Working With HelloCollege: A Student’s Perspective

Editor’s Note: This post was written by Maya, a high school senior in the Class of 2027. Maya is working with HelloCollege across four services: one-on-one college admissions counseling, college essay coaching, academic tutoring, and ACT prep. Below, she shares what each one looks like from the student’s side of the process.

I used to think college admissions was mostly about getting good grades and taking high difficulty classes. As soon as I entered my junior year and began researching the college admissions process, I realized there was so much more to it. Between writing your college essays and fitting your entire life into the Common App activities list, it can get pretty overwhelming without any guidance. HelloCollege became my lifeline for four key areas: college admissions counseling, essay coaching, academic tutoring, and ACT prep.

College Admissions Counseling

Before meeting with my HelloCollege admissions counselor, I honestly had no idea where to start. There are thousands of colleges, each with different programs, campus life, and admissions guidelines. To navigate through that rough patch alone would have been impossible, but HelloCollege helped match me with a counselor that quickly got to know me and could guide me in the right direction. 

Working with a counselor helped me organize the entire process. From before college applications even began, I was ahead of the game. My counselor gave me access to the best resources and spent time understanding my skills, interests, and qualities that go beyond my academic ranking. Together, my counselor and I were able to create a flexible timeline that would keep me ahead of the submission process to create a stress free environment. 

With counseling, HelloCollege showed me the perspective that college isn’t only about getting into the most prestigious schools possible, but instead is about finding a place that fits you and will watch you thrive academically and socially. 

College Essay Coaching

Of the college admissions process, it is safe to say that the Common App personal statement intimidated me the most. Trying to summarize years of my life into a mere 650 word count, and trying to sound original, seemed nearly impossible.

At first, I thought essay coaching meant my essay was being written for me. Instead, HelloCollege paired me with an essay coach that understood my fear of the word count and originality and helped me soon get over that fear. My HelloCollege essay coach took the time to get to know me over the span of my entire life, taking note of what an admissions officer may want to know. Together, we brainstormed a unique story that allowed me to reflect and organize my experience into 650 words. 

The best feedback wasn’t about making my essay sound more impressive. It was about making it sound more authentically me. The experience with my essay coach continues to make me a better writer and stretch outside of my comfort zone, skills I will take far beyond the college admissions process. 

Academic and ACT Tutoring

It felt odd at first to be on the receiving end of tutoring. I once viewed tutoring as only for kids who were struggling, but when I was introduced to my tutor, everything changed. Tutoring became a way to strengthen my understanding of difficult subjects and prepare me for important college admissions exams, like the ACT. HelloCollege connects you with an experienced tutor to guide you through the tough upperclass years. 

As the college admissions process becomes more complex and competitive, having a tutor in your corner helps you become more comfortable. My tutor helped me keep up with ACT struggles and school work concerns, all while keeping me motivated to stay studying. Instead of constantly stressing about difficult assignments and test scores, I was able to focus on growing. 

The best lesson that I’ve learned from HelloCollege is that asking for academic help shows strength and not weakness.

HelloCollege’s Support Goes Beyond College Applications

HelloCollege provides so much more than just tutoring, counseling, and coaching. They provide hope about admissions. They helped me develop skills that will benefit me throughout college and beyond. Tutoring taught me resilience and effective study habits. Counseling taught me how to make informed decisions and plan ahead. Essay coaching taught me how to communicate my experiences with confidence. 

Perhaps the greatest lesson I’ve learned is that no one is expected to perfect the college admissions process alone. Teachers, counselors, tutors, mentors, and family members all play an important role in helping students succeed, and HelloCollege makes that happen.

In the end, the admissions process is really about presenting the best version of yourself, and HelloCollege allowed me to find that version and the confidence to know that my story is worth telling.