Engagements

Private counsel for families thinking beyond admissions.

Every engagement begins with a conversation. Threshold accepts a deliberately small number of families each cycle so that every essay, every interview, and every decision receives senior-level attention from Dr. Mahdavi herself.

Signature Counsel

The Threshold Engagement

Senior-level partnership across the full arc — from school list through decision day, with strategic counsel on what comes after.

◆Strategic assessment and student profile architecture
◆Personalized school list calibrated to fit and future
◆Brainstorming, drafting, and revision of all primary essays
◆Coaching on every supplemental across the list
◆Activities list and résumé refinement
◆Recommendation letter strategy and outreach guidance
◆Mock interviews with senior debrief
◆Decision-day strategy: waitlists, deferrals, financial aid appeals
◆Post-acceptance counsel on choosing where to go and why

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Focused Counsel

The Narrative Intensive

For students who have a list and need their writing to actually move a reader.

◆Deep narrative discovery sessions
◆Common App / Coalition essay from concept to final
◆Up to six supplemental essays fully coached
◆Line-edit support from a nine-time published author

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À La Carte

The Strategy Session

A focused 90-minute private consultation for families seeking high-leverage clarity.

◆School list audit and honest fit assessment
◆Application timeline and priorities
◆Written follow-up and recommended next steps

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Specialized

Graduate & Professional

For applicants to PhD, master's, law, business, and policy programs — designed by a Columbia PhD and former dean.

◆Statement of purpose and personal statement coaching
◆Faculty fit research and outreach strategy
◆CV and writing sample review
◆Interview preparation for academic and professional settings

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1:1

Direct counsel from Dr. Mahdavi

Families per cycle, by invitation

20+

Years inside higher education