Frequently Asked Questions
What does an independent college admissions advisor do?
A college admissions advisor helps students plan for and complete the college application process. That includes building a school list, shaping an activity profile, coaching essays, and keeping deadlines organized. At Trivantage Admissions, the same advisor also handles SAT/ACT prep, so testing and applications work from one plan.
What grade should my child start in?
Any grade. Starting early, 9th or 10th grade, means more time to build a foundation before the pressure hits. Starting later, junior or senior year, means a more compressed, execution-focused plan. Both work; they just look different.
Do you write essays for students? What’s your policy on AI?
At Trivantage Admissions, AI has no role in writing a student's essay. We coach brainstorming and revision, and every word submitted is the student's own. AI can still be a study and research tool outside the essay itself, within each school's rules.
How much does this cost?
Cost depends on the service, how often we meet, and how many schools are involved. Ongoing mentoring depends on the meeting cadence; application support scales with the size of the school list; and test prep is offered as a set package. We share exact pricing after a first conversation about your student's needs.
What if my child only needs help with one thing, like just test prep, or just essays?
That's fine. Our three services—1:1 Mentoring, College Application Services, and Last-Minute SAT/ACT Prep—can be used separately or combined, depending on what your student needs.
How is this different from what my child's high school offers?
School staff supports many students; we work one-on-one, and one advisor coordinates testing, essays, and applications on a single calendar. We work alongside your student's school, not in its place.
Should my child take the SAT or the ACT?
Most colleges accept either, so the better test is the one your student is more comfortable with and scores higher on. The two differ in pacing and format. Taking a practice test of each is a common way to compare, and we can help you decide in a first conversation.
Should my child take the SAT or the ACT?
Most colleges accept either, so the better test is the one your student is more comfortable with and scores higher on. The two differ in pacing and format. Taking a practice test of each is a common way to compare, and we can help you decide in a first conversation.
Should I take the SAT or ACT if many colleges are test-optional?
Yes, we strongly recommend it. Many colleges let applicants skip scores, but a growing number of selective schools and state systems require them, and policies can change from one cycle to the next. At many selective test-optional schools, most admitted students still submitted scores. Taking the test keeps every option open, and you can usually decide later whether to send a score. Take the test, then decide where to send it. Always confirm each school's current policy.