Overview: CollegeAdvisor.com Client Success Stories
The experts at CollegeAdvisor guide thousands of applicants through the college admissions process each year. As a result, they get to work with amazing students from a wide range of backgrounds. Every student has their own path to higher education, bringing unique experiences and accomplishments to their applications.
We admire our students so much that we want to share their stories. In our Client Success Stories series, we spotlight students as they reflect on their college admissions journeys. From challenges to achievements, these students discuss their experiences working with CollegeAdvisor and applying to the colleges of their dreams. Our hope is that other students will find motivation in these stories — whether they are years away from applying or just about to begin their applications.
In this Client Success Story, we spoke with Janet Mutisya, an accomplished student with a unique high school experience.
Meet Janet
Until about a year ago, Janet had spent her entire life in North Carolina. Then, during her junior year, she and her family relocated to northern Texas — a significant change at an already busy time in her life. Janet mentioned her feelings on the move: “It was pretty scary at first, but with a little bit of time and adjustment, I started getting used to it.”
While she still feels like she’s more of a North Carolinian, Texas has grown on her. “It’s very hot,” she told us, “but it’s okay. There’s a lot of places to explore, a lot of places to go, new things to try. So, I like it.”
Janet’s Schooling and Interests
Janet’s path through high school was anything but typical. In addition to relocating, Janet also ended up at a completely different type of school in Texas. Here’s how she described it: “It’s a self-paced school, so as soon as I get done with a class, I immediately start another class… It’s in person, but all the classes are online… In North Carolina, it was a bit more like a normal public high school, so just classes in person.”
Although it was quite the change, Janet preferred the new school. “I liked it because I like working at a fast pace. But, it was a little bit different to get used to no teacher[s].”
As far as interests go, Janet wasn’t super involved in extracurriculars during high school. However, she kept herself busy with other interests outside of school. She loves reading and playing the guitar, something she’s been doing for six years now. She said, “I also like working out. And I volunteer at a church… I help with the little kids.”
As far as academics go, Janet had a clear favorite class this past year. “My favorite class was psychology. I loved that class so much. It helped me understand people a little bit more than what first meets the eye.”
In general, Janet has erred more toward math and science. She said, “I like science so much… My dad raised me up on science stuff and a bunch of math. I can solve math, but science I really like because you can explore a lot with just a little.”
Given the fast pace of her new school, Janet also found herself on track to graduate a year early. “I was supposed to be graduating Class of 2027,” she explained, “but I’m graduating Class of 2026.”
How did Janet feel going into the college admissions process?
Many students feel overwhelmed during their junior year of high school. While Janet was adjusting well to her new home, she still felt scattered when it came to the college admissions process.
She told us, “I didn’t know anything because I was graduating early. So, to me, it was like, ‘Okay, I need to get on this ASAP because I see everyone else is on this.’ And I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, I need to do this, and this.’ It just became very hectic and very stressful. I didn’t know what to do. So that was my life before [CollegeAdvisor].”
Getting Started with CollegeAdvisor
Not exactly sure of how to get started, Janet came across her first introduction to CollegeAdvisor. She recalled, “ I think it was a webinar. [Then] I got an email, and I kept getting emails. I was like, ‘Okay. Maybe I should check it out.’ And me and my dad checked it out and [thought] this could actually help us.”
Once the decision was made, everything came together easily. Janet was matched with her advisor, Michelle Lopez, September of her senior year. The two of them started meeting once a week and soon figured out Janet’s application strategy.
What did Janet want in a school?
Janet came into her advising sessions with plenty of ideas of what she wanted in a school. “I was mostly looking to see if it had three things…forensic science, psychology, and architecture,” she told us. “Just for backups because, in today’s job culture, it’s a little bit different to find a job.”
With an eye on building a meaningful career, Janet was also thinking big picture about what her life might be like in a new place. She said, “I was also looking to see where [a school] was to see if I could build a life there. Like, if I decide to move out of a dorm and into an apartment, could I get a job? Could I continue my normal daily lifestyle, but in a different area?” Having lived in both rural and urban areas, she also knew what kind of environment she preferred. “I was looking for city life,” she told us.
Janet was organized and logical about what she wanted from the schools on her college list — she just had to find them. She reaffirmed what she was looking for in schools: “Location and majors, and the graduation rate, so I can see if the school is a good school… Those were the three things I was looking for.”
With majors, location, and graduation rate in mind, Janet was set to build out her college list.
