Gulf Coast Education Services, LLC        

Preparatory Programs- 9th & 10th grade

Specifically geared towards freshman and sophomores who want to ensure their academic and extracurricular programs lead to a successful college application process before the spring semester of the junior year. With his or her family, the student meets with a counselor to create an action plan that covers course selection, recommendations for improved study methods, in school and summer activities and organization tools. The student works closely with the advisor throughout the school year to solve academic problems, refine and update personal goals, while receiving support and motivation.

Comprehensive Guidance- 11th & 12th grade

These programs are designed for a student who wants to build a relationship with an advisor and needs the assistance to cover multiple aspects of the college admissions process. After the Initial Consultation, an advisor will guide and support the student in the following areas:

• Identify the student's passions and interests, and create a plan to develop them.
• Provide a thorough explanation of the student's record from the perspective of a selective college board of admissions.
• Evaluate the student's academic and extracurricular history-including transcript, test scores and "Brag Sheet" and create academic and extracurricular plans.
• Pinpoint academic areas where the student could benefit from additional attention and institute new study methods to improve the way the student relates to school, teachers and studying.
• Discuss circumstances and/or personal issues, which have affected academic and personal history, and solve those problems.
• Create a one-year strategic plan including calendars for testing, recommendations for coursework, activities, summer experiences, community service and internships.

All comprehensive guidance programs are customized for the student's individual needs and will complement services offered by his or her school counselor. The following programs differ on the amount of time needed to prepare a student's applications to colleges

A. Bronze Program
Six 60-minute sessions: three scheduled during junior year and three during senior year. Also, there are 15 minutes of weekly non-scheduled correspondence time.
***Recommended for students who need help refining specific elements of the college search process or the college application.

B. Silver Program
Eight or twelve 60-minute sessions with 20 minutes of weekly non-scheduled correspondence time during junior and/or senior year.
***Recommended for students who need help with academic planning, college search and completing college applications.

C. Gold Program
Time: Eighteen or twenty-four 60-minute sessions, with 30 minutes of weekly non-scheduled correspondence time.
***Recommended for students who need additional time above and beyond the Bronze Program. Students who fall into one of the following categories should consider the Gold Program.

• Applying to multiple competitive schools
• Considering schools with complex application processes that require many written statements such as: personal essays, short answer responses and writing samples.
• Require extensive help conceptualizing, drafting and revising personal statements
• Want to incorporate additional supplementary materials to demonstrate their unique talents (i.e. artwork, science abstracts, writing and music samples)
• Hope to be considered for intercollegiate athletics
• Need to explain special circumstances (e.g. learning differences, emotional hardships, and unique family circumstances.)

Additional Programs for Seniors

Initial Application Assistance
Designed for the student who only wants to work on their applications and does not need much guidance and support in other areas. He or she will be able to work on the Common Application plus one additional non-Common Application of their choice in an eight-week time span.

Application Review
For seniors who do not need guidance and support in other areas, an advisor thoroughly evaluates all aspects of the college application prior to submission. This preliminary assessment will help identify any “red flags” (problems, omissions, inconsistencies, unanswered questions, etc.) That may hinder a student’s chances of admission. The counselor will review all findings and make suggestions for improvement with the student and his or her family.

Essay Writing Assistance
An advisor will work with the student in-person or by phone, fax or email. While we do not write essays for students, we do make detailed suggestions for content, structure, style, tone, vocabulary and spelling. We review, comment and correct subsequent revisions until the student and advisor agree the essays are in optimal shape for submission.

Working with the individual and parent, Gulf Coast Education Service’s will review and provide guidance pertaining to military service and recruitment. This includes reviewing ASVAB scores and acting as a quality control filter for information provided by the recruiter. We will also provide the individual with a full understanding of career opportunities and what those duties entail.