Shannon

Two-Year Package | Elon

Shannon’s family engaged us the summer before junior year to elevate her résumé and prepare for applications. A stellar student at Langley High School and pre-professional ballerina, she had spent multiple summers at Interlochen and led her school’s mainstage productions, yet she also juggled varsity athletics, photography, physics, and advocacy interests. The central question: a conservatory-style BFA or a broader liberal-arts path?

Insight

Shannon’s through-line was storytelling. Whether on stage, behind a camera, or in the classroom, she used narrative to explore social questions—especially gender equity—and to connect with her community. Positioning her as a socially engaged performer would let her embrace both artistic focus and intellectual range.

Strategy & Execution

Professional polish. We secured spots at Signature Theatre’s Conservatory and—after coaching her audition and application—Carnegie Mellon’s Pre-College Drama Program, deepening her craft and mentorship network.

Community impact project. Shannon documented local gender-equity issues through a documentary-photography series, mounted a community-center exhibition, and donated proceeds to a women’s advocacy nonprofit—melding artistry with activism.

Balanced college list. We built a 10-school mix of top BFAs (Elon, Boston University, FSU, Berklee) and liberal-arts programs with strong theatre or interdisciplinary options (Bowdoin, Williams, UVA, Wake Forest, Dickinson).

Narrative cohesion. Essays, audition statements, and recommendations highlighted a performer who wields multiple media—and scientific curiosity—to amplify under-represented stories.

Application coaching. From monologue selection to supplemental prompts, we emphasized her dual commitment to craft and community, demonstrating why each school’s resources fit her growth plan.

Outcome

Multiple offers followed—Boston University, Berklee College, and Wake Forest— including several BFA acceptances. Shannon chose the conservatory-style BFA at Elon University, confident it would refine her acting while leaving room for electives in STEM, sports, and photography. Her final narrative presented a single, compelling identity: a storyteller devoted to craft, community, and continual exploration.