The People Behind the Practice
Decades of experience inside university enrollment offices. A belief that families deserve guidance earlier. A practice built to deliver it.
OUR STORY & PHILOSOPHY
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 started these conversations earlier arrived in a fundamentally different position. Not because they were wealthier or more connected, but because they were informed.
Our Philosophy
College planning is one of the first major transitions families navigate together. It involves aspirations, expectations, financial realities, and important conversations about the future.
By starting early and including the whole family, we help families gain the clarity and shared understanding needed to approach the college journey thoughtfully, rather than reactively.
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.
We don’t rush childhood. We give families time, perspective, and the opportunity to make decisions from a place of knowledge rather than uncertainty.
Robynne C. Lofton, Owner
Brandi L. Smith, Owner
What Families Often Wish They Had Known Earlier
Every year, we watched families during the later stages of the college process who share a similar reflection:
“We wish we had started this conversation sooner.”
They wished they had understood course rigor earlier. They wished they had explored interests before the resume-building pressure started. They wished they had talked about finances before the sticker shock of senior year.
None of that was their fault. The information simply wasn't available to them when they needed it.
We built SUM TOTAL to close that gap.
The college journey unfolds over several years, and many of the most important decisions - academic choices, extracurricular exploration, and financial planning - begin long before applications are submitted
“This offers a soft launch into college - nurturing the conversation in 8th and 9th grade instead of waiting until the pressure hits.” - Early Riser Parent
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.
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.
Less Pressure During Application Years
When foundational decisions are made earlier, the junior and senior years become far more manageable.
“This program gives parents a real job in a process that otherwise feels aimed entirely at the student.” - School Counselor
Where Does Your Family Begin?
WHY TRUST US
Why Families Trust Our Guidance
Choosing college guidance is an important decision. Our programs are built on decades of direct experience inside the institutions your student will be applying to.
Founded by Enrollment Leaders
Our founders didn't study admissions from the outside — they led it. A former Associate Vice President of Enrollment and Director of Undergraduate Admissions, with combined decades of experience in high school college counseling, admissions and financial aid. Both have served as presidents of major regional college counseling organizations, shaping professional standards, and supporting admission practitioners across the field.
Specialized Pathway Expertise
Students pursue many different futures. Our team includes expertise in NCAA recruitment, arts and conservatory programs, and other distinctive academic tracks.
Deep Institutional Knowledge
Our counselors bring experience across public universities, private colleges, and specialized programs — graduate and undergraduate. This breadth means families understand the full landscape of higher education, not just a narrow slice of it.
A Family-Centered Approach
Most college counseling focuses on the student alone. Our model intentionally includes parents and the entire family, ensuring decisions about opportunities, expectations, and financial realities are made with clarity and shared understanding.
Meet our Advisors
The People Behind SUM TOTAL
Our programs are guided by experienced college admissions professionals who have spent decades helping students and families navigate the evolving higher education landscape.
The curriculum was developed by leaders who have worked inside university enrollment offices — not just advising families, but making admissions and financial aid decisions themselves. That perspective informs everything we do.
Robynne Lofton —
Co-Founder
Former Associate VP of Enrollment and Student Financial Services with over a decade in the Director of Admissions seat. Robynne has reviewed thousands of applications and counseled families through every stage of the admissions process. She brings deep expertise in arts and portfolio-based admissions, enrollment management, and financial aid strategy
Brandi Smith
Co-Founder
With extensive experience in enrollment and student services, Brandi brings a practitioner's understanding of how families navigate the college process. Her approach centers on clarity, communication, and making sure every family member has a voice in the conversation.
“Families often tell us their biggest relief is having a knowledgeable guide who understands both the admissions process and the family dynamics behind it.”
Choose your student's grade level to explore program details, pricing, and how to schedule an introductory conversation.