Few choices impact a student’s life
as does the selection of a college or university.

The process of college selection and application has changed dramatically over the course of a few decades. As opportunities for admission and financial assistance have shifted, American students have found the transition from high school to college progressively more complicated and intimidating. With the average annual cost of attendance ranging from $14,333 for a public four-year degree for in-state students and $25,200 for out-of-state and with average cost of attendance at a private four-year institution reaching $34,132, the choice to pursue higher education represents a significant investment. That cost has escalated by nearly 6% in the past year alone. American colleges and universities have routinely raised their tuition and fees, in part because there is increasing competition for limited enrollment opportunities. American colleges and universities have witnessed unprecedented growth in applications, while the number of students admitted has grown at a slower pace. Consequently, competition for admission to increasingly costly institutions has intensified, leaving many families feeling both overwhelmed and intimidated by one of the most important decisions in their students’ lives.

The best chance to realize your dream.
While many students and their families approach college planning without the aid of a professional educational consultant, others find the assistance an invaluable asset as they negotiate the sometimes difficult transition from high school to college. Of the nearly 18.4 million students who entered universities in the fall of 2008, historical statistics predict that only about half will actually graduate. Those students were admitted having met the academic requirements of their chosen schools, so the failure rates do not simply reflect an inability to complete college-level work. Instead, the statistics indicate that many bright, qualified students are simply finding it impossible to be successful in higher education without appropriate and considerable support. Success Quest founders, Carrie Cothrum and Jennifer Royer, believe that support must begin before a student ever attends their first college class. Success in college, and the ability to persist to graduation, often depends upon finding the right institution that will best fit a student’s abilities, needs, and desires. With more than 4,000 American institutions of higher education to select from, it requires diligence and exhaustive research to narrow the focus of a college search.

Personalized attentions offers big benefits.
Students typically invest countless hours in the process of college selection, application, and planning. Conscientious high school counselors are a tremendous resource for the college-bound student. Unfortunately, with many facing student to counselor ratios as high as 500:1, they are frequently overtaxed with mountains of work and limited resources, leaving them unable to dedicate sufficient time and energy to individual students. That forces students and their families to navigate the process alone. During an already challenging and emotional time for families of graduating high school seniors, the college search and application process may present undesired stress and often unnecessary stress.

Let Success Quest ease the stress.
Success Quest can help to reduce the stresses of college selection and application. As many students and their families discover, partnering with an independent educational consultant provides invaluable insight into the admission process and can help ensure that the time you invest in your college search is not wasted. In addition, Dr. Cothrum and Dr. Royer bring to their consulting practice a wealth of experience in both classroom instruction and administration at the collegiate level. Having worked extensively with first-year success and parent support programming, they can help see you beyond admission through the challenges of transition to college life. With their guidance and support, you can increase the probability that you, unlike nearly half of all students who enroll in college with you, will not only find a satisfying post-secondary experience, but will proudly celebrate your college graduation.