Pre-Application Program

CollegeFlex will plan your application campaign carefully, logically, and tactically.

In case you were wondering...

There are approximately 4,000 postsecondary institutions in the U.S. at this time. Choosing a small basket of undergraduate programs from this list is a significant challenge. At CollegeFlex, we work extensively with applicants to select colleges most compatible with their talents and aspirations. While this exercise is long and involved, we are confident it has been optimized for the best possible results.

Step 1: We begin the process by deploying our proprietary selection matrix. This is customized for each individual applicant and yields a master list of potentially compatible undergraduate programs.

Step 2: Together with applicants, we scrutinize the master list and select the ten most appropriate undergraduate programs. During this collaborative process, we educate applicants how to evaluate college characteristics most important to them. Some of the factors under consideration include:

Cost

In addition to tuition and room & board, we give our applicants a holistic understanding of the hidden costs associated with the undergraduate experience. This includes cost of academic materials, transportation, recreational activities, healthcare, off-campus housing, storage facilities…etc.

Financing

International students are not eligible for the sort of financial aid readily available to U.S. citizens. Nevertheless, multiple direct and indirect sources of assistance are available for international students at most undergraduate programs. We identify sources and pathways for securing assistance.

Academic Compatibility

We match an applicant’s academic profile with complimentary undergraduate programs. This is important because not every undergraduate program at top tier colleges is highly ranked. We want to ensure our applicants benefit from both the brand value of a college and also the academic rigor of their chosen program.

Extracurricular Compatibility

Elite colleges promote a number of extracurricular activities on campus. Their admissions staff are partial to applicants most likely to participate in these activities. We seek out undergraduate programs where the applicant’s non-academic talents will be most sought after.

Cultural Compatibility

A student’s undergraduate experience is colored by the city/town in which they are situated. Considering the applicant’s temperament, social preferences, and hobbies, we recommend colleges located in culturally appropriate locations.

Internship Potential

Summer internships are invaluable preparation for post college employment. For applicants with a clear sense of what profession they want to join, we recommend colleges in close proximity to potential employers. This proves especially helpful when arranging internship and job interviews.

Alumni Network

A robust alumni network can be a critical resource during the post college job search. If the applicant has a clear sense of the profession they want to join, we can identify colleges that have strong alumni presence in the relevant industry.

Step 3: Once the list of target colleges is locked, we prepare an “Application Plan” for the applicant. This document represents the mutually agreed upon strategy for applying to undergraduate programs and includes the following:

Standardized Test Scores

Timeline for when and how to prepare for these tests along with our recommended target scores.

Letters of Recommendation

Timeline for when these must be submitted along with our recommendations for what aspects of the applicant’s profile should be highlighted.

School Reports & Transcripts

As grades become available during an applicant’s final school year, midyear and final reports must be submitted on time and without fail. We provide guidance on when and how this activity must be completed.

Extracurricular Activities

Our recommendations for what activities should be included in the application and what if any additional participation is needed. We also provide guidance about how participation can be certified.

EA/ED

Our recommendation for which of the two (if any) options is best for our applicant. This includes a timeline for how and when to submit the college application.

Regular Decision

Our recommendation for how and when to complete the applications including how to personalize each one.

As a prospective undergraduate you will join hundreds of thousands of applicants seeking admission to colleges in the U.S. During this process you will face a series of unfamiliar challenges. Many of these you will not have anticipated, and none will be easy to navigate. We believe however that successful completion of our Pre-Application Program will equip you with the reasoning skills critical for identifying and applying to colleges ideally suited to you. Good luck and get cracking!