KeenKiz Learning partnerships with EAG for US College Counseling Services. Below is the service introduction.
Please contact Fiona Yu for more details about the service (including service agreement).
EDUCATION ADVISORY GROUP
The Importance of College Counseling for High School Students
Why College Counseling Matters
As your child progresses through high school, the journey to college can feel overwhelming. College counseling offers a structured approach to navigating this crucial phase, ensuring that students are not only prepared academically but also emotionally and socially for the challenges ahead.
The transition from high school to college is one of the most critical milestones in your child's life. Investing in professional college counseling is an investment in their future success and well-being. With expert guidance and support, you can empower your child to navigate this journey with confidence, ensuring they make informed decisions that will benefit them for years to come.
The goal of EAG is to help high school students identify, apply and gain admission to colleges that are the right fit for the student. Students may begin this process as early as the fall of 9th grade
This is done through a process that:
• Honors the student’s strengths and challenges
• Helps the student set goals
• Is encouraging and non-judgmental
• Holds the student accountable for meeting deadlines and taking appropriate actions, and provides tools and techniques to help
• Increases writing skills
• Keeps the process as fun as possible
• Facilitates open communication between the student, parents and coach
• Reviews academic planning
• Targets the importance of extracurricular development
• Focuses on the importance of summer planning
Here’s how EAG makes a difference:
Personalized Guidance
Every student is unique, with their own aspirations, strengths, and challenges. We provide individualized support, taking the time to understand your child's specific interests and goals. This personalized guidance helps them:
• Identify their passions: Counselors assist students in discovering their academic and extracurricular interests, which is crucial for selecting a college that fits their unique profile and helps them stand out.
• Set realistic goals: By evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, counselors help students set achievable goals for their college search and application process.
Academic Support
Academic performance is a critical factor in college admissions. College counselors work closely with students to ensure they are on the right track by:
• Course selection: Advising on appropriate classes to take throughout high school, including advanced placement (AP) or honors courses that align with college readiness as well as advising for an IB or ALevel curriculum
Extracurricular Planning
Extracurricular and Leadership Development:
Colleges seek curious and interesting students who can contribute to campus life. We help students develop their extracurricular profiles by:
• Finding the right activities: Identifying clubs, sports, volunteer opportunities, and internships that resonate with the student’s interests and career aspirations.
• Leadership development: Encouraging involvement in leadership roles within chosen activities to enhance their college applications and personal growth.
• Summer Planning:
o Recommendations for impactful summer activities, internships, academic programs, or volunteer work that align with college goals.
o Guidance on pursuing independent projects or research if they show initiative in a specific field, helping to build unique experiences for their applications.
College Research and Selection
Choosing the right college is a significant decision that can shape a student’s future. We facilitate this process with parents by:
• Research tools and resources: Providing access to resources that list colleges and their programs, along with insights into campus culture and student life.
Getting to know the student; Through conversations and questionnaires, as well as understanding parent aspirations, we help our students find the best college fits for their personality and where they are competitive based on their courses, grades and scores, and their talents and interests.
Application Strategy
The college application process involves multiple components and deadlines that can be overwhelming. We assist with:
College and Major Exploration:
o We introduce students to potential colleges, programs, and majors based on their evolving interests.
o We encourage our students to do research, virtual or in-person college visits, and prepare them to take part in informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest.
Creating a timeline:
We work with our students to develop a comprehensive timeline that outlines deadlines for applications, essays, and standardized tests to keep students organized and focused.
Essay writing:
We offer guidance and feedback on personal statements and supplemental essays, helping students find a compelling story and articulate their stories effectively.
Recommendation letters:
We assist our students in identifying and approaching teachers and mentors for strong recommendation letters that highlight their achievements and character.
Emotional and Social Support
The transition to college can be an emotional journey for students. We provide vital support by:
Building confidence
We help our students overcome their stress related to the college application process, fostering a positive and confident mindset
Social skills development:
We offer resources and strategies to improve communication and social skills, preparing students for college and internship interviews
Why EAG:
1. Extensive Admissions Expertise:
Our team has been on both sides of the desk for many years and have helped students be admitted to every top tier school as well as selective colleges that are the best fit for them.
