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College Admissions Services

We guide families through college preparation, selection, admissions, applications, and essays in a personalized way to help your student find the perfect college fit

How Our College Admissions Services Work

Step 1.

Speak with an Advisor

Schedule a free consultation with our experts to understand your goals and determine if one of our college admissions programs is right for your child.

Step 2.

One-on-One Counselor Guidance

Meet your college counselor and begin to map out a custom plan to meet your student’s college goals. Engage in regular strategy sessions and check-ins with your counselor to keep your student on track as they progress through high school to graduation.

Step 3.

Strengthen Portfolio and Gain Insight

Attend engaging and interactive peer group workshops and utilize our digital tools to help your student target the right majors, colleges, enhance stand out factor, increase ACT/SAT scores, and check off critical milestones throughout the process.

Step 4.

Apply with Confidence

Work with our team of essay, application, and finance experts to complete all aspects of college applications with less stress and a higher probability of admission.
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CORE OFFERINGS

College Admissions Assistance

Only one in four students graduates from college in four years. Four out of five switch majors, and more than 25% transfer.  Applying to college is complicated.  HelloCollege is a comprehensive, guided program to help you avoid costly mistakes. We’ve got you covered.

Personalized Student Attention & Guidance

I really love Mr. Dan. He really had a unique perspective and he encourages you with everything. He always has a positive outlook on things, but he's not necessarily an optimist; he tells you when you need to get your stuff together. Because of HelloCollege, I got into the program I really wanted to.
Sajed Aziz
Sajed AzizBenedictine University - Direct Medicine Admit
I greatly appreciate the personal attention and care shown by the counselors and the amount of resources this organization has to offer. As a rising college freshman, I can say that I feel prepared to navigate this next phase of my life thanks to the help of HelloCollege.
Sarah Huddleston
Sarah HuddlestonColumbia University
Barrington High School
Our main counselor was Ms. Houston (or Ms. H as my daughter called her) and she was THE BEST. She made herself available whenever we needed to talk to her, and she was awesome in working with my daughter - very compassionate, understanding, and informative.
Lisa BarnesParent of Kierra at Penn State
Ogden International High School
My family and I walked into the college process confused and nervous. But after even just one meeting with Ms. H, my family and I felt confident and excited. She was not only my college counselor but someone in my corner who I could always count on for help.
Isabella Calderon
Isabella CalderonUniversity of Illinois - Honors College
Naperville Central High School
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A dedicated counselor guides you through each step of the process. Your family and college counselor work together to build a plan that is tailored to your specific situation. These personal sessions provide you with all the information and guidance you will need to make the smartest possible decisions, covering areas such as high school course selection, how to identify schools that are the best fit for you, and how to get accepted.

  • Access to both an expert counselor and a collaborative college admissions counseling and support staff with more than 200-plus combined years of professional counseling experience
  • Individualized experts in admissions, finance, career coaching, and essay writing
  • Partner with a dedicated college admissions counselor and receive:
  • In-depth focus on student goals, and college and career interests
  • Expert analysis of your student’s current standing and admissions potential
  • A comprehensive strategy for completing the college application process

Structure & Organization

One of the key benefits for both the parents and the student is the structured approach to the entire process. This approach was a HUGE help as it took the pressure off to just know that there was a plan of attack.
Mary Anton Carter
Mary Anton CarterMother of Elaine at Notre Dame
Hinsdale Central High School
Throughout the entire college application process, HelloCollege provided stability and information, and helped me and my family stay on top of things. I am beyond satisfied with the work they did to help me get into the college of my dreams!
Timothy RubensteinPurdue University - Nursing
Stevenson High School
Hello College really helped me get through the stressful college application season. They had an organized plan to keep me on track and guide through the application process ie. narrowing my college list, building a resume, learning strategies for the ACT/SAT, etc.
Reeya Patolawala
Reeya PatolawalaUniversity of Pennsylvania - Wharton School of Business
This organization is thoroughly committed to excellence and helped me remain organized and motivated through a stressful college application process.
Matteo Caulfield
Matteo CaulfieldGeorgetown University
Benet Academy
HelloCollege helped me clearly define my goals and create a plan of action. I was able to achieve successful results because their staff has a warm and personal approach to each student's unique needs.
Marc Cordero
Marc CorderoNorthwestern University
St. Ignatious College Prep
Working with the talented team at HelloCollege has really helped our family navigate this overwhelming process. They have helped us every step of the way and really kept my son on track
Rose Lane
Rose LaneMother of Jack at Notre Dame
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Staying on track and knowing what to do is one of the most impactful aspects of HelloCollege’s services.  Our counselors and complementary digital tools provide a clear path to keep students from veering off track and moving toward their goals.