Writing the Personal Statement
When considering the most difficult part of the application process, Janet mentioned the Common App personal statement. She said, “Everything else just made sense…you get a sense of where you’re going or what you want to do or what you’re looking for. It was just the personal statement I had so much trouble with.”
Michelle played a large role in supporting Janet as she wrote her personal statement. Janet explained how she was able to tackle this challenge: “[Michelle] showed me the topics and [explained that] the personal statement is about me and my life. So I thought, ‘Okay, let me choose a topic that’s something that can get me into colleges, but also that’s deep and personal.’”
They worked together to brainstorm ideas and, in the end, Michelle knew the best route for Janet to take. Janet said, “She chose a topic. I can’t remember which one it was, but it was a good topic. And so I thought, ‘I can work from that topic and continue on.’ Because I could talk about that topic all day… Once I started the words started flowing.”
Janet benefited from both her advisor’s guidance and the additional support available through CollegeAdvisor’s specialty teams. She said, “I did use the essay team, and [Michelle] helped editing. She said, ‘Add more to this paragraph or this whole page, and things like that… The essay team was really dope. It really could tap into your personality and your life and overcoming challenges. So it was really nice to have.”
How did Janet’s advisor support her through the process?
From helping finalize her college list to deciding an essay topic, Michelle was extremely important to Janet’s college admissions journey. Janet said, “It was a very hectic [time], ‘cause I was trying to get all these credits done…and then I was also adding college on top of that. It just [felt like] everything was everywhere. But [Michelle] helped me get the college side sorted out so I could get my classes sorted out.”
Michelle also gave Janet an extremely useful tip when it came to financial aid and paying for college. Janet explained, “I remember Michelle telling me, ‘Do not touch the unsubsidized loans,’ unless I really need that loan. And I thought, let me keep that in the back of my mind, so I’m not so quick to jump at money and not have enough to pay it back.”
Overall, the support Janet received through each part of the college admissions process made applying easier and less stressful. Janet said this about her advisor: “It was a very good fit. I loved her so much, and I’m so grateful that she could help me. Very grateful.”
What was Janet’s favorite part about working with CollegeAdvisor?
Given her positive experience with Michelle, Janet didn’t hesitate when asked about her favorite part of the process: “The advice,” she said. “The advice about what it’s like going to college, about don’t do certain things. I personally like the advice on specific careers, just so I can have an idea of what I’m walking into.”
Janet’s Admissions Results and the Road Ahead
With the help of her dad and Michelle, Janet came up with a college list that made sense for her future career goals as well as the kind of college experience she wanted to have.
She said, “In total, I ended up applying to around eight schools.” Janet ended up getting into seven of the eight schools she applied to: IU Purdue, Texas Tech, UNT at Denton, West Virginia University, Penn State, Bowling Green State University, and UTA.
Where will Janet end up in fall? She told us, “I decided to go to UNT, and what convinced me was definitely the financial part of it, and also if I wanted to transfer to another university later, it’s easy to.” Here’s what she said about her future major: “I’m planning to study forensic science, but the DNA side of it.”
In the end, the financial support, majors offered, and campus feel swayed Janet to choose UNT. She said, “UNT has forensic science, and it also has psychology and architecture, so if I ever wanted to do two degrees, I could. And I think it’s just an amazing campus…it’s pretty near to everything…I just really like it. It’s a calm campus.”
Janet’s Advice for Future Applicants
Fresh out of her own admissions experience, Janet has some words of wisdom for those about to embark on their own college application journeys.
“My advice would definitely be to slow down and just take your steps. It doesn’t have to be a rush to immediately jump in… You have to slow down and you have to really think things through and know what you want to do.”
Janet mentioned how knowing what she wanted to do helped her to create a college list that made sense. She urged others to do the same and consider potential majors before applying.
Why CollegeAdvisor?
Every student has their own unique path to take when it comes to college. However, getting support can allow you to feel more confident and less stressed as you apply. For Janet, getting into a school that made sense for her was made easier by her advisor’s knowledge and organization. And, when it came to the difficult task of choosing a personal statement topic, Janet was grateful to have someone in her corner to help her get started.
We’re so thrilled that Janet was able to get into her best fit school! We know she’ll achieve great things in college and beyond.
If you’re not sure of how to get started, reach out to see your options. Our advisors are experts on the admissions process and offer personalized advising to meet your individual needs. No matter where you are in the process, we’re here to help!
This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
