Frequently Asked Questions

Addressing your most frequently asked college admissions questions

1. What is The Right Coll:?

We are an independent education consulting firm dedicated to guiding high school students and their families through the undergraduate college admissions process. Our focus is on helping each student find their best-fit college by taking a holistic approach. We start by understanding each family’s cultural background, financial considerations, long-term aspirations, personal interests, and academic achievements to provide tailored comprehensive support.

2‍. When should I contact The Right Coll: for guidance?

Timelines depend on a student’s age, academic needs, and individual goals. For younger children, we guide parents in selecting the most suitable school board and curriculum. For junior school students (Grades 3-4), we help families explore boarding school options. Starting in Grade 8, our personalised mentorship programme focuses on early planning and profile development. For students in Grades 11 and 12, we offer tailored support to craft effective undergraduate application strategies. We advise Grade 12 students to connect with us at least six months before the regular application deadline, ideally by June 1.

3. Where is The Right Coll: located? Do you work with students across India?

We are based in Mumbai but work with students from across India and internationally, including Dubai, Thailand, Nepal, Singapore, New York, and California. Our online model ensures a seamless experience using Google Meet, Google Drive, and a dedicated WhatsApp group for each student. We prioritise same-day responses, offering an approachable and highly responsive service to support our students effectively.

4. Does The Right Coll: write essays or recommendation letters?

We do not write essays or recommendation letters for students. Instead, we offer comprehensive support to help students craft authentic essays that can increase their acceptance chances by up to 3x. We begin by brainstorming ideas with the students and guiding them on the structure and key points. The student drafts the first version, and we provide multiple rounds of detailed feedback and edits until we achieve a polished final essay.

For letters of recommendation, we assist students in developing a strong strategy. We advise on who to ask, when to ask, and how to make the request effectively. We also guide students in completing brag sheets, ensuring they receive compelling and impactful recommendations.

5. Can The Right Coll: guarantee college admissions?

No, The Right Coll: does not guarantee college admissions. Our focus is on providing expert guidance, personalised support, and strategic planning to help students craft their strongest possible applications. While we cannot promise acceptance, our approach has proven highly effective. We have a 99% success rate, with every student securing college admission, and 65% receiving offers from one of their top 5 choices.

6. Does The Right Coll: receive any commission from universities if a student enrolls?

No, The Right Coll: does not receive any commission from universities. We are independent education consultants (IECs), not agents, and our fees are solely paid by our clients for the services we provide. We have no partnerships or tie-ups with any colleges or institutions in India or abroad. Our college recommendations are based entirely on each student’s unique data, profile, and aspirations, ensuring unbiased and student-centered guidance.

7. Can The Right Coll: help my child prepare for standardized exams like PSAT, SAT, ACT, or AP?

While we don’t offer direct test prep, we provide thorough guidance on planning and strategising for standardised exams. This includes helping students decide which tests to take, the best timing, and offering practical tips to enhance their scores. If extra support is needed, we can connect students with trusted, experienced tutors who have consistently helped our students achieve their target scores and approach test day with confidence.

8. Will The Right Coll: guide us in selecting subjects or the right board for our child?

Yes, The Right Coll: provides expert advice on choosing the most suitable school board and subjects based on your child’s interests, strengths, and future goals. We help families navigate options like IB, IGCSE, ICSE, and CBSE, ensuring that the chosen curriculum aligns with the student’s academic aspirations and college plans. Our guidance is tailored to set a strong foundation for both school success and university applications.

9. Does The Right Coll: support transfer applications?

Yes, The Right Coll: offers full support for transfer applications. We assist students in identifying the best transfer options, crafting strong essays, and highlighting their academic progress and reasons for transferring. Our personalised approach guides students through each step, from selecting the right colleges to preparing compelling application materials.

10. Can The Right Coll: assist with boarding school admissions?

Yes, The Right Coll: provides dedicated support for boarding school admissions. We help families explore suitable boarding school options, guide them through the application process, and offer personalised advice on essays, interviews, and recommendation letters. Our goal is to ensure a smooth and successful journey for students seeking admission to top boarding schools.

11. Does The Right Coll: help with summer school applications?

Yes, The Right Coll: offers comprehensive support for summer school applications. We help students choose programmes that align with their interests and academic goals, guide them through the entire application process, and assist with essays and recommendation letters. Our students have successfully been admitted to some of the most prestigious and competitive programmes, including YYGS (Yale Young Global Scholars), SUMaC (Stanford University Mathematics Camp), Launch X, and more. Our personalised approach ensures students make the most of these opportunities, enhancing their academic profiles and making their summer productive and meaningful.

12. Will The Right Coll: assist with visa applications and student loans?

  • Visas: We provide a helpful checklist and general guidance for visa applications. We can connect you with trusted visa agents for comprehensive, end-to-end support
  • Student Loans: While we do not directly assist with student loans, we can refer you to reliable service providers who offer full support for securing loans and handling forex needs

13. Does The Right Coll: handle submitting college applications for students?

No, The Right Coll: does not independently submit college applications for students. Instead, we guide students through every stage of the process — from creating detailed timelines and thoroughly reviewing application materials to ensuring all components are complete. We offer full support and conduct multiple checks to guarantee each application is accurate and polished. When submitting, we assist students directly, walking them through the final steps on a call or in a meeting to ensure a smooth, confident, and timely submission.

