With college admissions more competitive than ever, HelloCollege founder Kevin Krebs explains how tailored guidance empowers students to reach their highest academic and career potential.
Kevin Krebs
Founder and Managing Director, HelloCollege
Can you share an example of a student success story that illustrates the impact of effective preparation during the college admissions process?
We worked with Mia, an active student committed to becoming a lawyer but unsure what the college process entailed. While her GPA and class rank were higher than average, she lacked competitive test scores and focused activities to get her noticed at Tier 1 institutions. Before working with HelloCollege, she had her eye set on Iona University due to location and the tuition break from the Christian Brothers partnership.
We needed to broaden Mia’s horizons when building a college list, always encouraging her to stretch herself and get outside of her comfort zone to show her that her dream schools were within her reach. We started by working to increase her test scores, which is the best route to being considered by highly selective colleges and securing additional scholarship money, an important factor for Mia and her family.
We took time to align her activities with her future plans for a college major and career by helping Mia find opportunities for leadership positions and opportunities to work with lawyers. Then, we helped her strengthen her own narrative, highlighting how she would bring a unique and committed perspective to the next class. From her applications, to her activity list, to her essays, this student was able to tell a thoughtful and organized story of exactly what made her an excellent candidate.
After all of her hard work and guidance from her HelloCollege counselor, Mia was able to secure admission to all 19 colleges she applied to, including top competitive institutions like the University of Miami and the University of Michigan, and a highly sought-after 3+3 law program. She was also awarded over $35,000 in scholarships, making her dream school much more affordable for her family.
What trends are you noticing in what today’s students need most when preparing for college?
Today’s students increasingly need personalized support that addresses not just academics but holistic development. With college admissions becoming highly competitive and complex, students benefit significantly from expert guidance in strategically selecting courses, crafting compelling essays, effectively managing test preparation, and navigating financial aid opportunities. There’s also a growing need for early career exploration to ensure students choose majors aligned with their skills and interests, ultimately supporting timely graduation and long-term success.
What are the most common misconceptions students and families have about preparing for college?
One major misconception is the belief in a one-size-fits-all approach to college admissions. Families often don’t realize that each institution evaluates students based on its unique way of evaluating applicants; what impresses one school might not resonate with another. Additionally, many families delay college planning, mistakenly thinking there is ample time later in high school. In reality, the most successful students start early, which allows for strategic academic planning, meaningful extracurricular engagement, and thoughtful college list-building, significantly enhancing admission prospects and scholarship opportunities.
Lastly, families underestimate the importance of building a strong story about who the student is and what they will bring to their college, thinking grades and test scores are enough for acceptance. Strategically curating an intentional plan with extracurricular and leadership opportunities that align with a student’s goals, passion, and expected career path can make a significant difference in whether their application receives extra attention.
Why is it important for an organization like HelloCollege to ensure its guidance is personalized and effective for students from different backgrounds, academic interests, and levels of readiness?
Personalized guidance is critical because each student’s background, strengths, and ambitions are unique. A college admissions consultant should be a guide, coach, and strategic partner dedicated to helping students and families navigate the complex and competitive college planning process.
At HelloCollege, we understand that one-size-fits-all solutions fall short in meeting diverse student needs. We surround each student with a hand-picked team that knows how to personalize the process to the individual. It starts with access to our powerful student and parent portal, which includes proprietary data, tools, and curriculum. Students have access to about 20 workshops or classes throughout their program.
But the real value comes from one-on-one support. Every student is matched with a dedicated college counselor — their personal Yoda — who guides them through the process. From there, we build out their support team with academic tutors, test prep coaches, essay editors, and financial aid experts.
Tailored strategies ensure every student, whether aiming for Ivy League institutions or regional colleges, receives the appropriate resources and mentorship. This personalized approach empowers students from all backgrounds, including first-generation and neurodiverse students, to achieve their individual college and career aspirations, fostering confidence and setting the stage for long-term success.
