Your Future Starts Here
University Readiness Degree
Discover the perfect university for you with expert guidance – whether you’re exploring majors or deciding which universities to apply to. With our expert guidance, you’ll gain the clarity and confidence needed to make informed choices that align with your strengths, passions, and career goals.
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Our method
We’ll guide you step-by-step through every stage of your US university journey: cu We’ll guide you step-by-step through every stage of your university preparation journey, whether you plan to study in the US, UK, or continental Europe.
Find your path
Vocational Counseling – Choose Your Major
Selecting your major is a crucial decision that shapes your future. You need a major that ignites your passion, aligns with your strengths, and sets you up for long-term success.
Even if you’re not ready to decide now, having a clear direction will help you choose the right university and build a powerful application. Our mentors will guide you through this process, helping you explore options and resources like books and courses to deepen your understanding.
University Selection – Anywhere in the World
Are you targeting an Ivy League school, a top Liberal Arts college, or a renowned public university? Not sure where to start?
We’ll help you navigate the options. Together, we’ll review your academic record, preferences, and financial considerations to pinpoint the universities that align with your goals. It’s about finding the perfect fit for your future.
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Boost Your Admission Potential
Grades
A high GPA alone won’t guarantee acceptance to top colleges, but it remains a critical factor. Our mentors will help you strategize to improve your scores, offering personalized advice on time management, prioritizing subjects, and tackling areas of difficulty.
SAT Success
Achieving top scores on your SAT requires more than study time—it takes critical thinking, focus, and problem-solving skills. If you’re feeling stressed, don’t worry. Students who’ve worked with us have raised their scores by 150 points on average. Our mentors can help you reach your full potential.
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Build Your Unique Candidacy
Personal Branding
Today’s admissions committees are looking for more than grades. They want to see your personality, values, and unique contributions. We’ll work with you to craft a compelling personal brand that makes your application stand out, ensuring it reflects who you truly are.
Extracurricular Activities
Your extracurriculars are a key part of your application. To truly stand out, you need more than just participation—you need leadership and impact. Our mentors will help you take your activities to the next level, offering guidance on creating projects that leave a lasting impression. From organizing events to launching successful online platforms, we’ll show you how to shine.
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Master Your Essays
Supplemental Essays
If a university requires a supplemental essay, it’s your chance to showcase both your academic ability and your personality. We’ll help you generate ideas, organize your thoughts, and write essays that leave a lasting impression—all in just a few paragraphs.
Common App Personal Statement
Your Common App essay is your opportunity to demonstrate who you are, your worldview, and what drives you. In just 650 words, you need to convey your academic potential, community contributions, and passion for specific subjects—while making it feel original and engaging.
Our mentors will work with you on every draft until your personal statement is something you’re proud to submit.
Prepare for Interviews
Interviews with alumni are often one of the final—and most important—steps in the application process. They can make or break your candidacy. Since all our mentors are alumni themselves, they’ll train you to confidently tackle these interviews and impress the admissions committee.
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Advancing to the Next Stage
Accepting Your Offer
After all your hard work, the moment of truth arrives: the letter from your chosen university. Whether it’s an acceptance, deferral, or rejection, our mentors will provide expert advice on your next steps and guide you through the process, no matter the outcome.
Recommendations
A detailed recommendation letter is more than a formality—it’s a powerful endorsement of who you are beyond your grades. Our mentors will help you choose the right people to write your letters and guide you through how to ask for a recommendation that strengthens your application.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
We understand that financial aid is crucial for many students. Our mentors have in-depth knowledge of available scholarships and grants and will guide you through the entire financial aid application process, helping you secure the support you need.
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Testimonials
What students say about our program
Rareș
“
It all started 10 months ago when I decided to apply to university in the United States. A decision usually preceded by a long and thoroughly thought process, yet a rather impulsive one for me.
I knew that I was running out of time and that everybody else had already started the process. Nonetheless, I was determined to give my absolute best to make this happen and, knowing that I could not do it well on my own, I decided to call Upgrade Education. I was afraid the initial meeting would only be an acknowledgement of my unfortunate situation, instead, I was greeted by a mentor with the most enthusiastic and optimistic mindset, already thinking of the next steps to take and supporting me in trusting the process.
The next 6 months were probably the period in my life when I created a life-changing college application and I developed the most as an individual, as a person.
It was the period when, thanks to my mentor and his close and constant support, I got in a position where I could fully embrace myself. I understood where I stand and what I seek to do in my life, ultimately finding the perfect words to describe my complex persona to the Admission Committee, in just a few essays.
Apart from the direct, organized and effective admission coaching process Upgrade Education offered me, the team made sure that I documented my university choices and that I was aware of all the aspects regarding my next 4 years as a student: from a social and academic perspective to the courses offered and the future career options. Moreover, my mentor emotionally prepared me for all the potential drawbacks that I might encounter and supported me throughout the whole application process and the post-admission period.
From the slightest details in my Common App to the successful interview, I owe Upgrade Education a considerable share of my admission, as they taught me how to take all the “sand granules” that represent my life in the past years and turn these into a shiny “diamond” that showcases the best version of myself, a version that thanks to them, I learned to fully embrace and be proud of.
