Students accepted
SAT & ACT Bootcamps
Full-ride scholarships
Acceptance letters
In one-on-one sessions with students and their families, independent college consultant Nagla Orlando offers personalized support to help students pursue their collegiate dreams. Nagla founded KnowledgeWorx to share her know-how and experience as a California educator and college mentor to help guide students and their families through the exciting process of preparing for college admissions success.
Preparing for the college application process does not need to be stressful. It should be an exciting time–not an overly complex one. Partnering with KnowledgeWorx means working with a neutral voice to alleviate some of the tension that the process seems to bring about and making the entire process productive and enjoyable for all involved.
Arizona State University
Baylor University
Boston College
Brown University
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Chapman University
Colby College
Colorado State University
Columbia College Chicago
Creighton University
Drexel University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Gonzaga University
Johns Hopkins University
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University New Orleans
Marist College
Michigan State University
Occidental College
Oregon State University
Pennsylvania State University
Point Loma Nazarene University
Portland State University
Reed College
Saint Louis University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
Santa Clara University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Seton Hall University
Southern Methodist University
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
Tulane University
UMASS Lowell
UC Irvine
UC Santa Barbara
University of Arizona
University of California, Davis
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, San Diego
University of Hawaii – Hilo
University of Maryland – College Park
University of New Mexico
University of Oregon
University of Puget Sound
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of the Pacific
University of Oklahoma
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Portland
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of Texas
University of Washington
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Western Washington University
KnowledgeWorx has helped countless students navigate the college application process and get into their dream schools. Check out the schools here to see where our students have been accepted!
The best way to alleviate the stress of the college application process is to demystify the process. High school is, and should be, an experience of self-discovery. In other words, high school should not be experienced as a “to do” list to get into college, but rather as part of a journey to self actualization. That is, a genuine personal high school experience will naturally culminate in strong college applications.
KnowledgeWorks uses a combination of a science-driven test, which provides insight to each student’s unique aptitudes and interests, and an application strengthening process to produce the most compelling college applications possible.
The average rate of high school students per counselor in California is 945 to 1. That’s over 200% of the national average, and far above the recommended ratio.
According to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, the average public high school counselor spends only 25% of their time on college counseling.
I hated writing my college essay and didn't think I really had anything interesting to say about me that wasn't in my application already. Nagla helped get to the core of the message I was trying to relate, and after a few sit downs with her my essay was perfect. I definitely think it is what set me apart from everyone else.
COLBY COLLEGE
Nagla helped me get into my top choice school and I can’t thank KnowledgeWorx enough for everything that she has done for me. I was stressed out of my mind my senior year, and KnowledgeWorx helped ease the stress and get me on track to get in to my top choice school.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
We get it- Google college admissions consulting and you’ll find scores of businesses offering 100% free consult. There’s always a catch, though. In most cases, these companies lure you with the offer of a consult, but then only spend a few minutes talking about the student and the rest of the time in full-on sales mode. It’s not a consult at all, it’s a chance to get you on the line and to sell a product.
With KnowledgeWorx, when we say consult, you can expect an actual consult. The entire call is student-focused and jam-packed with helpful information for aspiring college students. Our goal is to provide as much information as possible, regardless of whether the student decides to move forward with KnowledgeWorx. We think $99 is a great value, and after talking to Nagla, we’re sure you will too.
As with most things in life, when it comes to the college application process, knowledge is power. The more you know about colleges and universities, the application process, standardized testing, and financial aid, the better off you will be in helping your child make an educated decision about what he or she wants, the right fit, and gaining admission. The process has a reputation of being complicated, confusing, and overwhelming. In reality, it is very straightforward, pragmatic, and student-centered.
You must commit to the process and make it a time of growth and reflection for your child. Additionally, the application process is a time for students to learn skills that will serve them during and beyond college. Because these are skills that will be unfamiliar to them, it is my job to assist and teach your child how to hone in on them and make the application process one of enjoyment and excitement. I am here to advocate for you and your student!
Benefits of working with an IEC:
Absolutely! KnowledgeWorx students hail from around the country and world. I work with students and families in person or remotely via Skype, FaceTime, GoogleHangouts, phone, or email. All of KnowledgeWorx’s services can be accessed remotely, as I find it to be efficient and an excellent match for the busy schedules of students and families.
Just as each institution is unique, so is each individual student! My philosophy and approach to the college admissions process differs from others in that it is student-centered, focused, and driven. With that, the focus will be on personal growth allowing for skill development, character building, and leveraging experiences to encounter success in a broader sense, rather than the limited process of college admissions. Ultimately, this presents and prepares the student for the most optimal college admissions process for success.
