Madenberg College Consulting

Here's what students and parents have said about working with Jill . . .

From Parents:

I just spoke to Tommy. He is SO happy at school. And when I think about the many incredible college options he had, I wanted to reach out and thank you again. Honestly, working with you was a dream. So many people find this process frenetic and confusing. You were the guide my son and I needed! He LOVED the process, LOVED working with you and is already talking about visiting you when he comes home for the holidays.

This was the best money I have ever spent on any service. I could not recommend you more highly. When thinking about the investment of college, not only did Tommy receive tens of thousands in merit money (because of your guidance), he could not be happier in school. The ROI is priceless.

You became part of our family, Jill. We adore you and are forever grateful.

~ Parent

Jill , you have been an enormous help and we are so grateful we found you! I'm so impressed how my daughter has taken ownership of the process with your support. And, Katie seems to be really enjoying it! You have been incredibly responsive (and patient!). I can’t say enough good things about this experience.

~ Parent

Thank you for everything you have done for our family. Your depth of knowledge about the process and each individual school helped us make smart, strategic decisions throughout the process, but it was your calm, patient, thoughtful guidance that was most valuable. Your capacity to meet each of our very different children where they are was remarkable. We are grateful for your support and inspired by your true passion for this work.

~ Parent

Thank you for advocating and supporting all three of my children these last few years. You are a blessing. Honestly, I don't know what we would have done without you. You were such a strong support system and they each needed such different things. You gave each of them what they needed. They have such different personalities and yet all three of them said you made the journey to college fun and exciting! And, we are absolutely thrilled with the end results. I cannot imagine the college journey without you Jill. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

~ Parent

There are no words … I’m beyond thrilled for him that he has these fantastic options! I can’t thank you enough for opening these doors for him. You made this very unknown intimidating process an absolute victory!

~ Parent

We want to thank you again for the help and guidance you gave to our son. You really brought us off the proverbial cliff and for that, we will forever be grateful. You are great at what you do and you gave us a sense of security I don't think we have gotten from anyone else.

~ Parent

Now that all my children are in college, I actually miss the “pursuit” of the search!

During these unprecedented times, we’ve all been through a gamut of emotions but, I can say with affirmation that my husband and I take enormous comfort that our three children are well and thriving at college! This is with heartfelt thanks to YOU! The consideration for your experienced services offers a whole new level of confidence for the entire family. WORTH IT x3!

Thank you, thank you and thank you!

~ Parent

Not only did my son get into his first choice school Early Decision, Jill helped us with every step along the way.

Jill is so knowledgeable and helped me and my son feel confident with every phase. There is no question that I will hire Jill again for my younger children. I enthusiastically recommend her to any family who wants to embrace their child's college process.

~ Parent

Lori said she felt like she could really connect with you - she trusts you and believes what you are telling her and will be able to stop listening to the myths out there that are stressing her out. The calmness you bring to her is really miraculous.

~ Parent

Thank you so much Jill. You are truly the best. We loved every minute of working with you. Wish I had another child so we could do it all again!!

~ Parent

You walked me and my daughter off the cliff. I honestly don't know what we would have done if we hadn't met you. She was being Rejected or Deferred from all of her colleges and you took a look at her applications and explained why. She reworked some of her applications and then got into every college she applied to! THANK YOU JILL. You truly saved us, only wish we had met you earlier. Please save spots for our younger children!

~ Parent of senior year who just met Jill

I know that you are in the thick of it now with your seniors, loving every minute! They are fortunate beyond words to have you to guide them. I remember this time last year with Tracy. I will never forget how much you helped her and us. We feel blessed to know that you will be working with our younger children too. We can't wait to share this very special time with you again and again.

~ Reflection from a parent

Thank you Jill for all your helpful guidance during the college process. Your experience and knowledge are mind-blowing. In addition, the feedback provided during the editing process for all those pivotal essays was invaluable.

~ Parent

Jill held my daughters’ hands throughout their college processes. She is an enthusiastic, honest, knowledgeable, & thorough advisor who provides unparalleled guidance. She really does love the journey to college, & makes the experience feel like a fun adventure!

~ Parent

Thank you for your precious guidance. It is incredible how many applications are in and how organized of a process it’s been. Sarah has been working so hard and we know her applications will authentically stand out in a meaningful way. Thank you Jill!

~ Parent

Thank you Jill. You are a life saver. He’s very motivated and excited right now. I’m actually seeing a completely different side to him. I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for being part of this and guiding Lance with every step.

