SPONSORED CONTENT
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
SPONSORED CONTENT
COLLEGE
ADMISSIONS
SOLUTIONS
The Guidance That
Doesn’t Come from the
Guidance Office
THE BEST WAY TO SAVE MONEY
ON A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS TO
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO GO WHERE
THEY WILL BE HAPPY AND FEEL SAFE.
“B
esides buying a house, a college education will
probably be the biggest investment a person makes
in their lifetime. Because college is so expensive, it’s
imperative families make informed choices and use
proven, effective strategies concerning a student’s educational
future,” advises Chris Hitchens of College Admissions Solutions.
A former teacher, Hitchens has over 25 years of experience
in the public school system, and while at Peters Township High
School he developed and taught a course titled “College and
Career Symposium.” He now works exclusively as an advocate for
families as an educational counselor, and is an associate member
of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).
The ratio of guidance counselors to students in Western
Pennsylvania high schools is 405 to 1.
College Admissions Solutions helps take the stress out of the
situation by preparing a clear path from high school through
acceptance. Hitchens walks both the student and the parents
through the entire college search and application process,
including career planning, matching students with their “best
fit” colleges, providing SAT/ACT prep, assisting with the college
essay, researching majors, and navigating financial aid and
scholarship opportunities.
What does it take to get accepted into a selective college?
This personalized approach gives every student the attention
he or she deserves, whether it’s someone who is not sure how
to start the college planning process or one who needs insight
while investigating selective schools. “Typically, parents come to
me when their child is in their junior year of high school, but we
work with high school students at any level,” notes Hitchens.
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He stresses that “One-third of college freshman drop out. Just
as important, every additional year a student spends in college,
past four years, costs tens of thousands of dollars in tuition,
lost wages, and accrued interest on student loans. Careful and
thoughtful planning are vital so that students graduate on
schedule.”
Hitchens also helps families determine total costs for their
child’s college education, so families will not only know how
much they will be expected to pay, but just as important, how
much in student loans will potentially be owed once their child
graduates.
46 billion dollars in scholarship money is awarded each year.
There are many misconceptions about where college tuition
money comes from. “One of the most rewarding parts of my job
is filling in the missing pieces for families. Sometimes we just
don’t know what we don’t know,” Hitchens says. “It is essential
that families realize which colleges can be expected to be more
generous, based on a student’s circumstances, and take that into
account when deciding on where to apply. State schools perform
a fantastic service but, in many instances, private colleges can
offer prospective students more financial aid for high grades and
SAT scores, as well as for unique talents and abilities.”
To learn more about College Admissions Solutions and
schedule a free 30-minute consultation, go to the website at
collegeadmissionssolutions.com or call 412.465.0227. Chris
Hitchens is also available to speak to your club or organization
about how to successfully navigate the college application
process, including how to find
scholarships and maximize
financial aid.