What We Offer
Over the years as both consultants and boarding school faculty, we have hosted many international students in our home. This experience, plus travel to visit students in their home countries, has connected us deeply to our clients and to their cultures.
As parents, we understand the difficulty of sending a child far away from home. We deliver cookies on holidays, act as a sympathetic ear when things don’t go as planned, and help to keep students on track to reach their goals.
We keep in close touch with parents, sending pictures and notes from meetings. We also offer advice for understanding school or college communications.
Initial Assessment
Sign up for a telephone or video chat to talk through expectations, student performance & development, and educational goals. This will determine a starting point for potential work together and a chance to get to know each other.
Testing
We help students and families navigate which tests to take and the scores necessary to meet their academic goals. For students whose first language is not English, demonstrating English proficiency with TOEFL or IELTS testing is essential to gaining admission to selective U.S. schools and colleges. At the most selective, students must have competitive SAT or ACT in addition to TOEFL or IELTS. Alternative testing may be suggested. For younger students taking TOEFL or TOEFL Jr in addition to the SSAT is generally required.
Talent Development
We work with students, coaches, private instructors to support talent (art, music, athletics, service, special interests) during high school and to document it for the college application process. Suggestions are made for extracurricular opportunities, summer programs or internships, plus consistent support for athletic recruiting, audition and portfolio requirements. For younger students, connections to high school coaches and teachers are offered, plus age-appropriate opportunities and programs.
List Development
Transitional English-intensive programs may be considered as a bridge to college undergraduate study. Our knowledge of English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at boarding schools informs and determines a balanced list for younger students.
High School Course Selection
With knowledge of many different global curricula, we review translated coursework and grades, providing recommendations. For the application process, we expedite credential evaluation through a third-party service (fees paid by family).
School Visit & Interview Support
Advice is provided to maximize campus visits, to request and be successful with alumni & admission interviews, to seek out decision-makers and file-readers throughout the process. Boarding school visits will be coordinated through our office after school inquiry forms are completed by student.
Demonstrated Interest Assessment
Since students can submit online applications to many colleges easily, some colleges are tracking student engagement to determine which students are truly interested in enrolling. We identify where and how to demonstrate student interest in enrolling in certain boarding schools. With a campus visit and interview required for most if not all independent and boarding school applications, we help you maximize those visits and suggest follow-up engagement.
Financial Means Awareness
Need-based aid and merit aid is available for international families at a select group of U.S. schools, colleges, and universities. If requested we help identify these opportunities, providing basic advice on how to apply. Financial advice must come from family investment or wealth advisor.
Interview, Showcase, or Audition Preparation
Includes review and submission support of visual/audio portfolios, help with resumes & repertoire required for pre-screening submissions and auditions, highlight video review and talking points for coach conversations during showcases and official athletic visits. Boarding school students will be supported to meet with coaches or key faculty members during their campus visit.
Essay & Application Development
The visa/immigration process is considered part of the application process at many colleges, with families required to prove their ability to support a student studying abroad. We help identify which colleges require submission early, notifying family or financial advisor so they may complete necessary forms by deadline. Submission of immigration forms and financial support is always required during the enrollment process for US schools & colleges.
Online Application Review & Submission Support
With student-provided login information and adherence to our timeline, a thorough review of online applications is done, picking up typographical errors, and checking for completion. Timely corrections are sent to student for action. (On-time submission of application and payment of fees is the responsibility of students and families.)
Do you have Questions?
We are happy to put together a custom package for you!
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Melissa Robinson
Connecticut, United States