Pickering Educational Services

Pickering Educational Services provides student athlete college consulting for students grades 9-12. Pickering Education respects the valuable role of school counselors but also understands the many challenges they face with an incredibly high student to staff ratio. This national average of 600 students to 1 school counselor and in some states as high as 1,000 to 1 makes personalizing important school to college and career nearly impossible. Our mission is to assure a thorough and timely service to help every student meet their postsecondary goals. It is our goal to have your investment in Pickering Education Counseling supports save your family time and money in the college/career search process.

 

Meet our Expert Consultant:

Pickering Education has contracted with a veteran counselor and college/career specialist. Mark Swasey has 25 years of experience and expertise in the area of counseling, coaching and preparing students for post-secondary success. Having worked as a college academic advisor, middle and high school counselor, athletic director and NCAA head basketball coach. Mark has the proven communication skills and connections at all levels to help students and parents reach their college/career goals. Mark’s success at every level and relentless pursuit of the personal goals of his clients will assure positive outcomes.

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Student-Athlete Consulting Package:

With Mark’s blend of high school and college experience in athletics as well as counseling, he is a perfect fit to assist families in the recruiting process. Matching athlete’s goals with their academic aspirations can be a daunting task for families. Mark’s knowledge of this process, his passion for working with student-athletes and his proven ability to help navigate families through the complex system and culture that exists, can save time and money for those that work with him.

 

Who needs us?  

If any of the following fits your unique situation, it may be time to invest in an Academic/Athletic Counselor:

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1. Parents/Guardians who may not have the time or expertise to assist their student/athlete in navigating the collegiate search process. Such as, Connecting with College Coaches; Creating an Athletic portfolio; How to create film that will best highlight your student-athlete and attract the attention of coaching staffs; Establishing rapport with college coaches; Understanding collegiate eligibility criteria and explore athletic opportunities across all levels from community college to NCAA Division I.

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2. Parents/Guardians who need assistance accessing and guiding them through the financial aid process.

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3. Parents/Guardians who would like their student to have a more personalized experience preparing them for postsecondary success. 

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4.  Parents/Guardians who would like a counselor matching their student’s strengths and needs with the appropriate postsecondary school and program.

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5. Parents/Guardians who would like a counselor with expertise in athletics who can advocate and assist in accessing best scholarship and financial assistance. 

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What services are offered?

Each session is a combination of student and/or parent/guardians meeting accomplished through an online or face to face experience.

 

Stage 1

1st Session - Initial consultation – Determine student and family needs (1 to 2 hours)

2nd Session - Evaluation of academic and extracurricular performance - Develop and Draft a Personal Marketing Brand, Personal, Academic and Athletic Resume (2-3 hours)

3rd Session – Complete Brand, Resume and create an impactful Professional Social Media presence (1-2 hours)

4th Session – Recommendation of Top 5 Collegiate fits based on pairing of research (4 to 5 hours)

 

Stage 2

Application Assistance (1 to 2 hours)

Admission Essay Assistance (2 to 3 hours)

Interview Preparation (1 to 2 hours)

Testing and Test Prep Options (1 hour)

College Visit Preparation – what to expect, what to ask (1-2 hours)

Networking with admissions personnel and coaches on behalf of the student-athlete (2 to 3 hours)

Introduction to Financial Aid and assistance with Scholarship Opportunities (1 to 2 hours)

Assistance with all deadlines for final applications (1 to 2 hours)

Award Letter Evaluation (1 to 2 hours)

Analysis of offers (1 to 2 hours)

NINTH GRADE
Transcript Review 
Course Selection Advice for Sophomore-Senior years
Summer program and activity recommendations
Testing option review
Discussion of the high school experience

TENTH GRADE
Transcript Review 
Course Selection Advice for Sophomore-Senior years
Summer program and activity recommendations
Testing option review
Discussion of the high school experience

ELEVENTH/TWELFTH GRADE
Junior/Senior year Advising
Transcript Review
College Fair and Visit Preparation
Prepare and build a college list
In-depth analysis of the college application process including, but not limited to:

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1.      Interview preparation 

2.      Testing and Test Prep Options 

3.      Essay Writing

4.      Introduction to Financial Aid and assistance with Scholarship Opportunities

5.      Award Letter Evaluation

6.      Application review

7.      Analysis of offers

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