Selection and Counseling

School selection and counseling is a comprehensive service that begins in late summer or early fall. Families meet to discuss and answer questions about their children, their views of school, what has and has not been effective so far, and the different types of schools available in the Washington area (and, for boarding school applicants, around the country). Selection and counseling includes the services listed below, as appropriate. (Not all families engage all services.)

• Interviews and conversations with parents (and with applicants to grade 4 and above)

• Review and discussion of grades and school reports

• Review and discussion of standardized testing and professional evaluations

• Discussions of schools identified by parents

• Discussion of advantages and disadvantages of boarding schools

• Recommendations for schools to consider

• Recommendations for additional testing and resources (if indicated)

• Recommendations for test preparation services

• Discussion of teacher recommendations

• Discussion of application calendar

• Evaluation of the likelihood of admission at particular schools

• Discussion and coaching on student school visits and interviews

• Discussion and coaching on parent interviews

• Complete review of applications

• Advising on unusual conflicts between schools

• Discussion of admission options after offers are received

• Strategic counsel on wait-list decisions

• Preparation for matriculation

• All other questions and concerns as they arise throughout the year

Hourly Consultation

Sometimes families have specific questions that require less discussion and planning than a full application process involves. For example, sometimes parents would like opportunities for their children to practice interview techniques, would like to receive advice on their application responses, or begin the process after initial deadlines and notifications have passed. In these cases, a full-service process doesn’t make sense, and I am happy to discuss hourly billing.

A note on Fees

I try to be sensitive to differences in family resources, and I often adjust fees based on family circumstances. If you are committed to applying to independent schools but are concerned about fees, please get in touch so we can discuss your situation.

CAN I HELP WITH A WAITLIST?

Counsel on strategy for navigating waitlist situations is a standard aspect of my work each year with a handful of families. Most (but not all) of those situations have resolved favorably.

I generally do not accept new clients solely to provide counsel on waitlist situations in the spring. I begin work with families at the beginning of a school year, and of course some of those students are placed on waitlists as well. I try to avoid situations in which new clients looking for just a little advice might put longer-term clients at a disadvantage.

Will i help your child find a “perfect fit”?

Probably not. It is a rare family that never encounters a conflict with their school, especially over the long term. Instead of adopting the “one-ism” approach that’s common in school searches, I help families discover the advantages and disadvantages of various schools, and evaluate those attributes so they can make good, confident decisions. Almost all children can find success at a range of different schools. If you’re not expecting to find one magic, perfect fit, you’re more likely to find options where your child can adapt and thrive.

A year before meeting Peter, my son had embarked on applications to boarding schools, and unfortunately was unsuccessful in gaining admission. Going into the second year of applications, for grade 10, we were anxious and uncertain.

Throughout the process, Peter provided astute insights, comfort, hope, and much humor, to both of us. Most important, Peter guided my son through every aspect of the process, from helping him identify schools aligned with his interests and needs, to helping him create his first sports video clip, right up to the March 10 decision day — when my son was accepted at six of the schools on his list.

From two years of experience, my son and I learned that applying to boarding school is far from simple. With Peter we found not only a seasoned expert, but also a friend who, at every turn and bump in the road, helped us navigate the path with the utmost care. My son is very excited to attend boarding school in the fall, and we agree that Peter’s assistance was invaluable in helping him achieve this outcome. We feel most fortunate he was the one we chose to help us in this journey.

Without any reservations, we recommend Peter to help you with your family’s journey!

—Caitlan Huang (and her son Arthur!), Albany, NY

Peter was a tremendous resource to our family throughout the school selection process. He is passionate, extremely knowledgeable about the independent and public school landscape in the Washington area, and has an extensive network of contacts — he knows many admission directors personally, and is current on the ins and outs of each school. Working with Peter was so valuable because he listened, got to know our child and our family, and was able to provide input and advice on schools that represent the best fit for our family.

—Nancy Kim and Charlie Hewlett, Maryland

Peter is one of the wisest, most insightful educators we have known. His wisdom helped our child thrive and succeed, both as a student and as a human being. He has helped countless families like ours through the school search journey, bringing sanity, good humor, and integrity to the process. He has a deep nuts-and-bolts knowledge of the process based on experience, as well as a strong understanding of each school. You won’t find better!

—Kim Berman and Farzad Mostashari, Maryland

You did so many things well. You brought schools to our attention that had not hit our radar screen, and thus opened our eyes to other potential options which would be a good fit. You did a wonderful job of helping [our daughter] fine-tune her application by asking questions, while maintaining her voice throughout. Thank you!

—Brooksley and Darren Williams, California

Guidance and questions while writing the essays was extremely helpful. I do not think I could have conveyed my child's personality as well without Peter's assistance. Peter was always available for questions.

—Lisa and Mike A., parents, Washington, DC

Peter has a unique capacity to understand students’ core talents while considering their capacity for growth. He is able to help families convey these elements of a student’s profile to admission teams, in their own writing and conversation, in reassuring and persuasive ways. Peter’s deep knowledge of schools as settings for academic and personal growth allows him to tailor his support for students and families in ways that serve families and the school communities they join.

—Alexander Levey, former Director of Upper School Admission, Sidwell Friends School, Washington (currently Director of College Counseling, Maret School, Washington)

Why me? I help families complete the process of applying to schools and school programs, and I encourage families to make solid, reasonable decisions about their children’s schooling. Rather than telling families what they should do, I work with families to develop questions that will help them understand their preferences in education, and the ways particular schools do or do not align with those preferences. In general, I don’t believe there are “good schools” and “bad schools” — instead, there are good choices and bad choices for each particular family.

