Spruha Higher Education Counseling Services
स्पृहा (Spruha) means aspiration, desire, or wish in Sanskrit. It is our wish to support your pursuit of those dreams, guiding you on a holistic and healthy path.
Spruha means aspiration and that’s what we want to do - help you realize your aspirations in a holistic way that doesn’t compromise your mental, emotional, or physical wellbeing.
We are a husband and wife team who have 60 years of combined experience in the field of higher education as professors based in the United States and as educators based in India.
We help students identify and engage with their academic, personal, and eventually, professional objectives. To help them reach those goals, we support students applying to colleges and programs that suit their needs - whether in India or abroad - ensuring the best academic, social, geographical, and financial fit for the family.
Because reading and writing are as fundamental to college as they are to a successful professional life, we help your child develop a reading habit and a writing process that will teach them excellent skills for their college projects and beyond.
We don’t focus on brand-name schools because we believe that rarely yields the best results in terms of a student’s emotional, mental, and intellectual well being in the long run. Instead we help families select the best path forward for life-long learners!
Here’s what some parents say about our practice.
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Gopal & Rashmi Singh Bishen, parents of daughter at Bard College
My daughter got perfect direction and guidance from you ever since the time she came under your wing, she learnt to believe in her own strengths whether it was her common app essays, or choosing her colleges she figured that she got in where she deserves to be. We enjoyed being involved in the process of our daughter’s journey from school to college, under your care and supervision. You were always there for us anytime we needed to to discuss or clear any doubts no matter what related to her academics or finance or choices she was making. We enjoyed reading some of the stories and blogs you shared as it gives us a deep insight into the college life there which is real, it brings about more awareness in us.
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Kavitha Buggana, parent of student at Reed College and student who graduated from Washington University, St. Louis
Loved the fact that you cared about my child as a person. I never felt like this was a transaction. I always left like it was a relationship between a mentor and a child. Also, you look at all aspects of the child to help with the decision-making, not just the academics. I never felt I was being rushed with any of the sessions and I never felt that you were suggesting colleges to burnish your record, but made suggestions based on what you felt was in the child’s best interest.
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Viji and Kumaran, parent of student at Smith College
A very friendly approach both with the student and with us, availability at all times for hearing out any issues, explaining any/all aspects of college/university systems - its ranking, review and financial aid process, etc You guys were fantastic, and had helped us to find the best possible college for our daughter.
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Zibi Jamal, parent of student at Hampshire College
My son learnt not be overwhelmed by the college application process - he got to know of options beyond the usual. He (and we!) didn't know about CTCL colleges and things he could explore which are outside of the norm and are more suited to his personality and academic style. We liked that Rayed had a person to guide him gently through the application process, who made him feel comfortable and heard him. It was important that he had that experience.
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Roohi Shareef, parent of daughter at Christ University
Marcy and her holistic approach to guide us through the process of looking into the right place was what we liked best. Marcy's genuinity and honesty helped us work together smoothly and understand what we want and how to move ahead in the same direction. Marcy's knowledge about education across the globe is wide and deeper. It is helpful in the application process through out. We are very happy we chose Spruha.
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Trupti Rathi, parent of student at Tilburg University
Sruha doesnt approach their work with a 'somehow lets get her/him into a college'. Their approach is to understand the child and let him work through his thought so that they can decide what's better suitable for them and then the college selection is done basis which kind of college will work best for this child's personality. The child is not spoon-fed but they insist that the child does the hard work required and assistance and guidance is given when needed. This helps the students in preparing them for the rigour that University studies demand.
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Monika Gupta, parent of student at Ashoka University
Spruha’s approach and the way you got to know her hidden requirements and also your dedication were most appreciated. I cannot thank you enough. Now she works in a more systematic and consistent way. She has clarity of thought and to be thorough in whatever she does. Her writing skills have definitely improved. She seems more organised.
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Ayush & Geetanjali Kasliwal, parents of student at Cornell University
Spruha’s availability, the ability to listen and advice the student , open options for them was what we liked best. The support by way of research, the follow through with us (the parents) on what needs to get done. The regular discussions with us and the clarity with which we had our discussions. Your guidance was awesome, and I feel that you went beyond the call of duty, and your interaction with our daughter as a mentor, guide and friend was instrumental. I could not have asked for more.
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Viji Vennelakanti, parent of student at Wellesley College
We loved everything - your approach to the whole college admission process, working closely with us every step of the way, getting Sanjana to think out of the box, the organization and very quick response times, helping her with her writing, working through sticky situations and of course the end result of it all!
