HOW A COLLEGE CONSULTANT CAN SAVE A FAMILY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

I just received a call from a parent who wanted to sign up her child without really talking to us and quickly said she could not afford us.  That immediately concluded our conversation,  I am sure I will get another call from this person next year when her child does not get into the schools they choose or they don't the proper financial aid package they thought they deserved.  It happens EVERY year!    

Here is what I think parents need to consider seriously.   Today, colleges range from  25K per year for a Cal State up to about 60-65K for a private school, whether that be a UC school, USC, Stanford or Harvard and Yale.

If a student does not understand the process and a school counselor only can afford about 38 minutes per student, what happens when a family learns that 1) the child has been turned down from many if not all schools ( which happens) or 2) they did not get the financial aid funds they thought they should have gotten and they can not afford the cost no matter what?

I thanked this woman for her time, but realized that she may have regrets next year, and I think there are many more families out there like this woman.   So the question is how does a consultant help you and your family succeed?

Well, a consultant can be a welcome resource for students and their families who recognize that they need more individual attention than a school counselor may have time to provide.   A well trained consultant can offer you the knowledge and skills of an experienced professional, coupled with a commitment to meeting the client’s best interests,  and have the expertise in advising individuals with special circumstances such as learning differences, international studies ( for those who live abroad) or perhaps can assist with a gap  year program.

Our consultants spended approximately 25% of their time on the road, meeting with admissions officers, touring campuses, and exploring the campus environment. Therefore, we have extensive, first-hand knowledge of colleges and graduate schools, big and small, around the country. This personal insight provides clients with a much deeper understanding than any catalog or Web site can convey. Because consultants are familiar with a multitude of institutions, they can present applicants with a much wider selection of possibilities and provide vital help in weighing factors such as cost, location, and curriculum. They can offer recommendations that perhaps you never even thought of and let you think the process is simple.

Working with someone who understands the system can be invaluable during this stressful time.  We  attend conferences and workshops frequently to stay current on developments in their field.  We have the experience in college admissions and know the intricacies of test preparation, applications, essays, interviews, and financial aid.   As consultants can even help you decide what academic, personal, and work experiences will best prepare you for success on campus.

Our consultants spend hours with an applicant and their family;  getting to the heart of that student's personality, interests, qualifications, and aspirations. A successful admission begins when a consultant learns as much as he or she can about you, then works to find the college or graduate school that provides the best environment for your educational, social, professional, and personal growth. It’s not only about being accepted—more importantly, it’s about thriving at the institution that is the right fit for you.

Yes, we are fee based!  We are not cheap,  but we are well worth the cost when you see how much you save from the mistakes that can be made that can cost you thousands of dollars more.  Our goal is to not only get you INTO college, but to graduate as well!