If you would have asked me two years ago, what my plan was for college application season, I would have probably replied with a shrug. Like many freshmen students, going into high school, I had absolutely no clue what to do when it came to college applications. Being an only child, I did not have any older siblings to rely on for their advice or guidance. Inevitably, as my peers began discussing AP classes, which clubs would reflect their interests to potential colleges and volunteering hours, I would be desperately looking up what it meant to opt for test optional or if I should start a common app profile at 15. It was overwhelming and I was clueless and in desperate need for someone to mentor me through the treacherous waters of applying to an undergrad university. Like many other students, it was hard to turn to a school provided college mentor due to the sheer size of students that require their help everyday, it’s impossible to help each and every student one on one.

That was when my family discovered  Class 101. During the first meeting, we met with the college planner and went over some of the colleges I was considering applying to. Together, we considered what I had to offer to these colleges and how I could improve my resume and build up my application to appeal to selective universities and colleges. Since I’ve been working with Class 101, I have been given several resources that not only help me create a list of colleges but to also grow as a student and as a viable student to prospective college admission officers.  These resources include ACT prep courses, a website with details about every college in the country and what they look for in their students. On top of all of that  I have their incredible mentorship, encouragement and personal attention that helps me build up my strengths. With their help, I can understand my own needs when I am looking into my dream college. Things like my ideal location, class size or distance from my home. 

I am a junior now, less than 12 months from starting my first application and I feel like I am on the right path. With the help of Class 101, I have a concise list of colleges that I will be applying to, three of which I have already toured. My top three are American University, the University of Richmond and Boston University. They took into consideration my personal strengths and helped build up a strong resume that reflected those interests. I can say with full confidence that I wouldn’t have been able to do half the things I did without their advice. I know Junior year is crunch time when it comes to planning for college.  There’s so much that goes into this single school year, but a part of me is relaxed knowing that I won’t be going in alone. I have the help of experts and Class 101 mentors who will always be there to help me with anything. At the end of the day, their goal is to make me college ready, in every way possible so I can enjoy a stress free senior year.