Services
At Collegepond, our mission is to ensure that you achieve your stated objectives. All our efforts are geared to support you on your quest to become successful. We realize that the starting point of your journey begins with obtaining a degree from an elite university. To receive admission to such a university requires one to plan strategically. Collegepond can help you in this regard in a number of ways, namely:
Assistance in Building Credentials*
How does one individual differentiate from another with the similar academic performance or GPA? It is the credentials outside of class or work that will make the difference in the application, whether it be working as a research assistant, publishing a paper, working for a non-profit organization, etc. Credentials are not built overnight; rather it takes months or perhaps even more than a year to do so.
Collegepond will work with the potential applicant to determine how to create his resume for college application. In addition, Collegepond will continuously monitor the same and add valuable inputs through the tenure of the relationship.
Career and School Selection*
We have discovered over the years that students follow a “herd” mentality in determining their career objectives. They tend to overlook their strengths and weaknesses and are unable to assess the multitude of career choices available to them. Collegepond works with each student to determine each student’s forte, dreams and aspirations and accordingly recommends career opportunities suitable for them.
Though college education is an expensive proposition, it is the key that will open doors to your career. Collegepond works with students and their parents to determine the right strategy to employ in school selection with the goal of reducing the overall cost of education. Some strategies involve going to a public institution and then transferring to a private institution while others include taking core classes at an inexpensive university or community college to reduce the total bill.
Besides working to reduce the total cost of education, Collegepond’s School Selection Services is focused on ensuring that students have ample career opportunities post graduation.
Essay and Application Assistance*
The essays and recommendations section of the college application is perhaps the most important part of the application and can make or break the admission decision. It provides an opportunity for prospective applicants to showcase and market themselves to the Admission Committee.
Many students find writing college essays a daunting and exhausting task. They are unable to express themselves, let alone position and present themselves in the most positive light. Collegepond has extensive experience in helping students develop an articulate marketing document for college applications.
The process begins with a student completing a questionnaire, which forms the source document for the essay. Next, Collegepond works with the student to position the essay by developing a “brief” or “story line”, following which the student writes the essay and emails to the Collegepond team for their edits and review. This iterative process continues until both the Collegepond team and the student are satisfied with the essay.
Collegepond’s editing team is spearheaded by Suraj Bajaj, who himself has completed his undergraduate and MBA from the Ivy League colleges. More information about him is available in the About Us section.
Test Preparation Coaching*
The Admission Committees often find it difficult to assess a student based only on his or her academic performance as the performance is subject to two unknown variables: (a) grade inflation and (b) competitiveness of the student pool. Standardized tests provide the Admission Committee the necessary tool to evaluate across the applicant pool. Therefore, these tests should not be taken lightly. Collegepond offers a number of services for SAT, SAT II, GRE, GMAT and TOEFL test preparation, namely:
- Ask Collegepond -- This is a service that allows students who are studying independently to ask an expert questions or problems to clear their doubts.
- Math/Verbal Review -- Collegepond has developed an intensive Math/Verbal curriculum that will enable students to hone their skills and get ready for the examination. These classes are either held on a one-on-one basis or in a group setting.
- Crash Course -- Collegepond offers two-day crash courses for students who would like to brush up their skills for the examination.
Visa Counseling*
Obtaining a student visa is not difficult; it just requires the student to be diligent, well prepared and organized. Collegepond boasts a 99% success rate in helping students acquire a student visa. Collegepond understands that financial matters are private and spends time individually with the student and his family. Collegepond helps the student organize the financial information and conducts mock interviews to prepare the student for the interview at the consulate.
Financial Planning*
There is no doubt that education in the US, UK, Australia, etc. is expensive. Planning for such an expenditure generally requires families to reshuffle their investments. Collegepond has a personal financial planning group to help families through this exercise.
Service Offerings*
Services are available globally online through video conferencing and/or personal meetings.
**Govt Levies as applicable
