Daniel Cassidy brings a unique perspective to the college admissions process. Having worked at several universities, where he advised college students on academic progress, internships, and career exploration as well as an adjunct professor teaching business networking and career development, he uses this experience to guide high school students through the college selection process. His focus is helping students find the right-fit college where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Cassidy College Coaching is based in Marin County, California, and has worked with high school students and families both locally and across the United States and abroad.

Many students in Marin County and the greater Bay Area meet in person or in a hybrid format, while families outside the area work with us through virtual college admissions coaching sessions via Zoom.

Many parents ask the same question. The short answer: earlier than most people think.

While the college application process happens during junior and senior year, the preparation that colleges evaluate begins much earlier.

Freshman and Sophomore Years:
Students should focus on strong academics, exploring activities, and developing interests. For student athletes, sophomore year is often when college recruiting preparation begins.

Junior Year:
This is when the college admissions process becomes more active. Students typically begin standardized testing, researching colleges, building a college list, and visiting campuses.

Senior Year:
Students complete college applications, essays, and final decisions.

Starting early helps students make better choices about courses, activities, and college goals, making the process far less stressful for families.

No matter where you are in the college planning process, Cassidy College Coaching can help guide students and families through each step, from early high school planning to final college applications.

The time commitment for college admissions coaching varies depending on the student’s grade level and goals. We will typically meet with each student 4 - 5 times every semester plus additional time over the summer months to work college planning, academic strategy, extracurricular development, and application preparation. Meeting duration and frequency is likely to increase during the fall of the senior year.

Sessions are designed to keep students on track while balancing schoolwork, athletics, and other commitments.

During junior year of high school, students should focus on standardized testing (SAT or ACT), researching colleges, visiting campuses, building a balanced list of target colleges, and preparing for college essays. Junior year is often the most important year for college admissions preparation.

Additionally, we work with our students during the summer between their Junior and Senior year to draft the essays for their target schools. This helps alleviate some pressure during the application process during the Fall of their senior year of high school.

Cassidy College Coaching offers flexible college admissions coaching sessions, including in-person meetings, hybrid options, and virtual sessions via Zoom. This allows students to receive personalized guidance regardless of location while maintaining a consistent and supportive college planning process.

While colleges certainly like to see As, they also value a student’s willingness to challenge themselves with difficult classes. It’s a matter of balance; push whenever possible, but not to the point where your ability to be successful is undermined.

There is inconsistency in how colleges view the GPA. Some use an unweighted version, but make note of the number of semesters of honors and AP work the student has done, while others use the weighted version. Some calculate the GPA based only on 10-12 grades, while others look at the entire four years. There are colleges, too, that only recognize the grades from core subjects: English, math, social studies, science and foreign language.

Although some colleges ask you to send either the SAT or ACT, most are now test optional. (Visit www.fairtest.org for the list.) We work with each student to review the test policy listed on each college’s admission website.

The SAT is a reasoning test that asks the student to use material learned in classes in a new way. It consists of two sections: evidence-based reading and writing along with math. A possible score of 800 can be earned on each subtest. A perfect score is 1600. Some schools require students to take the optional essay portion. 

The ACT is more closely aligned to a student’s curriculum and is a style that feels familiar to many test-takers. A possible score of 36 can be earned on each of four subtests - English, math, reading and science - with a composite averaged from the four. A perfect score for the entire test, then, is 36. A fifth test, writing, may be added and is often required when submitting the ACT to top colleges.