BFE | EARLY START COLLEGE ADVISING

For families in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade who want to get ahead — without the pressure.

The students who arrive at junior year with the most confidence made thoughtful choices early — the right courses, meaningful activities, strategic summers. Our Early Start Package is designed for families who want calm, purposeful guidance during these formative years, with regularly scheduled meetings timed to the moments that matter most. When junior year begins, your student will be ready.

Is Early Start right for your family?

  • You want to begin planning before the intensity of junior year sets in

  • You have a student in the arts who needs an early runway to develop their craft

  • You want guidance on course selection, extracurricular focus, and summer opportunities

  • You want to feel informed and calm, and prepared as the process unfolds

A young man and woman looking at a laptop screen together in a room with plants and books in the background.

Academic Track

For students pursuing traditional college admissions. Covers course selection and academic strategy, extracurricular development, summer planning, testing awareness, and parent coaching.

Arts Track

Everything in the Academic Track, plus dedicated work on artistic development — building repertoire, identifying mentors, exploring pre-college programs, and laying the groundwork for portfolio and audition readiness long before applications are due.

What’s Included

Core Support (Both Tracks)

School Discovery & Academic Strategy - Course selection, rigor planning, and sequencing for sophomore and junior year

Extracurricular Roadmap - Depth over breadth — identifying the 2-3 areas worth committing to seriously

Summer Planning - Research and recommendations for programs, internships, and meaningful experiences

Testing Awareness - PSAT overview, diagnostic timing, SAT/ACT planning (test prep not included)

Parent Coaching - What to do — and what not to do — to support your student

Sophomore Wrap & Transition - End-of-package review and walkthrough of what comes next in the Comprehensive Plan

Arts Track Addition

For students pursuing conservatories, BFA programs, or selective arts institutions, we add dedicated sessions focused on:

  • Identifying teachers, coaches, or mentors where there are gaps

  • Exposure to masterclasses, competitions, festivals, and pre-college programs

  • Beginning the artistic narrative the student will present to admissions committees

MEETING CADENCE

Tailored to When You Start

Each track is structured around scheduled touchpoints timed to the moments that matter most. The cadence adjusts based on when your student joins.

    • Family kickoff & student discovery conversation

    • Freshman year course planning session

    • Summer planning (between 8th and 9th grade)

    • Fall sophomore check-in (activities, goals, academic rigor)

    • Winter sophomore session (summer program applications)

    • Spring sophomore session (junior-year course selection)

    • Dedicated parent session

    • Sophomore wrap-up & transition to Comprehensive Package

    Arts Track addition: 2-3 artistic development sessions added at strategic points

    • Family kickoff & student discovery conversation

    • Summer planning (between 9th and 10th grade)

    • Fall sophomore check-in (activities & academic progress)

    • Winter sophomore session (summer programs & academics)

    • Spring sophomore session (junior-year course selection)

    • Dedicated parent session

    • Sophomore wrap-up & transition to Comprehensive Package

    Arts Track addition: 1-2 artistic development sessions added

    • Family kickoff & student discovery conversation

    • Summer planning (high-leverage between sophomore and junior year)

    • Fall check-in (activities, testing awareness, academic progress)

    • Spring session (junior-year course selection & transition planning)

    • Dedicated parent session

    • Wrap-up & transition to Comprehensive Package

    Arts Track addition: 1 intensive artistic development session + ongoing guidance

Work With Us

PRICING

Tiered by when your student joins — the earlier you start, the more sessions are included.

Academic Track Starting in

8th grade - $3,200

9th Grade - $2,800

10th grade - $2,200

Arts Track Starting in

8th grade - $3,800

9th Grade - $3,400

10th grade - $2,800

Flexible payment plans available. Spaces are limited each application year.

Reserved for the Comprehensive Package

The Early Start Package builds the foundation. The following are intentionally reserved for the Comprehensive Package, which begins in junior year:

  • In-depth interest, values, and best-fit assessments

  • Creation of the formal college list

  • Common Application, UC application, and supplement support

  • Essay brainstorming, writing, and revision

  • Portfolio and audition application support

  • Interview preparation, financial aid strategy, and decision consulting

GET STARTED

Ready to get ahead of it?

Schedule a free introductory call, and we'll help you figure out if Early Start is the right fit — and when to begin.


Schedule Your Free Consultation

Our students have been accepted to these excellent programs.

Check out ALL the schools that our students have been accepted to.

A collage of logos from various universities including Cornell, UCLA, CSUN, California State University, Northridge, Washington, Southern California, Texas, University of Washington, Pennsylvania, UCDavis, New York University, Boston University, Northwestern, UCI, UCSB, UT Austin, UCR, and UIC.