Influenced by student development theory, we take a personalized, holistic, and long-term approach to guidance. We use a mix of advising and resources to help our students plan for and achieve success.

Approach to Guidance

Personalized

To offer the most personalized, relevant, and impactful guidance, we work with no more than 50 students at a time.

Holistic

Although we can address specific issues, we apply our entire process of student success to our students, not just pieces of knowledge.

Long-Term

The majority of our students are with us for a minimum of one full academic year and usually stay a part of First Degree until graduation.

Our Advising technique…

Our unique process of Student-Centered Guidance offers a personalized model for student success. We’re influenced by years of experience around higher education, years of research on human capital theory, and by several different student success models created by some of the most esteemed educational leaders from University of Chicago, Harvard and the National Post-Secondary Education Cooperative.

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Research

Needs Assessment

We start with a free consultation to explain the First Degree service. Then, we work with our student client and their family to discuss academic, career, and financial goals. We work together to define short and long term goals for college. We go over topics like:

  • Expectation for College
  • Defining Success in College
  • Power of a Good Plan
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Strategize

Four-Year Plan and Insights

After the assessment, we identify opportunities, obstacles, and strategies for achieving short and long-term goals. We craft a detailed “Master Plan” that will consist of our core services. Example goals may look like:

  • Double Major and Graduate Early
  • Save $45,000 on Tuition Costs
  • Make $100,000+ Out of College

Guide

Clarity Sessions and Workshops

The Master Plan will evolve as our student clients progress through college. While they work on school, we work to determine the best academic, financial, and career opportunities available to them. We’re constantly in contact and provide updates through:

  • Personal Client Portal
  • Weekly Updates and Monthly Check-Ins
  • Meetings During Academic Breaks
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… and our library of Resources

We keep up with the newest technology for student success. To see the full array of the tools and technology we use our selves and encourage for others, subscribe to the visit our College Resource Hub and see favorite Academic, Career, and Financial resources.

Visit our Resource Hub