Frequently Asked Questions
Why would you hire an Educational Consultant?
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.
What is Test Optional? Should my student take the SAT or ACT?
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.
What’s the difference between the SAT and ACT?
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.
How many schools should my student apply to?
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.
What about scholarships?
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.
I make too much money. Should I file FAFSA anyway?
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.
How do college admissions consultants help with crafting a compelling college essay?
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 should my student start working with a college application consultant?
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!
My student is a senior this year. Is it too late to work with you?
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.
I am not in Texas, can you help my student apply to college?
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.
Top 5 Admitted Colleges
by College Inroads Students
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Texas State
Arkansas
UT Austin
Colleges Our Students Have Been Accepted To:
Abilene Christian University
Academy of Art University
Angelo State University
Appalachian State University
Arizona State University
Auburn University
Austin College
Babson College
Bard College
Baylor University
Belmont University
Blinn College
Boston University
Brown University
California Baptist University
California State University-San Marcos
Carnegie Mellon
Case Western Reserve University
Catholic University of America
Clemson University
College of Charleston
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Columbus State University
Concordia University Texas
Cornell University
DePaul University
Dominican University of California
Drexel University
Duquesne University
Fairfield University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University
Fordham University
Furman University
George Mason University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Goucher College
Hawaii Pacific University
Hendrix College
High Point University
Hofstra University
Indiana University-Bloomington
Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne
Ithaca College
Jacksonville University
James Madison University
Lewis & Clark College
Liberty University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University New Orleans
Lynn University
Macalester College
Michigan State University
Montana State University
New York University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Northeastern University
Northern Arizona University
Nottingham Trent University
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon State University
Pace University-New York
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Portland State University
Purdue University-Main Campus
Quinnipiac University
Rhodes College
Rice University
Roger Williams University
Saint Edward’s University
Sam Houston State University
San Diego State University
Sarah Lawrence College
Savannah College of Art and Design
Seton Hall University
Sonoma State University
Southern Methodist University
Southwestern University
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Stanford University
Stephen F Austin State University
Temple University
Texas A & M University-College Station
Texas Christian University
Texas State University-San Marcos
Texas Tech University
The College of Wooster
The Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
The University of Alabama
The University of Tampa
The University of Tennessee
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at Tyler
Trinity University
Tulane University
Union College
Union University
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of California-Berkeley
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Denver
University of Colorado-Boulder
University of Dallas
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Houston
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Maine
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
University of Maryland-College Park
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts-Boston
University of Miami
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Michigan-Dearborn
University of Michigan-Flint
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
University of Mississippi Main Campus
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Texas
University of North Texas at Dallas
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University of Oregon
University of Plymouth
University of Portland
University of Rhode Island
University of San Francisco
University of Scranton
University of South Carolina-Beaufort
University of South Carolina-Columbia
University of South Florida-Main Campus
University of Southern California
University of Tulsa
University of Utah
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wyoming
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Wake Forest University
Washington State University
Western Colorado University
Whitworth University
Willamette University
William Jewell College
Get a Step Ahead with College Inroads
Increase in college applications
College admissions are becoming more competitive by the year. The total number of submissions to the Common App for the class of 2026 increased by 21.3%.
1.4 Million Students Decide to Transfer to a Different University Each Year
Around 10% of students rethink and change their minds about their first school of choice. College Inroads can help you find the right choice the first time.
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of employers still require a degree for entry-level jobs.
This despite only 38% of US adults 25+ have a four-year degree. 26 % do so because to filter applicants, or because “how it’s always been done.”
Decreased Mortality Rate
A year of college can decrease mortality rates from certain diseases by 15-19%, primarily heart disease and cancer. Linked to job security, higher salary thus reduces prolonged exposure to stress.