son Ryan has excelled in other areas I feel the revisions and ideas on his essays are the one thing that distinguish him from other candidates. I believe that when admissions officers read his application they won’t want to put it down. I feel Dean and Maggie have given him the best chance at being accepted to his stretch schools. I highly recommend The College Advisor of New York to any and all.”

Ric Kelton, Wynantskill, New York

“The best aspect of Dean’s consultancy has to be his thoroughness. From the beginning of the process (selecting majors and universities), right up to the decision-making process and enrollment, he pays meticulous attention. In addition, his fixed-fee structure kept money separate from the entire process, allowing me to focus solely on making an informed decision.”

Vinay M. London, England