11th Grade Program Comparison
Which program is best for your student?
Successful college planning begins with intentional high school planning. Are you taking the right classes? Are you involved in enough extracurriculars? Are you seeking out meaningful experiences beyond the classroom? Great Expectations counselors encourage students to find academic and extracurricular pursuits that align with their general interests and showcase their strengths, ensuring that every hour spent is both rewarding and purposeful. At the end of the day, colleges want strong students, but they also want real people with real commitment to their interests, and our goal is to help you create a narrative that is both authentic AND unique.
Scroll down to explore each program and find the best fit for your student!
Scroll down to explore each program and find the best fit for your student!
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Fundamental Program
Fundamental programs are ideal for two types of students: 1) highly motivated, independent students who are already clear on their goals and interests, and who can complete strategic assignments between sessions to build/articulate/strengthen their personal brand and 2) students who simply want to make well-informed choices during high school and ensure they don’t overlook any important steps in the process. In both cases, after receiving personalized advice and instruction from their counselor, students are empowered to stay engaged, think critically, and give their best effort.
What's included in Fundamental?
• Strategic high school academic roadmap
Your counselor will craft a personalized course sequence that looks beyond graduation requirements to build an academic narrative that ensures your transcript reflects the focus and rigor sought by your dream universities as well as your dream majors.
• Basic overview of college knowledge and admission trends
Your counselor will outline the application process, including its various timelines, key terminologies, how admissions committees evaluate applications, and recent changes in the college admissions landscape.
• Completion of activities and awards worksheets
Your counselor will review your list of extracurricular activities, formatted as they are on the Common Application, to identify and address any perceived gaps or deficiencies.
• Profile assessment
Your counselor will evaluate your transcripts, standardized test scores, and extracurricular profile to identify strategies for highlighting strengths and addressing weaknesses.
• Academic year extracurricular advising
Your counselor will help you explore or expand your involvement in extracurricular activities that strengthen your profile and support your unique application strategy.
• Identification of potential summer programs or jobs
Your counselor will identify competitive summer programs, internships, etc., that align with your admissions strategy and personal interests.
• Standardized testing game plan
Your counselor, along with a GE College Prep tutor, will develop a personalized testing roadmap based on ACT and SAT diagnostic exam results, aligning your exam schedule with your academic timeline. They will provide expert guidance on target score benchmarks and the registration process, ensuring you approach the testing cycle with a clear, data-driven plan to achieve optimal results.
• College list development
Your counselor will lead you through a structured research process to assess schools based on institutional culture, specialized programs, and campus resources. By synthesizing your personal preferences with a professional evaluation of your profile, they will build a customized college list with a balanced selection of safety, target, and reach schools to ensure a strategic and intentional application cycle.
• Introduction to potential majors
Your counselor will assist you in exploring available majors to decide which academic paths best align with your interests and career goals, as well as which can increase your chances of admission.
• Letters of recommendation strategy
Your counselor will identify a strategic slate of academic and extracurricular recommenders who can provide a multi-dimensional perspective on your character and intellectual curiosity. They coach you on the optimal timing and professional etiquette for these requests, ensuring your outreach is authentic while positioning your recommenders to serve as powerful advocates for your candidacy.
• Admissions cycle and deadline strategy
Your counselor will architect a game plan for Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision deadlines, analyzing the tactical advantages and limitations of each. By evaluating institutional priorities alongside your unique profile, she ensures you utilize specific application windows to maximize your competitive edge at the greatest number of schools on your list.
• Scholarship research
Your counselor will identify high-value scholarships tailored to your specific academic, extracurricular, and personal profile, ensuring you are positioned to pursue the opportunities that best align with your achievements and financial goals.
• Progress reports with action items after each session
Your counselor will provide a detailed recap of each meeting in writing and assign concrete, achievable tasks for you to complete by your next session.
• Planning systems and tools
Utilize a structured framework for success through month-by-month milestone tracking and access to our dedicated counseling platform. Our suite of proprietary resources – including research frameworks, campus visit guides, and essay brainstorming tools – is designed to ensure organized, consistent progress throughout the year.
Your counselor will craft a personalized course sequence that looks beyond graduation requirements to build an academic narrative that ensures your transcript reflects the focus and rigor sought by your dream universities as well as your dream majors.
