Methodology

The Montesano Methodology

The Montesano Methodology begins with the student’s grades and test scores but goes well beyond to identify and communicate each student’s unique profile to college admissions officers. It focuses on each student’s distinct qualifications but within a particular college’s applicant pool. And it means preparing and delivering college applications that capture each student’s unique qualifications.

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The best colleges have always wanted student bodies with intellectually curious students, and base their selections on proven academic abilities and intellectual track records, special abilities, including arts and athletics, as well as socioeconomic background and legacy status.

The Montesano Methodology unites each student’s core values, goals and unique attributes, while at the same time considering what specific colleges need, but aren’t getting. (e.g. Stanford - where science, engineering and pre-professional type students abound, there’s a need for writers, musicians and fine artists.)

The Montesano Methodology guides students and considers the strengths and weaknesses of the competition in the applicant pool. We help each student align themselves with the unmet needs of the college by delivering an application that is unique and more authentic from what other students are offering the college.

How is The Montesano Methodology different?

The Montesano Methodology is based on data and qualitative interviews. We help students use websites like College Data to track quantitative data such as admit rates, test scores, geographic and minority representation as well as help students learn to conduct qualitative interviews with current students during visits. We also use review sites like College Prowler and StudentsReview.com to determine the current unmet needs of a particular college to get a clearer picture of each institution in a given year.

Students are individuals. But unfortunately colleges can’t admit everyone who looks worthy. Using our methodology, students learn how to communicate what it is about them that will be of possible value to a specific college. This means managing effectively not just “hard” data - grades and test scores - but taking time to cultivate depth in particular “soft” areas such as a hobby or activity outside of class. Say, for example, that a high school junior volunteers in community soup kitchen and also has penchant for designing and building architectural-model houses. It would be best to begin to unify the disparate and unrelated activities into one symbol, such as the creation of actual homes for low-income residents.

So after articulating what type of skills and education a student needs to reach his or her life’s goals, it is necessary to determine which colleges and universities can advance those goals. What are the likely matches? Students must then highlight their strengths on each application for an admissions committee, illustrating talents while neither overselling nor underselling themselves and focusing on the development of special talents such as music and art or leadership.

$495
Less than $85 per session!