~ Imagine ~

  • Parents who feel at ease and in the loop
  • Students who know what they’re looking for in a college experience and can articulate their needs and desires
  • Everyone on the same page about college budget, funding, and scholarships
  • Healthy forward-moving communication around the college process
  • Reasonable time management to minimize stress and maximize results

Welcome to the Garden Shed!

Helping you find and thrive at your best fit college

Garden Shed College Coaching was started as a culmination of 20+ years of experience working with kids and families in a variety of capacities. This brought to light a need for affordable and personal support in navigating the high school years and college admission process. Based in SE Portland, Oregon in the Woodstock neighborhood, I specialize in supporting a small group of solid, awesome kids each year, as well as parents who want the best for them and are looking for an expert to help make the whole journey feel a little less overwhelming.

My college coaching adventure really solidified when my own daughter was going through the process, and we learned that it’s a whole lot more complicated than it used to be! Continuing my education to specialize in all things college, I now help students every step of the way including pre-planning, soul searching, list building, applications, deadline management, college essays, standing out, testing plans, and scholarships & financial aid.

Read on to learn more about WHY to hire a college coach, and WHAT to look for in a coach. Then fill out the form on the contact page, and let’s connect!

At Garden Shed College Coaching we understand the importance,
value the uniqueness, and simplify the process…

I really enjoyed my time with you!

I can’t tell you how much you have been a help to me and the weight and stress you have taken off my back prepping for college. I hope to see you soon!

Dean, Class of 2024

Thank you for all of your help through this process Abby!

We are thrilled with Davis’ choice of Boulder, and are so appreciative of all the help and support that you offered to her (and me!) along the way.
The way you engage kids right from the start with the colorful notecards, and your well-thought-out system was a breath of fresh air, in what felt like a very daunting process.
And the follow-through over the months to get the kids to explore all of the options, and then narrow it down to a list of good choices is impressive.
You are very good at what you do! I definitely sing your praises to anyone who asks who we used through the college application process.
Thanks again.

Corinne, Davis's mom

Top Notch!

Thank you Abby and yes, amazing accomplishments all around! We’re so pleased with the support you provided Drew throughout this whole process. Top notch!

Chris, Drew's dad

Bella is excited about Cal Poly SLO!

The information you send out is always useful.

Thanks for all your help over the years!

 

Michelle, Bella's mom

We’re thrilled for her and excited to get settled at Boulder!

Thank you for all of your help!
We were all so happy to have you along for this huge process.
She finally decided on…CU BOULDER!

Corinne, Davis's mom

Now I just need to figure out how to get another kid…

THANK YOU, Abby. You made it an organized, thoughtful, eye-opening, and fun process that reduced the anxiety so we could all focus on the most-important goal: getting Amélie to make a well-informed choice on her own. Lucky us!

Gabriel, Amelie's dad

I’m going to Stanford!

Thank you for helping to make my dream come true!

Eva, Class of 2023

If she’s happy, then we are too!

Just wanted to touch base to say thanks for all your help with Piper. She is very thankful for the opportunity to work with you and found it very valuable.

Mike, Piper's Dad

Done with my Personal Statement essay!

Thank you for being so patient with me but also helping push me to work on my essays, I really appreciate it!

Emery, Class of 2023

You are a bright light!

It was fantastic meeting you yesterday. The energy you exude in the questions you asked, and the engagement you fostered with Daphne is really helpful and incredible! You are so good at what you do and are just amazing.

Jake, Daphne's dad

Yay! UO Clark Honors College!

Thank you so much for being here for us every step of the way!  It’s fun to see how the world opens up to her.

Tara, Athena's mom

You have been a life saver!

Thank you so much for all of your help with everything. It’s truly been such a lifesaver to have your support and guide Noah through this whole process. I’ve given your name to several people, hope you don’t mind. I sing your praises a lot these days!

Tori, Noah's mom

He practically skipped to the car!

After meeting with you, he felt so good…

Meaghan, Charles' mom

Incredibly impressed and forever grateful…

We have been silently watching you work your magic. Thanks for all your hard work and wonderful guidance. 

Patrick, Rory's dad

Finished submitting all my Nov. 1st schools!

Thank you! You have been so helpful, I really appreciate it!

Eva, Class of 2023

Yay!

I just want to thank you. *again* for all of your amazing work coaching my kid through this process.  Lucia absolutely loves working with you and I am so grateful this process has been low-stress for us as a family because of all the guidance and support you have provided.  You are amazing and such a gift!!

Alyssa, Lucia's mom

Dean definitely wants to join your group for this year!

It was great to meet with you today. You have such warm and relatable energy with this age group. Dean definitely wants to join your group for this year!

Kate, Dean's mom

Always learn something new about what’s going on in her head…

… from your notes.

Thank you, Abby!

Gabriel, Amelie's dad

I am so very grateful…

I just wanted to say thank you for all you are doing for and with Eva. I am grateful for your kindness, your care, and your expertise –Thank you for guiding all three of my kiddos through this college journey. You are the best partner!

Susan, Eva's mom

Officially committed at UC Davis!

I’m really excited, thank you so much for everything!

 

Joey, Class of 2021