Descriptions of Services

Comprehensive College Guidance

This program can begin as early as the eighth grade or as late as the fall of the twelfth grade year and is appropriate for families who would benefit from our continuous support throughout the student’s college process. It includes the following, as necessary and appropriate:

• Meeting in person or by Skype/Zoom with student and parents to learn the student’s academic and extracurricular strengths and interests
• Overview of the admissions process and the key factors in college admissions
• Advice on researching colleges and making campus visits, and development of a plan for the student’s college search
• Review and assessment of the student’s academic record and advice on curriculum planning
• Advice on standardized testing (SAT and/or ACT) and scheduling
• Advice on extracurricular and summer activities
• Advice on how best to communicate with colleges regarding special talents and unusual circumstances
• Assistance in developing and continuously refining the student’s college list
• Preparation and practice for interviews, including alumni/ae, athletic coaches or special interest professors
• Guidance in completing Common Application and supplements (or equivalent for non-Common Application colleges), including whether to submit test scores to test optional colleges
• Guided brainstorming on essay topics for Personal Statement on Common Application (or equivalent) and supplemental essays
• Dunbar group comments on application essay drafts
• Advice on appropriate strategies regarding early applications
• Dunbar group assessment of final list and admission chances at individual colleges
• Advice on deferral and wait list situations
• “Best Fit” advice after acceptance in the spring
• Guidance on transitioning to and making the most of college
• Regular communication with our student
• Continuous availability to address questions and concerns.

Individual Guidance Consultations

Depending on the student’s age, we offer individual college guidance consultations for students starting as early as the 8th grade who need our advice on certain aspects of the college admissions process but do not require our ongoing support.

Topics frequently covered during Consultations include:

• Overview of the admissions process and the key factors in college admissions
• Review of the student’s academic record and development of an optimal curriculum, standardized testing and extracurricular activities plan for the remaining high school years (particularly helpful for students just starting high school)
• Development of a plan for the student’s college search and recommendations on an appropriate college list based on the student’s academic profile, interests and preferences (best for rising or current 11th grade students)
• Preparation and practice for interviews, including alumni/ae, athletic coaches or special interest professors.

Application and Essay Guidance for Rising Seniors

This service is appropriate for rising or current high school seniors who would benefit from our review of their academic profile and preliminary college list and from our guidance in developing effective college applications and essays.

• Review of the student’s academic profile and current college list
• Guidance in completing the Common Application and supplements (or equivalent for non-Common Application colleges), including whether to submit test scores to test optional colleges
• Guided brainstorming on essay topics for the personal essay on the Common Application and supplementary essays (or equivalent for non-Common Application colleges)
• Development of timetable for essay work
• Dunbar group comments and suggested edits on application essay drafts
• Advice on and practice for interviews with college admissions officers or alumni/ae.