About SUM TOTAL
Built by Leaders in the Profession.
We spent decades inside university enrollment offices. We built SUM TOTAL because we saw — year after year — what happened when families arrived without preparation. We decided to change that.
Why We Built SUM TOTAL
We spent decades inside university enrollment offices — reviewing applications, awarding financial aid, counseling families through one of the most significant transitions in a young person's life.
Year after year, we saw the same pattern. The families who arrived at junior year already understanding how admissions works, how financial aid is structured, and what their student genuinely wanted — those families made different decisions. Calmer decisions. More strategic decisions.
The families who arrived without that foundation — and most families did, because no one had offered them guidance earlier — found themselves reacting instead of choosing.
We built SUM TOTAL because we believe the counseling industry should serve families earlier, include parents in the process, and give every family the information and preparation to navigate what's ahead — together.
College Planning Is a Family Milestone
College planning is one of the first major transitions families navigate together. It involves aspirations, expectations, financial realities, and the future your child is beginning to imagine.
By starting early and including parents in the process, families gain the clarity and shared understanding needed to approach the college journey thoughtfully — rather than reactively.
We don't rush childhood. We give families time, perspective, and the opportunity to make decisions from a place of knowledge rather than uncertainty.
Founded on the Inside View
Our experience isn't theoretical — it comes from decades of making the decisions that shape how families are served. Starting early is not about pressure; it is about giving families time to think clearly.
Founded by Enrollment Leaders
Our founders didn't study admissions from the outside — they led it. A former Vice President of Enrollment and a former Director of Enrollment, with combined decades of experience in admissions and financial aid. Both have served as presidents of major regional college counseling organizations.
Deep Institutional Knowledge
Our counselors bring experience across public universities, private colleges, and specialized programs — graduate and undergraduate. We understand how different institutions evaluate different students.
Specialized Pathway Expertise
Our team includes expertise in NCAA recruitment, arts and conservatory programs, and other distinctive academic tracks — so students with specialized goals receive specialized guidance.
A Family-Centered Approach
Our model intentionally includes parents and the entire family — ensuring decisions about opportunities, expectations, and financial realities are made with clarity and shared understanding.
What Families Wish They Had Known Earlier
Each year we meet families during the later stages of the college process who share the same reflection: "We wish we had started this conversation sooner."
- More Thoughtful Academic Choices Understanding course rigor, academic pathways, and long-term goals helps students make intentional decisions beginning in the first years of high school.
- Stronger Exploration of Interests Students have time to discover what genuinely excites them and pursue experiences that deepen those interests — rather than scrambling to fill a resume.
- Clearer Understanding of College Fit Families begin evaluating colleges based on academic, social, and financial fit — not just reputation or rankings.
- Healthier Family Conversations Starting early creates space for thoughtful discussions about expectations, opportunities, and the future — before the pressure builds.
- Less Pressure During Application Years When foundational decisions are made earlier, the junior and senior years become far more manageable for everyone.
"We didn't realize how many decisions started before junior year."
Parent Testimonial
Meet the Counselors
Our team brings decades of enrollment leadership, academic counseling, and specialized pathway expertise to every family we serve.
Robynne Lofton
Former VP of Enrollment. 30+ years in admissions and financial aid. Founded SUM TOTAL to bring enrollment office knowledge directly to families.
Brandi Smith
Academic strategy expert. 20+ years in high school counseling and admissions. Former president of a major regional counseling organization.
Counselor
Specialized expertise in academic strategy, college list development, and student narrative building.
Counselor
Background in arts and conservatory program admissions, portfolio development, and audition preparation.
Counselor
NCAA recruitment strategy and athletic pathway expertise across Division I, II, and III programs.
Counselor
Transfer and graduate program specialist with deep experience in personal statement development and narrative strategy.
Counselor
Early college planning specialist focused on the Grades 8–10 experience and family communication frameworks.
Administrative Support
The first voice families hear. Coordinates scheduling, onboarding, and the logistics that keep every engagement running smoothly.
"Families often tell us their biggest relief is having a knowledgeable guide who understands both the admissions process and the family dynamics behind it."
Robynne Lofton & Brandi Smith, Co-Founders
Begin your family's college journey
A 20-minute introductory call — no commitment, no pressure. We'll learn about your family and help you decide if this is the right time to begin.
Schedule a Conversation →No commitment, no pressure — just a conversation.