College Planning College Advising

How Method Learning Activates Each Student’s Potential

Betsy Stangel
Betsy Stangel
Two high school boys smiling at each other in the hall.

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions your family will make. At Method Learning, we bring more than two decades of experience guiding students into highly selective colleges. But what families value most is having an expert fully on their side. We build a personalized, one-on-one strategy for each student, aligning academics, activities, testing, and financial planning early, and guiding them through experiences where students who are ready can turn their interests into meaningful, real-world work. This is not a one-size-fits-all process. It is a high-touch partnership designed for families who want clarity, confidence, and a plan that truly reflects their child’s potential.

Starting Early Matters

No family has ever regretted starting the college process early—but plenty have regretted starting too late.

Method Learning advisors help your student make intentional decisions early before the pressure starts. The earlier we can help, the better foundation your student can build. By the end of junior year, your student has solidified their personal brand through courses, activities, and projects they’ve chosen, and this is the story that will be told on their college application. This is why we encourage families to partner with us as early as possible.

At Method Learning, we work one-on-one with families to build a personalized strategy that aligns the college list, financial aid approach, and long-term goals into a clear plan.

Financial aid can feel confusing, and without guidance, it is easy to make decisions that do not hold up over four years. Method Learning advisors simplify that complexity and help your family move forward with confidence.

A Proven and Personalized Process

Starting early does not mean doing more. It means doing the right things at the right time, guided by a clear and proven process. That process starts with personalization. Every student has a unique signature composed of their natural aptitudes and genuine curiosities.

  • Aptitude Assessment: We move beyond "what do you want to be?" to "how do you think?" and "what problems do you enjoy solving?"
  • The Right Fit: We identify the intersection of a student’s strengths and market/academic opportunities. This ensures the student isn't just a general "good candidate," but a specific candidate that’s right for the schools on their list.
  • Academic Pathing: We don’t just pick hard classes; we pick the right hard classes. If a student is a budding engineer, we prioritize calculus and physics over another year of a foreign language.
  • Depth Over Breadth: We help students prune "filler" activities to make room for impact initiatives, which carry significantly more weight in holistic admissions.

We carefully match each student’s interests, strengths, and goals to opportunities that allow them to stand out authentically. This includes identifying the right academic path, shaping meaningful activities, and building a college list that aligns with both admissions strategy and financial fit.

More Than Just Grades

Strong grades and scores are only the starting point. What matters is how all of the choices the student has made come together into a cohesive story that reflects who they are and where they are going. With time, guidance, and the right structure, students can build that story thoughtfully instead of attempting to retroactively create it.

Starting early with Method Learning reduces stress. It gives students the space to make informed decisions and grow with intention. Junior and senior year become more focused and manageable because the foundation is in place.

We serve as your partner through this process. We simplify what feels complex, provide expert guidance when it matters most, and ensure that your student is not just prepared to apply to college, but is positioned for long-term success.

Talk with the Method Learning team today to see if we’re a good fit for your family.

 
Betsy Stangel

Betsy Stangel

Betsy has helped thousands of families through the college admissions process with more than twenty years of experience. She began as the coordinator of a comprehensive college advising program at a private 8-12 high school in Louisiana for twelve years. Following her tenure there, she embarked on her own private consulting business before partnering with Method Learning. During Betsy’s years of strategizing with families, she helped families navigate the entire college admissions process; however, she has a keen interest in advising on financial aid and scholarships. Betsy has also traveled extensively with large groups to visit colleges over the summers and is an expert in planning college visits and how to make the most of your time both in person and virtually. Betsy is a member of NACAC, IECA, and the OhioACAC. She is a firm believer in attending their sponsored professional development opportunities to stay up on current trends and changes in the college admissions and financial aid fronts. She has also presented at various conferences on best practices within the profession. Betsy has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University, New Orleans. Betsy is a New Orleanian transplant to the Akron, Ohio, area, where she lives with her husband, two children, and their two dogs. Betsy enjoys cooking and do-it-yourself projects.