Student-centered. Because it shouldn't be any other way.
Our asset-centered approach to guidance puts the emphasis on students' gifts rather than deficits. We dig deep for hidden talents and traits and show students how to use them to have a fun and fulfilling life.
A roadmap that suits you.
This is the kind of guidance counseling that every person needs, but rarely receives.
The College Comprehensive
$5,000
INCLUDES:
Junior Jumpstart
Application Specialist Add-On
Personal Statement Add-On
"I just wanted to let you know that I am LOVING Berkeley. It feels like such a perfect fit...You were so helpful throughout the entire process and so far it's been a big success :)"-Eliza M, Student
Early Bird
For those who like an early start!
In the first two years of high school, the world is your oyster! You're not alone if this saying makes you feel overwhelmed. There are A LOT of options out there, maybe too many. How do you even begin to explore? This is where we come in. After spending quality time together, we'll help you filter through all the noise and curate experiences and advice that are perfect for you.
(The ideal time to start is between the fall of freshman year and spring of sophomore year.)
1Get To Know You "Deep Dive"
The first step is uncovering your talents - those you know about already and those you don't. We use the powerful assessment tool, YouScience, to unlock your potential. Then, we'll have a longer introductory session to dive into your assessment results and discover what it is you want to get out of high school.
2The Plan
After our deep dive session, we'll get to work building a custom recommendations report for you. This will include suggestions for courses, testing, extracurricular activities, summer enrichment programs, and career exploration. We'll share this with you and your family at our follow-up call.
3Check-Ins
You'll have 4 hours to use as you see fit through the end of your sophomore year. We'll answer your questions, explore opportunities for you, and be your accountability buddy throughout the first two years of high school!
Junior Jumpstart
For those who want a plan made just for them!
Sick of getting advice that feels like it's for the masses? Swim against the current with a junior-year plan that will help you navigate the rest of high school and beyond! We'll sit down with you and really understand your goals, your vibe, and your style. We'll put together a realistic and straightforward plan to help you choose classes, find unique experiences, discover great-fit colleges, figure out what you want to study, and daydream about a future career.
(The ideal time to start is between the summer and spring of junior year.)
1Get To Know You "Deep Dive"
The first step is uncovering your talents - those you know about already and those you don't. We use the powerful assessment tool, YouScience, to unlock your potential. Then, we'll have a longer introductory session to dive into your assessment results and discover what it is you want to get out of high school.
2The Plan
After our deep dive session, we'll get to work building a custom recommendations report for you. This will include suggestions for courses, testing, extracurricular activities, summer enrichment programs, and career exploration. We'll also include a college list made just for you, which you and your family will receive during our follow-up call.
3Action Meeting
After we share The Plan with you, we'll meet to map out your action plan.
Personal Statement Add-On
For those who need to find their inner storyteller.
Is there a story about your life you've always wanted to share? Or are you at a loss for words when you're talking about yourself? Whether you consider yourself a competent writer or if the thought makes you cringe, you will benefit from this add-on package. We use a combination of casual conversations and one-on-one brainstorming sessions plus the most advanced writing software out there to help even the most timid writers tell the stories that are buried deep within.
(The ideal time for this Add-On is between March of junior year and September of senior year.)
1Brainstorm
This is the best part! We'll have a 1-hour session to coax all of your best stories out of your brain and get them in a document.
2Introduction
Your opening hook story takes work, but after this heavy lift, the rest of your essay will fall into place. We'll have an hour to fine tune this important start to your story.
3Review
After you go off to do the necessary solo writing, we'll come back together and review what you've got. We'll make sure your voice is coming through and that your story is as unique as you are.
Application Specialist Add-On
For those who want a little extra attention.
After we've helped you design your custom roadmap, college application strategy, and timeline to reach your goals, you may be left thinking, "Wait, don't go." With this package, we'll stick with you as your guide throughout the entire college application season. We'll help manage your tasks, keep you on track, and cheer you on when things get complicated.
(The ideal time for this Add-On is the summer going into senior year.)
1Timeline Build Out
You'll meet your Application Specialist in July after your junior year and you’ll set up a one-on-one meeting with them to map out your timeline and calendar your tasks and deadlines
2Application Support
We'll work closely with you to ensure all the necessary requirements have been completed and deadlines are met
3Supplemental Essays
You and your Application Specialist will meet to discuss your supplemental essays to help you express yourself fully in your college-specific essays. Then your Specialist will work their magic behind the scenes with editing and suggestions.
4Hit Submit!
You and your Application Specialist will have final meetings to make sure I's are dotted and T's are crossed before you hit that big SUBMIT button.
5Financial Aid
We'll meet with you and your family to discuss the financial aid process and make sure you know your net price at the colleges you're applying to.
6Scholarships
We'll meet to discuss and review scholarship applications and essays, and any additional requirements, like auditions or portfolios, if needed
7Housekeeping
After you submit, we'll have a meeting to review your supplemental materials and track your applications in your student portals
8Review Offers
As those offers start rolling in, we'll meet to review what's on the table and discuss the best options for you!
9Make a Decision
This is when we talk about all of the pros and cons, what's important to you, what's right for you, and where you'll be going! (usually before May 1st of senior year)
Here's where we're coming from...
You might assume that families hire us because we flaunt a flawless record of getting students into Ivy League schools...
But the truth is, we don’t actually claim to be able to get anyone in anywhere. Because, the question begs, if it’s us getting them in, what happens when they get there?
No, our real superpower is this...
We scour the globe (yes, some of the best-hidden gems are found internationally) for exciting opportunities that will fit the personality, talents, and passions of each student we see.
More often, our work consists of easing students and parents into a radical idea:
Instead of making students suitable for admission at hyper-selective household-name universities, focus on finding universities that are suitable for them.
This is the relentlessly student-centric approach we take to this process.
We offer a bold (but lighthearted) approach to college exploration and education consulting to students around the world
High school is a tall order for any student. Within a very short time period, students must find out who they are as humans, what they like, and what they’re good at, while, at the same time, meeting the demands of class assignments, friends, family, and extracurriculars.
Supporting a student who is going through this time of life is a chore. As tough as it is, school counselors, mentors, teachers, and coaches do incredibly well with the resources they’re given (as do we parents).
But let’s face it. There are a lot of gaps that need to be filled.
Our mission is to fill those gaps. And to fill them in a way that's focused on the long-term fulfillment and well-being of the student.
There are a few guideposts for this work. We know we're doing our job when a student…
- Enjoys the process
- Increases their self-awareness so they can foster their true strengths
- Grows enthusiastic about high school and their life after graduation – not more intimidated by it.
- Finds an experience/college after high school that fits them (not the other way around).
This is why we work in a lighthearted (albeit just serious enough) fashion. We've found this is what keeps them engaged. We rate ourselves, not through the approval of famous colleges, but through the beaming students who graduate from this program and go on to live authentic lives.
We work virtually with students around the world.
"Alex is incredibly knowledgeable and has salient insights into not just college admissions, but also into students' individuality. " - high school junior
Should we get started?
There will be ZERO OBLIGATION on your end at this point.
The only thing we ask is that you and your student set aside at least 20 minutes to fill out the application below. Please encourage your student to be fully honest. This will help us get to know them as much as possible before even meeting them. It’s the first step in ensuring that we’re the right kind of peanut butter for your jelly.
We’ll reach out to you within three business days of submittal to give you the next steps.
The Mission
Helping you follow your talent thread throughout your life.
For general info:
support@
831.219.8678
© 2017