College Karma

Counseling Services

The help you need to make your college dreams a reality!

Whether you're looking at Harvard or Hampshire, MIT or Michigan State, Princeton or Pomona, Swarthmore or Skidmore ... or even if you aren't sure where you'd like to go, we can help. College Karma understands that the college entrance process is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for each student, and we offer a variety of services to meet most every need and budget.

Today's competitive college admissions climate, coupled with a reduction in guidance services in many schools and an overload of "helpful" information everywhere, can mean that students and their parents can become frazzled and confused as they navigate the admissions maze. College Karma promises expert advice and speedy turnaround time to make the process successful and perhaps even enjoyable (well, at least occasionally).

All College Karma counseling is handled by email, which is completely convenient for clients. Such "distance counseling" means that there is no need to schedule meetings or phone conferences. The written aspect of email is also ideal for documenting each step of the college entrance process. Students and parents don't have to worry about remembering what was said in a meeting or phone call. Everything is available for them anytime through College Karma's email documentation.

Ivy Guaranteed Admissions Program - A college counseling breakthrough! College Karma offers counseling with a guarantee. We know how hard it is to choose a counselor, and this is our way of making it easier. IGAP is the ultimate in admissions help, from experts with years of success in elite-college and university admissions... Click for full IGAP details.

Stats Eval: Can you get in? What are your chances at your target colleges and universities? College Karma helps you choose schools wisely by evaluating your stats (GPA, class rank, test scores, etc.), extracurricular accomplishments, and writing ability (remember: essays are a crucial part of competitive-college applications). Just fill out the simple Stats Evaluation form and paste in your writing sample. You will receive by return e-mail a fast, accurate, and professional estimate of your level of admissions competitiveness and suggestions on how to be more competitive, and the names of additional schools to consider. As part of your Stats Evaluation, you'll also receive a follow-up response to any questions you have. View a sample Stats Eval. All Stats Evals are performed by a College Karma counseling expert - NOT a computer!

Investment: $150 (Credited in full toward all counseling packages) After finishing the payment process, please go to the Stats Eval Form and fill it out as completely as possible.

Hourly Counseling: For students who need specialized help with just one part of the college search or admissions process, or who have other needs that aren't met by a standard College Karma package, a la carte advising is available on an hourly basis. Contact us by e-mail for an estimate of time required to meet your needs, and for discount pricing on pre-purchased blocks of 5, 10, and 20 hours.

Investment: $150 per hour

Senior Year Counseling Package: This is like having a personal college consultant "on call" nearly 24/7. Those nagging, stressful questions that keep you up at night will be answered almost as soon as you've finished your breakfast bagel! The College Karma senior package offers great value to the family who wants access to professional guidance throughout the college search and admissions process and is designed for students who have a relatively straightforward profile and realistic college goals. The full-year package includes a Stats Evaluation, search assistance and suggestions (including safety - ballpark - reach recommendations), essay and application reviews (up to two unique major essays), interview advice, and full-year availability of an expert advisor. As questions occur throughout the year, College Karma will answer them promptly. Up to twelve months of counseling through June 30 of the student's senior year. (See Payment Terms.)

Investment: $4,000 (6 - 12 months of counseling, ending June 30)

Super
Senior
Package

Super Senior Year Counseling Package: This program is for the applicant (and his or her family) with complex circumstances. It is designed for students with special needs (ADHD, dyslexia, or other disabilities), for those with erratic transcripts, for returning students, homeschoolers, international students, for candidates aiming for colleges that may be just out of reach, etc. The package includes all the services of our regular Senior Year Package (above) plus assistance with two additional unique major essays (for a total of four) and two one-hour phone consultations, for a real-time discussion of special circumstances, interview prep, or any associated needs. If these phone consultations aren't needed, they may be exchanged for help with one additional main essay. The Super Senior Package is our best single-counselor service.

(See Payment Terms.)

Investment: $6,500 (6 - 12 months of counseling, ending June 30)

HYP
HYbrid
Program

College Karma's HYbrid Program is the result of popular demand. It provides comprehensive services that are identical to those offered by "IGAP," above, but at a lower cost and without the fee-refund guarantee.

The HYP Team. You will work exclusively with College Karma director Dave Berry and a second senior counselor, who will personally oversee all aspects of the college-selection and application process. Multiple viewpoints simulate real-world admissions-committee review. [Note: Students are free to apply to additional colleges and universities, but our HYP assistance covers only 10 schools.]

Unlimited Essay Advice. Applicants will get assistance on all application essays (up to those required by a maximum of 10 institutions) even when multiple, unique, major essays are required. Also included is assistance with those short, but important (and often annoying!), narrative responses ("What did you do this past summer?" etc.). "Elite" applications require extensive writing, and the applicant's task can be daunting. Essays can also be the tiebreaker that will send some applications to the "Accepted" pile while others, from equally qualified candidates, land in "Denied." HYP's comprehensive essay services can make a significant difference. Note: Scholarship essays and/or other writing requirements that fall beyond the scope of the formal application are not included as part of the HYP service.

(See Payment Terms.)

Investment: $10,000 (6 - 24 months of counseling, ending June 30)

UNIQUE TO COLLEGE KARMA: Performing Arts Counseling Services

Drama / Musical Theater / Performing Arts Initial Evaluation and College Search: A college counselor with expertise in performing arts admissions (theater, musical theater, dance, music and vocal performance, composition, etc.) will evaluate the student's academic, personal, extracurricular, and artistic background (via questionnaire, transcript, resume & DVD). The counselor will assess admission chances at current target colleges and recommend additional colleges that meet the applicant's interests, abilities, and goals. The counselor will also help direct the student to the appropriate type of degree program and institution, explaining their differences (e.g., BFA, BM vs. BA, conservatory vs. university vs. Liberal Arts college).

