Testimonials
I was particularly impressed with work on personal statements, the development of which ended up being a huge turning point in getting college-ready. Structured support while also allowing self-expression. Initially thought of this as a luxury/boutique service - now would not endeavor without it.
UC Berkeley Parent
Karen and Hayely were both so friendly, always available to answer all our questions, were always on top of things, clear with communication and expectations, encouraging to our triplets, kind, flexible, and supportive to us parents. So resourceful.
Chapman and CSULB parent
I liked the attention and care that I was given. I really felt that I was known personally and paid attention to. The part of the process most helpful to me was figuring out what I wanted in a college and what things were most important to me about my college experience.
UMD Student
I don’t know what I would have done without UniVarsity! They helped me keep track of all of my deadlines, revised my essays countless times, and answered any and all questions I had about the college admissions process.
Georgetown student
UniVarsity was such a big help in my college application process, especially in how to best present myself to colleges through my writing. Getting my ideas into words was a struggle, but UniVarsity helped me shine through my essays.
Wellesley student
UniVarsity helped me so much in my college decision process because I would not have known about Lewis and Clark without them, and I'm so grateful to have ended up here! Their help with writing every essay was monumentally helpful as well.
Lewis and Clark student
The wonderful counselors at UniVarsity did more than simply help me get into college — they single-handedly changed my perception of what the college experience could be for me. Between the guided college research process in the middle of my junior year to the truly life-saving scheduling of my many essays, I likely would have died or fled the country without the help of Karen and Hayley.
Berkeley student
Before UniVarsity became my college counselors, I had no idea where I wanted or would apply to college, but when I started with them, I found the perfect colleges for myself. I looked forward to all of our meetings together working and researching about all of the different colleges. If you are looking for the right colleges, UniVarsity is the absolute best to work with.
USD student
I love the fact that UniVarsity is a one-stop shop, meetings are unlimited and can be scheduled as needed. UniVarsity’s essay reviews, keeping the deadlines organized, and providing the voice of reason are invaluable.
I have and will continue to recommend your services. For my boys, the reminders and timeline adjustments were very important as they were not focused on the strategy. For my daughter, she was hyper-focused on the process and needed less process support but more emotional support. Every child is different and Univarsity is able to craft an experience that works best for that child's needs, wants, desires and aptitude. Putting the student first incorporates life lessons into a process that otherwise is overwhelming for all family members.
The New School (Parsons School of Design), Colorado State, and University of Idaho Parents
I liked how UniVarsity was able to incorporate my must-haves in a college and give me tons of schools to research and learn about. I also liked how both Karen and Hayley were (are) both incredibly nice and willing to help with whatever I needed help with.
I liked the availability and the help I got navigating through the admissions process. On my own, I don't feel like I would've been able to manage all the nitty gritty details that go into the applications. I also liked the essay revision process. It was super simple and I was able to work at my own pace. I honestly looked forward to getting the notifications that I got new feedback. It was also helpful that I was able to do everything at my own home, meeting over Zoom and sending revisions back and forth fit nicely into my already busy schedule.
I would recommend UniVarsity to others! They helped me through almost every step of the admissions process from choosing my college list, to actually picking from the schools that admitted me. The college admissions process is very difficult, even with help, but UniVarsity made it much easier and manageable. I was able to be completely done with my applications by the first week in November!
Anonymous Student
I am a high school senior who just got into my dream college thanks to Univarsity!! When applying to colleges, they helped me to find the best safety, target and reach schools to apply to. Univarsity made sure that all of those schools had aspects that interested me. For example, social, great pre-med, and many more specific interests. After the college search, Univarsity continued to help and guide me through the application process. They helped me improve my college essays while reminding me of what each school was looking for. They had frequent meetings with me to keep me on task. In addition, during my junior year, they guided me on SAT/ACT prep and other extracurricular activities most colleges look for. In the end, they helped me get into my dream school and I am so excited to attend in the fall! I could not have done it without them!
Washington University-St. Louis student
The search for, and admittance to, college gets harder and more stressful each year. And that's just for the students!
As a parent, my daughters looked to me to have all the answers, be supportive, know where to apply and help with applications. I realized that putting myself in charge, or even appointing myself the task master, would only just multiply the stress, infect the whole family, cause arguments and, worst of all, most likely result in college rejection.
I can't tell you the relief, starting with my oldest daughter, when I let Univarsity take the reins. Karen Leonard and her team organize students, assign classroom-like deadlines and spend countless hours taking student and family preferences into account to pinpoint the best schools including reaches, targets and safeties. This ensures that the application period runs smoothly, does not pit parent against child and, again most importantly, acceptances!! Univarsity helped BOTH of my daughters get in to their DREAM schools and, I assure you, as much as I thought I knew about the current state of college admissions, I knew so, so little.
Univarsity became my daughters' counselors, confidants, editors, organizers and they brought me so much peace along the way. Both of my daughters are incredibly happy with their college choices and Univarsity gets so much of the credit.
Couldn't have done it without them!
Washington University-St. Louis and Chapman parent
Throughout my son’s senior year, I didn’t need to nag him to get his applications in. I was able to focus on my relationship and last year at home with him rather than the details of the college application process.
I loved so many things about my son working with Univarsity! They helped my son cultivate a balanced list of schools, they kept him on track with deadlines and they were so helpful with essay writing and revisions. Karen explained the importance of applying early action and what each of the deadlines meant for potential scholarships. On top of that, they supported him during the athletic recruitment process including creating an athletic resume and writing recruitment letters to coaches. They encouraged him to be proactive and reach out to coaches each time he set a new PR. At the end he wound up at an excellent D1 school that fits him academically, socially as well as being able to continue with his sport as a committed athlete.
But the most important impact Univarsity had for our family was the support that I received when I was freaking out that my son was acting “lazy” or new information was received that I didn’t understand. Karen was always there to provide support, encouragement and understanding. I’m not sure how I would have survived senior year without her!
UCSB Parent
UniVarsity came recommended from the parents of our son's friends. We are SO HAPPY we used them!
Karen and Hayley were so wonderful to work with during the stressful college application process. They are dedicated to helping students in all aspects of the process, and it is evident in their professional presence and deep knowledge of the college application landscape.
Due to the nature of our son's personality, he encountered some very stressful moments during the process. Karen and Hayley knew how to work with him, and were able to get him through the process. In the end, our son came out with some excellent choices of colleges across the U.S! Best of all, they were successful in getting him to apply for early action with five universities, and he was offered admission to four of them! My husband and I would have never been able to motivate our son to apply for early action.