GET THERE WITH UCHOICES
Know-how and guidance to help you navigate college admissions
Applying to college is about telling your unique story and finding colleges where you can thrive.
To get there, you will need to complete many steps within multiple deadlines. With our one-on-one guidance, we will help you stay on top of your tasks and keep a balanced outlook.
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Together, we will identify your interests, devise an action plan, find colleges that match your goals and prepare strong applications. We will support you each step of the way as you take charge of your college journey.
UCHOICES SERVICES
What we do to help you succeed
GOAL SETTING
COLLEGE PLANNING
APPLICATION COACHING
Can I set goals that make sense for both my career and personal life?
Good question. That's why we begin by helping you identify your academic and personal goals via assessments and surveys.
You will gain new insights so you can concentrate on areas that play to your strengths and interests.
Together we will review your academic record, curriculum, extracurricular activities and summer enrichment plans to make sure each is geared toward your objectives.
The end result? A personalized action plan and timetable to stay on top of all the key milestones including testing, college research and application deadlines.
Where to go–is there a place not on my radar that I should consider?
For student and parents alike, it's not just about getting into college, but what the whole college experience will be like.
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We aim to maximize your chances of admission to those colleges where you can succeed and be happy.
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The key is to develop a thoughtfully researched and balanced list of colleges that match your academic goals, personal preferences and professional aspirations.
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In this process, we will help you prepare for insightful college tours and meetings with college representatives.
How do I present myself in the best light?
The application is the one key tool you are in control of. It will help you stand out and cut-through.
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We will help you craft an application that tells your story through its multiple pieces in a cohesive and impactful way.
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This step includes brainstorming essay ideas and writing effective personal statements, supplemental essays and activity list.
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We will discuss the pros and cons of making early versus regular decisions. Finally, we will coach you on how to obtain strong teacher recommendations and shine in your college interviews.
Our Comprehensive Package
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One-on-one coaching sessions helping you navigate college admission process through the end of senior year. Number of meetings to be determined by client need.
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Developing a personalized action plan and timetable for key milestones in the application process
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Reviewing and discussing academic record, curriculum, extracurricular activities and summer enrichment plans
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Assessing interests and aptitudes to help identify potential majors and careers
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Developing strategy for SAT/ACT/SAT2/TOEFL/IELTS (test prep not included)
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Helping prepare college visit plans
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Analyzing your profile and preferences to develop a carefully researched and balanced list of colleges
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Reviewing college list for balance in application package
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Providing guidance for completing college applications, including personal statements and supplemental essays
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Coaching on obtaining strong recommendation letters
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Helping prepare for college interviews
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Helping evaluate college acceptance offers
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Providing tips for a successful transition to college
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Online account on Guided Path-a college search platform to research, organize and communicate throughout the process.
** Also offer services on a per hour basis **
WHO WE ARE
CARLA SABA
Carla is currently based in São Paulo where she resides with her husband and her teenage son when he is visiting from college. Born in Rio de Janeiro, she grew up living in Mexico City, Geneva, New York, Yokohama, Hong Kong, and Paris.
Transitioning to a new country is something she is familiar with and home base has always split between Brazil and the US. Carla holds a BA from Bowdoin College in Maine and an MBA from COPPEAD-Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.
Previously, she spent over 25 years working in banking and business development in Rio, New York and São Paulo. Several years ago, she followed her heart and enrolled in the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program. Today, Carla coaches students enrolled in both Brazilian and international schools as they embark on the college admissions process.
She is a frequent lecturer at schools and associations and enjoys hosting events for representatives of liberal arts colleges when they visit Sao Paulo.
Carla is fluent in English, Portuguese, Arabic and French. In her spare time, she loves reading, traveling, and sharing big Lebanese feasts with friends and family.
UCHOICES REVIEWS
What some of the parents and students from the Class of 2020 say about our services
Carla has in-depth and extensive knowledge of US and Brazilian cultures. This gives her a unique perspective to help international students and parents through the entire college process. She helped our daughter build a strong college list, apply and choose a college in which she is currently thriving. Her focus was on our daughter but she certainly supported our entire family through this first-time experience. This year, with her guidance, our son also found his ideal program at Newhouse School of Communication.
Parent, daughter at Bowdoin College, son at Syracuse University
Above everything else, Carla has become a friend. Having someone you can trust in such a hectic and frustrating period is absolutely quintessential and I couldn’t be more grateful for having her by my side. Her honesty, resourcefulness and faith in my abilities enabled my going to my dream university, one that truly fits me as a learner and an individual overall. (The esfihas and cookies at her house are always a positive bonus).
Student, Brown University
Carla takes a personal interest, from the first moments of 1000 questions, to the stressful application process, through the agony of waiting for results and the final celebrations once they come in. And it does not stop there, as she walks through the final options with the students as they make their choices. She is always available to both students and parents at any time during the whole process to answer our questions or quench our fears. She works so that the students will be accepted at universities that fit them best. We could not have made a better choice for our son!
Parent, son at Yale University
Carla helped me put together a balanced college list, bring out my strengths in my essays and organize my extracurricular activities in the most effective way. But more than that Carla was caring, supportive and encouraging, which certainly helped me get to where I am today. I feel so lucky to have been able to work with her and so grateful for her guidance during such a challenging chapter of my academic life.
Student, Northeastern University Honors Program
Our son was sure that he wanted to go to university in either the US or Brazil. Carla introduced us to a broad range of possible schools, including in Europe. She helped him find what he really wanted and it turned out to be in an entirely different place than originally expected. We are all delighted with the outcome of Carla’s personalized approach and careful consideration of all aspects of this most important decision in our son’s life.
Parent, son at IE University, Spain
Coming from a family where I am the first generation to study abroad, it was really important to me to have Carla’s wisdom and experience in deciding where I wanted to study and which college would fit me best. Carla not only helped me find a wide array of universities tailored to my needs and wants, she also guided me through every single aspect of my college application process. Additionally, her help enabled me to explore my identity in an introspective college essay. Although this was a stressful time, Carla’s guidance made it all seem much more feasible and less overwhelming. I am beyond thankful for everything she did.
Student, Cornell University
Contact UChoices for a Consultation!
Let us help you find your way to college. Contact us today to learn how we can help you in your college journey.
We look forward to speaking with you!