FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why should I hire a college consultant?
U.S. public high school students receive an average of just 38 minutes of college counseling per year, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
School counselors usually have other responsibilities in addition to college counseling. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, public high school counselors spend only about 25% of their time on college counseling.
The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of no more than 250 students per counselor. The national average in public schools is 424 to 1.
College consultants have much smaller caseloads than school counselors, and because they focus exclusively on college counseling, they can provide significantly more support and assistance.
When is the best time to begin working with a college consultant?
To some extent, it depends on the individual student and his/her needs. Starting early means we can offer advice on and help students make plans for high school courses, activities, and summer programs – factors that are very important in the college admissions process. Additionally, the earlier we begin working with a student, the better we can get to know him/her in order to make the best recommendations for colleges and help to ingrain both organizational, study, and communication skills.
What services do you offer?
We have separate annual packages for 9th/10th, 11th, and 12th. We offer a complete array of guidance including:
one-on-one meetings
transcript analysis
proprietary materials & resources
executive functioning skill building
academic course planning for high school classes
dual enrollment guidance
assessment and development of extracurricular and summer activities
career exploration & assessment
standardized test plan
best fit college selection
college application assistance & review
college essay guidance (personal essay and supplementals)
letters of recommendation assistance
resume assistance
timeline creation & project management of the college application process
evaluation of college acceptances
mock interview prep (if needed)
financial aid/scholarship support (FAFSA/CSS Profile & monthly scholarship bulletins)
analysis of earned college credit transferability
time management of post college acceptance deadlines - materials required by college (transcripts), precollege exams, housing/meal plan, orientation, student accessibility/accommodation services, parking passes, ID, freshman schedule, and more!
post-acceptance guidance with facilitation of transition to college
We offer limited "a la carte" essay assistance
We offer limited "a la carte" resume assistance
When are you available?
We are available weekdays, weeknights, and weekends. We work according to your schedule, and are fully committed to providing you with responsive and convenient support.
What kinds of students do you work with?
All kinds of students! We work with students with a wide range of academic abilities and interests between 9th grade and freshmen year of college. We’ve helped students who are aiming for the Ivy League, public colleges, small liberal arts colleges, vocational/technical colleges and community colleges. We’ve assisted students with learning disabilities, student athletes, and visual and performing artists.
What do you do at an initial consultation?
At this 60-90 minute meeting for students and their parents, we will go over the student’s desires and goals for the college process, as well as the parents’. We will further explain our services and how we can best meet your family’s needs.
Do you meet with students and parents together?
After the initial consultation, our subsequent meetings will be with either the student alone or with both the student and parents. Following every meeting, we share a summary of what was discussed and "to-do" lists for what the student has been asked to complete before our next meeting. We value parents’ input as we begin working with a student and throughout the process. We are happy to meet separately with parents if there is anything they wish to discuss without their child present. Finally, both students and parents are welcome to text, call, or email us with questions/concerns.
Where do you meet with students?
We prefer to meet in person for the first meeting. Typically this meeting occurs with students at their houses, library or other public place, depending on where they live and what is most convenient. If location or time is a factor, we do offer remote/virtual meetings as an option.
What does it mean for a college to be a “good fit”?
To us, a “good fit” is a college where a student will be happy and successful academically, extracurricularly, and socially; where the student will be more likely to graduate on time; and where the family can afford the cost. For most students, many colleges are “good fits”, giving them several options from which to choose.
How do you help students find colleges that are a “good fit”?
By getting to know students we help them understand themselves and identify the factors that are most important in their college search. Then, using our knowledge of colleges and various research, we make recommendations of colleges that meet students’ criteria.
Do you guarantee students admission to their choice of college or university?
No, we do not guarantee a student will be accepted at a specific institution. However, we work with them to curate a balanced college list consisting of safety, target, and reach schools for a successful college application season.
How do you help students stand out on their college applications?
Given how competitive college admissions are these days, putting your best foot forward on your applications is of the utmost importance. By combining our knowledge of the admissions process with our ability to truly get to know students, we can help them complete applications in a way that presents them in the best possible light. This includes assisting with identifying teachers to ask for recommendations, assisting in preparing activity lists and resumes, and guidance for writing college essays that demonstrate who students are beyond the facts and numbers in their applications. Additionally, we review applications before students submit them to make sure there are no mistakes or missing information.
Do you help students with financial aid and scholarships?
We provide guidance for both the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
We focus on helping students find and apply for merit-based scholarships from colleges. (Merit scholarships are awarded based on such factors as academics, community service, personal characteristics, achievements, etc. They are not based on financial need or athletics.) Although there are thousands of merit scholarships offered by corporations, foundations, charitable organizations, and the like, the largest scholarships come from colleges themselves.
We provide monthly scholarship bulletins to our junior and senior clients.
Do you offer test preparation for the ACT/SAT?
We have considerable knowledge about standardized tests. However, we do not provide test preparation services. We can recommend test prep companies to interested families. We help students decide which test(s) to take and when to take them and also review and explain test results.
Help students decide which test(s) to take and when to take them.
Review and explain test results.
Provide recommendations for test preparation
Do you offer executive function coaching?
The goal is to support students with continually improving upon their cognitive and behavioral abilities by recognizing existing executive strengths and identifying areas for growth. Ultimately students will better utilize executive tools to navigate the college experience successfully.
Executive Function Coaching is a core tenet for all of our clients and is inclusive of time management support and the organization of materials. We require all students to both have and utilize a planner of their choosing and have them check in weekly with their advisor. This allows the advisor to help the student stay on track with their deadlines and teaches a required and valuable skillset for their future success in life and college.
All clients receive a proprietary spreadsheet and other materials to help keep and stay organized. This spreadsheet contains all of the information necessary for them to complete their college application, resume, Raise.me, LinkedIn profile, SAT/ACT registration, and more.
Do your services stop after college applications are done and decisions have been sent?
Absolutely not! We are here to help guide your student manage the decision process and there is still much to be completed before the end of the school year. We have a close-out meeting at the end of the year to offer guidance, valuable tips/tricks, and facilitation of transition to college.