Our story
Why Applying to College 123 is different.
We meet families where they are in the process. You can choose which of the eight modules you need. Each module includes worksheets, recorded information guides, parent FAQs, and most importantly, 1:1 sessions with one of us to provide personal guidance when you need it.
After conducting a series of webinars with 100s of parents and educators we realized that there were families not being served by the traditional college counseling options.
Through talking with parents we learned there is a large number of students who don’t have access to the guidance and tools they need to navigate the admissions process. Some students rely on their high school college counselor, internet websites, and largely fly solo. A smaller group hires private educational consultants, like us, to provide truly customized services. We realized that for many families 1:1 guidance is more than a student wants or needs but doing it alone is too unstructured. That’s why we created Applying to College 123!
Our mission is to reduce the stress and anxiety students (and families) may feel as they navigate the college process. We help students learn how to research schools, write compelling essays that show colleges who they are, and organize all the parts of a successful college application. We’ll show them step by step how to maximize their potential, assess financial considerations, social fit, and return on investment so they select the best fits for them.
As professionals - and as parents - we understand the anxiety that comes with this process. We’re really excited, because Applying to College 123 is truly the first of its kind: an interactive, module-based course that walks students through all aspects of the application process. This year, more than any other, the landscape is confusing, fraught with question marks and lots of well-meaning advice from friends and family. It's no longer your grandmother's application process.
Still, a college education remains a requirement for future professional and financial success. Plus, college is one of the most transformative (not to mention fun) experiences of most of our lives! College is the gateway to many adventures that await. As Dr. Seuss said, "oh the places you'll go!"
That's why we've created Applying to College 123. By pooling our respective expertise and experience, we will restore sanity to the process, making it more manageable and less stressful. We cover the entire process, from A to Z, and teach tools and strategies for determining who you are and what you need to succeed, selecting the right schools, preparing the best applications possible, and maximizing chances of admissions success.
We each each bring something integral to the college application process.
Victoria Turner Turco, JD founded Turner Educational Advising after spending a decade at Georgetown University where she managed its Prelaw and Professional Development Programs. She has helped thousands of students write compelling admissions essays, and has taught and lectured extensively on the topics of college and law school admissions. Victoria is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, a contributing member and presenter for the Current Trends-Future Issues Committee of the Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling and a former board member of the Northeast Association of Prelaw Advisors.
Florence Lehr founded ARTriculate to help creative students apply to college. After decades guiding consulting businesses in their technological and financial decisions she decided to focus on her efforts on her true passion in the arts. She brings an understanding of the additional efforts creative students who want to marry their creativity with the humanities or STEM subjects must undertake to find and apply to colleges who meet their multifaceted interests. Most recently Florence served as a senior portfolio judge for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards contest.
The application process is not the only thing that's different about college … changes are on the horizon for higher education! The learning delivery model is poised for transformation and, while Covid-19 might have hastened the inevitable, it didn't cause the changes we'll see in the way students are taught. Channeling industry thought leaders, we wanted to create a course that is nimble in the true spirit of the 21st Century. Instruction will take place asynchronously (through pre-recorded video lessons) and synchronously (through live, online meetings). While assignments will be completed the "old-fashioned" way, students will actively navigate their learning in a modern format, and have the opportunity to check in with us 1:1 in each module. Co-creation is the name of the game!
Since you, as parents, are an essential part of this process we'll ensure that you remain in the loop at all times. In fact, every module has a parent FAQ so you'll know what to talk with your students about. We'll also hold live "coffee chats" with you to answer questions and assure your peace of mind. As parents who have gone through this process ourselves, we know how stressful it can be!
We believe that students will get the most benefit from participating in every module of this course, but we've created it so that modules can be purchased individually. We feel confident that once you begin with us, you'll want to continue.
We’ll give your students the tools to empower their college search and application submission giving you the confidence that they can successfully move forward in this new, exciting life milestone.