How do I choose the best college?

Identify colleges that align with your academic and career goals. Consider factors such as location, campus culture, and program offerings. Our admissions consultants will help you streamline your choices through in-depth research and holistic evaluation of your interests, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. We will make sure that you get into a college where you will become successful.

How hard is it to get into an Ivy League school?

Very hard. It is extremely challenging to get into an Ivy League school. You will increase your chances of admission if you work with an experienced college admissions consultant early. We suggest preparing by the summer of your sophomore year to have enough time to plan and execute strategies including extracurricular activities and passion projects.

Should I still take standardized tests?

Yes. We advise students to still take standardized tests despite the test-optional policy of most colleges. Based on our experience, students with higher test scores have an increased advantage in admissions than students with no test scores. If you’re intimidated by the SAT or ACT, enroll in our test prep program where we will teach you test-taking strategies and get access to numerous materials to help you build the skills and confidence to perform better on exam day.

What are the best extracurricular activities to help with college applications?

There is no hard and fast rule to choosing extracurricular activities. Our individualized approach to admissions consulting allows us to suggest tailored activities to our students. We consider factors such as your personal and academic goals, your network of friends and acquaintances, and the appropriateness of the activity to the major you are applying to. Our strategies are based on years of experience in college admissions and our knowledge of what different colleges want from their applicants.

Bay Area College Admissions Consultants

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There are many college admissions consultants in the Bay Area but Cardinal Education is consistently recognized as the best.

With all the changes and developments in college admissions recently, it has become more competitive and overwhelming for both students and families. In our experience, most families do not know how to navigate the admissions process and end up spending a great amount of time and energy on unnecessary things that do not add value to their applications, leaving them frustrated and unsuccessful in their pursuit. Smart and sophisticated families invest in hiring professional educational consultants to help them navigate the intricacies of college admissions to reduce stress and increase their chances of acceptance.

For 20 years, our admissions consultants, tutors, and academic coaches have been helping families in the Bay Area make informed decisions on their college choices and guiding them in creating an impressive application portfolio to get into the top US colleges. We offer SAT practice tests, ACT practice tests, admissions interview preparation, and exclusive tips on how to write compelling admissions essays and personal statements. Our individualized college consulting services allow us to create bespoke strategies that are meaningful and beneficial toward achieving our clients’ goals.

We find that during the whole process, students do not only gain academic success. They also discover their strengths and potential, and more importantly, learn to work around their weaknesses to their advantage, and that is what holistic college counseling is all about.

We are located in Burlingame and Woodside in California, but we also offer online services at your convenience. So if you are looking for the best college admissions consultants near you, contact us today!

Best Private High Schools in the Bay Area

We have worked with many families from the best private high schools in the Bay Area such as

Peninsula

San Francisco

South Bay Peninsula

San Francisco

South Bay

East Bay

North Bay

College Acceptances

Here is a list of some of the best colleges in the US that we have helped students get into.

College Acceptances

Princeton University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Stanford University
Yale
University of Pennsylvania
California Institute of Technology
Duke University
Brown University
Johns Hopkins University
Northwestern University
Columbia University
Cornell University
University of Chicago
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
Rice University
Dartmouth College
Vanderbilt University
University of Notre Dame
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Georgetown University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Carnegie Mellon University
Emory University
University of Virginia
Washington University in St. Louis…and many more.

College Admissions Consulting

Our unique and personalized admissions strategies will get you into the best colleges.

Interview Preparation

Be authentic! Show your best self and Impress admissions officers with your responses.

DSAT Practice Tests

Learn Digital SAT test-taking techniques and enhance your overall performance on exam day.

ACT Practice Tests

Familiarize yourself with the content and format of the test and identify areas for improvement

Admissions Essay Help

Write about what matters most and differentiate yourself from the rest.

Extracurricular Activity Planning

Find the right activities that will demonstrate your leadership and uniqueness.

Project Mentorship

Showcase your creativity and innovation through socially relevant passion projects.

Application Assistance

Ensure that completed application materials meet the standards of the target colleges.

Our Personalized Services

Cardinal Education provides personalized strategies designed to meet the needs and goals of families in the Bay Area. Our holistic approach to college counseling empowers students on their academic journey.

CONTACT US TODAY

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the best college?
Identify colleges that align with your academic and career goals. Consider factors such as location, campus culture, and program offerings. Our admissions consultants will help you streamline your choices through in-depth research and holistic evaluation of your interests, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. We will make sure that you get into a college where you will become successful.
How hard is it to get into an Ivy League school?
Very hard. It is extremely challenging to get into an Ivy League school. You will increase your chances of admission if you work with an experienced college admissions consultant early. We suggest preparing by the summer of your sophomore year to have enough time to plan and execute strategies including extracurricular activities and passion projects.
Should I still take standardized tests?
Yes. We advise students to still take standardized tests despite the test-optional policy of most colleges. Based on our experience, students with higher test scores have an increased advantage in admissions than students with no test scores. If you’re intimidated by the SAT or ACT, enroll in our test prep program where we will teach you test-taking strategies and get access to numerous materials to help you build the skills and confidence to perform better on exam day.
What are the best extracurricular activities to help with college applications?
There is no hard and fast rule to choosing extracurricular activities. Our individualized approach to admissions consulting allows us to suggest tailored activities to our students. We consider factors such as your personal and academic goals, your network of friends and acquaintances, and the appropriateness of the activity to the major you are applying to. Our strategies are based on years of experience in college admissions and our knowledge of what different colleges want from their applicants.