FAQs

We know you have lots of questions about the college process and how we can help you. For any other questions that aren't covered here, please feel free to contact us via email, phone, or contact form. You can also schedule a free consultation with us.

1. Why would I need college admissions consulting?

A college degree is an important investment of time and money that is only becoming more important over time. Many parents and students make decisions about such an important investment without the knowledge required to make the right choice. School counselors provide extremely helpful support, but often have to help hundreds of students and can't give each student the individual attention they need. College admissions specialists fill the gap by providing the attention students need, while also supporting students with several things are not part of a school counselor's job, such as extracurricular strategy, detailed guidance on college applications, and essay editing. The application process itself is an obstacle too. Many students can't keep up with deadlines, don't know how to fill out certain forms and applications, and don't understand how to properly answer certain questions. All of that can trip people up and ultimately prevent someone qualified from getting admitted, so having someone to guide you in the process is important.

2. Why Radiant Futures?

• We have helped students with their college applications for almost a decade.
• After so much time, we understand the needs, fears, and hopes of our students and parents. Our services give confidence to families we serve and quell their fears about the college process
• The focus for us is guiding students on their own journey and growth so that they can become their best selves
• With our help, students are connected with colleges that fit their academic profile, interests, and strengths
• We help with financial aid applications. It is possible to go to a top school with financial aid and save hundreds of thousands of dollars!
• We welcome students of all backgrounds, not just students who are at the top of their class
• Even though we are open to meeting in person, we largely conduct our service through phone and video calls so that students and parents have very easy access to us at times that are good for them.

3. Aren't grades and tests enough to get me in?

Unfortunately, no. Many parents and students make this mistake. Tests are only a small fraction of the application package. Students who focus too much on tests without planning the other parts of their application are rarely, if ever, successful. There are many students who get very high scores, but colleges still need to differentiate between them. Students need strong academic grades, meaningful extracurricular activities, glowing recommendation letters, and a memorable essay to have a chance at their dream schools.

4. What is the best time to start, and how do I get started?

The best time to begin thinking about college is at the beginning of high school. At that point we help with early planning, including academic schedules, extracurricular activities, and testing strategy. Most students begin our service in 10th grade, and that gives us a good amount of time to guide your high school experience. If you're planning on transferring to another college, it's best start the process half a year before application deadlines. To start unlocking your potential, schedule a free consultation!

5. Do you only work with top students?

No! We help any student, regardless of their academic background. No matter what kind of academic ability you have, we will do our best to guide you to colleges that are good fits for you. We don't only help students get into the best and most competitive colleges in the country — many of our students attended less selective universities that were the right college for their particular needs.

6. Do you help middle school students as well?

Yes! We believe that it's never too early to start thinking about college, especially since it becomes more competitive every year. The sooner parents and students know about the college admissions process, the better off they'll be. For middle school students, we focus on the application process to the specialized science high schools in NYC. We will recommend classes and activities that students may be interested in. We also introduce them to a network of positive role models in high school so they know what to expect in the next stage of their education.

7. Do you help students write their essays too?

We help students brainstorm and edit their essays, but we do not write essays for students. Why? Not only is it unethical, but it is also very easy to tell when an adult has written an essay as opposed to a high school student. The essays do not have to be hard — we can help bring your most impressive narrative to life on paper through topic selection exercises and editing sessions that focus on grammar, spelling, word choice, and tone.

8. Do you share the names of your students with anyone?

No. We do not share the names of any families that have worked with us. The one exception is when a family allows us to use their name and college for something like a testimonial.

9. How do your prices compare to similar services?

Our prices are below the average price for a similar company, especially in New York City. Some of the most expensive packages can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and the cheapest packages are around our price points. We charge around the same as a single package of SAT test prep, and help with so much more of the college application process than just test prep. Through us, families can actually save money long-term. How? We help students with properly applying for Financial Aid and using advanced classes to get college credit for free. Students will learn from us what majors and pathways are best for financial success. Our program can guide students towards college options that are less expensive that can be just as valuable.

10. Is pricing final? How can I pay? Do you take installments?

Our pricing is final, but if you have an extenuating financial circumstance then we will do all we can given our time constraints to help you at a discount. We currently accept checks, money orders, and Venmo, and you can pay in monthly or annual installments if you'd like. We do not accept payments before we've had a chance to sit down together for a consultation — we want to make sure that our service will actually benefit your family before beginning!