PrepNow Tutor - Jen R.
A collaborative admissions consultant, Jen holds a BS in environmental science from West Chester University, an MA in education from Wilmington University, and College Counseling Certification from UC San Diego. She also has an Oregon Teaching License and over twenty years of tutoring experience. Jen entered admissions counseling in 2018 when her district launched an expeditionary learning high school, and she was invited to serve as a College and Career Advisor. In that role, she built community partnerships, developed college and career pathways, and created a 9-12 curriculum, while also discovering her passion for working closely with students. “What drew me into admissions consulting, and continues to motivate me, is the opportunity to truly get to know students,” Jen says. “I value being able to support them in exploring career interests, arranging job shadows, planning for their futures, and guiding them through applications and essays in a way that feels personal and empowering.”
Jen has always loved puzzles, and she sees the college application process as the most satisfying kind of puzzle to work through. “The early stages, especially, feel like a complex and rewarding puzzle to solve,” Jen says. “What I enjoy most is getting to know students as whole people, not just as a transcript or GPA. Once I understand who they are—their interests, goals, values, and preferences—I can start piecing together what matters to them: location, majors, extracurriculars, campus environment, weather, and finances, to complete the puzzle.” She notes that bringing those elements together to build a thoughtful, best-fit college list is the most satisfying part. “From there, the rest of the process—applications, activity lists, and essays—tends to fall into place in a way that feels cohesive and authentic to each student."
While Jen’s experience is broad rather than highly specialized, she has notable experience supporting student-athletes through the recruiting process—guiding athletes through timelines, building balanced college lists that reflect a range of athletic levels, and supporting the creation of athletic resumes, highlight reels, coach communications, and recruiting questionnaires. Jen’s student-athletes have successfully progressed through the recruiting process, with many receiving interest and opportunities to compete at the collegiate level. “While students may begin their college journey with a clear vision, growth often comes through unexpected turns,” Jen shares. “Finding the right environment, being open to change, and having strong support along the way can make all the difference."
Jen enjoys spending time with her family, rock climbing, listening to music, scuba diving, traveling, and surfing. She volunteers locally at ThinkWild Wildlife Rehab and in Mexico at a Sea Turtle Nursery. Jen was born and raised in Pennsylvania and moved to Oregon in 2004. Her favorite animals are sea turtles and long-eared owls.
