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Laurie Kopp Weingarten

President & Chief Educational Officer at One-Stop College Counseling
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BRIEF BIO:
Laurie Kopp Weingarten works with high school students throughout the United States and internationally to help them select and gain admission to the "right fit" colleges. She is a Certified Educational Planner (CEP); the CEP credential is awarded to professionals who have achieved the highest level of competence in educational planning. She is also a Professional Member of IECA, and a member of HECA, NACAC, NJACAC, and PACAC. She is currently serving a three-year term as a Commissioner for the AICEP.

EXTENDED BIO: Laurie Kopp Weingarten attended The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated summa cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma honor societies. She worked in marketing for several Fortune 500 corporations until she decided to pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School. After returning to New Jersey, Laurie and her partner, Elsie Koo, co-founded One-Stop College Counseling.
In her role as Chief Educational Consultant, Laurie guides students through each stage of the college admissions process. She is passionate about helping students reach their full academic and extracurricular potential; there is nothing more rewarding than celebrating their acceptances to their top choice schools!
Laurie starts working with students in the spring of eighth grade and acts as their personal guide and consultant until they select and commit to their ideal college! She covers all aspects of the admission process from high school course selection, standardized test choices, extra-curricular activity enhancement, volunteer work, summer jobs/internships, essay topic selection, resume guidance, early decision/early action strategies and practically every other situation that arises during the high school years!
For over two decades, Laurie was an alumna interviewer for the University of Pennsylvania, meeting with hundreds of students from various areas of the country. She applies this experience by coaching our students on how to improve their interview skills, whether it’s for summer internships or college admission.
Laurie visits various colleges and universities regularly and speaks directly with admissions officers to remain up-to-date on current admissions policies and practices.
Awarded the CEP by the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP), Laurie has been recognized for achieving the highest level of competence in her field. She has been regularly featured in numerous newspapers and publications. Laurie is also a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and a member of the Higher Education Consultants Organization (HECA), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), as well as NJACAC and PACAC. She is also serving a three-year term as Commissioner for AICEP.

Laurie has two children who, in the time it takes to blink, suddenly became young adults. One graduated from Princeton, and the other graduated from the University of Pennsylvania.

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  • Avoid Common College Application Pitfalls: Expert Tips for 2025
    Laurie warns against "misjudging your place in the applicant pool" and stresses a balanced college list. She advises crafting strong essays and activity lists to stand out. For funding, Laurie highlights overlooked institutional aid, urging families to research financial aid policies and use net price calculators to uncover potential savings.
  • Navigating College Admissions: Expert Tips for Parents and Students
    Laurie advises students to research colleges using guides and websites to ask meaningful questions during visits. She suggests starting college visits in freshman year and emphasizes the importance of guided tours. Laurie explains admissions timelines, including early decision and action, and offers guidance for special circumstances like sports recruitment and learning differences.
  • Teen Summer Jobs: Balancing Benefits and Alternatives
    Laurie highlights benefits like "time management" and responsibility from summer jobs but stresses the importance of fit. Alternatives such as volunteering or starting a business can be equally rewarding. She advises parents to encourage productive summer activities. Skipping a job doesn't disadvantage teens for college; admissions value leadership and initiative. The right job depends on the teen's goals and maturity.
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  • Most schools won’t be offering buffets anymore. Prepacked lunches, without the option of going back on line for additional food, will not be as desirable.

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