Welcome to College Search Strategies
We are College Puzzle Strategists
Offering guidance and support in finding "YOU" in the college puzzle
An exciting and amazing journey awaits! Choosing a college is a big deal, the biggest decision of your life thus far. The college search can be overwhelming and confusing. Where do you fit in? How are you going to figure it out?
College Search Strategies helps you answer these questions and more through our concierge, individual and personal, approach with every student. Together we explore your unique talents, strengths, interests and goals to identify FIT. With our guidance, the confusion and uncertainty become manageable. You will feel empowered and able to navigate the application process with confidence.
College Search Strategies works closely with you on all aspects of the college search process. From building your college list to writing essays to submitting applications, our goal is to discover your vision of college, alleviate stress and promote family harmony. College Search Strategies’ coaching will teach you keys to solving your unique college puzzle in a safe and comfortable environment with good listening skills, organization, timelines and support. We complement your high school college counselor program and communicate openly with you on how to manage the many, many moving parts of the college admissions process. You will solve your personal college puzzle, while enjoying the process!
Latest News from College Search Strategies
NEWS!
Lynn guides students to create balanced college list, discover majors, build confidence
Nancy mentors colleagues, supports students as they research colleges, write essays, create their stories
Ginger uses a holistic approach to help students find their passion, build lists, discover their authentic voice
We meet with students in-person (and virtually)!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Conferences 2024: WACAC Share, Learn, Connect; NACAC Annual Conference-Los Angeles; WEBINARS on admissions trends, testing, essays; Presentations
CONGRATULATIONS, Seniors! You’re almost there…
No Senioritis Allowed!
Regular Decisions: March-early April
Follow-up coaching for college decisions available
Admitted? Waitlisted? Denied? —-Next Steps!
Juniors, Class of 2025
Spring Meetings
Write your Common App essay this summer!
Ginger is accepting Juniors!
Grades Matter
Class of 2026 openings
w/ Lynn & Ginger
Customized College Guidance for Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors!
“Thank you so much for guiding our son through the college app process, Nancy. He really enjoyed working with you. And, we really loved that YOU absorbed our stress!! We look forward to him making a decision soon! Thanks to you he has choices!!”
“Every single day I feel so grateful for all that you have done for Bradley! You have cleared the debris in his path and opened up for him so many opportunities. You have been such a blessing to him and to our family...”
“ Nancy, I truly appreciate the love and support I have received over the years. Your advice and guidance sparked my transition into transferring from Foothill to completing my Bachelors’ degree at SJSU! To say you are my supporter and friend is an understatement!”
Students
College Search Strategies works with you, the individual, on the entire college search and application process. Our services complement those of your high school guidance department. We cannot guarantee any results, but we are confident that you will be happy with your choices!
With our guidance you will write your college essay over the summer and possibly finalize your college list before you start your senior year!
Parents
If you have a sophomore or junior, it is a good time to think about the college search. Our private, individualized meetings include planning a personal timeline, choosing courses, discussing extracurricular, volunteer, and leadership development. We explore what to consider in building a list of colleges. We help your teen clarify academic and life goals, their dreams, values, talents, interests and abilities in the process. The summer before senior year students write essays with the goal of completing applications well ahead of deadlines.
College Search Strategies works with every student on a one-to-one basis to identify possible "match" colleges based on the unique talents, interests and strengths of each student.
About Us
Nancy Wigley
Independent College Counselor
Nancy Wigley started her college search consulting business in 2008 after successfully helping her own children find their best fit colleges. She holds the UCLA Certificate in College Counseling that included classes on the admissions process, personality/career assessments, standardized testing, financial aid, and special issues. Nancy has worked with students throughout northern California, the US, Europe, and Brazil.
Lynn Holthaus
Independent College Counselor
Lynn enjoys guiding high school students and their families on what should be an exciting, not daunting process. A student’s interests, strengths and personality will be factored in helping find “best fit” schools. Lynn completed the College Admissions Counseling Certificate program through the University of California-Riverside and joined College Search Strategies as an Independent Educational Consultant in 2017.
Independent College Counselor
Introducing Ginger, our newest member of the team. She is passionate about guiding students and families through an inherently stressful and confusing time with focus, intentionality, and compassion. She believes that the college destination should reflect a student’s specialties, and leverage their signature value. Ginger strives to show students how important their unique voice is in the world, and support them in finding that perfect fit academically and socially.
Ginger Pittman Pistilli