~ Parent of a senior

Lisa seems right on track, and I’m very appreciative to you Jill. This has made the whole process for our family so much better in a challenging time. Thanks for all of you do.

~ Parent in middle of application season

From Students:

I genuinely would not be in the position I’m in without you Jill, and I cannot express my gratitude towards you and all you’ve done for me. I am so excited I got into my dream school. Thank you!

~ Student

Thank you for all your help Jill. It's such a stressful time but you're helping me get through it all and I cannot express how grateful I am. I've been comfortable to open up to you since day one and I love how we've connected. No matter where I end up, I'll remember your support and encouragement for me throughout the process.

~ Student

Ah, thank you, Jill! :) Every time you email me I get a burst of motivation to work on these essays!

~ Student

Thank you so much! I cannot express how grateful I am for your time and guidance during this process. SO happy to have so many college acceptances!

~ Student

Jill, I just wanted to give a sincere thank-you for everything you have done. I appreciate you helping me along the journey to college since 9th grade. You were a tremendous help in suggesting changes to my essays, looking over my application, and recommending me go for Cornell Engineering. I am so incredibly happy that I ended up at Cornell, and you were a big help in making that a reality.

~ Student

Jill, from the start of my college search, you have been an unwavering source of support for my family and me. Through your advice and guidance, you helped me to successfully manage this complicate process and ultimately receive an acceptance at my first-choice school. How I could possibly thank you enough, I don't know, but I hope these words of gratitude is a start.

~ Student

Jill, when I think back to my path to college, you were my guide. Getting into Stanford was amazing but mostly I'm grateful for your guidance and compassion. I will stay in touch, thank you for being such an incredible mentor and showing me how to apply to college to showcase my talents and strengths. You're the BEST!

~ Student

Testimonials about particular services, Boot Camps, and speaking engagements:

I want you to know how grateful we are to see Sofia coming home in a very happy mood, with wonderful things to say about you, and eager to share what she has learned from you today. She feels confident now about how to make her application stand out and will use the tips and tools you gave her.

~ Parent

Thank you so very much for having Sarah at the Application Boot Camp, she learned so much and is in a better place with her applications and her essay.

~ Parent

I can't tell you how much we appreciate all that you have done by having Annie attend the Workshop. She is feeling much more positive about the process. It's like a weight has been lifted after the Boot Camp. She feels excited and ready to embrace this process. To quote your book (which I bought a few days ago) we so want her to 'love her journey' to college and I can't tell you how grateful we are to you for helping her to do so.

~ Parent

Wow! Arman learned so much from the Boot Camp. He said you were able to give him targeted advice on how to make his application stronger. He is now excited about working on his applications and starting his essays. I would recommend this to any student who wants to be sure that their application is as strong as possible and can pop out from the thousands of others.

~ Parent

I know you drew a very large audience, looking for answers to help them navigate through these unchartered waters, and you did not disappoint. Even though the future is so uncertain, you set a calm and reassuring tone, and offered frank, practical, and sound advice. I was especially taken with your emphasis on being authentic, and your reminder to parents to keep their children in “the driver’s seat”. Thank you very much for sharing your considerable expertise and insights with the community.

~ Parent who attended an MCC webinar

Parenting Advice

Jill, thank you for taking the time to talk with US. Christi is our oldest child and your knowledge not only about college but offering us incredible parenting advice, has changed our relationship with our daughter! Truly. Thank you for helping us talk to her in a way that she can hear us and be more open to our suggestions. She went from being stubborn and obstinate to engaged and cooperative because of YOU!

Lots more to come but we are thrilled to be taking this journey with Christi and grateful for your support.

~ Parent

Thank you for so warmly receiving us. We were a little hesitant to seek out help as we have been trying to address Cara's mental health issues. However, both my wife and I feel that you are the right private guidance and college counselor for Cara from our meeting today. It was quite impressive how you advocated for her well-being front and center. We need that. We trust your expertise in the placement, the decades of your experience and your instinct as a mother to guide both Cara and us. SO grateful to have found you. THANK YOU!

~ Parent

Honestly, when you said it would be fun and an enjoyable process, I didn't believe you. It wasn't this way with my other children (wish I had met you earlier). This was a JOY! And now that Bobbie is already into three colleges and it's only October, she is loving Senior year and we are incredibly grateful. Your parenting advice was life changing and we are now great examples of how to get through the college process with happiness and less stress -- all because of you. Thank you!

~ Parent