Nina Kedersha, Founder of Apply High School Consulting, has dedicated her career to helping families navigate the often complex process of high school admissions. At Ivy Tutor, we’re excited to share her inspiring journey and the impactful work she’s doing to guide junior high students and their parents in finding the right high school fit.
Q: Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to become a high school admissions advisor?
Q: Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to become a high school admissions advisor?Nina Kedersha: Coming from immigrant parents whose focus was all about getting the best education you can afford, I entered parenthood with the same mindset and as a new resident to NJ. Learning about the different towns, the school rankings and eventually understanding how to tap into alternative options in the county, continued to drive my passion for academic equity.
Q: What do you believe sets you apart as a high school admissions advisor, and how do you leverage your unique strengths to benefit the students you work with?
NK: My older daughter is neurodivergent and struggled through most of her elementary education. After years of advocating for her proper accommodations and consulting with various medical professionals, she began to soar and reached her full potential by the end of middle school. She was ready for a competitive high school environment to keep her stimulated and driven to succeed. She just graduated from Bergen County Technical School in Teterboro and is attending University of Pittsburgh. My younger daughter is quite the opposite. So, my high school research was completely different and she’s now attending an all-girl Catholic high school where she’s enjoying her environment and her new friends.
Q: How do you approach the challenge of helping students find the right high school fit, and what is your philosophy on guiding them through the admissions process?
NK: Our philosophy and mission is to find a high school that’s the right fit for each student to ensure that they will thrive in the right environment. In order to meet this goal, we need to spend time getting to know the student as a whole and the background of the parents (morals, beliefs, their perception of the student’s capabilities and expectations, etc.). During this initial in-take session, we collect data from both sides separately – a survey for the student and one for the parents to complete. In addition, academic grades from 6-8th grade are shared along with teacher’s feedback/comments, school standardised test scores and a list of active extra-curricular activities. This collective data is gathered and evaluated to develop a comprehensive report which will include top 2-3 recommended high schools and specialized programs (if applicable). This information and next steps-plan overview are provided in a comprehensive report to each family.
Q: How do you build relationships with students and families during the admissions process, and what strategies do you use to ensure they feel supported?
NK: After the in-take session, the report is produced and sent within 2 weeks and a final review call is scheduled to discuss the recommendations and plan within the report. The unique in-take process will provide a full picture of the student’s drive and motivation as well as the family’s values and interests, in order to produce a solid report with our recommendations. If the family chooses to extend services for optimal application strategies and essay assistance, we are happy to provide this support with additional consulting hours as needed. In addition, if the student or parents would like to schedule an informational session with a parent or student from our advisory board, this is a complimentary service that is provided after the report has been provided and next steps are determined. Aside from open houses that are more easily accessible at private schools than county magnet schools, students have limited exposure to specific vo-tech programs or school cultures. Having access to current and past students from each school and program being considered, will provide a personal back-stage review with Q&A opportunity that’s customized for each applicant.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Nina can help your family navigate the high school admissions process, you can reach out directly through her website. Visit Apply High School Consulting to explore her services and schedule a consultation.
