Frequently asked questions
Getting started
1. When can I start applying to US universities? Most US college applications are submitted during the final year of high school, with many due between November and January for students applying for the following autumn. However, preparation begins well before applications are submitted since there are many steps to complete as part of the application that can span over several months. For international students, starting early is particularly valuable because you may also need to plan for standardized testing, English-language requirements, financial aid, visa documentation, and other requirements that differ from the European university application processes.
2. Can I apply to U.S. universities if I attend school outside the U.S.? Absolutely! U.S. universities welcome applications from international students and are accustomed to reviewing applicants from a wide range of educational systems. Students applying from outside the United States may benefit from additional guidance in presenting their academic background, curriculum, grading system, and extracurricular experiences within the context of a U.S. application.
3. Why work with a private admissions counsellor? Applying to US universities is significantly different from applying to most European universities. Admissions decisions consider not only grades and test scores, but also activities, essays, recommendations, academic context, and the overall story presented by an applicant. A counsellor provides an informed outside perspective, helping you understand the process, build an appropriate university list, develop your application strategy, and avoid common mistakes, while ensuring that the final application remains authentically yours.
4. When should I start working with a college counsellor? There is no single ideal time to begin. Starting before application season can give students more time to explore their goals, understand the U.S. university landscape, make thoughtful academic and extracurricular choices, and build a strong foundation for their future applications. Students who begin during their application year can still receive valuable guidance with college selection, application strategy, essays, and other key parts of the process. The right time to start ultimately depends on the student’s individual goals, academic stage, and how much preparation has already been completed.
5. Do I need to know exactly what I want to study before applying? No, you do not need to have your exact field of study decided before applying. One of the advantages of the U.S. university system is its academic flexibility, and many students continue exploring different subjects and interests during university. While having a sense of your academic interests can help guide your university search, you do not need to have your entire academic or career path mapped out. The goal is to understand your interests well enough to identify universities, programs, and opportunities that could be a strong fit.
6. How do I know which major or field of study is right for me? Choosing a major is a process rather than a single decision. We look at your academic strengths, interests, extracurricular experiences, potential career directions, and the subjects you genuinely enjoy to identify areas worth exploring. We also consider how those interests can translate across different universities, as the same field of study can be structured very differently depending on the institution, curriculum, academic flexibility, and opportunities available.
Working together
1. Who is your counselling for? We work with international students who are considering or actively preparing to apply to universities in the United States. While we have particular experience supporting students from Europe, especially the Balkans, and navigating European education systems, students do not need to live in a specific country to work with us. Our counselling is delivered remotely, allowing us to support students wherever they are based.
2. Is it too early or too late to start working with you? Can you help me if I am already in the middle of the application process? There is no single “right” time to begin. Students who start before application season have more time to explore their goals, make thoughtful academic and extracurricular choices, and build a strong foundation for their future applications. However, we also work with students who are approaching their application deadlines or are already in the middle of the process. Depending on where you are in your journey, we can provide comprehensive or targeted support with the areas that matter most at that stage.
3. What does working with you look like? Working together is personalized, collaborative, and tailored to each student’s individual goals and stage of the university journey. All counselling is conducted remotely through one-on-one sessions, with the focus of each session depending on the student’s needs and chosen program or service. This may include exploring university options, developing application strategy, reviewing progress, working through application materials, preparing for upcoming deadlines, or addressing specific questions along the way. Throughout the process, the goal is to provide clear guidance and actionable next steps while keeping the student actively involved in their own application journey.
4. What makes your approach different? Our approach combines firsthand experience navigating U.S. admissions as an international student with experience supporting students at UCLA and an understanding of the challenges international applicants can face. While we have particular familiarity with European education systems, especially in the Balkans, our guidance is designed for students from around the world. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all formula, we build our approach around each student—their academic profile, ambitions, interests, circumstances, and the universities and opportunities that genuinely make sense for them.
5. How much time and commitment does counselling require? The amount of time required depends on where the student is in the application process and the program or service they choose. Students should expect to remain actively involved throughout the process. Counselling is most effective when students come prepared for sessions, complete agreed-upon tasks between meetings, and take ownership of their applications. Our role is to provide strategy, guidance, structure, and feedback, while the student’s voice, ideas, and effort remain at the centre of the application.
