COLLEGE COUNSELING
COPA, Inc. is a college advisory service dedicated to helping students and families navigate the college search and application process, with a special focus in the Performing Arts.
COPA, Inc. guides students and their families through the educational search and the application components that are unique to Performing Arts students. Recognizing that school counselors and school and studio music, theatre and dance teachers may encompass a student’s starting points, we provide adjunct guidance and information as well as additional talent assessments that enable students to recognize and present their academic and arts strengths and highlights.
- Choosing Courses, Training, Extracurriculars and Enrichment Programs
- We help students achieve a balance between academics and Performing Arts coursework throughout middle school and high school, and find satisfying and productive school-year, summer, and other enrichment activities and programs.
- Guidance to organize the college search process
- We help students organize multiple deadlines, repertoire, audition requirements, visits, follow-up communications, decisions and more!
- Talent Evaluation and Coaching referrals and oversight
- We periodically observe performances by each and every COPA, Inc. performing arts student to help each student understand where their talent and potential lies. Whether Conservatory-bound or preferring a more diverse academic/arts program, each COPA, Inc. student receives our professional input and guidance.
- We periodically observe performances by each and every COPA, Inc. performing arts student to help each student understand where their talent and potential lies. Whether Conservatory-bound or preferring a more diverse academic/arts program, each COPA, Inc. student receives our professional input and guidance.
- Essay Review
- College essays may be unlike most if not all of the writing assignments a high school student has ever done before. Through the Application Essays and Supplemental Essays, college Admissions Representatives have the opportunity to "see" the student as more than just a collection of course titles, test grades and Community Service activities. We help students explore the strengths, interests and unique qualities they wish to show in their writing. We act as another set of eyes, helping students revise and review their numerous drafts of essays, so that students truly find their own voice. From choosing topics to hitting the Submit button, we give students the chance to explore their interests and passions and to present their authentic and genuine selves in their writing.
- College Search
- Students begin with a Big List of schools that is developed through their own exploration and from our recommendations. Together we will pare the Big List down to a practical and workable number of schools that fit the student's interests, requirements and needs. Special attention is paid to unique programs such as multiple-degree options and study-abroad possibilities, school by school. Through a dedicated online organization system, students and parents can track their college search and ultimate decisions.
- Students begin with a Big List of schools that is developed through their own exploration and from our recommendations. Together we will pare the Big List down to a practical and workable number of schools that fit the student's interests, requirements and needs. Special attention is paid to unique programs such as multiple-degree options and study-abroad possibilities, school by school. Through a dedicated online organization system, students and parents can track their college search and ultimate decisions.
- College Visits
- We work with students and families to help design travel plans to determine where, when and how to visit schools. This includes organizing visits, planning itineraries, knowing what to ask of whom, and keeping track of the information for later review.
- College Applications
- We teach students how to keep track of the various parts of their applications, essays, transcripts, recommendations, audition materials and schedules. We guide students in crafting their performance resumes to show their strengths and unique qualities, and in presenting their applications with accuracy, truth, and integrity.
- We teach students how to keep track of the various parts of their applications, essays, transcripts, recommendations, audition materials and schedules. We guide students in crafting their performance resumes to show their strengths and unique qualities, and in presenting their applications with accuracy, truth, and integrity.
- Audition Preparation and Guidance
- In all areas of audition preparation, including Prescreening and Supplemental Recordings, we guide students in their audition choices and help students and families stay on top of audition requirements and deadlines.
- Interview Preparation
- For some schools, interviews are becoming increasingly less evaluative for admissions purposes than ever before. Other schools stress the importance of interviews for admission consideration. Either way, interviews serve as good ways for students to connect with alumni or on-campus individuals. We help students understand the interview process and prepare for the experience.
- Financial Aid Information
- We discuss money issues to help parents understand their rights, responsibilities and options in the college financial picture.
- We discuss money issues to help parents understand their rights, responsibilities and options in the college financial picture.
- Making the Choice
- We help students sort out their Acceptances, and deal with the realities of rejections, waitlists and deferments. We act as a soundboard as students make their decision based on the numerous factors that must be considered.
CO-CONSULTANCY SERVICES
We are available as Performing Arts Consultants, offering talent evaluations and Performing Arts input to other IEC’s, as well as to school counselors, administrators and teachers in public and private schools.