Step by step guidance through the college application process
We are a group of experienced educators and college advisors that guide families through the college application process.
What we offer:
● Affordable in-person or virtual one-on-one advising sessions
● Group workshops for college application planning
● College major and course advising
● Transfer advising
● The application process to MS, PhD, professional programs
● Letters of recommendation
The Premeditation difference:
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We guide students from all tiers of the college applicant pool to find the right fit for them
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We find excellent options for ALL students!
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We specialize in STEM, pre-med, and pre-healthcare majors, but can advise students in all areas of study
OUR PHILOSOPHY
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Make the college application process obtainable and manageable for all students
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Motivate students to unleash their potential and build confidence
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All students have options! There are thousands of colleges and universities in the United States – we believe in finding the best fit for YOU
Pre-College Planning and College Applications
Junior/Senior year of High School – we generally start in-person (or zoom) meetings late spring Junior Year of High School
The 5-STEP approach
Creating the List
Developing a Plan
Writing the Essays
Submitting Applications
Choosing a School
1. Creating the list – The only important school is the right school for YOU and finding that “right fit” might take some digging. There are hundreds of colleges and universities – which one is right for YOU? Location, size, majors, dorms, activities, food service, community? Do you want small classes, or do you want to get lost in the crowd? Do you want to go to an elite school because of reputation? What is your realistic choice? Do you want to go to a FUN school in the SUN like in the south (many have a lazy river)? Are you into Greek life? Where do your credentials fall in the admit pool? Are you at the TOP (good for you), do you fall in the middle or at the bottom?
2. Developing an action plan – We help students develop a very specific action plan that is realistic for their personal schedule. We set goals and deadlines and make sure students stay on track. We encourage students to apply to around 6 schools (some more, some less) and getting all the materials together takes organization and planning.
3. Writing Essays – We guide students through the essay process with individual editing from ideas to a polished essay. We have students develop 3 essays, one long, one medium and one short.
4. Filling out the applications (including the FAFSA) – We walk students through the actual application process and picking a major. Many (most) schools require that you pick a major or rank majors or minors. Colleges have many majors that students may never have heard of. For example, Chapman University (a small private school in Southern California) has 110 majors and UCLA has 140. In addition, many Universities have “schools” that are specific to an area of study, School of Business, School of Education, School of arts and Sciences. Does your area of interest fall within a specific School that has additional requirements. For example, LMU – a private Catholic University in Los Angeles, has 5 different majors within the School of Film and Television – the acceptance rate into the School of Film and TV is around 19% whereas the University overall acceptance rate closer to 41%. In other words, choosing a major may influence acceptance rates.
5. Decision Day! Most students are accepted to multiple schools and are usually informed of acceptance by mid-March. The final step is the deposit and commitment which happens between March-May 1 of Senior year of High school. This is an extraordinary busy time and is when college tours occur. We recommend college tours AFTER the student has been accepted because it is then a meaningful tour – we provide lists of questions that students might not think of during the visit.
“Sometimes making an appointment with a college advisor may be difficult. According to the college board, the ratio of advisors to students can be as high as 1/400”.
SERVICES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
College may be the biggest investment in your future that you will ever make. It can take years of hard work, and even small mistakes (like dropping a class) can cost the student both time and money. Getting a college degree can lead to high-paying and rewarding professions but it takes planning to get there. We guide students through the advising and planning process.
WHAT WE DO THROUGH THE COLLEGE YEARS
1. Provide advice to students and families on the full range of requirements for each school/major. We have experience with many different types of schools from small private schools to large public institutions.
2. Provide students with advice on entry into the university program, and advice on course selection and program completion requirements. We go over important information about prerequisites and sequential courses.
3. We utilize years of experience to provide counseling to students on all academic issues that arise during their coursework. We can advise students on a wide range of course possibilities to meet their goals based on their prior academic experiences and future goals.
4. We will help students and parents who are new to the system navigate through the processes of applications, acceptance and completion of 4-year plans.
5. Picking a major and Changing your major – How easy is it to change your major – this is a serious question and needs to be researched. Some schools let you pick a major 2nd year, some make it hard to change. At Cal Poly if you are accepted as a BIOL major but decide to change to POLI SCI, a student must leave POLI SCI for your spot to open. Some schools have majors that you have to be accepted to as a first year and are not able to transfer into later on. Other schools like CU Boulder in CO have a lax policy, but in general, it is not hard to change.
6. Planning and pre-professional advising
7. The application process to MS, PhD, professional programs
8. The “GAP” year
9. Letters of recommendation
Transfer Advising
How to navigate the Community College System and how to transfer to a 4-year college or university. Community Colleges are very affordable and some even offer either BA degrees or technical degrees. With planning, the Community College can be an provide an excellent way to reach you destination. For example, UCLA acceptance rates for incoming freshmen is around 9% whereas it is over 45% for transfers. If your dream is to have a degree hanging on the wall from UCLA and you do not get in as a first-year, maybe the Community College system is for you!
Testimonials
Andrea Huvard, PhD
Biological Sciences, 34 years mentoring and advising students
Hannah Russo PhD
STEM Education, expert in student success, 10 years experience in higher education
LEt’s Work Together
We Work With students from the top, middle, and bottom tiers of the college applicant pool
CONTACT US
PAYMENT STRUCTURE
The process always starts with a free introductory call followed up by an email that outlines your personalized plan. Every student is different and some cases are easy and goals can be achieved with little time, others may require more time and still others require extra time.