• Basic overview of college knowledge and admission trends
Your counselor will outline the application process, including its various timelines, key terminologies, how admissions committees evaluate applications, and recent changes in the college admissions landscape.
• Completion of activities and awards worksheets
Your counselor will review your list of extracurricular activities, formatted as they are on the Common Application, to identify and address any perceived gaps or deficiencies.
• Profile assessment
Your counselor will evaluate your transcripts, standardized test scores, and extracurricular profile to identify strategies for highlighting strengths and addressing weaknesses.
• Academic year extracurricular advising
Your counselor will help you explore or expand your involvement in extracurricular activities that strengthen your profile and support your unique application strategy.
• Identification of potential summer programs or jobs
Your counselor will identify competitive summer programs, internships, etc., that align with your admissions strategy and personal interests.
• Standardized testing game plan
Your counselor, along with a GE College Prep tutor, will develop a personalized testing roadmap based on ACT and SAT diagnostic exam results, aligning your exam schedule with your academic timeline. They will provide expert guidance on target score benchmarks and the registration process, ensuring you approach the testing cycle with a clear, data-driven plan to achieve optimal results.
• College list development
Your counselor will lead you through a structured research process to assess schools based on institutional culture, specialized programs, and campus resources. By synthesizing your personal preferences with a professional evaluation of your profile, they will build a customized college list with a balanced selection of safety, target, and reach schools to ensure a strategic and intentional application cycle.
• Introduction to potential majors
Your counselor will assist you in exploring available majors to decide which academic paths best align with your interests and career goals, as well as which can increase your chances of admission.
• Letters of recommendation strategy
Your counselor will identify a strategic slate of academic and extracurricular recommenders who can provide a multi-dimensional perspective on your character and intellectual curiosity. They coach you on the optimal timing and professional etiquette for these requests, ensuring your outreach is authentic while positioning your recommenders to serve as powerful advocates for your candidacy.
• Admissions cycle and deadline strategy
Your counselor will architect a game plan for Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision deadlines, analyzing the tactical advantages and limitations of each. By evaluating institutional priorities alongside your unique profile, she ensures you utilize specific application windows to maximize your competitive edge at the greatest number of schools on your list.
• Scholarship research
Your counselor will identify high-value scholarships tailored to your specific academic, extracurricular, and personal profile, ensuring you are positioned to pursue the opportunities that best align with your achievements and financial goals.
• Progress reports with action items after each session
Your counselor will provide a detailed recap of each meeting in writing and assign concrete, achievable tasks for you to complete by your next session.
• Planning systems and tools
Utilize a structured framework for success through month-by-month milestone tracking and access to our dedicated counseling platform. Our suite of proprietary resources – including research frameworks, campus visit guides, and essay brainstorming tools – is designed to ensure organized, consistent progress throughout the year.
Core Program
Core programs are intended for the average, yet diligent, high school student who has some general interests but needs strategic guidance on how to develop them in ways that will impress admissions officers. These students benefit from regular check-ins with a trusted mentor who will help them stay focused, refine their goals, and use their talents to make an impact on the world around them. The program provides the right balance of independence and counselor involvement, empowering students to deepen their interests while staying on track to build a compelling profile that helps them stand out from the crowd.
Includes everything listed in the Fundamental Program, as well as...
• Emphasis on personal branding
Your counselor will develop a personalized application strategy with you based on your genuine interests, showcasing who you are to admissions committees in a way that sets you apart from other applicants.
• Creation of formal resume
Your counselor will assist you in creating and refining a professional resume that effectively highlights your achievements and can be submitted for internships, job applications, and scholarship applications.
• Curated summer experiences and application support (up to 3)
Your counselor will source competitive research, internships, college programs, and community service that align with your specific admissions narrative. They provide end-to-end support – from bespoke cover letters and interview coaching for corporate internships to concept development and PhD mentor connections for academic research – managing the process from initial exploration through final submission.
• Awards profile development
Your counselor will audit your current accolades to identify opportunities for regional and national distinction. Compiling a selection of high-prestige competitions – ranging from specialized essay and STEM contests to leadership certifications and discipline-specific qualifications – ensures your awards profile provides the third-party validation necessary to stand out in a global applicant pool.
