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Bay Area College Admissions Consultants
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There are many college admissions consultants in the Bay Area but Cardinal Education is consistently recognized as the best.
With all the changes and developments in college admissions recently, it has become more competitive and overwhelming for both students and families. In our experience, most families do not know how to navigate the admissions process and end up spending a great amount of time and energy on unnecessary things that do not add value to their applications, leaving them frustrated and unsuccessful in their pursuit. Smart and sophisticated families invest in hiring professional educational consultants to help them navigate the intricacies of college admissions to reduce stress and increase their chances of acceptance.
For 20 years, our admissions consultants, tutors, and academic coaches have been helping families in the Bay Area make informed decisions on their college choices and guiding them in creating an impressive application portfolio to get into the top US colleges. We offer SAT practice tests, ACT practice tests, admissions interview preparation, and exclusive tips on how to write compelling admissions essays and personal statements. Our individualized college consulting services allow us to create bespoke strategies that are meaningful and beneficial toward achieving our clients’ goals.
We find that during the whole process, students do not only gain academic success. They also discover their strengths and potential, and more importantly, learn to work around their weaknesses to their advantage, and that is what holistic college counseling is all about.
We are located in Burlingame and Woodside in California, but we also offer online services at your convenience. So if you are looking for the best college admissions consultants near you, contact us today!
Best Private High Schools in the Bay Area
We have worked with many families from the best private high schools in the Bay Area such as
Peninsula
- Crystal Springs Uplands School
- Lick-Wilmerding High School
- Menlo School
- Notre Dame High School – Belmont
- Sacred Heart Schools Atherton
- The Nueva School
- Woodside Priory School
San Francisco
South Bay Peninsula
San Francisco
South Bay
East Bay
North Bay
College Acceptances
Here is a list of some of the best colleges in the US that we have helped students get into.
College Acceptances
- Princeton University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Yale
- University of Pennsylvania
- California Institute of Technology
- Duke University
- Brown University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Northwestern University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- University of Chicago
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Rice University
- Dartmouth College
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Notre Dame
- University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
- Georgetown University
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Emory University
- University of Virginia
- Washington University in St. Louis…and many more.
College Admissions Consulting
Our unique and personalized admissions strategies will get you into the best colleges.
Interview Preparation
Be authentic! Show your best self and Impress admissions officers with your responses.
DSAT Practice Tests
Learn Digital SAT test-taking techniques and enhance your overall performance on exam day.
ACT Practice Tests
Familiarize yourself with the content and format of the test and identify areas for improvement
Admissions Essay Help
Write about what matters most and differentiate yourself from the rest.
Extracurricular Activity Planning
Find the right activities that will demonstrate your leadership and uniqueness.
Project Mentorship
Showcase your creativity and innovation through socially relevant passion projects.
Application Assistance
Ensure that completed application materials meet the standards of the target colleges.
Our Personalized Services
Cardinal Education provides personalized strategies designed to meet the needs and goals of families in the Bay Area. Our holistic approach to college counseling empowers students on their academic journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I choose the best college in the Bay Area?
There are several factors you have to consider when choosing the best college in the Bay Area: what you want to study, what kind of campus vibe you’re into, and what resources and opportunities matter most to you. Look for schools that align with your academic goals and offer strong programs in your chosen field. Schools like Stanford and UC Berkeley might be at the top of your list if you’re into tech.
Next, consider the campus culture. Do you prefer a busy environment or a more laid-back setting? Schools like San Francisco State University offer a bustling city vibe, while others like Santa Clara University have a more traditional campus feel.
Look for schools with strong career services, internship programs, and networking opportunities. The Bay Area is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Take advantage and find a school where you can grow your network and have better opportunities when you graduate.
Lastly, consider practical factors like cost, location, and campus size. Visiting campuses and talking to current students can give you a sense of whether a school is the right fit for you. It’s all about finding the college that checks all your boxes and feels like the right place to call home for the next four years.
At Cardinal Education, we will help you make the best decision and choose the right college where you can be successful and maximize your potential.
- How hard is it to get into an Ivy League?
Getting into an Ivy League is tough, but not impossible. Ivies are known for their high academic standards and competitive admissions process. They look for students who not only have high grades and test scores, but also stand out in other ways, like through extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and unique life experiences.
The acceptance rates at Ivy League schools are typically low because of the huge volume of
applicants vying for the limited number of available spots. Admissions officers are very selective and accept only those who they believe will be successful once admitted.
While numbers in the form of grades and test scores are important, the admissions process is holistic. This means these schools consider the whole student and how they fit into their community. Aside from school records, academic achievement, and extracurricular activities, the admissions committee also looks into personality and character to ensure that students uphold the mission and vision of the institution.
As a world-class admissions consulting firm, we are experts in helping families get into the best colleges including Ivy League schools. We know what they want and we understand the rigorous admissions process so we can help families strategize their way to success. Our process is holistic and tailored to the specific needs and goals of each family we work with.
- Should I take the SAT/ACT?
Yes. Many colleges, such as Brown, Dartmouth, Georgetown, MIT, Yale, U.T. Austin, and others, are reverting to requiring standardized tests as part of the admissions process. As these are prestigious institutions and leaders in education, we can expect other highly selective colleges to make the same decision in the coming days. Some universities choose to remain test-optional, meaning they do not require test scores but will accept and consider if applicants submit.
Test scores showcase a student’s academic readiness for higher-level work and potential for success once admitted. Colleges value standardized tests because they are the only metric to compare students from different backgrounds. Based on our experience, students with higher test scores have an increased advantage in admissions than students with no test scores.
Most schools allow students to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. To know which one is right for you, take a practice test for both, compare your scores, and see which test is better suited to your strengths. If you’re intimidated by the SAT or ACT, enroll in our test prep program where we will teach you test-taking strategies and get access to numerous materials to help you build the skills and confidence to perform better on exam day.
Additionally, the SAT has changed into a digital format which can be more challenging for some. Click here to learn more about the Digital SAT.
- What are the best extracurricular activities to help with college applications?
The best extracurricular activities to help with college applications are ones that demonstrate your interests, passions, and skills. Admissions officers are looking for students who are not only academically excellent but also well-rounded and socially active. Consider activities that showcase your leadership, such as being captain of a sports team, founder of an organization, leader of a socially relevant activity, or president of a club. Participation in community service or volunteering can also make a positive impact, as it shows a commitment to helping others.
For example, if you’re applying to major in the arts, involvement in music, theater, or visual arts organizations can highlight your creativity and artistic skills. Likewise, participating in academic clubs or joining competitions can demonstrate your dedication to learning and intellectual curiosity. Choose activities that align with your chosen field of interest.
There is no hard and fast rule to choosing extracurricular activities. The best activities are ones that you are passionate and enthusiastic about. Colleges are interested in knowing how you have made a difference in your community, pursued your interests, and developed valuable skills that you can apply to the school during your stay.
Our individualized approach to admissions consulting allows us to suggest tailored activities to our students. We consider factors such as your personal and academic goals, your network of friends and acquaintances, and the appropriateness of the activity to the major you are applying to. Our strategies are based on years of experience in college admissions and our knowledge of what different colleges want from their applicants.
Find the key to long-term success with Cardinal Education!
