The College Advisor of New England, Inc. is the longest operating full-time, comprehensive college counseling program in Western Massachusetts.  We have been providing personalized college admissions and financial aid counseling services since 1994. We have offices in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and our New York office, The College Advisor of New York (an independent affiliate), in Albany.  Our network includes independent college counselors, Admissions and Financial Aid Deans, and other academic resources located throughout New England and the United States. We are able to provide our clients with a range of resources and expertise that is rarely found in one relationship. The professionals in our network include former Directors of College Planning for private high schools and Admissions and Financial Aid Counselors from a broad range of colleges and universities.

Our students and families enjoy a personal relationship with a team of coaches that is specifically matched to their individual needs.

Adam Metsch, CEP

Founder, Adam Metsch, has been recognized by higher education leaders as one of the most professionally knowledgeable and effective independent college counselors in the United States.

"I would rank Adam’s skills and commitment to students in the top 2% of private counselors in the United States."
    - Don Bishop, 30-year enrollment Dean, previously at Cornell & Notre Dame Universities, presently the Associate Vice-President for Enrollment Management at Creighton University (5th ranked Catholic University, nationally)

Adam has personally coached over 1,000 students and families through the college selection and financial aid process, successfully helping them reach their goals with greater predictability and more confidence.  His students have been accepted into schools across every range of selectivity.

Adam holds the title of Certified Educational Planner, distinguishing him as having the highest level of competency, commitment and ethics in our profession. He is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the New England Association for College Admission Counseling, and is on the Board of Directors for the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), a 600 member, international organization comprised of the top qualified educational consultants in the profession. Membership in these organizations requires strict adherence to ethical codes, and IECA requires consistent annual visits to college campuses. To date, Adam has participated in 250 + in-depth campus tours and has met with admissions and financial aid Deans across the country.  As an IECA Committee Chair, Adam helps foster responsible relationships between independent counselors and college and university admissions offices.  He has completed College Board certified training on admissions and financial aid advanced studies.  He has appeared and has published articles in local media, and has been quoted in publications such as the NY Times.  Adam has conducted presentations at regional and national conferences for NEACAC and IECA.  His team regularly speaks about college planning for parent/student organizations and employee groups.  Adam conducts continuing education workshops for Certified Public Accountants, Financial Planners and Guidance Counselors such as the CPE Forum throughout New England and New York State. 

In 2005, to celebrate 10 years in business, the College Advisor of New England developed a pilot program called Springfield First which provided pro bono services to 10 under-served students. Adam is a member and past Ambassador of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and has served on the Board for the Kiwanis of Springfield.  He lives in Springfield with his wife and two daughters.

Maggie Watson

Maggie holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Allegheny College. Her specialty is essay critique and resume development. Maggie has worked in the field of higher education administration for 15 years and 2 years in corporate human resources. She also managed the recruiting and admissions processes in the graduate admissions office of the Harvard University School of Public Health.

Dr. Dean Skarlis

Dean has 15 years experience in higher education, including 6 years as a Consultant at American College Testing (ACT) and 9 years as an administrator and instructor at Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. A passionate student advocate, Dean has taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Allegheny College, an M.A. in Psychology from Duquesne University, and a Doctorate in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Dean also holds a certificate from the Harvard University Institute on College Admissions. His research has focused on quality teaching and learning, retention, and program design at four-year colleges. He is a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, as well as an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.

Dr. Skarlis has conducted presentations for thousands of students, parents, faculty, and administrators at more than 200 colleges, universities, and high schools across the United States. He has also been a featured speaker and trainer for hundreds of financial planners and Certified Public Accountants on the intricacies of college financial aid. He has been a featured guest on Capital News Nine’s “9 on Parenting” segment which is broadcasted across upstate New York.

Laura Lucarelle

Laura Lucarelle has been working for the College Advisor of New England since 2005. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Marist College and a Masters degree in School Counseling, K-12 from Rider University. Since that time she has worked in college admissions and independent student counseling for 6 years combined.

Laura lives in Springfield, MA with her husband and 3 children. Laura is passionate about working with high school students and feels personally vested in helping them in their transitions to college.

Kathryn Dromey

Kathryn began her work in higher education as a junior admissions counselor during her undergraduate years at Bucknell University, where she subsequently earned her BA in Psychology and Education. She continued as an Admissions Counselor at Fairfield University. Kathryn later earned her MA in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University where she also worked in Residential Life and Student Activities. She returned to college admissions, but this time as a college guidance counselor, serving as the Guidance Counselor/Coordinator of College Guidance at SABIS International Charter School for seven years. There she was solely responsible for administrating all facets of the high school Guidance Department. Kathryn has always had a passion for higher education and counseling students, so she is excited to be continuing her career at the College Advisor of New England. She and her husband stay busy raising their two daughters, ages 4 and 1.

Sue Nowlan

Sue Nowlan has worked in higher education for 20+ years. For the past six years she has been Assistant Director of the Career Center at Springfield College assisting students with career decision making.

She received a Bachelor degree in Psychology from Western New England College and a Masters degree in Counseling from Springfield College. She has also worked at several colleges as Associate Director of housing and student residential life.

Sue enjoys empowering students to make great choices and ease the stress associated with college and career decision making.

Rich Veres

Rich Veres completed his BS degree in Athletic Training and a MEd in Higher Education Administration. He began in higher education counseling in 1997 as a Residence Life and Judicial Affairs liason at Lehigh University, as well as interviewing students and handling recruitment activities in their Admissions office. Rich works full-time as the Associate Director of Admissions at Springfield College, counseling students through their admissions process, choice of major and adjustment to college life. Rich works part-time with the College Advisor of New England counseling a variety of students.

In addition to assisting students with college decision making, admission applications and interviewing, Rich also offers keen insights for students pursuing health sciences and sports studies. The most rewarding part of his work is watching students grow into themselves and move on to successful careers. In his spare time, he is a triathlete.

Deb Bottomley

Deb is our office administrator, and a helpful voice you will often connect with when scheduling and arranging other logistics about your student's process. She is always happy to answer your initial questions, or connect you with the appropriate counselor.