Senior Packages

In addition to writing essays and filling out applications, students are also expected to:

• Determine an application strategy for each school and manage deadlines—Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action, and Regular Decision, as well as WUE and scholarship deadlines

• Choose a specific major (and sometimes an alternate) per school, research the school and its program/major, and prepare a compelling essay as to why that school and program are the right fit

• Write impactful activities & honors descriptions (2 different formats for Common App and UC App)

• Manage the recommendation letter process, including filling out the high school LOR packet and inviting recommenders through Common App

• Self-report courses and grades for each class and each term (including college courses or other programs for credit)

• Fill out SRAR (Self-Reported Academic Record), which differs from self-reporting grades on the Common App

• Send transcripts to schools requiring them

• Send SAT/ACT test scores to colleges when beneficial to admission odds or merit aid chances (even if test-optional)

• Report AP test scores to colleges when beneficial to admission odds

• Demonstrate interest in schools that consider and track it

• Create and submit portfolios for majors requiring them

• Interview with schools when invited

• We’ve found that a combination of 1:1 meeting time PLUS remote essay editing between meetings is the most productive use of time.

• Students use 1:1 meeting time to brainstorm, strategize, outline, and draft essays. Between meetings, students continue the writing process independently and submit drafts for review prior to their next meeting.

• In addition to essay guidance, the Essentials and Comprehensive packages include application guidance. Students work during 1:1 meeting time to navigate the apps, fill out complex sections, and answer questions that arise.

• Students are given assignments to complete between meetings to stay on track.

• All meetings included in packages can be scheduled in advance on a regular, recurring basis. The availability of any extra sessions purchased during the college application season will be dependent on the advisor's availability and schedule.

It’s essential that students take responsibility for their application process, even with the support of a college counselor. Their accountability represents a significant step towards developing independence, decision-making skills, and ownership of the outcomes. As parents, it can be tempting to step in to help and then inadvertently take over, but it’s imperative for students to own their own college application process.

To maximize chances of success, students should strategically use their summer to work on college applications and essays. The first semester of senior year will invariably be filled with class requirements, extracurricular obligations, and opportunities for making lasting memories.

Matching a student with the right advising package depends on several factors:

• Number of Colleges on Student List – The more schools a student applies to, the more applications, essays, and specific requirements there will be.

• Selectivity of Colleges on Student List – Highly selective schools often have more in-depth application requirements. Examples of selective schools:

• Writing Ability – A student's writing proficiency is directly proportional to the number of revisions needed on essays. In other words, the better a student's writing ability, the fewer revisions and less advisor time will be required. Remote editing time can be purchased as an add-on as well.

• Follow Through on To-Do Items – Students who are self-starters and manage their time well can make a smaller package work by completing ALL assignments between sessions and maximizing their 1:1 time to ask prepared questions.

• Whose Eyes on Final Submission – For families wanting an advisor to review final applications before submission, a Comprehensive Package should be purchased. Alternatively, students can add 1-2 sessions to a smaller package to achieve the same ends. However, during the busy college application season, any additional sessions purchased are dependent on advisor availability. Although we strive to accommodate urgent meetings, we cannot guarantee that they will be scheduled within specific timeframes.

Common App

• The Common App is an online college application platform used by over 1,000 colleges and universities. It was created to streamline the college application process by allowing students to fill out a single application and submit it to multiple schools. The Common App includes sections for personal information, academic history, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Individual tabs for each school outline additional school-specific information that is required.

• A single 650-word personal essay is required by most schools using Common App. This is a chance for admissions counselors to get to know a student deeper through the story they tell. It is NOT a resume, but the single loudest “qualitative” element of an application—one that demonstrates attributes not found elsewhere in the application. It brings a personality to life beyond the statistics and demographics. With more people applying to colleges every year, admissions officers know they can have their pick of bright and motivated students. In addition to seeing grades, talents, and achievements on paper, they need a chance to imagine what a student might be like as an engaged member of their campus community.

• In addition to the Common App personal essay, many schools require supplemental essays—anywhere from 0 to 12 essays PER SCHOOL. These requirements can vary from a few words to 2-3 pages. Specific majors and honors colleges may require additional essays as well.

UC Application

• The 9 undergrad University of California schools all share a single application—UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz. Students check boxes for each UC campus they wish to apply to. Application fees are per campus.

• Students must answer 4 Personal Insight Questions (PIQ’s) in 350 words each. Eight prompts are given; four should be strategically chosen and strategically answered. These “questions” (slightly different from essays) are about getting to know a student—their life experiences, interests, and accomplishments. Students should be open and reflective—finding their individual voice and expressing it. This section helps provide depth, context, and clarity for the rest of the application.

Cal State Application

• The 23 Cal State schools all share a single application—CSU Bakersfield, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Chico, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU East Bay, CSU Fresno, CSU Fullerton, Cal Poly Humboldt, CSU Long Beach, CSU Los Angeles, Cal Maritime Academy, CSU Monterey Bay, CSU Northridge, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Sacramento, CSU San Bernardino, San Diego State University, San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU San Marcos, Sonoma State University, CSU Stanislaus. Students check boxes for each UC campus they wish to apply to. Application fees are per campus.

• No essays are required.

• No activities & honors descriptions are required.

School-Specific Applications

• Some schools require their own separate application; they do NOT use the Common App. Examples are MIT, BYU, Boise State, University of Hawaii, and many less selective state schools.

• Application and essay requirements vary by school.