It is never too early to start thinking about the future of your education. We know, however, that students develop at their own rate. We have practices in place to get the process started with ease from Freshmen year and beyond. We offer expert advice, from understanding IEP's, working through the Commonapp, writing college essays, college scholarship applications, and everything in between!
This is the perfect time to start your quest. Course selection, extra-curricular activities, and community service are important aspects of the college application. It is important to encourage each student to make the best choice while building character. Discussion of career options are imperative at this time, even if these change as the student progresses through school. We take time to talk through the desired outcomes of taking specific classes, and how they aid career progression.
With regular consultation, we come to an understanding of personality, character, and academic motivation. This indicates the best activities for those important extra-curricular and community experiences.
Discussing and setting out clear desires, goals and learning objectives, we start to build a picture of what success looks like to the individual, paving the way for the best possible future.
With 23 years of experience as a special education teacher, Barbara is also able to help with IEP (Individual Education Program) and 504 questions regarding college applications.
Even at this early stage we heavily encourage college campus visits. We are on hand to guide you through how and when to visit, arranging appointments, and what to look out for. We can also attend campus visits with you if preferred.
Starting from this point, the early part of the student’s journey will look much the same as Freshman year. Discussions with the student are set up to guide our understanding of educational and career goals, and we encourage extra curricular activities and community service. Here, we are able to offer options and ideas suited to the students skill-set and career aspirations.
At this time transcript review is undertaken, helping to understand where the student places academically, and how this will affect their college application. Suggestions will be given on improvements that can be made. We take our time here, working with the student to ensure their academic record shows them in the brightest possible light.
Again we will encourage visits to college campuses and local college fairs. We can of course be on hand to visit with the student, assisting with what to look out for, and the best questions to ask.
If starting out at this point, the college application process can get a little more intensive. Nevertheless, we are on hand to guide the student through the process with as little stress as possible.
Our expert knowledge will give students confidence to use their current studies to their advantage. We also monitor key areas of schooling and extra-curricular activities. Through this, we can discuss what the student will need to focus on or improve in order to supplement and maintain their best transcript.
At this time we begin to discuss testing protocol, maneuvering the differences between SAT and ACT testing options, AP exams and how to study most effectively!
It is critical to visit college fairs and campuses and build a list of choices suited to the student. We ardently encourage this as a precursor to the financial aid review, which we complete with all students. Here we can offer expert advice on how and when to apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Finally, this is the time to be writing the first drafts of the college essay. This can feel daunting to students. However, we are on hand to talk through the requirements, and assist them in writing about their personal story. Luckily, we have many years of experience with college application essays, as well as Greg’s 35 years experience as an English teacher.
We will also start to look at when and who to ask for letters of recommendation. And we encourage repeat visits to college campuses to whittle those choices down to a strong final list.
At this point, we are on hand to offer the best and most timely advice, including helping with deadlines and applications through CommonApp, and honing the final draft of the college essay.
For students who are thinking about their college education, the focus will be on final touches. We will be mindful of deadlines as well as proofreading and general finessing the whole application. Our aim is to ensure that the student looks their absolute best on paper.
As applications are sent and responses received, we counsel each student through handling acceptance and rejection letters. With a deep understanding of what an emotionally intense time this can be, we are on hand to talk through thoughts and feelings as the student requires.
We are able to offer advice and guidance with how to read financial aid letters, and getting funds set up.
We want to make sure that each student finds their "best fit".
We are always super excited to meet each student, and cannot wait to share every step of the college application process with both student and guardians! We like to develop a strong bond with each person, in order to best serve them on their journey to further education. Our advice is impartial, and always there whenever you need it. We can set up regular meetings, as well as additional assistance and phone-calls upon appointment.
Our goal is to ensure students feel supported at every turn, and are confident to take the next steps upon completing their secondary education!
Or simply email us here: collegequestct@gmail.com