Services & Workshops

"With Jen's professional guidance and tools, our son stayed organized throughout all his college applications, which was no small feat. Jen helped him make his "plan A" possible and gave us all confidence knowing she helped him identify a solid "plan B" if needed. In addition to that, our son's interests were very specific and unique, and Jen dove into understanding them thoroughly, and she spent a lot of time researching the schools that could help him accomplish his goals. Her input on the essays was a valuable educational opportunity all in itself and will certainly benefit him in college and beyond the application process.

With Jen's coaching, my son was accepted into his top 5 schools, and she helped him to identify which school would be the best fit for him. We are thrilled to see our son heading to his dream school and future career, and forever thankful that Jen's involvement reduced our stress as we navigated this for the first time as parents."

- Parents, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Class of 2027

"My experiences with Jennifer Martin at Bell & Arch Consulting have been exceptional! She has been assisting my granddaughter, who is a high school senior, for almost a year now.

She has helped her with the process of preparing for college by guiding her through the standardized testing process, the college selection and application process, and recently assisted her in obtaining several wonderful college scholarships. Jen developed a wonderful relationship with my granddaughter, and it was a pleasure having her on our team. I can strongly recommend her to anyone looking for assistance in preparing for college."

- Grandfather, University of Alabama, Class of 2027

Teamwork Prepares Your Student For Success

Our work together is centered on providing your child as many strong options as possible for their path to and through college.

Your child will benefit from my proprietary information sheets and worksheets that will help your student navigate each step of the process with ease. Every student is different, so our time together will be spent in areas where your child needs the most help to ensure strong applications.

You and your child will be able to contact me via phone, text, and email so that you have quick access to answers as questions arise about the process. I know that nothing is worse than a night of worry when a quick answer is all that is needed to relieve your concerns.

Steps in the Process

I will guide your student through the following milestones in the process – tailoring each step to their unique needs. Since I limit my practice to 14 seniors each year, we will have the leisure to spend as much time as needed on each step so that your student has a strong foundation for their college applications.

Identifying Goals for College and Beyond

Some students know without a doubt the career of their dreams; others are still exploring. Guess what, there is no “right” place for a student to be while still in high school. I will meet your student where they are and spend as much time as they need to review and consider careers and majors that will feed their passion and play to their strengths. This process will help your student apply with purpose and intentionality as they approach their college application cycle.

Creating a List of Colleges That Meet Your Student’s Needs Socially, Academically, and Financially

A carefully curated and balanced college list is paramount to a successful college cycle. This is where all of my research and visits to colleges benefits you and your teen! I can introduce your student to colleges that they may not have ever heard of (and it’s hard to add a school to your list if you don’t know it exists). I will also help your student assess their admissions likelihood at schools of interest allowing us to create a balanced list of likely, target and reach schools. Because I will spend time really getting to know your teen, I can help guide them to schools that are good fits for them in three important areas – social, academic, and financial.

Crafting Strong Essays

I have worked with thousands of students on developing their writing skills. I view the college essays as an opportunity to help my students develop the writing skills they will need to succeed not only in the admissions process, but in college and beyond. I will carefully read each draft of each essay and offer insightful feedback to draw out the very best writing from your student. I have had plenty of experience working with reluctant writers and strong writers alike. Every student I have worked with is capable of developing a strong authorial voice that will help their college applications get noticed.

Managing the Application Process

This is where my business and organizational skills will pay off for you and your teen! I specialize in dividing large projects (like college applications) into small, bite-sized pieces with milestones along the way to reach deadlines in a low-stress, highly productive way. There will be no last minute, “I must write 5 supplemental essays by tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.,” when you work with me. I will help keep your student on-track to reach each application deadline with time to spare.

Analyzing Your College Admissions Offers

As much fun as it is to receive those college offers, this can also be a time of stress for students and families. Sometimes, it is difficult to unravel just what, exactly, is the bottom-line price for tuition and other expenses. There are also times when two offers are so awesome that it is hard to choose which school your student should attend. I will help you compare your offers, determine if another school visit or two will help you decide, and provide any additional research that will aid in your decision.

College Consulting Packages

I offer several ways for us to work together as your child prepares for college. Each package is highly customizable to provide your child the services they need to succeed.

Signature Bell & Arch Comprehensive College Admissions Package for Juniors and Rising Seniors

To be most effective, students should begin this plan during their junior year of high school and no later than September of their senior year. This plan features steps customized to your student’s needs including:

Regular meetings with your student
Developing a balanced college list of up to 12 colleges that are good fits socially, academically, and financially
Creating a testing plan
Developing a timeline for each application
Help with college essays
Current information about financial aid
Guidance during your transition to college
And, more!

The Basic Package

Florida Universities Only Package

Building Foundations for College: For Freshman and Sophomores

This package is for younger high school students who want to create a strong foundation for their college applications. Students enrolled in the Building Foundations plans reserve their spots in the Signature Admissions Package for their junior and senior years should they decide to enroll in the Signature Package. Each school year, your student will receive:

At least two meetings each semester with me
Course selection review along with a solid plan for coursework through high school
Review of extracurricular activities
Recommendations for summer activities
Assistance with maximizing college visits

On Demand College Admissions Consulting

Did You Know?

There are 3,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone.
The average number of students assigned to a high school counselor is 482 across the U.S.
High school students receive less than 40 minutes of one-on-one college counseling throughout their entire 4 years of high school.
College tuition has risen dramatically in the past two decades: private colleges have seen a 144% increase, out-of-state tuition at public universities has risen 171%, and in-state tuition has jumped 211%.
On average, college applications rose 11% across the nation in the 2020 admissions cycle with some colleges seeing increases as high as 42%.

I research the latest information available about college admissions and provide my families focused, expert admissions consulting tailored specifically to the needs of their student.

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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.

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