Team | Best College Path

Meet Your Advising Team

We are two dedicated college professors with decades of on-the-ground experience between us, teaching and advising university students. We know about college from the inside out. We want to share our knowledge about the world of higher education with you. We want to get to know you, help you prepare to become the college student you want to be, to navigate college, and to thrive and succeed once you get there.

Dr. Julie Townsend, Co-Founder

Best College Path

PhD, University of California, Los Angeles

BA, University of California, San Diego

Dr. Townsend has 30 years of experience working closely with students at large universities, small colleges, and community colleges. In addition to traditional undergraduate students, she has extensive experience with transfer students, non-traditional students, graduate admissions, Fulbright mentorship, and students with learning differences. Based on her work with thousands of college students, Julie is dedicated to helping students and families choose the best college path based on their unique needs. Additionally, Julie has 5 years of experience evaluating admissions dossiers, including The Common App and specialized application requirements. She takes a holistic approach to college guidance that includes student interests, financial considerations, college cultures, academic paths, professional goals, and individual learning needs.

Dr. Sharon Oster, Co-Founder

Best College Path

PhD, University of California, Los Angeles

BA, University of Michigan

Dr. Oster has been teaching and advising students for 28 years in public and and private institutions, ranging from large research to small liberal arts universities. She has worked with a vast range of undergraduates at all levels and across majors from pre-engineering to studio art, biology, history, race and ethnic studies, political science, English, and more. Sharon has advised first-generation college students, traditional and non-traditional learners, students with learning differences, transfer students, honors students, and provides individualized guidance to students from first-years navigating academic life to graduating seniors preparing for jobs and graduate education. Sharon aims to empower students with the information and resources they need to discover their passions and professional interests, make sound academic choices, and thrive!

Policies and Disclaimers:

For students

Your responsibilities:

Fill out the Best College Path Questionnaire prior to our first meeting.
Do research on prospective schools and programs of interest.
Complete all applications with attention to required documents and deadlines.
Write and revise application essays.

Our responsibilities:

Provide advice based on the Best College Path Questionnaire.
Help you strategize and interpret your research on prospective schools and programs.
Answer questions about how to complete applications.
Discuss approaches to essays, suggest structural revisions, and offer advice for editing and proofreading.
To provide personalized guidance throughout the application process.

It is important for you to know that we do not:

Write your college essays.
Guarantee admission to any college or university.
Offer financial or tax advice.
Complete applications.
Write letters of recommendation.

For Parents

We offer an ethical approach to college guidance based on our experience advising college and graduate students, working with admissions officers, consulting with student financial services, and guiding students on scholarship/grant applications. Our goal is to help your prospective student find the best college path, considering their academic interests, campus cultures, financial resources, and overall fit. We cannot guarantee admission to any institution, and we do not give personal financial or tax advice.

Privacy

Information collected on our Best College Path Questionnaire is restricted to Best College Path employees and will not be shared with any third party. If we consult with a third party in order to give you the best advice, no identifying information will be shared. Any information gathered for reporting statistics will be severed from identifying information. We may ask you to write about your experience with us and whether we can share your response. We will not associate your name with any information without your written consent. Similarly, we may ask whether your student would be willing to write a testimonial and/or send a photograph for our website or social media, but we will not publish any images without written consent.

Disclaimers

All application responsibility rests with the client. Best College Path, LLC, offers guidance through the college admissions process. We do not submit any materials for you. It is the client’s responsibility to complete research on institutions, complete required exams, complete applications and forms for federal, state, and school-specific financial aid, to ensure that their recommendations are submitted, and decide on best approaches to each application.

Julie Townsend and Sharon Oster do not represent any specific educational institution. They offer advice based on their professional experience.

Payments and Refunds

All services must be paid for one week before the scheduled meeting.
Clients may pay by credit card on the Best College Path website or by Zelle.
No refunds will be issued after services are rendered.

Cancellation Policy

Clients may cancel a la carte services (not packages) up to one week in advance of a scheduled meeting to receive a refund minus a $10 service charge.
Cancellations of a la carte services (not packages) 6 days or less in advance of the scheduled meeting will not be refunded.
Clients may reschedule meetings up to 48 hours in advance without penalty. Cancellation within 48 hours will result in a $50 cancellation fee.
Missed appointments for a la carte services will not be reimbursed, and may be rescheduled on the Best College Path website at full rate.

The information on this web site is copyrighted material and shall not be modified, published, sold, or transferred.