About Susan

Susan Parker is a Smart College Selection Consultant.

With a decades-long career in advertising, marketing, and public relations, Susan knows how to guide others to tell compelling stories whether they are about a product, a company, or a person. Under her guidance, teens craft powerful, authentic applications to showcase their strengths and aspirations in ways that resonate with college admissions teams.

Susan has also navigated the college application labyrinth firsthand with her own children and understands the challenges that accompany helping a child find right fit schools. Susan offers both empathy and a deep knowledge of the ins and outs of admissions to guide families every step of the way, taking the stress off parents so they can enjoy the waning time with their child before college begins.

One of her favorite aspects of the process is when teens dig deep to uncover their values, motivators, wants and needs. Witnessing this “aha” moment is exciting as students realize aspects of themselves never before considered.

Susan’s journey into college counseling began long before her career did. She’s lived in six college towns enjoying the energy and excitement filling the air. As a tour guide starting her sophomore year at Middlebury College, she discovered a love for connecting with students and families. After earning her B.A. in History and French, she continued to engage with prospective students as an alumna interviewer for over 20 years. She also completed a college counseling certificate program through the University of California - Irvine.

As a member of the Independent Educational Consulting Association and Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors, Susan is dedicated to the highest ethical standards. Her commitment to professional development and staying current on the latest trends helps her offer innovative insights to each family.

Susan lives north of Chicago with her husband and two children who thrill her every time they are home from college. Her off hours are spent power walking along Lake Michigan, gardening, watching comedy, reading, and enjoying dinners with friends. She works with students throughout the Midwest and New England.

"Before we found Susan, the college selection process seemed overwhelming. Her step-by-step guidance and calming insights changed everything. She helped our son build an insightful story through the entire application, highlighting how his strengths would translate at college. What stood out was the time she took to understand our son’s values, passions, and dreams. We can’t thank her enough for not only helping him find and apply to great fit schools, but also for giving us the peace of mind we needed as parents."