The Modules
These limited engagements focus on specific area(s) of concern to you. We help you articulate the concern, then create an action plan and immediately get to work solving your problem. If you begin with one or more modules, you may at any point upgrade to the Comprehensive Program. We will credit any amount paid for modules toward the cost of the Comprehensive Program.
Module 1: How The Money Works ($495)
This module includes a thorough analysis of your current financial position as calculated by the actual formulas used by private colleges and the federal government to determine eligibility for need based grants, loans and jobs. Typically, we determine your “current status” and compare that with one or several “strategic alternatives” as appropriate to your situation. The end result is an accurate forecast of your eligibility for federal and institutional need-based financial aid. We also provide advice about how to best arrange your resources for the long term. By using various combinations of cash flow, borrowing and assets you will have options when it comes time to pay for college. Finally, we put all of this into a spreadsheet for future reference and updating according to your needs.
Module 2: Financial Document Preparation & Review ($695)
This module includes professional oversight of the financial aid application process. We will identify the application forms you need to file, work with you to collect the necessary data, prepare and submit the applications and advise you about the best sources for parent and student loans. We will evaluate the pros and cons of the financial offers made by each college with you prior to the final decision deadline of May 1st senior year. If your financial aid package is less than what we forecasted, we will assist you with the appeals process.
Note: We are able to forecast financial aid eligibility using aggregate data reported to The College Board by each college in our data base. While we cannot forecast specific amounts to an individual student, we have found that our forecasts are very accurate.
Module 3: Tailored College Search ($995)
This module allows the student to get an objective evaluation of his/her chances of admission to selective and highly selective colleges using our Personal Assessment and Academic Merit Profile Index (AMP). The AMP Index, a strictly quantitative measure based on a proprietary algorithm, has proven highly accurate in assessing students’ academic credentials for admission. We also provide a thorough review of the 11th Grade PSAT (or diagnostic ACT or SAT) to determine the student’s best test strategy, a thorough evaluation of the high school transcript and extracurricular activities, a discussion about the family priorities for college selection, and an evaluation of merit scholarship eligibility. Next, we identify 18-26 colleges that "fit" the qualitative criteria identified in the family priorities exercise above, that "fit" the quantitative criteria identified with the AMP Index, AND, when appropriate, conform to any financial boundary conditions specified by the family. To put it simply, we generate a list of colleges that the student has a reasonable chance to be admitted to, that fit the family’s financial criteria, and are a good "fit" for the student’s identified priorities. We then provide extensive counseling to assist the student with researching the colleges using college websites, other internet resources, and commercial guides in order to start narrowing down his/her list to 8-12 preferred schools. Those will be the schools under consideration for possible visits.
Module 4: Visits, Interviews and Demonstrated Interest Coaching ($495)
Visiting a college campus is essential for a student to get a sense of what it would be like for them to attend that school. This module is designed to coach students on preparing for visits and interviews and cultivating the required "demonstrated interest" for each college to which they might apply. We provide in-depth counseling about the "5 Must Do" activities when visiting a campus and the essentials of meeting with regional admissions officers, faculty, department heads, and coaches. Students are provided guidance on attending college fairs and "open houses" as well. Preparing for interviews is emphasized through our "Interview Guide" and a mock interview with one of our professional staff. Our College Evaluation Checklist provides students an opportunity to quantify their observations and interactions with each college under consideration and make meaningful comparisons among them. After at least four visits to college campuses, we will meet to discuss observations and further refine the college list and/or college search criteria if necessary.
Module 5: College Application Management & Document Review ($795)
Focused primarily on the electronic Common Application, the preferred application for nearly 400 colleges, we walk the student through the application process from initial setup through online submission of the application (and any required supplements) to each college. In addition, we show the student how to coordinate faculty letters of recommendation, high school counselor evaluations and transcript release forms with the submission of the application so that each document (ideally) arrives at its intended destination on time. Specific attention is focused on the Supplements to the Common Application required by the majority of highly selective colleges and how to organize the work load to balance school work, extracurricular activities, applications and essay writing.
Module 6: Writing Your Standard College Essays ($395)
Our professional staff includes personnel who specialize in assisting students with the college essays. While we cannot and do not write essays for students, we can help them brainstorm for suitable and appropriate topics, refine their approach to the topic, provide editorial input and make sure the real “voice” of the student is expressed. This is perhaps the most neglected area in the college admissions application especially with regards to the specific essay prompts which have become more prevalent among highly selective colleges. This module includes input on the Common Application Personal Essay and Short Answer only.