Cara enjoys helping students find their place at the college of their choice. “There is nothing quite like watching a student find a place to call home for the next four years and see the opportunities unfold ahead of them” explains Cara.
See Cara introducing herself on YouTube here (or just scroll down!).
Cara comes to independent educational consulting from the world of college admissions. Most recently, she was Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she took on a number of different roles. In addition to reading thousands of applications every year, she chaired one of the office’s application reading committees, coordinated the on-campus programs for admitted students, and ran the campus visit programs for the office. Cara also spent time recruiting in New England, Southern California, Colorado’s Western Slope, and the Denver area working with high school students and high school counselors.
Cara was also very active in admissions during her undergraduate experience at Colgate University. She served as a campus tour guide for four years and as an intern in the Office of Admission her senior year, where she enjoyed the opportunity to facilitate prospective student interviews. Cara remains active with Colgate’s admission office and serves as an alumni admissions volunteer.
Ms. Ray earned her Master’s Degree in Higher Education from the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education, where her focus was on student development. “I see the decision of which college to attend as an important milestone in a young person’s development,” said Ms. Ray. “My aim is to ensure that each individual student approaches this decision fully prepared with the information, skills, and mindset necessary to make the process successful, but also personally rewarding—and even a little bit fun.”
Cara adds, “I love helping students and their families navigate the college admissions process. There are so many different steps involved in applying to college, and I hope to provide clear organization and simplification of the process for them.” Cara enjoys helping students develop a good college list, a successful and meaningful college visit, and choose a school that is a good fit.
As an admissions counselor, Cara read thousands of essays, resumes and letters of recommendation. She is now able to share her expertise with students to help them stand out to an admissions counselor. Essays, especially, are an important part of the application at all selective colleges, and she has the experience to help her students write about themselves in ways that are honest, effective, and interesting.
Cara also has experience working with all sorts of students. While at CU, for example, Ms. Ray served on a team devoted to the recruitment of under-represented students as part of the Access and Community Affairs team. She also directed Talented Scholar Recruitment for the University, and served on the Finalist Review Committee for Colorado’s very competitive, state-wide Boettcher Scholarship.
Cara is an active member of a number of national and regional professional organizations. Currently, she is on the executive board of the Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling. She lives in Boulder with her husband and two dogs.
See Cara introducing herself from the shores of Lake Fairlee in Vermont!
