01 / STUDENTS & FAMILIESA plan built around your student.
From discovering interests to comparing acceptances, get personal support for the decisions, deadlines, and details that matter.
Explore individual counselingYour future. Your fit. Your path.Big possibilities.
Big possibilities.
A clearer path
to college.
Personalized guidance that turns an overwhelming college process into a thoughtful plan—for your student, your family, and the future ahead.
A free, 30-minute conversation. A meaningful first step.
Meet your guide, Tamika.Independent College Counselor & Educational Consultant
12 years helping students navigate collegeVirtual individual counselingChicago-area school & group workshops
Start where you are
One next step. A little more clarity.
Choose your stage for practical ideas you can use today.
9th–10th grade
Explore what makes you curious.
You do not need a final college list yet. Start by learning about yourself and building good habits.
Talk through your next stepYour starting checklist
Small actions count. Check off what you have done.
0 of 6 complete
11th grade
Turn possibilities into a plan.
Explore fit, build a balanced list, and give yourself room to prepare.
Talk through your next stepYour starting checklist
Small actions count. Check off what you have done.
0 of 6 complete
12th grade
Take the next step with clarity.
Focus on your own deadlines and keep the student’s voice at the center.
Talk through your next stepYour starting checklist
Small actions count. Check off what you have done.
0 of 6 complete
Parent / guardian
Support the process without taking it over.
A calm conversation and a shared plan can make the next step feel more manageable.
Talk through your next stepYour starting checklist
Small actions count. Check off what you have done.
0 of 6 complete
Use this as a starting point, not a deadline calendar. Verify requirements and dates with each college and your school counselor. Entries stay on this page only; download before leaving or refreshing.
You don't have to figure it out aloneLess second-guessing.
Less second-guessing.
More moving forward.
Which colleges belong on the list? What needs to happen next? How will we pay for it? With a dedicated guide, those big questions become manageable steps. Tamika helps students find colleges that fit them academically, socially, emotionally, and financially.
01 / STUDENTS & FAMILIES
02 / SCHOOLS & ORGANIZATIONSBring possibility to more students.
Practical workshops and group guidance that make college planning more accessible for the students your organization serves.
Explore workshops & partnerships
Meet your guide
Experience with a personal purpose.
Tamika brings school counseling leadership and her own first-generation college experience to each conversation.
College counseling leadership
Former Director of College Counseling at Hansberry College Prep.
School & district perspective
Former Director, K12, State and District Partnerships at College Board.
Education grounded in service
Master of Arts in Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management, University of Chicago. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Central Michigan University.
Previous roles describe Tamika’s experience; they do not imply organizational endorsement.
More about TamikaA process with purpose
Plan. Prepare. Succeed.
01 — PLAN
Start with who you are.
Explore your strengths, interests, and priorities. Build a college list around what you need to thrive.
02 — PREPARE
Take it one step at a time.
Work through applications, essays, scholarships, and deadlines with a clear plan and personal guidance.
03 — SUCCEED
Choose your next chapter.
Compare your college options and financial offers, then prepare to make the transition with confidence.
Your college planning toolkit
Useful tools. A clearer starting point.
Explore your priorities, take better campus notes, and turn a big process into small steps. No signup required.
A student-centered philosophy
“I believe that the college should ‘fit’ the student, as opposed to the student trying to ‘fit’ the college.”
— Tamika Thomas
Personal experience.
A personal commitment.
As a first-generation college student, Tamika knows what it feels like to navigate unfamiliar territory without enough guidance. That experience is at the heart of her work today.
When should we begin?
For individual counseling, Tamika recommends starting in the second semester of junior year and continuing through senior year. Career exploration workshops can begin earlier. If your timeline is different, reach out to discuss whether the service is a good fit.
Do you work with students virtually?
Yes. Individual college counseling is offered virtually. Local, in-person workshops serve schools and organizations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
What happens in the free consultation?
The 30-minute conversation covers your needs and goals, Tamika’s approach, and how she may be able to help. It is a chance for both sides to decide whether working together makes sense.
A clearer next step starts with a conversation.
Tell Tamika where you are. Explore how she can help.