DETAILED EXPLANATION OF ACS PRODUCT DELIVERABLES 2010-11

Important Note: All the deliverables are applicable in case the client has enrolled for the full ACS premium package (i.e. the standard package). In case the client opts for specific services, he/she will be entitled to specific deliverables only depending on the package selected by him/her.
Serial # Deliverable and Point of Contact (PoC ) Enrollment in ACS PoC: Automatically Generated Introduction to ACS and Assignment of Admission Counselor (AC ) PoC: AC
3 2 1

Start Time

Mode

Duration

Outcome

After the payment is made by the client

Email + Phone

15 mins

Upon enrolment with ACS client will receive: An auto e-mail confirming how to access Suthradhaar An attachment detailing the Product Deliverables A telephone call explaining how to work in Suthradhaar An attachment of Suthradhaar User Manual Assignment of AC via email Client will be sent a PDF document including: A summary of ACS services Detailed explanation of each stage of service Individuals involved and what is expected from the student Client will be sent a checklist with explanation of each component and the preparation required from the clients end: Test Scores/ Reporting Transcripts Guidelines on Letters of Recommendation Financial Documents and associated guidelines Guidelines for Essays Statement of Purpose Resume Discussion on the following areas with client to assess profile: Career goals Test Scores Desired Program Self awareness level Financial limit Communication skills Research background/Future Interest Extracurricular activities Referee selection Location preference

Within 2 business days of filling up details in Suthradhaar

Email + Phone

30 mins

Explanation of Application Process PoC: AC

Within 2 business days of AC assignment

Email + Phone

30-45 mins

Client Interview for Information Gathering/ Profile Assessment PoC: AC

Within 4 business days of case assignment

Phone

45-60 mins

Follow up Client Interview Session Based on Questionnaire Sent PoC: AC

Within 6 business days of case assignment

Email

NA

Documented feedback and to do list on the above points

Shortlist of Universities PoC: AC

7-10 business days after discussion(as mentioned in point No. 5 above)

Email

7-10 business days

Client will receive a list of schools he can consider applying to, with information provided on the following: Ranking Desired Program Selection Category Availability of financial aid/Scholarships Min Score Requirement Justification/Reasons for school selection Tuition Fees Living and Other Costs

School Selection 7 PoC: AC Introduction to Editing Process PoC: AE

4

Within 1 business day of sending Shortlist to the client Within 1 business day of confirmation of final schools by the client

Phone

30 mins

The AC will discuss the following with the client: The shortlisted universities Comparison of each school against others listed Recommendations for finalization Client will be assigned an Admission Editor (AE) via e-mail

Email

1 business day

Application Material PoC: AC

Within 2 business days of confirming final schools

Email

2 business days

Welcome Note 10 PoC: AE

Within 1 business day of Editor Assignment

E-mail

Within 1 business day of Editor Assignment

11

Welcome Call by AE PoC: AE

Within 1 business day of sending the Welcome Note

Phone + Email

25-50 min

Client will receive: Department links with explanation of admissions process. Application checklist for each finalized school. List of required documents to be submitted. Online Application Links Format for letter of recommendation (LOR) Essay/ Statement of Purpose (SOP) questions with requirements Transcript Requirement Requirement for financial documents Codes for reporting test scores Mailing address Welcome Note will provide guidelines, specify what is expected from the clients first drafts and mention other preliminaries: Submission Timeline: Client should send the first drafts 10-15 days before actual deadline Length: at least as long as the specified word limit Title of Document: your name-document type-university Format: specify relevant course, name of university and the word limit at the top left corner of the document Include the exact question asked on top Each draft can be edited a maximum of three times AE will specify a tentative time for a telecon In the Welcome Call, AE will: Describe the editing process Discuss the clients profile Clarify any queries about the editing process Specify editing process for one school takes 10-15 days Chalk out a tentative timeline for all schools Discuss general guidelines for writing Essays, SOP, LORs and Resumes After the call, AE will: Send e-mail summing up the telecon Attach general outlines: SOP, LORs and Resume outlines (in case of MA/MSc/PhD clients/UG) Essays, LORs and Resume outlines (in case of MBA clients) At an appointed time, AE will call client to discuss ideas to help write the first draft, including: Structure and contents of Essays and LORs Suitable anecdotes for the essays and SOP Qualities/attributes that can be included and illustrated in the LORs Projects, awards and extracurricular work to be included in the resume The main editing process consists of the following: AE reviews first draft, checking mainly for content and material to form the Essay/SOP/LOR/Resume (VERSION1) Track changes/ comments are added stating the major changes required Questions are asked in order to obtain more inputs and clarifications from clients

12

Brainstorm Ideas for Writing Drafts PoC: AE

During or after Welcome Call

Phone

30-60 min

13

Critiquing and Editing Drafts PoC: AE

Upon receiving the first draft from the client

E-mail the edited draft(s) followed by telephone discussion

Min Time: 2 business days

if needed.

The draft is then sent back to the client for reconstruction and addressing the comments When the AE receives the second draft (VERSION2) The document is edited meticulously and brought to proper shape If more input/clarification is required, comments are added accordingly The draft is then sent back to the client for further changes In the third version, final changes are made (VERSION3*) The document is formatted, made to fit within word limit Then, its sent to be Quality Checked (QC) *-VERSION 3 may not be required in some cases. Once the document is QCed, the final version is sent to the client AE sends confirmation e-mail stating all editing work for that particular university has been completed

14

Confirmation about University Completion PoC: AE Application Review PoC: AC

After all the drafts for one school is QCed and finalized

E-mail

By the actual deadline of the University. 1 hour/ university

15

Once the essay drafts have been sent for final round editing.

Email + Phone

AC will review the completed online application form using the username and password sent by the client.

16

Interview Preparation PoC: AC

After the client informs AC about the first interview call intimation from the university.

Email + Phone

Overall Duration: 3 hours (with possibility of multiple sessions)

Visa Counseling 17 PoC: Visa Counselor

As soon as the client informs AC about receipt of first university acceptance.

Email + Phone

45-60min/ session

Client will receive: Preparation materials such as Sample Interview Questions and Interview Tips. How each parameter will be rated during the interview Feedback and Assistance on the following: Communication: Flow/ Language/ Accent Knowledge: Clarity of Ideas/ Depth of Content/Creativity/Analytical Attitude: Enthusiastic/ Persuasive/ Confident Body Language Visa Counselor will: Explain the visa application process to the client Send Checklist for Visa Application and List of documents required Review the documents Conduct mock visa interview sessions to assess and help client gain clarity on: Sponsors Interested University Interested Course Future prospects after course completion in (a) country of interest and (b) home country Job Experience Career Progression Past Academics Family Background Overall Confidence Level

1 denotes Point of Contact 2 denotes Admissions Counseling Service 3 denotes Admissions Counselor (AC) 4 denotes Admissions Editor (AE)