Strategic Admissions and Financial Planning Advisory Service
About Today’s College Solutions
What services do you offer?
At Today’s College Solutions, we provide comprehensive college counseling services, including college selection guidance, application strategy, essay coaching, interview preparation, financial aid planning, and standardized test advice. Our services are personalized to meet the unique needs of each student and family, ensuring you have the support you need throughout the college admissions process.
Who can benefit from your services?
Our services are ideal for high school students and their families who are navigating the complex college admissions process. Whether you’re just starting to explore college options or are in the midst of applications, we provide tailored support to help you achieve your goals.
How do your services differ from what my school counselor provides?
While school counselors are a valuable resource, they often have large caseloads and limited time to offer personalized attention. At Today’s College Solutions, we provide one-on-one guidance that is specifically focused on your college admissions journey, offering in-depth support that complements the assistance you receive from your school counselor.
Getting Started with Today’s College Solutions
How do we begin working with you?
The first step is to schedule an initial consultation, where we’ll discuss your goals, needs, and how we can best support you in the college admissions process. After that, we’ll develop a personalized plan tailored to your timeline and objectives.
What are your fees?
Our fees vary depending on the services required and the level of support needed. During the initial consultation, we’ll discuss pricing options and create a plan that works for you.
College Selection and Application Strategy
How do you help students choose the right colleges?
We take a comprehensive approach to college selection, considering factors such as academic fit, campus culture, extracurricular opportunities, financial considerations, and long-term career goals. We work closely with each student to build a balanced list of colleges that align with their strengths, interests, and aspirations, ensuring a mix of reach, match, and safety schools.
What is your approach to application strategy?
Our application strategy is designed to highlight each student’s unique strengths and experiences. We assist with crafting compelling personal statements, organizing application timelines, selecting the best-fit schools, and optimizing early action or early decision opportunities where appropriate.
Can you help with specialized applications, like for art schools or athletic programs?
Yes, we have experience assisting students with specialized applications, including those for art schools, athletic programs, and other niche areas. We provide guidance on portfolio development, athletic recruiting processes, and any additional requirements specific to these types of application.
How important is selecting your major?
In determining what is the right fit, knowing your intended major will often drive the schools selected for the individual students. You can’t study business at a school that doesn’t have a business school! Admission is often determined by major and the ability to change majors at certain schools is predicated on what the student applies under. Let us help you find the right major for the right career path and the colleges that do your major well.
What if my child is undecided about a major?
It’s common for students to be undecided about their major when applying to college. We help students explore their interests and strengths, offering guidance on choosing a major or selecting colleges with strong programs in multiple areas of interest. We also advise on how to communicate this flexibility in applications.
Essay Writing and Interview Preparation
How do you assist with college essays?
We offer comprehensive essay coaching, from brainstorming and outlining to drafting and revising. Our goal is to help students craft authentic, compelling essays that reflect their voice and experiences. We provide detailed feedback to ensure that each essay resonates with admissions committees, however, WE WILL NOT WRITE YOUR CHILD’S ESSAY.
What support do you provide for college interviews?
We conduct mock interviews to prepare students for college interviews, offering tips on how to present themselves confidently and effectively. We also provide guidance on how to answer common interview questions and advice on how to handle unexpected questions.
Standardized Testing Guidance
Should I take the ACT, SAT, or both?
Choosing between the ACT and SAT depends on your strengths and preferences. We recommend taking diagnostic tests for both to determine which one aligns better with your abilities. Based on your performance, we’ll help you decide the best course of action.
Do colleges require SAT or ACT scores?
While post Covid, many colleges adopted “test-optional” or “test blind” policies, meaning you don’t have to or you cannot submit SAT or ACT scores. However, at a test optional school, a strong test score can enhance your application and increase your eligibility for merit-based scholarships. Recently, we have seen a fair number of universities return to test mandatory across all majors or require test scores for certain majors (usually STEM related). We will help you weigh the pros and cons of submitting scores based on your specific situation.
What is superscoring, and how does it affect my application?
Superscoring involves combining your highest subscores from multiple test dates to create your best possible composite score. Each college has its own policy on superscoring, so we’ll guide you on whether to submit all your test scores or just your superscored results based on the policies of the colleges on your list.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
How do you help with financial aid and scholarship applications?
We assist families in understanding and navigating the financial aid process, including FAFSA and CSS Profile applications. We also identify scholarship opportunities and provide guidance on crafting strong scholarship applications. Our goal is to help make college as affordable as possible for your family.
Can you help us compare financial aid packages?
Absolutely. We help families compare financial aid packages from different colleges, considering factors like grants, loans, work-study opportunities, and out-of-pocket costs. This allows you to make an informed decision about which college offers the best value for your investment.
Additional Support
Do you offer support for students with learning differences?
Yes, we provide specialized counseling for students with learning differences, helping them identify colleges that offer the right support services. We also assist with documenting accommodations and navigating any additional application requirements.
How early should we start working with Today’s College Solutions?
We recommend starting the college planning process as early as freshman or sophomore year of high school. Early planning allows students to make informed decisions about course selection, extracurricular involvement, and standardized testing. However, we also work with students who start later in the process, providing intensive support to meet tight deadlines.