Jesse McTigue talks to a group of high school teens about their academic plans.
A Telluride skier in a racing suit and helmet navigating a slalom course, leaning into a turn with snow spray around their skis.
A Telluride student, tending to green plants growing in raised garden beds inside a greenhouse.
A ballet dancer in front of Telluride mountain-scape practicing outdoors with fall foliage and cloudy sky.
A smiling young Telluride high school student standing in front of colorful abstract wall art, with part of black and white textured artwork visible on the right.
A Telluride athlete in a maroon hoodie and black shorts sitting on the bleachers at a sports field, looking to the side with mountains and trees in the background.
A young student with blond hair smiling, standing in front of a display of colorful skis.

JMAC is now Throughline College Counseling

Read Why

FIND YOUR THROUGHLINE

College counseling that helps students connect who they are with where they're going.

The strongest college applications aren't manufactured—they're discovered.

Through thoughtful reflection, strategic planning, and authentic storytelling, we help students uncover the patterns that connect their experiences, clarify their goals, and guide them through every step of the college admissions journey.

Schedule an Introductory Meeting →

What is a Throughline?

A throughline is the connecting thread running through a student's experiences, interests, values, strengths, and aspirations. It isn't something we invent — it's something we uncover together. Once students recognize that thread, everything becomes clearer:

  • 🎓 Which colleges fit

  • 🔎 Which opportunities deserve more attention

  • 🌟 Which activities matter most

  • 📝 Which essay they should write

  • 📣 What story only they can tell

The Throughline Method

Most college counseling starts with rankings, admissions odds, majors, activities, and testing. Throughline starts somewhere else — by helping students understand themselves, because students who understand themselves make better decisions, tell stronger stories, and ultimately build more compelling college applications.

  • 01. Reflect

    Students explore their experiences, interests, strengths, values, and aspirations.

  • 02. Discover

    Together, we identify the patterns and connections that reveal each student's unique throughline.

  • 03. Align

    We use those insights to shape academic choices, extracurricular involvement, college fit, and admissions strategy.

  • 04. Communicate

    Students present a clear, authentic picture of themselves through essays, activities, interviews, and conversations with admissions and coaches.

Throughline believes that when approached intentionally, the college process becomes an opportunity for students to better understand themselves — which leads to stronger decisions, more authentic applications, and, ultimately, outstanding college outcomes. Admissions success is the outcome. Self-understanding is the advantage. The process creates both.

A high school student and Jesse McTigue sitting outdoors at Telluride High School discussing college plans.
“It’s really hard to start looking at colleges before you look within and ask yourself, “Who am I? What’s important to me?””
— Jacques Steinberg, co-author The College Conversation

WHAT PARENTS NOTICE

By the end of the process, students often:

  • Understand what genuinely motivates them

  • Make academic and college decisions with greater confidence

  • Communicate more naturally about themselves

  • Write essays that sound like themselves — not who they think colleges want them to be

  • Build college lists based on fit and opportunity, not rankings alone

  • Leave with greater clarity about college and what comes after

Throughline Students Have Earned Acceptance to:

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Testimonials

  • "Jesse has a powerful approach to the college process: she digs deep to uncover students' interests, skills, and passions. My son wanted to ski NCAA, and she guided him through applications, deferrals, and a gap year — Colby ended up being the perfect fit, and he crushed his freshman year. For my daughter, Jesse helped her find her voice through strong essays. She chose Northeastern, a great fit given her interest in study abroad and real-world experience.'

    A parent from Vail, CO

  • "Jesse has been an incredible guide through the college admissions process. She takes the time to truly know each student, helping them identify colleges that are genuinely the right fit. She brings clarity and strategy to what can feel overwhelming, balancing kind support with firm accountability — somehow keeping our daughter moving forward without sounding like her parents. We feel so fortunate to have Jesse in our corner!"

    L parent from Ann Arbor, MI

  • "Thank you so much for sharing your time, expertise, and kindness with S when he needed it most. You’ve helped him present himself in the best way possible and I am so grateful."

    M. parent from Chicago, IL

  • "Navigating the college admission process with Jesse was a lifesaver. During the whirlwind of junior and senior years, Jesse kept my daughter focused and on track without overwhelming her – or me!"

    K. parent from CO

  • "Words can’t express my gratitude for your help on my college essays. We’ll never for sure what exactly got me into Dartmouth, but I personally believe I couldn’t have made it without you. Thank you for helping me make my dreams come true."

    P. student from CO