Beth and Corinne joined forces and combined skills to help high school students and their parents navigate the complex college admission landscape. We are passionate about what we do and want to share our energy and enthusiasm with our clients. Launch College Counseling is the result of their synergistic partnership. Launch College Counseling provides Pro Bono services for those who qualify.
Beth Levine
Beth completed her Certificate in College Counseling with distinction from UCLA. Beth is an associate member of both IECA and NACAC as well as a full member of HECA, three distinguished college admission associations. Beth stays current with all their publications and visits at least 25 colleges per year.
Beth is also a licensed clinical social worker who has focused on teenagers and their families for over twenty years. Beth holds certifications in Family Therapy and Divorce Mediation. Beth has been helping students informally with the college search for twelve years and, formally, as a partner of Launch College Counseling for over seven years.
Beth believes that based on the small number of college counselors at most high schools, relative to the number of students who need them, there is not enough time for the counselors to get to know the students on an individual basis. Therefore, it is almost impossible to provide the level of service needed to help students find the best-fit college. This experience inspired Beth to pursue a career as an independent college counselor.
Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law, and a Masters of Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago.
Essay Specialists
Nicole Kaplan
Nicole is one of Launch College Counseling’s college essay specialists. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English from Tulane University before moving to New York and teaching sixth-grade English in Brooklyn. She earned her Master’s in Education from the Relay Graduate School of Education. She also holds Teaching Certificates in Middle School Education and Special Education for grades 5-12.
Nicole loves working with young people and getting to know who they are through their writing. She helps students capitalize on their unique strengths while emphasizing progress over perfection: encouraging them to hone their craft and find their voices through the writing process.
Corinne Pinsof-Kaplan
Corinne created and operated her own successful retail business for over 20 years. Corinne’s management experience, combined with her organizational skills, complement’s Beth’s clinical experience. Corinne completed the IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) Summer Training Institute and is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, IECA, as well as HECA, the Higher Education Consultants Association.
Corinne discovered the lack of adequate college counseling first-hand, which motivated her to pursue a career in college counseling. Launch College Counseling was created to help students optimize their college application and find the best-fit college. Corinne has been working with high school students and their families for over ten years. Corinne visits at least 25 colleges each year and attends national conferences annually.
Corinne holds a Bachelor of General Studies with a Business Concentration from the University of Michigan.
Welcoming the newest College Counselor to our practice
Julie Garcia
Julie has spent a career in both secondary and higher education serving as Head of Student and College Counseling at a private high school in Chicago, as well as developing and serving as The Director of College Placement and Transfer Services Department at Loyola University Chicago. She has collaborated with numerous universities across the country to develop pathways. In addition, she has worked with clients privately for over ten years. She previously served as a Corporate Outplacement Consultant. Julie is a Professional Member of IECA, is a member of NACAC and sits on a higher education institution’s Admissions Advisory Board. Julie is also a licensed Professional School Counselor.
While serving students at both the high school and college level, the lack of time and resources counselors face in these roles was evident. Julie enjoys the opportunity to focus individually on students in private practice, as well as serving as a coach and mentor who strives to uncover and develop passion and sources of motivation in student’s pursuits in order to help them identify and achieve success in “best fit” colleges.
Julie holds a BA in Psychology, an MA in Clinical Psychology and Certificate of Completion for Professional School Counseling endorsement.