What Spiegel Educational Consulting offers in a full-service consulting relationship:

	Explore student and parents' expectations, and develop a set of criteria upon which to base your college search.
	Advise sophomores and juniors on course selections and other educational and extracurricular options.
	From there, work together to develop an initial broad list of colleges to research.
	Teach the student and parents what campus visits are all about, and how to make the most of those visits.
	Offer "Mock Interviews" to help students feel comfortable in the campus interview and/or scholarship selection interview.
	Develop a final college list of 8 -10 schools to target for admission.
	Help the student to take the necessary steps in preparing portfolios, auditions or athletic recruiting process.
	Brainstorm and guide student through the personal essays and short answers on all applications. (Please know that Mary does NOT write or rewrite essays, which is unethical. She will offer ongoing concrete suggestions and editing advice based on experience in reading thousands of admissions essays.)
	Advice on standardized testing plan and prep. (While Mary is NOT an SAT tutor, she will introduce you to qualified individuals.)
	Help parents to understand the financial aid and scholarship process.
	Referral to professional financial consultant for colleges investment planning is also available.
	In making your final choice, Mary will facilitate the discussions concerning the academics, curriculum, and educational philosophy of each college or university, so that the student makes an informed choice.
	Guiding students through the wait list process, if necessary.
	Discussion of course selection options in Freshman year.

When should you call you Spiegel Educational Consulting?

Some students should start with a consultant before the start of the junior year to allow time for crucial course selection decisions and for early planning of special circumstances. For example, an artistic student should spend more than one year if art portfolios will be part of the process. A musician or dancer may need to begin planning early for auditions etc. Students with learning differences may want to have more time to truly understand the wide range of levels of support in colleges, and how an IEP differs from learning support in college.

Even "ordinary" students will benefit from an early start, as there is much to do and learn before you start filling out those applications!

Some families even come to us at the start of high school, simply to have an independent expert give input on issues such as course selection, study habits, academic "bumps in the road" etc.

Most commonly, students and parents will call when the junior year PSAT has arrived, and the reality sets in that they are college-bound!

The choice is yours, but certainly, the earlier you start, the better your experience will be in the college search process.