Strides Consulting offers a variety of services customized to the needs of every student and family. We know every student is unique and will personalize a package that works for you and your family. All college consulting packages include unlimited access to your counselor via phone, text message, and email. Counselors meet with students regularly based on their needs. We know that every student has their own timeline so you will find that we charge by the service and not for the number of hours it may take a student to complete another milestone in their post-secondary process.

Junior Jam & Senior Success Packages

11th GRADE PLANNING

During 11th grade your counselor will meet with you in person on an as-needed basis and check in on you monthly. January of your Junior year, you and your counselor will begin more in-depth work together including:

• Course Selection

• Continued Extracurricular Strategy

• Summer Program Planning

• Recommendation letter selection

• College list research

• College list planning

• Initial essay strategy and drafting of college essay

12th GRADE PLANNING

During 12th Grade, you and your counselor will meet in person as needed and check in weekly to ensure all you are on track for the successful submission of all materials. Things you and your counselor will work together are include:

• Finalizing your college list

• Ongoing essay support, final review from your counselor and two other counselors

• Application support

• Interview prep

• Financial guidance

• Decision making

11th AND 12th GRADE

All packages include unlimited access to your assigned counselor via text message, phone, zoom, and in person. We do not cap the number of hours that we work with each student. All applications and essays are reviewed by not only your counselor but a minimum of one additional counselor. In addition, all college application packages including essays are sent to a college admissions counselor for feedback before submission. We understand that every student and family is unique and our goal is to meet the student and family where they are at to ensure a successful post secondary process.

COURSE SELECTION & STANDARDIZED TEST GUIDANCE
Your counselor will collaborate with you to make informed selections in your academic classes. We will review your previous courses and grades and help you in determining what courses will set you up for the most success in the admissions process. Your counselor will also review your PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores with you and determine a testing plan. Our counselors do not do test prep but are able to provide you with resources for test prep.

COLLEGE ESSAY SUPPORT
Your counselor will work with you to craft an essay that will highlight you and share your story. Writing your essay is your chance to shine and your counselor will support you through every step of the process. In addition, your counselor will provide multiple rounds of critiques and editorial feedback. Once your essay is completed your counselor will review it a minimum of five times to ensure that it reads easily, is error-free, and represents the person you are and will be on your future college campus. Also included in this package is support on any supplemental essays requested by schools on the student's curated list. Please note your essay may be viewed by other counselors for feedback.

COLLEGE LIST CREATION
Together we will work to discover what your perfect fit school is and the college experience you desire to have. We will generate a list of Reach, Target, and Likely schools. Our goal is to make a list filled with schools you can see yourself attending. We will consider your academic and social interests. Through this process, we will discuss potential majors and career plans. Your counselor will advise you on early and regular admissions. Your counselor will provide honest and strategic support.

APPLICATION SUPPORT
Your counselor will provide support on all sections of the Common Application. Including help with all activities descriptions and strategic positioning. All applications are reviewed by a Director of College Admissions or Associate Director of College Admissions prior to being submitted. Your counselor will work with you to ensure the application is ready to be submitted. Time management is a large part of the college application process, you will be provided with time management support.

ATHLETIC SUPPORT
Your counselor will work with you to navigate the college recruiting process and provide guidance on the schools in which you are being recruited.

MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIP IDENTIFICATION & SUBMISSION
Your counselor will work with you to identify merit based scholarship opportunities. Your counselor will work with you to apply for any opportunities you see fitting.

FINANCIAL AID
Your counselor will support the family in navigating financial aid and scholarships. The counselor will advise you on which applications to fill out as well as help to identify merit-based scholarship opportunities. Your counselor can also help you make admissions-based decisions based on direct and indirect costs of attendance pending financial aid packages. Counselors will help with both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.

DECISION MAKING
Once all of your college decisions are in, your counselor will work with you and your family in determining the right school for you. Your counselor will work with you to navigate formally accepting and depositing to a school. Your counselor will also help you in notifying the other schools you were accepted to of your decision. Overall your counselor will work to ensure that when Decision Day comes you are making the decision that is right for you and your family.