The College Studio founder is a Longmeadow native and graduate of Longmeadow High School with over a decade of experience in college counseling and college admissions. To learn more about the founder and facilitator of The College Studio workshops, click “About Kellen” in our main menu.

The College Studio was founded with the belief that college does not have to be all-consuming: students can enjoy being in high school without the stress of college constantly lurking in the background. If students spend their time in high school developing genuine interests, forming meaningful relationships and reflecting on their strengths and personal preferences, it is our belief that they will have a much easier time in the college process. While we offer a workshop in January to provide ninth and tenth grade students with necessary information and things that they can be thinking about in preparation for college, the actual college process likely begins in earnest in a student’s junior year of high school. 

Workshops are capped at 10 students to maximize individualized instruction and time for students to ask questions related to their own unique circumstances. All workshops also include private, one-on-one work with the facilitator.

The College Studio is many things, but we are not a tutoring service and do not prepare students for standardized testing. While we do offer an overview of the differences between the SAT and ACT and provide a suggested testing timeline, we do not offer test prep or specific testing recommendations. However, we can provide you with names of reputable tutors in the area.

For students looking for individualized support with their college list, one-on-one sessions would be the best fit for your needs (especially for rising seniors). For students in grades 9, 10 or 11, we would encourage you attend one of the following workshops for advice about making a balanced college list and visiting colleges:

August 2024: What You Need to Know in Preparation for the College Process

September 2024: Narrowing Down Your College List

January 2025: Gearing Up For College

Yes! The college admissions landscape has undergone drastic changes in the last few years - between changes in testing policies, the ban on race-conscious admissions, an increase in supplemental essays and the fluctuating importance of “demonstrated interest,” there is always something new to learn that will be advantageous to you/your student’s candidacy. The College Studio workshops are also personalized based on the students in the room - no workshop is the same, and each student receives individualized attention and advice based on his/her unique circumstances.