Frequently Asked Questions

It can be difficult to find the right college for your needs. With a wide range of options, financial considerations, and deadlines to meet, it’s important to have someone you can trust on your side. That’s where an Educational Consultant from College Inroads comes in. We make sure that you get the guidance you need at every stage of the college application process. Our team will help you create an individualized plan to maximize your chances of success, provide tips and tricks on how to stand out in a competitive admissions landscape, and make sure you don’t miss any vital steps. When you hire an Educational Consultant from College Inroads, you’re not just getting a professional – you’re getting an advocate who wants to help you make the best choice for your future.

Test optional means some schools don’t require standardized test scores to apply, while other schools are still requiring them. College Inroads can help you pinpoint which colleges are and aren’t requiring tests and the best approach for assessing your student’s admissions chances. With so many factors in play for college admissions and an ever-shifting landscape of standards, our team of counselors can help provide tailored advice and guidance for your specific situation.

SAT tests numeracy, literacy, and writing skills, while the ACT typically tests math, English/language arts, science, and reading. An important distinction is that the SAT allows you two sections—one with an essay and one without—while the ACT has a single required written portion. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Your student’s goals, academic strengths and needs should be taken into account when figuring out which test is right for them. The expert counselors at College Inroads can help weigh all of these factors and provide guidance designed specifically for your student.

Applying to college is a highly individual process that differs for every student. With College Inroads, we’ll help you determine how many schools to apply to based on factors like your student’s academic and extracurricular profile, financial aid needs, and any specific opportunities or challenges they face.

We know that applying to college can be an overwhelming experience—and it’s tempting to apply to as many schools as possible in the hopes of increasing one’s chances. But with College Inroads, our team of experts helps narrow down the list of potential schools based on personalization. Our goal is to identify which schools give your student the best chance at acceptance, helping them create a personalized application strategy tailored to their unique strengths and interests.

Scholarships are an important part of paying for college, and College Inroads will make sure you’re well equipped with knowledge and resources to maximize your chances of getting a scholarship. Our counselors understand how daunting the scholarship process can be and will provide expert advice on strategies to get the most out of applying for scholarships. We’ll help you identify potential funding sources and guide you through the requirements and deadlines of each individual scholarship. With our help, you can develop applications that stand out from the crowd and make sure you’re prepared to apply for them effectively. Don’t let scholarship money slip away – let College Inroads guide you to make sure you get the financial assistance you need to fulfill your educational dreams.

Absolutely! Many students and families mistakenly assume that their income is too high to qualify for financial aid. However, even if your family earns a good living, there are still ways in which you can benefit from filing the FAFSA. Financial aid offers don’t only cover tuition; they can also include student loans, grants, and even scholarships. These funds can be used to cover books, housing, transportation, and other costs associated with attending college. Furthermore, filing the FAFSA can make you eligible for state-specific grants and scholarships, so it’s always worth taking the time to fill out the form – even if you think you won’t qualify for federal aid. With College Inroads, we’ll help you navigate the process and maximize your chances of receiving all the aid you’re entitled to.

Our Essay consultants help our students provide guidance on the writing process and offer feedback on essay drafts. They help with brainstorming ideas for essays and can suggest ways to organize thoughts. They can also help the student identify unique strengths and experiences to write about, and advise on how to highlight these in the essay.

Admissions consultants can also help with the mechanics of writing, such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation, to ensure that the essay is error-free and polished. A college admissions consultant can be a valuable resource to putting the finishing shine on a standout college essay that will help a student stand out in the admissions process.

When is the best time for your student to start developing a college application strategy with the help of an experienced consultant? The answer varies depending on each individual’s academic trajectory, but generally speaking it is wise to begin planning and training as early as their junior year of high school. Early preparation can help put students on the right path in terms of timeline and goals, greatly increasing the likelihood of successful admission and rigorous college experience. Furthermore, the extra guidance and expertise provided by a dedicated consultant can give your student that competitive edge they need to stand out from the crowd! So don’t wait- start preparing for success today!

It is never too late to get expert assistance with their college application! Our team of experienced advisors is here to help them make sure they present themselves in the best possible light. With our guidance and insight, we are confident your student will be able to make all the right moves on their path to success.

Yes! We are based in Austin Texas, but we have help students from all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  All work can be done remotely and we are experts at keeping high momentum, and your student on track, over Zoom sessions.