Stay focused on the college process

Terri Elbaum, M.A.C.C.C.

Independent College Counselor 

​UCLA Certificate of College Counseling 
Speech-Language Pathologist

Contact Terri to set up a Free 30-Minute Consultation
Terri@thecollegefocus.com

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Guiding students with learning challenges toward college success

• Build a college list  that matches your academic and campus needs

 

• Use a step by step approach to stay less stressed and well organized

 

• ​Write strong college essays with strategies for brainstorming and organizing ideas

 

• Help you decide to take the ACT or SAT based on your learning style

 

• Meet your application deadlines with an organized strategy and plan ​

The College Focus also offers Cognitive-Linguistic Therapy
 

• As a speech-language pathologist, Terri helps middle school and high school students improve their grades with strategies as we work toward achieving  your college goals

• Build a foundation of skills as we work together in choosing the best college based on individual needs and learning style

• Covered by some insurance companies

My mission is to help you
​stay focused on the college process

The College Focus has a special expertise in guiding students with learning challenges and special needs find a campus with a best fit and support services.

​Terri Elbaum’s background as both counselor and therapist is a combination that will help students navigate the college process based on individual needs and learning style and develop strategies that will result in academic success over the next 4 years and beyond.
 
 

SERVICES OFFERED

The College Focus individualizes to your child’s needs

• Build a college list with the right academic and campus fit
• Recommendations of ACT or SAT and test prep options based on your learning style
• Meet your deadlines with an organized strategy and plan for applying to colleges, including setting up a calendar
• Stay organized and meet deadlines with text and email reminders
• Write strong college essays, providing strategies for brainstorming and organizing ideas
• Essay editing using face to face or virtual sessions Help with high school course planning
• Extracurricular activities suggestions to build your resume
• Work with your student’s school counselor Help in planning college tours
• College major and career advising
• Help advise families through the financial aid process and support your scholarship search
• Evaluate and decide on the best school following acceptances
• Help you evaluate and compare financial aid letters
• Research and identify learning support services on campus and help set up tutoring services, therapy and/or accommodations
• College Readiness through Cognitive-Linguistic Therapy (see below)

Students with Learning Challenges and Special Needs

Terri Elbaum is a cognitive-linguistic expert that specializes in helping students succeed in the college application process

COGNITIVE-LINGUISTIC THERAPY

■ Learning & Study Strategies

■ Reading Comprehension

■ Writing Skills

■ ​Language Therapy

■ Vocabulary Skills

■ Executive Functioning

■ Organizational Skills

■ Time Management

■ ​Problem Solving Skills

■ College Readiness Skills

SUPPORT SERVICES ON CAMPUS
The College Focus will help you research and identify learning support services on campus and help set up tutoring services, therapy and/or accommodations

FAMILY TESTIMONIALS

Terri has been helping Will for the past six years with his language processing disorder. Through working with Terri, Will’s vocabulary and reading comprehension has significantly improved, resulting in his grades going from B’s & C’s to A’s! She has helped to guide Will through the college selection process of deciding his major, ascertaining what factors are important to him in a school, and ensuring that they have a good academic support system. Her guidance has been integral through every aspect of the application process, especially with essay-writing and making sure he stayed on top of every deadline- from essays, to financial aid, to following up with admissions counselors. Will wouldn't have made all these improvements and made it into college without Terri's help and devotion!
--Julie A. 
University at Albany,  SUNY- Fall 2018


Working with Terri this past year has been amazing!  She knows everything there is to know about the college process and how to get through it. I know it can be stressful, but working with Terri you get a 24/7 coach to guide you. She truly helped me and will continue to be there for me.
--Elena P.
Freshman, University of Alabama- Fall 2018


As parents of a capable child, but one who has a language based learning disability, we were extremely grateful for the amazing support, guidance and skills that Terri provided for our son, Alex. Terri tutored Alex during his Junior and Senior years of high school, greatly helping him and developing his skills with subjects heavily reliant on Language, Reading and Writing.

Terri also acted as a coach and advisor to Alex and to us with regard to college selection, and how to make a successful transition to college. Throughout, Terri has been an invaluable resource - her advice, proactive communications, guidance and hands-on style all helped Alex (and us) greatly with the college process, and we would recommend to her to families looking for college counseling guidance.

-- Debbie and Simon G.

Ithaca College, Fall 2017

LET'S GET STARTED