The Value Proposition
Proper Planning Produces Optimal Outcomes
You have already invested heavily on resources that helped position your child for a successful college admissions process. Now you will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on four years (hopefully) of college.
We will help maximize the return on this enormous investment. Colleges and universities are very resource-rich environments, but most students miss many opportunities — and make preventable mistakes — early in their academic careers which limit their options and reduce their opportunities down the road.
College advising systems are simply not proactive enough or comprehensive enough to ensure that your student optimizes their college experience. Our concierge approach will get the job done.
The Truth About College Advising
Since the formal advising programs offered by colleges are chronically underfunded and understaffed, they are structurally incapable of being proactive enough and interdisciplinary enough to provide excellent, comprehensive advising. BUT there are many amazing advisors on every campus who are specialists in their areas of expertise and are more than willing to help organized students who seek them out. We will identify your personalized dream team of campus advisors and help you leverage their expertise.
Our Approach
Jumpstart Your Success!
Before the student even arrives on campus, we begin working with them on plans for each of the three key areas.
Since course registration for the first term is usually scheduled in mid-summer, the first priority is creating 4-Year Academic Plans that map the course flow for different combinations of majors & minors.
Next, we identify some high impact co-curricular programs so that the student can begin out hustling their peers right away. It's important that students build some constructive engagement into their time management plan from the start. It doesn't require a big time commitment. Slow and steady wins the race.
Finally, we conduct a thorough review of all career services offered by the school so the student is well prepared to shock the career counselors by showing up in the career center during their first term.
Some Not So Fun Facts
Did you know that only 15 colleges report a 4-year graduation rate above 90%?
Data from 2023–2026 indicates a significant "engagement crisis" in higher education, with high levels of student disengagement both inside and outside the classroom.
Data from recent reports (2024–2026) indicates that while students increasingly value career outcomes, their actual engagement with campus career centers is often transactional and late-stage.
The Road Map to Success
The Important Details
Academic Planning
Creating a 4-Year Plan ensures that every course chosen provides maximum value. You will complete core requirements strategically, with courses that allow you to explore new subjects and possible majors & minors. If you already know your major, you will lay the groundwork for a second major or additional minors. If you aspire to professional school, those requirements will be part of the plan. Choosing the right courses in the first two years will also help you optimize your junior year study abroad experience.
Some courses will fulfill degree requirements while also building competencies valued by employers. Others will provide knowledge important for strong relationships and good citizenship. With proper planning you can do it all — and graduate on time!
Co-Curricular Engagement
While some skills are acquired in the classroom, many programs are offered which encourage students' involvement in experiences outside of the classroom that will expand their horizons, enrich their lives, build their networks, and develop important soft skills not addressed by the standard curriculum.
These programs are administered by different departments scattered across campus. Unfortunately, students often don't notice them or don't prioritize them. We will help identify these important opportunities and develop an action plan to take full advantage of these programs.
Career Development
Career planning begins with course selection, even for students who don't have a clear idea of their intended major or career. Every 4-Year Academic Plan will include key courses that will help the student acquire foundational skills that are important to employers.
Most students fail to engage early enough with career services departments. We develop the action plan that will maximize the benefits of services offered and help guide students toward prestigious scholarships, professional school, or programs like the Peace Corps.
Meet the Founders
David Charlow
Shortly after graduating from Columbia College in 1985, David returned to his alma mater to coach rowing, and for the next few years he coached rowing and worked in the admissions and financial aid offices.
After receiving his MBA from Columbia in 1992, he launched a long higher education career that included positions in admissions, athletics, financial aid, academic advising, and student affairs.
Chris Columbo
Costantino Colombo has a 40-year career of service to undergraduate and graduate students at MIT, Columbia and Johns Hopkins.
He has been a mentor to many student affairs professionals (including David).
Today, the profession is populated with these individuals in senior positions at many universities.
Mary Banks
Mary's long, interdisciplinary career in higher education has always been defined by putting students first.
Her decades of student service include senior positions in admissions, both undergraduate and graduate, at Columbia Business School, the Columbia School of Nursing, NYU School of the Arts, and the Cardozo Law School.
Ready to Connect?
If you are interested in learning more about how to maximize the return on the investment you are making for your child's college education, we are here to help!
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