About Lantern College Counseling
Jennifer Stephan, PhD is the founder of Lantern College Counseling and a college admissions counselor and college success coach with decades of experience across higher education. An engineer and current academic dean — and formerly a Computer Science professor and Board of Admissions member — Jennifer brings an insider’s understanding of how colleges evaluate applicants and how students can thrive once they arrive.
At Lantern, we work with U.S.-based and international families seeking expert, ethical guidance through college admissions, academic recovery, and long-term student success. Our work is grounded in deep academic fluency, thoughtful mentorship, and a commitment to protecting student voice and agency throughout the process.
Jennifer works closely with Eliza Yuen, a college counselor with extensive experience supporting STEM students, undecided students, and international families navigating U.S. college admissions. Together, we work as a collaborative team, providing a high-touch approach informed by real institutional experience and a shared belief that students do best when they are deeply understood and thoughtfully supported.
Our Approach and Frameworks
Lantern’s work is guided by a set of well-defined frameworks developed through decades of experience supporting students on college campuses. Each framework is designed to help students make informed, reflective decisions — and to support families navigating both traditional and complex educational paths.
The Deep-Fit™ Framework
A comprehensive approach to college selection that prioritizes academic alignment, institutional culture, learning environment, and long-term student thriving — not just admissions outcomes.
Ethical College Counseling in the Age of AI
A student-centered philosophy that protects voice, agency, and integrity in the age of AI and high-pressure admissions.
College Success Coaching & Academic Recovery
Expert guidance for students navigating academic probation, leaves of absence, transfers, or re-entry after disruption — grounded in real institutional experience and focused on rebuilding momentum and confidence.
Why Process Matters in College Admissions
A competitive college application is more than grades, test scores, or activities. To stand out in today’s admissions landscape, students must develop a clear understanding of who they are, what they value, and how they learn — and be able to articulate that insight with depth and honesty.
That clarity does not just happen. It is the result of a thoughtful, guided process that helps students reflect, grow, and make intentional choices over time. Drawing on decades of experience inside higher education, Lantern’s approach emphasizes process over outcomes — grounding each application in clarity, intention, and informed choice.
Impact
Lantern’s impact is rooted in helping students and families move from uncertainty to clarity. Whether a student is approaching the admissions process for the first time or navigating a more complex academic situation, our work is designed to reduce stress, restore confidence, and support thoughtful forward momentum.
By working closely with a limited number of students over time, we are able to develop a deep understanding of each student’s academic profile, learning style, and goals. This allows us to offer guidance that is both highly personalized and grounded in real institutional insight — helping students make decisions they can stand behind with confidence.
Families often come to Lantern feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, rankings, timelines, or pressure to “get everything right.” Our role is to help sort through that noise, provide clear direction, and create a steady, intentional process that supports both strong applications and long-term student well-being.
The result is not just successful admissions outcomes, but students who feel prepared, self-aware, and equipped to thrive in the environments they choose.
Who We Work With
We are especially well suited to supporting:
STEM-oriented students, including those pursuing engineering, computer science, AI, or interdisciplinary technical fields
Students who are undecided, intellectually curious, or still developing clarity around their academic direction
International students and globally mobile families navigating U.S. college admissions systems
Students whose educational journeys include disruption, such as transfers, leaves of absence, academic probation, or a need to reset after a challenging start
Across all of these contexts, our work is grounded in helping students develop self-understanding, confidence, and a clear sense of direction — so they can make choices that support both admission and long-term success. Learn more about our Deep-Fit approach to thoughtful college decision-making.
Many of the families who seek out Lantern place a deep value on education itself. They may be educators, researchers, or parents who understand that college success depends on more than rankings or brand names. Others come to us because their student requires a particular learning environment to thrive — whether due to giftedness, neurodivergence, or a need for structure, challenge, or support that isn’t well served by a one-size-fits-all approach.
College Success Coaching & Academic Recovery
In addition to admissions guidance, Lantern provides expert support for students who encounter academic challenges during college. This work is led in collaboration with Karen Flood, a seasoned higher-education administrator with extensive experience supporting students through academic probation, leaves of absence, and re-entry after disruption.
Together, we help students assess what went wrong, rebuild academic and organizational skills, and chart a realistic, forward-looking plan. Our approach is compassionate, structured, and grounded in real institutional understanding — focused on growth and renewed momentum.
Learn more: When College Doesn’t Go as Planned: How to Help Your Student Recover and Thrive
Next Steps
Choosing the right college — or finding a way forward when college doesn’t go as planned — is a significant decision. We begin by listening carefully, understanding your student’s context, and determining whether Lantern is the right fit for your family’s needs.
If you’d like to explore working together, we invite you to schedule an introductory call.
