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College Counselling

Expert counselling for every step of the college admissions journey

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ESM Prep UK and UES are now Guidewell Global - welcome!
APPLY TO COLLEGE WITH CLARITY

A trusted partner through the college admissions process and beyond

Every student’s path to college is unique. Through personalised, multi-year mentorship, students gain the structure, confidence, and direction they need to explore their options, plan effectively, and prepare for life at a US or international college.

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The challenge

When should my student begin preparing?

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What really matters to top US universities?

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How do we balance test prep, academics, and wellbeing without burning out?

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The US and global college admissions process can feel complex and competitive. Between understanding timelines, balancing academics and extracurriculars, and navigating essays, testing, applications, and interviews, there's a lot to manage.

Your Guidewell Global counsellor is your partner throughout high school, offering tailored counselling, mentorship, and academic guidance to help you find purpose in the process and set yourself up for long-term success.

Our role is to provide clear structure and thoughtful answers, guiding your family through each milestone with empathy and expertise.

“I just committed to my first choice college and I am so excited! Thank you so, so much for all of your help and support through this whole process. You made it unbelievably easy and also enjoyable.“

  • College counseling student

  • Class of 2023

  • HOW IT WORKS

    From early exploration to acceptance, decision day, and beyond, we’re with you at every stage

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    Our tailored, multi-year mentorship evolves with each student. From initial planning to final decisions, our college counsellors provide steady, expert guidance.

    Discover & Define Goals

    Every Guidewell Global journey begins with understanding the student — their strengths, interests, and ambitions. Through conversations, assessments, and early planning, we help students set clear goals and create a roadmap that fits their timeline and aspirations.

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    Build a Strong Academic & Extracurricular Profile

    We work closely with students and families to plan courses and identify extracurricular opportunities that reflect authentic growth. Behind the scenes, our team tracks milestones and ensures every detail gets the attention it deserves.

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    Develop a Personalised College Strategy

    Together, we build a college list, testing plan, and narrative that highlight your student’s individuality. Our counsellors manage timelines, coordinate with mentors, and anticipate every deadline.

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    Perfect Every Application Component

    From essays and recommendation letters to interviews and activity lists, we guide students through each detail. Essay coaches and counsellors collaborate to ensure every submission feels authentic and polished.

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    Navigate decisions and next steps

    When results arrive, we continue to guide families through acceptances, deferrals, and waitlists — offering clear, steady support in choosing the best-fit option. Our team also helps plan transitions, connect students with alumni, and prepare for freshman year.

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    Ongoing guidance and peace of mind

    When results arrive, we continue to guide families through acceptances, deferrals, and waitlists — offering clear, steady support in choosing the best-fit option. Our team also helps plan transitions, connect students with alumni, and prepare for freshman year.

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    Book a Consultation

    Start your college admissions journey with Guidewell Global

    Book your consultation today and take the first step toward an application experience that reflects your goals, growth, and potential.

    Book a Consultation
    What to Expect

    Personalised admissions guidance designed to help you define and achieve your goals.

    Hundreds of families have trusted our team to navigate the admissions process with focus and success. Students emerge ready to take on college and beyond — with strong applications and a clear sense of purpose.

    We help our students:

    Learn how to plan strategically and manage complex goals

    Identify and articulate their academic and personal interests

    Build skills to advocate for themselves and make informed choices

    EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES

    Our families often tell us that understanding the US college process feels far easier once they have the right tools in hand. Explore our curated guides designed to help you prepare for your future — from early exploration to final applications.

    A student meets one-on-one with an academic advisor to review academic information.
    Articles

    A Comprehensive Guide to Strategic Academic Planning and Subject Selection

    When it comes to selecting courses for the next academic year, it can often feel like there’s a lot of pressure to strike the perfect balance between a difficult schedule and one that will allow students to get the best marks possible. This article emphasizes the importance of formulating a four-year academic plan to avoid this stress, and offers insights for international academic systems as well.

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    Articles

    How to Make Your Subject Choices for Sixth Form

    Finishing GCSE study and looking ahead to the upper school is a really exciting time for students and one that comes with many new opportunities. When planning for the academic piece of your final two years in school, think carefully about your skills, interests, and ambitions, and make sure you have a clear ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of your curriculum and subject choices. Read this month's piece by Guidewell Global UK university admissions counsellor Sam Harris, answering common questions about how to select sixth form subjects during Year 11 if you're interested in applying to US universities.

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    A college admissions representative speaks with a family during an on-campus information session in a classroom.
    Articles

    Planning the Perfect University Visit Starts with Thoughtful Research

    Planning the perfect university visit shouldn’t just be left to travel agents. With the right approach, anyone can craft a thoughtful itinerary. In this article, seasoned university admissions counsellor Carrie Jorgenson discusses the nuts and bolts of developing a university visit itinerary that will be worth both your time and your investment.

