College Counseling

We provide an hourly rate for the student who needs support on one or more specific aspects of the college admissions process or on an as needed basis. For an hourly college counseling consultation, we answer all questions of the student / parent, address the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and make recommendations accordingly.

In order for this college admissions consultation to be most efficient, the following information should be sent to us ahead of time: transcript, high school profile, standardized testing results, description of activities (including years of involvement, hours per week, weeks per year, positions held, and honors / awards, if any, earned) and a preliminary list of schools that are being considered.

For students who need assistance with one or more aspects of the college admissions process, we typically recommend a 1 hour consultation. A 1 hour consultation may involve any of the following:

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Profile Analysis Provide a thorough explanation of how admissions committees at schools of different levels of competitiveness would view the student’s credentials (transcript, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvements, talents, skills, interests, etc.). Addressing Weaknesses Address special situations or weaknesses, making recommendations and formulating a plan. Encourage and motivate the student to take advantage of the most challenging yet appropriate courses offered and, if necessary, exploring outside academic options. Create a strategic plan including standardized testing dates, recommendations for coursework, activities, summer experiences, community service, and internships.

College List Discuss the student’s interest in particular colleges. Compile a preliminary list of appropriate colleges, categorizing them into reaches, targets, and likelies. Specific Advice This can involve any aspect of the college admissions process as it relates to the student.

In a 3 – 5 hour package, we can often accomplish one or more of the following college counseling services:

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Profile Analysis Provide a thorough explanation of how admissions committees from schools of different levels of competitiveness would view the student’s credentials (transcript, standardized test scores, extracurricular involvements, talents, skills, interests, etc.). Ways to Improve Profile Enhance the student’s academic and extracurricular strengths. Construct Activity Sheet / Resume. Addressing Weaknesses Address special situations or weaknesses, making recommendations and formulating a plan. Encourage and motivate the student to take advantage of the most challenging yet appropriate courses offered and, if necessary, exploring outside academic options. Create a strategic plan including standardized testing dates, recommendations for coursework, activities, summer experiences, community service, and internships. College Essays / Personal Statement Emphasize what college admissions counselors are looking for in college essays / personal statements and personal information. Brainstorm ideas for college essays and personal statements. Review, critique, and edit the student’s essays before they’re submitted. Letters of Recommendation Advice on how to obtain more effective letters of recommendation from the student’s guidance / college counselor or advisor and from teachers or, in the case of transfer students, professors who know the student the best.

College List Discuss the student’s interest in particular colleges. Compile a preliminary list of appropriate colleges, categorizing them into reaches, targets, and likelies. Refine the student’s list of schools and suggest additional appropriate college choices. Mock Interviews Through our mock interview practice sessions, the student will feel more comfortable in his / her actual interviews and will often make positive, lasting impressions on the interviewer. Strategize and coach the student to prepare answers to possible questions. The student will know what questions to expect, how to answer those questions (without sounding too shy or too bold), and to know what questions to ask the interviewers. Application Review Review of completed applications prior to submission. Letters of Enthusiasm In the case of the deferred (Early Action or Early Decision) or waitlisted candidate, we brainstorm ways that the student can write an effective letter of enthusiasm.

In a 10-20 hour package, we typically offer the following college counseling services:

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Preliminary Evaluation Evaluate coursework, standardized testing, extracurricular activities, interests, skills, and talents. Plan future coursework and a timeline for additional standardized testing. Discuss the student’s interest in particular colleges. Refine the student’s list of schools and suggest additional appropriate college choices. Compile a preliminary list of appropriate colleges, categorizing them into reaches, targets, and likelies. Review the student’s list of colleges and, if appropriate, target a school for an Early Decision / Early Action application. Timeline Establish a schedule to help the student meet deadlines and stay organized as well as positively focused. Letters of Recommendation Guide the student to assist his / her guidance / college counselor or advisor and teachers with their letters of recommendation. Activity Sheet Guide the student on how to prepare the activity sheet and modify it for each application. College Essays Brainstorm and edit the personal statement, the activity essay, as well as supplemental essays for each college and tailor them for each application.

Supplemental Material Prepare supplemental materials (i.e., performing arts or athletic profiles, artwork, CD’s, DVD’s, YouTube videos, research abstracts, etc.). Mock Interviews Through our mock interview practice sessions, the student will feel more comfortable in his / her actual interviews and will often make positive, lasting impressions on the interviewer. Strategize and coach the student to prepare answers to possible questions. The student will know what questions to expect, how to answer those questions (without sounding too shy or too bold), and to know what questions to ask the interviewers. College Visits Plan college visits (including tours, information sessions, overnight stays, and sitting in on classes). Application Review By reviewing the student’s online applications, we are able to use our expertise in helping the student answer particular questions.

Our unlimited package offers our clients the ultimate level of continuous personal attention to every detail in college admissions counseling. The unlimited package has no hourly limit and is our most exclusive college admissions service. If the student is going to be applying to 10 to 14 colleges, each requiring different essays, then this service is highly recommended. By offering unlimited hours, we can provide the student with a step-by-step approach of guidance and support including every aspect of the admissions process. While many students successfully complete the process in about 80 hours, it is not unusual for others to require much more time.

