Personal College Counseling

12th Graders

“Thank you so much for all of the help and time you gave for my college application process. I know we got acquainted a little later than is normal with your other students, and I definitely pushed deadlines to the limit, but I really believe that you brought out my best work, and I am proud of every application I submitted. I'm certainly happy with the results!”

- John, B.A. Brown University ★★★★★

SERVICES

Application Evaluation

Description:

Students learn how to proofread common app and individual college applications, including short answers (a piece of writing less than 100 words). They learn to look for inconsistencies, weaknesses, “red flags”, and omissions. A seemingly insignificant answer on an application can make the difference between acceptance and denial.

Online Class Material:

“Proofreading College Applications” Video

Personal College Counseling:

Students submit their applications for review by a professional college counselor.

College Profiling

Description:

Students learn how to identify their personal strengths and learning styles, as well as the most important features that they want in a college. Based on the preliminary review and specific factors that the student is searching for in a college (selectivity, size, location, setting, strength of program, extracurricular activities, etc.), students learn to conduct research on each college and compile a list of 10-15 appropriate colleges. The final college list includes a balance of safety, likely, and reach schools. We also guide students in the process of targeting a school for early action or early decision to maximize the student’s chances of admission to their top choice colleges.

Online Class Material:

“Creating a College List” Video, College Profiling Tip Sheet, 1 Podcast with a College Admissions Expert

Personal College Counseling:

Students create a final college list after discussions with a professional college counselor who is familiar with their goals and admissions strategy.

Demonstrated Interest

Description:

Students learn how to plan college visits and show their seriousness about attending a particular college. Due to advances in technology, students are applying online to many colleges with ease and speed. Admissions officers do not know which students truly want to attend their college. Demonstrated interest is a sign that the student is sincerely interested in the college and will accept an offer of admission. Successfully showing “demonstrated interest” in a college increases the student’s chances of admission.

Online Class Material:

Demonstrated Interest” Video, Demonstrated Interest Tip Sheet

Personal College Counseling:

Students work with a professional college counselor and develop a plan to demonstrate interest in their top choice colleges.

Essays

Description:

College admissions officers review application essays carefully in an effort to know if the student will be a good fit at their college. Top colleges often require multiple supplemental essays with various word limits. Since many high achieving students apply to a dozen or more universities, writing and recycling so many essays is a daunting task.

Students learn how to brainstorm essay topics based on significant personal experiences and overcome writer’s block. They also learn how to find successful college essays for inspiration so their creative juices flow easily.

Integrity in essay writing is key to the college admissions process. Students work hard, develop original ideas, and revise their essays up to three times before a final proofreading is done. The more time students spend on writing thoughtful college essays, the more they will stand out from the crowd.

In addition to learning a new writing style required for college essays, students learn the art of recycling essays. If students don’t feel comfortable recycling essays on their own, we can provide proofreading services to review their recycled essays.

Note: An essay is defined as any piece of writing with 100 or more words.

Online Class Material:

“How to Write Winning College Essays” Video, 3 Supplemental Videos, 3 Podcasts with College Admissions Experts, Essay Strategy Form

Personal College Counseling:

Students submit their essay drafts for feedback from a professional college counselor and revise each essay multiple times, making sure the essays do not seem too “polished”.

Interview Preparation

Description:

Students learn how to prepare for college interviews and answer specific questions, without sounding too shy or too bold. They also learn what questions to ask the interviewers to demonstrate their interest in the college and how to make a lasting impression on the interviewer. College interviews generally last between 20-60 minutes, but some colleges are known for extensive 2-hour interviews. Applicants to BS/MD programs may need to prepare for multiple rounds of individual and group interviews at medical schools.

Online Class Material:

“How to Prepare for College Admission Interviews” Video

Personal College Counseling:

Students participate in a one-hour practice interview with a professional college counselor and receive feedback.

Recommendation Letters

Description:

Most top colleges require a letter of recommendation from the student’s guidance counselor, as well as two academic teachers from junior or senior year. There is a growing trend at high schools where students are asked to fill out questionnaires in order to obtain recommendation letters. Even if this is not the case at a certain school, students can influence letters of recommendation by asking teachers to focus on specific areas they want to highlight in their application. Parents learn how to obtain a stronger letter of recommendation from the guidance counselor. Students also learn how to obtain an additional letter of recommendation from a mentor, coach, or advisor who can discuss the student’s strengths outside of school.

Online Class Material:

“How to Get Stellar Recommendation Letters” Video, Sample Letter to Request a Recommendation Letter from a Guidance Counselor, Sample Answers to a Teacher Questionnaire, Sample Letter to Request a Letter from a Teacher

Personal College Counseling:

Students submit their requests for recommendation letters for feedback from a professional college counselor.

Resume

Description:

Students learn how to create a resume in a special format that includes a description of activities, years of involvement, hours per week, weeks per year, position held and honors earned. We assist the student in creating a strong resume that shows commitment and perseverance in their activities, as well as special talents and achievements. Students learn how to write in the active tense and use appropriate words to describe their extracurricular activities, summer experiences, work experiences, honors, and awards.

Online Class Material:

“How to Create Your Resume” Video, Sample Resume, Resume Template

Personal College Counseling:

Students submit a draft resume for review by a professional college counselor.

Supplemental Material

Description:

Students with special talents (researchers, musicians, athletes, dancers, actors, writers, artists, and photographers) learn how to compile a detailed activity sheet listing their specific participation in these areas. Some students may need to put together a CD, DVD, or a portfolio. Students also learn how to write letters to faculty members and coaches who can review and recommend them to the college admissions committee.

Online Class Material:

“Supplemental Material” Video, Sample Supplemental Activity Sheet

Personal College Counseling:

Students submit their supplemental material for review by a professional college counselor.

Social Media Profiles

Description:

Students learn how to get honest feedback on their social media profiles from adults before submitting their applications. These days, admissions officers are increasingly conducting online research to verify that a student won a certain award or to verify information that has been hinted at in recommendation letters. In the process of reviewing social media profiles, they may find unexpected photographs or information about students that may raise red flags. It's important to be vigilant about your social media privacy settings, as well as content posted on any public profiles.

Online Class Material:

“Your Social Media Profile” Video

Personal College Counseling:

Students submit their social media profiles for review by a professional college counselor.

Evaluating Acceptance Letters

Description:

Students learn how to how to evaluate their choices once they receive acceptance letters, including maximizing and “negotiating” financial aid. They also learn how to write a letter of interest to the admissions committee if they were deferred or waitlisted.

Online Class Material:

“Evaluating Acceptance Letters” Video

Personal College Counseling:

Students submit their letters of interest and financial aid letters for review by a professional college counselor.

Personal College Counseling

12th Graders

SERVICES

Application Evaluation

College Profiling

Demonstrated Interest

Essays

Interview Preparation

Recommendation Letters

Resume

Supplemental Material

Social Media Profiles

Evaluating Acceptance Letters

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