The College Admissions process shouldn't tie you up in knots
Start with a free 15 minute consultation
Our comprehensive college admissions counseling services are designed to guide students through their high school years, ensuring they are well-prepared for graduation and competitive for college admissions. We can help you with the pre-application stage, including taking the right courses and extracurriculars, studying for standardized tests, creating a school list, your application essays, interview prep, financial aid applications, and more.
My name is Gerene Keesler and I’m proud to introduce myself as a Tampa native with over 30 years of invaluable experience in college admissions. As an independent college counselor, my journey has led me to establish Admissions Untangled, a venture that is more than a profession—it is a personal mission.
My extensive background includes working in both undergraduate and graduate admissions offices, conducting countless mock interviews, refining essays, facilitating scholarship searches, and guiding students through the intricacies of college and graduate planning. I aim to offer comprehensive support to students, ensuring a seamless transition into higher education.
What sets Admissions Untangled apart is the wealth of experience and personal connection to many students’ challenges. As a high school student, I navigated the education landscape feeling lost and undiagnosed for decades. It was only later that I discovered I am on the spectrum with various comorbidities, including being on the autism spectrum and epilepsy. I didn’t get a diagnosis until my 30s. I was able to get both a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, and have a certificate in college counseling from UC San Diego.It was at Loyola I discovered I could make admissions not only my career, but my calling. I led campus tours, forever known as “Gerene, Gerene, the campus tour queen,” proudly showing off my school and its many attributes to visitors.
This personal journey has given me unique insights into the struggles of doing poorly in school, not knowing how to study, and searching for the proper support. Most importantly, it teaches students the invaluable skill of self-advocacy. When not absorbed in a college essay or webinar, I’m likely at a book club or with my poodle at the dog park. I look forward to working with you and being on your team.
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Working with Ms. Gerene has been an amazing experience! She provides incredible guidance and support, especially with my essays and other academic work. Her insightful feedback, clear advice, and positive encouragement have helped me gain confidence in my writing skills. She’s always patient, approachable, and dedicated to helping me succeed. I’m so grateful for her help—she truly makes a difference!
We had NO idea how things had changed since we had applied to college 30 years ago. It's so competitive now. We heard about Admissions Untangled by accident, when our daughter's friend had an older sister. Starting to plan, doing extracurricular activities, volunteer programs, "leadership" experience... starting early in 9th grade made so much difference. Our daughter really enjoyed her Sr year, knowing that her enrollment was set, while her friends were still envious/ stressed. we tell everyone, start EARLY !!
My family has been thrilled with the personal service that Gerene provides. She is always on top of it deadlines, something that we were not prepared for when applying to various colleges. She gave us resources to make educated choices about schools and provided additional school options. We would not have been able to navigate the college admissions process without Gerene. We highly recommend using her services for your high school student. A word to the wise, start this process early and get onboard in the 10th grade. Time goes by quickly and your high schooler needs to be thinking about tests, schools and admissions in the 10th grade, not 12th when it may be too late.
Admissions Untangled was a great help for our family to understand and successfully navigate the college application process for our son. Gerene was amazing in her very detailed explanations of what we needed to start working on and when. I mistakenly thought I knew exactly what to do. Things have definitely changed over the years. She helped us define and hit the milestones necessary to achieve our goals. I loved her personal attention and her constant follow up. She is truly a special lady and we are so happy we worked with her.
As a testament to my dedication to the field, I am proud to be a member of NACAC and SACAC, as well as an associate member of IECA. These affiliations underscore my commitment to staying abreast of industry trends and best practices, ensuring that Admissions Untangled remains at the forefront of college counseling.
Find out how Admissions Untangled can be the key to unlocking your academic potential. Whether you’re a student seeking guidance or a parent looking to support your child’s educational journey, Admissions Untangled is here to help in the college admissions process with a personalized approach that acknowledges and addresses individual needs. Based in Tampa, Florida but assisting students all over the country.
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I'm incredibly grateful for Gerene's support during the college application process. She helped me craft a strong essay, held me accountable, and provided valuable feedback every step of the way. What stood out the most was her dedication to helping me stay accountable. She consistently checked in on my progress, ensuring I was on track and pushing me to bring my best work forward. Her thoroughness and dedication were key to my success, and I couldn't have asked for better guidance during this crucial time! I appreciated how personal the entire experience was. I am grateful to be able to submit my essays confidently to my top school.