I’m a lifetime educator with more than 40 years of experience working with teens and young adults. I’m committed to helping students make informed choices about colleges, in the process educating parents as well.
Seeing too many students choose schools based on what they’ve “heard” is a “good school,” I began studying the college-selection process, leading me to the University of California, Irvine, program in Independent Educational Consulting. The coursework covers ethics, online and print resources, personality and interest testing, learning styles and college teaching styles, concepts of “match” and “fit,” developing balanced college lists, learning disabilities, graduate school admissions, and navigating the financial aid network.
I helped students craft their college application essays for many years, always careful to keep a hands-off approach and to allow each student’s own voice to shine. (See “Karen Hott on Essays” below.)
I have a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree from St. John’s College in Annapolis, as well as the Independent Educational Consultant certificate from UC Irvine. I am a professional member of both the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and HECA, the Higher Education Consultants Association.These associations are networks of professionals in college admissions, financial aid, learning differences, and more. I’m a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC).
Before retiring from the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) public school system, I taught Advanced Placement English Language and Composition, journalism, and newspaper production. In that position, I not only helped students with their own writing, I wrote many, many recommendation letters.
Teens and writing have been part of my entire adult life. I am passionate about students, writing, and higher education.
Why “Two Bridges” College Consulting?
Truth be told, if I were to start this consulting business today, I’d use my name: Hott College Consulting, or K. Hott College Consulting, or Hott College Advising. I love my name; however, it does tend to generate a lot of unpleasant spam.
I chose the name “Two Bridges” because it works on two levels. Figuratively, it reflects my belief that every student has more than one pathway to a successful future. On a literal level, it refers to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland and Tampa Bay’s Sunshine Skyway in Florida. In my practice, I help students build bridges to successful futures.
Karen Hott on Essay Writing
It can’t make or break your chance at admission, but the essay is an important piece of the application process.
I’ve spent a lifetime working with student writing–in a completely ethical, hands-off manner. I call my approach “coaching.” Coaching is different from editing. The coaching philosophy begins with the premise that your essay belongs entirely to you. You will not send me your essays to revise in isolation. I will sit down with you, in person at my Kent Island office, at an Annapolis-area Starbucks, or through Zoom. We will look at your essays together. If you don’t know what to say, we’ll talk. If you have something already written, I will ask you to read it aloud to me. We will talk about what’s strong and what’s not so strong, what should lead and what should finish it off. I will listen to you and question you so that you say what you mean to say.
You have a unique voice. But sometimes voices get muffled, drowned in excess wordiness and stiff formulas, or in someone else’s idea of what sounds “smart.” Sometimes the voices are strong, but they meander without direction. As your coach, I will not be correcting your writing; rather, I will help you find out what you mean to say. Your essay may not be perfect, but it will be a perfect representation of you. Colleges want to hear your authentic voice, not mine or your mom’s, so we’ll be sure to keep the essay all yours, from start to finish.