6. How often will we meet? Meeting frequency depends on the program or service you choose and where you are in the application process. Some stages may require more frequent support, particularly during essay development or as application deadlines approach, while others may involve more time between sessions. Each program is structured to provide an appropriate level of support throughout the application journey, with specific meeting frequency and communication options outlined in the individual program details.
7. Can parents be involved? Yes. Parents can be an important part of the process, particularly when discussing university fit, financial considerations, and practical preparation for studying abroad. At the same time, we believe the student should remain at the centre of the counselling relationship and actively involved in their own application journey. Our goal is to support students in becoming confident, informed, and independent applicants while ensuring parents feel appropriately involved and informed throughout the process.
8. Are counselling sessions online? Yes. All counselling sessions are conducted online, allowing us to work with students wherever they are based. Sessions are one-on-one and tailored to each student’s individual goals, needs, and stage of the university journey.
PROGRAMS & services
1. What services do you offer? We offer personalized support throughout the U.S. university application journey, from early preparation and university selection to application strategy, essays, interviews, financial aid, and the transition to university. Visit “Our Programs” in the main menu for a detailed overview of the support available at each stage of the journey. If you are looking for support that is not specifically listed on our website, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss your needs and explore whether we can provide a tailored service.
2. Can I choose individual services instead of a full program? Yes. Our Application-Year Programs are designed for students who want comprehensive support throughout the application process, while our À La Carte Services are available for students seeking focused guidance in specific areas. These can be particularly useful for students who have already completed parts of the process independently and would like targeted support with areas such as college list and strategy, essays, interview preparation, or financial aid and scholarships. If you are looking for a specific type of support that is not listed on our website, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss your needs.
3. How many universities can I apply to with your support? Students may apply to as many universities as they choose. The level of university-specific application support included depends on the program selected. Standard provides general application strategy and guidance, while Advanced includes detailed application strategy and review for up to 3 universities, and Premium includes individualized application strategy for up to 5 universities. Additional comprehensive university support may be available for an additional fee.
4. Do you write my essays for me? No. Your essays need to reflect your own experiences, personality, and voice. We help you identify compelling stories, develop ideas, structure your writing, and refine your work through detailed feedback. The goal is not to make your application sound like someone else, but to help you communicate your own story as effectively and authentically as possible.
5. Will you complete my application for me? No. We provide detailed guidance, strategy, and feedback throughout the application process, but each student remains responsible for completing and submitting their own application and ensuring that all information provided is accurate. This helps ensure that the application genuinely represents the student and that they understand and take ownership of everything they submit.
6. Do you guarantee admission to a particular university? No. Admission to any U.S. university cannot be guaranteed, as admissions decisions are ultimately made by each institution and depend on a range of factors that can vary from year to year. Our role is to help you develop a strong and authentic application, build a thoughtful and strategic university list, and navigate the admissions process with clarity, confidence, and a clear sense of direction.
Practical questions
1. How does the process work if I’m interested in working with you? We begin with a complimentary 15-minute consultation to learn more about your goals, academic profile, and what you are looking for support with. From there, we can discuss the program or service that best aligns with your needs. Once you decide to move forward, we develop a personalized plan for working together, including clear next steps, relevant timelines, and guidance on what to prepare along the way.
2. When does the counselling relationship end? The length of our work together depends on the program or service you choose. For students receiving application support, guidance may continue beyond application submission to include admissions decisions, financial aid and scholarship considerations, waitlists or deferrals, and the final university decision, depending on the selected program. Students who would like additional support after admission can also continue working with us through our After Admission Guidance service.
3. How does payment work? Once you decide to move forward with a program or service, you will receive an invoice with the relevant payment details and due date. Payment is made by bank transfer and, depending on the program or service selected, may be made in full or according to an agreed payment schedule. Full payment terms will be provided before you commit. For further information, please refer to our Payment & Refund Policy.
4. Can I change my Via Ad Astra program later? If your needs change while we are working together, we can discuss adjusting your level of support where possible. Any changes to the scope of services or associated fees will always be discussed and agreed upon in advance.
5. What happens after I am accepted to a university? Admission is only one part of the journey. Depending on the program or service selected, we can support you as you compare offers, evaluate financial aid and scholarship options, and make your final university decision. From there, the focus shifts from getting in to getting ready. For students seeking additional support with enrollment, preparing for their move abroad, and transitioning to university life, our After Admission Guidance service is also available.