FRESHMAN EARLY COLLEGE PLANNING PACKAGE (5 HOURS)
Students and parents will learn about the ever-evolving college search process and begin to map out a high school strategy that aligns with the student’s individual goals and college aspirations. The goal in freshman year is for the student to establish strong academic habits, explore their interests, and build confidence in themselves.
This package includes three in-person meetings (Fall / January / Spring), and the topics we will cover in the meetings and our work together include:
Educating students and parents on the college search process in a non-stressful environment.
Getting to know the student through discussion of their academic record, extracurricular interests, summer activities, and leadership experiences.
Strategizing a 4-Year Academic Plan with the primary goal of creating a strong academic trajectory for the student and aligning courses with the student’s interests and future goals.
Establishing the groundwork for the student’s college search, including beginning to build an educational résumé, helping the student make connections between their interests and potential majors/courses of study,and discussing options for summer programs/experiences.
The fee for the Freshman Early College Planning Package includes up to five hours of work with the student. Any unused time may be credited to the Sophomore College Planning Package.
SOPHOMORE COLLEGE PLANNING PACKAGE (5 HOURS)
The Sophomore College Planning Package includes three in-person meetings (Fall / January / Spring), and the topics covered in meetings and our work together will include:
Refining the student’s academic interests through coursework and enrichment experiences.
Exploring potential college majors that align with the student’s interests, talents, personality, and goals.
Continued focus on the student’s 4-Year Academic Plan, including building academic rigor and focusing on opportunities for AP/IB/Honors courses in 11th grade.
Encouraging student impact in their school and community.
Introducing SAT/ACT structure, timelines, and test preparation options.
Introducing the student to college types and environments and how to begin formulating an initial college list.
Strategizing meaningful summer opportunities for the summer before Junior Year.
The fee for the Sophomore College Planning Package includes up to five hours of work with the student. Any unused time may be credited to the Junior/Senior Comprehensive College Search or Comprehensive Plus Package.
JUNIOR/SENIOR COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE SEARCH PACKAGE
(UP TO 12 HOURS)
Services are tailored to individual student needs and may include:
90-MINUTE INITIAL CONSULTATION with the student/parents with the primary goals of educating them on the college admissions process and getting to know the student. We will discuss the student’s college goals and aspirations, academic and extracurricular interests, academic record, standardized test scores, community service involvement, summer activities, and leadership experiences. The student and parents will come away with an understanding of how college applications are evaluated, what goes into the making of a strong application, and an organizational plan for the student going forward.
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT in the following areas:
college list building
drafting an educational/activity résumé
high school course selection and planning
ACT/SAT planning (monitoring timelines and analyzing test-optional opportunities)
choosing appropriate teacher recommenders
college visit preparation (what to do before, during, and after visits)
interview preparation for alumni, admissions, or scholarship interviews
ACCESS TO COUNSELMORE WEBSITE WITH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AND PARENT ACCOUNTS which provide robust college list building features, assignment and college application tracking, essay prompts and requirements, digital access to the Fiske Guide to Colleges, financial aid resources, and easy communication between the student/parents/counselor.
COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY GUIDANCE including an individual meeting with the student to discuss, strategize, and brainstorm ideas for the Common Application essay, essay review and evaluation (feedback on how to improve essay content, clarity, and overall effectiveness), and final proof of the essay before submission.
COMMON APPLICATION ONLINE WORKSHOP offered in June and July devoted to helping students complete their Common Application prior to returning to school in August.
ONGOING COMMUNICATION WITH THE STUDENT AND PARENTS to encourage timely, thoughtful completion of the college application process and share college admissions news and updates.
APPLICATION REVIEW, if requested.
POST-APPLICATION SUPPORT including advice on deferrals, waitlist decisions, and Letters of Continued Interest.
COMPREHENSIVE PLUS PACKAGE (UP TO 20 HOURS)
Building on the Junior/Senior Comprehensive Package, this option adds eight additional hours of supplemental essay coaching and one-on-one meetings, providing more individualized support and attention. It is especially well-suited for students applying to highly-selective colleges that require multiple supplemental essays in addition to the main Common Application essay, or for students who would benefit from additional 1:1 meetings with the counselor.
COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY PACKAGE (3 HOURS)
The admissions essay is one of the most personal components of the college application, providing students with a unique opportunity to help admissions officers get to know them beyond their “numbers” (GPAs, transcripts, test scores). Our goal is to help students choose an essay topic that sets them apart as individuals and allows them to tell their stories in unique and compelling ways. The best time to write the Common Application essay is during the summer before senior year, with the goal of having it completed prior to the start of senior year. We begin taking essay appointments in May.
This package includes:
One-hour meeting to discuss and brainstorm the Common Application essay, talk about how the essay is used in admissions decisions, and essay "do's and don’ts.”
Review and evaluation of the Common Application essay, with feedback on how to improve the content, clarity, and overall effectiveness of the essay. The process usually involves several rounds of feedback and a final proofreading of the essay. Any unused time may be applied to the evaluation of supplemental essays.
SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS PACKAGE (3 HOURS)
Some colleges require supplemental essays in addition to the Common Application essay. More selective colleges often require additional essays varying in length from full-length essays (up to 650 words) to shorter answers. Supplemental essays are just as important as the Common Application essay as colleges frequently use them to ascertain an applicant’s fit for and knowledge of their university. The best time to write supplemental essays is the summer before senior year, well before admissions application deadlines.
This package includes:
Initial meeting to discuss and brainstorm the Supplemental essays, including talking about how the essays are used in admissions decisions and supplemental essay "do's and don’ts.”
Review and evaluation of up to three supplemental essays with feedback on how to improve the content, clarity, and overall effectiveness of the essays. The feedback process usually involves 2-3 revisions and final essay proofreading.
PREMIUM ESSAYS PACKAGE (UNLIMITED* HOURS)
This package is ideal for students applying to multiple selective/highly selective colleges which require supplemental essays in addition to the Common Application essay. The package includes all services from the Common Application and Supplemental Essays packages, with no limit on number of hours spent assisting student with essays for up to seven college applications.
*unlimited essays for up to seven colleges
COMMON APPLICATION REVIEW (HOURLY RATE)
We will proofread the student’s application and provide feedback on how to highlight his/her unique strengths and passions.
SENIOR RUSH PACKAGE (8 HOURS)
Due to limited capacity, any senior signing up for comprehensive college application support after August 1st must enroll in the Senior Rush Package. This package offers dedicated, high-touch support to help students and families successfully navigate the fall application season. A limited number of Rush packages are available every fall, depending on the counselor’s caseload.
This package includes:
Initial meeting to discuss the student’s educational background and college search
Common App Essay support
Common Application tutorial and review
Support around important senior-year decision points including test score submissions, teacher recommendations and application strategies