American education guidance · New York · Beijing

Guiding students from around the world through American education.

Nova Admissions provides college counseling and education guidance to students in the United States and around the world, with one team for the entire path: from the first year of high school to admission at leading universities in the US and the UK.

Book a free consultation Partner with Nova
A sunny tree-lined walkway across a university lawn
Grades 9 to 12College counseling through every year of high school
US · UKUniversity applications, including UCAS
New York · BeijingWhere our teams work
Brown & ColumbiaGraduate-led interview preparation

Who we work with

Two ways to work with Nova.

A high school student studying at home with a laptop and textbook

For families

Direct guidance for students and parents

College counseling for students at American high schools, and guidance for international students from their first year in America. Four programs cover every stage, from the first year of high school to the final university decision. Every family begins with a free consultation.

Explore our programs
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For agencies and schools

The Nova partner network

High school placement agencies, schools and education firms offer Nova's programs to the students they serve. Partners receive ready-made materials and earn commission on shared clients.

Become a partner
Students talking in a bright American high school hallway

The first year in America

The first year in America shapes everything that follows.

Universities read all four years of high school. The courses a student takes in the first semester, the level they take them at and the activities they join all appear on the university application years later. For a student who has just arrived, it is also the year when everything is new to the whole family: credits, course levels, exams, clubs and expectations.

Nova Start gives the student an American guide from the first weeks of school, so the first year counts and the rest of high school is planned from day one.

Ask about Nova Start

Why Nova

One firm for the whole path.

  • A plan for every stage. Each program begins with a written plan built on the student's own record, goals and timeline. Every step has a reason behind it.
  • One team from start to finish. The team that guides a student through high school is the same team that guides their university applications, so nothing is lost between stages.
  • For students at home and abroad. Nova counsels students at American high schools, explains the American system to families who did not grow up in it, and presents students from any country to American and British universities.
  • Honest advice. Families get a clear view of where a student stands. No one can promise admission, and Nova never does.
A bright library with tall windows and study tables

Our programs

Four programs. One path to university.

Each program covers one stage of a student's education, and families can join at any stage. For students already at an American high school, Nova Build and Nova Apply provide full college counseling from 9th grade to the final decision. Nova Complete brings every stage together in a single agreement.

  1. First year in AmericaNova Start
  2. Grades 9 to 11Nova Build
  3. Grade 12Nova Apply
  4. Every stageNova Complete

The first year in America

Nova Start

A strong start at an American high school.

Who it is for

International students in their first year at an American high school

Length

One school year

Contact

Scheduled calls through the year, with messages in between

Focus

Settling in, course and level choices, an exam plan, and the first activities, clubs and internships

By the end

A confident first year and a written plan for the rest of high school

Ask about Nova Start

Grades 9 to 11

Nova Build

A strong record, built year by year.

Who it is for

Students in grades 9 to 11, at American high schools or abroad, aiming for US or UK universities

Length

Until the end of 11th grade

Contact

A video call every month, messages in between and a review with parents each semester

Focus

Courses, testing, activities, achievements, summers and projects, the student's story and teacher recommendations

By the end

A strong record, a clear story and a first list of universities

Ask about Nova Build

Grade 12

Nova Apply

University applications, from the final list to the final decision.

Who it is for

Students entering 12th grade, at American high schools or abroad

Length

From the summer before 12th grade until decisions arrive

Contact

Regular calls, more often as deadlines approach, with messages in between

Focus

The final list, early applications, the main essay and every additional essay, application forms, interviews and UCAS

By the end

Applications to up to 15 universities in the US and UK, each one read in full before it is sent

Ask about Nova Apply

Every stage

Nova Complete

One team from the first year to the final decision.

Who it is for

Families who want one team for the entire path

Length

From the student's first year with Nova until university decisions arrive

Contact

Everything in Nova Start, Nova Build and Nova Apply

Focus

Every part of every program, planned as one path under a single agreement

By the end

University applications with years of preparation behind them

Ask about Nova Complete

Compare programs

What each program includes.

