“Sonali Bridges is the perfect college counselor because her passion and motivation for helping students allows each student to feel supported and calm throughout this stressful process. She fosters personal and honest relationships with every student and their family to achieve success. She allows each student to grow and challenge themselves during the college process, where she helped me become more outspoken and confident. I couldn’t thank her enough for her help, kindness, and support throughout my senior year and beyond.” ~ Elyse P. “Sonali Perera Bridges was my independent college counselor throughout my Junior and Senior year of high school at Notre Dame Academy High School. At Notre Dame Academy, the ratio in the college-counseling department is 60 students to 1 college counselor, a situation that makes it impossible for students to receive the attention they need during this crucial time in their life. My experience working with Sonali was beyond what I could have ever received at my high school or with any other counselor. She is very professional, committed, and motivating. My college application process with Sonali was very educational, well organized, and most importantly, completely stress free! I would not have made it through the college application process without her guidance, support, and help. It truly is incredible how much dedication Sonali puts into working with her students. She is always available for help outside of counseling sessions, by phone, email, or even texts. She became more than a college counselor to me, but also a role model and sincere friend. She is a master at what she does and working with Sonali has truly been a blessing!” ~ Kirsten T. “The college selection process was one that I thought would come with a lot of stress, anxiety and challenges. Even though my high school provided a College Counseling program, I still felt unprepared and uncomfortable for the crucial months ahead that were the application process. After hearing about Sonali’s services from a friend, I scheduled a meeting and was immediately comforted. Sonali’s system and approach to the college application process proves to be extremely effective and relieved a lot of stress from my life. During our counseling time, Sonali identified my strengths and weaknesses as a student. She then was able to use those highlights to make me the best possible applicant I could be. Even though my time was constricted by the numerous amount of sports injuries that I sustained and the amount of time that followed in physical therapy trying to recover, Sonali helped boost my confidence and motivated me to work to my best ability. During the application process, Sonali was very involved and was sure that I met every deadline in a timely fashion. Sonali went above and beyond even after my acceptance and got me a job on campus. I am grateful for her and I couldn’t imagine working with anyone else. Working with Sonali is a true pleasure and made applying to college comfortable and easier than I thought it was going to be. I highly recommend her.” ~ Ashkan F. “In my school there was only one college counselor per hundred-forty kids, it was hard to get any of the individualized attention or personable advice I needed. I was often put in the category of kids that seemed to have everything organized and understood. When in reality I did not understand or know where to even begin. Luckily, Sonali came to my rescue. She set me up with much needed timeline and strategies that helped get me through one of the most stressful and confusing periods of my life. Sonali also gave me the realistic confidence I needed while applying to colleges. She was easy and comfortable to work with and I felt confident that she truly knew what was best for me and how my application should look. By correcting and checking all my essays and helping me form an organized resume I felt prepared and less intimidated sending in my applications. She was always available for any questions or just a confidence boost any time I needed it. She helped me understand the importance and art of presenting myself well and I believe that will help me not only in applying to colleges but for future applications.” ~ Avanthi H. “I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be a student of The Bridges Educational Consulting. The college application process can be overwhelming and difficult for both parents and students. Sonali relieved all the feeling of stress by creating a supporting environment and outlining a road map for my college application process. Her plethora of knowledge and resources gives her students more opportunity that many students won’t have. The one- on-one meetings with Sonali created a supportive and trusting relationship between us. Even when we were not at our meetings, she was in constant contact with me to follow up. Thanks to Sonali’s guidance, I was able to narrow down my college choices and find the perfect college for myself. When I came back from summer before my senior year, I was ahead of all of the other seniors in the college process. For those families of students beginning their college process, I would highly recommend her. Sonali’s passion and commitment to her students is what makes her so phenomenal at what she does.” ~ Brianna I. “I cannot express my gratitude for Sonali Bridges enough. She guided my family and I through one of the most confusing and stressful processes. From the get go Sonali made sure this process was about me and how I could best present myself in my applications. She found the perfect balance between including my family in the planning and decision making as well as allowing me to take control. I learned from her that every student has such a different process and experience, and that’s ok. Sonali did not stop once acceptances came in though, she made sure I was set up for success going into college and even advised me on selecting classes. In moments of doubt, she was only one panicked email away, always replying with calm and reassuring words. I truly don’t know how I would’ve survived this process without her!”
~ Lucia B. “Sonali joined our son’s “college application support team” at a crucial time, as we were considering a range of options for him to complete his high school career and make best use of a Gap Year. She quickly understood his potential and the challenges he faced, guided us to an option that was truly the best for our son, and gave him (and all of us) a much-needed boost of confidence. Even beyond her great organizational skills and proven expertise, Sonali’s vision, encouragement, compassion (and patience) were just as vital to our son’s success. Every meeting was like a sunny day, even on the stressful days when deadlines were fast approaching. Sonali is quick to respond to a panicked text or phone call, and never loses her calm demeanor. For us, Sonali was just what the doctor ordered!” ~ The Lloyd-Bailey Family “Sometimes teenagers need support from experts who are not their parents. Sonali coached my special needs daughter on how to write an application essay that truly illuminated who she is to the application committee— not just another “here is what I think you want me to say” essay. Sonali’s knowledge of university programs worldwide helped my daughter consider options she didn’t know she had. Now, she’s a sophomore at NYU’s Tisch School of Art and is spending the spring in Florence! Thank you, Sonali!” ~ The Young Family “I can’t say enough good things about Bridges Educational and Sonali Bridges. We called Sonali when our son was in Sophomore year to get a head start on College Planning. Sonali went above and beyond and not only helped our son with getting prepared for college admissions but also helped teach him life skills to ensure his success when he went away to College and lived on his own for the first time. We are so great full to have Sonali in our lives and cannot thank her enough.” ~ The Medina Family
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