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Expert Advice for Your College Admission Needs

What We Do Goes Far Beyond The College Application Process

Let’s face it. Planning for and applying to college is complex and stressful. There are so many requirements, deadlines, and nuances between colleges and universities to understand and manage. Optimal Fit College Consulting, LLC will help you and your family plan, organize, and execute the college planning and application process to present your student at their very best!

And while our primary goal is to assist with preparing the best application package possible, our purpose goes far beyond that. We want to see our students flourish! In each and every aspect of the admissions application process we challenge our students look deeper within themselves, and enhance their self-confidence so that they are ready for the next level. We take a comprehensive look at each student’s background and aspirations to develop a personalized plan to help the student tell their story and highlight both their potential and fit with institutions. Whether it is identifying right-fit colleges, essay writing, interviewing, or other tasks, our students will know who they are and where they are going.

The following services are offered
at Optimal Fit College Consulting.

Optimal Fit College Consulting provides the following services in multiple packages for students in grades 9 through 12. Services may also be contracted on an hourly basis.

Academic Advice and Course Planning

College Search & List Development

Evaluation of Institutions for Optimal Fit

College Application Support & Guidance

Career Planning & Academic Program Alignment

Guidance on Standardized Test Preparation and Institutional Requirements

Activity List Development

Essay Development

Admissions Interview Preparation

College Visit Guidance

College Scholarships Research and Application Support

Financial Aid Guidance and Support

Guidance on Financing College Costs

College Decision Support

Discounted & Pro Bono Services

To promote greater access and equity in postsecondary education, Optimal Fit College Consulting will provide services each year to a select number of students and families (who are otherwise unable to cover fees) either at a reduced rate or pro bono. For individuals interested in this service, please contact us. Requests are typically accepted between January and May of a student’s junior year in high school.

Services to Schools

Optimal Fit College Consulting is available to work with schools in providing the above services, and/or develop programming and curricula that enhance the college guidance process and optimize students’ options in postsecondary education.

Other Services

Optimal Fit College Consulting is available to speak to a number of organizations and schools about all things college admissions! For more information, please get in touch with us.

Meet Thomas

As a first-generation college graduate, Thomas understands the complexity of the college admissions process. Because of the relationships and support of staff at his undergraduate alma mater, Thomas entered the field of higher education and is both a former financial aid administrator and vice president of student affairs. He is passionate about student development and success in higher education.

When not working with students, Thomas spends quality time with his family, participating in recreational activities, traveling, and volunteering with local community-based organizations in the Richmond, VA, metropolitan area.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey, a master’s degree from Montclair State University, and a doctorate from Florida State University. He has presented at regional and national conferences on student success, as well as published on similar topics.  Thomas is an associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).

Dr. Thomas N. Hollins, Jr.

Testimonials

My wife and I cannot thank you enough in leading our family through this journey with our son! You became our trusted family advisor! Your commitment to so many details, numbers, averages, spreadsheets, and knowing the trends of each institution in which we considered as a family/team made ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. Our son was accepted to one of the ( if NOT the) best schools in his major that checked all the boxes. As parents and after visiting the institution, this really fits who our son is as a person and affords him the very best opportunity to be the very best someday in his profession. It has been our pleasure to partner with you and your services!

Parents of a 2022 Freshman

By having this extra help with the college application process, it made the process much simpler. It helped me build a great application and well written essays for colleges to see.

Syracuse University FreshmanWhitman School of Management

Dr. Hollins was a Godsend. He met with my son once a week to develop a rapport, learn about things that inspired him and his college choices. Together, they created a good mix of public and private colleges to which he met the eligibility requirements. The essay process started with Dr. Hollins reviewing the questions with my son and selecting a date for the drafts to be emailed to him for review. Mr. Hollins has previous experience working at colleges and was knowledgeable about the content desired for a favorable essay. He encouraged my son to dig deeper and share more about himself when developing essays each week. When the school work and the college essay process became overwhelming Dr. Hollins reminded him of his end goal and helped him remain on track. At times, they tweaked their meeting schedule to make sure the final essays were thorough and applications were submitted on time.

Once all college decision letters had been received, Dr. Hollins created a spreadsheet with college scholarship awards and thoroughly reviewed each with my son and I. He offered his suggestions on which college offers he felt were the better choice but left the final decision to us. Aside from the college applications, he also recommended additional scholarships and programs to which my son applied. I highly recommend the services of Dr. Hollins for your college application needs. My son and I have found a forever friend and supporter during his college journey.

Old Dominion University FreshmanSchool of Cybersecurity

With Dr. Hollins’ amazing help, I was able to get into all 11 of the schools to which I applied! He helped me develop better time management skills and taught me how to stay on topic in my personal essays. He’s was a tremendous help in achieving my dream!

Old Dominion University FreshmanSchool of Cybersecurity

We cannot thank you enough in leading our family through this journey with our son! You became our trusted family advisor! Your commitment to so many details, numbers, averages, spreadsheets, and knowing the trends of each institution in which we considered as a family/team made ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD. After visiting the institution our son will attend, this really fits who our son is as a person and affords him the very best opportunity to be the very best someday in his profession. It has been our pleasure to partner with you and your services!

Parents of a 2022 Freshman