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Rakhee Kane and Dharmesh Vikramsinh Jadeja, parents of student attending Ashoka University
The care, concern and counselling received by Uttara has been such a help. Spruha's clear understanding of the educational opportunities, detailed lists and options about the universities, and helping Uttara to make informed choices as per her capacities, resources and dreams, was unique and non intrusive. In today's world it is hard to find such mentors - professional and personal at the same time - who lead you through their experience and guide you to your careers so wonderfully. As parents, you have lightened our most challenging task by counselling Uttara. We are confident she has made the perfect choice.
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Hala Habib Qiblawi, parent of students who graduated from Central Film School, London and Georgetown University
Marcy has had a dramatic effect on two of my children’s lives. She instilled in them a passion for doing meaningful work which they carry with them to this day. She helped my children believe in themselves, identify their talents, and build on them. She has an incredible ability to direct her pupils to direct themselves, to become proactive human beings who pursue the betterment of themselves and their communities on a daily basis. I have always wished this for my children, and to have them be taught by someone as inspiring and skilled as Marcy has been a true blessing.
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Shumon Sengupta, parent of student at The University of Warwick
Our daughter learnt how to understand and unpack questions better, and breathe life into responses, using real life experiences and learnings. Her writing skills have improved substantially, in addition to her ability to reflect on her life experiences, as a result of the guidance she received from Spruha.
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Sireesha Singanamala, parent of student at FLAME University
Your ability to assess the child's strengths and weaknesses. You are genuine and empathetic. Your ability to listen to my child....spoken and unspoken words made her open up and talk about what she really wants to do. Last but not the least, you were always approachable, non-judgmental and her professional caregiver.
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Reema Ghosh, parent of student at BITS Pilani
The fact that you were always available when needed and even came over for the extended sessions required to help Joyeeta encapsulate her thoughts and prioritize her choices in the short time she had.
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Nidhi Ramamurthy, parent of student at George Washington University
We appreciated that you approach college admissions from a realistic perspective and try to present an authentic application. I like that my son learned to put in the hard work in presenting himself and not just take the shortcuts.
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Monisha Macedo, parent of student at Bard College
You have a wealth of experience and knowledge about the US colleges and what they are looking for, the college selection was made so much easier, you kept us on track and managed the process very smoothly.
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Gitanjali Seth, parent of student studying at Smith College
Spruha's 24 hour availability to handle our questions, angst, nervousness, joy, filing of forms etc. Never saying you needed to do something else in our hour long (sometimes more) conversations. Spruha's vast knowledge about the US colleges and admissions process. The way Spruha supported Nandini - not spoon feeding her but helping her to develop her skills, a sense of responsibility and gearing her towards a US college education.
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Rima Daou Alawar, parent of student who graduated from Florida State University
Marcy helped Nader not only with the application, but with the personal statement that she guided him through thoroughly. She opened his eyes to qualities and strength points he was not aware of. She facilitated the whole process smoothly. Marcy was the most important and influential person in my son's secondary years. Her guidance, her continuous support and her patience in addition to her genuine care were unparallelled. We are forever grateful!
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Sumita Das, parent of students at Parsons School of Design
Spruha offers amazing counselling. They not only gave us advice and guidance on our entire application process, but also helped my daughter figure out her potential and directed her accordingly. This helped her especially since she was homeschooled and putting all the documents and her artist's portfolio together was very challenging. Spruha didn't just work with the student, but also the rest of the family, and was always available for advice. We are extremely grateful to Spruha that my daughter got acceptance to top six art colleges in the US with financial aid. I highly recommend Spruha for higher educational counseling services.
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Santosh Raju, parent of student at Krea University
Spruha's personal involvement and willingness to go all out to provide the necessary assistance and advisory, complete commitment, and relentless follow up to complete the process and taking it to a logical conclusion.
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Akram Atallah Al Ayasa, parent of student who graduated from Swarthmore College
She helped Nidal in a lot of different ways, such improving his writing skills, gave him a detailed overview about US universities, how to apply to universities, and bringing him to groups of English speakers.
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Rajasekhar Piduri & Radha Manduva, parents of sun who graduated from Ashoka University
Marcy has given specific help to my son who was rather confused because he had multiple options. Marcy helped him in achieving clarity and prioritize his choice in both the area of study and selection of university. Looking back after four years, I cannot thank her enough for all the support and guidance she has given him in achieving this clarity. I think Marcy has played a great role in inspiring many students like my son. She is one of the most authentic persons I have ever known.
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Sujata Pattnaik, parent of student at the University of Oxford
I think Marcy's approach to have faith in the students and encourage them to believe in themselves is what stands out and needs to be continued!