I’m Joan Thakor, founder of Aurora Educational Consulting. I approach the college process holistically, appreciating each student’s aspirations, achievements, and personal circumstances. My mission is to find schools where your student will thrive–personally, academically, and socially–while demystifying and de-stressing the search and application process.

Testimonials

Oh my goodness! You are a true super hero! We can’t thank you enough! He has been a different person after working with you!…Thank you for all your help! I can’t wait to recommend you to everyone.

It was a pleasure to work with Joan, both for myself as a parent and for my son as a High Schooler applying to college. Joan has a very calm and empathetic approach which really gets the best out of a teenager during a time that is hectic and stressful.  She gave excellent advice about the college process and inspired my son to express himself very articulately and authentically in both his college essay and the supplemental questions.

You have worked wonders for C! He has matured and benefited so much under your tutorship and coaching. We, of course, are delighted that he has been accepted to several prominent schools.

Your advice and support helped our son go through this tough process, and we are very thankful. He felt comfortable sharing his aspirations with Joan, and that took away some of the pressure at home.

Hiring Joan as my son’s college consultant was the best decision I ever made! Not only did he get into his dream school, but she took the stress out of the entire process.

Joan helped my son with his Personal Statement on short notice when he was struggling to find the words to talk about himself. What set Joan apart was her commitment to really understanding my son. She was able to help him discover his innate qualities and put his story into words. With her guidance, he identified what he most wanted to say about himself in his essay. She was so patient and intuitive, and he felt very comfortable with her. We are now looking ahead to some great college choices for next year and couldn’t be more excited!

Our Approach

  • I understand that you are not the same as everyone else—you have different goals, aspirations, preferences, and abilities.
  • I work with you closely to discover what makes you unique and identify what you really want in a college or university.
  • I ensure that my recommended schools align with you, the student—not the other way around.
  • I guide you through critical dates and tasks so that you adhere to a customized timeline.
  • I identify vital attributes and experiences that will stand out on the college application.
  • I brainstorm ideas for enriching and productive summer experiences and extra-curricular activities–tailored to you.
  • I help you find your voice and tell a compelling story in your college essays.
  • My guidance enables you to take ownership of your college search and application journey. I demystify the process, alleviate anxiety, and even make it a little fun.

Services

Services include admissions planning; aptitude and interests assessment; college list-building; resume and interview prep; guidance on academics, summer experiences, and extra-curricular activities; essay advice and editing; and more.

Contact

If you’d like to learn more, please complete the form below or contact Joan directly at [email protected].