J. TRACY
MEHR
Tracy has more than twenty years of counseling experience working with students from some of the top public and private high schools in Chicagoland and around the United States. He loves connecting with the students and truly feels as though they often change his life more than he changes theirs. Tracy has worked with students applying to a wide variety of colleges and universities throughout the country and feels the most important elements in finding the right fit is helping students understand the importance of research, learning how to share their story, and taking cost into careful consideration.
Tracy has a BS in Elementary Education and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and a Master’s Degree in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University. He has been an active member of the Illinois Association of College Admission Counseling (IACAC) as both a conference presenter and a co-chair and member of Communications and Membership committees. Prior to working in the college counseling field, Tracy was a school teacher and then co-owner of a global sports timing and race management company for twenty years.
Tracy lives with his wife and two children in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Both children are enrolled in college at four-year post-secondary institutions, one at a large public university in Michigan and the other at a small liberal arts college in Illinois, that are the “right fit” for them!
Link to Green Halo Scholars, a very special organization Tracy works with that focuses on supporting self-motivated, underserved, low income and/or first-generation high school seniors to apply, attend and succeed in college. https://www.greenhaloscholars.org
Tracy Mehr was a godsend in the college application process. Having worked with him while applying to schools for my undergraduate degree and, most recently, for graduate school I can speak to how helpful he is in the midst of what can be an incredibly stressful journey. From helping you choose which schools to apply to, to pointing out opportunities and services to ask about and look for at universities, to assisting with application essays (he’s an excellent writer)- he does it all. Tracy is great at helping you set realistic goals and expectations while also pushing and encouraging you to strive for your very best. He’ll give you all of the tools you need to get you through the application process and to make the best decision for you - all with his witty sense of humor to get you through the stress. The best thing you can do if you are looking at furthering your education is to partner with Tracy. You won’t regret it!
Erin, B.A. University of Georgia ’14, M.A. Georgetown University ‘22 (expected)
With all the college prep "chatter" out there, we were prepared for the college "process" with our first-born to be an overwhelming experience, but Tracy dissolved all those concerns! Tracy helped us attack the college preparation, search and application checklist in a professional, light-hearted, organized, thoughtful fashion. He took the ambiguity and anxiety out of the equation for us and made an "unknown" journey manageable, structured and personalized for our son and our whole family. Suffice it to say, having found the PERFECT college for our graduating senior, we have now engaged Tracy to work alongside us with our sophomore daughter. He truly shows care and concern not only for his students, but also for the whole family. We highly recommend Tracy for anyone searching for help in navigating the college preparation and search process!
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Kimberly, Hinsdale Central High School
(Hinsdale, IL) parent of college freshman
We highly recommend Tracy. His years of experience and deep expertise were invaluable as he helped us to understand and manage the complex college application process. Tracy was truly invested in our daughter’s success and a partner throughout the journey. Tracy quickly established trust and rapport with our daughter, helping her to identify her goals and priorities, and getting her invested in and excited about the college exploration process. We appreciated that Tracy worked directly with our daughter to answer her questions and to work on application essays, always pushing her to drive the iterations and keep her voice clear. Tracy is approachable and easy to work with. His great sense of humor and honesty were valuable assets throughout the detailed and often stressful application process.
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Parent, Glenbard West High School (Glen Ellyn, IL) graduate
Tracy is one of the kindest and most supportive people I've ever met. I'm lucky to call him my mentor. I literally would not be where I am today without him. He pushed me to be more open-minded and willing to explore options I never would have considered. Tracy is not afraid to say it how it is, which is much needed in the college decision making process. However, he never told me anything that would sway me toward something specific, and instead recognized the importance of making the ultimate decision myself and with my family. He goes above and beyond. I am forever grateful for the witty banter and helpful advice, and I know that anyone would be lucky to have Tracy Mehr as their mentor.
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Angel, Miami University '23
We met Tracy Mehr a few years ago when we moved to Chicago from the U.K. with our two sons. Our older son was starting high school. We asked Tracy to help us to understand the U.S. High School system plus to support our son in the College process.
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Tracy has guided us throughout the last few years seamlessly. He has given great advice, from choosing which school subjects to take, to the various college options. Tracy genuinely cares about the children and the families he is assisting. He has replied to our many questions in a timely manner and is a very knowledgable & experienced counselor. On a final note, Tracy’s sense of humor is a terrific asset too. We (and my son especially!) highly recommend him.
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Parent of (Chicago area) High School Senior