Personalized services are customized to the student’s needs and can be provided on a package or hourly basis.
The CollegeFit Comprehensive Package
Our signature package typically begins during the junior year and continues beyond the decision making process in senior year. It is also suitable for motivated sophomores or rising seniors who may just be getting started. It includes all of the following:
- Determining and prioritizing student’s needs and preferences among 14 different college factors
- Evaluation of student’s academic profile, including transcript and test scores
- Guidance on standardized testing strategies
- Assistance with course selection for senior year
- Development of a “long list” of possible college matches
- Preparation of a web-based customized college planning portal to serve as the center of organization for all college planning and application work
- Recommendations for college visits
- Creation of the “short list” of colleges to which the student will apply, across a range of selectivity levels
- Discussion and recommendations for application strategy, including early decision and early action plans
- Assistance with the use of your high school’s Naviance
- Essay brainstorming and guidance
- Interview preparation and mock interview sessions
- Review of activity list for college applications
- Organizing deadlines for applications and test reporting
- Guidance in making the final decision after acceptance letters are in
For the greatest value, this package can also begin in the sophomore year and include early college planning issues (see below.)
A streamlined package for seniors who have already begun some college planning on their own is also available. Hourly plans can meet more focused needs such as developing a college list, essay assistance or admissions strategy.
Request a Free Consultation to hear more about our Comprehensive Packages.
CollegeFit Finance
We also work with families at all stages of the college planning process to discuss and suggest college financial strategies. We will explain the financial aid landscape for both need and merit-based aid. In addition, we want the family and student to understand how academic performance is tied to institutional financial aid, even at colleges which do not provide merit-based aid.
CollegeFit Finance services can be included in the CollegeFit Package, or can be offered as a stand-alone service. We can work with parents and the student or just with the parents on finance issues, according to the family preferences. We help with all of the following:
- Helping the family to understand the the landscape of both need and merit-based financial aid
- Discussion of need-blind versus need-aware colleges; full-need colleges; and no-loan policy colleges
- Assistance with Net Price Calculators
- Estimating your family’s Expected Family Contribution
- Recommendations for colleges where the student is likely to secure merit aid
- Considering financial concerns as a significant factor in determining college fit
- Including one or more “financial safeties” in the college application list
- Helping the family to understand critical financial aid strategies
- Assistance preparing financial aid forms (FAFSA and PROFILE)
- Explaining federal loan options
- Review of financial aid award letters (comparing apples to apples)
Early High School Years
It’s a great idea to meet just a few times during the early high school years in order to familiarize the student with the college admissions landscape and inform decisions regarding course selection, extracurriculars and summer activities. Curriculum decisions are frequently made during freshman year or even earlier which can determine the sequencing of courses throughout the high school career. We can help with these important decisions by putting them in the proper context.
We suggest meeting once during freshman year and 2-3 times during sophomore year to discuss course selection, extracurriculars, summer activities and any early college planning issues which may be appropriate. For potential athletic recruits, a sophomore start with additional meetings is important.
In order to encourage this early start, our fees are structured to provide the greatest value to those students and families who can begin early.
Hourly Services
Any services can also be provided on an hourly basis. This is sometimes the best option for students who require extra assistance only on specific parts of the process such as essay assistance, or admissions strategy. Contact us for pricing.
