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College Counseling

The ultimate services to achieve academic, extracurricular, and college goals

College Counseling

The ultimate services to achieve academic, extracurricular, and college goals

Course selection and summer extracurricular planning are often the motivation for families to have College Counseling meetings, but what we achieve is so much greater.

Some families may feel 8th, 9th, and 10th grade can be early for these meetings, worried that it may overwhelm their students. But this is the best time to have a conversation. In these hour-long meetings, we strive to…

  • Dispel myths and calm nerves, making the idea of college admissions less scary
  • Calibrate conversations about college at home to lower tensions and ensure students and parents communicate and connect better
  • Reassure students that they should live life for themselves authentically and not for colleges.
  • Provide honest, compassionate feedback, helping to guide students in setting goals
  • Focus on helping students to lead happier, more fulfilling lives inside and outside of the classroom – while still being strategic in the college admissions journey. (“Better person, better applicant” is one of our company mantras!)

Schedule a game-changing conversation with our College Counseling experts today!

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College Counseling

Meeting with students and families, we offer the ultimate personalized roadmap to the high school experience in one-hour advising meetings.

All Meeting Conversations

In every College Counseling meeting, we discuss the student’s academic, extracurricular, and personal goals, both in the short- and long-term. As we get to know the student, we always have the idea of “Better Person, Better Applicant” in mind, as we guide students toward more meaningful endeavors in and beyond the classroom that will result in personal fulfillment, a strengthened college application, and a healthier life balance.

10th Grade Semester 2

Hard to believe, but students are now nearly halfway through high school! This juncture presents an ideal moment for reflection, conversation, and a reminder of “Better Person, Better Applicant” — that despite pressures a student may feel, they should not build their life just around the prospect of college.

10th Grade Semester 1

10th grade is a pivotal year for students academically and personally—not to mention the PSAT/PACT are often offered in the fall, introducing students to standardized testing for college admissions.

9th Grade Semester 2

With freshman year coming to a close, this is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and have a conversation about how to make the most out of the rest of high school.

9th Grade Semester 1

With freshman year having begun, we want to check in on students. 9th grade is a time to explore curiosities in and outside of the classroom, and we are excited to hear how that is going.

8th Grade Semester 2

As 8th grade comes to a close, we want to ease concerns for students and their families by demystifying the transition to high school, providing an overview of the high school years, and having a meaningful conversation about how the student can have a personally enriching and exciting freshman year.

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College List Service

We take essential factors into account in determining a list of potential fit colleges for your student.

Those factors are based on your student’s academic profile and personal preferences, ranging from location to school size and campus culture. This service is most effective for students who feel overwhelmed by how to start navigating colleges and identify the right fit.

Step One
Your student completes a survey with their preferences on a variety of college selection factors.

Step Two
We return a list of 15-30 potential match colleges based on your student’s responses, as well as our proprietary guide to researching colleges.

Step Three
You have the option to schedule an add-on meeting to discuss the list with us.

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Interview Prep

We offer a college admissions interview preparation service that includes:

  • A comprehensive workbook with common interview questions and how to prepare for them
  • A roughly hour-long session that covers essential interview tips and a mock interview, using a college from the student’s list
  • Comments and an evaluation afterwards
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For more insights into how we work with students on approaching their extracurricular activities, check out this TEDx Talk from our co-founder, Eric Karlan.

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TEDx Temecula 2018

Eric Karlan
Co-Founder & President

We also offer complimentary College Prep Seminars and Webinars

From hosting more intimate sessions for groups of friends, to partnering with schools and organizations for larger groups, we cannot wait to host an essential educational event for you!

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What our students and parents have to say

Ivy Experience was so helpful in my son's college search process. From SAT prep to the college application essays, they knew exactly how to give my son confidence to tackle the tests, and helped him find his own voice in his personal statement. The best part for me as a parent was being able to confidently hand over this part of the college process to the team. It really helped preserve my relationship with my child during what can be a stressful time in a teenager's life.

Sharon F. - Parent

My niece lives out of State. Ivy Experience has been fantastic in her search for colleges. The insight, humor, and personal experience of the Ivy Experience team removed all stress and apprehension for my niece. It was a such a fun time in a potentially threatening and stressful time. I recommend the Ivy Experience for any family with high school students looking at the College Process from anywhere in the USA. This has made the entire College Admission Process manageable!!!! Thank you Ivy Experience - YOU ROCK.

Meg L. - Parent

The Ivy Experience was a tremendous asset to my daughter during her application to college. Their advice on how to prepare a winning essay, and how to deal with decisions to be made about early registration and a host of other topics were invaluable during this process. My daughter attended a large public school where counseling for the best way to approach the top schools was virtually non-existent. I am pleased to report success in that my daughter is now part of the Class of 2017 of a prestigious Ivy League university. Our family owes this in large part to the excellent advice we received from the Ivy Experience.

Sandra J. - Parent

Helpful Resources

Click here for invaluable resources and links for college admissions.

The High School Experience

The Vine

#Essays and Applications

Be Prepared

Knowing how to navigate the college prep process is more than half the battle. Contact us today to form a personalized plan for your student.

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