FAQs and Helpful Links
General
Do I need an independent college counselor?
Not everyone might need independent educational counseling – it depends entirely on your needs. Working with a counselor can be helpful for:
- students who do better with one-on-one assistance
- international applicants who would benefit from on-the-ground know-how
- families who want to have a better idea of the options available to them
- students who are particularly anxious about the college admissions process
College is an important decision, with an admissions process that can be stressful and filled with doubt. As with anything, a guide who has the know-how and can dedicate significant time to you individually can help you make an informed decision. Independent counselors typically take on relatively few students every year, stay up to date on changes in the education system, and can help you expand your options and achieve your goals keeping your unique wants and needs in mind.
How do I choose a college advisor?
A counselor needs to work towards matching you with the right school for you. In order to do that, they need to be knowledgeable about the field, and also be able to get to know you. When choosing a counselor, opt for someone you are comfortable with, and feel you can relate to. Here are some things you can do to figure out who is right for you:
- Make sure you have a good rapport with the counselor. Request a preliminary meeting or call to see if you can develop a good working relationship. It is important that you and/or your child are able to ask questions and share information with your advisor.
- Ask about the students they work with. You want someone who is good not only in general, but good at working with you. An expert advisor who works primarily with valedictorians or prodigies might have a high acceptance rate, but might not be the best fit for every student. Find someone you can trust to help you make you shine.
- Inquire if they can help you with your specific concerns. The best kind of counselor would have knowledge about all aspects of the process. However, if you feel you might require more attention in a particular area, ask them if they will be able to provide it.
- Ensure that one of their top priorities is getting to know the applicant. A good advisor’s aim is to direct you towards not the most prestigious institute, or the most obvious option, but a college that is best for YOU – academically, financially, socially, and geographically. They need to take the time to understand what would help a student thrive.
Is CollegeNova right for me?
CollegeNova works with a wide range of applicants – from high school students and their families to professionals applying to graduate school; from students in our home state of California to international students. We feel we do our best work when students and their families are able to communicate openly and comfortably with us, and aim to establish that connect early on in the process. To that end, we are the right fit for any applicant who :
- would benefit from the kind of care and expert attention to detail we are able to provide
- is willing to put in the work and time along with us to make our collective efforts effective
- is seeking cultural relatability when applying to institutes in the USA from India and the Middle East
The best way to find out is to get in touch! We’ll be happy to set up a preliminary call to see if we are a good match for you.
Here is an article with more information on working with an independent counselor:
Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation with CollegeNova. Reach out to learn more!
On Plans
How should I choose a plan?
Our plans have been split up based on what stage in the process you are at, and what services you are looking for.
The College List Plan matches you with schools that are right for you. We help you take into account factors that you may not have considered on your own, and arrive at a decision based on robust data points and an understanding of your personality and strengths.
For direction on applying to a specific institute of your choice, pick the College Application Plan. We’ll work with you on a timetable, the paperwork, and your essay, among the other listed services. Each individual plan covers one single application, like individual grad school applications, CommonApp, or the UC Application.
Need both and more? With the List + Application + Guidance plan, you would be in a position to not only leverage your academic records and extracurriculars, but also plan them out with an expert. We work with you towards the goals of (1) identifying the right place for you (2) putting together a compelling and comprehensive application (3) boost activities and work on gaps as we lead up to the actual application.
What is covered in the Hourly Advisory Sessions?
We offer separate guidance sessions and additional hourly assistance as well. They can cover anything from general advice to addressing any specific concerns you may have, to essay review and interview prep.
I am concerned about my writing and the essays. How much can you help me?
Very simply, the essay has to be the student’s own work. Under no circumstances do we write the essay for you, or ever suggest that someone else write it instead.
It is unethical for anyone to write the essay for the student. CollegeNova will only help brainstorm ideas, explain the prompt, and edit the written work of the student. All work submitted for review as part of the college application must be original, including essays and portfolios.
I have limited finances. What are my options?
Do reach out to us. We dedicate a set number of hours to various third-party counseling programs, and have our own pro bono system in place for students with a demonstrated financial need.
More on College Rankings, and understanding how they are put together:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/02/14/the-order-of-things
On CollegeNova
What do we consider ‘The Right Fit’?
There is no dearth of options out there. We want to help you pick the ones that work best for YOU. We consider several aspects when we consider a college for a student – some objective, some subjective – that we balance to give you our recommendations.
Objective factors here are those that we cannot adjust much for, like test scores or financial support, or even considerations that are non-negotiable for you, like a specialization.
Subjective factors help us match you with a school where you would be in an environment most conducive to your aims and growth. Factors like average class size and diversity come into play here.
Most often, we see applicants going purely off ranking lists, or following in the footsteps of a sibling or other family member. We feel the right fit has to be considered with a nuanced, multi-faceted approach.
How many places should I apply to?
Applying to more schools increases your chances of acceptance, but trying to apply to too many can cause burnout. We recommend applying to 6-10 schools, for high school students, with at least 2 safety schools on the list.
More on what the Right Fit is all about
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