Mavathaveedu was a teaching assistant in a biology class at Rochester when he pitched his idea to Hana Zhang \u201926, a health, behavior, and society major from Westbury, New York, and Keira Donnelly \u201926, a neuroscience and psychology double major from Victor, New York.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, we founded Project Level the Field<\/a>,\u201d Mavathaveedu says. \u201cOur motto is \u2018making college applications ever better.\u2019\u201d (A take on the University\u2019s motto of Meliora, meaning \u201cever better\u201d).<\/p>\n Free advice to aspiring college students is available online, although finding it and applying it without assistance or guidance from someone more familiar with the college application process in the United States can be challenging. There are also numerous independent educational consultants, or IECs, available nationwide who work one-on-one with students. But that is a costly venture: According to data from the Independent Educational Consultants Association<\/a>, most IECs charge more than $4,000 per year for services, with some as high as $40,000.<\/p>\n The IECA reports that there were about 1,500 full-time independent educational consultants in 2010, and that number has skyrocketed to nearly 10,000 this year, with an estimated additional 10,000 to 15,000 working part-time. The reasons for the influx include the increased cost of higher education, overworked high school counselors, and changing trends in college admissions that started, in part, with the introduction of the Common Application in 1975<\/a>. A generation or so ago, test scores and grade-point averages were the key determining factors. Now, many colleges and universities, including Rochester, place less emphasis on standardized test scores and take a more holistic approach when making admissions selections.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the years, the college admissions process in the United States has become increasingly complex, in part because students are applying to more colleges,\u201d says Jason Nevinger, Rochester\u2019s senior director for admissions<\/a>. \u201cThe increased application volume, coupled with the non-standardized approach to how admissions offices manage their application process\u2014the use of standardized testing, and various application plans such as Early Decision and Early Action<\/a>\u2014has resulted in more families turning to paid educational consultants to help navigate the college admissions process in hopes of gaining an edge. But, in general, it\u2019s those families with the financial means that can afford them.\u201d<\/p>\n Mavathaveedu, Donnelly, and Zhang created a program that would \u201clevel the field,\u201d giving underrepresented and first-generation students the guidance needed to successfully undertake and complete today\u2019s college application process, which generally includes writing a long-form essay, compiling a resume or list of activities, securing letters of recommendation, and providing a high school transcript.<\/p>\n Project Level the Field currently has 12 volunteer student mentors\u201410 from Rochester, one from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and one from North Carolina State. \u201cWe connected with the non-Rochester students through LinkedIn,\u201d Mavathaveedu says.<\/p>\n The group\u2019s mission is to ensure that everybody has free, high-quality college application resources regardless of race, ethnicity, or financial status. Like paid educational consultants, the Level the Field students\u2014who refer to themselves as mentors\u2014provide various services, including resume-building, college essay editing, interview training, and financial aid assistance. As part of the mentoring process, they also help participating high school students research and compile a list of potential colleges to which they might apply.<\/p>\n Project leaders reach out to high school guidance counselors, offering in-person or remote one-on-one sessions. They also promote their volunteer work on the group\u2019s website<\/a> and Instagram (@projectlevelthefield<\/a>). Outreach efforts and events have taken place at many Rochester area high schools, but mentors also have advised students at their former high schools.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about giving back,\u201d Mavathaveedu says.<\/p>\n So far, more than 150 high school students\u2014mostly from the Rochester City School District\u2014have participated in the program, with students being accepted to a range of higher education institutions. Mavathaveedu says mentees have been accepted to Ivy League schools like Cornell University and selective universities including Rochester, Penn State, Notre Dame, Rutgers, and Syracuse, as well as community colleges and small liberal arts colleges.<\/p>\n The group plans to add around 20 new mentors from Rochester and one from Johns Hopkins University in the coming year, and recently filed paperwork to become recognized as a non-profit organization, which would further expand their reach. They are expanding considerably even as Mavathaveedu, who conceived the project, prepares to graduate in May.<\/p>\n Zhang, the daughter of immigrants, says Project Level the Field was appealing because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of students who mirrored her own experience.<\/p>\n \u201cI was scared to reach out for help when I was applying to college,\u201d she says. \u201cI didn\u2019t share my admissions essay with anyone because I didn\u2019t want to be judged. If I didn\u2019t get in, I felt people would see me as a failure.\u201d<\/p>\n Zhang feels strongly connected to the students she mentors because she is not far removed from what they are currently experiencing. \u201cWhen we first went to East High School [in Rochester], I was a year older than the students,\u201d she says. \u201cI could empathize with their experiences and hardships.