Question 1

Is it too early / too late to get a college admissions counselor?

Accepted Answer

It’s never too early or too late to seek out an admissions counselor! In fact, our college prep services range from eighth grade through senior year of high school. It all depends on your specific needs. We assist with everything from interest discovery to study habit forming, to admissions interviews.

Question 2

How is my admissions counselor selected?

Accepted Answer

You will be matched with your best-fit counselor based on numerous criteria—area of study, extracurriculars, target schools, and personal preferences, just to name a few. Your counselor will work with you on a unique guidance plan and meeting preference that works best for you, and they’ll support you through every stage of the admissions process.

Question 3

How much does college counseling cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of having a dedicated counselor varies and depends on numerous factors specific to the student’s needs and their goals for the future. With the rising costs of higher education and the increasingly selective admissions landscape at top schools, hiring a college counselor can be a worthwhile investment that yields tangible results down the road. Speak with your admissions expert for effective options that will work within your budget.

Question 4

What schools do Empowerly students get into?

Accepted Answer

While many of our students have been accepted into some of the most prestigious schools in the country, we strive to empower students of all interests, so they may realize their full potential for college and beyond. Past students have gained acceptance to a broad range of schools, including ivy, state colleges, private universities, and more. Ask your admissions consultant for any details on specific schools.

Question 5

Can parents access the student’s portal and track progress?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide parents with their own portal login, allowing 24/7 access to monitor their child’s progress. In fact, our plans include regular parent-counselor meetings (typically about once a month, adjustable as needed) to review progress and address any concerns. The combination of the parent portal and periodic check-ins ensures parents can stay informed and involved in the student’s counseling journey.

Question 6

How long is each counseling session, and how often do they occur?

Accepted Answer

Each counseling session is usually around 30 minutes long. Session length can be flexible; families can arrange longer or shorter meetings if needed by discussing with their counselor ahead of time. Meeting frequency is customized to your student’s needs and the time of year. As a general guideline, underclassmen (9th-11th graders) typically meet about 1-2 times per month, whereas 12th graders meet roughly once per week. This cadence isn’t rigid—students can schedule more sessions during busy periods (for example, in winter when preparing summer program applications) and scale back during slower periods (for instance, during spring exams). The goal is to adjust counseling frequency as needed to fit the student’s schedule and deadlines.

Question 7

What support is available between scheduled counseling sessions?

Accepted Answer

We ensure students have support even between their formal meetings. Students get 24/7 access to the Empowerly online portal, which offers a wealth of resources—including exclusive online courses, webinars, and the ability to request additional resources or guidance from our team. In addition, students can always reach out to their counselor via email between sessions and receive a reply within 24 hours to address questions or urgent needs. This round-the-clock portal and prompt email support mean that help is never far away, even outside of scheduled appointment times.

Question 8

Can we switch counselors if the fit isn't right?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If for any reason your student isn’t clicking with their assigned counselor, we will accommodate a counselor change. We take pride in matching students with the right counselor initially, so switches are rarely needed. However, we're absolutely willing to honor requests for a new counselor. The process is straightforward: you can email our support team (support@empowerly.com) with your concerns and preferences for a new counselor, and a case manager will facilitate the transition to ensure a smooth hand-off to the new counselor. Our priority is that your student feels comfortable and well-supported, so we'll make sure you have the right advisor fit.

Question 9

Do you offer payment plans or flexible payment options?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We understand how important it is for families to have options when investing in their child’s future. Please speak with your admissions expert during your consultation to learn more about the available options.

Question 10

Do you support international students or transfer applicants?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer support for international and transfer applicants on a case by case basis. For students interesting in studying abroad, our counseling team supports applications in Canada and the UK, with limited support for other countries on a case by case basis. At this time, we don't have support for English tests, but we do offer referrals. We also don't currently conduct credit evaluations as that is institutionally dependent.

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