College Planning Tools Naviance is no longer the monopoly - SCOIR and MaiaLearning bring competition, but multiple fresh data sources are still the key to success.

Working with students from many (50+ and counting) high schools and states, CPC counselors are familiar with schools' different college planning platforms.

click on arrows to reveal answers

What is a college planning platform?

School guidance offices must process documents—transcripts, recommendation letters, and profile reports—for schools on each student's application list. Most, but not all, schools use a planning tool to organize the process and ensure documents arrive on time.

What are some of the college planning platforms used today?

PowerSchool purchased Naviance in 2021, so its link to a school's learning management system keeps Naviance as an often-used tool. However, the free market allows competitors to build a better mousetrap, and we have seen other tools, such as MaiaLearning and Scoir, gain market share and replace Naviance.

Do the platforms offer services other than document processing?

Yes, but the level of engagement varies significantly with the strength of a school's college guidance office. We find many schools (public or private) do not have the resources to gather and customize current data to improve guidance. Also, no platform has a link to a counselor to answer questions and provide context relative to each student's goals. Here is where we help.

How does the MyCPC account supplement and improve the process?

Most platforms pull information from one or two data sources—Peterson's or IPEDs are examples. CPC invests time and resources in over 40 sources of evidence and updates information in real-time with each application cycle. Check out a sample of our reference points here.

Can you provide examples of where unique admissions data makes a difference?

Below are three real examples. The key to uncovering opportunities is spending time with the student and family to understand their unique circumstances and not applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

• Example 1 – Chance wanted to attend the University of Maryland. However, the admission probability entering his GPA and Test Scores does not populate UMD as a choice. This school participates in the STARS network and favors first-generation college students and students from rural high schools. We encourage Chance to apply test-optional, and he gains entrance through their summer bridge program.

• Example 2—Gina is a talented student who wants to attend a selective university. Her admission probability is on the bubble and she selected schools that are considered lower cost. The school's college planning tool does not show the most selective schools in its results. However, the student has strong leadership and a compelling story. Boston University gives applicants a strong early decision boost and is generous with need grants. We ensure Gina's mom runs the school's net price calculator to ensure the school is affordable. Gina is accepted and attends BU.

• Example 3 - Karen wants to be a nurse and receives high school guidance to apply to a state school to remain within budget. We provide Karen additional options based on schools that are generous with academic merit scholarships, and she has been admitted to Duquesne University's direct admit nursing program, a top nursing program. She would not have initially considered this school because the sticker price looked too high.

Kevin McCloskey, SCOIRS CEO, has it right when he states, “It all starts with the student and three questions,” . “Will I get in? Will I fit in? Can I afford it?”

College is expensive, and the process can be complicated. Fortunately, much content is available at no cost to parents and students. The challenge is the time and experience needed to find and interpret the information. That is where our guided process and experience pay dividends.