The SOAR Approach…
We believe that in order to get the best results with our families, it is necessary to meet with the family to assess their needs. Once we have determined the needs of the family, we will provide a recommendation for next steps. We have a program to meet the needs of every family. With our most comprehensive program, we take a two-pronged approach, addressing admissions and affordability.
Admissions: We work with students very closely to take them through the whole college admissions process. We help them position themselves to receive the most need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships available.
Affordability: We do an affordability assessment for parents to determine which colleges are appropriate for them. We also help with strategies to lower the cost of college, and offer a list of colleges with an approximate net cost to families based on family financials.
When selecting colleges, these two prongs are put together to find the best fit for the student academically, socially, and financially.
Workshops: For non-SOAR students, and if time and space allows, we offer workshops for college applications, personal statements, and ACT/SAT Test Prep These workshops are only offered at certain times of the year and if we have space. SOAR students have first priority for registration. Call us for more information.
Jump Start (8th and 9th Grade)
College Readiness:
- Evaluation of middle school/high school courses & recommendations for future class schedule
- Discussion of GPA calculation
- Discussion of high school path including academics and extra curricular
- Evaluation of extra curricular activities and assistance with positioning students into activities that will enhance college applications
- Discussion of ACT/SAT tests
- Review of summer activities
- A minimum of two meetings each year with College Planning Specialist
- Career planning may be requested
- Study skills and time management for high school discussed
- Discussion of Financial Plan (with Parents)
Sophomore Services
Student Positioning :
- Evaluation of high school transcripts and discussion of college goals versus grades
- Continued evaluation and support in choosing extra curricular activities
- Thorough review of PSAT/SAT/ACT results and recommendation for study tools
- *SAT/ACT Boot Camp available if appropriate for student
- Bi-monthly meetings with College Planning Specialist
- Personalized student portal for tracking tasks, calendar items, communication and much more (late 10th grade)
- Information assisting students in showing ‘Demonstrated Interest’
- Begin college research
- Review of summer activities etc.
- Begin career/major research through multiple resources
Financial Positioning:
- Calculation of EFC and implications
- Financial aid award estimates provided based on schools of interest
- Discussion of potential strategies to pay less for college
Junior/Senior Services
Student Positioning :
- Personalized Student Portal (Guided Path) for tracking tasks, calendar items, college search, communication, and much more
- Continued assistance with major/career choice
- Access to private college search program with all the data necessary to make informed decisions regarding college lists, potential aid, tracking deadlines and much more
- Meetings with college planner via group workshops and one-on-one meetings
- Email communication “on demand” Monday-Saturday
- *SAT/ACT Boot Camp and online prep
- Building college list; College Planning Specialist will suggest a list of colleges that will meet the needs of the student and parent(s)
- One-on-one meetings to complete college search, finalize the list of schools, with evaluation of likelihood for admission.
- Development of activity lists for Common App and UC applications
- Provide instruction and assistance in preparing applications: Choosing Early Action, Regular Decision or Early Decision schools; meeting deadlines, performing all tasks necessary to complete the applications; essay assistance for essays; Letters of Recommendations; review of applications once complete; information on college visits; and more
- Students will participate in multiple workshops which may include: letter of recommendation, demonstrated interest, brag sheet/ resume, essay; application
- Upon request, review acceptances and discuss pro’s and con’s of each school the student has been accepted into
Financial Positioning Junior
- Financial aid award estimates provided for each school under consideration
- Scholarship workshop available for parent and student
Financial Positioning Senior
- Forms Filing
- Assistance with filing FAFSA and CSS Profile
- Assistance with completing other financial aid forms such as institutional forms, divorced parent forms and more
- Confirmation of the accuracy of your Student Aid Report (SAR)
- Teleconference calls that provide information necessary to keep parents informed on what to do throughout the process – topics include loans, IDOC, appeals, verification requests, award letters, deadlines, promissory notes and more
- Assistance with appeal letters if requested
Additional Services
We also have a variety of services available at hourly or flat rates. These include, but are not limited to and are only available if space allows:
- Personal Statement and Essay workshops
- Application Workshops
- Personal Assessments for Major and Career
- Test Prep and Tutoring
- Math Tutoring
- Financial Evaluation and College Pre Approval
- Custom Hourly Time Blocks
- Advisement for athletes
Contact Us for pricing and more information.
