COLLEGE PLANNING SERVICES

• Typically starts in the Fall of Junior year and continues through senior year of high school when students make their college selection decision.
• In our career assessment, We assess academic strengths, interests to determine areas of study for potential majors and careers.
•  During  Junior year, we create a customized plan to prepare for and schedule standardized tests (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams) and we monitor progress.  
• College fairs and tours are suggested, in line with student's interests and preferences.   
• We look for leadership opportunities for the students and recommend and assess summer experiences. 
• We monitor grades.  
• If applicable we assist with honor society applications.
• We create the student's resume for college admissions and look for areas to enhance the resume
• Ideas for the Personal Statement/College Essay are brainstormed and revised until the essay is ready for submission.  
• We explore Early Decision/Early Action strategies, depending on factors such as financial ability and admission statistics. 
• The college list is developed and refined to include safety, target, and reach schools. 
• We create timetables for all elements of the application process (standardized and subject tests, recommendations, auditions, and interviews) including financial aid eligibility and scholarship deadlines.  
• Provide insights and edit Supplemental essays.  
•  All applications are reviewed prior to being submitted.   
• If needed, we prepare students for college interviews by conducting mock interview sessions, 
• We prepare students for college visits and overnight sessions.  Upon receiving their acceptances, 
• We assist students with making their college selection. 
• The Comprehensive Plan ends with follow up communications during the first semester of college to ensure that the transition to college has been seamless

• This plan focuses on creating the college list, essay development and editing, resume development, and successfully completing the application submission process.  
• Our process begins with creating the college apply list based on student's interests and preferences.  
• Academic standing, standardized test scores, and financial ability are assessed to establish a balanced list containing safety, target, and reach schools.  
• We brainstorm with the student potential essay topics and make suggestions for editing and improvements.
• We assist students in constructing  their resume.   
• We brainstorm and edit supplemental essays.
• We creating a  plan of critical due dates for each college on the apply list. 
• We work with the student on managing timelines and deadlines to ensure applications are submitted on time.  
• Early Action and Early Decision strategies are discussed. 
• All applications are reviewed prior to being submitted.    
• We work with the student on evaluating acceptances to determine which college to select. 

Hourly Plans

For students wanted to focus only on a topic of their choice we  work with students on an hourly basis.  Typical hourly sessions are on the following:

Essay Topic Brainstorming and editing

Developing Supplemental Essays

Resume Development - creating the holistic student

High School Course Selection

Reviewing College Applications

Please contact us for more information about additional topics of interest.  Each session will have predefined goals to ensure that expectations are met.  Upon completion of each session, a meeting summary identifying meeting outcomes and next steps will be emailed to the student and parents/guardians.

• Review of academic record, discuss strengths and weaknesses; make recommendations for improving studying skills
• Using analytics we project GPA at college selection and model different scenarios based upon course selection.
• Interests discussed and recommendations are given for extra-curricular, volunteer, employment, and summer activities
• Standardize Testing choices discussed (SAT/ACT; AP, Subject Tests).  Recommendations for testing preparation discussed.
• Strategies for time management, problem solving and study skills
• Tips and tools for note taking, textbook reading, test taking and writing papers
• Discussion of majors and minors and based upon interests opportunities to prepare for those majors are planned.
• Suggestions for building relationships with Guidance counselors discussed
• Customize timeline and action plan for all four years of high school  including customized testing schedule. 

 Determining what to major in and what type of career a student wants can be daunting for students when complied on top of their academic responsibilities.   As a member of the NCDA we embrace their mission "to inspire and empower individuals to achieve their career and life goals”.  To achieve this:

• We assess a students interests, passions, and aptitudes 
• We look at the requirements for the majors that meet those criteria
• We look at. career paths based upon those majors
• We look at pay scales for those careers
• We stay current at occupational trends

 Pre-med advising - We help students find specific experiences and research to differentiate their application.  We suggest classes. Evaluate pre-med programs and provide students with resources to support their pursuit of a medical degree.
 

Pre-med students must take into account different factors than non-pre-med students.  We work with students to ensure they get the most of their pre-med program.  For pre-med students it is critical that they make decisions during undergraduate studies that will optimize their chances for acceptance to medical school. We work with students to maximize their summer experiences, including leadership opportunities, publishing research, volunteering, clinical experiences, shadowing medical staff, etc.  We help students prepare for their interviews. As non-cognitive skills are critical in the interview process and the ability to make sound judgements is often assessed.  We work with students to ensure they have experiences that can be used as examples to support these skills.