  • Structure to help manage the college application timeline
  • Checklists and resources
  • Actionable items stemming from every meeting
  • Customized dashboard and college list tools that allow counselors to collaborate with students on their college list
  • College planning platform that tracks key milestones and displays action items for students as they follow the process

Academics & Testing

The online test prep program helped me go from a 33 on my first test to a 36 because it took apart each of the sections of the ACT piece by piece, found the most commonly missed types of questions, and then presented practice drills for those. I liked the new types of questions and drills every week.
Annika Aggrawal
Annika AggrawalDuke University
I was very disappointed with my first ACT score of 22. I expected it to be a lot higher since I’m in all honors and AP classes. My parents enrolled me in HelloCollege and I completed their online test prep program and went to the strategy sessions. I found it all very beneficial. The third time I took the ACT I increased my score to a 27!
Jacob Rissman
Jacob RissmanUniversity of Missouri
Plainfield East High School
Starting in my students freshman year of high school with HC allowed him to benefit from HC feedback on high school class selection and extracurricular activities related to his intended college major(s); thus, optimizing his chance for acceptance to the collegiate program of his choice.
Anastasia NystedtMother of Ian - Class of '22
Hinsdale Central High School
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Reaching your full potential in the classroom and on the ACT and SAT comes down to preparation. Through HelloCollege, students work closely with their counselor to ensure they are taking the right classes throughout high school to set them up for success and to have a smart test prep strategy in place.

  • Regular reviews of high school transcripts and courses
  • Assessment of ACT/SAT score gaps and a customized ACT/SAT testing plan to achieve desired college acceptances
  • Access to one of the top online prep courses available, including hundreds of video resources, practice exams and 18 weeks of course material
  • Unlimited full-length practice ACT or SAT tests, some of which are proctored by our staff, with detailed reports that identify areas for improvement
  • Expert-let ACT/SAT Strategy workshops to learn the tips and tricks for maximizing your score
  • Customized tutoring programs in test prep and various academic subjects

Major and Career Exploration and Identification

As a student struggling with a career choice, when I got the opportunity to take the aptitude test, I was excited, to say the least. Upon receiving the results, I spent hours and hours analyzing my results and collaborating with my favorite teachers on how accurate this was. These were things I had always experienced in my life but could never articulate the correct way to tell my teachers. I have been able to become a better student by being able to tell my teachers what kind of environment, learning style, homework, and collaboration groups work best for me.
Olivia Howell
Olivia HowellClass of '21 South Elgin High School

Does your child have an academic path charted for success in a future career? Your student will receive a robust career assessment and then structured one-on-one career guidance from your personal college counselor. Once you’re done, you will have a narrowed list of majors and careers.

  • Self-discovery interests and aptitudes assessment
  • Comprehensive diagnostic report to identify best college major and career options
  • Peer-to-peer workshop to explore results and available resources
  • Personal major and career review

Build a College List & College Discovery

Allison was my counselor and she supported me in getting organized, meeting my deadlines, and creating a well-balanced list of Universities to apply. She provided me with a safe environment to ask questions and motivated me to get the work done.
Kaitlyn HammerLoyola Marymount University
Alverno Heights Academy

You will have an invaluable opportunity to develop and refine a list of colleges that reflect your needs and desires utilizing HelloCollege’s S.A.F.E.© College List Strategy. In addition to being provided with tools to help you research, manage, rank, and track your potential colleges, you will receive hands-on guidance and counseling from our experts.

  • A series of College Exploration meetings with your counselor to help uncover your true preferences in college life and provide strategies for visiting and exploring colleges
  • Our exclusive College Ambassador program, which connects students and families with HelloCollege alumni at respective colleges to learn more about college life
  • Multiple College List Strategy sessions, during which your counselor will create a custom college list based on your needs and goals, incorporating your in-depth career analysis
  • Alongside your counselor, analyze college acceptance rates, academic profiles, and other criteria to understand your position
  • Strategies to improve odds of:
  • Admission into top-choice schools
  • Acceptance into specialized college majors and programs
  • Acceptance into highly selective schools (e.g., Ivy Leagues)
  • Achieving the best college admissions results

Stand Out to Admissions

Through HelloCollege, I made invaluable connections that helped me to create a unique “stand out” submission that I feel made a huge positive impact on my application portfolio.
Elaine Carter
Elaine CarterUniversity of Notre Dame

Given the large and competitive pool of college applicants, students must learn how to “stand out” to pique the interest of admissions offices. Among the qualities schools desire in potential students are leadership, initiative, creativity and empathy.

  • Your counselor will assess your competitive positioning alongside other college applicants
  • Peer-to-peer workshop to help identify personal strengths and develop a strategy for bringing students to the forefront during the application process
  • Over a series of personal sessions, students and counselors work together to identify and grow a standout factor to showcase individual unique characteristics

Paying for College

HelloCollege made the process of choosing the next step after high school much less stressful. They helped guide us through the ACT/SAT test process. Discover majors and career matches. Evaluate what colleges are the best fit and steps to get scholarships rewards. College is CRAZY expensive, invest early in the process and you could save $$.
Lynn Harker
Lynn HarkerMother of Andrea at Western Michigan
Naperville Central High School
They helped us focus on which schools would be a good fit, choose high school classes to maximize chances of acceptance (and scholarship money), complete the FAFSA, and helped with applications. So far, my son has received significant financial aid offers from the Engineering program at 4 schools. My younger son will definitely be signing up!
Joan Koenig
Joan KoenigMother of Peter at Ohio State
Oak Park River Forest High School
Every member of the staff is amazing! I ended up getting into some great schools and received numerous scholarships as well because of all the guidance I received. I highly, highly recommend HelloCollege!
Melissa Sloan
Melissa SloanMother of Gabriella and Francesca
St. Ignatious College Prep Class of '22
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Paying for college is expensive, and the financial aid process can be quite complicated. We help your family build a plan to reduce college costs through scholarships, merit-based aid, budget planning and FAFSA guidance.

  • Budget Planning Session with our financial specialist
  • Build a college list that considers your annual college budget and aid potential
  • Discussion on the potential impact of adjustments to asset positioning
  • Introduction to our proprietary Budget and Loan Analyzer tool
  • Our intimate Paying for College workshop introduces concepts and strategies to afford college, win private scholarships, and maximize aid.
  • Our Scholarship Workshop Series helps students identify, create a plan for, and offers hands-on assistance to apply for scholarships with the goal of minimizing your out-of-pocket costs.
  • Learn best practices for identifying quality private financial awards
  • Identify and create a plan to apply for scholarships
  • Access our proprietary Scholarship Directory
  • Rest assured that your application will be submitted properly with our Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) workshop. You also will be introduced to factors considered for schools that require the more complex CSS Profile financial aid application.
  • Dissect your offers during an Award Assessment meeting. Using our Award Assessment tool, you can evaluate the monetary implications of attending each of your potential schools and create a plan to increase your aid by leveraging your financial aid offers from colleges through avenues such as appeals.

Essays

HelloCollege was a huge help for my son to prepare a winning essay for the Common Application. He participated in their Essay Bootcamp during the summer before Senior year. They helped him prepare prior, give him hands-on guidance and instruction during the bootcamp sessions, and then great support through the iterative review cycle to finalize and submit. Each step along the way, he strengthened the focus, content and quality of his essay.
CJ BauerFather of Charlie
Class of '20 Glenbrook South High School
The Essay Writing Bootcamp was amazing.
Nancy KavadasMother of Ellie at EI School of Business Madrid
Deerfield High School Class of '21
The biggest benefit was the portion of the program dedicated to helping students write their college essays. I am happy to say our son is currently a thriving sophomore at a Big 10 college.
Aaron PisczekFather of Aaron
Glenbard West High School Class of '21
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Writing a winning college essay is challenging. It also is a key part of gaining admission to your preferred schools. Our expert essay coaches, with a combined 200-plus years of writing and editing experience, will guide you to craft an essay that improves your odds of being accepted.
  • Comprehensive essay coaching by professional writers (e.g., journalists for national newspapers, magazines, and websites, as well as book authors).
  • Utilize custom online tools and assessments that steer students toward a topic that is both compelling and conveys the attributes colleges covet.
  • Work one-on-one with an essay coach to refine your essay topic(s).
  • Our Essay Bootcamp, offered the summer after junior year, will enable your student to learn everything they need to know about the Common Application and/or Coalition Application essay well before “crunch time.”
  • The Supplemental Essay Workshop focuses on additional essays many schools require. An essay coach reviews your essay prompts, helping you to outline the most advantageous ways to approach them.
  • Depending on the program you choose, you have anywhere from 3 to 40 hours of essay coaching and edits. You will focus on the essay’s “story,” structure, and mechanics. At each step, you will receive in-depth feedback from your coach. This polishing process ensures that the essays stand out.

