Due to their years of experience, college consultants like Rose at CAPS have a wealth of knowledge about colleges and universities across the country. They will work with you to understand what type of school you're looking for and offer suggestions about where you would thrive with consideration to everything from school size to campus culture to student demographics. They will also use your academic history and test scores to set realistic application goals for reach schools, match schools, and safety schools.
While this is probably the first time you've applied to college, admissions advisors have been doing it for years. We have learned from experience just what college admissions officers are looking for. When you work with CAPS, we'll use that knowledge to help you optimize your college admissions journey.
Students can start working with college admissions advisors as early as freshman year of high school to ensure they make the most of their four years there. While freshmen may not have any idea where they want to go to college yet, a counselor can point them in the right direction with a balanced course load, extracurriculars, and volunteer work.
Deciding on your intended major for your college applications can be a challenge. You may be someone who has known the career they've wanted to pursue since Kindergarten, or you may be planning to apply "undeclared" because you have no idea what you want. At CAPS, our Certified Career Services Provider can guide you through the process of choosing your college major. In addition, we're always available for the students we've worked with in the future, in the event you want to change your major and need guidance during your college career.
It can be a challenge to not only keep track of everything you need to complete during the college application process, but also structure your time to ensure you get it all done efficiently. College admissions counselors create a schedule with you for your applications and assign each task with a deadline. This will keep you moving through the application process in a timely manner without feeling overwhelmed. They can also help ensure that you have an appropriate amount of time allotted to draft, edit, and proofread your application before submitting.
College consultants know how to help you present yourself to admissions officers in the best way possible. They will assist you in filling out your Common App and other college applications strategically, from structuring your activities list to determining who to request recommendations from. With the most competitive colleges only admitting 3-5% of applicants, it's vital to find ways to stand out from the crowd.
The Common App essay and other personal statements can be one of the most stress-inducing parts of a college application. As a teenager, you may be struggling to figure out who you really are or identify an essay-worthy life experience. CAPS is here to help you brainstorm topics and draft outlines. Our team includes a trained, experienced editor who will work with you to make your essay stronger – and typo-free.
Between tuition, room and board, supplies, and more, college expenses can add up. A college admissions advisor can help guide you through your FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as well as identify appropriate scholarships and grants to apply for.
With stress levels running high during the college application process, on top of the pressures of senior year of high school, parents and teens may find their tempers high and patience low. Students may feel like all their parents do is nag them about their applications or grades; parents may feel like time is running out for their kid to complete their applications and worry about their dedication to their future.
Working with a college admissions counselor adds a neutral third party into the equation who can both keep students on task as well as update parents on progress. Per one parent who worked with CAPS: "You helped both of our boys with the many applications and the grueling process associated with it and made it truly stress free and enjoyable. We couldn't have done it without you."
CAPS is a small business made up of just a handful of dedicated college admissions experts who are here to develop a one-on-one relationship with college applicants. All students work directly with Rose Schifano de Vries, who has a Master's in College Counseling & Student Development and over 20 years of experience as an admissions counselor. We keep our client list small to ensure that each and every student receives all the assistance they need to maximize their college application experience.
If you're ready to get started, contact CAPS today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you!