About Jen

jennifer-martin-hs-2 copy

Thank You for Stopping By!

I am Dr. Jennifer Martin, but please call me Jen. Like you, I have been a parent of a high schooler and full of worry and anxiety about what the future held for my children and how I could best support them through the process of college admissions. They both found schools where they were happy and successful, and I know that your child can too.

I founded Bell & Arch Consulting to help you and your child navigate the college admissions process and to replace that feeling of dread you might have about coping with the complexity of college admissions with feelings of joy and excitement about watching your child - who you have loved and nurtured - take all that they have learned from you as they grow into that unique and talented young adult they will become.

My Mission

My mission is to provide expert guidance to combat college admissions anxiety so that students apply thoughtfully to colleges that are perfect social, academic, and financial fits.

My business name, Bell & Arch, represents my aim to not only get your student to college, but also through college to graduation. Thoughtfully applying to schools that are perfect fits for your student helps ensure that they will be happy and successful during their college years. Bell is a nod to a tradition at the University of Tulsa (where I completed my M.A.) to ring the bell located on campus upon graduation. The arch is from my undergraduate years at the University of Georgia where students only walk under the famed arches on Old Campus after graduation.

Working Together

As your College Admissions Consultant I will meet with you and your student together and separately to navigate the college admissions process from planning for testing to analyzing admissions offers. I can meet in-person with Florida students in Sarasota, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Fort Myers, Venice, and Naples, and virtually with students across the nation.

Every student’s journey is different, and because I limit my practice to only 14 seniors each year, I will take the time to really know and understand your child and to provide a highly customized plan for them to successfully and joyfully navigate this process that will lead them to a thoughtfully selected college that fits their learning style, social outlook, and financial needs perfectly.

When you hire Bell & Arch Consulting, you will have my full attention. I do not employ other admissions consultants to take on my clients or to work with your teen on aspects of their college admissions package. You will have my expertise and assistance through every step in the admissions process. Additionally, I have a network of other admissions professionals across the nation that I meet with regularly. In these meetings, I gain additional knowledge and information that will benefit your teen.

My Credentials

  • Ph.D. in English and American Literature
  • M.B.A.
  • M.A. in English Language and Literature
  • B.A. in Journalism
  • Independent Educational Consultant Certificate, University of California Irvine, Feb 2022
  • Graduate of the Independent Educational Consultants Association Summer Training Institute, 2021
  • Professional member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)
  • Professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
  • Member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
  • Member of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC)
  • Regularly visit college campuses across the U.S. and internationally
  • Consistently attend industry conferences featuring sessions on admissions, colleges, financial aid, and student life
  • Follow higher education news through newspapers, journals, blogs, and books
  • Meet with admissions officers to understand the current trends in college admissions
  • Published author
  • Award winning college instructor of writing, literature, public speaking, and ethics courses

My students are amazing young adults with unique and exciting paths ahead of them. Here is what they say about our work together.

group of students with smiles

Request a Free, No Obligation Consultation:

Email Me: [email protected]

Bell & Arch offers full-service college admissions advising meeting the needs of students locally in Florida including Sarasota, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Fort Myers, Venice, and Naples, and nationally through virtual meetings.

Higher Education Consultants Association, Professional Member:

HECALogo

Independent Educational Consultants Association, Professional Member:

National Association for College Admission Counseling, Member

Southern Association for College Admission Counseling, Member:

Recent Articles:

What is a CEP, and Why Does it Matter to My Clients?

I am happy to announce that after a months-long process, I have been awarded the highest credential in my profession. I am now a Certified Educational Planner (CEP) awarded by the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP). “We are proud to have Jennifer Martin receive this certification,” said Rachel Sobel, Chair of the AICEP.…

Read More

Why the SAT and ACT Still Matter in College Admissions

I have yet to run into a student who looks forward to sitting for the SAT or ACT with eager anticipation. These tests are anxiety inducing for most students. I admit, I get it. There is the weight of your future attached to these tests that can leave even the most confident student feeling a…

Read More

A Look at Test Optional and College Admissions

Test optional and college admissions is still in a state of turmoil which I predict will not settle for the next 2-3 admissions cycles. In my opinion, test optional choices have made a byzantine system even more difficult for teens and their families to navigate as they apply to college. While I do believe that…

Read More

This is Not a Personal Statement: A Book Review

It was with great anticipation that I cracked open Tracy Badua’s This is Not a Personal Statement when it arrived on my doorstep after its January 17, 2023, release. I was not disappointed! While young adult literature is not my typical fodder for reading, I was interested to hear how Badua would interpret the current…

Read More

I Wish I Had Known

I wish I had known. I hear this quite a bit from the juniors and seniors working with me on college admissions. This blog is written to you – high school freshman and sophomores, and even to you – students in middle school or junior high. I want to share with you RIGHT NOW, some…

Read More

Bell & Arch Consulting, LLC will make every good faith effort to find a suitable college placement for the student. However, results cannot be guaranteed.