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| Getting Started and Overview |
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When is the best time to start college counseling and when do you begin working with students? |
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Ideally, college planning begins at the start of high school. However, our counselors start working with students at all stages in the process. A majority of families call us in tenth or eleventh grade. Please call us to discuss your specific needs.
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Do you only work with students interested in Ivy League colleges? |
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No. While many of our clients apply to highly selective and selective colleges, our counselors work with students from all academic backgrounds, including students with learning disabilities and/or attention issues.
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Do high-achieving students need college counseling? |
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Yes. Students interested in the most selective colleges face the steepest competition and the lowest admit rates. As statistics show, a high GPA and high standardized test scores alone do not guarantee admission to highly selective colleges and universities - the application, including the essay, is extremely important. So are your strategy and your approach. Our counselors assist with all of this.
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Do you need college counseling if you're not necessarily interested in applying to the most competitive schools? |
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Yes. College counseling includes assistance navigating the college search and application process, regardless of where you're applying. Colleges at all levels are increasingly competitive, and it is important that you know the process at the particular schools you plan to apply to and that you approach the application process with those particulars in mind. Strategy and match are important at every level.
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We have good counseling services at our school. Why use an independent counselor? |
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High school counselors have limited time during school hours to devote to a large number of students. In public schools the average student:counselor ratio is 250:1 and in private schools it's 65:1. In addition to college counseling duties, college counselors typically have other school and administrative responsibilities, as well. Dr. Norman knows from experience -- she was a college counselor in a high school.
As full-time independent counselors, our sole focus is college counseling, and we work extensively with each student. You'd never expect your school counselor to be available regularly on evenings and weekends or to spend several hours per week in the throes of application season with each student. That, however, is the standard service offered by Expert Admissions.
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Can college admissions officers tell that I worked with an independent counselor? |
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No. Expert Admissions' clients have even received personal emails from admissions officers telling them how much they enjoyed their applications. Our counselors are like good book editors - we work closely with our clients, but the work (application) is still theirs.
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My high school counselor doesn't like it when students use outside counselors. Can I still work with you? |
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Yes. Some high school counselors frown upon the use of an independent counselor, while other high school counselors collaborate well with outside counselors. We work with students from many different schools and with all kinds of counselors. If you don't feel it's appropriate for your school counselor to know you're working with us, s/he won't know. With that said, we have great working relationships with many school counselors and we collaborate in the best interests of the student.
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Do you help "package" students for college? |
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No. We do not believe in packaging students. However, we do believe in making good, strategic decisions and in writing an effective application. Our counselors help students figure out their interests and their strengths and we help them convey all that they have to offer to colleges in their applications.
It is important to express what makes you unique; however, it is more important to be genuine and sincere. Besides, admissions officers are sharp, and can tell when students do things because they truly enjoy them and when they do them because they think they should, just to get into college.
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We're not ready for comprehensive counseling. Do you work on a short-term basis with students? |
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Yes. We offer College Admissions Assessments to eighth, ninth, and tenth graders. Comprehensive counseling is also available in addition to the Assessment. For more detailed information on obtaining an Assessment for your child, see the section on Assessment Services, below.
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Do you offer a consultation to see if we think this would be a good fit and to learn a bit more about what you do? |
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Yes. We offer a complimentary consultation in person or by phone (whichever you prefer). Please call (877) ADMIT-77 to set up a consultation appointment.
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Do you work with students in the summer? |
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Yes. We have summer hours and we recommend that students use this time to work on college applications.
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Do you work with students applying to graduate school? |
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Yes. Expert Admissions works with students applying to a range of graduate programs, including business school, law school, medical school, Ph.D., and master's programs.
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| Comprehensive Counseling for 8th - 12th Graders |
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How are your services structured? |
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Expert Admissions' services are comprehensive and assist students with all aspects of the college preparation, search, and application process. We place no limitation on the number of hours a student may meet with their counselor or on the number of applications they may file.
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Are you able to work around the busy schedules of students? |
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Yes. We offer flexible appointment times and are available in person, via phone, and via internet.
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Do you offer appointments during after-school hours? |
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Yes. Almost all of our appointments take place after school, since that's when students are available. When school is out, our appointment schedule changes accordingly.
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Do you have weekend hours? |
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Yes. Weekend appointments are available on a limited basis throughout the academic year.
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Do you work with students with learning disabilities/differences? |
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Yes. We work with students of all abilities, some of whom seek either coordinated or comprehensive disability programs in college.
