Coming Soon
College Smart jumpSTART
About Us
Let’s talk about the college admissions process…
You’re overwhelmed! You know there are things to do, but you’re not quite sure what they are or how to do them.
Everyone’s giving you well-meaning advice, but that advice is all different! (So some of it HAS to be wrong, right?)
Even if you can figure out what to do, how the heck are you going to fit One More Thing into your schedule?
And let’s say you DO manage to get into the college of your dreams…how in the world are you paying for it??
We know: it feels so hard. But we can make it SOOO MUUUUCH easier — and our system actually SAVES you time and energy! No spinning wheels, no doing the extras that don’t get you anywhere, and no overwhelm and stress (or at least MUCH less!).
Imagine having an experienced college advising team at a price that doesn’t break the bank:
You will know exactly what to do, when it needs to be done, and how to do it well — and have support every step of the way
Learn the truth about merit and financial aid, and find different ways to make college financially in reach
Come ask questions in our live, interactive workshops and members-only discussion group and get answers about everything pertaining to the high school to college transition: course selection, extracurriculars, resume building, testing, and essays
Gain access to a customizable, searchable college database and planning portal (Want a school in the Northeast with D1 lacrosse, over 3000 students, in a big city, and offers merit? Our database can find it for you!)
What about standardized tests? Should you take them? And what does “test-optional” really mean, anyway?
We’re your partner in this process, helping you get rid of the things you don’t need to do and focus on the things that actually matter. With tools to support students at all stages of the process, from eager freshmen to oh-my-god seniors, a jumpSTART membership demystifies and streamlines the process for students and parents, lowering everyone’s stress.
Our system is time-efficient and customizable. It works WITH your life, not against it.
You’ve got this, and we’ve got you.
Join jumpSTART today
Grab it now for $249
What's coming:
OUR PROGRAM
LIVE, INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
Regularly scheduled group strategy sessions covering all aspects of the college admissions process
MEMBERS-ONLY FORUM
Exclusive discussion group dedicated to questions and community, moderated by our experts
ROADMAP/CHECKLISTS
Downloadable/printable checklists to keep you on track and ahead of the game
SEARCHABLE COLLEGE DATA DATABASE/PLANNING PORTAL
Our college planning portal grants access to a college planning searchable database
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INSIGHTS
Access additional resources about standardized test prep and other considerations
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS
Priority registration and exclusive member discounts for our more extensive classes, bootcamps, and small group coaching
ABOUT US
Hello! We’re College Smart Start.
We're for every college-bound student: your determination to succeed, the goals that motivate you, and the parents who support you. We’ve been offering exclusive, concierge college advising services for decades — but we’ve started jumpSTART to be a more accessible and affordable option, within everyone's reach. jumpSTART levels the playing field.
Our planning tools make the process easy, our admissions experts help guide you, and our resources provide a wealth of information. We make the process effortless. The application seems so complicated, but we’re here to simplify, streamline, and support you every step of the way.
Using our decades of experience, we reveal unexpected insights, helping you find your unique, personal narrative. We want to help open doors to the right college for you.
Think of us as your guides to the next step — we know what you need to do (and what you don’t!). With decades of experience and constant contact with admissions offices, we save you time and stress as you navigate this process. We want to empower you and give you a boost. Whether you’re considering the Ivies and selectives, a state university, a liberal arts college, or a smaller, local school, we meet you where you are and guide you to where you want to go.
You’ve got this! And we’ve got you.
ABOUT JODI: Jodi Furman, our founder and Lead Strategist, is the former Director of Operations for The Princeton Review and has nearly three decades of experience helping students successfully navigate the admissions process. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill, and a certificate in College Advising from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.
ABOUT SARAH: Sarah Rothschild, our co-founder and Chief Writing Officer, has a PhD in English from The Graduate School at City University of New York, two Masters degrees from Temple University (History and English), and a BA from Cornell University (cum laude in Comparative Literature). As a professor, creator and director of writing centers, and admission advisor for three decades, she brings a wealth of experience to College Smart Start.
SAY HELLO TO YOUR COLLEGE COMPANION
Grab our Early Bird Pricing for $249
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deal
Limited Time Only
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Wendy S. Parkland, FL
I cannot say enough about Jodi and her team!
Jodi was so knowledgeable and her ability to connect with my daughter was incredible, allowing me to take a step back a bit and let them work together. Her essay team was so helpful and really allowed my daughter to formulate her thoughts into an incredible final piece.
Jodi was always there to answer a quick question or help us through a situation at a moments notice. I highly recommend College Smart Start to any family looking for guidance during the college application process!
Lisa R, Cherry Hill, NJ
Jodi and her team understand all of the details of the application process, which all starts with a targeted and reasonable strategy and action plan. The guidance isn’t overwhelming or overly time consuming, in fact, she’s helped my kids find ways of exploring and expressing their interests in unique ways that are both way more impressive than just joining yet another club yet take up less of their time, so they can still enjoy high school while gaining valuable experience.
It’s not a boring checklist, but a fun and actionable plan that’s driven by each student and their goals– this process has helped my kids explore their interests and helped them develop and focus.
Jodi, the lead counselor and owner, is dynamic, analytical, deeply knowledgeable about universities and programs, and is able to help guide your students how to make themselves stand out without causing undue stress and while actively encouraging them to have fun the whole time.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ 1: When is the best time to begin with jumpSTART?
The answer is “almost any time,” but the sooner, the better. Many students come to us as juniors or seniors and have highly successful results. But students who start the process in 9th or 10th grade have the opportunity to develop a 4-year plan, positioning themselves for college admission success from the get-go with curriculum, extracurriculars, and standardized testing advice.
FAQ 2: Does jumpSTART only focus on students who want to attend elite colleges and universities?
Heck, no! We work with students with a broad range of abilities and interests. We want to help you find the just-right college for YOU. If it’s an elite school, great! We’ve helped students be accepted to MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and other prestigious programs nationwide. But most students don’t go (and don’t want to go) to elite schools. The “best” school means “the best school for you,” and that’s where we want to help you go.Our customizable advice works no matter your goals.
FAQ 3: Do you work mostly with the student or parent?
While our process is student-centered, we know that parents are a very vital part of the process and should absolutely be involved in this journey. jumpSTART resources are available to both students and parents
FAQ 4: What other services do you provide? What if my student needs something different or more than jumpSTART?
College Smart Start provides a wide range of services beyond jumpSTART , from bootcamps to group classes to full, concierge-level of support. CLICK HERE for our full range of services and to learn how we can help.
Office: Florida
Email: info@collegesmartstart.com
Site: collegesmartstart.com