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    Articles

    Reverse Admissions with Concourse

    Applying to US universities can feel overwhelming—especially when students are unsure where they’re likely to be admitted or offered funding. Reverse admissions, pioneered by Concourse, turns the process on its head by allowing universities to approach students directly with offers of admission and scholarships, helping families explore strong-fit options with far less stress and uncertainty.

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    A British high school student doing a virtual interview with a US University.
    Articles

    US University Interviews: What UK Students Should Expect

    US university interviews are very different from Oxbridge interviews. Usually conducted by alumni and more conversational in style, they’re designed to understand who you are, what you care about, and how you might contribute to campus life—rather than to test academic knowledge.

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    Articles

    Starting Sixth Form? Take These 5 Steps Now to Set Yourself Up for Successful US University Applications

    Whether you’re starting A levels or the IB (farewell Pre-U!), the first term of the Sixth Form is filled with new opportunities. These tips will help new Sixth Form students settle in, stay on track, and put themselves in a strong position to make applications to US universities in a year’s time.

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    Articles

    Tips for Tackling the “Why X University” Essay

    In this article, vetern university essay coach Cameron Kraemer discusses how to write a compelling “Why This University?” essay that shows genuine fit, thoughtful research, and authentic enthusiasm.

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    Articles

    When Should You Start Preparing a US University Application?

    US university applications involve far more than just grades and a personal statement. From SAT or ACT testing to essays and references, starting early can make the process far more manageable—this guide explains when to begin and how to plan ahead with confidence.

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    High school student drafting a college application essay on a laptop in a quiet study space.
    Articles

    Common App Essay Tips for UK Students Applying to US Universities

    The Common App essay is one of the most personal and unfamiliar parts of the US university application for UK students. This guide explains how to choose the right prompt, tell an authentic story, and avoid common pitfalls—so your essay reveals who you are, not just what you’ve achieved.

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    See All Resources
    FAQ

    Your college counselling questions, answered

    Short answer: As early as possible! Ideally, students begin working with a Guidewell counsellor two to three years before high school graduation — usually around Year 10 or 11. Starting early allows time to plan academics, explore interests, and build a balanced extracurricular profile without pressure. Families who start later can still benefit from our guidance, but the process becomes more intensive as deadlines approach.

    US admissions take a holistic approach, considering not only academic results but also personal essays, extracurricular involvement, recommendations, and interviews. UK universities, by contrast, focus more narrowly on subject mastery and predicted grades.

    Our counsellors help students and families understand both systems — and for those applying internationally, we coordinate strategy across regions to ensure every application is compelling.

    Yes. Each family is paired with a dedicated counsellor who will serve as your strategic guide from start to finish. This consistent partnership ensures consistency, trust, and a deep understanding of your student’s goals. Depending on your service tier, your counsellor may also collaborate with a small team of specialists — such as essay coaches or test prep mentors — to provide fully integrated support.

    Absolutely. Essay development and interview preparation are core parts of our counselling programme. Students receive guidance from brainstorming to final review, learning how to express their story authentically and confidently. We also conduct mock interviews with feedback so students can approach alumni and admissions interviews with clarity and composure.

    Yes. We work extensively with international and expatriate families across the UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond. Our counsellors understand the unique challenges of applying to US universities from abroad — from differing school systems to time-zone-friendly scheduling. We provide tailored guidance on transcripts, testing, and cultural context, helping students present their strongest global profile.

    Our goal is always to help students gain admission to a university where they will thrive — academically, personally, and socially. Many of our students are accepted to Ivy League and other top-tier institutions, but success looks different for every individual. Rather than focusing on rankings, we measure results by fit and readiness for the challenges ahead. Families often tell us the process itself transformed how their student approaches learning and self-discovery.

    We believe one size fits one. Our approach is entirely individualised — built around each student’s personality, pace, and ambitions. We combine the rigour of a structured process with the warmth of mentorship, ensuring every family feels supported from the first consultation to the final decision. Most importantly, our focus extends beyond admission itself: we help students find the college where they will truly thrive.

    Start Your College Admissions Journey with Guidewell Global

    Book your consultation today and take the first step toward an application experience that reflects your goals, growth, and potential.

    Book a Consultation

    Explore our expert insights

    Download our complimentary infographic, Eight Trends in College Admissions, featuring our latest insights on the competitive landscape.

    You’ll also receive occasional insights and updates from our team on how to prepare effectively for the US admissions process.

    Download the Infographic
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