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Where do your clients attend high school? |
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Expert Admissions works with students who attend private and public high schools located throughout the U.S. and internationally.
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What documents do you need prior to the first appointment? |
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An up-to-date high school transcript is required for the first appointment. If you do not have a transcript, final report cards from each year of high school are sufficient. If you have standardized test scores, please provide those, as well.
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Do you assist with financial aid forms? |
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No. We do not help students and families fill out financial aid forms.
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Do you help students apply for merit scholarships? |
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Expert Admissions' students have been the recipients of numerous merit scholarships from colleges and universities all over the country. Typically, students are considered for merit aid as part of the admissions process. Some colleges invite students to apply for special honors programs after an initial read of their admissions application has been completed. We do assist with these honors program applications, when applicable.
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| Assessment Services for 8th - 10th Graders |
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What is an Assessment? |
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An Assessment gauges where your child stands right now in terms of college admission, and gives you direction for the future. Not sure if you're in the right classes to be competitive in selective and highly selective admissions pools? An Assessment gives you a sense of where you are now and what you need to do going forward, based on your goals and aspirations.
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How is an Assessment conducted and what does it include? |
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An Assessment includes a 90-minute meeting, during which our Director, Dr. Norman, reviews your transcripts, test scores, and goals and provides feedback and advice. Suggestions are provided regarding high school classes/preparation and college options. You will also receive a written evaluation following the Assessment, which includes a review of information and advice provided during the meeting, as well as tips and tools to assist in high school planning in subsequent years.
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For whom are Assessments appropriate? |
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Assessments are appropropriate for students in eighth through tenth grades. Assessments provide insight on the specific things colleges care about most, so you can plan your high school curriculum and extracurricular activities to maximize your chances of admission.
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What if my child doesn't know anything about colleges? Is it too early for an Assessment? |
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Absolutely not. Since colleges scrutinize classes, grades, and activities in grades 9 - 12, if your child is not yet knowledgeable about colleges and college admissions, an Assessment is especially important. In fact, students often adjust their approach to school and extracurricular activities after an Assessment, ultimately making them more attractive to college admissions committees when it comes time to apply. Plus, the earlier you have an Assessment, the more time you have to put the information you receive to good use.
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We know about the basics of college admissions, since our older child is already in college and we went to college. Should we consider an Assessment for our younger child? |
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Yes. In an Assessment, Dr. Norman takes general college admissions information and applies it to the individual student. For instance, given the student's strengths and interests, what classes and summer activities make the most sense? Each Assessment is unique in that way. Also, the field of college admissions is constantly changing in terms of competitiveness and structure, and is therefore quite different than it was even a few years ago. Up-to-date information is crucial -- dated advice is bad advice.
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We're thinking of switching schools. Is this something covered in an Assessment? |
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Yes. This is one of several things that may be covered in an Assessment, when applicable.
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How can I set up an Assessment? |
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You can set up an Assessment by calling (877) ADMIT-77. You may also e-mail us at info@expertadmissions.com.
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| About Our Director |
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What are Dr. Norman's qualifications? |
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Dr. Norman was a college admissions officer at Barnard College/Columbia University, where she rendered decisions on thousands of applications for admission. Following the completion of her doctoral degree, she served as the Director of Pre-College Programs and Director of Pre-College Admissions and Financial Aid at Barnard.
Dr. Norman also earned a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA and completed the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions. In addition, she is a Certified Educational Planner, the most distinguished credential awarded in the college counseling field.
Annually, she makes visits to more than 50 college campuses to stay current on campus developments and to maintain and develop relationships with admissions officers. She is also an active member in professional organizations specific to the field of college admissions.
In addition, her experience includes working as a high school guidance counselor, as a curriculum consultant at NYU, and as an academic advisor at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a published author.
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Where did Dr. Norman go to college and graduate school? |
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Dr. Norman received her Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. She received her B.A. magna cum laude from Barnard College/Columbia University.
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Is Dr. Norman a member of any professional organizations? |
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Yes. She is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA).
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Has Dr. Norman been featured in the media? |
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Yes. Dr. Norman is a nationally recognized expert in the field of college admissions, and has been featured on The Today Show, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, The CBS Early Show, and National Public Radio (NPR). She's also been quoted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report, Newsweek, and other major national publications.
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How can we get an appointment with Dr. Norman? |
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Pending availability, Dr. Norman sees clients in her Manhattan and Miami offices. Distance counseling is available to students located throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Please call (877) ADMIT-77 for further information.
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