Our Story

Jen Brookover and Katy Watts met working as college planning counselors at a local business in California years ago. They immediately clicked when they realized they both had similar counseling styles. Jen and Katy often collaborated as school counselors.  

Karen Rowe and Katy Watts met at a National Association of College Admissions Conference (NACAC) in 2016. They created a college admission case study program for schools in their region. Katy and Karen often collaborated to help benefit their students.

Jen Brookover and Karen Rowe met while working at an online college planning company. Karen and Jen often collaborated online, and when they finally met in person two years later, it was like they had known each other for years.  

Jen, Katy, and Karen have over 75 years of collective experience working with students and families in different parts of the country and abroad. They’re packaging their expertise to now help students get into the college that is the right fit for them.
They are The College Collaborators.

Click here to read our client reviews from Google. 

Jen Brookover

(she/her/hers) Jen@thecollegecollaborators.com

Jen Brookover has 25+ years of experience in education as a counselor and English teacher in Pennsylvania and California. Her roles as a teacher and counselor greatly contribute to her knowledge of working with diverse families.  After college, Jen taught middle school and high school English.  While teaching, many of her students confided in her about their personal issues, and she quickly discovered that one of her strengths is counseling students.  After obtaining her Masters in Counseling at Villanova University, she worked at Upper Darby High School, the second largest high school in PA, for 10 years.  In 2016, she moved to CA where she has worked in public high schools and private college consulting companies.  She resides in Rocklin, CA where she loves to spend time with her young boy and girl twins.  

In her former position, Jen created a writing program and oversaw a team of writing coaches who worked 1:1 with students to develop their college essays.  Jen works as an essay coach for The College Essay Guy. Her expertise as a teacher and counselor provides her students an advantage as they write college essays.  Jen’s students have been accepted to Ivy League schools as well as the UCs. 

Education

  • BSED, English, West Chester University, West Chester, PA

  • Masters in Counseling, Villanova University, Villanova, PA

Certification(s)

  • Pupil Personnel Services

  • Administrative/ Principal Certification

Professional Affiliation(s)

  • ACA (American Counseling Association)

  • NEA (National Education Association)

  • WACAC (Western Association for College Admission Counseling )

What parents and students say about Jen

  • “Jen was a tireless advocate for my son. She appreciates diversity and the differences in others, which is why she is highly regarded by those who meet her.”

    – Julie, Parent

  • “Thank you for all of your support. You truly helped me in the college admission process and helped me not just reach but also exceed my dreams.”

    – Michael, Student

  • “Thank you for all of your guidance and support during this process. You are very dedicated to your profession, and my son was fortunate to have you as his counselor.”

    – Alice, Parent

Karen Rowe

(she/her/hers) Karen@thecollegecollaborators.com

Karen Rowe has spent the last 20+ years advising students on college planning in large public schools on the East coast, a rigorous private school on the West coast, an athletic academy on the West coast, and with online independent college counseling companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California.  She grew up in upstate NY and attended college in Rochester, where she earned her BA in Psychology. Seeking more sun, she moved south to attend North Carolina State University, where she earned her Master’s degree in School Counseling. Convinced she was born on the wrong coast, she now resides in Truckee, California, where she lives an active outdoor lifestyle in the Lake Tahoe region.

Karen is an energized career educator who has formed lifetime bonds with students and enjoys celebrating their successes and growth. She has helped students gain admission to the top UCs as well as Ivy and elite public universities. Karen has worked as an external application reader for the University of California, reading thousands of applications and has been a multi-time national presenter on college advising.

Education

  • BA Psychology, Nazareth College, Rochester, NY

  • Masters in Ed. in School Counseling K-12, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Certification(s)

  • National Board Certified Counselor

  • K-12 School Counseling

Professional Affiliation(s)

  • NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counseling)

  • ACCIS (Association College Counseling Independent Schools)

  • WACAC (Western Association for College Admission Counseling)

What parents and students say about Karen

  • "Our daughter is halfway through her first year of college, and there have been countless times my husband and I have commented on how grateful we were to have Karen's guidance through the college selection and application process! Karen will gracefully guide your child through a step-by-step process that allows them to reflect and pinpoint what they are looking for and how to get there."

    – Sara, Parent

  • "Karen’s knowledge and experience helped me put together a college list that I was super excited about. She was also a great mentor as I was writing my application essays and helped me create something I was proud of and excited to share with colleges. Her constant support and guidance throughout our time together made the application process easier to take on and navigate!"

    – Lauren, Student

  • "I had the opportunity to have Karen’s guidance on college from freshman year all the way to committing to a college my senior year. Karen provided a structured path to help me stay on top of testing, essay, and application deadlines. She helped me find ways to express myself through my essays in a way that would be memorable. If you are ever stuck, Karen has a way through. Even after committing to a college, Karen still cares about her students and their success. For so many reasons I am indebted to Karen!"

    – Madasyn, Student

Katy Watts

(she/her/hers)

Katy Watts has been a high school counselor for 20+ years, starting in California public high schools in 2002. After three years of public school counseling (MS and HS), she decided on a new adventure and moved overseas, where she jumped into college planning at the high school level. Since 2005, she has focused primarily on college planning and post-high school guidance. Her experience has taken her to Bahrain, Texas and California, where she has guided students in selective academic programs such as IB and AP while working in public and private schools.

 She has experience working with domestic students as well as students who are international, based in the U.S. and abroad. Her students have successfully applied to universities in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe and beyond. Recently, she was an external freshman admission reader for CA students for a UC system campus for four years. Katy resides in Reno, NV and enjoys spending time with her family. 

Education

  • BA Sociology, California State University, East Bay

  • Masters in School Counseling, Chapman University (CA)

Certification(s)

  • Pupil Personnel Services (CA)

Professional Affiliation(s)

  • NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counseling)

  • ACCIS (Association College Counseling Independent Schools)

What parents and students say about Katy

  • “Katy Watts was an absolute blessing for families and futures. Not only does Katy seem to have instant access to 100000s of pieces of complicated data she converts into usable information, she asks questions designed to help kids get clear on what they want. She centers the kiddo in the conversation and draws out collaboration. We are feeling so very clear on our next steps with zero worry. Grateful.”

    – Christina, Parent

  • "I was fortunate enough to work with Katy during my process of applying to undergraduate programs. Under her care and tutelage, I found a school that not only exceeded my expectations but also fit who I am as a person. I fully endorse Katy as a college counselor––she is both a lovely woman and incredibly competent!"

    – Jade, Student

  • "Katy Watts is a fantastic guidance counselor who has helped our children along the path of vetting and exploring their options to achieve college success. We couldn’t have done this so seamlessly without Katy and her intricate “hands on” planning process that empowers students to find their own success!"

    – Michelle, Parent