College Admissions Packages

The Comprehensive Plan typically starts in Fall of Junior year and continues through senior year of high school when students make their college selection decision.  This is a full service plan that  optimizes a student's potential for identifying and selecting the best fit college.

• During  Junior year, we create a customized plan to prepare for and schedule standardized tests (SAT, ACT, SAT  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.
• We assist with brag sheets.
• 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 application due dates for all elements of the application process (standardized and subject tests, recommendations, auditions, and interviews) including financial aid eligibility and scholarship deadlines.  
• We provide insights, help brainstorm ideas and edit Supplemental essays.
•  All applications are reviewed prior to submission.
• If needed, we prepare students for college interviews by conducting mock interview sessions, and we also help prepare students for college visits and overnight sessions. 
• We review all college portals.
•  Upon receiving their acceptances, we assist students with making their college selection.  
• We have a check in with students during their first semester at college to see how they are doing.

The Fast Track Plan typically starts in Summer for the rising senior.  This is a compressed plan that 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 provide insights, brainstorm and edit supplemental essays.
• We create a plan of critical due dates for each college on the apply list.
• We work with students on managing timelines and deadlines to ensure applications are submitted on time.
• Earl Action and Early Decision strategies are discussed.
• All applications are viewed prior to submission.
• We work with the student on evaluating acceptances to determine which college to select.

The 9th and 10th Grade Optimizing Opportunities Plan typically starts in Freshman or Sophomore year. It consists of 8 Sessions focusing on maximizing experiences (volunteer, research, and educational leanings )that will differentiate student 's profile in the college application. As demonstrated interest has become an important in the admissions selection process, we provide students with numerous opportunities to excel in potential areas of study.

• We review the student's academic record, discussing strengths and weaknesses and we provide strategies for  study skills, time management and problem solving skills.
• Using analytics we project the student's GPA at college selection (end of Junior Year) and model different scenarios based upon course selection.
• Interests are discussed and recommendations are given for extra-curricular, volunteer, employment, and summer activities.
• Standardize Testing choices are discussed (SAT/ACT; AP, PSAT); We help students decided which test the SAT or ACT is best suited to the student.
• Discussion of majors and minors based upon interests
• Suggestions for building relationships with Guidance counselors is discussed
• Customized timeline and action plan for all 4 years of high school, including proposed standardized test schedule.

The  College Essay Package focuses on the development of the personal statement, which is  a key element in the college admissions application. This package includes the following:

• Thoughtful analysis of essay prompts and brainstorming of essay topic
• Discussion of narrative writing strategies and the art of storytelling (option to review sample essays)
• Development of a detailed and comprehensive outline
• High level edits and commentary provided throughout the process
• Careful review of essay tone, flow, and structure to maintain a student’s real voice while also maximizing essay potential 

Through these sessions, students will learn how to develop their writing style and personal narrative in a way that best positions them for success throughout the college process. This package includes three 1-hour sessions and one final 30 minute review session. 

With Supplemental Essays, it’s important to be strategic about the way each individual question is answered. These short essays provide an opportunity for a student’s resume to come alive - to artfully weave in a student’s academic interests and extracurricular activities in a way that pertains to their college/university of choice without the essay feeling forced or like a “laundry list.” Students will also be given strategies for adapting their supplemental essays to other schools on their list - saving them from unnecessary stress in the college process. 

This package includes two 1 hour sessions and includes up to three essays in total. Students may request help with any three supplemental essays of their choice. 

Typically, this looks like developing the following three types of essays:

• “Why Us?” (school specific, research driven essay)
• Reflection on involvement in your community
• Experiences you had through your extracurricular activities 

Sessions for additional essays are available upon request on an hourly basis. 

Package Plans

Sometimes a student only needs help with a specific part of the college admissions process. For these students we offer small packages where we  meet with the student for a few sessions and only focus on specific needs.

High School 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. Typically 2 sessions.

Developing the College Essay -   We help students select an essay topic and find their voice when composing the essay.  We brainstorm ideas, discuss essay structure , review drafts, and provide feedback on grammar, flow and content.  Typically 3 sessions.

• How to write a successful college essay is discussed 
• "Show Not Tell" methods are discussed and examples are provided 
• Prompts are discussed; Prompt for essay is selected and high level outline created.
• Edits and comments are provided  
• Word selection, grammar and word count is reviewed Typically after third session essay is ready for submission Status reports on progress and action items to be provided to Parents/Guardians and students

Career and Program of College Studies - We help students determine their college majors and set them on a career path. Typically 2-3 sessions.

• We work with students to assess their areas of interests, passions and aptitudes
• We look at the requirements for the majors that meet those requirements
• We look at career paths based upon those majors
• We look at pay scales for those careers

Developing the College List - We develop a balanced list of safety, target and reach schools that are great 'fits' for the student based upon a student's criteria.   Research and analysis is done and a comprehensive list of safety, target and reach schools is provided to student and parents. Typically 3 sessions.

Interview Skills and Preparation - Interview best practices and etiquette are discussed.  Typically interview questions and how to respond to behavioral, situational and skill assessment questions are addressed.  Mock interview is given to student with feedback. Typically 1-2 sessions.

High School Selection Process -  We work with students on private high school selection and specialized high school selection in New Jersey. We are familiar with the application, interview processes for the high schools in New Jersey.  We do mock interviews with the students to prepare them. Sessions vary depending on the high schools application process.