College
Admissions
Counseling
We’re committed to providing the highest quality of coaching and support to students.
College Admissions Counseling for G9-11 includes:
- Support students need to develop and strengthen their academic niches
- Initial and ongoing review of high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, and PSAT), and extracurricular activities
- Personalized Guidance on course selection and time management
- Customized test plans on SAT, ACT, and APs
- Assessment of particular resources offered by any given student’s high school, plus advice on how best to make use of them.
- Suggestions for pursuing opportunities outside of high school
- Assistance with applications to summer programs, contests, and internships
- Guidance on how to make the most of college visits
College Admissions Counseling for G12:
Our coaches help students discover their passions, identify colleges they love, and create the strongest applications possible, from the main essay and supplemental essays to activities, awards, resume, and brag sheet.
- Review of high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Test), and extracurricular activities and interests
- Help developing a list of EA, REA, ED1, ED2, and Regular Applications schools, based on the individual student’s preferences accomplishments, and goals
- Assistance with senior-year course selection, with an eye to the student’s current college aspirations
- Careful review of admission requirements at each college to which the student is applying; development of timetable for completing application components
- Essay topic brainstorming.
- Review and editing of multiple essay drafts, including detailed feedback that improves both the quality of the writing and the effectiveness with which the essays conveys your personality.
- Interview guidance, including alumni, on campus, and virtual
- Assistance with navigating being "deferred" in a college's early applicant pool
- Assistance with navigating being placed on a college's waitlist
- Assistance with appealing decisions at University of California schools
High School Course Planning Session
We will evaluate students’ course selection, assist them in making a four-year high school course plan, and answer questions about course selection.
Application Review by Three Former Admissions Officers
At least three former admissions officers, with experience working at schools including Princeton, Columbia, UPenn, Williams, Duke, Tufts, Bowdoin, and John Hopkins, will review your application and provide candid feedback before submission.
Extracurricular Activities or Essay Brainstorming Session (new students only)
We believe in the importance of quality writing, a diligent work ethic, and a strong bond between students and coaches. Thus, to make sure there is a good fit, new students can meet with Michael 1:1 to discuss their extracurricular activities or brainstorm an essay of their choice.
Enrichment Opportunities
We coach students to develop their academic edge during the summer and throughout the school year from STEM and Business to Humanities to Science. For example, students who are interested in STEM tend to like the following enrichment opportunities:
Top summer math programs
Top science and research summer programs
- RSI
- BU Research in Science & Engineering (RISE)
- Clark Scholar Program
- Garcia Summer Scholars
- High School Honors Science/Mathematics/Engineering Program (HSHSP)
- International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)
- Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP)
- Summer Program on Applied Rationality and Cognition (SPARC)
- Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
- Student Science Training Program (SSTP)
- Cosmos
International Science Olympiads and qualifying competitions
Every year, secondary school students from around the world compete in international Olympiad competitions in math and science. Ultimately, each country fields a team of its top four-to-six students in each field. Here’s a list of the major Olympiads that the United States competes in, along with their qualifying competitions:
- International Biology Olympiad (IBO); qualify via the USABO
- International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO); qualify via the USNCO
- International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI); qualify via the USACO
- International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL); qualify via the NACLO
- International Math Olympiad (IMO); qualify via the AMC
- International Physics Olympiad (IPhO); qualify via the USPhO
- International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (IOAA); qualify via the USAAAO
Science & invention fairs/competitions
If you enjoy pure science research or the thrill of invention, you may want to set your sights on these fairs and competitions:
Robotics
Many budding engineers have gotten their start tinkering with robots. You may enjoy these robotics programs:
Build awesome
Sometimes lightning strikes, and you get an idea for something completely novel, a groundbreaking innovation that you just need to build. Looking for inspiration and support as you develop your ideas? Our students have found these programs exciting:
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