Elite College Advising works with families across New Jersey, especially in Somerset, Middlesex and Monmouth counties. We are based in Chicago. Most of our work happens by video, and I travel to meet families in person once a quarter, especially those in long-term engagements. As a New Jersey college admissions consultant, I start where your student actually competes: a crowded applicant pool from a state that sends more of its students away to college than any other.
We work with families across the US and internationally; this page covers what is specific to New Jersey.
Why New Jersey applicants face a crowded room
More New Jersey residents leave the state for college than come in, and by a wide margin. In fall 2018, federal data showed New Jersey with the largest net outflow of first-year college students of any state, about 28,500 students. In practice, a strong New Jersey student applying to selective colleges in the Northeast is read alongside many similar applicants from the same region, and often from the same high school. Admissions readers compare files from similar schools directly. Strong grades and a full AP schedule are the expected baseline, not the differentiator.
How strong New Jersey high schools are read
Each application is read next to the school profile. Readers judge rigor against what the school offers and look at how a student compares with classmates applying to the same colleges. At a high-performing suburban public school, a student with the same courses and activities as dozens of classmates reads like those classmates. Our work is to find what is specific to your student and build the application around it, years before the essays are written.
County academies, magnet schools and private schools
Many Central New Jersey students attend specialized county schools, such as the six full-time academies in the Monmouth County Vocational School District, the Middlesex County Magnet Schools, or Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School. These students often have strong, focused profiles. The risk is that the focus looks identical to every classmate's, especially in science, engineering and health tracks. We have also worked with families from private and Catholic high schools, where the counselor relationship and the school profile matter in different ways. Whatever the school, the question is the same: what does this student offer that the next file does not?
In-state and out-of-state options
Rutgers–New Brunswick, The College of New Jersey and New Jersey's other public universities deserve a real place on the list, chosen deliberately rather than added at the end as a reflexive safety. Out-of-state public universities are often more selective for nonresidents than families expect, and some actively recruit New Jersey students for reasons that affect the price. We build the list around fit, odds and net cost together. For more, read Out-of-State at a Public Flagship Is Now a Reach and Why Out-of-State Public Universities Want Your Student.
How we work with New Jersey families
Sessions are scheduled around your student, not around a fixed calendar: after school, evenings or weekends, whatever works for your family. We already work across time zones, including with a student eight hours ahead of Chicago. I also travel to meet families in person once a quarter, especially those in long-term engagements. Between sessions, SmartTools keeps every deadline, document and session note in one place for the student, parents and advisor.
New Jersey families have access to the same services as every other ECA family, from early planning through applications. You can see each option on our Offerings page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you meet in person?
Yes, for many families. Most sessions are by video, which makes it easy to fit around school and activities, and I fly out once a quarter to meet families in person, especially those in long-term engagements.
Have you worked with students from New Jersey schools?
Yes. We have worked with families from public, private and Catholic high schools in Central New Jersey.
When should students start?
Ideally in 9th or 10th grade, which leaves time to build depth. We also work with juniors and seniors.
Start with a free 30-minute strategy session
An honest read on where your student stands and what to do next. Every family that completes the call receives our free College Application Rules guide.
Schedule a Free Strategy Session