Below you’ll find testimonials from parents and students I worked with over the past five years. If you’re searching for a college admissions coach and want to speak with me about my services, please reach out.
I’m happy to share how my process works and what I can do for you or your student so you successfully make the transition from high school to college.
Leading up to our two sons' junior and senior years, my wife and I wanted to provide the best chance of success and reduce the stress that comes with the college application process. We decided to take the leap and hired Dianne at Launching College Success. Boy, what a great decision that was! Dianne knows her stuff, guided our sons through the complicated process, and delivered results for both of our sons. We highly recommend her service.
From the parent of a student in the class of 2021 and 2023
Dianne made the incredibly daunting task of applying for colleges much easier for both my daughter and me. The entire process from identifying career goals and potential colleges to multiple deadlines, essays, gathering of information, and filling out the application(s) was navigated expertly by Dianne. There were so many nuances during this process, I would not have been able to help my daughter succeed, not to mention even being able to understand most of the process without Dianne’s assistance. Dianne’s expert knowledge of the intricacies of so many colleges is astounding! She was able to help my daughter work through every detail with ease, provided continual support (both functionally and mentally), worked hand in hand to ensure every submission was complete and accurate, and kept up to date records and reminders of all deadlines. I cannot say enough that “Launching College Success”, spearheaded by Dianne, is absolutely the most appropriate name for her company and I sincerely recommend her services.
From the parent of a senior in the class of 2023
Dianne has been wonderful to work with, and her support has made the whole process much less stressful for our family. Considering our daughter has a ton of activities and time commitments, Dianne's steady goals and communication ensured the work got done before all deadlines. Fabulous!" Constructive feedback - I personally thought it was wonderful communicating with you. You gave us great feedback on Sarah's progress and kept us informed along the way. You patiently answered our questions, and made this process much easier from our view. Thank you very much for all your hard work and patience.
Mom of a 2023 Senior
"Dianne Keilholtz is truly AMAZING! I can honestly say that without Dianne’s tireless work, guidance, knowledge and support that my daughter wouldn’t have gotten into her college of choice. Having moved back to the US after living overseas for 15 years we faced many challenges and bureaucracies in applying to college. Dianne not only helped us navigate these, she also went to battle for us when my daughter’s transcripts and volunteer work were not accepted. She helped in every facet of her application with knowledge, humor and a wealth of contacts. We were so lucky to have found Dianne and now consider her a true friend.”
T. Walman, parent
My husband and I truly cannot thank you enough for all your support, knowledge and guidance. Your patience and empathy towards our son meant everything to us. This has been a very challenging year for all, especially our son, but you made the college application process so smooth for everyone. We are so proud of him for getting into all of the schools on his list as well as receiving numerous merit scholarships.
Maryland parent
Incredible! Absolutely Incredible! Dianne is the greatest gift you can give to yourselves and your student. Prepared and positioned, she helped our son be ahead of the curve in every aspect of what is demanded of the applicant. Thoughtful analysis of our son and consideration to the career path and academic concentration he is considering. “Dianne brought timelines and discipline to the process, routine meetings and direction for success. She alerted our son of when to apply to Honors Colleges and Fellowship programs, she monitored all the deadlines and coordinated with our son to be sure he was successful in submitting essays and additional requirements. Dianne is exactly what our son needed to enable him to put his best foot forward towards his college experience.” –
Ed & Jo N., parents, gave Dianne a 5-star rating on Facebook
“Launching College Success has helped us go from worrying about where to even begin the College process to organized and empowered with a great list of colleges that are perfectly suited for our daughter. She is feeling more confident every day, and I can’t wait until the application process. Dianne has been a catalyst for it all and I am so grateful to have found this service.”
Cory T. gave Dianne a 5-star on Facebook— 5 star
“Dianne was always available with her extensive knowledge of the admissions process and to answer any questions we had about the financial aspects of applying to schools.”
Marilyn C – gave Dianne a 5-star rating on Facebook
“Dianne is extremely knowledgeable in the college admission process, as well as providing scholarship information. She shared information with high school juniors and seniors and their parents at a special workshop at our church. She is a true professional, and knows the process inside and out. “She speaks frankly and makes the information understandable. As a parent who used her services, I found she worked with my daughter on her own level and was respectful of her ideas and opinions. The investment was well worth our time. She went above and beyond what we expected.”
Kim S. (Florida Parent)
“Dianne’s wealth of counseling experience and a full roster of very grateful students are testament to her professional expertise. That, coupled with her open, engaging, easy to chat with style combine to give you the best support possible as you navigate the college admission process. She is tops.”
