Marie-Louise Banning
Education Consultant
Expert guidance on university applications
The journey
There are three stages in our programme through which we guide you from initial enquiry to final destination. Along the way, we will also advise on any extra training or careers advice we feel you may need. We promise to be honest, impartial, and to offer total commitment to your success.
We can provide an accurate quotation for our services after the initial consultation. In addition to the steps below, some applications such as Medicine, Oxford and Cambridge, Art, Music and Drama, and Athletics Scholarships require extra input.
Step one: initial consultation and orientation
All students are interviewed prior to acceptance on our programmes. The aim of this one-hour consultation is to assess a student’s requirements so that we may provide appropriate support and an accurate quotation. Parents are invited to join the consultation at the beginning and end of the consultation or may wish to talk to us privately in order to voice any concerns. We will listen to a student’s aspirations, and assess how these may be achieved, bearing in mind their academic background and personal qualities. We will then be in a position to propose a future plan, which could be to proceed with the application, to suggest more in-depth careers counselling or to take extra training. We can usually find a solution!
Step two: research
After we have agreed a plan with the family, we will conduct research on the student’s behalf according to their academic ability and interests. Students are guided through the courses on offer in order to form a shortlist in line with the family’s strategy. Our research includes details on entry requirements, location, deadlines, fees, supplementary entry tests, IELTS or TOEFL requirements, and any special aspects of the application procedure.
Step three: application and review
Students are now in a position to apply. At this stage we give support on completing application documents, answering Q and A, giving advice to schools on reference writing, providing interview practice, and making suggestions on self-study materials and tutoring if necessary. Writing the Personal Statement or College Essays is often the most challenging part of the application but we provide full guidance through review and critiques. Finally, we advise on which offers the student may consider as their final options.
To book a consultation please make contact through the Contact Form.
UK, USA and EU Applications
Applications to universities in the UK are completed through a centralised system called UCAS. As a registered centre in UCAS we are able to monitor the status of offers for our students.
Applications to American Universities are more complex. Applications are made through a process called the Common Application and via individual colleges.
Applications to universities in the EU vary enormously from one country to the next. We are here to advise.
We also design one to one support for students who need training in SATs, ACTs, IELTS, KIRA interviews, and all of the special entry tests required for applications to Oxford and Cambridge.
After identifying the pattern of strengths and weaknesses, our tutors design an individual study plan so that each student can focus on correcting key points. Our work includes developing skills in exam technique and time management. Students are required to follow a schedule of homework, self-correction and then follow-up with reviews with their tutor over Skype. All of our tutors have teaching experience.