Counseling Services & Fees

Fee: $375/hr for a Counselor for the July 2016-June 2017 contract year.

School Admission, from elementary through high school, is an important challenge for students wanting a private education. Denise Buchanan helps students and families explore the range of opportunities at independent, parochial and public schools – both local and boarding. Working on an hourly basis, Mrs. Buchanan will help you explore options, craft an application, and make decisions. She can also advise on which admission tests to take and when. Our tutoring services are available for all high school admission tests: ISEE, SSAT, HSPT and the COOP.

Fee: $3,000 for Nina Marks and Team, or $1,800 for a Counselor for the July 2017-June 2018 contract year.

The Initial Assessment is in-depth experience of two 90-minute conversations. To prepare for our first meeting, we conduct an extensive review of transcripts, test results, and other available documents. In the first meeting, we review the student’s progress to date, setting goals and establishing needed testing and extracurricular timelines. In the second meeting, we revisit and refine prior options and goals as needed. Between the first and second Initial Assessment meetings, we are available to answer questions that might arise. After each meeting, we send a detailed summary.

Fee: $5,500 for Nina Marks and Team for the July 2017-June 2018 contract year.

We place special emphasis on aligning testing with a student’s curriculum, particularly on navigating new/redesigned tests (PSAT and SAT) and applying for appropriate testing accommodations, if needed. We help a student to make the most of high school by developing an academic and extracurricular profile that highlights authentic strengths and interests.

Fees: $8,500 for Nina Marks and Team, or $4,500 for a Counselor for the July 2017-June 2018 contract year.

The 11th Grade Package helps students refine college choices and focus on distinguishing interests and strengths. We also concentrate on preparation and planning for appropriate standardized testing. Since college admission officers look particularly closely at an applicants 11th grade year choices and performance, we remind our clients that there is much that they still can do to highlight their strengths and be compelling college candidates. Our meetings are in person, by telephone, and/or by Skype.

The package includes:

• An extended initial meeting with student and parents in the summer before or early fall of a student’s 11th grade year, to gather needed information and to begin to create a two-year plan, with individual attention to academic, standardized testing, and extracurricular choices that highlight individual strengths and potential “hooks” in the college process.
• A late fall meeting to review academic progress and provide appropriate support, review PSAT results (if available), and confirm standardize testing plans.
• A mid-year review meeting to discuss progress and standardized testing, plan spring college visits and summer activities, and begin 12th grade year planning.
• A spring meeting, preferably after spring break, to follow up on college visits, discuss results of 11th grade standardized tests taken to date, confirm summer plans and 12th grade classes, and further refine a student’s college list.
• Guidance in preparation for the recruitment process for athletes and performing artists.
• Guidance, as appropriate, on preparing applications for summer opportunities, including assistance with preparing a resume.
• A meeting in June after 11th grade year to review the previous year and academic profile, refine 12th grade academic and extracurricular choices, and discuss the college list. For continuing clients, this meeting may occur anytime in the summer.
• Between-meetings access to a counselor for the student or parents to help address specific issues or answer particular questions as they arise during the school year.

Fees: $14,000 for Nina Marks and Team, or $6,500 for a Counselor for the July 2017-June 2018 contract year.

The 12th Grade Package provides comprehensive support throughout the year when a student applies to college. While a student’s applicant profile is largely complete by then, there is still a great deal that an applicant, parents, and a college counselor can do to highlight a student’s strengths and improve his or her profile as a compelling college applicant. This package provides a comprehensive, strategic, and structured approach throughout the college process. We gather current, accurate information on college admission statistics and profiles, so we can help our clients select the best matches and, when appropriate, identify a first choice. We then tailor a comprehensive strategy to highlight each applicant’s strengths, even in the most competitive pools. We work closely with our clients to help them distinguish themselves in writing and in person. Our meetings are in person, by telephone, and/or by Skype.

The package includes:

• Meetings with student and parents in the summer before and/or early fall of a student’s 12th grade year to gather needed information; identify areas of strength and interest; develop or confirm an academic, standardized testing, and extracurricular profile; create/finalize a college list; and consider early, rolling, and regular pool application options.
• Summer work on interview practice and essay writing, including individual meetings with each 12th grader to complete a full Common Application before school resumes.
• Guidance throughout the recruitment and admission process for athletes and performing artists.
• Advising on strategic use and preparation of supplementary materials (e.g. athletic resumes, art and writing portfolios, and performing arts video and audio DVDs).
• In the fall, continuing work on applications and essays as needed
• A meeting in October (for early applicants) or in November (for regular decision applicants), to review fall college visits, if appropriate; confirm the final college list; and review application details.
• Discussions throughout the year to assist student and parents with various aspects of the college process, including special talents and interests and merit and need based scholarships.
• A December meeting, except in cases where students have made a binding commitment to a college.
• A mid-year review meeting, typically held after first semester grades are available, for those in regular decision pools who wish to provide appropriate application updates.
• An April meeting for students who are weighing their college choices, negotiating financial aid packages, or seeking to maximize their chances of admission from a wait-list.
• Between-meetings access to a counselor for the student or parents to help address specific issues or answer particular questions as they arise during the school year.
• Consulting on course selection, the transition to college, and even consideration of a gap year.

Fees: $750/hr for Nina Marks and Team, or $375/hr for a Counselor for the July 2016-June 2017 contract year.

(11th-12th Grade) – This is an integrated tutoring and counseling service, with up to four hours of work with a counselor in 11th grade, including two meetings and two hours of preparation and follow-up. In 12th grade, this service includes access to a Counselor between meetings and throughout 12th grade, plus 20 hours of test prep tutoring.

Fee: $11,000 for the July 2017-June 2019 contract years.

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Fee: $4,500 for the July 2017-June 2018 contract year.

The Transfer Package covers a 12-month period, starting any time, of counseling for those first and second year college students considering a move to another undergraduate institution. Robert Clark will help you assess your current situation, choose a new list of schools, create and edit applications, and make your final decision.

Fee: $375/hr for a Counselor for the July 2016-June 2017 contract year.

Fees: $7,500 for single program services or $10,500 for dual program services for the 2017-2018 application cycle. Depending on the intended graduate program, intensive work associated with an individual application process may begin as early as spring 2017 or may conclude as late as summer 2018.

For the Graduate School Package, Nisha Sardella works with college students and graduates who are applying to law schools, post-baccalaureate premedical programs, medical schools, business schools, and other graduate programs. When you enroll with Mrs. Sardella for a Graduate School Package, you begin with an initial conversation about your goals, priorities, and strengths, as well as the factors involved in graduate school admission decisions. Then Mrs. Sardella will help you target strategic choices and differentiate yourself to make your application more compelling. She also will discuss your plan and preparation for appropriate standardized tests and help you select the best individuals to provide recommendations. As you complete your applications, she will provide detailed feedback on personal statements and accompanying essays, as well as help you prepare for any interviews and follow-up with admissions committees.