Susan L. Ledbetter, an independent college consultant and a NYU essay reader
My husband and I truly cannot thank you enough for all your support, knowledge and guidance. Your patience and empathy towards our son meant everything to us. This has been a very challenging year for all, especially our son, but you made the college application process so smooth for everyone. We are so proud of him for getting into all of the schools on his list as well as receiving numerous merit scholarships.
Maryland parents of a 2021 senior
Before working with Miss Dianne, I quite literally had no idea what I was doing when it came to applying to colleges. Without her help, I would have never known about various dates for early action, early decision, and regular decision, nor the difference between them. She helped me create a list of colleges, which ultimately changed vastly as she presented new insight and knowledge into each school. Her essay writing process was extremely helpful, and she takes the time to make sure you produce the best result possible. Also, working with her kept me on track for due dates, and made the process much less stressful. Before the beginning of my senior year, my common app essay was written, my application list was solidified, and I had already requested my teacher recommendations. I am extremely grateful for all of Miss Dianne’s help, and recommend her services to any student about to take on the crazy application process.
From a senior in the class of 2023
Navigating this complicated and confusing college admission process can be overwhelming for parents. Dianne brought a wealth of knowledge regarding the process and helped us navigate it with confidence and ease. She was able to structure my child’s college application in a way that showcased her in the exact ways that colleges are looking for. As a result of this my child was accepted to most of the colleges she applied to and we received scholarship money that exceeded our expectations. My child did the work but Dianne was able to help her organize and present the work in a manner that got the attention of the colleges she applied to. There was a significant return on investment using Dianne not only in acceptance but in the scholarships we received. Ironically this was the exact feedback I received when I was doing reference checks on Dianne. I was told that this investment would come back to me (and more) in the form of scholarship money and it did. Of course, this is never guaranteed but I do think she greatly increased the chances of this happening in the way she showcased my child’s overall profile. Having Dianne guide the application process also took the burden of me having to drive this with my child and reframed the types of conversations that we had around college. Because I wasn’t the enforcer of the application process my child and I were able to have more productive conversations around college and partner on a more collaborative level. To me, this was the greatest gift of all.
Parent of a 2022 senior
“Working with Dianne made the college application process so much easier. She kept me on track and focused on what is important. This kept me from procrastinating and doing everything at the last minute. Her guidance helped reduce the overall stress that I had going into the application process. The help that Dianne gave me on my essays improved my writing not only with the essays but made me a better writer overall and I now have more confidence with my writing skills. Dianne helped with the college selection process and I loved the colleges that she recommended I apply to and felt they matched exactly what I was looking for. I don’t think I would have gotten the number of acceptances I did without her help. She was positive and encouraging. The fact that she got to know me and believed in me gave me confidence that I could get into colleges – even my reach schools”
A 2022 Senior
“Thank you for all that you did to support me in getting into Maryland, my #1 school. You are the best, Ms. K!”
A 2021 senior
“Using her extensive experience and knowledge, Dianne takes the anxiety and confusion out of identifying, reviewing and deciding on a college best suited to a students needs and desires. She not only listens to what the student says, but asks the right probing questions of the student and the parents to allow for finding the right fit school. “With her help my niece is having an awesome experience in a college that has a great program for the major she chose, as well as receiving scholarships that allowed it to happen. This is true because of Dianne’s help.”
Linda N – gave Dianne a 5-star rating on Facebook
“Dianne is extremely knowledgeable in the college admission process, as well as providing scholarship information. She shared information with high school juniors and seniors and their parents at a special workshop at our church. She is a true professional, and knows the process inside and out. “She speaks frankly and makes the information understandable. As a parent who used her services, I found she worked with my daughter on her own level and was respectful of her ideas and opinions. The investment was well worth our time. She went above and beyond what we expected.”
Kevin & Marsha M. (Maryland Parents)
“My working relationship with Dianne started over a year ago, and I couldn’t be more pleased; Dianne is an asset to our community. As a former guidance counselor, Dianne’s knowledge and level of expertise in the field of successfully helping students learn about colleges, scholarships, and essay writing is second to none. “One area of concentration that Dianne is passionate and good at is helping first generation college applicants prepare for college. She is very adept at talking with students, in fact I often tell people ‘she gets kids!’ “The ability to cross generational lines makes her someone who will continue to succeed in the ever-changing field of getting into college. “Finally, I believe that her passion for her work and her knowledge base will greatly help the people who use her. I am glad that we have a great partnership, and look forward to helping many students get into college and be successful in their college career.”
Kelly T. (Development Director, WV Public Library System- serving more than 106,000 people in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.)
Do you need help understanding the college admission’s maze? College is NOT what it was 20 years ago. Let us show you the ropes so your kid has a stronger chance of getting into college with less stress and less anxiety.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me on my calendar or click the “contact us” button and I will get in touch with you. I look forward to connecting with you soon.