As a mother of a student applying to highly selective colleges, I worried about how to keep my teen on track with scheduling, crafting a compelling application, and making realistic choices. I knew I couldn’t take on the role of an “expert college admission officer” without creating significant tension. Betsy built a wonderful, warm, and supportive rapport with my teen—establishing a structured schedule, offering constructive feedback, and helping them maintain perspective. As a result, our conversations about college became productive, deep, and meaningful rather than stressful. Without Betsy, I know this process would have been much more difficult! Now, my teen not only has incredible college acceptances but also a trusted mentor to guide them forward.”
— Seta (daughter, MIT, 2029)
“We enthusiastically endorse Ellsworth college advisors for exceptional guidance in college admissions. Betsy’s experience is extensive, and she stays updated on evolving admission trends. Her innate ability to uncover our student’s strengths and shape his applications made the labyrinthine process manageable. Her experience with recruited athletes was of particular value in our case.”
— George (son, Purdue University, 2028)
“Betsy was an invaluable resource in guiding my sons through the college application process. Her deep knowledge, unwavering support, and genuine passion for helping students made all the difference. She not only provided expert advice but also offered encouragement at every step, making a stressful process much more manageable. Any student fortunate enough to work with her is in excellent hands. Betsy was an invaluable resource in guiding my sons through the college application process. Her deep knowledge, unwavering support, and genuine passion for helping students made all the difference. She not only provided expert advice but also offered encouragement at every step, making a stressful process much more manageable. Any student fortunate enough to work with her is in excellent hands.”
— Soojin (two sons, University of Michigan)
“Betsy has deep knowledge of the admissions landscape, provides personalized and strategic guidance, and helps us have clarity on what can often feel like an overwhelming journey. Her calmness, thoughtful approach, prompt assessment for solution, communication, and genuine care make a meaningful difference in achieving successful outcomes. Any student or family would be fortunate to have her support.”
— Oguz (son, HS, 2027)
“Betsy was wonderful to work with. She assisted our son through the college application process very expertly and efficiently. We found her recommendations and insights demonstrated wisdom developed from years of hands-on experience. Her communication style is direct and concise, as well as warm and supportive. She was very accessible and always prompt to answer questions. She helped our son stay organized, provided excellent feedback, and was very encouraging to him as well. I would highly recommend her services.”
— David (son, University of Michigan, 2028)
Student Testimonials
“As a recent college graduate, I can say with certainty that I owe my success today to working with Betsy Ellsworth as a high school student. She wasn’t just concerned with helping me get into the college of my dreams; she cared about what would happen to me while I was there, and the person I would emerge as after I graduated. She was able to put into perspective why exactly my college choice was important, without making me feel pressured to have my entire career mapped out. No consideration was too big or too small for her to care about—she encouraged me through the drafting my application just as much as she indulged me in conversations about my long-term future. Now, the future we worked towards 5 years ago is unfolding in front of me, and it’s even better than I could’ve imagined. None of it would be possible without Betsy’s expert guidance and thoughtful counsel.” Zoe (Bard College, 2023) “The journey Betsy and I have gone on transcended getting into school X, Y, or Z; it’s been an iterative process to synthesize what makes me ‘tick’, the ‘grout’ of my application. More than being at my dream school, I’m confident in my values and skills. I’m in a dream state of mind now, and Betsy’s nudges have made all the difference.”
— James (University of Michigan, 2026)
“Betsy is a phenomenal counselor. I worked with her to improve my essays, and she helped me focus my ideas, improve my writing skills, and make sure my essay stood out from the others. After being accepted at my dream college, I happened to meet the dean of admissions, who recognized my name because of my outstanding essay. I have no doubt in my mind that Betsy is the reason for that.” Stevie (Alma College, 2024) “I started working with Betsy in August, going into my senior year. Prior to this, I was extremely nervous and stressed about the college application process. After my first meeting with Betsy, my mindset completely flipped. Along with her incredible expertise, she knew how to make me feel excited about the process. I appreciate how she created a relationship with me and made me feel proud of myself, even in the small things. When writing essays, she showed me that no idea was a bad idea and opened my mind to many new ideas. Working with Betsy not only provides an amazing application but also a person who supports and understands you throughout a usually challenging journey. I don’t know what I would have done without her. She is the best.”
— Violet (University of Michigan, 2028)
“Working with Betsy has given me the chance to pursue so many different opportunities. She not only helped me improve my writing abilities for university, but she also equipped me with the skills to be accepted for various extracurricular, internship, and professional opportunities. Be it preparing application materials or rehearsing for university interviews, Betsy helped me in so many ways, and I would not be where I am now without her.”
