Personalized, ethical guidance

Navigate College with Confidence

We help students clarify goals, build a balanced college list, craft authentic essays, and manage deadlines—so families can move from stress to strategy.

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✔ Balanced College List
✔ Essay Coaching
✔ Application Strategy
✔ Financial Aid Guidance
Student walking along a path toward graduation

Services

Flexible packages for every stage—starting as early as 9th grade and through senior-year submissions.

🎯

Comprehensive Counseling

End-to-end guidance: academic planning, activities strategy, school list, essays, applications, deadlines, interviews, and decisions.

📝

Essay Coaching

Personal statement and supplement support—brainstorming through final polish. Authentic stories that sound like the student.

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FAFSA & Aid Strategy

Guidance on FAFSA/CSS, scholarships, and value-fit so families compare offers clearly and choose with confidence.

🧭

List Building

Balanced reach/target/likely list tuned to academic profile, interests, budget, and campus culture priorities.

⏱️

Application Timeline

Clear plans with milestone check-ins to beat procrastination and reduce stress for the whole family.

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Hourly Advising

As-needed sessions for specific questions: interviews, resumes, recommenders, or final review.

Our Process: Guiding Students Toward College and Career Success

A proven, supportive framework that keeps students in the driver’s seat.

1

Discover

Student profile, goals, interests, and budget. We align expectations and define success together.

2

Design

Balanced list, test plan, and activity strategy. Customized timeline and resources.

3

Develop

Essay coaching, application builds, and recommender strategy with regular check-ins.

4

Decide

Compare offers, visit options, and finalize the best-fit decision with clarity and confidence.

About Amanda Dworsky

Founder of Authentic Path Advising

Portrait of Amanda Dworsky, Founder of Authentic Path Advising

With more than 20 years of experience guiding students through the college admissions process, Amanda Dworsky has built her career around helping young people find their direction and confidence as they plan for life after high school.

As an active counselor for a local high school, Amanda works closely with students and families every day—helping them clarify their goals, build balanced college lists, and navigate each step of the admissions journey. Her approach is both personal and practical, combining expert guidance with genuine care for each student’s individual story.

Before launching Authentic Path Advising, Amanda gained extensive experience on the college side of the admissions process, serving as a Regional Recruiter for the University of Alabama and as an Admissions Director for several colleges in New York. This unique background gives her a rare perspective—she understands what colleges are really looking for and how students can best present themselves.

Amanda has also developed scholarship programs, coordinated dual-enrollment and Advanced Placement initiatives, and led workshops on essays, interviews, and financial aid. She believes that every student has an authentic path waiting to be discovered—and her goal is to help them find it with confidence and clarity.

She holds a Master’s in Professional School Counseling from Sage Graduate School, a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from Syracuse University, and has been a licensed professional school counselor in North Carolina since 2009. Amanda is an active member of professional organizations including the North Carolina School Counselors Association, Southern Association of College Admissions Counselors, and the Lake Norman Consortium of College Counselors.

At Authentic Path Advising, Amanda’s mission is simple: to guide students with honesty, empathy, and expertise—helping them discover their authentic path toward college and career success.

Kind Words from Families

Swap these placeholders with real testimonials as they come in.

“Our student felt heard and motivated. The essay coaching was a game changer.”
— Parent, Class of 2026
“The school list and timeline kept us sane. We knew exactly what to do each week.”
— Family, Class of 2025
“From FAFSA to final decision—calm, clear, and incredibly helpful.”
— Parent, Class of 2024

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule a free 20‑minute consult to discuss goals, services, and fit.

Book a Free Consult

Contact

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the top questions we get from families.

  • What exactly do you do as a college counselor?
    We guide students and families through the entire post-secondary planning process — balanced school list, essay coaching, application strategy, timelines, and financial aid basics.
  • When should we start—8th, 9th, 10th, 11th grade?
    We can jump in to guide your student anywhere they are in their high school journey. Many start in 10th–11th for list building, test strategy, and essays. Seniors are welcome for focused support. However, starting in 8th grade you can begin to develop a roadmap for high school.
  • Do you offer virtual or in-person meetings?
    Both. Virtual nationwide and in-person in the Charlotte / Lake Norman area when schedules allow.
  • How do packages and pricing work?
    Choose hourly help, an “Essentials” bundle (essays + list), or comprehensive support. We’ll recommend a scope after a free consult.
  • Do you write essays for students?
    No. We coach brainstorming, structure, voice, and editing so the essay remains the student’s authentic work.
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