COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELING
Our Expert Guidance will Help you Gain Admission to Top Universities
- Work hand-in-hand with a dedicated college counselor to create a plan for success
- Utilize seasoned essay coaches to develop essays that will make a lasting impression on admissions
- Develop a personal Stand-Out Factor so students emerge at the fore of the applicant crowd
- Identify scholarships and other financial aid in order to reduce the cost of college
Contact Us
What Families are Saying About HelloCollege
5/5
This organization is thoroughly committed to excellence and helped me remain organized and motivated through a stressful college application process.
Matteo Caulfield
Attending Georgetown University
5/5
The essay workshops and my essay coach were extremely helpful in shaping my ideas into compelling essays. Through HelloCollege, I also made invaluable connections that helped me to create a unique “stand-out” submission that I feel made a hugely positive impact on my application portfolio.
Elaine C.
Attending Notre Dame
5/5
I would not have known what to do or when to complete all of the different aspects of applying to college. The program helped me find seven scholarships, kept me accountable, and is a push in the right direction.
Matthew Nicholson
Attending Northwestern University
5/5
HelloCollege was a lifesaver when it came to the college process. They helped me with everything from test prep for the SAT, to forming and narrowing down my college list, to providing workshops for finding and applying to scholarships. I received attention I needed during such a stressful application time. The college process went so much smoother with HelloCollege, and I got into my dream school thanks to them!
Sandy Kahn
Attending Wisconsin
5/5
They provided organization and guidance, which made the stressful and chaotic college process less daunting. HelloCollege went above and beyond and taught me the professionalism and skills that I will use after my college experience as well. I am especially thankful for HelloCollege getting me here.
Tess Sobol
Attending University of Illinois
5/5
This program successfully guided our family through the competitive college application process and provided superb resources at every step to help our son get into Duke University.
James and Heide Reilly
Son Attending Duke University
About HelloCollege
HelloCollege is a national college planning firm that helps families navigate college selection, admissions and career readiness. We are dedicated to helping students and parents succeed in the college admissions process, providing a personalized experience based on each family's unique needs and goals. Our team has, collectively, over 200 years of college planning experience, as well as proven success helping students gain admittance to top universities across the country.
Achieve your dreams. Say HelloCollege.
HelloCollege Student Results
+4/+120 points
Average increase in ACT/SAT score.
97%
Get into a
top-college choice.
41%
Gain admission to highly selective universities vs. 10% national average.
82%
Graduate in four years with a job in their major.
Our College Consulting Services
We offer a variety of high-end services designed to maximize your student's potential.
Test Prep & Tutoring
Although many colleges are now test optional, strong ACT/SAT scores make a candidate stand out. Our program provides online resources, unlimited proctored practice exams, and detailed score reports to help your student prep.
Admissions Programs
Our comprehensive programs provide your student with a personal college counselor to guide your family through every step of the process – from college selection to decision day. The program also includes our full suite of essay coaching services and our interactive workshop series.
Essay Review/Editing
Students work closely with our essay coaches to brainstorm, review and polish their Common Application and supplemental essays. At each step, students receive in-depth feedback and professional editing.
Custom Packages
Many students seeking admission to highly selective schools require extra attention, focus and assistance. Our custom packages allow you to choose the counselor hours or essay edits that are right for you.
Meet the Team
Kevin Krebs
Founder - Counselor & Senior Advisor
Kevin Krebs is a graduate of Northwestern University with a Master’s from the Medill School of Journalism. He has 20 years of experience assisting families through the college planning process. Kevin supports high education by empowering schools and parents with expert college admissions guidance. Kevin has educated over 15,000 families during his 20 Tips to College Planning Success workshops and assisted thousands of students through college planning.
Terri C. Houston
Student Success Director - College Counselor
Terri Houston is an educator, trainer and mentor of students, college administrators, and business professionals. “Ms. H” as affectionately known by students, has served in leadership and consultant roles with over 100 colleges, universities and educational institutions around the country. For more than 13 years, Terri services as Senior Director for Recruitment and Multicultural Affairs at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
Dan Farnesi
President & COO - College Counselor
Dan enjoys helping students make the most out of their lives, and he is able to follow this passion daily at HelloCollege. Dan has over 30 years of experience in the finance industry and 7 years in college planning. As COO and College Counselor he has helped lead the company in providing families structure, efficiency and an ever-refined approach to college planning that has deeply impacted its families.
Will Wagner
Essay Director
Will Wagner is a writer and editor for everything from national magazines to websites. He wrote his own book “Wrigley Blues: The Year the Cubs Played Hardball (but Lost Anyway), published in 2004 by Taylor Trade. Will is highly passionate about helping students portray their best selves on the college essays.
Debra Gershow
College Counselor
Debbie began her educational career as a school guidance counselor on Long Island, New York. She has over 25 years of experience counseling and advocating for teens.
She holds a Masters of Science in Education and certification as a school counselor in New York State. Debbie has designed counseling programs in two new schools, including a comprehensive college advising program for 350 9th-12th graders.
Allison Dahleen
College Counselor
Allison has a variety of experiences working with students within the higher education field. Formerly, she was a student advocate for graduate students for renowned institutions such as the University of Kentucky. Allison has her BSBA in Comprehensive Marketing and an MSA in Administration Leadership. Allison brings a wealth of knowledge about college programming, expectations required of a student, and the ins and outs of university procedures and policies.
Factors Considered in Highly Selective admissions
Getting into a selective college is harder than it used to be.
Getting into a highly selective college or university takes far more than just good grades and test scores. These colleges are looking for students who stand out from the crowd through leadership and participation over the entire four years of high school. It's critical that you utilize your essay, letters of recommendation, interviews and application to showcase your unique talents.
Key Considerations:
Course Rigor & Academics
Extracurricular Activities
Uniqueness & Potential for Greatness
Stand-Out College Essays
Letters of Recommendation
Legacy Status
Why Choose Us?
Personalized
A wide range of services ranging from help with test prep to essays to comprehensive college planning. Programs are customized to meet each student's unique needs.
Expertise
Our team of education professionals has over 200 years of dedicated college admissions experience. We have delivered free college planning education to over 15,000 families and personally guided over 1300 students.
Results
HelloCollege students graduate with less debt, earn more financial aid and scholarships, get into top choice colleges and graduate with jobs in their major.
Assurance
Remove the stress and worry that you are missing something in the college planning process. Avoid costly mistakes by working with a team of experts who guide you every step of the way.
8 Tips for Admissions Success
One.
Maintain outstanding grades through all four years of high school, with a heavy emphasis on rigorous courses (IB, Honors, AP).
Two.
Through extracurriculars, get involved with your school and community throughout the year. Show the depth of your interest by expanding your leadership role each year of high school.
Three.
Plan on lots of test prep to master your ACT/SAT and subject tests. Start early, take practice exams often, and focus on areas for improvement.
Four.
Write a stand-out college essay. Hone your theme and create a compelling story while also focusing on structure, content, and execution - all with the help of a personal coach.
Five.
Find two teachers who will write you fantastic letters of recommendation. We'll help you make it easy for them by generating a resume to provide them when you ask.
Six.
Prepare for your college interview by going through mock sessions. Always be prompt and present yourself professionally, both in person and online.
Seven.
Don't wait. Start early and strategize through all four years of high school.
Eight.
Get organized. Track your progression, extracurriculars, and create a resume. Prepare to spend a lot of time on essays through application season.