\u201d<\/p>\n Last November, Project Level the Field cohosted a pre-medical symposium on the University\u2019s River Campus with the Rochester fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon<\/a>. The event included representatives from the University\u2019s Office of Undergraduate Research<\/a>, the Greene Center for Career Education and Connections<\/a>, the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students<\/a>, and others.<\/p>\n More than 160 University of Rochester undergraduates attended.<\/p>\n \u201cLevel the Field has a great mission with a great cause,\u201d says Jonathan Bratt, a senior career advisor at the Greene Center who took part in the symposium. \u201cThey saw a need and developed a way to support and encourage high school and college students needing guidance to navigate the entire application process.\u201d<\/p>\n Even with Mavathaveedu graduating, Project Level the Field\u2019s other founders are excited about expanding beyond Rochester.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to establish new branches where some of our mentors are affiliated,\u201d Donnelly says. \u201cWhile the project originated in Rochester, its missions and values transcend the confines of any single community. We know it\u2019s going to be difficult without Adarsh here. He\u2019s been an accessible and insightful mentor, integral to our journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Donnelly adds, \u201cThe greatest challenge lies in the uncertainty of the future, but as a team, we love to be challenged, and cannot wait to see how Level the Field will grow in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n The founders of Project Level the Field\u2014Keira Donnelly \u201926, Adarsh Mavathaveedu \u201924, and Hana Zhang \u201926\u2014offer tips for high school students interested in applying to college.<\/p>\n High school students often engage in a \u201cresume war,\u201d feeling the need to participate in activities they may not be interested in simply because they see others doing so. When they compare themselves to their peers, they may unnecessarily feel like they are falling behind. In reality, everyone has unique qualities, and individuals should participate in extracurricular activities they are passionate about. This ensures that not only do you spend time doing things you love, but that it also translates well for the application process. A well-documented commitment to a few select activities you love speaks louder than a long list of superficial engagements.<\/p>\n Many students neglect their physical and mental health during the college application process. We can only produce our best work when we\u2019re feeling our best. This means actively protecting our health by scheduling periodic rest days, eating well, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.<\/p>\n Note, too, that there is rarely an ideal time to start writing the oft-required college application essay. Often, the stress of writing the perfect essay discourages and delays the writing process. However, some clues may indicate that you should take a break. For example, if you feel a mental fog, or if you\u2019re having trouble staying awake or concentrating, it\u2019s time to take a break. Go for a walk, take a nap, clear your head, and come back.<\/p>\n Similarly, your environment can play a big role: We recommend finding an area with minimal distractions, natural lighting, and a setting that allows you to work well.<\/p>\n A rigid mindset can prevent you from exploring schools and limit your application pool. College is largely about taking risks and discovering yourself, so don\u2019t hesitate to take those same risks during the application process and try new things. Many of us were so focused on the prestige of Ivy League schools that we overlooked the incredible opportunities at other institutions, both nationally and internationally. Many colleges offer equally valuable educational experiences regardless of their acceptance rates. Taking risks means considering schools in unexpected locations. Sometimes, the place we least expect to find ourselves is where we truly belong.<\/p>\n You will attend the college you choose, not anyone else. Find a school that meets your criteria with regard to academics, cocurricular opportunities, athletics, and more. Visualize your ideal college experience, considering both social and academic aspects. Ask yourself: \u201cAre there social organizations that represent my identity and beliefs? Are there student clubs tailored to my hobbies and interests? How does this university handle on-campus conflicts?\u201d It is crucial to select a place that not only fosters personal growth but also provides a safe space to do so. The more you explore\u2014reading about students\u2019 experiences posted on the admissions site or elsewhere online, meeting with current students, and eventually attending admitted student day\u2014the better you can determine which college is the right fit for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A trio of undergraduates teamed up to bring accessible, high-quality education consulting services to the community. Now, they\u2019re branching out beyond Rochester.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":672,"featured_media":604052,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[21242,37452],"class_list":["post-603272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-community","tag-admissions","tag-community-engagement"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe rise of educational consultants in college admissions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Making the college application process more accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/inline-2024-03-22_Level_the_Field_0965.jpg\")
Leveling the field at Rochester while expanding beyond<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/inline-2024-03-22_Level_the_Field_1515.jpg\")
Tips from Project Level the Field\u2019s student educational consultants<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Opt for Quality over quantity.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Take a break. <\/strong><\/h4>\n
Keep an open mind. <\/strong><\/h4>\n
Stay true to yourself. <\/strong><\/h4>\n