College Consulting Tips for All College Bound High School Students
Use the college consulting tips below to get into your dream college.
Challenge Yourself
Take advantage of the best your school has to offer. Don’t settle for the minimum requirement.
Focus On Academics
Grades count so get into the habit of studying hard for tests and doing every assignment on time. If you are having difficulty with a subject, talk to your counselor. He or she will have a list of tutors or teachers who will be able to help. And if you feel stuck while writing papers, master the tactics to banish writer’s block.
Get to Know Your Counselors
Don’t join the ranks of frustrated juniors and seniors who realize — too late — that they haven’t taken all of the required classes they need for college! From 9th to 12th grade, ask your counselors to recommend the most challenging classes you can handle. An experienced college counselor can be your most important advisor and advocate. Make sure to build a relationship as early as possible.
Find Your Passion: Extracurricular Activities
Take risks, try new activities, join after school clubs. Colleges pay attention to what you do outside of class, and whether you’ve taken any leadership roles. If your school doesn’t offer an activity you are interested in, show initiative and form a new club, if possible.
Start Your Informal Student Resume/Bio Early
Include independent academic projects, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, interests outside of school (e.g., athletics, performing and visual arts, jobs, community service, hobbies, travel) and special achievements. Use this for job applications, enrichment program application, and for references. Give an updated resume to your school counselor every year.
Create a Portfolio if you have any Special Talents or Hobbies to Present
Over your high school years, put together a digital portfolio, on a USB drive or other storage device, containing documents, videos, and other examples of your special talents or hobbies. You can also keep a physical portfolio in a large manila envelope. Examples include:
- Footage of a sports event or drama performance
- Website addresses or photographs of your artwork or exhibitions
- Newspaper articles you’ve written or ones that have been written about you
- Returned academic papers and tests with favorable grades and teacher’s comments
College Consulting Tips on How to Make an Impression
For classes, meetings or jobs; show up early, prepared and ready to participate. Give your teachers, school counselor, coach, or boss great things to say about you in their evaluations.
Request Your Transcript:
The last of these college consulting tips is to make sure to request your transcript. At the end of each school year, ask your school’s registrar for a copy of your transcript. Check it over carefully and have your counselor correct any errors.
What Students Say About Susan
"Susan was a lifesaver during my college essay writing process! From brainstorming creative topics to editing the final draft, Susan was by far the most helpful aide I had. The college application process can be so overwhelming, especially with the numerous essays required at each school, and to have someone to coach you, and yes, at times hold your hand, saved my sanity and my applications. Susan is the most supportive, creative and compassionate woman that I have had the pleasure of working with and I have no doubt in my mind that when grad school applications roll around she will be the first one I call. Thank you Susan for everything you have done! You’re amazing!"
Emily
Pitzer Class of 2010
"Susan not only helped me to write the best personal essays I could, but also taught me how to express myself in clear, concise and persuasive prose. What I learned from her helped me get into college and allowed me to flourish there. In fact, Susan's emphasis on brainstorming, free-writing, rewriting, and self-editing have become the cornerstones of my own writing process, which has served me well professionally and personally. Susan is a teacher and mentor of unparalleled wisdom and skill. She is my personal guru, and I sing her praises to the heavens daily. I cannot recommend her highly enough. If you ever have the chance to work with Susan, grab it!"
Jonathan
Yale Class of 2002
"Susan Wolf helped me throughout--from conception to execution. She was a guide and mentor, helping me refine my ideas and craft a series of application essays. Working with Susan was instrumental for me, and the single reason I believe I got accepted. She helped me keenly identify the things that could help distinguish me from the hundreds of other applicants. She worked with me to make sure that my essays were more lucid but still retained my voice. As a writer now for the Wall Street Journal, that was very important to me. I've worked with a lot of editors in my job and can honestly say that she is exceptional. I feel very lucky that I got a chance to work with her on my college application process.
Jessica
Princeton Class of 2004
"As a writer, its my job to tell stories. One of the hardest stories to tell is your own story. Susan Wolf helped me tell my story. If it wasn’t for her knowledge and dedication, I don’t think I would have been admitted to the college of my choice. It is rare in life that we meet someone who truly cares for our well being. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with Susan will get 100% of their money’s worth."
Andrew
Emerson Class of 2014
"Susan listened to the personality beneath the words of my first draft and pushed me to create a unique college application. She has the experience to guide you and the energy to spark your writing."
Jennifer
Duke Class of 2013
"Susan is a breath of fresh air in the college application process and gives you the tough love you need. She's direct, insightful, and knows exactly what to tell you to move your application to the next level - whether it's thinking through schools, assessing your application as a whole, or wordsmithing your personal statement. Most importantly she performs her job within a context of caring and fun so that working on your app becomes a fun challenge rather than a source of dread. She was critical for my results and the process couldn't have been better!"
Evan
Harvard Class of 2007