Philosophy

The ideal college for all students
is the one where they can pursue their passions
and achieve to their highest abilities.

Our mission at Northcoast Educational Consulting is to serve as a trusted advisor to students and their families as they navigate the college admissions process. We help our students find their passion. When students articulate their passions through their academic, extracurricular and personal records, they are attractive candidates for college admission; they are successful students; and they are fulfilled and happy people.

Northcoast Educational Consulting operates within a model of personalized assessment designed to explore and expand the student's options and identify a range of appropriate college choices, each with an academic and social environment suited to the student's individual strengths, talents, and interests.

As increasing numbers of students apply to college each year, the college admission landscape changes dramatically. At Northcoast Educational Consulting, we pride ourselves on providing our families with up-to-date information to inform their decisions and increase their options. We work with our families every step of the way, providing knowledge, assistance and support to ease the anxiety of the college admission process.

Barbara Pasalis                         

Barbara Pasalis graduated with honors from Ohio Wesleyan University with a major in psychology.  She is one of a small percentage of counselors across the nation to earn a Certificate in College Counseling from U.C.L.A. Ext. In addition, she completed the Practices and Principles Institute of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.  In 2003, Barbara launched Northcoast Educational Consulting.

Barbara is a student of colleges and college trends, studying the latest developments in college admission.  She has visited over 200 colleges and universities across the United States, meeting with admissions officials to obtain the latest information on academic programs and admission trends, as well as scholarship opportunities. 

Barbara annually attends professional conferences and workshops and subscribes to college counseling e-lists in order to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field. Her professional associations include the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA, Professional Member), the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Ohio Association of College Admission Counseling (OACAC), and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA).  For the past two years, she has served as Chair of the OACAC Admission Practices Committee.

Barbara authored a column, College Knowledge, for the Sun Newspapers and has been quoted in articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Continental Magazine.

As a former middle and high school English teacher and an advisor to youth groups, Barbara brings to the profession over 20 years of experience working with adolescents.