FAQ

Why should my teen work with an independent college advisor? What are the benefits?

The college process has changed dramatically since most parents applied to college. In the 1990s, most parents applied to two colleges. Today, the average student applies to 8-10 colleges, and most colleges require a personal statement and up to two supplemental essays tailored to each school. While GPA and test scores are top priorities for many campuses, colleges now consider student applications on up to 13 factors.  

Navigating the college application process while balancing a rigorous course load, extracurricular activities, jobs, and family responsibilities can be time-consuming and stressful. 

An independent college advisor alleviates some of the stress by managing the process, but most importantly, your college advisor is a student of colleges. The college advisor’s responsibility is to stay up to date on changing requirements, attend professional development to expand her knowledge, and visit schools to gain insight into what colleges are the right fit for her clients. While working with a college advisor will never eliminate the stress, it can give parents and teens the peace of mind of knowing that when questions arise, their college advisor is just a phone call, text, or DM away.

What differentiates you from other independent college advisors?

As a former teacher, school administrator, and college professor, I can support students from various perspectives. As a former English teacher, I studied essay writing and learned how to personalize my instruction based on each student’s needs. As a former assistant principal, I spent hours understanding testing requirements, proctoring exams, analyzing results, and supporting teachers in building a quality curriculum to improve student outcomes. As a college professor, I know what “college ready” looks like, and I have a greater awareness of what is available on college campuses to help students thrive. All three perspectives allow me to tailor my approach and give parents the confidence that I can navigate the complex college systems.

When should I start working with an independent college advisor?

While most students begin the second semester of their junior year, you can start any time. Some parents seek college advisors in the 9th and 10th grades to ensure that teens are on the right track and to help them select the right courses and extracurricular activities that align with their passions. Working with College Collabs as an underclassman helps students hone in on their possible college majors and careers.

What if my teen is a strong student? Couldn’t they do this on their own?

Yes, they certainly could. There are numerous free resources available to help you with your college applications. However, most students of this caliber also have rigorous course schedules with AP and dual enrollment courses, jobs, and extracurricular activities that can exhaust their time. Adding college applications to their senior year can often create stress and anxiety. 

An independent college advisor can serve as a coach during this critical time in their life. We provide the game plan and strategy so students can execute with confidence. We can’t completely remove the stress, but we can ensure that each application meets each college’s requirements so they can enjoy their senior year.

What if my teen didn’t take any honors or AP courses? Can they still get into college?

Yes! There is a college for every teen and so many colleges to choose from. There are 2,832 four-year colleges and universities across the country. Pew research reports that 70% of those schools accept about 70% of students. Unfortunately, most parents and teens are only aware of the top 100 schools that are extremely selective. College Collabs can help you find a college that is the best fit for your teen. 

How many colleges should my teen apply to?

Most students apply to 8-10 colleges. Some may apply to more. We will create a balanced list of colleges with 2-3 reach schools, 3-4 matches, and 2-3 schools that are likely to admit them. Each school requires an application fee between $50-$70, so we also keep your application budget in mind.

How involved should parents be in the process?

Parents are encouraged to join the first two meetings to understand the process and timeline. In those meetings, parents can share their expectations for selected schools based on affordability or preferences, and may be present when the initial list is shared with students. 

Parents are also helpful in coordinating college visits, discussing college affordability, and serving as support and cheerleader to your teen.

Beyond that, it is crucial that students own the process. Part of our journey is to help each teen acquire the skills to be college ready. This means that they learn to advocate for themselves, ask questions, think freely, and be solely responsible for their work toward submitting their college applications. Parents are welcome to ask questions but should leave the heavy lifting to the student.

Do you do the same work as my high school counselor?

College Collabs will not replace your high school counselor. We coach teens to develop a strong relationship with their counselor. High school counselors support teens with counselor recommendations, teacher recommendations, brag sheets, Naviance, school reports, transcripts, completing the FAFSA, and many other items. 

Research tells us that the typical high school counselor in a large public high school will only spend 37 minutes of one-on-one time with students throughout the entire four years of high school. For this reason, an independent college advisor can fill in the gaps and provide extensive support with applications, essays, and activities lists/resumes personalized to each student’s needs.

Are your meetings in person or virtual?

Local students can meet in person in their homes, at a coffee shop, or by Zoom. Many students opt for a combination of meeting types. A limited number of in-person meetings are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. All other clients will meet by Zoom. During our first meeting, we will schedule our timeline for meetings and establish our meeting cadence. We will make every effort to accommodate your schedule.

How can parents and students communicate with you?

Students can communicate with their independent college advisor on an as-needed basis and in whichever manner best suits them. I will frequently check in with students via texts to send encouraging messages, check in on progress, and make sure they feel supported along the way. Students will also receive access to CollegePlannerPro with a dashboard displaying their colleges, to-do lists, and all the resources needed to complete their college applications. 

Parents will receive a monthly update on their child’s progress that details the wins and what’s next. Parents can also email or call College Collabs with questions. Essentially, my goal is to relieve the stress of nagging students to complete work so you can spend quality time with your teen during their last year of high school.

Can College Collabs guarantee college admissions?

No. It is unethical and unrealistic to make such a promise. We can guarantee that your teen will receive high-quality support to identify, select, apply, and write college essays that will increase their confidence and improve their college readiness.