GPA, SAT, or ACTs are one small part of the picture, and may seem out of your control. What you can control is the big picture—the experiences, the extracurriculars, and the way you communicate all of this to an admissions office. Great candidacies are an opportunity to communicate “who you are,” not just a score you got. A college admissions offer is as much about “fit” as it is about worthiness. Colleges not only want smart, proactive students, but students who match a particular college’s learning environment, community, and culture. 

That’s where Forster-Thomas comes in. We build candidacies that make admissions offices stand up and say, “This student belongs here.” We help you build your candidacy, communicate effectively with your school-based counselor, manage your recommenders, research colleges, build a school list, work on all the activities and essays (a huge job!), and even manage the process after submission (waitlists are real, and you can get off them).

How It Works 

When Do We Begin?

As soon as possible. Many of our candidates begin working with us in their freshman and sophomore years. But it is never too late to build your candidacy. From the time you begin working with us, we do everything within our power to transform your candidacy into one that will make admissions officers stand up and take notice. 

An Organized, Guided Process

Forster-Thomas coaches rely on workbooks, questionnaires, action plans, and other tools to create an organized, guided process so you can monitor your child's progress.

The first step involves getting to know your child. Our College-Bound Questionnaire and College Starter Kit will help your child organize their thoughts, passions, interests, and experiences so we understand exactly where they’re coming from intellectually, socially, and culturally. The questionnaire will also help us build a college list of all the schools that may be right for your child.

One of our favorites aspects of this process is helping young candidates grow as leaders. The tools that help us to this include:

• College Bound Starter Packet
• College Questionnaire
• Favorite Activities Worksheet
• Expanded Activities Worksheet
• Extracurricular Action Plan
• How to Be a Leadership Worksheet
• Why School "Triangle" Worksheet
• College/University Road Mapping Guide
• Resume Creation Worksheet

Admissions Consulting Packages Designed to Meet Your Specific Needs

THE COLLEGE 360 PACKAGE

This package is for parents and high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who understand that building a strong candidacy is more important than merely applying to college. College 360 includes everything from guidance on high school course planning to extracurriculars, jobs, and summer programs, all the way to SAT/ACT, college visits, personal statement writing, and application support. We unlock the leader within.

Our team approach is so personal that we'd much rather talk to you on the phone about what we do than give you a laundry list online. But to give you a taste of the comprehensive service we offer, look below:

• Weekly update meetings (in-person or on the phone)
• Guidance on courses to take during high school
• Intensive school-selection strategy consultation
• Consultations regarding school visits: what to look for, what to ask for
• All essays, including personal statement, and supplemental and short answers per school
• Unlimited consultations
• Unlimited essay drafts
• Final drafts copyedited after client’s final approval
• Interview and resume building workshops (college interviews, thank you notes, etc.)
• Early-action or early-decision strategy.
• Application support (how to fill out, organize info, etc.)
• Application reviews for common app as well as individual applications
• After January 1, monthly update meetings with the members of Forster-Thomas college advising team
• Meetings can take place over the phone if student is unable to meet at office
• Appointments must be canceled within 24 hours of scheduled time or $100 fee may be levied
• Parental contact also unlimited

ESSAYS ONLY

This package is generally for a senior who has created his/her schools list and knows where s/he wants to apply, and thus only needs help with writing essays that stand out.

SPECIAL NEEDS PACKAGE

Is for the student who has a learning difference or learning disability and require like the personalized service of a college admission professional with extensive experience with learning difference candidates.

Is for the student who has difficulties with:

• Learning differences or learning disabilities
• Test anxiety
• Transcript irregularities
• Poor disciplinary record (suspension or expulsions)

THE TRANSFER PACKAGE

Is for the student who does not feel at home in his/her current school for whatever reason or is a student who is seeking to advance from associate to a bachelor degree.

THE PANIC PACKAGE

Are you pulling your hair out?! Your child waited until the very last minute; early or regular decision is about a month away. Forster-Thomas will light that fire and motivate and inspire a turnaround.

HOURLY WORK

If you have very targeted needs, such as a school list or brainstorming essay topics but not iterative support on drafts, our hourly work is right for you! We have a five-hour minimum.

THE COMMON APPLICATION QUESTIONS

They're here, and Forster-Thomas knows how to take them on!    The Common Application Board has released the Essay Questions for the 2024-2025 College Common Application. This year, there are seven prompts to choose between. Read the common app questions or see Evan Forster's video blog on the questions or read our strategies.

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