Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher. – Oprah Winfrey

What I love about Shari is how she always sees the best in people. She recognizes and nurtures each person’s potential. If you’re lacking confidence like I was, she will help you find a way to believe in yourself. And once you believe in yourself, she can help you make all kinds of good things happen! – J.S. (Michigan)

Thanks for being calm in our chaos, and for all your time and input!! – A.R. (Utah)

What I especially liked was your kindness and your helping my son develop his essay in such a way that it is truly his essay. You have an ability to help in a kind and gentle way without inserting your own voice into the essay. It is much appreciated! – E.K.  (Colorado)

Thank you for your help with E, it’s doing wonders for her confidence. – J. B. (Michigan)

I owe a special debt of gratitude to Shari. If she had not been there to “cheer me” on, I really think I would have called it quits. Through her way with words and depth of understanding and compassion for others, she was able to help me through this process and help me “find my voice.” – E.M. (Illinois)

We appreciate Shari’s support and dedication and are very happy with her… We know we can rely on her as… (our daughter) is growing further physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. – T.K. (Virginia)

Shari is always very supportive, friendly, and enthusiastic. We appreciate all of her great ideas. — D.N. (Massachussetts)

The main reasons we chose to hire an independent college advisor was to relieve tensions between teen and parents around deadlines, guidance for essay writing and common app, college research. We ended up getting that and so much more with Shari Piracha. Shari took away the mystery of college applications, helped my daughter figure out what she wanted in a college, calmed all of us, helped my kid emotionally process her concerns, ignited excitement in my daughter when there wasn’t much, told us about programs and perks we would have NEVER discovered on our own and made it possible to apply to top picks in August before school started. And then we were off. We had the tools to assess colleges, were clearer about her direction and applied to a total of 12 by Oct 1. At the time of writing this, my daughter has been awarded over $600,000 in scholarships (over four years) and has so many great choices to choose from. That’s all thanks to Shari’s knowledge, encouragement and problem solving. – C.S. (Michigan)

I really like Shari and am very glad we have someone who “has our back.” – D.L. (Michigan)

Such effective, reliable, and warm service. – S.S. (Michigan)

Shari provided exceptional assistance with my medical school essays and greatly enhanced my application by helping me find my voice and effectively express myself, and by patiently giving feedback. She was incredibly supportive through the entire process. Her grammatical expertise and patience made editing my essays enjoyable and rewarding. I deeply appreciate it and would recommend! – M.N. (Michigan)

Shari has been a source of insight, common sense, and good advice. – J.D. (New Jersey)

Shari is awesome. Her approach is a good mix of keeping us on track and holding us accountable while still being open and allowing us to walk our own path. Perfect. We are very happy with her. – L.F. (Michigan)

I couldn’t have imagined a better person to take on our family and its unique needs. – B.A. (New Jersey)

THANK YOU for your kind and compassionate help with this process, and getting our son to find himself in words. You are very much appreciated. – K.G. (Michigan)

You’ve been supportive and helpful to us, providing many suggestions and solutions. – L.S. (Michigan)

Thanks for all the wonderful encouragement you give us. Brings us peace that everything is ok and will be ok. So appreciated. — D.H. (Michigan)

When my daughter asked if we could hire an adviser for college, I thought, “Why? We’re smart people.” Looking back, I can’t believe how naive we were. The college admission process is long, arduous, and at times emotional, for both kids and parents. Shari kept us on task for FAFSA, application requirements, and tours. She’s warm and took the effort to really understand my daughter. She’s a great college essay reviewer with just the right light editing touch. Best of all, she provides fabulous feedback when you just need an opinion, such as how to weigh the options and offers that come in. And, her prices are very competitive. I think my daughter ended up exactly where she should, and don’t think that would’ve happened without going through this process with Shari. I highly recommend her. – M.W. (Michigan)

I have loved your suggestions… and your flexibility has been helpful and appreciated. – R.V. (New York)

I’ve looked forward to our conversations and felt so deeply supported by your advice and feedback. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve said to one of the boys, ‘Well, let’s run that by Shari and see what she thinks…” I really can’t tell you how grateful I’ve been for your encouragement, your steady presence, your positive attitude.  I truly can’t find the words. – M.M. (New Jersey)

We always found Shari to be helpful, warm, and understanding. – A.H. (Indiana)

Great ideas and availability! – M.G. (New Jersey)

We appreciate Shari’s positive energy and thoughtful sharing of ideas. – M.T. (Arizona)

Shari Maser Piracha took the time to really understand my child and her interests and needs. For two years, Shari helped my daughter to discover her own interests and passions, and find a voice to advocate for her own needs. I have no doubt that, without Shari, my child would have chosen the wrong college, dropped out, and would have been very discouraged. Now we are on a path as unique as my daughter, and she believes in herself and her own choices. – C.G.H. (Michigan)

I am so appreciative of your guidance and support and, although I thank you all the time, I sometimes feel like no “thank you” is big enough. – H.R. (Oregon)

We admire Shari for her intelligent, open-minded support in every moment. She encourages us with very accurate pedagogy and… she has a marvelously holistic approach to education providing thus a rare opportunity for self-development. – C.M. (Ohio)

I had the chance to have my mother at home to help me 24/7 and the remote guidance of my coach Shari Maser who never was intrusive, but always available for extra advice and suggestions which opened new doors. – I.T. (Belgium)

Shari has a grasp of what colleges look for in any applicant. When we were struggling with the Common App, Shari was available to review all parts of the application, including the essays. She has a great deal of knowledge about colleges and has been helpful in guiding us through choosing a place that is a good fit academically and otherwise. College planning is a complicated process and I highly recommend hiring Shari as early as possible in the high school journey. It is a worthwhile investment for your child. – M.T. (Michigan)

Your energy, your enthusiasm, your integrity! You are a gift. – D.D. (New Jersey)

Shari is a fantastic coach, with extensive experience. She works with students to identify and clarify goals, then works to guide them toward accomplishing set tasks. She is very knowledgeable, and above all is patient and kind. I would highly recommend her. – K.T. (Michigan)

You’re amazing. You’re just such a resource, and you’re always so reliably you. – M.K. (Michigan)

I would like to sincerely thank you for all the help you have given me throughout my college application process. The feedback you gave me on my essays was valuable, astute, and extremely beneficial for my writing skills and style. Explanations you provided on my activities list and other questions on my Common App were very clarifying and stress-reducing. The list of potential colleges you created for me especially aided me on my decisions for where I would like to go, and helped me meet the Early Action deadline. I cannot thank you enough. – E. B. (Michigan)

Thank you so much for your help, Shari. We would NOT be here without you! – C.C. (Michigan)

A special thanks goes to Shari for her support, encouragement, good advice, and documentation. The input she gave me from the start was very inspiring and she showed me new ways to look for information. Knowing she was there when I needed her contributed to staying cool on the path. – R.P. (Michigan)

Thank you for all the information, and all the ways you are supportive. I am deeply appreciative of your knowledge. You make this more accessible. – A.S. (Michigan)

Thanks so much for all you have done for us – especially your patient understanding.  – J.O. (Oregon)

Shari, I feel I can’t adequately express my level of gratitude for your excellent guidance and encouragement for our son! He would not be where he is today in this process without you, and so much family stress has been avoided. THANK YOU! – A.W. (Michigan)

Shari has been an academic ally to me. Every time I’ve needed sage advice, she has been there open and willing to help me with my endeavors. – O.S. (Michigan)

I can’t begin to thank you for all your help with our daughter. She is so happy! – K.B. (Michigan)

Nine tenths of education is encouragement. — Anatole France