Applications & Admissions

Getting into Cornell was no easy task and required hours and hours of work on resumes, essays, and portfolios. HelloCollege was there with me every step of the way, and I can’t thank them enough for the work they’ve done to help me set myself up for a successful future!
Carson Kotecki
Carson KoteckiCornell University
Hinsdale South High School Class of '21
Doing a mock interview with my college counselor, helped me get the jitters out and feel more confident in my college admission interviews.
Hiba SiddiquiBenedictine University
Willowbrook High School
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Selecting the appropriate application strategy and avoiding common mistakes can be a game changer in boosting acceptance odds.  You will work with your HelloCollege counselor to develop a strategy that ensures you will get into your preferred schools.

  • Application strategy session(s) with a counselor select the right test submission policy and develop a strategy to apply Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision. Counselors create a timeline of important dates and deadlines to stay on track.
  • You fill out the majority of the Common Application during our Common App Workshop with assistance from expert advisors.
  • To be certain you are putting your best foot forward, an advisor from HelloCollege reviews each section of your Common App and helps you make whatever changes might be necessary during a Common Application Private Review.
  • As part of the admissions process or internships, many schools offer or require an interview. Our One-on-One Mock Interview prepares you to make a winning impression.

Leadership Development & Career Preparation

Their counselors constantly helped me to step out of my comfort zone and go beyond my boundaries. I find myself following their strategies even in college.
Reeya Patolawala
Reeya PatolawalaUniversity of Pennsylvania - Wharton School of Business
Hinsdale Central High School
HelloCollege went above and beyond and taught me the professionalism and skills that I will use after my college experience as well.
Tess Sobol
Tess SobolUniversity of Illinois
Hinsdale South High School
The process helped build her confidence as well as she was ultimately making the decisions that will impact her life in the future.
Mary Anton Carter
Mary Anton CarterMother of Elaine at Notre Dame
The skill set she acquired during the process from interviewing skills to professional prep will be key in the years to come.
Nora Sobol
Nora SobolMother of Tess at University of Illinois
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HelloCollege students not only come out with admissions success, but they also grow and develop in our program as young leaders and professionals. They engage in resume building, professional preparation, and college interview skills.

  • Our exclusive Parent Mentor Network gives HelloCollege students access to high-level professionals from many disciplines and the opportunity for informational interviews, job shadowing, and internship connections.
  • Our group workshops encourage students to meet others, come out of their shell and develop communication skills.
  • Our High School Resume Workshop helps you craft a resume that showcases your strengths and accomplishments in an eye-catching way.
  • In our College & Career Transition workshop, you take your first steps in building a professional network through LinkedIn and other resources that will prepare you for the job market after graduation.
View our Programs

Request a Free Consultation

Our consultations are designed to help you create a roadmap through college admissions. We break down the process into simple terms and help your family understand what’s involved. Plus, you’ve got an expert right there to answer your pressing questions.

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Meet the experts

College Counselors & Essay Coaches

Kevin Krebs - Founder of HelloCollege

Kevin Krebs

Founder and Managing Director

Inspired by his parents, Kevin’s journey from a first-gen, diverse, low-income background to Northwestern University shaped him. After experiencing challenges, including student loan debt, he founded HelloCollege and has spent the last 25 years helping students successfully navigate college admissions.

Allison Dahleen

Director of Counseling Services

As an MSA holder, Allison brings a wealth of experience supporting students in higher education. As a respected leader at HelloCollege, she expertly navigates admissions, and academic advising, empowering students to conquer their goals.

Jeannine Palhegyi

Senior Coordinator, Director of Culture

Jeannine draws from personal experience as both a team member and client. As a mother navigating the college planning process for her son, HelloCollege provided invaluable support. Now, with over 20 years of customer service expertise, she compassionately guides families on their own successful college journeys.

Hans Hanson

Senior Admissions Advisor

Hans brings boundless passion to empowering students and families on their transformative college journey. With his wealth of expertise, he guides them in making informed decisions, ensuring each student's path leads to success and fulfillment.

Sue Nelson

Financial Specialist

Sue has 25 years of experience in financial services and assists families with the financial aid process and cost saving practices.

