JILLY WARNER,

College Admission Consultant

Qualifications and Experience

  • 13 years’ experience in college admissions; 10 years’ experience as educational consultant
  • Former Coordinator of International Admissions, The University of Vermont
  • Specialized training with international, transfer and non-traditional applicants
  • Parent of 3 college graduates

I was born and raised in England, and educated in London and Paris.  Diploma in hand from the Institut Francais du Royaume-Uni, I lived, worked and continued my studies in Vienna, Austria, adding German and a little Russian to my language skills.  During my employment at the International Atomic Energy Agency, I met many Americans who inspired me to undertake some extensive travel in the US, and during one such trip, I made the decision to stay and have subsequently made the United States my home.

I joined the Admission Office of the University of Vermont, a flagship research university and worked with a wide and diverse range of students both domestic and international. Since I have been part of the college admission profession for such a long time, I have visited many schools and colleges, I have colleagues at many institutions around the country, and have worked with guidance counselors at high schools both in the US and around the world. During my time at UVM, I also relished the opportunity to provide ongoing support and guidance to many young people as they transitioned into life as first-year college students. Over the years, I have participated in conferences and workshops designed to enhance my knowledge of the rich variety of domestic educational systems, undergraduate admissions and international academic credentials. Since my semi-retirement in 2018, I have enjoyed writing about a multitude of academic subjects for a national educational newsletter, designed for an audience of students, parents, and counselors.

I bring a particular passion for helping students create well written, strong essays and personal statements that speak to the individual applicants’ personal strengths, as well as the crafting of meaningful activity lists that clearly display interests and abilities both in and of the classroom. I love sharing guidance on the best way to maximize college visits, prepare for interviews and refine a college list. As the first in my own family to go to college, I also bring a strong voice of support and kindness, while fully understanding that the college search process can be overwhelming and confusing.  As a private counselor, I offer my more than 20 years of experience in the college application and admissions process, taking enormous joy in serving the needs of both domestic and international students. Having watched my own three daughters graduate from outstanding universities, I also bring a deep understanding for the questions and concerns that parents have throughout the process…I have walked in your shoes!

My job is to help you all make your application your best first impression on the colleges you select. I want to help you make those choices. I pride myself on being a good researcher, always seeking to offer my students the most accurate and up-to-date information throughout the process, helping you select your area of study and supporting you and your family every step of the way. My approach is highly personalized, and I take enormous pleasure in learning as much as I can about my students, tailoring my support to each young person. I relish working with teenagers! Even after raising three of my own, working with exciting and interesting young people is a true joy – I learn so much along the way too!

I was blown away by Jilly as we participated in a couple of sessions together, and the more time our son spent with her the more I liked her. First off, she is a wonderful person and human being. You can tell she cares and she loves what she does. There are no shortcuts. She was always prepared, very structured, methodical, process-oriented with proper follow-ups. More importantly, she is very experienced and understands very well what colleges are looking for. What I liked the most is her honesty, and she is not shy about providing constructive feedback, and that is what you as a parent and student really want. She would not give up until she felt our son was in the right path.

R.V., Parent