Empowering all students to make wise applications.

Realigning college search.

There’s a school out there with your name on it!

Let’s discover where you should go to school not only where you should apply. At wisecollegechoices we want you to make an informed decision about your college applications, of course, but we believe there’s a misconception in the current college-application-industrial-complex — there are literally dozens of schools you’ll overlook in your search. Students are influenced by the branding of schools and too often conditioned to apply to the “rear-window-sticker” schools — you know the ones, those found on SUV, rear-window stickers in the parking lot of Whole Foods.

High school students overlook many excellent, potentially life changing schools, due to some combination of preconceived prestige (“all my friends will be impressed”), convenience (“my aunt went there”), fatigue (“there’s too much to think about!”), and misplaced or inane criteria (“they have such nice, new dorms!”).

Informed Decisions

You’ve heard your guidance counselors mention School Links or Naviance or Big Future, all great platforms for your preliminary research regarding application choices. At wisecollegechoices we will make use of common high school guidance tools like these, and we will also discuss schools, listed by familiar sources like “US News & World Report” or The Fiske Guide. On the other hand, we’ll consider choices listed by Schools that Change Lives and informed by over 15 years of individual counseling. We will take a multivariable approach to develop a manageable list that is actionable not wishful.

High Stakes Test Preparation

With nearly every recent news cycle, we learn of yet another “banner” school that has reverted to an expectation for standardized test scores. Dartmouth, MIT, and Georgetown among highly selective private schools, as well as the U. of Texas/Austin among flagship public schools have announced they will use test scores moving forward. Let us help you navigate the major tests (SAT and/or ACT) and get the most out of your preparations. We can strategize when, where, and how to take these all-important tests.

Let’s Map It Out!

There’s no time like the present! And there’s no time before any actual deadlines that’s too late to start . . .

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, worried? We’ve got you! Our approach is informed by over 30 years of classroom instruction for 9th - 12th graders in process-based assessments for learning. Our college application sequence is broken into manageable chunks with clear outcomes, homework, and ongoing preparation.

“Richard spent a great deal of time with Kevin, and guided him to write strong application essays. Richard’s process respected Kevin’s lived experience, and he produced a genuinely authentic application.”

— Dan S., father of a former client

“I would like to thank you for all of your help with college preparation. As someone whose parents did not finish/attend college, I unfortunately do not have as many resources as most students at Maine South. Because of this, your college meetings are something I genuinely look forward to, and I am so incredibly appreciative for all of the support you have given me.”

— Grace T., former student (AP English Lang.)

“Hello Dr. Jones,

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for helping Krista with her college essay, discussions of schools and assistance with the Common App this past summer.  So far she has been accepted into every school she has applied to.  You were right, I shouldn't have been so worried about her getting accepted into schools.  So thank you again for helping her with the college work as well as being such a good teacher.”

— Trish S., mother of a former client

Dr. Jones, I want you know that you’ve been super helpful with my college search and preparing for college applications and enrollment. I’m very grateful for all your advice. My parents agree as well. They were rather clueless on the whole “applying for college” process!

— Samantha W., former client

“Cole decided to go to the University of Colorado/Boulder. He was very happy with the options he had, and he ended up getting accepted to most of his top of schools including University of Utah, Oregon State, Penn State, and Gonzaga.  He is pumped and we are very thankful.  It was a neat process, and we felt it allowed him to express himself well and without us pushing him. I really liked the way you allowed him to maintain ownership of his essay as you helped guide him along. I read some of his essays before he submitted them, and I was really touched.”

— John F., father of a former client

“Dr. Jones, I did it!! All because you ‘forced me’ to seriously consider college, printing out lists of schools I should consider. I now have a BA in psychology [from Carthage], and you are the reason! I cannot thank you enough for believing in me. It truly changed my life.”

— Christi L., former student (Composition I)

Working with Dr. Jones this summer greatly reduced the stress involved with applying to colleges, and our work helped me to be confident in the applications I am submitting. His advice was so helpful in guiding me through the daunting application process.

— Maggie S., former client

Dr. Jones’s Zoom workshop went well for me. I really liked hearing everyone’s main essay and comparing prompts. It was also nice to get some peer feedback on my app essay.

— Olivia S., former client

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