College Counseling and Applications

Each of our 3-hour college application seminars covers the basics of a key factor in the college admissions process. We have three seminars to choose from, each of which is designed for rising or current 12th graders:

College List – Getting Started

This seminar covers the basics of researching college options and building a college list. Content covered will include:

• Demonstrations of tools and resources students can use to explore college options
• Strategies for identifying college options that align with students’ goals, preferences, and academic profiles
• What it means to build a “balanced” college list

College Essays – Getting Started

This seminar covers the basics of writing college application essays. Content covered will include:

• The purpose of college application essays and their role in the admissions process
• Strategies for brainstorming, drafting, and revising the Common App essay
• Discussion of sample college application essays in terms of “dos and don’ts”

College Resume – Getting Started

This seminars covers the basics of developing a resume and activities list for college applications. Content covered will include:

• The role of the resume and activities list in the college application process
• Best practices for crafting a resume, including content, format, and wording
• Strategies for making every word count on the Common App activities list

Dates offered for Summer 2023 include:

• College List – Getting Started
  • Tuesday, June 6 from 3:00 – 6:00PM
  • Tuesday, July 11 from 3:00 – 6:00PM
• College Essays – Getting Started
  • Tuesday, June 13 from 3:00 – 6:00PM
  • Tuesday, July 18 from 3:00 – 6:00PM
• College Resume – Getting Started
  • Tuesday, June 20 from 3:00 – 6:00PM
  • Tuesday, July 25 from 3:00 – 6:00PM

Enrollment for each seminar is capped at 8 students. Approximately half of the 3-hour seminar will be devoted to instruction and discussion; the other half will give students a chance to work on their college list, essays, or resume and receive individualized support. Each student will also receive a copy of our “College Admissions Dashboard” spreadsheet to guide them in the admissions process.

This cost of each seminar is $250. Special pricing is available for students who register for 2 or more:

• 2 seminars: 10% off ($450 total)
• 3 seminars: 20% off ($600 total)

Students who participate in a college application seminar are also eligible for a 10% discount on hourly private counseling for college admissions.

We offer a complete range of services to help students get into the best college for them, including comprehensive packages or hourly services depending on each student’s unique needs.

Our Essential and Comprehensive packages for applications and admissions include a prepayment discount on the instructor’s hourly rate (typically $130-$200/hour).

• Essential – Step-by-step help with college planning, application completion, and essay writing for 1 school.
• Comprehensive – Everything in the Essential package for up to 10 schools plus interview preparation and offer evaluation.

All packaged services can also be completed during hourly tutorials.

The application is the easy part of the college applications process; all it entails is communicating to colleges the student’s vision, plan, and record–in a succinct and compelling manner. Primary components of the application include the actual form, resume/ short answers, and essays.

My application will be compelling in its brevity and clarity. There will be no doubt about the strengths I will bring to colleges.

Basic Steps in Filling out College Applications

4. Develop Letters of Recommendation Action Plan – What story should they tell, and who should write it?
5. Build Out Resume and Activities List – Assemble the evidence that you’re a good candidate.
6. Fill out the Common Application – This is the basic application for most colleges in the US.
7. Fill out the ApplyTexas Application – This is the basic application for most colleges in Texas.

Essays fill in the rest of the story that test scores and activity lists do not adequately tell. They’re the student’s opportunity to share their voice and make an indelible impression on the admissions committee.

Let me tell you a story that demonstrates how committed I am to making the world a better place for future generations.

Basic Steps to Writing College Essays

8. Write the Common Application Essay – There are a few options; choose the one that highlights you the best.
9. Write Supplementary Essay/s – Most selective colleges require an extra essay in addition to the Common App.

Interviews with college alumni and admissions officers need to reinforce the story presented in the student’s application materials. And students need to make sure they’re making financially sound decisions and taking advantage of scholarship opportunities that not only lower financial costs but also make their application stand out.

Let me tell you why I’m a good fit for your college, and demonstrate how much I want to attend.

Basic Steps in Preparing for College Interviews & Making Sensible Choices

10. Prepare for Interviews – You know you’re a good candidate; make sure your interviewer sees it.
11. Explore Scholarships & Financial Aid – Ensure you’re making a sensible decision and minimizing costs.

There are two primary college application deadlines—Early Decision and Regular Decision. While not every college allows it, students generally apply early to their top choice school in November and hear back by December. Generally they also submit their remaining applications in December and hear back in March. After each notification period, students will be notified whether they are accepted, rejected, or wait-listed.

Even though I’m wait-listed, let me remind you why I really want to attend your college.

Basic Steps in Analyzing College Notifications and Offers

12. Debrief After Early Decisions – Discuss what to do if accepted or rejected at this early phase.
13. Debrief After Regular Decisions – Discuss what to do after all your decisions have come back.

A student’s grades in school and their scores on the ACT and SAT are some of the most important numbers that colleges will evaluate. However, many colleges went “test optional” during the pandemic. Our recommendation is to always prepare and take the ACT and SAT and submit the scores if they are within the generally accepted range for the target college. If the student does not submit standardized test scores, that will make the rest of their application much more important–grades, essays, and activities.

My good grades and high test scores show that I can excel in academics.

Basic Steps to Improving School Grades and ACT and SAT Scores

14. Improve ACT or SAT Scores – Optionally work to increase your scores.
15. Improve School Grades – Optionally work to improve your grades.