1. A review of the student's courses and grades, test scores, and activities.
2. Results of a personality test 'Do What You Are', which the student takes on her/his computer at home.
3. A list of colleges selected after an interview with the student with comments on each college and why it was selected. The college list evolves as the student reads, visits colleges and discusses preferences.
4. Advice on what to do when visiting colleges.
5. Monitoring SAT and ACT testing with suggestions on test preparation.
6. Preparation for college interviews, including a mock interview.
7. Early Action/Early decision discussion and decision.
8. The applications:  Filling out the forms, writing the essays, obtaining the recommendations. Essays are reviewed before they are sent out.
9. Financial Aid:  How to determine if a family will qualify and what is needed to apply.
10. Scholarships:  If money is an issue colleges offering merit money that might apply to the student are presented
11. What to do if:  Deferred, wait listed, financial aid offer of preferred college is less than that offered by another college.
12. Unlimited office visits: at each visit the next meeting is scheduled and the student is given a list of what to do to prepare for the next meeting
13. Unlimited phone calls and e-mails.

Undergraduate college counseling is the focus of Petrequin College Consulting. The large majority of my clients are high school juniors or seniors seeking help in selecting and applying to colleges. Most families choose my full service program, which consists of unlimited visits, phone calls and e-mails, careful monitoring of the application with special emphasis on the essays, and following the students until they have accepted a college.  It takes the guesswork out of the selection and application process and provides full support to the student and family. As the process continues, rapport develops between the student and the counselor, making it a pleasant and interesting experience.  Parents are asked to attend the presentation of the first list, then may either be a part of the meetings or not.  Having a college counselor work with the student often helps family relationships in what can become a stressful time. See the list on the left for more details. A single hour appointment is available if a family simply has questions or would like a professional opinion concerning their plans.

Every list presented to a family is individually selected to complement that student’s aspirations and personality. I have found that the most important consideration is the way in which the college fits the student. No matter how perfect the academics, the personal aspects of the school will determine whether the student remains at the college and is successful. Students should not apply to a college that does not feel right when they visit. However, students with special talents need advice to make the most of those talents. Artists, musicians, scientists and any student with a very specific major or career in mind require different help than the liberal arts student. I have the experience and expertise to deal with each of these students.

Athletes serious about playing their sport at a Division 1 college need to begin the college process early, as notice of a student by the college coaches often begins in the sophomore year. While the coach may not contact the athlete until after July 1 following the junior year, the athlete may contact the coach and should plan summers at appropriate athletic camps where college coaches view and begin their selection of the athletes. I have up to date advice to give any prospective athlete.

Students identified with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) need special help in choosing appropriate colleges. While all colleges are mandated by law to provide services, some do an especially good job. Determining how much help is needed is an important first step. I make sure recent testing has been done and, if appropriate, see that the student is applying for untimed testing. Helping the student choose colleges that will offer the right support as well as a strong academic program is the next step.

I also am available for meetings with younger students. These meetings are single hour sessions in which I deal directly with the needs of the student and their family. Families of students about to enter high school may want to discuss local high school options. Developing an academic and activity plan for a new high school freshman, or reviewing a plan already developed with a sophomore are also options. These meetings do not specifically tie to the later college counseling, but the student is certainly welcome to return later and partake of the college program.

Transferring colleges can be as difficult a choice as the initial selection of colleges. Often students have not had adequate college counseling, so their choice of college out of high school does not turn out to be satisfactory. Such students do not want to make another mistake. I am here to help. I am a good listener, and after determining what the problems are, I assist students in choosing and applying to colleges that will better suit their needs. Transfer help may be done on an hourly basis but will not cost more than my package price at the time.  If a previous full program client desires to transfer, I will assist. Since the initial selection is so carefully made, I have very few requests to transfer, so I am easily able to offer this service at no additional cost.