— April (University of Michigan, 2025)
“My thoughts on Betsy: I really loved having her. I think that, going into the college application process, one of the hardest parts is figuring out how to present yourself in a way that’s authentic and also sort of mirrors what the schools you’re applying to are looking for. Betsy offers such a beneficial, informative perspective. I think a great application really comes down to selling yourself, and there’s no one who knows how to do that better than an admissions officer who is now a college admissions “coach”. Betsy knows all of these tiny things about the Common App that basically no one knows unless you have someone there to tell you. We would usually talk about supplemental essays when we were meeting and that was really helpful for me. We would literally go through what I’d written word for word and edit them. She would help me re-word things, and make sure the essays sounded right to and for me. She would tell me the places that seemed a little strange to her, and we’d work out modifications and things like that. Because she’s worked as an admissions officer, she knows the type of language colleges like you to use – I found that to be so valuable. Betsy was a really positive and important force in my college application process and also in my final decisions. I literally decided to come to Yale on a call with her THE DAY my decision was due. I was so overwhelmed, and she knew me pretty well by that point because we’d been meeting pretty frequently. So I talked it out with her, and she told me what she thought of my opinion of the schools from her perspective as an onlooker, but also as someone who had been working with me and helping me through most of my decision and application process. I have never regretted that decision. I love it here so much. She’s super flexible, so you can kind of do whatever works best for you in the time you spend with her. She’s really supportive and super kind. She believes in the students that she works with, and she’s willing to work with any student, starting at any point. I had seen a different admissions / college advisor whom I met with for an hour online, and had I told her all of these big things about me, and she just said, “Yeah. You’re not gonna get into Yale.” Betsy was never like that. She was like, “Let’s work with what we’ve got and where we are, and see what happens.” I really loved her, and I loved working with her, and I’d absolutely recommend her.”
— Isobel (Yale University, 2028)
“I do not know where I would be without Betsy’s guidance throughout my high school career. Not only did she help me navigate through high school and approach college, but she also helped me learn so much about myself in the process. Betsy helped me truly understand my potential both as a student and an individual. I now know that I am capable of so much more than I thought I was a few years ago. Something that people don’t often talk about is how the college process can affect mental health of high school students. Throughout the application and admissions season, Betsy always checked in on me and made sure I was taking care of myself throughout the stressful time. Thanks to Betsy’s support, I am absolutely thriving at Michigan State University, where I made the Honors College and Dean’s List in my first year. You will be in great hands with Betsy, I can promise that!”
— (Aryan (Michigan State, 2028)
“Betsy was an amazing college counselor during my time working with her! She was genuine, and truly got to know me for who I was … that’s what mattered to her, the personal connections with her students that in turn result in amazing outcomes. I recommend anyone to work with her, the end result will be great, and in the process, you’ll learn a lot about yourself, gain confidence in yourself, and be proud of the applications you submit. I will forever be grateful!”
— Lucas (Princeton University, 2028)
As a mother of a student applying to highly selective colleges, I worried about how to keep my teen on track with scheduling, crafting a compelling application, and making realistic choices. I knew I couldn’t take on the role of an “expert college admission officer” without creating significant tension. Betsy built a wonderful, warm, and supportive rapport with my teen—establishing a structured schedule, offering constructive feedback, and helping them maintain perspective. As a result, our conversations about college became productive, deep, and meaningful rather than stressful. Without Betsy, I know this process would have been much more difficult! Now, my teen not only has incredible college acceptances but also a trusted mentor to guide them forward.”
— Seta (daughter, MIT, 2029)
“We enthusiastically endorse Ellsworth College Advisors for exceptional guidance in college admissions. Betsy’s experience is extensive, and she stays updated on evolving admission trends. Her innate ability to uncover our student’s strengths and shape his applications made the labyrinthine process manageable. Her experience with recruited athletes was of particular value in our case.”
— George (son, Purdue University, 2028)
“Betsy was an invaluable resource in guiding my sons through the college application process. Her deep knowledge, unwavering support, and genuine passion for helping students made all the difference. She not only provided expert advice but also offered encouragement at every step, making a stressful process much more manageable. Any student fortunate enough to work with her is in excellent hands. Betsy was an invaluable resource in guiding my sons through the college application process. Her deep knowledge, unwavering support, and genuine passion for helping students made all the difference. She not only provided expert advice but also offered encouragement at every step, making a stressful process much more manageable. Any student fortunate enough to work with her is in excellent hands.”
— Soojin (two sons, University of Michigan)
“Betsy was an amazing college counselor during my time working with her! She was genuine, and truly got to know me for who I was … that’s what mattered to her, the personal connections with her students that in turn result in amazing outcomes. I recommend anyone to work with her, the end result will be great, and in the process, you’ll learn a lot about yourself, gain confidence in yourself, and be proud of the applications you submit. I will forever be grateful!”
— Lucas (Princeton University, 2028)
Professional Recommendation
“With care, candor, and decades of accumulated wisdom, Betsy pairs a feel for the ever-evolving admissions preferences of popular colleges with an ability to guide students to putting themselves in exactly the right light on their applications. Everyone I’ve ever referred to Betsy has raved about working with her. She simply makes every part of the college admissions process richer. During campus visits, Betsy routinely knows someone — a current student, a faculty friend — who can give students behind-the-scenes access. She spares families from easy-to-make strategic blunders during high-emotion topics: list cultivation, the essay, test scores, EA/ED, and financial aid. In these days of endless video calls, she routinely volunteers to visit clients at their homes. I refer families to her without hesitation, confident and relieved that they will have a true master in their corner.”
