Testimonials
Here are unedited notes and emails from students and parents:
Cate Clement is a brilliant, patient and an exceptionally resourceful College Advisor. We were given greater service and information than we realized we were lacking. Having been through the process with one child, we were amazed at the level of organization and connectivity to our son and his interests Cate immediately engaged in. Cate’s subject matter expertise is noteworthy as she possessed the ability to narrow our son’s college search, her depth of knowledge of each unique University’s strengths and weakness and her amazing ability to navigate and elevate our son’s Common Application changed the entire process from anxiousness and frustration to enjoyment and celebration. We without question highly recommend Cate Clement and College Guidance services.
Parent of a High School Student
I would not be going to my dream school, and I would not be receiving $27,000 a year in free money without Cate’s help.
High School Student
Cate makes the complicated, potentially overwhelming college search process smooth and manageable. She is exceptionally professional, knowledgeable, and organized, with a knack for getting students to open up to her. Our sons’ personalities differ, yet both were able to share with Cate their hopes, questions, and concerns throughout the process. She expertly guided them, keeping them on task, and building their self-confidence along the way. They are now both happy and doing well at their first choice universities thanks to Cate’s counsel! As parents, Cate kept us fully informed and engaged, building our confidence in navigating this important process with our sons. Hiring Cate was a great decision. She works hard for her students and was worth every penny of her fee.
Parent of a High School Student
Cate helped me to see the importance of certain classes, test and courses of action, that honestly, I would not have taken on my own. Her guidance, without question, aided me in my acceptance to Yale, my college of choice.
High School Student
As we look back we can’t even imagine navigating the college application process without Cate. She had perspective at every step. She understands the big picture and choosing a college as a “good fit” was more important than choosing a school with a name, or alumni connections. Cate understands how different colleges are and that each college has a personality. With her guidance, both our kids created application essays that were so creative and true to who they are! Our kids were externally motivated for Cate even at times they weren’t internally motivated. At so many steps, Cate was a mentor for them. Our son feels he aced an interview at his college of first choice because she helped prepare him for it. There is no way we could have provided this insight and information to our children. I don’t know how many times I said, “Cate is worth her weight in gold!”
Parent of a High School Student
Cate’s vast knowledge about colleges and her keen ability to match Alex’s personality to a specific set of colleges was outstanding. Cate’s positivity and excellent listening skills helped make our college search experience much less stressful than had we tried to do it alone. Cate did an excellent job advocating for Alex by working within the boundaries of what she wanted in a college. Cate’s prompt responses to our questions and concerns gave us a great sense of relief throughout the entire two-year college search. Cate Clement is an excellent local resource here in Maine for parents with college-bound children.
Parent of a High School Student
Cate has helped guide us through the college process with two of our children thus far. Both kids were accepted to their dream schools and in both cases the applications were submitted early. Not only was she successful in helping them achieve their goals, she made the process painless for us as parents. Through her structured guidance, timely reminders and deadlines, she made sure nothing was missed.
The first part of the process allows both the kids and parents to voice their opinions and then shapes her recommendations to accommodate hopes, dreams, financial reality, and realistic choices. Her comprehensive list of schools is tailor made for each student based on the many variables that make each child and situation unique.
As the year progressed, we saw the kids take an active role in making sure they had testing dates set, teacher recommendations, and essays started. Cate encourages the kids to take responsibility and to take advantage of her many years of experience. We never had to ask if tasks were completed which allowed us to take a positive role in the college process with our boys.
Cate begins early, in order to make the process easy. She offers essay editing, interview practice as well as interviews with colleges at her home, and specific help filling out the application. She does not have a “one size fits all” program and she will help you as little or as much as you need. There were no surprises and she was always available to answer any questions right away. We couldn’t have done it without Cate!
Parent of a High School Student
Cate helped us with the college search for both of our children. Both children were admitted Early Decision to their top college and could not be happier. After completing some paperwork and meeting with us, Cate provided us with a list of college choices that met our criteria. She then guided us through the campus visit, interview, and application process. Cate’s knowledge about schools and insight into the process was invaluable. Her friendly e-mail reminders to parents and students about important dates and deadlines keeps everyone informed and on track! Finally, Cate makes the very stressful college search process bearable. She responds to e-mails promptly, answers questions frankly and honestly, is always smiling, and adds humor to the process whenever appropriate. She is a calming and knowledgeable resource that we highly recommend.
Parent of a High School Student