College advising

For students pursuing postsecondary education

We’ll work closely to find the right academic, geographical, social, and financial fit for your family. Let the adventure begin!

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Working with a college advisor starts with a meeting with the parent(s) and the child where we’ll complete a detailed review of academic and test records, as well as student and parent profiles. Together, we’ll build a well-planned foundation for the student to have a successful launch towards the life of their dreams.

How we’ll work together

 

  • Let’s get to know each other! We’ll meet to:

    • Begin college awareness

    • Record activities and accomplishments on the student’s resume

    • Review curriculum options and opportunities for summer pursuits

    • Identify and encourage involvement in extracurricular activities

    • Discuss college affordability with the parent(s)

  • We’ll meet monthly to:

    • Strategize testing (SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests, and AP tests)

    • Identify candidate colleges for deeper research

    • Look for opportunities for the student to exercise leadership

    • Recommend students build relationships with teachers who can provide college recommendations

    • Optimize curriculum based on the student’s abilities and interests

  • Next, we’ll continue to meet monthly to:

    • Review transcript to ensure all requirements for both graduation and college acceptance are fulfilled or planned

    • Discuss the Common Application personal essay prompts and personal traits the student wishes to share in their college essay

    • Prepare to ask recommenders for college recommendations

    • Explore candidate colleges

    • Identify financial safeties and finalize affordability

  • Now, we’ll meet every two weeks to:

    • Finalize the college essay

    • Explore supplemental essays prompts

    • Finalize the college list

    • Discuss expanding learning beyond the classroom walls

    • Assist the student in transitioning to independence and college life, and help the parent(s) with this transition as well

  • Senior year, here we go! We’ll meet regularly as needed, usually three times a month, to:

    • Create an application milestone plan

    • Write the application supplements

    • Finalize the application strategy (Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision) and submit applications

    • Prepare for admissions interviews

    • Encourage continued focus on high school academics

  • We’ll be available to:

    • Review college portals to advise on any requested materials

    • Interpret college admissions and financial award letters

    • Help to decide amongst college offers, including whether to accept a waitlist offer or submit an appeal

    • Assist in housing, honors, and major decision options

    • Continue transitioning to college readiness

 
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What our clients are saying

 

“As an immigrant parent and a widow, I am very thankful for the help my daughter and I have received from Holly Gray. She respected my culture, my beliefs and my parenting style. She was never judgmental and always eager to learn more about my culture. It was a blessing to have her support for the past two years as my daughter worked through college admissions with her guidance. Thanks to Holly, my daughter is able to attend the college of her dreams and student loan free.”

— Parent, Daughter attends Florida Gulf Coast University

 

“My biggest takeaway from working with Holly is learning that there really are adults in the world that want to see young people to succeed. We’re not condensed to a GPA, the number of extracurriculars, or the way we act in school. Instead, we can be seen as our true strengths, and all the ways that we’ve kept going and trying despite people or situations trying to slow us down. I really needed to believe that people believed in me too, and that’s exactly what she strives to communicate. It’s not only what accomplishments you already have under your belt, but it’s the fact that you’re pushing hard for the accomplishments that seem out of reach.”

— Student, Harvard University

“Holly Gray has helped me feel comfortable and confident going into college having created a plan that suits my unique interests and has heavily eased my transition into college. Holly supported me during this stage of my life journey through what I would describe as mentorship, guidance, and generally being there for me every time I had a question or was losing confidence. I know that I can always rely on her and receive help and support from her at any time, no matter what the problem. I can’t imagine what it would be like going through this stage of my life without Holly!”

— Student, University of St. Andrews, Scotland

 

“Holly Gray is outstanding. She is intuitive to different students' needs, able to give positive encouragement and helps create plans of actions for students. She is quick to respond if we reach out to her. Her depth of knowledge in this area is exceptional and she has guided us every step of the way. We would not have been nearly as successful without her guidance and support.”

— Parent, Daughter attends University of Virginia

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