The evaluation will provide suggestions for a balanced college list and for creating applications that highlight strengths and accomplishments and address weaknesses, as required. This service results in an individualized and detailed report but does not include ongoing advising. The cost of this Evaluation/Search will be deducted from the package price for those who subsequently order a complete Performing Arts counseling package.

Investment: $500

Drama / Musical Theater / Performing Arts Senior Package: This unique service includes the complete Initial Evaluation and Search (see above). In addition, the College Karma counselor will help students and parents to select appropriate degree programs, to finalize the college list, and to develop an individualized timeline, including testing plans. She will provide suggestions for college visits and contact with college personnel as well as advice on performing arts training plans. The counselor will assess current extracurricular activities and suggest possible additional initiatives the student might undertake. She will also oversee the audition process, including the preparation of any special requirements for various programs (i.e., monologues and songs), as well as artistic supplements to non-audition colleges. She will oversee the selection of essay topics and will review multiple drafts of up to six full-length essays.

The counselor will also oversee the creation of an annotated activities resume, a theater resume, and the solicitation of academic and artistic references. She will offer guidance on the selection of head shots (if auditioning), interview preparation, and continuous support throughout the application and artistic review process for both the student and parents, including prompt response via email to all questions until a final college decision is made.

Investment: $5,500 (6 - 12 months of counseling, ending June 30)

Drama / Musical Theater / Performing Arts Junior/Senior Package: This comprehensive package allows families to plan ahead for the exacting demands of college selection, performing arts preparation, auditions, and applications. It's a two-year package, which includes all of the services of the Initial Evaluation and Search and The Drama / Musical Theater / Performing Arts Senior Package (above) plus assistance with two additional essays (total essays: 8). It also provides guidance to rising juniors and seniors as they select summer activities and offers assistance with the summer-program admissions process (if applicable), high school courses, and arts-related opportunities. Due to the complexity of the performing arts college process, students and parents should begin as early as possible.

Investment: $6,500 (18 - 24 months of counseling, ending June 30 of senior year)

Drama / Musical Theater / Performing Arts Transfer Package: This package is aimed both at students who are already specializing in musical theater, drama, music, or other performing arts, as well as those who wish to but currently are not. It provides the same services as the Drama / Musical Theater / Performing Arts Senior Package (see above) but with an emphasis on the needs and experience of the applicant who is now in college.

Investment: $5,500 (6 - 12 months of counseling, ending June 30)

OTHER College Karma Counseling Services

Transfer Counseling Package: While many students will attend the same school for four years, there are times when a transfer makes sense. A change in majors can also dictate a different college, or strong academic performance in a student's first year or two may provide a realistic chance for admission to a more elite university. College Karma will help with the entire transfer application process: assessing the chances at individual schools, identifying other possibilities, developing a transfer strategy, essay and application reviews (up to two unique major essays), and full-year availability of experienced counseling. (See Payment Terms.)

Investment: $3,000 (6 - 12 months of counseling, ending June 30)

College Application Essay Help: When a college considers two similarly qualified candidates, the deciding factor can sometimes be the application essay. Admission committees seek essays that provide insight into candidates that may not be found elsewhere in the application. The College Karma counselors understand what makes a college application essay outstanding. CK helps applicants to identify appropriate and interesting essay topics and to develop essays that are well written and unique. Note that, while a student will probably complete multiple applications, a single, versatile essay can often be used with minor changes for many of them. College Karma does not write application essays for our essay-help clients. Ours is a comprehensive conceptual, developmental, and editing service that provides creative guidance for drafting, focusing, and polishing written statements.

Investment: Undergraduate - $250 (per each 500 word essay)

Investment: Graduate/Professional - $450 (per each 750 - 1000 word essay)

NEW!
Deferral
Reversal

Deferral/Waitlist Action: Have you been deferred via Early Decision or Early Action or waitlisted at a top-choice college? If so, what can you do to turn that thin envelope into a fat envelope? If you do nothing, that's exactly what will happen: nothing. Our Deferral/Waitlist package includes our best-selling Stats Evaluation plus four hours of expert counseling. We'll guide you through the proper strategies and help you make your best-possible appeal.

Investment: $600

Financial Aid Counseling Services

Financial Aid Counseling Package: This package, incorporating up to 3 hours of counseling, is designed for families who will have some eligibility for need-based aid (generally those with annual gross income of $150,000 or less). An experienced former college financial aid officer will help you understand forms, terminology, presentation, and review of aid offers through the application and financial aid offer process senior year. Pre-screen yourself with the financial aid calculator on the College Board Web site to determine if you are likely to be eligible for any need-based aid at colleges you are considering. Our package also includes counseling on merit aid and parent financing options.

Investment: $299

Paying for College: Advice for Families Who Don't Qualify For Aid: This package, incorporating up to 2 hours of counseling, is designed for families who will likely not be eligible for any need-based aid (generally those with an annual gross income that exceeds $150,000). An experienced former college financial aid officer (and parent of two college graduates) will help you develop appropriate payment strategies through payment plans and higher education financing products during senior year. Our package also includes counseling on merit aid.

Investment: $199

Assessing, Comparing, and Reviewing Financial Aid Offers: This package, incorporating up to 2 hours of counseling, is designed to help families compare different financial aid offers and develop strategies for reviewing offers with college aid offices. Our package also includes advice on higher education financing products such as parent loans and payment plans, addressed by an experienced former college financial aid officer.