Comprehensive Explanation of Services for College Planning During Senior Year

Summer before Senior year: 
Meetings weekly (as often as possible)

• I try to keep meetings to one hour, but as we get closer to deadline time, the students will often ask me to spend more time, which I am happy to do as scheduling permits. We do as much work as possible online, as this expedites the process greatly and there is so very much to be done.
   

• I approach the entire process from a results driven standpoint, not an hourly driven standpoint. Thus I feel it is best to offer my clients unlimited phone calls, texts and emails. I think it important that the applications are outstanding and I work on them with the students until we both agree that they are.
   

• Our work on applications (via email, phone or in person) starts in July and continues through November. I like to have all applications filed by Thanksgiving, as it greatly increases admissions chances and expedites replies from colleges.
   

• In theory I am available from 9 am to 9 pm, Monday through Saturday to answer calls, texts and emails. In reality, during the super busy season of the fall, I will take calls later and I will work on some Sundays when it is critical. I do not work 12/15 - 1/5 and in January I recover from the long fall hours.
   

• I am available to my clients to discuss every issue that arises during the entire process. Clients appreciate this access and input.

July through November: 
Editing of every piece of writing submitted on college applications. Whether the piece is 3 sentences or three pages, I firmly believe in the value of the editing process to make the application stellar. As an English teacher for 10 years, I enjoy this part of the process very much, and it is not at all uncommon for us to do 7 drafts of a paragraph. I like to work on a piece of writing until the student and I both feel it is the best that it can be. I do my editing in a non-threatening and very encouraging manner, using humor to diminish the stress. This is done online, via email.

October and November: 
Editing of the actual college applications before submission. I find 3-5 errors on average per application before we submit them, so I require all clients (students and parents both) to edit each application with me as many times as necessary before we submit. We do this on the phone, when we are both logged into the application together. We schedule our submission dates, and I will submit no application with any student in the last 7 days before that application is due.

December and January: 
We are evaluating the status of each application and ascertaining that all relevant steps have been taken per school. We review each school/application individually and review and update the marketing strategy for each.
We do this via phone and email.

February: 
The students continue to contact me to inform me of each contact they receive from each college. We strategize on steps to take and how best to handle each situation that arises during this last critical phase. We meet/talk as needed.

March and April:
We collect all of the acceptances and begin to narrow down the choices for attendance, based upon myriad factors and considerations, including finances. These discussions often involve the parents also, and so we meet/talk as needed.

By May 1st: 
We have informed the college of choice of the student’s desire to enroll. I counsel the family through the relevant steps here, to ascertain that enrollment is secured and the housing application receives preferential treatment.

June or July: 
We have our last official meeting to discuss making a smooth transition from both the student’s and parents’ perspectives.

In the Fall:
I contact my students to discuss their transition to college and to encourage them to get involved on campus.

I am continually available to my former students, and indeed they still call and email and text many years later.

The Deluxe, Comprehensive College Planning Package and the Cyber Package are comprehensive in all aspects; whenever you need me, I will be there!