Frequently Asked Questions
We love what we do, we truly do. We are committed to guiding our students through every step of the admissions process and providing tailored support. Our unique and rich backgrounds, experiences, and personalities make us caring and informed counselors, ideal partners for students and parents as they prepare for this next step. We have been fascinated by the college landscape since our high school days when we realized how many wonderful options there are for high school graduates. So, honestly, the best way to answer this question is to meet for a consultation to determine whether we are a good match for you. Just as our ultimate goal is to identify the college that suits you best, we want to be sure we are the best match for you.
If you are in high school, it’s time to start thinking about college. The bulk of the work in the admissions process is done in junior and senior years. When to start working with a counselor depends on the individual needs of the student and the family. Some are very familiar with the process and universities, while for others, it’s an entirely new experience. Ideally, it’s best to have a first meeting during sophomore year. Working together throughout several years of high school affords us the opportunity to get to know each other very well, and can only add to our working relationship. Getting started early also allows more time for academic and extracurricular advising, and to build a strong profile. For students who have put off focusing on college, don’t delay. It’s never too late to start working on your future.
Never, but we will help! We will work on self-reflection exercises, dig deep into your background to find the most compelling and honest story for you to share with admissions counselors. The better we get to know you, the more we will be able to help you find your voice and write great essays.
There are many excellent universities all around the world. Choosing a college is a big decision and exploring all your options is simply part of the process. For some students, there’s no need to wait until junior year to go abroad. Rather, with an increasing number of excellent English-language programs beyond Canada, England, and Scotland (to name a few) students have a wide variety of top-tier schools to choose from. What’s more, many of these programs offer a high quality educational experience at an all-in cost much below that of private US institutions. Last but not least, the cultural immersion that comes from having an international college experience is priceless.
Many of our students have attended schools abroad and loved the experience. Once we get to know you, we’ll be able, alongside you, to come up with a list of international options that meet your academic, cultural, and social needs. All of these institutions have robust outreach programs that will enable you to participate in online sessions in which they introduce their programs. We can also assist in putting you in touch with current students or alumni at many great schools worldwide.
Zabotin College Counseling has extensive experience introducing international families to the world of US college admissions. We will answer all of your questions and help guide you throughout the complex US application process so you are in the best position to make well informed decisions about your college choices.
High school based counselors are fundamental to students’ success in the admissions process. They write recommendation letters, submit school documents to colleges, and can advocate for students. What Zabotin College Counseling offers is support and guidance every step of the way, availability when you need it, after school and on weekends and guidance on how to work best with your school counselor.
Oui, avec plaisir! Nous sommes parfaitement bilingues et pouvons communiquer avec vous en français. Nous sommes aussi passés par cette étape avec nos propres enfants et comprenons qu’il est bien plus aisé de traiter certains sujets familiaux dans sa langue maternelle.
Attending college is an expensive proposition. Our goal is to help families find excellent options at various price points. We will help identify schools that offer merit aid, help students apply for scholarships, and recommend schools that represent good value.
Colleges
Some colleges and universities to which students we’ve worked with have been admitted
