About

The Frances Model

Frances Advisors adapts the Oxford tutorial system—a method of individualized, discussion-based teaching that has shaped some of the world’s greatest thinkers—for the context of American high school and college admissions.

In the tutorial model, education is personal, rigorous, and dialogic. It demands that students engage deeply with ideas, sharpen their arguments, and express themselves with clarity and conviction. At Frances Advisors, we extend this philosophy to every aspect of academic mentorship: from test preparation to AP courses to the crafting of essays that reveal a student’s genuine intellectual identity.

We are not a high-volume consulting firm. We are a boutique practice, deliberately small, built on mentorship, rigor, and tradition.

Founded by a Yale scholar

Charlotte founded Frances Advisors on the belief that the best education happens through meaningful, one-on-one mentorship. A graduate of Yale University with distinction in English, she combines scholarly rigor with a deep commitment to getting to know each student personally—their strengths, curiosities, and challenges.

Her approach goes beyond grades and applications: she helps students grow holistically as thinkers, writers, and individuals, guiding them to discover their authentic voices and intellectual confidence. Under her mentorship, Frances Advisors students have gone on to attend Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Columbia, Penn, Duke, and other top universities.

Our Approach

At Frances Advisors, we adapt the Oxford tutorial model to the American high school and college admissions landscape. That means every student works one-on-one with an advisor in a dialogue-driven process designed to sharpen their thinking, refine their writing, and help them grow as both scholars and individuals.

Our approach is:

  • Personalized – Every student is different, and we tailor mentorship to their unique goals, strengths, and interests.

  • Rigorous – We set the highest academic expectations, pushing students toward clarity, discipline, and intellectual depth.

  • Holistic – We focus on more than test scores or applications—we help students develop confidence, independence, and authentic voice.

  • Hands-On – We work closely with both students and families, ensuring mentorship is consistent, structured, and deeply supportive.

This method is not about quick fixes or shortcuts—it’s about cultivating the habits of mind that lead to lifelong academic and personal success.

The Frances Advantage

Most consulting firms focus narrowly on test scores and admissions strategies. Frances Advisors is different. We see the admissions journey as an extension of a student’s education—a chance to grow intellectually, personally, and academically.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • The Oxford Model – Our tutorial-style mentorship is rare in the U.S. and uniquely effective at fostering depth and independence.

  • Boutique Scale – We deliberately work with a small number of families to ensure every student receives focused, individualized attention.

  • Humanistic Perspective – Rooted in the humanities, our approach values critical thinking, writing, and authentic voice as the foundation of success.

  • Proven Results – Our students have gone on to Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Columbia, Penn, Duke, Johns Hopkins, and more—not because they fit a formula, but because they grew into the strongest versions of themselves.

Frances Advisors is not just an investment in applications—it’s an investment in your student’s growth as a scholar and individual.

A Note to Families

We know how much is at stake in the college admissions process—and how overwhelming it can feel. At Frances Advisors, we see ourselves not just as tutors, but as partners. Families trust us because we combine academic rigor with genuine care, guiding students through every stage with clarity, discipline, and encouragement.

Working with Frances Advisors means your student is seen as an individual, mentored as a scholar, and supported as a whole person. Our goal is not only to help them achieve admission to the colleges where they will thrive, but to ensure they enter those next chapters confident in their voice, their abilities, and their future.