14. Can The Right Coll: help me decide on the best country or destination for my studies?

Yes, The Right Coll: offers expert guidance in choosing the ideal country or destination for your studies. We evaluate factors such as your academic interests, career goals, financial considerations, cultural preferences, and the ecosystem for your chosen major. Our tailored approach ensures that we recommend destinations with strong industry connections, research opportunities, and job prospects related to your field, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and aspirations.

15. Does The Right Coll: assist with scholarships and financial aid applications?

Yes, The Right Coll: provides guidance on scholarships and financial aid applications. This process can vary for international students based on the country, institution, level of study, and specific program. We help identify colleges where you have the best chances of securing need-based financial aid or merit-based scholarships. Additionally, we support completing and refining your scholarship application forms, helping you present a strong case and maximise your chances of success.

16. Why should I use an educational consultant like The Right Coll:?

An educational consultant like The Right Coll: provides personalised, expert guidance throughout the complex college admissions process. We offer tailored advice based on your unique strengths, interests, and goals, helping you create a compelling application strategy. Our team saves you time, reduces stress, and provides clarity, ensuring you make informed decisions about courses, colleges, and career paths. With our support, students can navigate the process confidently, avoid common pitfalls, and enhance their chances of admission to their best-fit colleges.

17. How do you work with students?

1. Personalised Guidance and Direct Support

At The Right Coll: every student works directly with Sweta, the founder, supported by a team of content specialists, researchers, and assistants. As a boutique consulting firm, we intentionally limit our client intake each cycle to ensure that every student receives individualised and high-quality attention.

2. Effective Communication and Goal Setting

We create a dedicated WhatsApp group for each student, allowing quick communication and real-time updates. Students meet with Sweta every two weeks to address different aspects of their application, focusing on setting and achieving both short-term and long-term goals. We conduct check-in meetings with parents every three months to assess progress, aiming to meet at least 80% of the goals. If challenges arise, we realign and adjust our strategy to stay on track.

3. Structured Process and Timely Completion

Our approach follows a clear, structured timeline to ensure all applications are finalised and ready for submission at least two weeks before the deadline. From profile building and college research to finalising the college list and major, writing essays, and completing applications — Sweta provides careful guidance every step, helping students present their strongest case for admission.

18. What makes The Right Coll: different from other advisory services?

  1. Experienced Team: With almost a decade of mentoring high school students, our team has a deep understanding of the college admissions process, offering valuable insights to guide students effectively.
  2. Tailored Guidance: We believe every student is unique. We help applicants craft a personalised narrative that showcases their strengths and passions. Sweta’s experience in guiding her own children adds a valuable parent’s perspective.
  3. Personalised Support: Each student works directly with Sweta and her dedicated team. We limit our client base to provide focused, high-quality service, ensuring individualised attention.
  4. Tech-Enhanced Approach: We use advanced technology for seamless global interactions. Our data-driven insights allow us to offer personalised recommendations based on each student’s academic and career goals.
  5. Industry Expertise: As members of organisations like International ACAC, AIIEC, and TOC, we stay updated on trends in higher education, ensuring we provide relevant and up-to-date advice.
  6. Integrity and Authenticity: We maintain high standards of integrity, focusing on student-centered guidance. We help students express their true voice and unique story throughout the application process.

19. Does The Right Coll: support Master’s or MBA applications?

No, we currently do not offer services for Masters or MBA applications.

20. Can The Right Coll: help with college applications in India?

Yes, we offer complete support, especially for liberal arts colleges in India. Our students have been admitted to leading institutions such as Ashoka University, FLAME University, Krea University, OP Jindal Global University, NMIMS, Christ University, Shiv Nadar University, and many more. Several of our students have also secured full scholarships at Ashoka and FLAME, reflecting the effectiveness of our guidance throughout the application process.

21. Does The Right Coll: provide guidance for college interviews?

Yes, The Right Coll: offers comprehensive support for college interviews. We conduct mock interview sessions to help students practice and refine their responses. We guide students on how to highlight their strengths, improve body language, and build confidence, ensuring they are well-prepared to make a positive impression during their interviews.

22. Does The Right Coll: use AI for editing essays?

At The Right Coll: we prioritise personalised, human-driven guidance for essay editing. While we may use tools like Grammarly to assist in identifying grammatical errors or stylistic improvements, our primary focus is on providing tailored feedback that reflects each student's unique voice and experiences. This approach ensures that essays are authentic and resonate with admissions committees.

23. Does The Right Coll: use AI for college guidance services?

No, The Right Coll: does not use AI for college guidance services. We provide personalised, human-driven support tailored to each student’s unique needs. We focus on offering customised guidance that captures each student’s authentic voice and experiences, creating a compelling and memorable impression on admissions committees.

24. Do you conduct psychometric tests?

Yes, The Right Coll: offers psychometric testing to help students identify their strengths, interests, and potential career paths. We use the InterQuest Test for students aged 14 and above. This assessment helps guide decisions on subject selection, extracurricular activities, and college major choices. We provide tailored recommendations that align with each student’s strengths and aspirations.

25. Do you provide standalone services like application review, essay editing or resume writing?

Yes, The Right Coll: offers standalone services, including comprehensive application review, detailed essay editing, and professional résumé writing. These services are designed to provide targeted support and help students strengthen individual components of their college applications.