Start With Your Story
Educational Consulting
We help college-bound students craft and articulate their unique, powerful, and authentic stories so they stand out in the college admissions process and find the perfect fit where they can thrive.
Develop Compelling Applications
The key to standing out and creating a connection with others is having a powerful, authentic story to tell. Using our StoryprintTM framework we help students highlight their strengths as they craft their own authentic and powerful story.
Gain Clarity & Confidence
You will fearlessly embrace the journey because you will have an actionable plan from a trusted advisor who cares about your success. I believe in a collaborative approach that involves working closely with families to ensure that everyone is working toward the same goals and feels confident.
Reduce Family Stress and Anxiety
The admissions process has become more complex and can be a source of conflict and stress between parents and students. We keep students organized, motivated and adhering to deadlines throughout the entire process, thereby reducing stress and anxiety for the entire family.
Why Choose Start with Your Story?
Student Success
Our aim is not limited to helping our clients secure college admission; rather, it involves identifying a great college fit including academics, social environment, cultural values, and financial resources.
Our professional guidance, has helped our students successfully secure admission to a diverse range of colleges, ranging from Ivy League universities to small liberal arts colleges to large public universities.
Strategic Approach
We believe in approaching the admissions process in a strategic manner using a variety of data including, but not limited to admission and test submission data that provide valuable insights into a college's admissions process. This data driven approach helps you make informed decisions about where to apply and how are students can share their authentic selves in the application. This data driven approach matched with my understanding of how applications are reviewed and coaching experience helps our students succeed.
Savor Family Time
Instead of agonizing over the college admission process, you should savor every moment of your teen's senior year. Working with me takes all the guesswork out of how to approach the admissions process and reduces the stress associated with applying to college.
I'm also available at the family and student’s convenience – not just during school hours during the school year. This becomes valuable when you need a quick response or guidance.
An Authentic Narrative
Using our Story FingerprintTM framework we work with students to share their authentic story. Fingerprints are unique as no two people share the same design. When you touch something, you transfer your unique print, leaving an impression. A Story FingerprintTM is a message that your student develops for their application. It should be as unique as a fingerprint, making an imprint on several aspects of the application and leaving a powerful impression.
Hi there, I'm Kathy!
I began my journey as an independent educational consultant because it combines my expertise in personal branding and higher education with my passion for coaching students. I was drawn to this work because I believe in the power of education. As a first-generation college student, I know firsthand how education can change a life.
In my career, I’ve had the privilege of storytelling for some of the world’s most well-known and beloved brands such as Kraft, KitchenAid and Kellogg’s. Also, I coached and mentored students during my tenure at the University of Michigan. Feeling a pull toward more purpose-driven work, I left my corporate life to combine my storytelling, coaching and mentoring skills in service to students defining their stories.
More About MeIn addition to my professional credentials and years of education and training, I've walked in your shoes as a parent of two college students.
I can empathize with you at every step of the process. I know what it's like to take the campus tours, build the college list, and have your child agonize over the wait and rejoice over the acceptances. And, I know the bittersweet feelings that are present on move-in day.
Empowering learners, shaping futures: Your trusted educational consultant
The Professional membership category is for educational consultants who have demonstrated a professional mastery with years of experience and a master's degree.
I studied the theory and practice behind human performance that serves to create empathetic and trusted relationships with my clients.
In choosing a HECA member you’ll work with a consultant who is dedicated to upholding ethics and standards, committed to keeping abreast of evolving admissions trends and is connected to a network of consultants.
Choose your preferred service and let's get started...
Creating College Confidence Monthly Parent Membership
If you're the parent or family member of a high school student in the class of 2025 or 2026, this group is a place for you to find community, get access to expert advice and training on all aspects of the college admissions process.
With this membership, you'll have access to bi-monthly live sessions where you can get answers to your questions about college applications, financing and much more. Members also have the opportunity to get feedback in a private Facebook Group in a supportive community.
I designed Creating College College to provide affordable and reliable answers and advice to parents navigating the college application process.
Class of 2024 Application Boot Camp Group Coaching Program
Start With Your Story Class of 2024 Application Boot Camp provides comprehensive support for students applying to college, with the added benefit of professional guidance in a virtual group setting. Regular group meetings offer step-by-step guidance through the college admissions process, supplemented by additional one-on-one meetings, online content, email and text communication, and office hours to personalize the program for each student. Group meetings are scheduled at a time that works best for the group and all meetings are recorded, so students can catch up if they miss a session. By joining the group, students will benefit from guidance, support, and encouragement from peers, ensuring they don't feel alone in their college application journey. The group, along with Southern College Consulting, will be there for them every step of the way.
Membership
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Our Clients Say it Best
Hire Kathy Noble. Just do it! She is worth 10x the amount that she charges. We only wish we had done it sooner because it would have removed some of the stress we felt going through the college admissions process. We had been through the journey with our older son several years prior and thought we would be able to handle things with our younger son on our own.
Although our younger son had outstanding grades and test scores, we needed help explaining some unusual circumstances. Kathy is a gem and understands the passion and the heart of both a parent and a child trying to navigate the college admissions process. Thank you, Kathy!
L.P. – Parent
Having someone who knows all the ins and outs of the college admissions office is absolutely crucial to your success. Cue Kathy Noble. Her knowledge of all things admissions made my journey through the application process thousands of times more manageable. She used a structured system that was flexible to my specific needs as a new applicant. This system helped me finish the process faster and much more in depth, while also allowing me to discover new facets of my personality. Throughout my time with Kathy, she was focused on my best interests. She was honest and constructive when helping with essays, and when analyzing college statistics. Having Kathy as a consultant was one of the best choices I could have made regarding my application process. I highly recommend Kathy Noble to those looking to get to know themselves, and looking to nail the college application process.
B.K. – Student at Kalamazoo College
Kathy Noble is a find. Her commitment to helping high school students find the right college shines through. We hired Kathy at a fairly late point in the process. Kathy got to work. We had a fairly specific and somewhat atypical list of requirements, and Kathy provided us with a list of schools that fit our son’s requirements in a jiffy. She responded to every email within 24 hours. She patiently helped my son slog through all the tedious college platforms. She – very diplomatically – explained to my son that he might want to rethink (well, totally redo) his college essay given its downer theme. Not the easiest message to communicate, and she did it deftly and sensitively.
Let’s face it – the college selection and application process are overwhelming. If you are looking for help, hire Kathy. She is friendly, responsive, knowledgeable, professional and above all passionate.
A.M. – Parent
It’s super easy to talk with Kathy. When I was brainstorming ideas for my essays, our conversations helped me organize my thoughts and come up with fresh ideas. I had a LOT of questions about the entire admissions process and Kathy was always responsive and knowledgeable, whether I was asking about specific colleges or the logistics of filling out the Common App or even interview strategies. One of the most useful things Kathy helped me with was deconstructing essay prompts so I could focus on what the colleges were actually asking. When I finished writing an essay, her feedback was honest and constructive. I'm very happy with my college admissions outcome and I'm grateful for the support Kathy gave me throughout the long application process.
S.B. – Student at the University of Chicago
Download the Free High School Planner for College-Bound Students
Download the planner and get a comprehensive list of recommended actions to take each year that can help you and student feel more confident in the application process.
Skip the endless hours
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Set Up Systems
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Market Your Business
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Communicate with Clients
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