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Bottom Line helps Boston students get into college, graduate, and go far in life. In our College Access Program this year alone, we will help nearly 400 high school seniors survive the overwhelming college application and financial aid processes.
Our counselors are dedicated to providing the best individual college counseling service in Boston. We understand that the applying to college can be overwhelming, but the 1-on-1 counseling we provide will give you the time and attention you need to navigate through this process.
If you are high school senior and think that you would benefit from our support, please proceed to learn more about our eligibility requirements.
Get In Services
Create a College Match List
Our counselors help you decide what you are looking for in a college and guide you through preparation of a "Beginning List" of schools that match your interests. Typical first lists include 15 to 20 colleges.
Research College Matches
Your counselor will guide you through an intensive research process, pushing you to take responsibility for learning about your college options. You will learn where to get good information, what to look for, and how to determine if a school is good match for you.
Narrow Down College Options
Our staff is able to offer feedback on college research and help you come up with a "Top Ten List" that offers responsible options and ensures that you have at least one "safety" school and one affordable school on your list.
Evaluate College Options
Bottom Line has many years of college admissions experience, so we are able to provide reliable and realistic feedback on college lists. We are up-front and honest. We tell you what your admission chances are at all schools on your list.
Develop a Personalized College Application Plan
You will learn to identify and organize all the tasks involved in completing college applications; requesting applications, setting personal deadlines, getting recommendations, requesting fee waivers, writing & editing essays, filling out forms, visiting colleges, registering for and sending test scores, and more.
Brainstorm Application Essays
Bottom Line will assist you with the most intimidating part of the application- brainstorming a good essay topic, and outlining an essay is crucial for a successful application experience.
Revise Application Essays
We work with you to revise a rough draft of the application essay. Our revision work focuses on improving the essay organization, content, and writing style. Success here leads to an improved second draft of the essay.
Edit Application Essays
This is the final piece of completing your college essay. Finishing touches focus on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. All final drafts are reviewed carefully before getting the Bottom Line "stamp of approval."
Complete College Applications
Bottom Line reviews each school's application with you, helps you complete application forms, compile application inserts, and mail applications to colleges. We will help you complete and mail all of your applications by December 31st.
Providing Application Fee Waivers
Bottom Line has many connections to colleges throughout New England that waive the fee for Bottom Line participants, so depending on which schools you apply to, you may not have to pay the college application fees.
Search for Scholarships
You will learn how to identify scholarship opportunities, request scholarship applications, and apply for scholarships. You also have access to Bottom Line's Scholarship Guide and numerous other scholarship resources.
Arrange for Campus Visits / Interviews
Bottom Line acts as an advocate for you throughout the admission process. Your counselor provides assistance with lining up campus visits to schools throughout the state, the region, and the country. If necessary, we will prepare you for and arrange for admission or alumni interviews.
Prepare for Financial Aid Process
Your counselor will help you get ready early for the overwhelming financial aid process. We will help you gather the correct tax forms, register for a Federal Personal Identification Number, create a financial aid timeline, register for the CSS Profile if necessary, and identify which colleges on their list require special financial aid forms.
Complete the FAFSA
Bottom Line helps you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to school deadlines. Completing this application early and accurately is the key to getting financial aid from the government for college.
Complete the CSS Profile
If necessary, we will help you complete a private school financial aid application called the CSS Profile. While this application is only required by small percentage of schools, it is complicated and can be confusing.
Complete School Financial Aid Forms
Our staff ensures that you complete necessary school-specific financial aid forms. Bottom Line knows which schools require additional forms and helps students complete them in a timely manner.
Follow Through with Financial Aid Offices
Bottom Line helps you deal with the paperwork that financial aid offices require before distributing financial resources. We will help you update tax information, complete verification forms, write appeal letters, and complete all necessary paperwork to ensure that you will qualify for as much financial assistance as possible.
Analyze Financial Aid Packages
Once you get accepted to colleges, your counselor will review, explain, and compare financial aid packages from your schools. This process helps you understand which schools are most affordable.
Commit to a College
You will get accepted to college! In fact you will probably have several to choose from. We will give you advice about which college is the right choice. When you decide, your counselor will help send in enrollment & housing deposits, and register for orientation programs.
But wait, there's more...
Transitional Services and College Success
Simply getting in to college is not enough. We know that your ultimate educational goal is to get a college degree. Many of you will continue to work with counselors throughout the transition to college process and in some cases throughout all of your college years. We are committed to seeing you achieve your goal to Get In, Graduate and Go Far.
If you are interested in working with a Bottom Line counselor, please click here.
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