Paul Nicholas

Additional Info

Description of Services : In order to achieve success in the college admissions process, it is necessary to focus on three distinct phases in the life cycle of an application: the work that occurs before the active application process can begin, the work that occurs during the application process, and the follow-up work that must occur after decisions have been rendered.

Even though applying to college can be notoriously challenging, working with the right private college counselor can make all the difference for you and your child. Finding the right match for our students is what we do best. The process should be fun, informative and engaging. With so much information available, it is essential to make the best use of the student’s time and focus their energies in the right places on their journey. We offer a strategic and balanced college list, merit scholarship application assistance, financial aid application assistance and a comprehensive student background analysis.

Description of Experience : In early 2011, I enrolled in the College Counseling Certificate Program at UCLA Extension. I finished my capstone course with my mentor Jodi Walder at her practice, College Admissions Coach, in Portland Oregon. On her advice, I began working with the Los Angeles chapter of Minds Matter as a volunteer college counselor working with low-income but high-achieving high school students.

This is the eleventh year of my practice. I love working with students. I learn so much from them and I have been lucky enough to work with students from all over the country and globally thanks to Zoom. Something I was already using with my students before the pandemic. I keep in touch with most of my students as they continue their studies and many have returned for my guidance for grad school apps. One of the students I started working with while at Santa Monica College, successfully earned admission and transferred to UCLA as a Psychology major and now I am working with them for grad school. From student-athletes to D1 to D3, studio artists, performing artists, engineers, film majors, and many many more - I am marveled at how much more there is still to learn and how each admission cycle I become more efficient, adaptable, and cognizant of the fluidity of college admissions and the importance of professional development. Thank you HECA for everything you have given and shared with me. For that, I am genuinely grateful.