Virginia L. Blackwell brings a vast amount of knowledge and first-hand experience concerning all aspects of the college selection process to the parents and students she counsels. Drawing on her extensive higher education background, Virginia guides students in selecting the best academic institution for them based on their academic credentials, personality, outside interests, and long term career goals. She provides students with expert choice evaluation, interview coaching and essay analysis which in turn increases their odds for acceptance in a highly competitive admissions market. She is known for her ability to communicate and connect with the student. Parents readily attest to the fact that her work maximizes the return on their educational investment dollars.
She received her Masters in Education from Harvard University, Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in writing from Hollins University in Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, where she majored in Psychology and Education.
Virginia spent 13 years in the College Admissions field at the university level. During that time she was Director of Admissions at a women’s college, a member of both the Southern Consortium (a group of highly selective private colleges throughout the South) and the Hollins Scholars Selection Committee, a reader for the Virginia Governor’s Scholarship Program, an active member of the College Board, and a guest speaker on college search topics at private and public high schools and State and National admissions organizations throughout the country.
In 2001, she established her own private college counseling practice, which is located in Northwest Houston and serves students from all over the greater Houston area including The Woodlands, Kingwood, Champions, Spring, Katy and Sugar Land. She is an active member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling, Higher Education Consultants Association, Houston Independent Educational Consultants Association, and an honorary member of the Virginia Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers.
Virginia served for seven years on the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District Superintendent’s Parents Advisory Committee and has held various PTO positions at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. Her strong leadership skills and talents have served the San Jacinto Girl Scout Council, The Junior League of The Woodlands, Inc., Pursuit and Texans Soccer Clubs, Kinsmen Lutheran Church, Northwest Houston Delta Gamma Alumnae Association, and National Charity League for many years.