Did you know that UCLA received 108,000 college applications in 2020 and only 15,000 students were admitted? Getting into college is more competitive than ever, and college debt concerns only add to that stress. College 101 Admissions Consultants are here to help!

Independent Educational Consultants (IEC’s) Tracy Sullivan and Maryline Michel Kulewicz, self-described “college nerds,” love every step of the college admissions process. They have made it their mission to help high school students and parents navigate the college application process to find the best-fit school so they can flourish in college.

Tracy and Maryline are firm believers that their college experiences changed their lives. From their perspective, a college education is an investment that will pay off for years to come, and it’s important that young adults know the value they will be giving their future selves. 

Tracy, a 25-year resident of Wrentham, discovered her passion for educational consulting eight years ago while helping guide her own two children through the process and has enjoyed working with students in her community ever since.  Academics are, of course, the primary consideration in the college search process; however, Kulewicz and Sullivan work to ensure that a school is a good match for the student’s social and emotional needs as well, which is more important today than ever.  It’s the combination of all three that makes for a successful transition into college.  Interestingly, the number one reason that students transfer is because the social fit was not right for them. 

Kulewicz, who is a former Associate Director of Admissions at The Ohio State University and spent the last 20 years as the Director of Admissions & Financial Aid at a private school in Columbus, says that “affordability is a significant piece of the puzzle that we consider from the beginning.”  Understanding a family’s financial circumstances and priorities is important for Sullivan and Kulewicz so that they can provide realistic and affordable college options.  Merit scholarships can also play an important role in college financing. The awards can result in a private school being as affordable as the student’s home state university. 

“We want families to have a financial plan before students receive their acceptance letters. We don’t want the families saying in the spring of their students’ senior year,  ‘How can I  afford this?’ We want everyone to have realistic expectations early on,” says Tracy.

The two consultants recommend beginning the journey of self-discovery early. They guide sophomores, juniors, and seniors to develop a personalized college application plan. They offer three main packages. The most popular is the “Comprehensive College Plan’’ which covers all aspects of the admission process, working with the student until a final college decision is made. As all families have different needs and circumstances, additional packages are available such as  “The Best Fit College List Plan” and “The College Essay Plan.” 

“Our goal is to relieve stress for families and leave the worrying to us. The process can seem daunting at first, but if you take it one step at a time and celebrate the small accomplishments along the way, you are well prepared to finally hit that “Submit” button without “pulling an all-nighter,” says Sullivan.  

The consultants cover all aspects of the search and application process with the students.  Check out their website to see all of their services! However, one of their favorite tools is the assessments. “Our assessments help a student realize what their natural aptitudes are as well as their personality profile.  These tools help them narrow down their choice of a potential major along with possible career paths and projected earnings,” says Maryline. “Choosing the right major, one that they are really interested in, can open doors and pave their way to a fulfilling career.”

“Our students are really comfortable with us and that’s a really good thing,” says Tracy, a self-described taskmaster who cheerfully keeps students ahead of their deadlines. “There is a lot of work to do, but you have to take time to say, ‘You got your essay done on time, hooray! You got your resume done, yay!’ Those are huge accomplishments that build their confidence!”

Finally, partnering with College 101 can free up families and students to enjoy that final year of high school as they deserve to.  Contact them today, they are ready to support you and your student on their college search journey!

College 101 has two offices located in Columbus, OH and Wrentham, MA.  They offer several packages, with varying levels of assistance. Visit www.mycollege101.com to learn more or reach out anytime via email at [email protected] or by phone at (508) 380-3845.