WHY HIRE ADMISSIONS EXCELLENCE COLLEGE CONSULTANTS?

We take the time to understand the needs, wants and likes of you and your child when it comes to making a university and/or program decision. Most school guidance departments are overworked and responsible for a significant number of students. As such, their approach is often general and time-constrained. Depending on the school and your child’s initiative, it’s entirely possible your child might only spend a couple of hours with his or her guidance counsellor over a high school career. Through personality and aptitude tests, goal setting, career exploration and an assessment of your child’s strengths, we take the time to know and work with your child over many sessions throughout high school. As college consultants, we help ensure that our students are confident in their school and program choices and that they stand out from the pack. We're also ready to help when offers come in by using a pre-established decision-making framework that incorporates items like financial and merit aid, athletic scholarships, academic and social goals.

Research has shown that a student’s success in university depends more on how engaged they are in school rather than the school itself. We determine how each school aligns with your child's desires and needs before recommending particular schools. Through a process of self-reflection, discussion and criteria-setting, we help pinpoint schools where your child is most likely to thrive. As college consultants, we de-prioritize rankings, and instead focus on finding the programs, geography, extracurricular opportunities, academics and culture that are the best match for your child.

Universities launch new programs regularly as institutions strive to keep up with the evolving professional world. The ability to customize the educational experience to one’s interests has never been greater, and includes majors, minors, certificates, graduate school, direct-entry, coop experiences, semesters abroad, GAP years, and others. As college consultants, we keep up with these trends so your student is ahead of the curve in applying to emerging programs. We also stay abreast of application intricacies such as early vs. regular deadlines, supplemental essays, and interviews.

Universities and specific programs consider many factors when reviewing applications. Few students know what is or is not particularly important to an admissions committee as these factors are constantly evolving. As college consultants, we stay up-to-date and can guide students early in their high school careers. We can assist with curriculum choices, extracurriculars, and ways to show initiative and leadership in areas where students have passions. At application time, we can help students highlight their special abilities and strengths in ways that resonate with admissions committees and tell a unique story. 

High school students are busier than ever. Parents often feel this pressure just as much. We empower families with data and information and serve as a point person for questions or difficulties that arise. College consultants help students set manageable goals so they can stay on track and assist in delegating responsibilities so students value rather than resist parent input. We can be a motivator, guide, nag and organizer so you don’t have to be! For many, this can be worth its weight in gold because the application process is often described as the most significant stressor in a teen-parent relationship.

Over the last 30 years, admissions rates at some schools have halved or even quartered. Competition from international students, and application inflation has increased selectivity as students today use the Common App to apply electronically to easily a dozen schools when 4-5 applications were more common in our day.  College consultants help parents and students understand that schools once considered ‘safeties’ are today a reach. A balanced university list is more important than ever. Schools also care about ‘yield.’ Admissions offices are capturing and analyzing data to target students who show ‘demonstrated interest.’ This technique helps ensure that the students they admit will attend their school. We help students and parents understand and navigate this brave new world. 

Private counselling is an added expense, but we can direct you to the schools that are most likely to offer financial and merit aid. In addition, multiple studies have shown that one in three university students will transfer schools over a four-year education which is not only stressful but can be extremely expensive. College consultants can be the key to your child identifying and gaining acceptance to a best-match school where they can thrive and graduate on time. The investment in a consultant will pay back intangible dividends too because the right educational choice typically comes with social and emotional benefits as well as exciting professional opportunities.