Hourly rates of $250/hour for Gialisa, and $120/hour for Caden are available to help with any aspect of the application process strategy/theme, essay review, or college list auditing.

The following packages offer a discount from the hourly rate in favor of more holistic, comprehensive guidance for every step of the process.

9TH and 10TH GRADE PACKAGES

Gialisa introduces students to the multitude of factors to consider in selecting a college and encourages them to be open-minded. She gets to know each student and helps them articulate what they desire in a college experience. Then, she helps create a realistic path to get them there, including identifying activities and summer programs relevant to their future success. 

Gialisa will: 

• Discuss student’s aptitudes, short and long-term goals, and paths to success

• Set a 4-year academic plan; review course schedules. Often a school’s graduation requirements are less rigorous than what is desired by top colleges. Gialisa can help develop an academic plan to ensure a student is well-positioned for admission at desired colleges

• Brainstorm extracurriculars and activities that would build community impact and support the student’s goals

• Help identify summer activities, internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities. (Support with application essays available at discounted hourly rate.)

• Compose/update student résumé to highlight skills

• Discuss testing timeline, including PSAT

• Set realistic deadlines and assist with time-management and study skills

• Plan for college visits

11th GRADE “BRIDGE” PACKAGE   

Gialisa offers the same services in the earlier package with more of a laser focus on the elements of a standout application and the importance of setting realistic deadlines. 

* This is really for people who want a roadmap rather than white glove advising  and editing of supplemental essays. If you want weekly strategy and support, skip straight to the Comprehensive Package.*

In the Bridge Package, Gialisa will:

• Discuss student’s aptitudes, short and long-term goals, and paths to success

• Set a 4-year academic plan; review course schedules: often a school’s graduation requirements are less rigorous than what is desired by top colleges. Gialisa can help develop an academic plan to ensure a student is well-positioned for admission at desired colleges

• Brainstorm extracurriculars and activities that would build community impact and support the student’s goals

• Help identify summer activities, internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities

• Compose/update student résumé to highlight skills

• Review/set date(s) for SAT/ACT, discuss tutors

• Set realistic deadlines and assist with time-management and study skills

• Conduct college search and create college list; identify demonstrated interest schools and discuss strategy

• Discuss Early Decision, Restricted Early Action, and Early Action strategies

• Create master schedule with deadlines for college applications 

• Plan for college visits

• Discuss and prepare for Letters of Recommendation
  

RISING SENIOR: COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE   

Limited to 12 spots!

For the rising senior, college applications can feel like an extra job and can be a very stressful time for families. Gialisa takes a methodical and encouraging approach to implement an action plan that ensures the student meets all application deadlines.

Through regular meetings, Gialisa fosters trust, encouraging responsibility and confidence. She offers weekly support from May through early December, followed by college decision advice and support. Rising seniors who book the comprehensive package are able to have priority in scheduling options and response time.

For each Senior who books a Comprehensive Package, Gialisa will:

• Be a trusted confidante and encourager 

• Create a personalized timeline/ application deadline tracker

• Set realistic deadlines and assist with time-management and study skills

• Identify colleges that would be a good fit, help create a balanced college list, identify demonstrated interest schools and develop strategies

• Discuss Early Decision, Restricted Early Action, and Early Action pros and cons

• Brainstorm extracurriculars and activities that build community impact and support the student’s goals

• Assist with storytelling, including editing, evaluating, and creating compelling applications

• Brainstorm themes and stories; coach main common app essay development and revision

• Advise and edit Activities and Honors sections to amplify themes in the application narrative

• Advise and edit Additional Information sections to amplify themes in the application narrative

• Brainstorm, help develop, review, and trim supplemental essays

• Worksheet to solicit strong letters of recommendation

• Interview skills coaching

• Plan for college visits

• College decision support