Acuity College Counseling - Logo

Applying Common Sense
to College Applications

Acuity College Counseling - Logo

Applying Common Sense to College Applications

It’s like driving a car at night. You can never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.

E. L. Doctorow

No student begins the journey towards their future with all the answers or the knowledge they need to see clearly ahead to the end, but all feel the urgency to know not only where they are going, but how they are going to get there.

Acuity College Counseling provides a guidance system for students as they embark on the most important venture of their young lives. We know how this moment feels, and we strive to meet each student where they stand with understanding and our best advice.

Though no one cannot predict how an individual student’s “what’s next?” will take shape, Acuity stays by a student’s side from start to finish, shining a light on their personal pathway into the future.

And together, we can “make the whole trip that way.”

Every student creates their own unique story.

Acuity views our job as helping students create a vivid snapshot of themselves, one that shows their story and sets them apart.

Acuity listens to what a student has to say. We want to learn about their experiences and hear their expectations for college before they start their applications.

Through listening, we discover not only how a student’s mind works, but how they utilize their skill sets both in and out of a classroom. With this understanding, we are better able to provide guidance and support throughout the college admissions process.

By understanding how a student thinks and works, Acuity can help them take ownership of the application process and break it down into a manageable effort.

Practical Advice & Guidance

Acuity maintains that every student deserves the opportunity to follow their own path out into the world. Our service is designed to help shine a light on the road to college. We offer practical advice on the right steps forward, and guidance on putting together the pieces of a student’s unique journey so that a complete and compelling story emerges that will stand out during the college admission process.

Mrs. Wilton’s guidance throughout the application process gave me the utmost confidence in my submissions. Her knowledge gave me valuable insight on how to portray my passions to admission officers and stand out.

L.E., Wake Forest University

Acuity believes every student should have support during one of the most important efforts of their lives.

Acuity’s objectives for our students  

  • Be empowered to find their ‘what’s next?’
  • Have the confidence to take ownership of their personal journey and the college admissions process.
  • Determine a well-balanced list of colleges where they will be valued and can thrive for four years.
  • Give the college admissions process the priority and detailed attention that it needs without sacrificing other aspects of their lives.
  • Discover ‘who they are’ and ‘how their mind works’ so they can optimize their applications and essays and share their story in way that no one else can.

Acuity’s goal for our work with students

  • Demystify and destress the college admissions process by breaking it down into logical pieces so it is less daunting and more manageable.
  • Illuminate the often-unwritten expectations of colleges and how to meet them.
  • Detail each section of a college application and how to use each to their advantage.
  • Demonstrate that ‘what they do’ is not ‘who they are’ and how to present a clear picture of both to colleges.
  • Elevate writing skills and teach the art of well-crafted, memorable essays that will stand out during review.
  • Be a trusted supporter and instructor that helps them make good choices and decisions throughout the entire college admissions process.

Acuity’s pledge to our families

  • To always be honest.
  • To provide the best advice that we can.
  • To find the best answers whenever possible.
  • To value the opinions of parents and students.

Process

Consultation

This one-hour, confidential question and answer session is open to all families but is especially geared to one that is not familiar with the college application process and has not had direct experience with older children applying for schools.

This session gives parents a chance to learn about Acuity’s services and provides them with an opportunity to discuss their student’s goals for college and share any relevant information that might have an impact on a student’s needs during the application process.

This meeting also provides parents a chance to learn more about the role a college counselor plays during a student’s journey from application to acceptance, and how Acuity views its involvement in the process.

Student Assessment

After the Consultation, families can choose to move forward with an evaluation of a student’s profile including academics, extracurriculars and areas of interest. From there, Acuity will provide a personalized assessment on how to build and strengthen a student’s application.

This assessment will also include recommendations for standardized testing and college visits, testing calendars and application deadlines, and a preliminary list of reach, target and safety schools.

In addition, Acuity will take this opportunity to learn how a student divides their time between academics and activities so that any recommended application goals or requirements can be reasonably managed.

Process

Consultation

This one-hour, confidential question and answer session is open to all families but is especially geared to one that is not familiar with the college application process and has not had direct experience with older children applying for schools.

This session gives parents a chance to learn about Acuity’s services and provides them with an opportunity to discuss their student’s goals for college and share any relevant information that might have an impact on a student’s needs during the application process.

This meeting also provides parents a chance to learn more about the role a college counselor plays during a student’s journey from application to acceptance, and how Acuity views its involvement in the process.

Student Assessment

After the Consultation, families can choose to move forward with an evaluation of a student’s profile including academics, extracurriculars and areas of interest. From there, Acuity will provide a personalized assessment on how to build and strengthen a student’s application.

This assessment will also include recommendations for standardized testing and college visits, testing calendars and application deadlines, and a preliminary list of reach, target and safety schools.

In addition, Acuity will take this opportunity to learn how a student divides their time between academics and activities so that any recommended application goals or requirements can be reasonably managed.

Programs

Application Readiness for College (ARC) Program

ARC is a multi-year program designed for rising high school freshman and sophomores that plan to attend college.  It creates a purposeful, personalized strategy that prepares them to meet the expectations schools have for prospective applicants.

Hourly Rates

Hourly rates are available for students in grades 9-12.

Remote Services

Acuity offers remote services via Zoom for initial consultations, student assessments, college selections, and application and essay assistance.