• College list refinement
Your counselor will guide you through a high-level assessment of campus resources and priorities, evaluating your unique fit and culminating in a list of institutions specifically targeted to your high school trajectory.
• Competitive major positioning
Your counselor will lead a deep dive into specific majors at each campus – and the niche programs within them – to identify where your profile is most competitive. Analyzing departmental curricula and faculty opportunities will help you develop the “insider” perspective necessary to articulate a sophisticated academic narrative on your applications.
• Student questionnaire/brag sheet support
Your counselor will collaborate with you to craft comprehensive student questionnaires and brag sheets that serve as a roadmap for your recommenders. By strategically selecting anecdotes and personal milestones that align with your overarching application narrative, they ensure your recommenders have the specific evidence needed to reinforce your strengths and unique intellectual profile.
• Access to specialized counselors
Meet with specialists who will provide detailed guidance on niche application elements (financial aid, athletic recruitment, arts portfolio development, audition preparation, etc.) to best optimize outcome.
• Personality and career assessments
Your counselor will utilize behavioral and career assessments to identify potential majors and professional paths that align with your unique intellectual strengths. By synthesizing these results, they provide recommendations for concentrations that resonate with your specific interests and personality profile.
• Passion project planning
Your counselor will work with you to brainstorm and architect a high-impact initiative designed to address a specific need within a community you care about. They will help you map out the vision, identifying necessary resources and next steps to bring the concept to life.
Your counselor will develop a personalized application strategy with you based on your genuine interests, showcasing who you are to admissions committees in a way that sets you apart from other applicants.
• Creation of formal resume
Your counselor will assist you in creating and refining a professional resume that effectively highlights your achievements and can be submitted for internships, job applications, and scholarship applications.
• Curated summer experiences and application support (up to 3)
Your counselor will source competitive research, internships, college programs, and community service that align with your specific admissions narrative. They provide end-to-end support – from bespoke cover letters and interview coaching for corporate internships to concept development and PhD mentor connections for academic research – managing the process from initial exploration through final submission.
• Awards profile development
Your counselor will audit your current accolades to identify opportunities for regional and national distinction. Compiling a selection of high-prestige competitions – ranging from specialized essay and STEM contests to leadership certifications and discipline-specific qualifications – ensures your awards profile provides the third-party validation necessary to stand out in a global applicant pool.
• College list refinement
Your counselor will guide you through a high-level assessment of campus resources and priorities, evaluating your unique fit and culminating in a list of institutions specifically targeted to your high school trajectory.
• Competitive major positioning
Your counselor will lead a deep dive into specific majors at each campus – and the niche programs within them – to identify where your profile is most competitive. Analyzing departmental curricula and faculty opportunities will help you develop the “insider” perspective necessary to articulate a sophisticated academic narrative on your applications.
• Student questionnaire/brag sheet support
Your counselor will collaborate with you to craft comprehensive student questionnaires and brag sheets that serve as a roadmap for your recommenders. By strategically selecting anecdotes and personal milestones that align with your overarching application narrative, they ensure your recommenders have the specific evidence needed to reinforce your strengths and unique intellectual profile.
• Access to specialized counselors
Meet with specialists who will provide detailed guidance on niche application elements (financial aid, athletic recruitment, arts portfolio development, audition preparation, etc.) to best optimize outcome.
• Personality and career assessments
Your counselor will utilize behavioral and career assessments to identify potential majors and professional paths that align with your unique intellectual strengths. By synthesizing these results, they provide recommendations for concentrations that resonate with your specific interests and personality profile.
• Passion project planning
Your counselor will work with you to brainstorm and architect a high-impact initiative designed to address a specific need within a community you care about. They will help you map out the vision, identifying necessary resources and next steps to bring the concept to life.
Comprehensive Program
Comprehensive programs offer additional depth and breadth and are ideal for students who benefit from a more hands-on, collaborative approach and want a strategic partner from start to finish. These programs are a great choice for two types of students: 1) those who have difficulty staying on top of tasks but have ambitious goals, needing regular check-ins to ensure their projects move forward, and 2) students who lack a clear sense of their personal brand and benefit from guided self-reflection and brainstorming to find their direction. Counselors will work closely with students during sessions to complete key tasks—and if something doesn’t get done between meetings, the counselor will help ensure it gets done together.
Includes everything listed in the Core Program, as well as...
