About MCA
My College Activities was created with the mission to help students, independent counselors, and high school staff clear a path through the confusing process college applications have become. Founded by a counselor, mother, and true believer in every student's success, MCA is built to address real world challenges and unnecessary barriers when it comes to applying to college.
The story behind My College Activities
Hi, I’m Jessie! My experience as an independent college counselor began in 2018, when I guided my daughter through the shockingly convoluted & difficult process of applying to collegiate musical theatre programs. At the time, I was a mom trying to help my daughter achieve her dreams. We were told that the only way she could ever possibly have a chance of getting into a preferred choice program was if she applied to at least twenty schools. This seemed like overkill, but who were we to question the system? So, we applied to twenty schools.
Since that first application season in 2018, I have made it my mission to help demystify the college application experience. Over the past eight years, dozens of students have used my methods and counseling to apply and get into top colleges. Through this process, I discovered three important things:
Through this process, I discovered three important things:
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First, every student had at least one activity they didn’t think “counted” for some reason or another. They would say things to me like, “Oh well, I just did that for my family, that doesn’t count.” or, “That was just something I did for fun, I don't need to put that on there.”
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Second, once I spent enough time interviewing a student & coaxing all of the things they didn’t think mattered out of them, we always, without fail, ended up with a list of activities that surprised them. My students would turn to me and say, “Oh wow, I actually have done something, I didn’t realize it.”
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Third, and most importantly, my students gained confidence in their abilities and all the activities and talents that made each of them unique. Once we filled out the activities section, the application was 90% done. My students knew what they wanted to write their essays about, and used the activity section as a springboard to create their resumes & brag sheets. Ultimately, they ended up with a comprehensive application that actually reflected who they were and what they wanted to do.
The Framework
that Guides everything
Our Activities-first framework is what sets us apart. Built from nine years of independent college coaching experience, the approach behind My College Activities helps students recognize their strengths and present their experiences with greater clarity and confidence.
With our guidance, it's easier than ever for students to write essays, build resumes, and create college applications that they feel actually show who they are as a person.
What can feel like an intimidating process became much more manageable because [MCA] showed me how to effectively communicate my accomplishments [...] My College Activities will be an incredible resource that helps students navigate the college process with greater confidence and clarity.
Anytime I have had confusion with CVs, resumes, college applications, cover letters, and honors program applications, I have always felt supported [...] It kept me inspired, even when I had doubts about being accepted into the honors program at Augusta University. This opportunity has helped me build long-lasting friends and connections I would not have had beforehand.
[MCA] helped me see my unique strengths and express myself in ways I couldn’t before. [...] I’m thrilled that more students will now have access to the same guidance, tools, and resources I was lucky enough to have, through My College Activities.
Highly Recommended for Aspiring Performing Arts Students! I cannot recommend [MCA] highly enough. [...] If this app is anything like the personal guidance we received from Jessie, it will be an absolute game-changer for students and parents trying to break into the performing arts world.
Applying to college felt incredibly overwhelming at first, but [MCA] made the entire process so much more manageable and gave me the confidence I needed every step of the way. [...] I couldn't recommend [MCA] more highly to anyone navigating the college application process.
[MCA] guided both of my children through the entire college admissions process, and her impact went far beyond applications. [...] I couldn’t recommend [MCA] more, and am thrilled that My College Activities will let other families experience the same guidance.
When I received my early acceptance to the University of Georgia, I knew [MCA] had played a major role in helping me get there. [Their] guidance, encouragement, and expertise made all the difference, and I couldn't be more grateful for [their] support.
Real students. Real activities. Real success.
