When do you normally start meeting with students?
We begin meeting with students at any point on their college planning journey from 8th grade through high school and onward transitioning to college. Our approach is highly personalized, allowing us to understand their unique abilities, interests, and aptitudes. We work together to identify goals and develop a roadmap that guides their individualized curricular choices, priorities, and extracurricular endeavors.
How often do you meet with students?
We provide highly individualized support, meeting with students on a regular basis. Our proven system includes four meetings annually during 9th and 10th grade. As the junior year progresses, we increase the frequency to twice per month, ensuring we meet the planning needs of each individual applicant. We maintain ongoing communication from August of the senior year until all applications are submitted, guiding them to the finish line.
Do you work with students with learning differences or social and emotional needs?
Yes! We understand the importance of accommodations and can guide families through testing, applications, and disclosing or discussing accommodations with colleges. We strive to instill in our clients that it is okay to learn or experience the world differently and that they are capable of extraordinary success. We meet with families to understand their student and determine if we are the best fit for supporting their current and future educational endeavors, whether it be college or an alternative pathway. If we cannot meet the student's needs, we have a network of professionals we trust for referrals.
When and where do you meet with students?
Our meetings are designed to be flexible and convenient for our clients. We can meet in our office in Manhattan Beach, at your home, or virtually. We understand that each student has unique needs and preferences, and we strive to accommodate them. Even if you're located outside our geographical area, we make an effort to meet your student and family in person at least once early in the college planning process.
Do you assist with summer and co-curricular planning?
We believe every experience is valuable and enriches your student’s story. Whether writing poetry, photographing sporting events, attending a computer science camp, working in a doctor’s office, or delivering pizza, there is a value that develops the student as a person and an applicant. Summer is a great time to find ways to build on interests or explore something new. We look for ways outside the classroom to build on your student’s interests so that they can contribute and shine in a unique way. We offer resources and advice on identifying and applying to summer programs and other ways students can further shape and enrich their personal stories, focusing on engagement, having fun, connecting with others, and learning.
What if I have a senior, and we still need to start the application process?
Don’t panic! Rest assured, we understand that each student's journey is unique. Whether your senior student is just starting the application process or needs some last-minute guidance, we're here to help. Our caseload for each graduation year tends to fill before the end of the junior year, but we always strive to meet individual needs. If we're unable to assist your senior student, we can refer you to a qualified associate who can.
Our high school has a college counselor. Do we need an educational consultant?
We encourage students to develop and maintain a communicative, positive relationship with their school counselors. Our role as educational consultants is to provide personalized services that may not be available through the school counselor due to their workload. We aim to complement the high school timeline and counseling guidance, creating a complete college admissions plan that best matches students’ needs and interests. We also provide application management, deadlines, reminders, and an organizational digital counseling platform that helps to consolidate all application materials and communications.
Do you help students with college essays?
At the heart of our approach is your student's unique story. We work with them as they develop and write their personal statement, supplemental essays, and short answer responses. We do not to write the essays for the students, but to support their efforts in communicating their unique and authentic stories in their own voice. We provide a range of support, from brainstorming to editorial feedback, all aimed at helping your student's voice shine through in their application.
Do you complete the college application for the student?
As advisors for the college application process, we guide students through each step. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and do not complete any part of the student’s application. However, we provide comprehensive support, answer questions, provide context and understanding, and conduct a final review before the applications are submitted.
Can you guarantee that my child will get admitted?
We do not guarantee admission to any specific college or university. However, we have a track record of helping our students present their best, most authentic selves when applying to a carefully curated, balanced list of colleges and universities. Many of our students have been accepted into their top-choice schools and have gone on to flourish and thrive in their academic and personal lives.
Do you work with visual and performing artists, including film school applicants?
We focus primarily on arts students interested in applying to film school. We can help students to identify and follow guidelines related to portfolio and audition requirements; however, we do not have specific expertise in areas outside of film production. For those who have artistic talent but are not looking to major in an arts discipline in college, we encourage and help them to showcase their skills and creativity in their application.
Do you work with transfer students?
We love working with transfer students, adhering to the sometimes differential timeline and identifying each student's fit with college-specific transfer requirements and preferences.
Do you offer ACT/SAT preparation?
We offer an overview of testing and test planning guidance; however, we do not do test preparation. We do discuss the value or need for testing related to each student’s abilities, academic interests, and college choices. We also review different approaches and methodologies to test preparation and can refer students to test preparation tutors or services that best meet the student’s needs and abilities.
Do you help with course selection?
Of course! We provide insight into pathways, coursework, electives, need for rigor, and clarify questions related to the impact on GPA, preparation for particular majors, and overall academic engagement.
Do you offer any pro-bono college counseling services?
We volunteer to provide pro bono college counseling services to underserved students in the greater Los Angeles community on a case-by-case basis. A founding principal is to support students who would appreciate and could benefit from working with a college counselor.
Innovative.Education.Partners@gmail.com
310.428.1292 |