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What’s your path after high school?

Even though more than 2.5 million students enroll in college each year, only a relatively small handful attend the top private schools. The vast (vast!) majority of college freshmen enroll in their local, public college. Here’s your first A+ tip: There are literally over 1,000 colleges to choose from and…only 4% of all colleges admit less than 20% of their applicants which means…many schools accept most who apply! The trick is to find a college that matches your academic interests and your financial resources.

Click on the "See More Photos" here or in the box below to see a sample of the hundreds of schools A+ has toured. Check out our A+ Videos for 90 seconds of (free!) college counseling on a variety of topics including the Covid-19’s impact on higher ed.

The banner picture was taken at Soka University.

The pictures below are random photos I took on college tours before the pandemic. Maker spaces, or innovation centers, are a huge draw for many campuses. Maker spaces are found in construction engineering buildings, artist’s studios, glass blowing labs…and…some would emphasize they are also found in entrepreneurial (think ‘Shark Tank’) business programs across the country.

Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Tulane University
New Orleans, LA

 

A+ News You Can Use:

March 28: Which colleges will charge $100,000 (all in, PER YEAR!) in 2025? Quite a few highly ranked/highly rejective schools inched closer to that price point this year. Comparing just tuition costs: Vanderbilt charges about $5000/unit; University of California about $1200/unit; Community Colleges in California charge $46/unit.

 
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A+ offers (virtual) workshops!

A+ workshops on the college admissions process are perfect for youth groups, social service organizations or small schools without a fully-staffed counseling office. Call for help with topics and pricing.

What can we say about the the cost of college that hasn’t been said a thousand times already…it’s a crazy expensive endeavor. While there is uncertainty in higher education right now, things will get back to normal so think long term and be prepared. Here’s a 90-second take on the cost of college vis-á-vis the pandemic.

Watch more A+ Videos here!

An A+ College Consultant in San Diego

Why Hire A+

Perhaps you really are busy, or your high school counselor has a heavy caseload and can't provide personal attention, or you need a different perspective, some privacy or just a sounding board.  You can never go back in time--let the A+ college consulting team help you anticipate and organize the application process.  

A+ Services

A+ offers customized college consulting plans for any stage of a student's academic career including advice on high school coursework, standardized tests (some schools still want them!), college search, college applications and college essays. While A+ can't pay for your tuition, we can help you find a reasonable path where your student's academic aspirations intersect with the family's other financial obligations.

Who is A+

My name is Allison Henderson and I am an independent college counselor in San Diego, CA. I received my Bachelor's and Master's degrees from UC Davis and a Certificate in College Counseling from UC San Diego. Whether you are Athletic or Academic, fascinated by STEM or STEAM, interested in SLACs or State U, I can help you every step of the way.

How It Works

I've counseled college clients from 50+ high schools in San Diego and beyond. There are many ways to connect with A+ …using FaceTime or Teams or Meet, or even just a landline, Depending upon your family’s needs, you can hire A+ for one session or as many as necessary to submit those applications in a timely manner. Call for details.

A+ Tips

There is an abundance of misinformation regarding the college experience. Even before the pandemic, higher ed was in a period of great transition. A+ College Consultants in San Diego is dedicated to providing families data as objective and current as possible. Read the A+ Blog for guidance and advice on the fast-paced, multi-faceted, college admissions experience. Anticipating and planning are key!

Unsure? 

What if you are unsure about your path after high school? There are still many options to consider: community college, specialty/vocational education, GAP year, online/MOOCs. Call A+ if you could use some help on how to best "hack your education" in a 21st century way!

Read the A+ Blog for guidance>

A+ College Consultants: Blog Posts

 

Useful News

Videos

Watch our 5-minute video about “How to Choose a College” featuring five popular colleges in San Diego. This six minute video highlights just how different a college experience can be. 

 
That moment students and their families have worked towards for more than 4 years!

Calendar

New Common Application essay prompt for 2021-2022: Students can write about gratitude!

Juniors: Time to develop that college list! Be proactive! Call A+ if you need help: 626-275-8792

Essays and deadlines got you down? Breathe! Call A+ if you need to chat about your college adventure.

See Full Calendar >