“As I near the end of my undergraduate career at the University of Virginia, I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have had Jessica Michaels as my college counselor. Growing up in NYC, I really didn’t see colleges outside of the tri-state area as viable options. However, it was Ms. Michaels who pushed me to broaden my horizons and encouraged me to go beyond my comfort zone when looking at universities. If not for Ms. Michaels, I would have never considered UVA as an option, apply, get in and become the student I am today!”
Shenelle Helwig – University of Virginia ‘21
Dual major in Psychology and Philosophy
WahooWa!
“Thank you, Jessica, for your guidance and support to [my son] over the last few years as he prepared for college and getting accepted! We are just about ready to accept and send in the deposit to Notre Dame – woo-hoo, finally, a decision!!!”
Parent
“Excited to have [her] support during these trying times. Eager to see the great remote work [she’ll] be doing with our juniors.”
Student Leadership Network – Administration
“Thank you, Jessica, for all of your hard work on [my son’s] (and all the other kids’) behalf. Your guidance, leadership, and mentorship have made a big difference in [his] life! Thank you!”
Parent (child attending U. of Colorado, Boulder – Engineering)
“As a college counselor, it is important to complete one overarching task: help students navigate towards college. For Mrs. Michaels, this means so much more than just giving students a checklist of what to do and not to do – she exceeds expectations and coaches students through not just choosing a school to go to, but finding their best placement financially, emotionally, and academically. Despite her insanely busy schedule and my often random arrival in her office, she always made time to answer my overwhelming sea of questions and, better yet, I never saw her without a smile on her face and a cheerful attitude. I firmly believe that I would not have earned a QuestBridge Match Scholarship (full ride) without the constant knowledgeable, friendly, open guidance of Mrs. Michaels, and for that I could not be more thankful.
Corryn McAfee – Davidson College ’24
“Thank you for paving the way in building an outstanding College Success Program at Byers. We are so appreciative of your work – – your vision and expertise, combined with your commitment to excellence and authentic interest in every student’s success has resulted in a state of the art program. The Byers College Success Program is comparable to what one would find at a top notch private school! The team you have created and the systems you have put in place ensure a very bright future for this program at Byers. Thank you!”
Denver Schools of Science and Technology – Parent