ILLUMINATING YOUR PATH TO COLLEGE

Partnering with students and their families to make the transition to college enjoyable and rewarding.

Our Founder

JENNIFER STEPHAN,

PhD, MS, BS

Jennifer holds a unique vantage point on the college application process, having held a variety of roles across top colleges and universities, including professor, academic dean, admissions board member, private college counselor, alumni interviewer, and parent to college-aged students.

Meet Jennifer

Connection

Developing relationships with each family and their student to serve as a go-to voice of calm throughout the college process.

Clarity

Guiding students to self-discovery and confident decision making so that their college choice feels triumphant.

Learning

A continually expanding base of expertise to light the way amidst a changing college admissions and higher education landscape.

Student Acceptances

lantern’s students find success in colleges and universities across the nation

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

See Full Gallery of Acceptances

What Parents Have to Say

“Jennifer is one of the most knowledgeable professionals I have ever dealt with. Her knowledge of the college admissions process is outstanding and her work with my son led to his acceptance to a university beyond his dreams. She was extremely hands on in every aspect of the admissions process and knew exactly how to get the very best from my son. In addition she was constantly in touch with me including emails of his progress and articles covering every aspect of the admissions process. I highly recommend Jennifer to any parent who is considering engaging a college admissions counselor.”
— Donald
“Jennifer has supported our family through the college application process for each of our four children! Her guidance is invaluable. I knew our kids trusted her by their comments “Let’s ask Jennifer” or “I trust what Jennifer has to say on this”…. She is extremely responsive to questions. She reduces the stress for the parents and the students. She emphasizes the student’s authenticity and the importance of the student’s voice throughout all the application materials. She provides amazing editing for the essays, but above all, stresses that the content and word choices must be genuinely from the student. What results is a beautifully unique application package that reflects the student. “
— Beth and Ivan
“Jennifer exceeded our expectations in guiding our daughter Lauren through the college application process. Jennifer took a holistic approach, encouraging Lauren to learn more about herself, her priorities for the college experience, fields of study, lifelong goals, etc, which helped her grow personally and also assisted her in selecting colleges and shaping her essays. As parents, we also felt supported when questions arose. We highly recommend Jennifer for college counseling. She’s a true standout for her expertise, methods, and for being a great person who truly has your child’s best interest at heart.“
— Michelle and Glenn
“Jennifer's expertise, guidance, and support were invaluable to us throughout the college search and application process. From the beginning, we were impressed by her professionalism and knowledge of all parts of the college admissions puzzle, ranging from high school course selection to standardized testing to finding the right list of colleges to apply to. She always made herself available to answer questions and offer feedback, even outside of our established meeting times, especially in the very busy months leading up to the application deadlines. In short, we highly recommend her to any student and family starting down the path of applying to college.”
— Brian and Laurie
“We are all excited about the choice! it’s the right fit for him and we are so proud of the work he did to get here. THANK YOU for your help and guidance these past 15 months, he would not have the experience he did without your expertise and organizational wizardry. We are really very grateful for you! We are so happy to be at the end of this journey and excited for him as he begins his next one.”
— Alanna and Bob
“For all these years of HS, you have been so helpful and flexible and steadfast and I appreciate all you’ve done for us very much. It was a wild ride and would have been close to impossible to navigate without you. Your availability, advice and help framing the whole thing has been invaluable. Thank you doesn’t really cover it but nonetheless, I am very grateful.”

— Robin
“We are very thankful that she has had the benefit of your extraordinary expertise and calm guidance through this rather fraught process. We couldn’t appreciate it more.”
— Charlie
“From our first meeting the week before we visited Northwestern through to the moment of receiving the great ED admission your guidance consistently helped make the complex process manageable. I still can’t believe she’s all set already!”

— Stephanie
“She could not have done it without all of your guidance. You have made this process stress free and enjoyable for a very anxious girl! We cannot thank you enough!”

— Julie and Greg
“You have been an invaluable guide to her. As parents, we feel, you made our job a lot easier. Above all, she was extremely comfortable working with you.“
— Sonali and Shameek
“From setting the right target schools (especially his ED school), to managing his deadlines, maintaining a good pace, and reviewing/fixing his essays, your guidance has been instrumental in his getting into Cornell.”

— Lei
“We wanted to extend our thanks for all your guidance, counsel, friendship, and kindness throughout the process. We are so appreciative. With thanks and admiration,”
— Nathaniel and Suzanne

From Students

“Simply put, I would not have gotten into Harvard without Jennifer. Her knowledge on selecting the right colleges helped me to build a list that fit me, her comprehensive writing process gave me the tools to write powerful essays, and most importantly her calming presence helped to ease the worries and stresses of the college admissions process. Perhaps any single one of these qualities can be found in other counselors, but Jennifer’s outstanding possession of all of them and more make her truly an exceptional counselor. Words cannot express my gratitude for her help and admiration at her knowledge.”
— Nate T.
“I can’t thank you enough for taking me on. I was feeling defeated and a bit aimless heading into this round of applications and your support made all the difference in my confidence. Thank you so much for all you have done for me, from reading essays to answering last minute questions to helping me navigate the emotional aspect of this process. I am so so proud of myself and feel confident in my choice!”
— Abigail
"I'm very excited for the next four years. I can't thank you enough for all you've done, from making sure I stay on top of everything, keeping me informed on the next steps we needed to take, planning out the entire process, suggesting schools, and encouraging me. I think I have found a very good choice for myself, but I didn't find it alone. You were integral throughout this process. You did an amazing job."
— Henry
“Your commitment to my success made this process feel personal and exciting and like a journey of self-growth… You were a total role model and I leaned on you for support during the most challenging parts of the college application cycle. It was so calming to have someone I trusted to advocate for me.”
— Grace
“Jennifer has truly been an extreme help on my journey on applying to college, from helping me organize myself, to finding schools that I truly loved and made sure I had help every step of the way. I don't think I would have made it as far as I have without her help. I cannot thank her enough for all the work she has done for me.”

— Vikram
“I wanted to thank you, for everything. This process would not have been the same at all without you. Your help removed so much of the confusion and anxiety from the daunting process, and I know I could not have done it without you. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your work with me.”
— Beaujena
“Thank you so much for all the time and advice and tips you put into my college search. I seriously could not have done it without you. You are amazing at what you do!”
— Anika
“I am so grateful for the experience you helped me gain throughout this. I really started off the whole college hunt directionless and it was amazing to receive instruction and guidance throughout the college process. I am extremely proud of the things I've written and the work I've submitted to colleges. Thank you so much!”

— Josh
I truly appreciate all of your help throughout this process, and I could not have done it without you. Thank you again, so so SO much!
— Lauren