Ava had ambitious goals for a future in medicine, but she knew she wanted more from her college experience. She wanted a school that combined strong academics, a vibrant social scene, and a tight community. Rather than settling for a college that excelled in just one area, HelloCollege helped her identify the schools that checked every box, leading to an Early Decision acceptance at the University of Virginia.
University of Virginia
College Counselor
Ava showed genuine interest in the process, and her family was right there beside her every step of the way. When the UVA acceptance arrived, it felt like a win for the entire family.
Location: Massachusetts
GPA/Class Rank:
Test Score: SAT - 92nd percentile
Major: Biology / Pre-Med
Philanthropy & Service Club
Math Team
Varsity Swim & Lacrosse
National Honor Society
Ava arrived at HelloCollege knowing she wanted to pursue a pre-med path. What she needed was a plan to make it happen. After watching friends a year ahead of her struggle to navigate the college admissions process, Ava knew she wanted extra support.
Her school’s guidance counselors were dedicated resources, but with hundreds of students to support, one-on-one time was limited. When it came to navigating the high-stakes college admissions process, Ava decided she would benefit from additional guidance and personalized support.
Working with counselor Raymond Gonzales, Ava built a balanced college list with clear reach, target, and safety schools. While academics were important, student life mattered just as much. Having visited hundreds of college campuses, Raymond offered honest insights into social life and campus culture, helping Ava better envision what life would be like as both a student and a member of the community. He also made sure her safety schools required no application fees or additional essays, ensuring she had strong options without adding unnecessary stress to the process.
Ava came into the process torn between Duke and the University of Virginia. Raymond was straightforward with her about her chances at each through Early Decision, and when she thought about where she actually wanted to spend four years, UVA became the clear choice.
Ava had already written her Common App personal statement before working with HelloCollege. It was a solid piece of writing, but when she read it back, it sounded more like a class assignment than a reflection of her character. Working with her essay coach, she went back in and reshaped it, and when they were done, Ava felt genuinely proud of her work, and more importantly, it reflected her unique voice.
Ava was accepted Early Decision to the University of Virginia, where she’ll begin her pre-med journey. Her safety schools all came back with acceptances, honors college invitations, and scholarship offers. Ava says HelloCollege helped turn what felt like an overwhelming process into a manageable one, making senior year feel far less stressful and never out of control.
Navigate the college admissions process with our experts and set yourself up for college success.
✦ The HelloCollege Insider
Get free, grade-specific advice from our Forbes-rated team — including mistake-prevention guides, admissions news, and live expert webinars. No strings attached.
