SERVICES
I offer a complimentary 60-minute initial consultation. This is a meeting to get to know each other and will allow the student and family to decide if they would enjoy working with me. I also offer complimentary unlimited email support to my clients during the duration of our services and extending into the transition summer between senior year and the start of college.
I recognize that some students will start this process later in their high school career. Other students may not need every service in the comprehensive package. For example, a student who is a strong writer and/or has a beloved English teacher who has already offered to work with him on college essays may not want to purchase the essay brainstorming or editing services. Another student may have already identified a strong career interest and won't have need of the career/major exploration work. Feel free to choose from the services offered below to create your own customized bundle or package. Some services will require more time than others, so contact me to discuss the specific elements you'd like to include in your student's package, and I'll let you know the pricing options for what you've selected.
My hourly rate for discrete services and/or add-on services (such as additional essay editing) is $150 per hour.
The comprehensive package of all services listed below is designed for a 4-year plan beginning in a student's freshman year and is priced at $2,399. Note that sophomores and juniors may still want the entire comprehensive package, and in that case, I would simply adjust the pacing of my sessions with the student.
I recognize that some students will start this process later in their high school career. Other students may not need every service in the comprehensive package. For example, a student who is a strong writer and/or has a beloved English teacher who has already offered to work with him on college essays may not want to purchase the essay brainstorming or editing services. Another student may have already identified a strong career interest and won't have need of the career/major exploration work. Feel free to choose from the services offered below to create your own customized bundle or package. Some services will require more time than others, so contact me to discuss the specific elements you'd like to include in your student's package, and I'll let you know the pricing options for what you've selected.
My hourly rate for discrete services and/or add-on services (such as additional essay editing) is $150 per hour.
The comprehensive package of all services listed below is designed for a 4-year plan beginning in a student's freshman year and is priced at $2,399. Note that sophomores and juniors may still want the entire comprehensive package, and in that case, I would simply adjust the pacing of my sessions with the student.
COMPONENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE
- Career and Major Exploration - If you look here, you will see some of the career interest and college major assessments that I will undertake with the student. These assessments can help a student identify strengths and interests that will prove useful in identifying career interests and possible college majors. Taken as a whole, these tests often paint a cohesive picture of a student's overall path toward professional fulfillment and career satisfaction.
- Courses, Extracurricular Activities and Summer Programs/Jobs - I can assist students in selecting courses, extracurricular activities and summer programs or jobs that align with the student's career interests, planned college major or general interests. Even if the student remains undecided about a major or career path, I can help him shape his extracurricular and summer activities into a compelling and cohesive profile.
- Custom College List- For many families, this is the critical core service provided by college access consultants. The student's Custom College List will tighten or sharpen in focus over time, based on my ongoing conversations with the student and our assessment of priorities of the student and family and the student's academic credentials. The ultimate goal is for the student to have a solid list of 6-10 schools on the Custom College List by the end of junior year.
- Financial Aid and Affordability Strategies- Affordability informs most of my discussions with students and families. I believe most students can and should avail themselves of ways to maximize affordability for their undergraduate education, given the likelihood that many of them will pursue postgraduate studies. I've expanded on my philosophy regarding financial affordability here.
- Student Portal Access - Students purchasing a comprehensive package OR who purchase a package that includes Custom College List and/or Application Strategy and Time Management services will have access to a student portal through my college planning software. Among other things, this access will give them another tool toward managing the deadlines associated with the college admissions and financial aid processes.
- College Resume - A college resume is often submitted as a supplemental item with college applications and can be used in college interviews and discussions with college admissions representatives at college fairs or school visits. I will assist students in creating the content and organization for a college resume, and I will provide them with a selection of templates. I will also assist with finalizing the chosen format to create a polished and professional final product.
- SAT/ACT Timeline and Strategy - I will help students decide when to take the SAT and/or ACT, which of the two tests may be the best fit if the student doesn't want to take both, devise a timeline and decision process regarding whether and when to retake either or both tests, and advise the student on whether and when SAT Subject Tests should be taken (if those tests are required by colleges on the student's Custom College List). I do not offer SAT/ACT test prep services; however, I can refer students to individual tutors or help them review various test prep companies that offer boot-camps or small group sessions.
- Application Strategy & Time Management - I can help students identify whether to submit a early decision application through either ED I or ED II windows, or if no ED application will be submitted, whether and how to take advantage of the early action (EA) and/or rolling admissions policies of other colleges on the student's Custom College List. Many colleges are now "test optional" for purposes of undergraduate admissions, and I can assist students with evaluating whether to take advantage of any test-optional schools on the Custom College List. I will also assist the student in creating a time management system for managing the layered, progressive and strict deadlines associated with college admissions and financial aid/scholarships. This service also includes my assistance in helping students identify the best prospects for the required letters of recommendation.
- CommonApp, Coalition, and ApplyTexas Guidance - I can assist students in navigating the Common Application, Coalition Application and/or ApplyTexas Application. We can complete the basic information screens together, and then I can insure the student understands how to complete the supplemental portions that are specific to each college on the Custom College List. If desired, I can review the final application to insure completeness and flag any inconsistencies or unanswered questions before the student hits submit (note: we may need to discuss a fee adjustment for this service, depending on the number of colleges on the student's application list)
- Essay Brainstorming and Writing Tips - Essays, particularly the Personal Statement Essay that is submitted with every application, can be a critical component of the student's application package. I can devote a session to brainstorming possible topics, helping develop the essay structure and content, and providing the student with writing and editing pointers that will help insure stronger essays.
- Essay Editing - As part of the comprehensive package, this service is limited to one round of edits on the Personal Statement Essay and one additional supplemental essay. For additional editing assistance with other supplemental essays or further edits of any essays, my hourly rate of $150 per hour will apply.
- FAFSA/CSS Profile Guidance - In addition to this linked presentation with an overall guide to the financial aid process, including the basics of how to complete the FAFSA and CSS forms to apply for financial aid, I can offer more in-depth assistance with navigating and completing these forms. My FAFSA Tips sheet provides answers to some frequently-asked questions and scenarios (divorced parents, adoptive parents, undocumented parents, etc.), but many families may prefer more hands-on guidance.
- Decision Day Guidance - Believe it or not, submitting the applications and meeting the deadlines may not be the most stressful aspect of this process. Making a final choice can throw students and their families into turmoil. I can assist students and families with analyzing financial aid award letters and the academic fit and opportunities for a student at each of his or her admitted schools. As part of this process, we can discuss strategies for negotiating a stronger financial aid package from a preferred school. We will also consider the student's plans for postgraduate studies and how each admitted school will advance the student's expressed career interests.
- Waitlist/Deferral Negotiating Tips - If the student was wait-listed at one of his or her preferred schools, I can assist with the post-decision letter that can be sent to a waitlisted school, analyze the odds and timing of being offered a wait-listed seat, and a strategy for accepting another offer, pending the waitlist decision. I can also assist a student who wishes to defer admission and take a gap year.
Payment Terms: Installment payment plans for packages are available on request. In general, payment is due before the commencement of services (after the complimentary consultation). Payment can be made by check or Venmo.