Our Services
At The Gesso, we offer an elite cohort of creative students comprehensive and holistic guidance through every step of preparing for higher education, building a foundation for a successful future. We get to know each student, connect their extracurricular interests with their academic studies, mentor them as they establish a creative practice, fine tune research skills and conceptual ideas, guide them through preparing an exceptional visual portfolio, extend opportunities for competitions, exhibitions, and scholarships, and guide through the college applications process.
With decades of experience, we help each student pursue institutions, programs, and degrees tailored to their unique long term goals. By bringing our knowledge of National and International admissions across Universities as well as specifics regarding creative programs and degrees, we mentor 1 on 1 to develop a vision and the skills needed to succeed.
High School Coaching Services
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A comprehensive video coaching session that begins with guided questions exploring lifestyle, cultural influences, extracurricular interests, academic strengths and weaknesses, and future goals. Covers an assessment of current artistic practice, including artwork and ideas for future artwork, training, and analysis of research skills. Discussion of general knowledge of Universities, Colleges, and Art School programs. General guidance on inclusion of art in admissions process, and a written summary with linked resources.
The cost of the discovery session is deducted from the Full Package price if the client proceeds.
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The Flexible Package is best suited for the student who has a primary college admissions coach and who is interested in art as a secondary area of study. Students have been primarily interested in subjects such as pre-med, business, computer science, and more, but all have a creative passion and want to include their creative practice as part of their application process. We provide customized support for each student.
Areas of support can include:
Analysis of current college list
Developing and customizing portfolio
Assistance in drafting artistic statements and essays
Identifying supplemental art training
Developing conceptual ideas or technical strengths/weaknesses
Connecting the artistic practice to the academic pursuits.
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The Full Package provides all-encompassing support for creative high school students, guiding them from wherever they are today toward their future with confidence. We work with students to identify their academic and artistic interests, evaluate their current technical and conceptual skill set, pinpoint the right schools and programs for their goals, and build a stand out application that includes art. With the Full Package, you get complete support across every stage of the college admissions process while constructing a foundation to build a creative life.
What makes the Full Package special?
The Full Package goes beyond admissions guidance — it's an investment in the student's growth as a creative. The earlier we begin, the more we're able to do: developing technical skill, building a distinctive artistic voice, and creating a body of work that reflects real growth over time, not just a portfolio assembled under deadline pressure. Students who start with us early don't just apply well — they arrive at school better prepared to thrive in it and beyond.
For students joining us later in their high school journey, we bring the same expertise to bear in a more concentrated timeframe — an intensive, high-touch process designed to build the strongest possible portfolio and college application.
Either way, our goal is the same: to help your student build a durable artistic practice, and a genuine sense of confidence — one that carries them well past the admissions process.
College Coaching Services
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Providing one-on-one support to improve academic and personal self- management, focusing on organization, time management, planning, onboarding to college life, and task initiation. We help students build personalized strategies for navigating college independence such as managing deadlines, breaking down assignments, creating study routines, and enhancing self-advocacy.
Package Functions:
TIme Management and Planning
Academic Support
Organization
Self-Regulation
Independent Living Skills
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We provide one-on one tutoring for liberal arts classes. Our specialty is working with students who struggle with executive functioning, reading comprehension, and making connections between academic ideas and artistic output. Subject areas include art history, philosophy, psychology, science, math, and art theory.
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We provide professional development services as a stepping stone from undergraduate studies to successful professional creative careers.
Package includes:
Assessment of current portfolio, and professional written material
Goal setting for studio work
Targeted research for appropriate artistic venues
Inventory Organization
Digital presence and brand review
Add ons:
Apprenticeships with professional artists
Artistic brand development
Why work with The Gesso?
Expert guidance from an experienced art educator to find the ideal programs fit for your child's talents and passions.
Save time and reduce stress with our comprehensive support in building an impressive portfolio, refining applications, and preparing for interviews.
Gain insights into the college art admissions process from a coach with a proven track record of helping students get accepted to top art programs.
Help your child shape an artistic vision by identifying the perfect college art experience based on their interests and strengths.
Provide your aspiring artist with personalized mentoring to gain creative confidence and stand out during admissions.
Take the first step toward acceptance today. Contact us to schedule your introductory call with a college art admissions coach.