This is the initial part of the college process where students identify strengths and interests. SEP consultants will work with your student to identify these and how to best research a range of options for further education including courses of study, extracurriculars, and community life.

The SEP consultant builds on the Research (included) done with the student and provides a framework for completing the college application process. In addition to building a standardized testing schedule, SEP consultants will work with your student to build a comprehensive and balanced list of schools to include a range of likely, match and reach schools. Typically, part of this is planning for school visits and possible interview preparation. Once those schools have been identified, an appropriate timeline will be arranged, and the student and family will have a detailed roadmap of next steps.

This plan is tailor-made for the family that has a good grasp on their students’ interests and knows the college landscape well. Application support will include a check of the list and timeline. Our consultants will work with the students navigating their various applications (Common Application, University of California, etc.). Some families may also opt to add Writing Support as a compliment to this. Students and families like this option as it adds another pair of eyes to ensure applications are both complete and comprehensive.

One area which causes a great deal of anxiety and concern for college-bound students and families is the personal essay and supplemental questions. SEP has worked with hundreds of students helping them craft personal statements that are thoughtful and unique. One area of the application that gets scant mention but is enormously important are the supplemental questions. Here too, SEP’s consultants have extensive experience decoding and guiding students towards thoughtful and resonant responses to the questions asked. Families will typically roll in Writing Support towards the end of eleventh grade for the personal essay and supplemental writing starts during the summer between eleventh and twelfth grades.

College interviews often fill students with dread as a one-shot opportunity. With many schools still valuing human connection, interviews are an opportunity to interact with some of the people who will likely be reading applications further in the process. Interviews are also an opportunity for students to articulate strengths and interests, ask questions about prospective colleges and universities, and become more than just a name on a page.  For international students, interviews are also an excellent way to demonstrate English proficiency and fluency. SEP consultants work with students to both articulate interests and strengths.  SEP consultants are familiar with the interview process and methods and will work with students to appear relaxed, thoughtful, and engaged.  In addition, our consultants will work with students to better use this opportunity to learn about the academic and community opportunity that awaits.

Paying for college and how financial aid works is an area that is little understood and often a source of anxiety for students and families. With both need-based and increasingly merit-based financial aid in play, SEP consultants are well versed in the tools families can use to start estimating college costs, along with the processes of applying for scholarships and financial aid and how best to proceed once schools begin to release their acceptances and financial aid awards.