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 all of our 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 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 going. 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? Self Evaluation
- 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
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
- Your College Visits—When and Where
- College Fairs and College Presentations
Please note:
This workshop will not include information about tests, test requirements, or the general criteria for admission to CSU and UC campuses. These topics are covered in our free College Info Evenings and we highly recommend you attend one before coming to this course. Click here for upcoming College Info Evenings.
| College Search Workshop: | Wednesday, Sep 3 AND Wednesday, Sep 10 |
7:00pm – 9:00pm 7:00pm – 8:30pm |
| Location: | Ames Seminars 3249 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette (Click here for directions) |
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| Fee: $195 | Register Now | back to top |
The essay is often the most critical factor in admission to selective colleges: the UCs and private colleges. Most students are unfamiliar with the college essay format and have difficulty selecting good topics. We will help you write a cogent and meaningful essay that will help admission officials understand who you are and what you will add to their campus. This two-session workshop will be useful for both UC and private college applications.
In these sessions students will write! They will consider and decide which of their experiences might be valuable contributions to their essay. In the first class, they will write an outline and, possibly, a rough draft. Students will edit and rewrite their essay as homework before the second class where they will further revise their work.
- Learn what admissions offices are looking for
- The “no-no” topics
- Learn the difference between the UC and private college essays
- Receive help in writing clearly with your own voice
| Section CE1: | Sep 8 and Sep 15 | 2 Mondays | 7:00pm – 9:00pm |
| Section CE2: |
Oct 7 and Oct 14 | 2 Tuesdays | 7:00pm – 9:00pm |
| Location: | Ames Seminars 3249 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette (Click here for directions) |
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| Fee: $160 | Register Now | back to top |
Get it DONE!
It sounds simple: fill in the application, paste in the essay and send! In reality, when students begin to complete the application they often have many questions, including: “Which majors should I select?”, “Which kind of activities should I include?”, or “How do I quantify my time for extracurricular activities or community service?”
The goal of this program is to answer any questions quickly so you can finalize your application. College Counselors will be on hand to answer your questions so by the end of the day, you'll be ready to SEND!
Bring your laptop (we are wireless) or use one of our Ames Seminars computers. This workshop is a good program to combine with The College Essay workshop.
| Section UC1: | Oct 12 | Sunday | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Section UC2: |
Nov 9 | Sunday | 2:00pm – 4pm |
| 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 have supplemental questions and forms and we will help you with everything: the common application and the supplemental questions.
Applying to a college or university with its own application? We will help you complete it.
Bring your laptop to our wireless classroom or use one of our computers to complete the Common Application, other applications and organize your supplements. College consultants will be here to help you.
| Section 1: | Oct 26 | Sunday | 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Location: | Ames Seminars 3249 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette (Click here for directions) |
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| Fee: $75 | Register Now | back to top |