About Us

Academic Counseling Services, Inc. was organized in 1978, by Harriet Gershman, to provide specialized services in the field of educational options. Clients come to ACS for a general evaluation of their opportunities for growth. Many clients seek guidance in the selection of a suitable secondary school, college, or alternative school. Clients are referred by public or private schools, upon recommendation of former clients, or by other professionals.

Harriet Gershman, a Certified Educational Planner, is the founder of Academic Counseling Services. For over 30 years, she and her staff have worked privately with individuals and families as consultants in finding the best educational opportunities for their clients. Traveling extensively, ACS staff members reach a wide range of schools and colleges, and meet personally with administrators and admissions directors.

Harriet Gershman holds a Master of Science degree in counseling and personnel services from Purdue University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University. She has served on the National Board of Directors, the

Membership and Ethics Committee, the Alternative Education Committee,the Schools Committee, and the Restructuring Ad Hoc Committee of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Her broadly based exposure to educational programs and approaches allows her a distinctive proficiency for helping clients meet their educational and personal needs.

Email Harriet at hgershman@academiccounseling.org

Pamela Gershman Bard, LMSW is an Educational Consultant in Maplewood, NJ. Through her company Academic Counseling Services, Inc., she has worked over the last 14 years with countless adolescents and their families. As an Educational Consultant, she provides educational placements in a wide range of boarding and therapeutic schools as well as wilderness and psychiatric programs. A graduate of Syracuse University and New YorkUniversity's (NYU) School of School Work, she began her work with adolescents, running pregnancy and drug and alcohol prevention groups at the Madison Square Boys and Girls Clubs in NYC. She was also the coordinator for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program at the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, also in NYC. She has lived in Maplewood, NJ since 2001. She is also the proud mother of three children.

Member:

-Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) -
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB)
Pamela is certified to conduct SSAT Flex Testing

Affiliate Member:

National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP)

Email Pamela at pamelabard@comcast.net

Jordana Rutkoff came to Academic Counseling Services in the fall of 2007 as an educational consultant. She works mainly with college and boarding school bound students. Her previous work includes providing tutoring services to students in the Chicagoland area and working in the classrooms of the Jewish Child & Family Services Therapeutic Day School in Chicago, IL. Jordana is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is presently working to complete her Master’s Degree in Counseling at National-Louis University.

Associate Member: Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) Administrator: Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT)

Email Jordana at jrutkoff@academiccounseling.org