Jamie Berger
Independent Educational Consultant
TESTIMONIALS
“Jamie was an amazing help and guide throughout the college application process. I started off lost and uncertain where to begin on many of my essays, but through his friendlyattitude and encouraging feedback, I became more confident and writing became easier! He is very professional and knowledgeable about essay content and direction. Even during the busiest weeks, Jamie consistently met my requests to read over drafts. Thanks to him, I was able to get into my dream school!”
“Not only did Jamie and his compassionate and gentle—yet coaxing—approach greatly reduce the stress for my daughter (and all of us at home) surrounding the college application process, their regularly scheduled meetings encouraged her to consistently work on the essays and to embrace the revision process. Jamie’s thoughtful questions, advice, and guidance led my daughter to writing well-written essays that reflected who she is and which helped get her into her top-reach school, Barnard College. We look forward to working with Jamie again when our son begins this process.”
“Jamie helped me understand the subtleties of the college admissions process and what would strengthen my application. The most valuable thing that Jamie did was assist me in the language arts; under his guidance, my essay materialized out of a collection of notes. Without Jamie—and his knowledge of the process and care for my future—I would not be in the position I am in today.”
Jamie Berger helps families navigate the college admissions process with clarity, strategy, and confidence. With over 30 years of experience in education, testing, and admissions, he guides high school juniors and seniors through every step, from building ambitious yet balanced college lists to crafting standout essays.
Before becoming an IEC, Jamie was an essay-writing and academic coach at Northfield Mont Hermon School, a reader/rater for the College Board, and a long-time Princeton Review instructor, team leader, and writer of their original SAT manual. He has also taught writing at the prep-school and university levels. He works with families nationwide and abroad and specializes in highly selective universities and colleges. His expertise has been featured in The New York Times and Politico.
Jamie’s students have been admitted to many of the most selective schools in the U.S., including Yale and most other Ivies, MIT, Williams, the University of Chicago, Northwestern and Barnard, as well as top institutions such as the University of California, UT Austin, Rutgers, Tulane, Boston College, UIUC, UGA, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Washington and Lee, The University of Colorado Boulder, Oberlin, Colby, Kenyon, Macalester, Case Western and the University of Michigan, among others, including many “hidden gem” schools that often offer the best merit aid awards.
Counseling Approach
Jamie’s advising style goes beyond aiming for rankings. He helps students find colleges where his clients will excel both academically and personally based on a wide range of criteria, while giving parents clear guidance, honest advice, and peace of mind throughout the process. He also finds great satisfaction in helping applicants and parents understand each others’ goals and limitations early on to get everyone on the same page to work together to build college lists that reduce stress and ensure great outcomes.
Education
- Columbia University, BA, English
- City College of New York, MA, English
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, MFA, Creative Writing
- Certificate: Columbia University Teachers College College Advising Program
Professional Affiliations
- Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
- National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
- Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)
Personal