Background

Ashley has been with Advanced College Planning since she started as an intern in 2016.  Raised in Mt. Laurel, NJ, she attended Lenape Regional High School and lettered in both Track & Field and Cross Country.  After graduation, Ashley attended Eastern Connecticut State University where she initially studied early childhood education.  Realizing she loved working with students but did not see her best fit in front of the classroom, she changed her degree to a more versatile major of sociology with a business administration minor.  This decision led Ashley to her role as a Relationship Manager at ACP where she regularly works with students to keep them organized and on track.

Best Part of the Job

“The relationships I build with the students and families.  Some students come in as early as 8th grade, so I have the chance to watch them grow and mature throughout the process.  One of the best parts, though, is seeing a student get into their top school of choice.  It’s heartwarming to be there as they celebrate one of the happiest moments of their lives.”

Biggest Challenge Students Face

“A lot of students come in feeling overwhelmed.  With school, studies, friends, family, the pressure of selecting a college, and teenage life in general, there is so much going on in their lives, it is hard for students to get organized.  While we can’t address all of it, we help our students balance their school preparation priorities.  This helps relieve some of their stress and increases their effectiveness.”

Advice to Students and Parents

“The key to the process of selecting, applying, and getting into the school of choice is staying ahead and setting a course.  Students who take the time to determine what they want and where they want to go, have a much more enjoyable experience getting into college.  Also, students should tour schools.  Although there is a world of online information about each university, it is nearly impossible to fully understand a school unless you go and see it in person.  I also recommend job shadowing!  If you are entering college with the intention of pursuing a career, you should have first-hand experience of  the basic functions of that job to ensure it is truly what you want to do.”