Preparing for the college application process can be stressful. Planning ahead during high school can turn your applications into a time of growth and reflection. Knowing how to sequence courses throughout middle and high school to provide the most rigorous college preparation can mean the difference between a competitive applicant and one that is not.
Today’s aspiring college students face more complexity in the selection process than ever before. Vast amounts of information, complex questions and answers, and multiple application formats can overwhelm even the most dedicated students. Additionally, this takes place amidst studies, work, and free time.
High school counselors are indeed valuable assets and are in integral part of the college admissions process. I work with them collaboratively to realize student and family goals.. Unfortunately, many college counseling offices have been decimated due to budget cuts. Across the country the average student caseload for a high school counselor is over 400 students; in California that can rise 900:1 student to counselor ratio as being the norm. In comparison IEC’s average 30 to 50 students in their caseload. Additionally, many high school counselors wear many different hats and college counseling is only one aspect of their job that also entails handling behavioral and discipline issues and supervision and administrative duties. Consequently, they lack the time and fiscal resources to travel to stay abreast of changes in the higher education world.
My approach draws from years of experience as an educator working with students and understanding the demands of the process in addition to the the requirements needed for course sequencing, rigor, and the skills needed to navigate the process with organization and confidence.
As I remind parents and students, the college admissions process is not a stand-alone piece in personal growth but rather is a piece that scaffolds the foundation of functionality and is the cornerstone for success in life. As these skills are applied to the college admissions process, students will learn to assert them to other life processes and challenges.
Preparing early allows for proper course sequencing, relevant test prep, engagement in meaningful extracurricular activities and exploration of interests and goals. When preparing early for the admissions process, it provides for early analysis and the discovery of learning style, personal strengths, and natural aptitudes. All of this leads students to engage in major exploration, career-matching to find the proper college “fit.”
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While no ethical college admissions consultant can guarantee that a student will gain entry into a particular institution, I provide resources, skills, and experience. I will work with you to identify multiple college and university matches and provide sustained, focused counseling every step of the way so that the process and finished application will place you in the most competitive light. Having someone on your side who knows the ropes increases your chances of acceptance into institutions that are your “best fit.”
Not all colleges are looking for the same student. Believe it or not, there is more to a great college application than having a top GPA. Colleges accept non-4.0 students all the time for qualities beyond students’ high school grades.
Every GPA, standardized test score, extracurricular activity, and interest has an institution that is looking for that match. Unique circumstances such as undecided career paths, those with learning disabilities and difficulties, and/or average academic performance; does not mean that a college or university will not accept you. KnowledgeWorx offers a consultation to thoroughly review each students full potential. Every college and university in the country is unique in its mission, composition, and character. Their goal, however, is the same, to find students who are the right “fit” for them.
Knowing what the school is looking for and what they have to offer (financially, academically, socially, and most importantly, emotionally) is what makes it the right “fit” for you!
My approach stems from years as an educator and also as a mother of two grown boys. If I have learned anything it is that “hassling” or “bugging” a teenager about anything only results in push back, continued procrastination, resentment, and relationship struggles. Changing the perception that the application process happens around you rather than because of you is how you get to be in the driver’s seat.
You need to take an active role in the process and you must be the driver. Ultimately this is your goal not mine. In other words, you will get out of it what you put in. That is why, from the onset, I will ask YOU what you want from the college application process and I’ll support you, your parents/guardians, teachers and school counselor to ensure that those goals are always at the forefront of the process. Yes, I will remind you of deadlines, keep you focused on the process, suggest revisions to essays and college lists, recommend testing options, and advise you of internship and extracurricular opportunities. Ultimately, my job is to advocate for you, help you feel less annoyed and stressed about the process, and to empower you to reach your goals to pursue the college or university education you want and deserve.
Nagla Orlando, KnowledgeWorx founder, has worked with a diverse group of students, assisting each in confidently engaging in the college application process. Nagla approaches the college application process as a 25-year veteran California credentialed educator in Science (Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology). In addition to teaching Nagla mentored thousands of students in interpersonal growth and leadership skills outside of the classroom. Nagla built KnowledgeWorx around her passion for helping students gain exposure to higher education and finding the best fit for students’ unique interests, abilities, personalities and goals.
With a singular focus, an engaging personality, and an intuitive ability to relate to students and parents, Nagla has the expertise to understand the individual, their needs and passions giving her the unique insight to objectively see each students strengths and potential. Nagla helps you see yourself objectively rather than merely as a test score, GPA, or letter grade. When you are able to perceive yourself in this light you are able to communicate these attributes in your college application allowing an admissions officer to get a glimpse of your intellectual curiosity, tenacity, evidence of personal growth and excellence
Nagla’s Education and Professional Memberships: