Services

Free Initial Meeting with Parents and Student

The purpose of the first meeting is to provide a thorough description of our process and services so that you can make an informed decision.
 

Identify Potential Career Paths

While we certainly don’t expect high school students to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives (we adults many times don’t know), it’s important to evaluate one’s interests and choose colleges partially based on majors available. We therefore administer a career interest inventory and discuss other preferences related to colleges.
 

Research and Develop a List of Colleges Believed to Be a Good Match

After a thorough evaluation, we research appropriate options and present a list of colleges we believe will offer the best opportunity for academic success, growth in confidence, enjoyment of the college experience, and attainment of career goals.
 

Brainstorm and Proofread Essays (sorry, we don’t write them)

However, we can help you decide on your topic and will give you feedback so that you have points to consider in improving your draft.
 

College Interview Preparation

We discuss principles of admissions interviewing and conduct a mock interview. This not only aids in the college admissions process but also provides valuable knowledge and experience for job interviews.

Prepare Student and Parents for a Productive College Visit

We discuss, with students and parents, what to do on a college visit besides walking around.
 

College Financial Aid Assistance

As part of our package, a colleague with 30+ years of college financial aid experience will complete your online FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE for you (if you wish) and provide general college financial aid information.
 

Assist Your Student in Completing the Activity Sheet

The activity sheet is important for three reasons:

  • The information is needed to complete your college applications.
  • It’s helpful to provide your admissions interviewer with a copy.
  • It’s part of the process of our getting to know you so that we can recommend colleges that we believe are a best fit.

 

Review High School Transcript

It’s important that students appropriately challenge themselves in high school and that they take certain subject areas, e.g., science, foreign language, etc. for the appropriate number of years, depending on the colleges and programs to which they are applying. There are also additional issues to be addressed for athletes who hope to compete in college.
 

Personal Guide Through the Entire College Selection and Application Process

Our service is comprehensive and is available until the time that you are scheduled to leave for college.
 

Referral to SAT/ACT Tutor

We are very familiar with tutors who we believe do an excellent job and therefore recommend you contact Michael Bergin, President of Chariot Learning.
 

Referral to Financial Planning Professional, if desired

We know professionals in the financial planning field whom we trust, and we are certainly willing to share their contact information with you if you wish.

We Provide:

  • List of best fit colleges
  • Essay proofreading
  • Interview prep
  • College visit prep
  • Career assessment
  • Application assistance
  • Financial aid advising

We Counsel:

  • High school students
  • Athletes
  • Students with disabilities
  • Middle school students
  • Returning older students
  • Community college students

What Our Clients are Saying:

“Ralph swooped into our lives, organized us, educated us and became an advisor. Ralph took my lump of coal and processed him into the diamond that we all knew was there.”

“I recommend Ralph’s services to students and their families seeking to have a positive and successful college selection and application experience.”

“Ralph Ellis’s expertise, experience and guidance proved to be the most important component of our daughter’s successful college acceptance process.”

“Thanks Ralph for all of your hard work and care. It is obvious by your excitement and dedication how much you enjoy what you do.”

“We can now highly recommend Ralph to our friends and are looking forward to working with him again very soon as our youngest son begins the college search process.”

“He was very thorough and conscientious and he certainly made the process of choosing and applying to college much easier and saner… for ALL of us!”

“I highly recommend Ralph and his services to any parent/student entering the college search and application process. Believe me, it will help your relationship with your child.”

“Ralph is organized, efficient, and professional; I felt confident and was never confused. But on top of everything, it felt like this part of my life was equally important to him as it was for me.”

“When it came down to it, Mr. Ellis was always there, always willing and ready to help me with the entire process. His guidance and quality of assistance was unparalleled and for that I am truly grateful.”

“It was obvious that Dr. Ellis truly cared about us and he went above and beyond to guide us towards the best choice. We would certainly recommend Dr. Ellis for any family making this important decision.”