Our Approach
High School is a critical time in life, and it’s only becoming more complicated. Immersed in the lives of young adults for so many years, I saw students struggle to become themselves in the world emerging around them. I recognized the dynamic challenge they, and we as educators, confront preparing for a future that holds both great opportunity and tremendous uncertainty.
I found that the students who were the happiest knew who they were and what they stood for at their core. They were open to opportunities to learn and grow and took positive risks that brought them outside of their comfort zones.
The College Application process has also changed so much in the last twenty years. By way of example, students admitted to colleges and universities in the IVY League, Big 10 and PAC12 conferences experienced competition like no other in 2022. Private schools such as these offer admission to students across the world with no particular need of bringing in students from their home states. Therefore, there is no “in-state” versus “out of state” acceptance rate at private universities and colleges. In 2000, the admit rate for applicants applying to Brown University was 16.2%. This year that rate was 7.2%. At USC, the admission rate in 2000 was 45% and this past admission cycle it was 12.9%. And at Northwestern? The admit rate at Northwestern in 2000 was 32.8% compared to just 8.7% this spring. The numbers are even more staggering when looking at Public Universities such as Michigan, UNC-Chapel Hill and Virginia. At the University of Michigan, the admissions rate in 2022 was 18.2% compared to 55% in 2000, at UNC Chapel Hill the admissions rate in 2022 was 10.5% compared to 39.7% in 2000 and finally UVA, 15% admissions rate this past application season compared to 39% in 2000.
Times have changed the process dramatically, making admission to these schools harder and harder with each passing year. The main reason for this increasing selectivity is the swelling of application numbers at almost all colleges and universities across the country. Whereas students in the 1990’s and early 2000’s applied to 5 or 6 schools on average, students today often apply to 15 to 20. Many point to the creation of the Common Application in 1975, which allows students to submit a single application to multiple member colleges, as the origin of “application creep,” but we can also credit increasing admissions marketing budgets, smart phones loaded with social media and the development of complex enrollment management systems for cultivating record application numbers year after year.
We are here to help your family navigate the High School and College Application landscape. We can’t wait to get to know you.
Our High School Application Programs
DISCOVERY
Before you embark on the high school application journey, it is important to spend time reflecting on your personal values and what drives and motivates you in life. Having a clear understanding of yourself and your preferences will result in a more genuine and authentic admission process.
DIVING INTO THE APPLICATION
Ready to dive into your high school application? Whether you need guidance from start to finish or with specific parts of the application, our customized programs will help you discover, develop and tell your story.
From Start to Submit Package: The Sullivan Education Solutions team will work with the student throughout the application process from start to submit. This complete package begins with a deep dive into the student’s inner self to explore personal preferences, values and life motivations. The self-discovery work will serve as a guide and foundation throughout the application process and give the student the tools to hit the ground running upon stepping foot on campus the following fall.
The Student Interview Only: The interview is not an interrogation; it is a conversation that will bring your written application to life. Approach the interview as an opportunity for the school to learn about you and also a chance for you to evaluate if the school is the right fit. The goal of the interview is to confidently articulate the story of YOU. The interviewer is assessing how well you know yourself and what you need to thrive inside and outside of the classroom.
The Student Interview: What’s Your Story?
The Student Interview: Mock Interview & Assessment
The Student Essay Only: The student essay is the most personal part of your application and the only component of your application that you have total control over. A great essay will not get you admitted if the rest of your application is weak; however, a poorly constructed essay will give an admissions committee cause for concern. Tell the story only you can tell. Give the reader a true sense of who you are and what you stand for. You are the architect of your own brand.
The Student Essay: From Start to Submit
The Student Essay: Building the Foundation
The Student Essay: Review & Feedback
The Student Interview & Essay Package
Situational Coaching: Should your family need situational coaching at any point during the application process, Kat Sullivan can offer situational coaching in-person, or over phone/FT/Zoom/SKYPE.
the TRANSFER EXPERIENCE
The transfer application process requires an extra layer of self-reflection, as it is important to understand where you came from in order to move forward.
Exploratory Package: We will conduct exploratory sessions with the student to clarify academic options and personal motivations. The work will focus on guiding the candidate to better understand their personal strengths, areas for improvement, and unique high school criteria (both academic and social) to better inform their decision making.
Full Year and Semester Check-in Packages: Kat will work with the student to create a plan to support their effort to stay on track during the academic year and develop new strategies they can access should they run into any obstacles inside or outside of the classroom. We will work together to stay ahead of triggers, and recognize patterns, so they can remain vigilant and build momentum towards academic and social well-being. We will create weekly and semester-based goals, both personal and academic, through a series of regularly scheduled sessions and check-ins to achieve milestones and address emerging situations as needed.
Situational Coaching: Should student need situational coaching at any point during the academic year, Kat Sullivan can offer situational coaching over phone/FT/Zoom/SKYPE.
guiding The STUDENT ATHLETE (prospective high school & collegiate athletes)
A competitive athlete can have an advantage in the application process to high schools and colleges. However, it can be challenging to market yourself to athletic programs as many coaches will not be familiar with the competitive landscape in your area or the league you compete in.
Sullivan Education Solutions provides consultation and guidance regarding the entire recruiting process, including determining best fit schools, the NCAA Clearinghouse and marketing your talent to athletic programs.
Our College Application Programs
INTRODUCTORY CONSULTATION & COLLEGE LIST GENERATION
Meet with Brad Battaglia to determine where your family is in the College Application Process. You will discuss your family’s situation, circumstances, and intentions. Then, you will develop an extensive college list based on student goals and aspirations. Other key elements of making the college list will also be discussed, such as personal fit, academic pursuits, family resources, extra-curricular interests and the like. This meeting is the beginning of determining what colleges and universities a student will apply to and typically results in a list of 20-25 schools for the student and family to research. Subsequent meetings can also be scheduled to continue to analyze and reshape the list as necessary.
THE STUDENT INTERVIEW
Brad has interviewed thousands of students both as an admissions counselor working for a college and as a high school counselor preparing juniors and seniors to meet with college representatives. He will help your child navigate the interview with poise, confidence and most importantly, authenticity.
THE ESSAY
The Essay package will help your teen compose a college essay that best represents their best unique self. Special attention will be given to idea generation, editing, personalizing and drafting.