Testimonials

I don't know what to say except that Joan Koven is incredible. She has quite a knack of saying things in such a way to get an individual to do what they should be doing. She is great and I hope to learn from her some day.

Haverford High School Parent,
Gap Year in Costa Rica and Peru

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful work you're doing with our son. He is always upbeat after a session at your house, and I can see that the process of defining what he wants and then successfully carrying out the necessary tasks is giving him new confidence. One of these days he will get his school work under control too - though it may not be until he's in college...we are very grateful to you for shepherding him so expertly through this stressful process.

Lower Merion High School Parent

Academic Access has connected my daughters with an excellent tutor in preparation for their SAT tests. I turned to Academic Access because of its long acquaintance with higher education and the benefit of the contacts it has pursued in academe. More than just a business, Academic Access shows its genuine commitment to student success in several ways: a select staff and consultants; personalized attention to tutoring; creative ways to foster achievement such as practice testing in a classroom setting with other students; and regular follow-up contacts to ensure student [and parental] satisfaction.

Villanova Professor; Conestoga High School Parent of twins

After working with Joan since the middle of my junior year, I can honestly say that I not only received help 24/7, whenever I needed it, via e-mail, phone, or in person, but my family also gained a friend. Joan is warm, personable, and really takes into consideration every single characteristic of your personality when helping you make a decision where to spend the next four years of your life. The step-by-step process you go through is incredibly thorough, and I finished all of my college applications way before many of my friends had even started. Joan and I spent countless hours emailing, meeting in her house, and talking on the phone reviewing my applications, and she was with me every step of the way (even up to the moment when I pressed "SUBMIT" on her computer in the basement). After being accepted to my first choice school, I now truly believe that I could not have done this process without Joan, and I am so thankful to have had her guidance during this entire hectic and scary process. Joan is the best!

Student, George Washington University

Joan and Academic Access were amazing. They were exactly what I needed to realize my own abilities and strengths. They taught me to project who I was without overly praising myself and they always went to great lengths, above and beyond what I could have ever imagined. Quite simply, they helped me find places where I'd be absolutely delighted to spend four years, and I'm delighted to say that I got into my first choice and can't imagine having done it without Joan and Academic Access.

Student, Lower Merion High School, Yale University

Last fall I had the pleasure of meeting Joan Koven and hearing about her services, Academic Access. My son was into his senior year and also well into the college application process. However, I asked Joan, Dr. Koven, and her staff to help prepare him for college interviews and give him practice sessions. They were very accommodating and helpful. My son felt much more competent during his interviews. He ultimately spent four days interviewing at a college, which offered him a full four-year scholarship. I think Joan and her staff were invaluable.

The Haverford School Parent, Stanford University

Thank you, Joan, for your investment in our daughter and helping her to get the selection and application process completed. I am happy to say that our relationship with our daughter has continued to be positive and we avoided the conflicts that would have resulted from our putting pressure on her to get the job done. The results were exactly what I had hoped they would be: an undamaged relationship and a kid who is very excited about going to college.

Lower Merion High School Parent, University of Wisconsin, Madison

I just want to thank you for everything that you did for me. Honestly I don't think I would have gotten into college without you. I had no idea what I was doing, especially with getting the recommendations and more importantly organizing all those articles, the DVD, and the resume. All of it helped me and I just wanted to say thanks again.

Student, Northeastern University

Thank you for all that you have done for me. I would have never gotten through the process and would not be nearly as happy about the results if not for you. Thank you for helping me get into Richmond!

Student, Conestoga High School, University of Richmond

When I first realized that in order to apply and be accepted to a college I would have to write a college essay, I was at a loss for words. At that point, I had my first meeting with one of the Academic Access essay specialists. We had an informal talk in which we discussed everything from my family to my thoughts on the students at my school. Though our talk wasn't completely focused on finding "the perfect essay topic," I left that night inspired with many ideas. I went home and, without stopping, wrote a first long draft on my essay.

The next time we met, the essay specialist helped me focus and add colorful, interesting details. Again, I went home and wrote another draft. Throughout the process, they were helping me mould my essay, but I was actually the one doing all the writing and thinking. After a couple weeks of hard work, Academic Access helped me finish a well-polished college essay that I am proud of. The advice and tips that I received also helped me when I had to write many other school-specific essays. Writing a college essay can be a daunting experience, and Academic Access made it a much easier process.

Student, Shipley School, Amherst College

Having one child going through the college process is enough of a challenge for any parent, but having twins applying simultaneously seemed insurmountable. Our biggest concern was not being able to provide the best opportunity for each child, and as a result, not being able to give them the best advantage possible in a very competitive arena. We contracted with Joan Koven/Academic Access as the result of a personal connection, but also due to the numerous recommendations that we received. We now find ourselves among the group of parents of recent graduates who have nothing but accolades for Joan/Academic Access.
During the process, we appreciated Joan's personal, hands-on approach from the start and especially appreciated the fact that she placed the responsibility on the children, rather than us. We believe that having responsibility and "ownership" during the application process truly engaged our twins more than anything we might have said or done. We also knew that with Joan's thorough approach, no stone would be left unturned and our children would have the best advantage and opportunity to be accepted by the schools of their choice. We were, and still are, ecstatic that the end result proved positive for both of our children. They were both accepted, early decision, to their first choice. Equally as important as their acceptances were, we were also confident that their first choice was truly the best fit for them after detailed and extensive conversations between Joan, and our children, and us.
Looking back, we know that the outcome could have been different, but we do know that our choice in college counselors would have remained the same.

Parent of Twins, Friends Central School, George Washington Unviersity, University of Pennsylvania

Coming from Slovakia, a little country in the middle of Europe, the American system of college applications was something totally different and new for me. The most difficult part was the essay - I needed help, because I was not sure whether I was writing the correct American way. Just when I was getting desperate, a friend of my mother, a professor at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, mentioned Joan Koven and Academic Access.

Because I am from so far away, we communicated using e-mail. I really appreciated the help Academic Access offered me. At first I needed to consult my college choices. Joan Koven was very nice, and encouraged me to aim for the top, even though I was not sure of myself. I sent her and her team my essay drafts. In a surprisingly short time, I received the essays, each with a special commentary, and suggestions of how to make it better.

The thing I particularly liked was that I was left to construct the "mood and spirit" of the essay alone, and the suggestions I received maintained it.

I really appreciate the help Academic Access offered me - and I am sure that because of this help, I landed where I aimed - in the "admitted" section of the applications.

Zita Ferencikova, Yale University

The truth is I don't think I ever could have reached an Ivy League school without the help of the Academic Access team. The time they took to answer even small e-mails -- dozens in one day sometime -- shows how much they cared about me and my college career. Joan drove me to college visits herself and helped me every step of the way.

Student, Jenkintown High School, University of Pennsylvania

Joan's abilty to communicate with and engage our son, Jake, was beyond our expectations. Together they recognized Jake's strengths and passions and travelled upon a journey which resulted in discovering a perfect college match for him both academically and socially.

Parent from Highland Park, Illinois, Union College