• Passion project execution
Your counselor will provide the end-to-end project management necessary to transform your core interests into a high-impact, fully realized endeavor. By moving beyond the conceptual phase into rigorous execution, they help you navigate logistical milestones and secure measurable results, ensuring your project serves as a definitive testament to your leadership and initiative.
• Curated summer experiences and application support (up to 5)
Your counselor will source competitive research, internships, college programs, and community service opportunities that align with your specific admissions narrative. They provide end-to-end support – from bespoke cover letters and interview coaching for corporate internships to concept development and PhD mentor connections for academic research – managing the process from initial exploration through final submission.
• Campus visit preparation
Your counselor will provide a framework for productive campus visits, guiding you to effectively engage during information sessions and tours. By helping you formulate high-impact questions for admissions representatives and develop a system for capturing nuanced notes, they ensure you are gathering the "insider" details necessary to build compelling, school-specific essays in the future.
• Strategic contact with admissions representatives
Your counselor will guide you through the nuances of "demonstrated interest," helping you execute a sophisticated engagement strategy – both in person and in writing – that establishes you as a high-intent, serious candidate for admission while ensuring every touchpoint reinforces your personal brand.
• Scholarship application support
Your counselor will assist you in completing application forms, writing essays, preparing for interviews, and securing letters of recommendation for scholarships specific to your profile.
• Unlimited access to specialized counselors
Meet with specialists who will provide detailed guidance on niche application elements (financial aid, athletic recruitment, arts portfolio development, audition preparation, etc.) to best optimize outcome.
• Hands-on support for in-session task completion
Your counselor will provide as-needed guidance and support to complete tasks during sessions, ensuring nothing gets overlooked or delayed. By managing technical requirements and administrative hurdles in real time, they ensure uninterrupted momentum and empower you to produce high-quality work without the stress of a growing "to-do" list.
• Soft skill development and guidance for high school
Your counselor will help you develop and enhance your interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, organizational skills, creative problem-solving abilities, independence, and self-confidence.
• AP diagnostic exams
Your counselor will coordinate practice exams for your APs in the early spring, and you will review the results with a GE College prep tutor to ensure you are on track for the official May exams.
Your counselor will provide the end-to-end project management necessary to transform your core interests into a high-impact, fully realized endeavor. By moving beyond the conceptual phase into rigorous execution, they help you navigate logistical milestones and secure measurable results, ensuring your project serves as a definitive testament to your leadership and initiative.
• Curated summer experiences and application support (up to 5)
Your counselor will source competitive research, internships, college programs, and community service opportunities that align with your specific admissions narrative. They provide end-to-end support – from bespoke cover letters and interview coaching for corporate internships to concept development and PhD mentor connections for academic research – managing the process from initial exploration through final submission.
• Campus visit preparation
Your counselor will provide a framework for productive campus visits, guiding you to effectively engage during information sessions and tours. By helping you formulate high-impact questions for admissions representatives and develop a system for capturing nuanced notes, they ensure you are gathering the "insider" details necessary to build compelling, school-specific essays in the future.
• Strategic contact with admissions representatives
Your counselor will guide you through the nuances of "demonstrated interest," helping you execute a sophisticated engagement strategy – both in person and in writing – that establishes you as a high-intent, serious candidate for admission while ensuring every touchpoint reinforces your personal brand.
• Scholarship application support
Your counselor will assist you in completing application forms, writing essays, preparing for interviews, and securing letters of recommendation for scholarships specific to your profile.
• Unlimited access to specialized counselors
Meet with specialists who will provide detailed guidance on niche application elements (financial aid, athletic recruitment, arts portfolio development, audition preparation, etc.) to best optimize outcome.
• Hands-on support for in-session task completion
Your counselor will provide as-needed guidance and support to complete tasks during sessions, ensuring nothing gets overlooked or delayed. By managing technical requirements and administrative hurdles in real time, they ensure uninterrupted momentum and empower you to produce high-quality work without the stress of a growing "to-do" list.
• Soft skill development and guidance for high school
Your counselor will help you develop and enhance your interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, organizational skills, creative problem-solving abilities, independence, and self-confidence.
• AP diagnostic exams
Your counselor will coordinate practice exams for your APs in the early spring, and you will review the results with a GE College prep tutor to ensure you are on track for the official May exams.
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