• Success in placement. I have worked with about 400 students on school placement. Just under 90 percent of those students have matriculated at their first-choice schools; a bit over 90 percent have matriculated at first- or second-choice schools.

• Both sides of the table. I have served on admission committees that have reviewed hundreds of applicant files. I have also helped hundreds of students find placement at independent, boarding, parochial, and public school programs in the Washington area, and around the US. Few consultants in the U.S. have such extensive experience on both sides of the table in the school application process.

• All kinds of schools. I worked at independent schools near Chicago and Washington, DC for 23 years. I have experience at PK–12 schools, a PK–8 school, and a 9–12 school; at day schools and a boarding school. I have helped applicants gain admission to day schools, boarding schools, parochial schools, and public magnet schools. There are very few kinds of schools with which I do not have direct, specific experience.

• Established relationships. I have spent over 15 years understanding the nuances of schools and their admission processes, and I have established relationships with scores of admission officers in the DC area. (Alas, despite this experience, it should go without saying that none of this means I can “get somebody in.”) I know how to help your family represent your children at their best, and I know the questions to ask during the process to help families apply to schools effectively. It may help to think of my services as similar to an attorney’s: While no attorney can guarantee that a court will rule in your favor, a good lawyer can help you present your best case through knowledge of the system, its rules, and those who work in it.

Last school position My last position in a school was Middle School Head (i.e., principal) at Green Acres School in Rockville, Maryland, where I served from 2003 to 2014. I stayed an extra year, through 2015, as Director of High School Placement, at the request of the Head of School.

Other school roles In addition to Middle School Head and Director of High School Placement, my formal titles have included Upper School Head; Middle School Teacher; Director of Communications. Other previous roles include: yearbook advisor, newspaper advisor, varsity baseball coach, dormitory master, student advisor, and Middle School soccer coach at my very first school. (I have coached baseball from age 7 through high school, but I was then, and remain now, absolutely, thoroughly, entirely unqualified to coach soccer.)

Education I earned my masters degree in education at Harvard. It was my first choice, but it turned out not to be the right program for me. I earned my bachelors degree at Wesleyan because I didn’t get into my top two choices. I loved it. I’m living proof that first choices don’t always turn out best, that there’s no magic fairy dust in the Ivy League, and that people survive rejection!

Other stuff A school application is a multi-faceted exchange of information between an applicant family and a school. I’ve always been intrigued by the ways people present and consume information — words, images, music, other arts, even video. To that end I’ve been an editor in every job I’ve ever held, whether nominally that of “editor” or not. I’ve published articles on music and sound, and my career took two brief digressions into graphic design, which is essentially the study and practice of how people interact with visual information. The lines between professional obligation and personal interest are sometimes blurry. I’m also a photographer (sometimes professionally), a pretty good cook, an amateur woodworker, a terrible guitar player, and a music collector. I have about 3000 LPs. I understand vinyl is hip again. My children remind me that I am not.

Favorite quotations

• “When I was 14, I couldn’t believe what a fool my father was. When I was 21, I couldn’t believe how much the old man had learned in seven short years.” (Mark Twain, perhaps apocryphal, but still pretty good)

• “Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it.” (André Gide)

• “Not all who wander are lost.” (unknown)

Michael or LeBron? Michael. (I’m a Chicagoan.)

Oxford comma? In favor. Adamantly.

Beatles or Stones? Grateful Dead. Sorry, yeah, I was one of those people.

Real life I live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington with my wife and Stella, a neurotic but sweet lab/hound rescue dog. We have an adult daughter who lives in Mexico City, and a son in college.

Affiliations and memberships I hold active memberships in IECA (the Independent Educational Consultants Association) and WISER (Washington Independent Services for Educational Resources).

Reviews To see what others say about my work, visit the Reviews page.

Lowell School (Washington, DC)
Madeira School (McLean, VA)
Maret School (Washington, DC)
McLean School of Maryland (Potomac, MD)
National Cathedral School (Washington, DC)
National Presbyterian School (Washington, DC)
Nora School (Silver Spring, MD)
Potomac School (McLean, VA)
Sheridan School (Washington, DC)
Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC)
St. Albans School (Washington, DC)
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (Potomac, MD)
St. Anselm’s Abbey School (Washington, DC)
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School (Washington, DC)
St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School (Alexandria, VA)
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (Bethesda, MD)
Washington Episcopal School (Bethesda, MD)
Washington International School (Washington, DC)
Washington Waldorf School (Bethesda, MD)
Westminster School (Annandale, VA)

Bement School (MA)
Brooks School (MA)
Choate Rosemary Hall (CT)
Cranbrook Schools (Mich.)
Deerfield Academy (MA)
Eagle Hill School (MA)
Eaglebrook School (MA)
Episcopal High School (VA)
Georgetown Preparatory School (MD)
Lake Forest Academy (IL)
Lawrenceville School (NJ)
Mercersburg Academy (PA.)
Millbrook School (NY)
Northfield Mount Hermon School (MA)
Phillips Academy (Andover) (MA)
Phillips Exeter Academy (NH)
Sandy Spring Friends School (MD)
Stoneleigh-Burnham School (MA)
Westtown School (PA)
Wilbraham & Monson Academy (MA)
Williston Northampton School (MA)