Included Start Build Apply Complete
Settling into an American high school
Course and level choices
Exam and testing plan
Activities, clubs and internships
Competitions, summers and projects
The student's story
Teacher recommendations, planned over time
University list
Early application strategy
Main essay and additional essays
Application forms and activity lists
Interview preparation
UK applications through UCAS
Support after submitting, including deferrals and waitlists
A written plan
Scheduled calls and messages
A video call every month
Semester reviews with parents

Also available on their own

Individual services.

Get in touch

Application strategy

The university list, early application choices and how the student is presented, for families who want expert direction on the decisions that matter most.

Essay coaching

The main essay and additional essays, from first notes to final draft, always in the student's own words.

Interview preparation

Practice interviews for every university that offers one, led by a graduate of Brown and Columbia.

How it works

From the first call to a written plan.

  1. Free consultationA call with the student and a parent. We learn about the student and recommend the right program.
  2. The agreementIt sets out the program and the fee. For students under 18, a parent or guardian signs.
  3. AssessmentA detailed questionnaire and a review of the student's record, so we know the student well before we advise.
  4. A written planThe student's roadmap, with a reason behind every step. The work begins from there.

Where we work

Based in New York. Working with students worldwide.

Nova Admissions is a New York company with a team in Beijing. Our advisors work with students wherever they live and study, and all guidance is delivered in English.

The Manhattan skyline across the water on a clear day
New YorkWhere Nova is based, and where our programs and university strategy are led.
The Beijing skyline under a blue sky
BeijingOur team in Beijing supports students and partners in China, from school choice to scholarships.
  • Students in the US and abroadNova counsels students at American high schools, and delivers Nova Build, Nova Apply and Nova Complete online to students in any country.
  • Partners abroadPlacement agencies, schools and education firms offer Nova's programs through the Nova partner network.
  • US and UKApplications to universities in both countries, including the UCAS application and personal statement.

Common questions

What families ask us.

When should we start?

As early as possible. The first year at an American high school sets up everything that follows, and grades 9 to 11 are when most of a student's record is built. Nova also works with students entering 12th grade on a shorter timeline. Get in touch and we will tell you honestly what is realistic.

Which program is right for our child?

It depends on the student's grade and where they are in their education. Students arriving at an American high school begin with Nova Start. Students in grades 9 to 11 join Nova Build, and students entering 12th grade join Nova Apply. Nova Complete covers every stage. We recommend a program on the free consultation.

Do you work with American students?

Yes. Nova provides full college counseling for students at American high schools, from course planning in 9th grade to the last application in 12th grade. Nova Build, Nova Apply and Nova Complete are open to every student, wherever they study.

Do you work with students outside the United States?

Yes. Nova works with students wherever they live. Nova Build, Nova Apply and Nova Complete are delivered online, our Beijing team supports students in China, and all guidance is in English.

Who will we work with?

Each student is guided by Nova advisors who know the student from the first call, supported by the wider Nova team. Interview preparation is led by a graduate of Brown and Columbia.

Do you work with student athletes?

Yes, with student athletes who choose universities for their academics first. Nova does not handle athletic recruiting or sports scholarships.

Do you offer tutoring?

No. Nova does not teach school subjects or English. We point students to the right courses and resources and build them into the student's plan.

Can you guarantee admission?

No one can promise admission to a particular university, and Nova never does. What we promise is a clear plan, honest advice and careful work at every stage.

What does it cost?

Fees depend on the program and the timeline. We go through options and fees on the free consultation, before you commit to anything. Application strategy, essay coaching and interview preparation are also available on their own.

We are an agency or a school. How can we work with Nova?

Through the Nova partner network. Partners offer Nova's programs to their students and earn commission on shared clients. Read more on our partners page.

Book a free consultation

Tell us about the student and we will be in touch to arrange a call.

Or email us at contact@novaadmissions.com

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