By: Mary Miele, Education Consultant, Founder of Evolved Education Company

Meet Shawn.

Shawn had done everything right—top grades, stellar SAT scores, strong extracurriculars—and had just been accepted to his dream college: a top-tier Ivy League school. His family was thrilled, but a question lingered:

Would he graduate on time?

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports that while 60% of college students graduate within six years, that means 40% don’t graduate at all. Even among elite schools, many students struggle to finish in four years, leading to extra tuition costs, delayed careers, and frustration.

At Evolved Education Company, we don’t just help students get into top schools—we make sure they have the tools to thrive and graduate on time. Here’s how we support students like Shawn:

1. Ensuring Timely Graduation (Avoiding the 6-Year Trend)

📊 The Reality: The average college student now takes 5.1 years to graduate.

💡 Shawn’s Challenge: He loved exploring different subjects but had no clear major plan. By sophomore year, he realized he needed extra courses to meet degree requirements—pushing his graduation timeline back a semester.

✅ Evolved’s Solution:

• We worked with Shawn before college to create a degree strategy so he could explore without delaying graduation.

• We encouraged him to take AP/IB credits and summer courses to stay ahead.

• We helped him connect with advisors early to avoid scheduling pitfalls.

2. Leveraging Institutional Prestige & Resources

📊 The Reality: Students at elite schools have access to incredible resources, but many don’t use them.

💡 Shawn’s Challenge: He was in a rigorous environment but struggled to balance academics and stress. He never sought out tutoring or office hours, assuming he had to figure it out alone.

✅ Evolved’s Solution:

• We trained Shawn on self-advocacy skills to seek out professors, tutoring, and career mentors.

• We helped him build a network of academic support so he never felt lost.

3. Supporting Male Students (Bridging the Gender Gap)

📊 The Reality: Women now graduate at rates 7.2% higher than men.

💡 Shawn’s Challenge: Like many male students, Shawn wasn’t naturally organized. He missed deadlines and found himself cramming for exams instead of planning ahead.

✅ Evolved’s Solution:

• We implemented executive function coaching, helping Shawn break down assignments into manageable steps.

• We connected him with mentors and peer groups to keep him accountable.

4. Understanding the Role of Public vs. Private Colleges

📊 The Reality: Large public universities often have lower four-year completion rates due to class availability issues.

💡 Shawn’s Challenge: If he had chosen a public flagship university, he could have faced delayed graduation due to impacted courses.

✅ Evolved’s Solution:

• We guided Shawn toward schools with strong four-year graduation rates.

• We showed him how to strategically register for classes to avoid delays.

5. Avoiding Extra Costs & Delays

📊 The Reality: Staying in college beyond four years can cost $100,000+ in tuition and lost income.

💡 Shawn’s Challenge: If he had fallen behind, he might have needed student loans or extra family support to cover the costs.

✅ Evolved’s Solution:

• We helped Shawn create a clear graduation plan before freshman year.

• We provided ongoing college coaching to ensure he stayed on track.

Final Thought: College Success Starts NOW

Shawn is now thriving in his junior year, on track to graduate in four years. He’s interning, networking, and maximizing his experience—all because he had a plan.

At Evolved Education Company, we go beyond college admissions coaching—we make sure students succeed in college and graduate on time.

Is your child ready for college? Let’s make a plan before they arrive.

📩 Contact us today!