College Counseling for Every Student
One of the most common questions we receive from parents is:
“Do you work with students who aren’t planning to play college sports—or who aren’t sure yet?”
The answer is a resounding yes.
While we specialize in supporting student athletes through college counseling and NIL advising, our student-centered approach is designed to serve all students navigating the college admissions process. In fact, we work with nearly as many traditional students as we do aspiring collegiate athletes. Many of our clients come through referrals from families we’ve already supported—siblings, cousins, neighbors, and friends who recognize the value of our personalized guidance and future-focused model.
Student-Centered, Strengths-Based, and Future-Driven
What sets POLARIS apart is our strengths-based approach, which centers on the individual—regardless of whether they plan to compete in college sports. Rooted in professional school counseling and deeply informed by years of experience in college counseling, our programming is built to help students align their interests, values, and goals with meaningful academic and professional opportunities.
We believe that every student deserves a supportive, thoughtful, and structured college counseling experience that reflects who they are and where they want to go.
With rising student-to-counselor ratios, it has become increasingly unrealistic for school counselors to provide highly personalized support to every student throughout the college and career planning process. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a ratio of 250 students per counselor, yet the national average currently stands at 376 to 1 according to ASCA.
Today’s school counselors are tasked with guiding students’ academic progress, college and career readiness, and social-emotional development—a broad and critical scope of responsibility. And while many of these professionals work tirelessly and wear many hats, the reality is that there are limits to how much time and individualized attention they can offer each student, especially when it comes to in-depth college counseling and long-term career planning.
That’s where POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting comes in. We partner with families to provide the personalized guidance students often need but don’t always receive in traditional school settings. Our student-centered approach focuses on each individual’s strengths, interests, and goals—helping them make confident, informed decisions about their future. Whether a student is an aspiring collegiate athlete or pursuing a more traditional academic path, our programming is designed to support them every step of the way.
Comprehensive Guidance at Every Stage
For students in grades 6 through 8, our Foundations program lays the groundwork for future success. We introduce students and families to the college landscape, NCAA requirements, and planning tools while fostering a growth mindset and goal-setting habits. Students complete baseline aptitude and interest assessments, helping them begin to connect who they are with who they want to become.
As students move into grades 9 and 10, our Pathfinder program support focuses on building a competitive academic and extracurricular profile. We provide guidance on course planning, standardized testing timelines, and strategic involvement in leadership and activities. Career exploration deepens at this stage, and we track NCAA eligibility when applicable, ensuring that all pathways remain open.
In grades 11 and 12, our Navigator program offers comprehensive support through every phase of the college search, application, and decision-making process. Students receive help evaluating their academic profile, exploring college options, and building a targeted list of best-fit schools. We coach students through essays, interviews, and resume development, and offer guidance on visits, applications, and timelines. For those pursuing athletics, we also provide tailored support in recruiting and athletic fit strategy. Finally, we help students prepare for the transition to college, building confidence and clarity for the road ahead.
For seniors only, our Capstone program offers intensive, final-year support. From finalizing college lists and refining application strategies to financial aid navigation, essay coaching, and decision-making support, we ensure that students finish the admissions process strong. For our student athletes aspiring to play college athletics or those interested in a career in sports, we also introduce NIL advising to help prepare for emerging opportunities beyond enrollment.
We also offer a variety of standalone services for families seeking focused support—whether it’s building a college list, reviewing application essays, preparing for interviews, or developing a resume and LinkedIn profile.
Whether your student is a Division I recruit, a dedicated club athlete unsure about college athletics, or a student with no plans to play sports at the next level, we’re here to help them grow with purpose and clarity. At POLARIS, we believe that college counseling should be personal, empowering, and driven by what makes each student unique.