F.A.Q.
Who hires a college application coach?
A college coach can often reduce the tension at home and make the application process less stressful overall. We work with clients who want expert guidance on every aspect of the journey. From classes to take in high school, how to address a bad grade on your transcript, extracurriculars, essays, visits, interviews, athletic recruitment, and so much more, we know the do’s and don’ts and offer accountability that is often challenging to do with your own child.
What if my child doesn’t know what they want to major in?
Fabulous! It is absolutely ridiculous that we ask 17-year-olds to know what they want to do with the rest of their lives. College can easily be a time to explore, discover new options, and find a path. We do offer a few free assessment tools if students are interested.
Can I afford a college coach?
Chances are you will pay more for your first year of college than our fee. We also advise families on how to find scholarship opportunities and identify colleges that offer stronger financial aid packages. We don’t believe in taking on crushing debt for a college degree. Whether you’ve been saving for college or not, we can help families find good colleges that fit their students’ experience and budget.
When should we start?
We work on a flat fee basis, not hourly. So whether you start in the freshman year of high school or in junior year is entirely up to you. Most clients start at the end of sophomore year or early junior year. We take a limited number of clients per class and rarely have space after February of junior year.
Where are your students getting accepted?
I’ll provide a sample list, but truthfully, it means nothing for your individual student because each student is unique, and schools change their priorities from year to year. I’ve been doing this since 2013, and every year there are surprises.
Public: University of California Berkeley, UCLA, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Merced, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, most California State schools, University of Washington, Oregon State U, Montana State U, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, U Minnesota, Boise State, U of Utah, Delaware, Maryland College Park, Vermont, U Michigan, University of Virginia (UVA), U Wisconsin Madison, Univ of Illinois Urbana Champagne (UIUC), Purdue, and probably others I am forgetting.
Private: Claremont McKenna College, U Chicago, Bowdoin, Elon, Univ of Puget Sound, Whitman College, Whitworth College, Fordham, Lehigh, Vassar, Haverford, Reed, Lewis and Clark, Cornell University, Syracuse, Loyola Chicago, Trinity, Northeastern, Brandeis, Oberlin, St Olaf, Emerson, Wheaton, Regis, Rensselaer Poly, Pace, Sarah Lawrence, and others.
Be your authentic self and find a college that values you for exactly who you are!
From high-achieving International Baccalaureate candidates to students with learning differences or mental health struggles, Smart College Admission helps students from all backgrounds. You don’t need perfect grades to attend college; you deserve a college that will meet you where you are at and help you grow into an even better version of yourself.
My student has a special talent – athlete, musician, artist etc. Can you help them get recruited for a scholarship or team?
Most likely, yes, but best to schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.
Why should I hire an admissions coach?
Most people apply to college once and learn as they go, but we do it every year. We follow the trends, news, and developments that matter. Like hiring a CPA or any other professional, you leverage our professional knowledge to navigate the process with less stress and regret.
Can you guarantee anything?
If any college admission coach says they can guarantee admission to a particular school, especially a highly competitive one, run. Unless you are in the room where decisions are made (or have questionable ethics), there are no guarantees. A professional college coach will guide you to a balanced list of reach, target, and likely schools for your individual accomplishments, guide you through the application process, and be there for all the questions you have. We help you present the best version of your authentic self and be remembered for the RIGHT reasons!
But my school has counselors
If you attend a public high school, you likely have an academic counselor responsible for an average of 328 students, dealing with everything from homeless kids to IEPs to college-bound superstars. They do not have time to visit colleges, read essays, and help you through the process with personal attention. Your school may also have a separate college counselor. Often, a single person is responsible for the entire school in addition to the career center. We only work with about 20 students per class. You have our full attention.