What We Do
How We Work With
Guidance Counselors & College Support Systems
At Initiate Advising, we partner with the existing support systems students already have. Our role is to help students understand how to use their high school guidance counselors, college academic advisors, and campus resources—not to replace them.
We provide the extra clarity, time, and personalized support that busy institutions cannot always offer.
We Work in Tandem with High School Guidance Counselors
High school guidance counselors play a vital role in student success.
They typically assist with:
- Academic Planning and Graduation Requirements
- College Applications and Financial Aid
- Course Recommendations
- Social and Emotional Support
- Career Exploration in the high school context
Initiate Advising
We work with guidance counselors - not instead of them - by giving students the tools to make the most of the support their school already provides.
How we complement their work:
- Helping students prepare questions before counselor meetings
- Ensuring deadlines and requirements are fully understood
- Supporting students with college prep tasks when counselors are overloaded
- Providing additional clarity on confusing processes
- Offering accountability throughout the school year
Using College Resources Before You Enroll
Many students don't realize that they can start using college resources long before they start classes. We help students learn how effectively connect with:
Admissions Counselors
Admissions counselors help with program options, application steps, necessary documents, scholarships, and campus visits.
We guide students on what to ask and how to evaluate information based on their goals.
Financial Aid Offices
Financial aid teams support FAFSA completion, scholarships, grants, and understanding the full cost of attendance.
We help students understand terminology and prepare questions to get clear answers.
Career Counselors
Career counselors offer assessments, resume support, internship resources, and major-to-career planning.
We help students integrate academic and career goals to make those services more effective.
University Academic Advisors
Academic Advisors help with choosing a major, registering for courses, and staying in good academic standing.
We teach students how to interpret degree requirements, prepare for advising meetings, and navigate challenges. We act as a consistent guide between formal advising appointments so students fully understand the decisions they are making.
What We Do & Don't Do
We DO:
- Help students prepare for advising and counseling meetings
- Offer step-by-step guidance through academic processes
- Provide ongoing accountability
- Assist with degree planning, transfer planning, and course sequencing
- Explain institutional policies in clear and simple terms
We DO NOT:
- Replace high school guidance counselors
- Replace university academic advisors
- Make official degree evaluations or transcript decisions
- Override college or university policies
Support for Parents
Parents play a significant role in helping students navigate school transitions, but academic systems can be confusing and time-consuming to understand. We offer support that helps parents stay informed without having to manage every detail.
We help Parents:
- Understand the roles of counselors, advisors, and campus offices
- Learn what questions to ask during admissions, orientation, or advising appointments
- Navigate complex policies such as transfer credits or academic standing
- Stay aware of timelines, deadlines, and next steps
- Support their student without micromanaging or feeling overwhelmed
Why This Matters
Students often feel lost during transitions between high school and college. With the right guidance, they can use their school’s advising systems strategically and proactively.
Initiate Advising provides the structure, clarity, and personalized support needed to help every student make the most of their academic journey—from choosing a school to crossing the graduation stage.