Ridgewood College Planning at Novella Prep
A strong college application reflects years of mindful planning and thousands of little decisions that, when better informed and guided, reflect the most authentic version of your son or daughter. Our in person and online programming balances academic advising (which classes, how to get the best grades, what matters to colleges) with college planning (which tests, requirements for admission, visits, essay, financial aid, and the application). To get the best results, we have found that starting earlier allows for grade appropriate measures that build toward a well-organized and prepared high school senior. Since Novella Prep was founded, we have been helping Passaic County students achieve their academic potential.
Choose a Ridgewood College Planning Program:
If you live in Ridgewood , we have five programs* for grades 10 – 12 and college students that run sequentially:
- The Novella 10 program runs through the entire academic year of a student’s 10th grade . We focus on providing academic enhancement through personalized study skills preparation, and the integration of early college advising during the second half of the year.
- The Novella 11 program runs through the entire academic year of a student’s 11th grade until May 1. We focus on providing comprehensive college planning, assisting students as they plan visits, develop testing strategies, narrow their focus, and develop their portfolio.
- The College Application Year program runs from May 1 of a student’s 11th grade through their college deposit submission. We assist students as they submit applications, conduct follow-up visits, manage decisions and possible waitlists, negotiate financial aid, and ensure all possible opportunities are identified and pursued
- The Novella 12 monthly program runs after January 1 of a student’s 12th grade year. We aim to provide students not enrolled in our CAY program with college-specific study skills advice and effectively prepare students for their transition to college.
- The Novella College hourly or monthly advising program runs for current college students. We focus on foundational elements to support college success toward improved grades and in some cases, readiness for transferring to another college. In addition, we aim to provide support in the areas of resume and cover letter review, internship and job search, and career path advisement.
*Please note that while our services are aimed at helping maximize academic opportunities, we cannot guarantee specific results such as test scores, grades, or admission to a certain college.
Statement of ethics: We believe that the student is the face of the application and therefore stand behind the mindful decision to never contact colleges on behalf of the student. As members of NACAC and IACAC, professional organizations providing standards of best practices, we believe that through their hard work and our guidance, the student can earn and enjoy their own success!
Benefits of Novella Prep College Planning NJ:
- Increases potential for most select, best-fitting college
- Optimal high school course selection for a strong foundation
- Vocation cultivation: Connecting career to college major
- Comprehensive preparation for college application
- Builds relationships with teachers and counselors
- Standardized test selection and preparation
- Knowing essential milestones at the right grade
When to Start NJ College Planning
The sooner students and parents think about how the day to day decisions affect longer term academic outcomes, the better. By starting early, parents and students tend to have more freedom and flexibility to utilize the college planning process as one of growth and empowerment. We take cues from the student and family to identify when to integrate such opportunities into our study skills program with integrated early college advising, and ramp up formal college planning during our Novella 11 program.
Based on external research as well as our own experience, we have achieved great results when we focus on the academic fundamentals through our Study Skills programming and then integrate college planning at key milestones and at a pace that works with a student’s mindset and readiness. Here is how our college planning integrates with Study Skills. As the needs of our students typically grow as they approach college, our programming is tailored to the individual student.Any student in one of our Novella 6-10 study skills programs will receive knowledge and information that will help them when they fully transition to the Novella 11 program and beyond. Start early, stress less.