High School GPA and the rigor of your classes (in the context of your high school) are two of the most important factors that are weighed into an admission decision. We can determine whether it is best to take Honors, Advanced Placement, or Regular classes, keeping in mind that it is equally important to have strong grades in those courses. Together, we can make course decisions that will help the student present the best academic transcript possible.

Think about the personal statement as an interview in essay form. It should say that I am a good fit for this college. It should also be error free and clear. The essay is a tremendous opportunity to be the student’s voice of who they are. As an expert college essay editor, I can help you decide on a topic, offer assistance in presenting it with examples, and provide guidance in editing and reediting until it is perfect. We will work to create an essay that will grab the attention of the admission staff and make you stand out, providing the ultimate in personal statement help and college essay writing help.

Whether you are filing 5 applications or 20 applications, I will simplify this process. I will review your applications line by line, advise you of all paperwork to be submitted, and keep you informed of Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling and Regular application deadlines. We will keep track of all supplemental college essays required and make sure that standardized test scores are submitted on time.

A strong interview can give you an edge in the college process. I will give you the practice, technique, and tips to help you prepare, succeed, and impress your interviewer.

Standardized test scores are a crucial part of the student’s college application. We will evaluate the student’s strengths and comfort level with those tests.
We will evaluate the student's strengths and comfort level with those tests. Together, we will determine whether you are better suited for the SAT or ACT, and then make a plan to prepare for the tests (including the SAT Subject tests if required). By feeling comfortable and prepared, a student should be able to see a gain in their test scores.

Visiting colleges of interest is another tool for making an educated college decision. It can help determine whether the college feels right for you. It can also show demonstrated interest in a school. I can arrange and help plan a college tour for you.

In a climate of intense college competition, your extracurricular activities will weigh into an admission decision. We will look at your strengths and interests to determine which activities or organizations would best showcase your talents. Colleges are looking for a display of leadership, creativity, teamwork, talent, long term commitment, and community service. The activities you choose will be an integral part of your application and will influence your essays, scholarship search, and interviews. We can decide which activities and summer opportunities will best enhance you application.

We will weigh your talents, academic abilities, and dreams against your social, financial, geographic, and any additional parameters you may have, to form a balanced list of right fit schools. We can identify schools that offer the major you are interested in. If finances are a concern, we can look for schools that are more likely to offer scholarship money

I can assist you in filling out the FAFSA and CSS Profile forms. I can advise you on complying with all requests, including deadlines. Together, we can determine scholarship matches and how to apply.

Whether you are interested in playing college sports or in using athletics to enhance your college application, I can advise you on setting up a web page, college resume, videos, or how to approach recruiting.

If you are interested in applying to Visual and Performing Arts programs, I can advise you on auditions or art portfolios. For those that need to take Learning Disabilities and Differences into account, we will identify those in the college search process that are able to meet those needs with additional support or accommodation.

We will review your offers of admission, financial aid packages, and any wait list offers (for action on them), until a decision is made. I can help to file an appeal if desired.

If your aim is to successfully transfer to another institution, it is important to make sure that you are on course academically. Together, we'll go over articulation agreements, IGETC and Breath requirements and plan an appropriate course curriculum.

We will explore majors/careers that interest you and match those up to a list of target schools that are appropriate for you and fit your parameters. Many colleges require transfer students to indicate their major on their application. If you have financial needs, we can look for schools that are statistically more likely to offer scholarship money and we can do a scholarship search for personal matches. I can assist you in filing those applications. I will make sure that you are aware of deadlines for filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and give you line by line help in filling those out.

Transfer students are still required to write essays as part of their college application. Essays are a student's chance to stand out from the rest of the applicants and reveal something about them that is not given in the application. As an expert college essay writer, I will work with you to choose a unique topic and then edit and reedit until it is perfect.

After forming your balanced college list, I will keep you on top of all deadlines (EA, ED Rolling and Regular) and review each application line by line. We'll make sure that all supporting documents are submitted (letters of recommendation, transcripts, standardized tests, and other required test scores).

We will prepare by doing mock interviews. As an experienced coach, I will offer my feedback, advice, and interview tips. You will be able to feel confident that your interview will enhance your application

If this is your area of focus, I can advise you on creating a compelling portfolio or audition that will enhance your application.

As an experienced college counselor and parent that has successfully gone through the application process several times, I can offer knowledge and real life experience. I can also offer an overview, as I am personally familiar with many of the independent schools in the Los Angeles area. We will identify a list of best fit target schools and then set up a comprehensive step by step plan to meet those goals and maximize your chances of admission to those schools.
We will:

• Identify a list of best fit target schools
• Review current curriculum choices
• I will guide you through a plan to prepare for the ISEE or SSAT
• Advise you on letters of recommendation
• Coach you through mock interviews
• Review the applications line by line
• Review offers of admission and if appropriate, act on wait list offers

College counseling services are available in Los Angeles for International students seeking admission to American Universities by Skype, email, and phone calls. For the international student, it is critical that each step of the college application process is diligently completed. Helping Hand College Guidance offers a one-on-one personal approach through a variety of packages. Our Los Angles college counselors are also readily available through in-person meetings. College guidance and advice are offered in:

• Preliminary Assessment
• Forming a Balanced List of Target Schools
• Researching Each University’s Specific Requirements
• College Admission Strategy
• Preparing a Concise Resume
• Interview Preparation (if necessary)
• Thorough College Application Review
• Tips To Show Demonstrated Interest
• Curriculum Review
• Extracurricular Advice
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Standardized Test Strategy, Advice and Referrals – included the TOEFL or IELTS, SAT, ACT, and SAT ll
• Deadlines and a Timeline to Meet Them
• Summer Activities and Employment
• Complete Topic Development and Editing of All College Essays, the Personal Statement, and College Supplements
• Research Support
• Financial Aid Assistance
• Arranging A College Tour
• Advice on Obtaining Recommendation Letters
• Information on Test Optional Schools
• Visa Requirements