School list & admissions positioning
Helping students build a balanced, ambitious list of Reach, Target, and Likely schools tailored to their academic interests, testing profiles, and long-term goals.
New Canaan, Connecticut
College Admissions Consultant in New Canaan, CT
One-on-one college application strategy, essay coaching, and interview preparation by Andrea Schiralli, Harvard M.Ed. and Cornell B.A.
20,000+ essays coached since 201472 hrs typical draft feedback turnaroundHarvard M.Ed. & Cornell B.A.New Canaan home base
Focused guidance for selective college admissions
Applying to selective colleges requires more than strong test scores and a high GPA. Top admissions committees review thousands of academically qualified files. What distinguishes a successful applicant is clear personal voice, genuine intellectual curiosity, and an application narrative that holds together as one cohesive person.
Evergreen Admissions Consulting works with students and families in New Canaan to navigate the entire college application journey. From establishing a balanced, realistic school list to refining the final supplemental essay, Andrea Schiralli provides structured, honest, and expert guidance at every step.
How Evergreen helps New Canaan applicants
Personal statements & supplements
Brainstorming and rigorous revision for the Common App essay and school-specific supplements. Andrea teaches students how to show insight and maturity without cliché.
Activity lists & résumé polish
Structuring the 150-character Common App activity descriptions and academic résumé to emphasize leadership, commitment, and distinctive achievements.
Mock interviews & confidence
One-on-one video practice for alumni and admissions interviews. Students learn how to articulate their background and goals naturally without sounding scripted, and receive honest notes to build confidence before the real conversation.
The Evergreen process
Direct video collaboration
Sessions take place over video with regular document exchange between calls. This model fits into busy high school schedules in New Canaan, eliminating travel time while keeping momentum steady.
Typically 72-hour turnaround
Edits, structural notes, and margin comments typically come back within three days, often sooner. Students maintain steady progress toward early November and January deadlines without last-minute panic.
Parents in the loop
Parents always know what is due, what has been completed, and whether a draft is where it needs to be. Andrea provides clear, transparent communication so families stay informed without tension.
Authentic student voice
Students write their own essays. Andrea does not ghostwrite or use generative AI on student work. Andrea helps students discover and articulate their own perspective so their authentic voice shines.
About Andrea Schiralli
Teacher first, editor second, consultant since 2014.
Andrea holds a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (2014) and a B.A. in French Literature from Cornell University (2010). Before founding Evergreen, she taught high school English, ESL, and test preparation in New York City, and served as a university professor in Jiangxi, China.
Consulting full-time since 2014, Andrea has coached and edited more than 20,000 college essays. Her students have earned acceptances to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, Oxford, and hundreds of top national universities and liberal arts colleges.
Based in New Canaan, Andrea works directly with local applicants and families across Fairfield County, as well as students across the U.S. and internationally.
Explore related resources
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers for New Canaan families exploring college admissions consulting.
When should a student start working with an admissions consultant?
Most families begin during the junior year (winter or spring) to develop their school list, plan standardized testing timelines, and prepare for summer writing. However, rising seniors frequently begin in June or July for intensive essay coaching. Starting earlier allows students to build their applications methodically before senior fall coursework begins.
Can Evergreen help with overall application strategy as well as essays?
Yes. Through packages like The Golden Ticket, Andrea provides guidance covering school list formulation, Early Decision/Early Action decision strategy, extracurricular positioning, the Common App, all supplemental essays, and mock interview prep. You can review full package options on the services page.
Does Evergreen work with students targeting highly selective colleges?
Yes. A significant portion of Andrea's work involves applicants aiming for Ivy League institutions, Stanford, MIT, top national universities, and highly selective liberal arts colleges. The focus is always on demonstrating authentic intellectual vitality, clear purpose, and distinctive writing.
How do New Canaan families work with Andrea?
Consultations are conducted one-on-one via video, combined with shared Google Docs and email exchange for essay drafts. Because Andrea is based in New Canaan, scheduling aligns comfortably with Eastern Time and local high school calendars.
Does Andrea write or rewrite any part of the essay?
No. Integrity is paramount. Andrea asks questions, points out weak arguments, suggests structural alternatives, and edits for language and clarity, but the ideas and writing must belong entirely to the student.
Admissions Advising in New Canaan
Start with a conversation
Tell Andrea where your child is applying and where you are in the admissions process. Andrea will reply personally.