Q: How have services changed as a result of covid-19?
A: After operating smoothly since 2020 over Zoom videoconferencing, most of our students loved the convenience of working virtually and actually told us they prefer to stay that way! Currently, we are only offering virtual meetings but we may consider in-person meetings at some point in the future!
Q: How do I get started? WHAT DOES THE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
A: We can’t wait to meet you and have designed an easy process to get to know you and your student:
BOOK YOUR FIRST MEETING ONLINE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.
If you are interested in pursuing long-term college or graduate school counseling services, you should schedule a Meet & Greet appointment. No services will be provided at this meeting, but it will be a great opportunity to learn more about how we operate! The fee for this session will be credited towards the cost of any ongoing package.
If you are not sure of your need or interest in long-term college counseling services, you can schedule a Strategy and Planning Session. We will provide services at this meeting, and will map out an individualized plan for your student that can be carried out at home. You are still welcome to pursue long-term college counseling services after this session, but it is not expected.
FILL OUT INTRODUCTORY PARENT AND STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION FOR REVIEW.
After you book a meeting, your confirmation email will include links to online parent and student questionnaires that will be due three days in advance of the session.
We will also ask for a list of documents needed to make your first meeting as useful as possible. These typically include a student transcript and a copy of all standardized test scores from high school.
ATTEND YOUR MEET & GREET OR STRATEGY AND PLANNING SESSION.
We have temporarily shifted all prospective client meetings to Zoom videoconferencing. You know the drill by now - click the link in your email confirmation and begin!
SIGN CONTRACT TO BEGIN LONG-TERM SERVICES IF DESIRED.
If we believe that we would be a good fit for your family, we will send a post-session proposal with a breakdown of future service options. The document will allow you to select your desired package, sign the corresponding contract electronically, and pay the corresponding invoice electronically.
We aren’t the right match for each family. If we feel that a different service provider might be more appropriate, we’ll gladly refer you to a trusted colleague.
After you submit the signed contract and first payment, you will be on-boarded as a new client!
Q: WHAT DO YOUR SERVICES COST? How does Payment Work?
A: We are completely transparent about our pricing structure.
You can read all details here. Our breakdown in recent years has been about 40% Comprehensive, about 45-50% Custom, and about 10-15% Basic. If you’re trying to determine which is best, think about whether you’re able to take on some of the work at home or if you’d rather us handle most of it.
We require 50% of our fee up front and the remaining 50% to be paid at the estimated halfway point of the admissions process. For high school students applying to college, that remaining 50% is due on July 1 before senior year begins. We accept checks as well as all major credit cards!
Q: WHY ARE YOU MORE EXPENSIVE THAN SOME OTHER COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELING OPTIONS?
A: Like many other professional service industries, college counselors offer a wide range of services and an even wider range of fees.
There are few barriers to entry in college counseling, and counselors without corresponding professional experience generally charge less than their expert counterparts. Writing tutors also charge much less, because they do not have college admissions expertise and can’t effectively tailor essays to individual schools’ nuances. For instance, they won’t know that the “Why Columbia” essay really needs to mention the core curriculum.
Our pricing falls in the middle of the range offered by counselors in the DC metro area with substantial experience, a brick-and-mortar presence, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. We also provide substantial project management assistance (a.k.a. professional nagging) to keep our teenage clients on track between sessions, and we incorporate the cost of this high-value service into our price structure.
We are not the cheapest, but we are 100% confident that we are the best value option for your student.
Q: DO YOU OFFER ANY HOURLY OPTIONS?
A: Yes, our Pay-As-You-Go Essay Coaching and Strategy and Planning Sessions are great options for students and families looking to take a DIY approach!
We offer these pay-as-you-go services as much as possible, but our priority is our current clients with packages. If you would like to schedule a pay-as-you-go session, please do so on our Prospective Client Scheduling page.