David
“
My journey with Upgrade Education began after a call and a one-on-one free session, where we established what parts of my then-nonexisting application had to be constructed, enforced and insisted upon. I first took part in the Creative Writing course, which managed to undo years and years of writing anxiety. Although in the beginning I doubted myself when it came to my essay-writing skills, I emerged out of the program with a newfound interest in expressing my thoughts, experiences, and aspirations through prose. Through this course I was able to carry out profound introspection that was later of fundamental use in my supplementals, all the while creating multiple solid drafts for my CommonApp essay. I had now gained a better perspective on what is relevant for admission officers when it comes to written pieces, and I understood how to efficiently convey useful information about myself in anywhere from 100 to 650 words. Furthermore, I am convinced that the three-month-long individual collaboration with Upgrade Education was crucial to the smooth flow of my application process. During the personalized mentoring sessions, I was motivated not only by the fact that a highly experienced mentor would give me suggestions on how to strengthen my essays but also by the determination and courage that Upgrade Education’s mentor instilled in me during the most demanding and difficult application cycle in recent history. With his help, I constructed an extensive personal narrative that best revealed my values and identity. Having started out as a stereotypical participant in STEM olympiads with written self-expression abilities which were close to nonexistent, I was aided by Upgrade Education in showing my true, nuanced colors to the offices of admission all around the USA. I can thus assuredly attest that Upgrade Education has played an essential, pivotal role in the acceptances I received, which that from MIT, an institution I will call home for the next four years.
Andrei
“
I can still recall the overwhelming feeling of breathless panic when I first decided to sit down and write my college essay drafts. I would look at the prompts and hundreds of small ideas would instantly pop into my head, but when my fingers touched the keys of my laptop no word felt right. My sentences sounded artificial, my experiences came across as superficial and vague, and my voice got lost among the cliches of high school writing. How could I distill who I was, what drove me and defined me, what made me an ideal candidate, an interesting scholar and a curious mind? I tried for days to crack this code, but I quickly found I couldn’t do it alone. That was the moment I decided to work with Upgrade Education It wasn’t an instant change. I didn’t suddenly become a wordsmith, but after each session with my mentor, my ideas and what I wanted to say about myself became clearer and clearer, not only for the unattached and unfamiliar readers but also for myself. I had difficulties with brevity, each draft coming out 1000 words over the limit, but after my discussions with my mentor, I would always come out knowing how to separate the meaningful content from the fluff in my writing. We didn’t stop at what my essays should be like, but instead, we explored what they could be. Introspection may sound like a simple buzzword, but it truly was the name of the game and what I believe truly separated my applications from all the others. I was encouraged to experiment with my writing and apply absolute honesty, to not be afraid to delve into topics deemed “off-limits” by popular admissions websites, to express myself in the same ways that make me who I am. The sessions not only helped me prepare for the unpredictable admissions cycle in the US, but they pushed me into creating applications that I was truly proud of, which represented me together with all of my experiences. For me, Upgrade Education isn’t just a service: it’s a community perfectly equipped to help with and to ease the overwhelming nature of applying to college, a community willing to provide words of encouragement and constructive criticism and capable of inspiring students to be more thoughtful and introspective. I would have never thought that my dream of studying at MIT would come true. Nevertheless, through my collaboration with Upgrade Education, the panic and fear I once felt towards college were gradually replaced by newfound confidence. My profound gratitude towards them is a feeling that is impossible to express. I wholeheartedly believe that the work we’ve done together, all the hours we spent deliberating over my essays, their content and structure, and even my choice of words, were crucial to my success.
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FAQ
What is the University Degree Preparation program?
Our program is designed to guide high school and university students through the complex process of selecting the best majors and universities. We offer personalized mentorship to help you build a strong application, identify your strengths, and showcase your unique qualities.
How do your mentors help me choose a major?
Our mentors take the time to understand your interests, strengths, and career goals. They’ll guide you through different academic fields and suggest resources like books, courses, and projects to help you explore various majors. Together, we’ll narrow down your options and create a tailored list of potential majors.
Can you help me apply to universities outside the US?
Yes! Our expertise goes beyond the US. We assist students applying to top universities worldwide, including the UK, Europe, and beyond. Whether you’re considering Ivy League schools or international institutions, we’ll help you find the best fit for your academic and personal aspirations.
How does the mentorship process work?
Once you sign up, you’ll be paired with a dedicated mentor who specializes in your areas of interest. You’ll work closely with your mentor through one-on-one sessions, where they’ll help you with everything from university selection and major exploration to essay writing and interview preparation.
Do you offer support for entrance exams like the SAT or TOEFL?
Absolutely! We provide tailored exam preparation for a variety of entrance exams, including the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, and more. Our mentors offer strategies, practice materials, and personalized coaching to help you boost your scores and feel confident on test day.
How can you help with my personal statement or supplemental essays?
Our mentors are experts at helping you craft a compelling personal statement and supplemental essays. We’ll guide you through brainstorming ideas, structuring your thoughts, and refining your writing until your application truly reflects your personality, achievements, and aspirations.
What if I don’t get accepted to my top-choice university?
If you receive a deferral or rejection, it’s not the end of the road. Our mentors will help you assess your options and provide actionable advice on how to move forward. We’ll guide you through next steps, whether that involves appealing decisions, applying to other schools, or improving your profile for future applications.
Can you assist with financial aid and scholarships?
Yes! We know how important financial aid is, and we’ll help you explore scholarship opportunities and navigate the financial aid application process. Our mentors have experience with various funding bodies and institutional grants and will support you in securing the financial help you need.
How do I get started with the University Degree Preparation program?
It’s simple! Just click the “Talk to a Mentor” button, and we’ll connect you with a dedicated mentor who will guide you through the entire process—from exploring your interests to submitting your final university applications.
How long does the process take?
The timeline varies based on your needs and the stage you’re at in the application process. Some students work with us for several months to prepare thoroughly, while others may need more intensive, short-term support closer to deadlines. Your mentor will customize a plan that fits your specific situation.