River

Scripps College

Class of 2025

WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION? DID YOU ACCOMPLISH THEM?

My initial goals for college admission were to get into a few colleges that appealed to me and would be affordable for my family. I accomplished these goals and many, many more throughout my time with Hughes. They opened my eyes to colleges across the country, and now I’m going to my dream school that I wouldn’t have known existed without the help of Hughes. Not only did I get into a “few colleges,” but I was accepted into every one I applied to thanks to Hughes’ support. They also assisted me with the scholarship process, and made the cost of my education much, much lower than it would have been.

WHAT WAS MOST HELPFUL ABOUT WORKING WITH HUGHES COLLEGE PREP?

Almost everything about the college admissions process was easier because of working with Hughes College Prep. When I started, I had no idea where to even begin with the process or how to navigate financial aid, admissions, or anything else. After working with Hughes, I was more confident in the process and was extremely more equipped to navigate the world of college admissions, college, and more.

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE, GOOD OR BAD, ABOUT THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS IN GENERAL?

The biggest surprise for me about the admissions process was how much writing had to be done! Each college I applied to had multiple essays that I had to write, as well as every scholarship I applied for. I wouldn’t have been able to conquer the daunting task of writing over a dozen essays without the help of Hughes. They set deadlines to make sure I would get all of them done in time, and used their skill sets to give me suggestions for my writing.

WERE YOU ACCEPTED TO ONE OF YOUR TOP THREE SCHOOL CHOICES?

I was accepted to 10/10 of the schools I applied to! My top choices — UCLA, Scripps College, and Northeastern University — all accepted me.

DID YOU FEEL SUPPORTED BY HUGHES COLLEGE PREP DURING THE ADMISSION PROCESS? IF SO, HOW?

I felt extremely supported by Hughes College Prep during the admissions process. I worked with Chenoa, Lisa, and Kelly, and they all worked extremely hard to help me find the perfect fit for me and my family. They also helped me prepare for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Thanks to their help with test preparation, I was able to score high enough to become a National Merit Scholar and to have a high enough ACT score to get into my dream schools. They supported me in every facet of my education, from class work, to test prep, extracurriculars, and the college admissions process.

WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT WORKING WITH HUGHES COLLEGE PREP?

I was surprised by how dedicated everyone at Hughes College Prep was to their students and made sure to do everything in their power to help students with the college admissions process. When I first started working with Hughes, they created a spreadsheet for me that included dozens of potential colleges for me that matched my personal preferences, everything from cost, to location, and everything else. This dedication never faltered throughout the years I worked with Hughes, and I wouldn’t have been able to attend my dream school without their continued support.

ARE THERE ANY ASPECTS OF YOUR TIME WITH HUGHES THAT STICK OUT AS HAVING CARRIED THROUGH TO OTHER ELEMENTS OF YOUR LIFE, BEYOND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, SUCH AS COLLEGE, JOBS, ETC.? 

Hughes helped me develop my resume not only for college admissions, but for the “real world” as well. I was able to apply for jobs, summer academies, scholarships, and travel opportunities thanks to Hughes. They helped me not only make my resume comprehensive and organized, but appealing to employers and other organizations. They also helped me become more assertive in my education and in other facets of my life due to their thorough understanding of the systems and ability to build students’ self esteem.

WHAT IS ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO PARENTS OF COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS? 

Try not to stress too much. With the help of Hughes, your student will get the help they need to find the college that’s right for them, as well as right for your family. They’ll help you with figuring out how to finance your student’s education and will always keep you updated on your student’s progress. Don’t fret!

WHAT IS ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES?

Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions! The college admissions process is confusing for everyone, and no question is a dumb question. Everyone at Hughes wants you to succeed, so ask away!