Niloufar Azarnia

Customer Support

Niloufar has a BS in Marketing from Miami University, she loved her college experience and strives to help others find their SAFE school.

Amanda Yoder

Lead College Counselor and Trainer

Amanda is a Lead College Counselor and Trainer with over 10 years of high school counseling experience. She holds a Master's in Education with a counseling concentration and graduate certificates in Military & Family Education and Administration & Supervision (Educational Leadership).

Don Keller

College Counselor

Don is a highly skilled College Admissions Counselor, boasting a 20-year background in student service. Don's expertise includes evaluating applications for UC - Berkeley and the prestigious Questbridge Scholars program, making him well-equipped to guide students toward their educational aspirations.

Raymond Gonzales

College Counselor

Raymond has multiple degrees from Harvard, UPenn, and USC. He has helped students from various backgrounds navigate the path to college

Shariq Ali

College Counselor

Shariq has a B.A. in International & Global Studies (IGS) and Policy Studies from Elon University and an M.S.Ed. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania.

Miracle Husband

College Counselor

Miracle has worked in higher education for the last 13 years. She received her B.A. at UC Berkeley and M.Ed. at the University of Vermont.

Pamela Greene

College Counselor

Pamela utilizes best practices in student counseling, educational planning, and career preparedness to create matches between students and colleges that provide the best academic, cultural, and social fit.

John Gardezi

College Counselor

A native of Southern California, John Gardezi is a passionate educational consultant with extensive experience assisting students navigate the US college admission process. He is a 2009 graduate of Harvard College and a former interviewer for the Harvard College Office of Admissions.

Chris Bench

Director of Essay Services

Chris Bench, the Director of Essay, is a seasoned essay coach with a decade of experience. Holding an AB from Kenyon and an MA from UChicago, Chris's expertise shines through, particularly in the realm of commas, where his opinion is unwavering.

Will Wagner

Essay Coach

Will is an admissions essay expert, published author, and editor working on everything from national magazines to websites.

Alisha Braun

Essay Coach

Alisha has worked in higher ed for 13 yrs, teaching at MSU and USF. She has her Ph.D. in Educational Policy from Michigan State.

Sara Walsh

Essay & Career Coach

With eighteen years of experience in international schools, Sara holds a B.A. in English from Notre Dame and an M.A. from SUNY New Paltz.

Andi Taylor

Essay Coach

Andi has over three years of experience working in a college admissions office. She graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics.

Lara Ehrlich

Essay Coach

Lara Ehrlich is the author of Animal Wife (Red Hen Press, 2020), host of the conversation series Writer Mother Monster, and director of Thought Fox Writers Den.

Nicholas Pizzo

Essay Coach

Nick is a graduate of UVM and UChicago. He holds a BA in English and an MA in the Humanities, with a focus on creative writing. He loves watching basketball, despite his poor playing ability.

Sana Rahman

Essay Coach

Sana Rahman holds a Masters in English Literature from the University of Chicago. She’s always searching for the best way for people to share the stories they want to tell.

Sarah Bellardini

Essay Coach

Sarah Bellardini is a comedy and animation writer with nearly a decade of experience working in television. She graduated with a degree in Film & TV from Boston University.

Steven Flores

Essay Coach

Steven Flores is a writer and educator with 11 years of experience in higher education, including 4 years of one-on-one essay coaching. He is currently an AOP Fellow at UW-Milwaukee.

Teresa Brickey

Essay Coach

Teresa Brickey is a Chicago-based educator. She received her Bachelor's degree at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, and her Master’s from the University of Chicago.

Mirav Bradshaw

Essay Coach

Mirav Bradshaw is a graduate of the University of Arizona and is currently seeking her Certificate in College Counseling through UCLA-Extension. She worked in veterinary pharmaceuticals and loves science and dogs.

Eleanor Russell

Essay Coach

Eleanor Russell is a writer living in Taos, NM. She earned her doctorate from the Interdisciplinary PhD in Theatre and Drama at Northwestern University. She spends her free time hiking, swimming, listening to music, and praying for a Reba reboot.

Gina Twardosz

Essay Coach

Gina Twardosz is a curious lifelong learner with a BFA in English Writing and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction.

Elena Van Lare

Essay Coach

Elena Van Lare is an Academic Dean and English Teacher with over 30 years of experience working with young adults from Grades 6 to college. She earned her M.Ed. from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY.