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College Admissions

Over 20 Years of results

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Program Overview

College Admissions

We can help you discover and articulate your unique story. Through personalized sessions, we guide you in identifying meaningful experiences, uncovering your authentic voice, and crafting compelling narratives that set you apart in your college applications.

Mayssoun is an absolutely amazing education counselor. She quickly becomes devoted to her client, which I believe is a key to her success. Initially she works to know and understand all aspects of her client to effectively assist in the presentation of their character strengths, shining parts of their personality and significant achievements. She guides clients to be both aggressive and appropriate in goals and assists in their presentation of who they are in a best, but genuine light.

20

On average, we help students apply to 20 of their top-choice universities. While we have had students apply to as few as 10 (limited by their high schools) and as many as 40 (when split between the Common App and the Coalition App), we think applying to about 20 is just right!

ED & EA

We are big believers in applying Early Decision or Early Action (or both). Commitment-phobe? We’re not! We can help you strategize to maximize your chances of acceptance.

LORs

While most universities require only 1 or 2 letters of recommendation, we say the more, the merrier! Let our consultants guide you in securing additional letters of support to help strengthen your applications.

April 1

The day most regular college decisions are released. In addition to providing waitlist and deposit strategies, we can help you weigh your options when the time comes to enroll.

College Admissions Process

To get started, complete a brief contact form. Our Chief of Staff Alex Kopko will contact you to discuss your goals and needs and get you started with a more detailed enrollment form

IHL Founder Mayssoun Bydon oversees all admissions files and works directly with a select number of students each cycle. Whether you decide to work with Mayssoun or one of our senior consultants, the IHL team collectively has decades of experience and an established track record of success. Ultimately, our record speaks for itself; we owe our success in this business to the success of our students.
Our consultants work around your schedule and can meet in person at one of our offices or remotely via Skype or Zoom. As with all IHL programs, our admissions consulting services are completely à la carte. You can work with us on a single element of your application or utilize us for a comprehensive cover-to-cover service.
Outside of consulting sessions, you should expect to dedicate a significant amount of time to essay writing.

College Admissions Process

To get started, complete a brief contact form. Our Chief of Staff Alex Kopko will contact you to discuss your goals and needs and get you started with a more detailed enrollment form

IHL Founder Mayssoun Bydon oversees all admissions files and works directly with a select number of students each cycle. Whether you decide to work with Mayssoun or one of our senior consultants, the IHL team collectively has decades of experience and an established track record of success. Ultimately, our record speaks for itself; we owe our success in this business to the success of our students.
Our consultants work around your schedule and can meet in person at one of our offices or remotely via Skype or Zoom. As with all IHL programs, our admissions consulting services are completely à la carte. You can work with us on a single element of your application or utilize us for a comprehensive cover-to-cover service.
Outside of consulting sessions, you should expect to dedicate a significant amount of time to essay writing.

Consultant Placement

Most of our students hold their initial session with Managing Partner Mayssoun Bydon. After getting to know you and your story, we will work together to determine which consultant is the best fit.

School Research/Selection

Once you are placed with your consultant, the process begins with getting to know as much as we can about you, including grades, classes, high school reputation and demographics, test scores, desired career/major objectives, target geography, as well as your family and legacy connections. We then work with you to generate a list of schools divided into “high reach,” “average reach” and “low reach” programs, and we help you determine your Early Action/Early Decision options. We are intimately familiar with all the major universities in the country and across Europe.

Application Strategy

Your consultant will help you address such topics as standardized tests; the appropriate tone and content for all communications with schools; appealing to an admissions committee by leveraging particular aspects of your background; selecting recommenders and soliciting effective letters of recommendation; utilizing connections to a particular school; mitigating bad grades or disciplinary issues; preparing for interviews; waitlist strategy and deposit advice; obtaining and maximizing scholarships; and managing communications with alumni and development offices.

Writing

Your consultant is a world-class writer who can advise you on résumé development, Common Application essays or other Personal Statements, school-specific supplemental essays, and letters of commitment and statements of continuing interest. He or she will oversee the entire process including the submission of your application itself.

Never Too Late

Wherever you are in your academic journey, it's never too early or too late to start the consulting process. We advise freshmen and sophomores on course selection, extracurricular activities and other ways to make the most of their high school experience. With juniors and seniors, we focus on honing narrative, personal statements, essays, résumés, and other key elements of the college application.

Your College Admissions Prep Team

Mayssoun Bydon

Founder

Kristin Baumgardner

Executive Director

Alex Kopko

Chief of Staff

The next step toward success.

Apply to prep with us.

Apply Today

Questions About College Admissions Prep

We typically advise students to begin working on their college applications in the spring of their junior year, but we are happy to assist you at any point in the application process.
All admissions consulting services are billed on an hourly basis. As with all IHL programs, our consulting services are completely à la carte. You can work with us on a single element of your applications or utilize us for a comprehensive cover-to-cover service. There is no minimum number of consulting hours required to enroll with IHL. Contact our team today to discuss your options. 

Wherever you are in the world, you can take advantage of our services. Admissions consulting is available in-person at our offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, or New York City, or remotely via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime or other videoconferencing platforms. The majority of our students study with us remotely, and we have found it to be as effective as in-person consultation.
The foundation of IHL’s business model is client service and sophisticated advice. IHL does not take a cookie-cutter approach to working with students. We believe that an individualized plan and mutual trust are necessary for any effective tutoring and mentoring relationship. IHL works with only 100 to 200 students a year, to ensure that we maintain our high level of service and intimate client focus. We take a team-based approach to everything we do.

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