College Counseling

The college preparation and search process can seem daunting and overwhelming.

That is why Ivy Experience provides advisory services to students at all stages of their high school careers. We offer an invaluable roadmap to navigating the high school experience that is personalized to your student's individual goals and interests, and cost-effective for your family.

Personal Advising

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

All Meeting Conversations

In every Personal Advising 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.

8th Grade Semester 2

As 8th grade comes to a close, we want to ease concerns for students and their parents 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.

In this meeting, we:

  • Provide a general timeline of checkpoints during high school, including a brief primer to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests.
  • Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.
  • Review course selection, including a conversation about the importance of rigor.
  • Explain why extracurricular activities matter, then get to know the student so they can explore what piques their curiosity and dive deep into what matters to them.

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.

In this meeting, we:

  • Review how the adjustment to high school has gone so far.
  • Talk about classes: how is the year going academically, what is exciting the student, and how is the work-life balance?
  • Discuss extracurricular activities: In what ways does a student want to get more involved? What has been rewarding and what has not?

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

  • Provide a general timeline of checkpoints during high school, including a brief primer to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests.
  • Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.

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.

In this meeting, we:

  • Discuss course selection for 10th grade. What classes should the student take? What is the right balance for Honors/AP rigor? What path do those classes put them on for the rest of high school?
  • Review extracurricular activities. What activities should the student plan to continue? What is not bringing them fulfillment and should they drop? How can they explore new opportunities and dive deeper into what is meaningful to them?
  • Talk about summer plans and how to have a meaningful and fun two months off from school.

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

  • Provide a general timeline of checkpoints for the rest of high school, including a brief primer to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests.
  • Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.

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.

In this meeting, we:

  • Reflect on the student’s 9th grade experience and how to make 10th grade better
  • Check in on academics: How is the student performing in their classes? What classes and topics most excite them?
  • Introduce the SAT and ACT — why do they matter in college admissions and for the student, what is test-optional, and why does taking diagnostic tests matter so much?
  • Review extracurricular activities. What activities should the student plan to continue? What is not bringing them fulfillment and should they drop? How can they explore new opportunities and dive deeper into what is meaningful to them, during the school year and even the following summer?

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

  • Provide a general timeline of checkpoints for the rest of high school.
  • Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.

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.

In this meeting, we:

  • Discuss course selection for 11th grade. What classes should the student take? What is the right balance for Honors/AP rigor? What path do those classes put them on for the rest of high school?
  • Chat about PSAT and PACT results (if applicable) and provide a brief overview of ideal testing timelines for the SAT and ACT
  • Review extracurricular activities. What activities should the student plan to continue? What is not bringing them fulfillment and should they drop? How can they explore new opportunities and dive deeper into what is meaningful to them, during the school year and even the following summer?

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

  • Provide a general timeline of checkpoints for the rest of high school.
  • Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.
  • Introduce the SAT and ACT — why do they matter in college admissions and for the student, what is test-optional, and why does taking diagnostic tests matter so much?

11th Grade Semester 1

At this point, students engage in our Essay and Application Coaching service if they wish to continue working with us.

College List Service

We take several factors into account in determining a list of colleges that will be a potential fit 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 are feeling overwhelmed on how to start navigating colleges and identify colleges that are 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.

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

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.

TEDx Temecula 2018

Eric Karlan
Co-Founder & President

We also offer complimentary Seminars.

Our seminars have been the ultimate introduction to the college prep process—even for families that have been through it before with the college prep environment constantly changing.

Learn More

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

Best college application support and expertise ever! Highly recommended to all prospective college applicants.

Dimos. M - Parent

Be Prepared.

Knowing how to navigate the college prep process is more than half the battle. Let us collaborate to form a personalized roadmap for your student.

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