Foundations Package Components

For students finishing their Sophomore year of high school, The Learning Curve’s Foundations Package offers families a comprehensive, step-by-step college planning service that makes applying to college stress-free. We’ll be on call for your application questions through each stage of your student’s admissions journey—from planning courses and extracurriculars to choosing the right college for your student. Our service provides a thorough project management approach, supporting you and your student by handling any and all admissions questions with personal, engaged guidance.

• Student Diagnostics

  • We take the time to get to know you and your student, ensuring we can offer personalized guidance from the very beginning of your college planning journey.

• Course Planning

  • The Learning Curve takes the guesswork out of choosing your high school classes, helping you plan for Honors, AP, and Early College classes as well as support in pursuing opportunities like the IB program.

• Resume Management

  • We prepare dynamic, efficient resumes for our students, helping them research and pursue compelling and competitive extracurriculars

• College List Building

  • The Learning Curve helps you choose the right college for your student. We help you weigh the pros and cons of public and private institutions; compare in-state vs. out-of-state institutions; and help your student plan for their major.

• Standardized Testing Plan

  • As our second flagship service, we routinely empower students to their personal bests on the SAT and ACT. With Lead Tutors bringing 15+ years of experience, we work to ensure your student earns the scores they need to apply to the colleges of their choice.

• College Admissions Overview

  • The Learning Curve ensures you and your student have a full understanding of the requirements, timeline, and components of a successful admissions season.

• College Application & Common App Guidance

  • As part of our comprehensive project management service, we walk your student through every component of the Common App. We also help students navigate school-specific application portals, including Coalition for College.

• Application Essay Writing

  • Our college planning counselors bring 15+ years of experience working closely with students to produce show-stopping Personal Statements.

  • We offer guidance on every component of application essay writing your student may encounter, from the personal statement to school-specific supplemental essays, financial aid essays, and essays required as part of their application to Honors Programs and/or Honors Colleges.

Foundations Package Timeline

Summer before Junior Year

• Student Diagnostics

  • personality, aptitude, and vocational testing

• Course Planning

  • transcript review

  • personalized recommendations

  • AP and Honors guidance

• Resume Management

  • finding compelling extracurriculars in/outside of school

Fall of Junior Year

• College List Building

  • forming a balanced list of safe and reach schools

  • defining potential majors

  • public vs. private institutions

• Standardized Testing Plan

  • diagnostic and score report analysis

  • opting ACT vs. SAT

  • test flexible vs. test optional

Spring of Junior Year

• College Admissions Overview

  • Step-by-step guidance on all factors involved

  • Arranging successful college visits

  • Requesting letters of recommendation

Summer Before Senior Year

• College Applications & Common App Guidance

  • Deadline management

  • Common App oversight

• Application Essay Writing

  • Personal Statements

  • School-specific supplemental essays

  • Scholarship & financial aid essays

Fall of Senior Year

• College Application Guidance (cont.)

• Application Essay Writing (cont.)