Building a complete picture of your student — academically, personally, and artistically.

Before we can build the right college list, we need to know exactly who we’re building it for. Phase 1 is dedicated to that discovery work. We take the time to understand your student’s academic record, their creative practice, and their goals — and we use that foundation to shape everything that follows.

What happens in Phase 1:

• Hold an initial family meeting to align on goals, timeline, and expectations

• Evaluate and review academic records, transcripts, and test scores

• Conduct in-depth interviews, surveys, and assessments to understand interests, values, and artistic identity

• Discuss standardized test strategy and timing (SAT, ACT, or test-optional decisions)

• Review summer plans and extracurricular options as needed. Assist with summer applications

• Have focused conversations about artistic goals — where your student is now, and where they want to go

• Set up the Student Dashboard: a shared hub for communication, files, deadlines, and progress tracking

The Student Dashboard is the backbone of how we work together. Every document, deadline, and decision lives there, so nothing gets lost and students always know what’s next.

Building a school list that works — academically, artistically, and practically.

For performing and visual arts students, the college list isn’t just about fit and rankings. It’s about finding programs that match the student’s creative direction, level of development, and long-term goals — whether that’s a conservatory, a BFA program, or a liberal arts school with a strong arts community.

Phase 2 is where we do that work: developing a criteria list, evaluating schools, and landing on a final list that all parties feel good about.

We also start to work on set pieces for the application - The Common App and UC activities lists, artistic resumes and repertoire list, or list of works as needed.

What happens in Phase 2:

• Create a criteria list that captures what matters most — program type, location, size, culture, artistic rigor, and cost

• Research and evaluate schools together, helping students understand the real differences between program types

• Build a final shortlist that is honest about range: reach, target, and likely schools for this student’s profile

• Draft the activities section for the Common App and/or UC application

• Prepare a creative resume (or combined college/arts resume)

• Compile a list of works — the inventory of creative work that will inform portfolio and supplement submissions

• Identify and approach academic and artistic recommenders strategically

• Continue developing the student’s artistic narrative and goals

• Set up the Application Plan in the Student Dashboard — every school, every deadline, every requirement in one place

PHASE 3 — TACKLING THE NUTS & BOLTS

Writing, revising, curating, and submitting — all the way to the finish line.

Phase 3 is the heart of the application process — and for arts students, it’s especially demanding. In addition to the main application essays, most arts programs require additional creative writing: artist statements, supplemental essays that speak directly to the program, and sometimes written work that accompanies the portfolio. All of that lives here.

This is also when the portfolio comes together. We work with students to make final curation decisions, ensure presentation matches the program’s expectations, and approach each submission with intentionality.

What happens in Phase 3:

• Maintain and update the Student Dashboard and Application Plan to stay ahead of every deadline

• Manage all aspects of up to 12 applications — including the main application and all secondary portfolio or audition supplements

• Brainstorm, draft, and revise every required essay — including the Common App personal statement, school-specific supplements, and arts program essays

• Assist with final selection and sequencing of portfolio works

• Provide general guidance on financial aid and scholarship options

• Prepare students for auditions and interviews where required

• Check student portals to verify that all materials have been received

• Advise on waitlist situations, deferrals, and financial aid appeals

• Consult on final college decisions

There is no limit on rounds of revision or hours of support during this phase. We stay with students through every draft and every submission until the work is done.