Mission
For too long, valuable guidance has been gatekept, creating unnecessary anxiety for families who feel they are behind or missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. My core belief is that while college may not be for everyone, access to high-quality, personalized college counseling absolutely should be. EduTate was built to democratize this process, especially for the capable students in the "invisible middle" who are so often overlooked. I was one of those students.
Experience
The confidence to make such a bold claim comes from a career spent entirely within the world of college admissions. I have personally reviewed thousands of applications and made admissions decisions on behalf of a wide range of institutions, including: The University of Georgia, Kenyon College, The University of South Carolina, and the Georgia State University Honors College.
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I have also served on the other side of the desk, guiding hundreds of students and families through the entire journey in the college counseling offices of some of the nation's most respected independent schools, including: The Haverford School, St. Stephen's Episcopal School, and The Mount Vernon School.
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This unique blend of perspectives provides a 360-degree view of the admissions landscape. It is the foundation upon which EduTate’s transparent, effective, and student-centered methodology is built.
Philosophy
My philosophy isn't just shaped by professional experience; it's deeply personal. I come from a family of educators, and my approach is a legacy passed down from my mother, Carol Tate. For over 30 years, she was a high school English teacher who empowered students not just with knowledge, but with a sense of their own potential. Her model was one of calm empathy combined with a firm belief in her students, and it is the guiding spirit of EduTate.
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In 2005, my mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian cancer. Her guidance and wisdom, especially during those years, shaped my future. When I was a high school senior deciding between swimming for a large state school and attending a small liberal arts college, she was the one who gently pushed me toward Rhodes College. She knew me best, and she knew that if the worst were to happen before I graduated, a small, tight-knit community like Rhodes would rally around me as I grieved.
My mom, Carol Ann Tate, passed away on July 2, 2010, between my junior and senior years at Rhodes. That experience taught me the profound importance of finding a college that fits not just your ambitions, but one that fits your story.
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That’s why my process doesn’t start with, "Where do you want to go?" It starts with, "Who are you, what are you passionate about, and what kind of life do you want to build?" The goal isn't just to land at a "prestigious" university; it's to find a right-fit institution—academically, socially, and financially—where a student can truly thrive.
After all, where you go to school is not who you will become.
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It is this synthesis—of unmatched professional experience and a deeply personal, student-first mission—that defines EduTate. My commitment is to be the transparent, counseling expert your family deserves, using my extensive background to empower your family to make confident, informed decisions at every step of the journey.
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I look forward to working with you.
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-Jarrett E. Tate
Founder, EduTate
