Why work with a college consultant?
College may be the most important investment you’ll ever make.
You need an expert on your team.
College admissions today are not what they used to be. With thousands of colleges to sort through, it’s tough for students to figure out where to apply. Decreasing admission rates leave them afraid they won’t be accepted anywhere, and complex application requirements lead to more stress and confusion. Furthermore, skyrocketing tuition costs make it harder to afford college. No wonder so many students and parents are left feeling overwhelmed. “Where should I apply? What if I don’t get in? How much is college actually going to cost?”
If this sounds like you, you are not alone! Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. At On My Way, our aim is to bring order and sanity to the process, making college applications manageable, and maybe even enjoyable, for students, parents and everyone else involved. In spite of everything you’ve heard to the contrary, there are hundreds of excellent colleges that meet your needs, will accept you, and that are not as expensive as you might think. Through the consulting process, we can help you find and gain admissions to the colleges where you will fit in, learn best, and thrive.
How does college consulting work?
A college consultant is your personal, expert guide through every step of the college planning, search and admissions process.
In the Freshmen and Sophomore years, it’s all about planning: selecting appropriate classes, pursuing extracurricular activities you love and developing your academic skills. Because we believe younger students should keep their focus on high school, we work with 9th and 10th graders on an hourly-basis only.
Juniors and Seniors can opt for either of our programs. We begin with an in-depth exploration of your academic goals, personality, learning style and expectations for college. We use our extensive knowledge of colleges to create a list of suggested “good-fit” schools, and provide you with the guidance to research them without getting overwhelmed. We then help you refine the suggestions into the list of colleges you will apply to in the fall of Senior year.
Strong college applications take time, so starting in summer before Senior year, we work with you to craft applications that truly convey your strengths and accomplishments to admissions officers. We coach you through all phases of the essay writing process, from brainstorming topics to proofreading the final draft, so you have dynamic, authentic essays that help you stand out in the crowd. We also ensure that requirements and deadlines are crystal-clear, and provide the structure necessary for a low-stress application process.
Worried about affordability? One of the most unique aspects of On My Way is that we can create your college list with an eye towards cost, and help to identify schools that are more likely to fit your budget. We have in-depth knowledge of college financial aid practices, and are well-versed in predicting how much a student might be offered in aid. We also assist with completion of financial aid applications, clarify award letters and educate parents and students so you ultimately find a college that is affordable for you.
Since everyone has different needs, we offer a variety of programs for students in all grades, as well as hourly services. Click here to learn more about our services.
What you get when working with On My Way
A student-centered, teaching-based approach
Applying to college is a new and sometimes daunting task, but it can be a tremendous learning experience for a young person if they are given the right tools and allowed to take the lead. We draw on our years working with hundreds of students to find an approach that best supports, but also empowers each student, making sure that YOU are always the center of our work together.
Expert help finding the best college
With over 4,000 colleges in the US, it’s hard to know which is right for you. We work closely with you to understand your goals, strengths and personality in order to identify the colleges where you will thrive.
The option to add Majors + Careers Consulting
Our team includes a Majors and Careers specialist who offers add-on programs that guide students in self-discovery, with an aim to identify logical majors that best fit their personality, interests and strengths. Our college consultants also work closely with students to shape their college lists around their target major and provide ideas for exploring areas of interest while still in high school.
A vigilant guide through the application process
Application requirements are complex and admissions are competitive, so this is not the place to make mistakes or miss deadlines. We live and breathe college application requirements and will provide the structure and organization you need to stay in control of the process.
Financially responsible college admissions support
College is expensive and affordability is increasingly a concern for many families. We will help you identify colleges most likely to fit your budget while also helping you understand the financial aid system, with the ultimate goal of identifying colleges that are affordable for you.
Essay feedback from college admissions experts
Our consultants have extensive training in writing skills and crafting strong college essays. Between us, we have coached hundreds of students to become better writers. The college essay is a unique piece of writing and we will help you understand exactly what colleges like to see. You’ll receive intensive support for all required writing, including the UC Personal Insight Questions, the Common App Personal Essay and college-specific supplemental essays.
Genuine understanding of teenagers
On My Way was founded by a former high school teacher. Everyone on our team has worked extensively with teenagers in a variety of contexts; we truly understands teens and what makes them tick. We strive to help students find their unique voice throughout the application process. And when things get bumpy, as they sometimes do, we can be a neutral third party to mediate between student and parents.
Personalized attention to suit your personal needs
We work with a limited number of students, so you can be sure that you’ll get the help you need. All students are unique; therefore, we do not use a “one-plan-fits-all” model. Every student gets 1:1 meetings, a customized consulting plan and a “best-fit” college list created exclusively for them.