We provide students with insights directly from the perspective of admissions committees, helping to craft applications that resonate with elite institutions.
2. Commitment to Authentic Storytelling:
We emphasize crafting a personal narrative that reflects each student’s unique experiences and passions, ensuring that every application component (from essays to activities) tells an authentic, compelling, personal story.
We work intensively with students to discover and articulate their genuine interests, steering clear of cookie-cutter approaches and instead fostering a narrative that is true to each student’s personality.
3. Emphasis on Strategic Positioning:
o We go beyond traditional application assistance by helping students strategically position themselves as unique candidates in the applicant pool.
o This includes advising on extracurriculars, summer plans, and community involvement that align with students' narratives and building a profile that stands out to admissions officers.
4. Intensive Essay and Application Review Process:
o We provide detailed, line-by-line feedback on essays and applications, drawing on our extensive admissions experience to help our students with structure, and finding their voice.
5. Direct and Transparent Approach:
o We are always honest and transparent with students and families, setting clear expectations about what it takes to be competitive for top schools where your child is competitive.
o We provide honest feedback on a student’s chances and guide them in making realistic, strategic choices without sugarcoating the challenges of Ivy League admissions
6. Parental Communication and Support:
o We encourage open communication with parents. We send a monthly report to keep parents updated and you are always welcome to send us an email or text if you have a question or want to share information with us.
About the Founder
Annalee Nissenholtz
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Annalee is a trailblazer and trusted authority in the college counseling community, celebrated for her unwavering integrity, exceptional expertise, and transformative impact on students and families worldwide. With over 35 years of distinguished experience, she has been the guiding light for countless American and international families navigating the intricate and ever-changing landscape of college admissions. Her work is defined by wisdom, compassion, and an unshakable commitment to empowering students to achieve their dreams. As a leader in personal student counseling and parent education, Dr. Annalee approaches each family with a profound understanding of the critical connection between a child’s mental, emotional, and social well-being and their academic success. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that every student deserves to feel valued, confident, and prepared to thrive in the next chapter of their educational journey. By fostering deep, trusting relationships, she provides students with the clarity, confidence, and resilience needed to succeed during this pivotal life transition.
Dr. Annalee’s global influence began early in her career, setting her apart as a pioneer in international college counseling. She was among the first American advisors to visit China, breaking new ground in supporting Chinese students pursuing education in the United States. Her unmatched cultural fluency and expertise in cross-cultural counseling have made her a trusted advisor to families across Asia and beyond.
In 2007, Dr. Annalee was appointed U.S. consultant to the Jiangsu Education Services for International Exchange (JESIE), an esteemed branch of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education dedicated to fostering international educational collaboration. By 2010, she became the exclusive U.S. advisor to New Oriental, China’s largest education company, where she revolutionized access to American higher education for thousands of students. She also facilitated unprecedented outreach, arranging visits for over 100 highly selective U.S. admissions officers to China, solidifying her reputation as a global connector and innovator. Before founding the Education Advisory Group, Dr. Annalee served as an independent college counselor, lending her expertise and mentoring over fifty college counselors working with international students.
She has personally guided over 1,000 families from the U.S., China, Canada, New Zealand, Myanmar, and India. Her students have gained admission to every top 200 U.S. college, while her mentorship has shaped the careers of over 60 college counselors, setting a new standard for excellence in the field.
Dr. Annalee’s groundbreaking contributions have earned her recognition at the highest levels. She is one of only 12 counselors to have served on the U.S. News & World Report College Counselors Advisory Board, and her leadership has been honored by esteemed institutions, including the University of North Carolina, Washington University, and St. Louis University, where she serves on their College Counselor Boards. As a Counselor Trainer and Supervisor for College Bound St. Louis, she continues to expand access to life-changing educational opportunities for underserved communities.
Dr. Annalee’s unparalleled legacy is one of innovation, impact, and an unrelenting dedication to student success. With her unmatched expertise and heartfelt commitment to fostering confidence, purpose, and opportunity, she has empowered families across the globe to turn their educational aspirations into reality.
Please contact KeenKiz Learning if you have any questions.