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Preliminary Review We begin by reviewing the student’s transcript (courses and grades), standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, special talents, and courses that the student is currently taking as well as the courses that he / she plans to take the following year. We also assist in planning outside activities and summer experiences while focusing on strengthening whatever weaknesses (academic and personal) the student may have. College Selection or Boarding School / Prep Selection Based on the preliminary review and specific factors that the student is searching for in a college or in a boarding or preparatory school, (selectivity, size, location, setting, strength of program, extracurricular activities, etc.), together we compile a list of appropriate schools. This list includes about 3-4 likely, 3-4 possible, and 3-4 reach colleges. Visiting Campuses Once the student and parents have an appropriate list of schools, we encourage them to visit campuses. We make appointments for campus tours and information sessions. We make special arrangements so that the student may attend specific classes (some of which may not ordinarily be offered to prospective applicants). And we assist the student in planning overnight stays either through the admissions office or with a former student of The Ivy Coach who currently attends that school. Once these visits take place, we discuss the experiences and refine the student’s choices. Letters of Recommendation We discuss with the student which teachers to ask for letters of recommendation and how to make these letters most effective. We also help the student in writing excerpts of his / her experiences in specific classes so that this in turn can help the student’s teachers write more effective letters. Some guidance / college counselors or advisors request that their students and the student’s parents write an autobiographical statement to assist them in writing their recommendation, and we work with our clients in writing these letters as well. Activity Sheet The final list of activities will be one that shows a seriousness and quality of involvement. The activity sheet is often in a chart format that includes a description of activities, years of involvement, hours per week, weeks per year, positions held, and honors earned. We assist the student in preparing the activity sheet and modifying it to each college application. Suplemental Material In the case of a talented student (musician, athlete, dancer, actor, math or science researcher, writer, artist, photographer, computer wiz, etc.), it is necessary to compile a more detailed activity sheet listing more specific involvements. We also assist the student in writing letters to college coaches, directors, and mentors. When the talented student needs to put together a CD, DVD, a portfolio, or a research paper, we seek out professionals in the specific field to review and critique the work.

College Essays / Personal Statement We help the student brainstorm college essays that will help make him / her stand out from the pack. In the end, the essays will be powerful and compelling. They will weave a narrative that is consistent throughout the entire application. The student will not make the mistake of sounding too arrogant or too humble. The student will not make the mistake of writing about that winning soccer goal or the work that he / she did to build homes for the homeless in Costa Rica. Depending upon the number of colleges to which the student is applying and the number of essay questions each college is requiring, this can be a daunting and often intimidating task. We work with the student on brainstorming essay topics and developing ideas.   We use our expertise to carefully scrutinize each essay for opportunities in which the student can utilize this portion of the application so that he / she will be favorably remembered by the admissions committees. We help the student strengthen his / her voice and present the best possible aspects of his / her personality. We work to enhance the student’s writing style to reflect charm and confidence, making certain that throughout the essays, the tone is positive while ensuring that the student does not sound overconfident or egotistical. Throughout the application process, we continually work on style, tone, and format. We continue to work on these essays until they make a powerful statement about the applicant. This segment is one of the most vital college admissions services we offer. Mock Interviews The college interview — whether it’s an on-campus or alumni interview — can often prove significant in the admissions process. In the case of a borderline candidate, an outstanding interview can translate into an acceptance. In the case of a strong applicant, a weak interview can result in a denial. It is important that the student become familiar and feel comfortable with the types of questions that are frequently asked in college interviews. In our mock interviews, we coach the student on the art of interviewing while pointing out factors that can result in excellent or mediocre evaluations. We teach the student how to strategize and prepare answers to possible questions. The student will know what questions to expect, how to answer those questions (without sounding too shy or too bold), and to know what specific questions to ask the interviewers. Through our mock interview practice sessions, the student will feel more comfortable in his / her actual interviews and will often make positive, lasting impressions on the interviewer. Letters of Enthusiasm When a student is deferred or waitlisted at a particular college, we coach the student on how to be proactive and brainstorm ideas in writing a compelling letter to the admissions committee. Interest Quotient (IQ) We work with the student on how to continually express interest in particular colleges, especially after the application is submitted. This Interest Quotient (or IQ) can often be a deciding factor in the college admissions process. Completing Final Applications Once we have the final college essays, activity charts, and any other pertinent supplemental materials, we assist the student in completing all of the college applications. By reviewing the student’s online applications, we are able to use our expertise in helping the student answer particular questions. Sometimes, it is a seemingly insignificant answer that a student writes on a college application that can make the difference between an acceptance and a denial. Continuous Support Throughout the process, we are available and have the expertise to help the student and the parents with ALL of their many concerns. But, most importantly, we prepare our students to look their very best so that they will gain admission to the college of their choice and ultimately be happy and successful.