COLLEGE ADMISSION SUPPORT
We are committed to maximizing our students college entrance options. Our quality SAT and ACT prep programs are a great start. The next step is a clear and simple approach to the college search to find the right school that FITS you!
Ames Seminars offers affordable workshops, complete college search programs and individual, in-depth private counseling to help you navigate your college process. Click on any of the links below for more details.
Private Counseling
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Comprehensive Private
College Search Programs Workshops
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PRIVATE COLLEGE COUNSELING & INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS
Fee: $135 per hour
Some families want individual help with a specific area but may not need or want a full counseling program. Therefore, we offer our college consultants on an hourly basis. Families often request these services:
- Evaluations: Review of student's academic record & GPA, and recommendations for college selectivity levels
- College Search: research appropriate colleges
- The College List: Recommendations for 3 levels of admissions selectivity (Reach, Probable, and Safety Schools)
- Consultation for high school course selection
- Evaluation of summer programs and extracurricular activities
- Individualized application essay support
- Evaluation of acceptances and aid packages
- Special Talents: Music, Visual/Performing Arts or Athletics
- Special Circumstances: LD, ADHD
- Available for all grade levels
| Fee: $135 per hour | Contact Us | back to top |
Our complete junior/senior package is a personalized college search that includes everything: private, individualized college planning starting in junior year, ending with evaluating acceptances and financial aid packages in April of senior year.
This program includes 15 hours of private consultation to provide guidance, expertise, and strategic planning for all aspects of the college admission process and also includes our applications workshops. Most families start the process in spring of junior year.
- Personalized Search for Colleges, Special Programs and Majors
Working with our experienced counselors and attending our workshops, students will:
- assess personal interests and skills
- develop a criteria list for a college search (define what they want in a college)
- explore potential majors and careers
- determine eligibility for different levels of selectivity
- build a college list
- create an admissions calendar for visits, essays, and things to do
- learn about great summer activities
- learn how to make college visits and admissions interviews effective
- Summer before senior year: begin to draft and edit application essays
- review the college list
- revise and finalize all essays, including supplemental questions
- complete all applications
- GET IT DONE and TURN IT IN!
- assess acceptances and aid packages in the Spring
| Fee: $1895 | Contact Us | back to top |
Our senior program includes assistance with the college search, creating a college list, applications, college essays, and more. Through individual sessions with our experienced college counselor (10 hours) and our applications workshops, students will be guided through the college process.
Students should start the process as soon as they realize they need help - preferably during the summer before senior year.
- Personalized Search for Colleges, Special Programs and Majors
Working with our experienced counselors and attending our workshops, seniors will:
- develop a criteria list for a college search (define what they want in a college)
- determine eligibility for different levels of selectivity
- build a college list
- begin applications
- draft and edit application essays
- complete all applications
- assess acceptances and aid packages in the Spring
| Fee: $1495 | Contact Us | back to top |
WORKSHOPS
Get Started!
There are thousands of colleges and getting started on the process of looking for the “right” ones is tricky and seemingly complicated. Many students and families get stuck at the starting line. We will help you make a firm start toward that final college list.
The College Search workshop includes TWO sessions that involve both students and parents - because this is a process that families need to begin together.
The College Search is more than an informational workshop; while you will learn a lot about college admission, the most important aspect of the seminar is to REALLY get started. For example, between Session I and Session II, students and parents will research colleges based upon what they learned the first day. (Price includes student and parents).
- Where do I begin?
- Developing a set of criteria
- How to Research Colleges: books, online, search engines
- Understanding the data
- Researching majors and careers
- Admission trends and the impact on students
- College Visits: How to plan
Session II 1 1/2 hours
- Review of research done between sessions
- Refine Your Criteria and Expand Your Options
- Plan the next steps in the search
| College Search Workshop: | Dates to come | ||
| Fee: $195 | back to top |
Your College Essay is an opportunity to set yourself apart from your peers and it gives the admissions officer insight beyond the numbers. A good essay requires a level of introspection and analysis few students have done to this point. Attend this two-day workshop to learn the characteristics of successful essays, identify your strengths and uniqueness, and write a rough draft.
To assist with your personal essay topic selection, you will be asked to jot down your thoughts in response to some high leverage questions and email them to the instructor a week prior to the first class. Begin work on your rough draft in the first session, finish it outside of class if necessary, and email it to the instructor, who will provide comments in time for the second work session. You will leave the workshop with one or two draft essays. Bring a laptop to the workshop.
Presented by an Independent College Advisor – each section limited to 10 students.
| College Application ESSAY Help | |||
| Section CE1: | Aug 11 and Aug 18 | 2 Wednesdays | 7:00pm – 9:00pm |
| Section CE2: |
Sept 19 and Sept 26 | 2 Sundays | 3:00pm – 5:00pm |
| Location: | Ames Seminars 3249 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette (Click here for directions) |
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| Fee: $190 | Register Now | back to top |
Complete your UC application without errors and ahead of the last minute rush! Our college advisor will lead you through the application so you correctly interpret questions, complete all sections and take advantage of every opportunity to highlight your strengths. One week prior to the workshop, you will receive a list of information you need to bring with you and a pre-work assignment to facilitate completion of the application. At the end of the day you will be ready for a final “Print/ Preview” at home, or you will leave with a list of items requiring completion.
(The essay will not be addressed in this work session. See our College Application Essay Workshop for essay help). Limited Enrollment!
| The UC Applications Workshop | |||
| Section UC1: | Oct 10 | Sunday | 3:00pm – 3:00pm |
| Location: | Ames Seminars 3249 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette (Click here for directions) |
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| Fee: $75 | Register Now | back to top |
Private Colleges and Out-of-State College Applications
Whether you are applying to one private college or eight, you only complete the Common Application once. However, many schools also require school-specific supplemental questions to be submitted prior to the Common Application. It can get very confusing!
Our College Advisor will help you set up your student account; navigate and complete the Common Application and Letter of Recommendation sections; identify, preview and organize required supplemental applications; establish a tracking system. Time permitting, you can begin working on supplemental applications. One week prior to the workshop, you will receive a list of information you need to bring with you as well as a pre-work assignment. At the end of the workshop you will have completed each section of the application, or know what is left to do!
The Common Application essay and Supplemental essays will not be addressed in this workshop. See our College Application Essay Workshop for essay help. Limited Enrollment!
| Common Application Workshop: | |||
| Section CA1: | October 17 | Sunday | 3:00pm – 5:30pm |
| Location: | Ames Seminars 3249 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette (Click here for directions) |
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| Fee: $90 | Register Now | back to top |