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College Consulting

College consulting is a long-term process of strategic planning, profile development, and holistic mentoring of a student for that to become a well-rounded individual ready for college and beyond. Every year, college admissions get increasingly competitive as the number of applicants rises, and with this comes the anxiety and stress families undergo when preparing for the applications. Ambitious students and families who plan know that college consulting is the best and most efficient way to navigate college admissions smoothly.

At Cardinal Education, our college admissions consultants guide students on a personal journey as early as middle school, allowing them to realize their full potential and make critical decisions on their education. Starting early allows students to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and establish interests and passions they are looking to pursue as a career. It also allows the college consultant to get to know the student personally, which would be beneficial when creating a strong plan for the learner.

Our expert in-person and online tutors and academic coaches work with students to develop the study skills and test-taking strategies they need to be competitive for college admissions. Besides subject coaching, we also have dedicated SAT tutors and ACT tutors who provide assistance in test prep for students through SAT practice tests and ACT practice tests.

Cardinal Education is a globally recognized independent educational consulting company with proven expertise in college admissions consulting. Our expert and highly-qualified educational consultants, tutors, and academic coaches equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to differentiate themselves in the admissions process to get into the college that is the best fit for them.

Our college consulting packages begin as early as elementary school. We have found that the earlier students begin to take stock of their goals, the higher their chances of success on their applications.

Our packages include the following services:

COURSE SELECTION & GPA/ACADEMIC ADVISING

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY PLANNING

PROJECT MENTORSHIP & EXECUTION

SUMMER SCHOOL/INTERNSHIP APPLICATION

TEST PREPARATION PLANNING

COLLEGE VISIT & SELECTION STRATEGY

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

DEVELOPMENT & LEGACY ADVISING

COURSE SELECTION AND GPA / ACADEMIC ADVISING

Before choosing classes, we will help you determine the ideal path forward. With our help, your student will embark on a curriculum that is in line with your goals: rigorous, stimulating, and flexible enough to leave time for all the other important activities and obligations in life. Looking ahead to college, we make sure that you take the prerequisites for your intended major and that you meet your graduation requirements.

For tips on how to choose the right classes, click here.

“Our son was ultimately admitted to Stanford and we could not be happier with our decision to engage with Cardinal Education. The mock tests, exceptional tutors, well-developed study curriculum, and comprehensive “soft” support were of immense help. We are looking forward to working with Cardinal Education in a few years for our younger daughter.”

-Parents of Stanford OHS Student

“Our son was ultimately admitted to Stanford and we could not be happier with our decision to engage with Cardinal Education. The mock tests, exceptional tutors, well-developed study curriculum, and comprehensive “soft” support were of immense help. We are looking forward to working with Cardinal Education in a few years for our younger daughter.”

-Parents of Stanford OHS Student

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY PLANNING

Extracurricular activities are carefully chosen and planned to make sure that there is continuity and progress as we go through the counseling process. We make sure that each activity is optimized to demonstrate your leadership and impressiveness. As with every part of college applications, the goal is to distinguish and differentiate yourself from the other applicants. The right activities can open exciting, new possibilities for college and beyond.

“Whether it was an English essay that needed editing or a Physics test that I felt completely unprepared for, CE was there to assist me at every step. When it came time to apply for college, the CE team worked countless hours with me to ensure that each college was receiving the full picture. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing about the application process. I couldn’t imagine doing it alone.”

-2016-2017 College Application Student

“Whether it was an English essay that needed editing or a Physics test that I felt completely unprepared for, CE was there to assist me at every step. When it came time to apply for college, the CE team worked countless hours with me to ensure that each college was receiving the full picture. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing about the application process. I couldn’t imagine doing it alone.”

-2016-2017 College Application Student

PROJECT MENTORSHIP AND EXECUTION

There is no better evidence of a student’s potential and abilities than a unique project that they have designed from scratch and have seen through to completion. We help students plan projects that will showcase their creativity and innovation and communicate to colleges that they are ready for the challenges and responsibilities of independent work. As mentors, we advise on the big picture and also the little details and logistics. If a student’s project requires the participation of other students, we will help drive recruitment, outreach, and social impact.

“Through working together, our son developed new organizational skills and strategies, paired with a desire to achieve. This played out with tremendous improvement across the SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT tests. He was motivated to power through the additional exercises, which not only improved his tests but also improved his school performance.”

-Mother

“Through working together, our son developed new organizational skills and strategies, paired with a desire to achieve. This played out with tremendous improvement across the SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT tests. He was motivated to power through the additional exercises, which not only improved his tests but also improved his school performance.”

-Mother

SUMMER SCHOOL / INTERNSHIP APPLICATION

We will help you pick the most elite summer programs and internships. We identify summer opportunities that fit your goals and we will steer you clear of programs that are university cash grabs. In addition, we will assist you in preparing for your interviews, as well as crafting, developing, and editing your essay.

“Our son applied to 3 highly competitive Bay Area independent high schools. With his improvement in academic knowledge, study skills, organizational tactics, and test-taking, he was accepted at all three. He is now a happy, organized, and successful high school student, in large part due to our partnership with Cardinal Education.”

-Mother

“Our son applied to 3 highly competitive Bay Area independent high schools. With his improvement in academic knowledge, study skills, organizational tactics, and test-taking, he was accepted at all three. He is now a happy, organized, and successful high school student, in large part due to our partnership with Cardinal Education.”

-Mother

TEST PREPARATION PLANNING

Although some schools have adopted test-optional policies, we still believe that test scores serve as important differentiators for admissions officers when making their decision. In this time of uncertainty and changing expectations, we develop effective testing strategies for students, identifying which test to take and advising on a preparation timeline.

“From 2.3 GPA, I earned a 3.7 GPA in my Junior Year with two AP classes, and earned admission to three top 100 universities (Michigan State, University of Iowa, and Rutgers).”

COLLEGE VISIT AND SELECTION STRATEGY

When it comes to learning about the different colleges that are out there, there is no substitute for visiting a campus in person and trying it on for size. Our college consultants will advise on itineraries for visiting schools. We will program your day so that you meet the right people, ask the right questions, and get a real feel for the school. With our knowledge of higher education, you will be able to skip the “big bus tour” and make the most of your campus visits.

“When the college application season came, the coaches and consultants worked countless hours with me to ensure that each requirement was finished and submitted on time. I couldn’t imagine doing it alone. The whole experience became more meaningful because I learned the value of hard work.”

-College Application Student

“When the college application season came, the coaches and consultants worked countless hours with me to ensure that each requirement was finished and submitted on time. I couldn’t imagine doing it alone. The whole experience became more meaningful because I learned the value of hard work.”

-College Application Student

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

We approach every aspect of a college application as an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. This is especially true in the case of college interviews, which we see as the culmination of the long process of building a student’s intellectual profile. In helping students prepare for college interviews, we aim to equip our clients with the tools they will need to differentiate themselves and leave a lasting impression on admissions officers and alumni. Read our interview tips to learn about the kinds of questions you can expect in a college interview.

“Cardinal Education helped me overcome the challenges I faced in school. I developed good study habits and learned to organize my academic life by using the calendar to organize my activities and learning how to manage my time more effectively. School life became fun and productive, and I was able to achieve a work-life balance with less stress!”

-College Application Student

“Cardinal Education helped me overcome the challenges I faced in school. I developed good study habits and learned to organize my academic life by using the calendar to organize my activities and learning how to manage my time more effectively. School life became fun and productive, and I was able to achieve a work-life balance with less stress!”

-College Application Student

DEVELOPMENT AND LEGACY ADVISING

Many families are well-connected and financially able to make contributions to colleges and universities but do not know how best to proceed. Our college consultants are experts in navigating the complexities of college admissions and can help you optimize your connections at your schools of interest. We can assist you in leveraging development and legacy admissions most strategically and efficiently possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, college consulting greatly reduces stress in preparation for your child’s transition to higher education. College consultants help your family navigate the college admissions landscape with ease. But here at Cardinal Education, we make sure that students are not only given thorough assistance in the application process but also guided throughout the school year. The scope of our world-class services goes beyond academic course selection, college list creation, admissions essay editing, college application review, profile and resume-building, and deadline planning. We also provide holistic mentoring for our students, shaping them into well-rounded and ambitious individuals who can contribute to society.

The earlier you begin meeting with your consultant, the more groundwork you would be able to cover. Some of our students have started planning for college applications before they even finish middle school to ensure alignment with their activities in high school. However, we advise that students begin the college consulting process in their freshman or sophomore year. This will allow enough time to lay the needed foundations before the application season begins.

If you think your family requires more support or you want to curb the stress during junior year, it’s best to see a college consultant as soon as possible.

Regardless of their reputation, no college consulting company can guarantee your child a successful admission to their dream school, especially for top-tier colleges and elite universities, nor ensure a plethora of acceptance letters from all the colleges they applied to.

While we are very skilled at our jobs, and none of our students have been rejected everywhere, college admissions is an extremely volatile and unpredictable process. What our expert college consultants at Cardinal Education can do, however, is holistically assess your child and give honest advice on what school is the best fit for them with consideration of your family’s values and goals.

We are a trusted and reputable source that strives to be ethical and of course, legal. We were recognized by the Wall Street Journal/CNN as the rare, legitimate high-end college consultants. Please watch An Elite Consultant’s Take on the College Admissions Scandal | WSJ to know more about our position on this matter.

Tel: (888) 521-5243

Email: info@cardinaleducation.com

College Consulting

COURSE SELECTION & GPA/ACADEMIC ADVISING

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY PLANNING

PROJECT MENTORSHIP & EXECUTION

SUMMER SCHOOL/INTERNSHIP APPLICATION

TEST PREPARATION PLANNING

COLLEGE VISIT & SELECTION STRATEGY

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

DEVELOPMENT & LEGACY ADVISING

COURSE SELECTION AND GPA / ACADEMIC ADVISING

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY PLANNING

PROJECT MENTORSHIP AND EXECUTION

SUMMER SCHOOL / INTERNSHIP APPLICATION

TEST PREPARATION PLANNING

COLLEGE VISIT AND SELECTION STRATEGY

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

DEVELOPMENT AND LEGACY ADVISING

Frequently Asked Questions

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Burlingame Office

Woodside Office

Beverly Hills, LA Office

Bellevue, WA Office