Make the next decision with confidence
Understand subject choices, testing and timelines, so you can focus on what matters at your stage.
US university & college planning
Your US university future. Let’s make a plan.
Know what to do, when to do it and why it matters. Stateside brings expert US college guidance to students and families, from early subject choices to university applications.
First cohorts start 25 January 2027
12Students maximumIn every live online group
US-ledExpert college counsellingSpecialist guidance at every stage
US$395Explore, per student per yearGroup programme · Grades 8–10
A plan you can act on
Big decisions feel better with a clear next step
Stateside is CambriLearn’s US college planning service. It helps students understand their options and prepare for the decisions ahead, with specialist counselling from our partner in the States.
Find universities that fit you
Look beyond rankings. Explore courses, campus life, entry requirements and costs to build a considered college list.
Tell your story in your own voice
Learn how to present your interests, experiences and ambitions through activities, essays and applications.
Two ways to work with Stateside
Choose the support that fits your family
Join a small group at a clear fixed price, or work individually with a counsellor. Both are open to students at CambriLearn and other schools.
Group
Expert guidance. A small group beside you.
Live online sessions with a US college counsellor, in groups of up to 12. Choose the stage that matches your intended university start year.
Explore
Grades 8–10 · Annual programme
US$395
per student, per year
Start early and make informed choices about subjects, activities, summer plans and university options.
- Live sessions for your stage
- Course and activity planning
- College exploration and testing plans
- Recorded teaching for catch-up
Apply
Grades 11–12 · Two-year package
US$2,990
per student, for both years
Bring the pieces together: your college list, application calendar, essays and decisions.
- College list and testing strategy
- Common App and essay workshops
- Recommendations and application planning
- Costs, scholarships and decision guidance
Group essay and application support is delivered through workshops. Individual review is part of Private.
Ask about group placesPrivate
One-to-one support, built around you
For families who want a named counsellor and individual guidance through their college planning and applications.
Quoted after consultation
Your counsellor, scope and fee are agreed before you commit.
- Individual college-planning guidance
- Personal essay and application review
- Support for your own priorities and timeline
Applying for autumn 2027, or considering sports recruitment, BS/MD programmes or military academies? Start with a Private consultation.
All prices are in US dollars. Explore is an annual commitment; Apply is one package covering Grades 11 and 12. Stateside fees cover college planning, not university tuition or application costs.
How Stateside works
A structured programme, with people to guide you
Your learning materials, calendar and live sessions come together in the CambriLearn learning system. You stay at your current school.
1
Find your starting point
We match students by their intended US university start year. This helps families using different school calendars and curricula choose the right cohort.
2
Learn live and ask questions
Join a US college counsellor and up to 11 other students online. Teaching recordings support catch-up; student discussions are not recorded.
3
Turn guidance into practical work
Use the sessions to develop your course plan, activities record, college list and application calendar as you move through high school.
From early planning to application season
The right focus at every stage
US grade labels are shown below. Your intended university entry year matters more than the label on your school timetable.
Grade 8Explore
Understand the journey
Learn what US colleges consider, plan your high-school subjects and explore meaningful summer activities.
What you work towards
A first course plan and a clearer sense of what lies ahead.
Grade 9Explore
Build your foundations
Consider academic challenge, start your activities record and turn interests into purposeful projects.
What you work towards
An activities record and goals for the year.
Grade 10Explore
Explore your options
Research universities, think about fit, plan testing and prepare for the next stage of school.
What you work towards
College research criteria and a testing plan.
Grade 11Apply
Prepare to apply
Build and cost your college list, consider application routes, prepare for recommendations and start essay ideas.
What you work towards
A working college list and application timeline.
Grade 12Apply
Apply and decide
Work through application and essay workshops, track requirements and compare decisions and costs.
What you work towards
A submission plan and a framework for comparing offers.
Starting university in autumn 2027?
You are already in the application cycle. A Private consultation is the right starting point, so the support can be matched to your deadlines.
Discuss your timelineApplying from outside the US
Different school systems. One clear set of next steps.
You do not need to change schools to join Stateside. We welcome students following International British, Pearson Edexcel, US K–12, CAPS, KABV, IEB and other curricula.
In the US, “college” commonly means undergraduate study at a college or university. Stateside focuses on planning for that journey.
Your school curriculum
University requirements differ. Check subject choices, qualifications and documents for each institution on your list.
Testing and English requirements
SAT, ACT and English-language policies vary by university and can change between admissions cycles.
Costs and financial fit
Consider tuition, living costs and funding together. Scholarship eligibility and availability differ by institution.
Your school’s role
Your school supplies transcripts and other required school documents. Stateside helps you plan the wider application process.
Useful starting points: EducationUSA’s study guide and Common App’s first-year guide.
The expertise behind Stateside
CambriLearn’s programme. Experienced US delivery.
Stateside brings the programme to your family through CambriLearn. Specialist counselling is delivered with our US partner, whose team is led by Judi Robinovitz, a Certified Educational Planner.
Judi Robinovitz
Certified Educational Planner
The founder of our US counselling partner, established in 1980. Her experience includes Educational Testing Service and developing college-guidance programmes at US schools.
Meet the delivery team →Our US partner’s published results
Classes of 2025 and 2026
148students advised
841acceptances earned
176institutions
Universities that have admitted students advised by our US delivery partner
These are the delivery partner’s historical results, not outcomes from the new Stateside programme. University logos identify past destinations; they do not imply affiliation or endorsement. Admission and scholarships are decided by each university and are never guaranteed.
Answers for parents and students
Your US college planning questions, answered
From choosing a programme to understanding applications, start with the practical details.
What is Stateside by CambriLearn?
Stateside is CambriLearn’s US college planning service for students in Grades 8–12 and their families. It combines a structured programme with specialist US counselling to help with subject choices, university research, testing plans and applications. Families can choose Group or Private support.
Does my child have to study at CambriLearn?
No. Stateside is open to students at any school. Your child continues with their current school and curriculum while taking part in college planning alongside their studies.
How much does Stateside cost?
Explore costs US$395 per student per year for Grades 8–10. Apply costs US$2,990 per student for the package covering Grades 11 and 12. Private counselling is quoted after a consultation. All prices are in US dollars and cover college planning, not university tuition or application costs.
What is the difference between Group and Private?
Group offers live online workshops with a US college counsellor and a maximum of 12 students. Private provides one-to-one support with a named counsellor under an individually agreed package. Individual essay and application review is part of Private; Group covers these topics through workshops.
When should we start, and which programme should we choose?
Explore supports early planning in Grades 8–10. Apply covers the application years, Grades 11–12. Because school calendars differ internationally, we match cohorts by the year a student intends to start university. Students targeting autumn 2027 should begin with a Private consultation.
When do the first groups begin?
The first cohorts start on 25 January 2027. Session dates, times and the right cohort for your intended university entry year should be checked before you enrol.
Are sessions live, and what happens if we miss one?
Group sessions are live online. The teaching portion is recorded for catch-up, while student discussions are not recorded. The learning system holds course materials and the session calendar.
Will a counsellor write my child’s essays?
No. Students write their own essays. Counsellors help them understand the task, develop ideas and communicate in their own voice. Group provides workshops; individual essay review is part of a Private package.
Who provides the counselling and who handles payment?
Stateside is a CambriLearn product, with specialist counselling delivered by our partner in the States. Group payments are processed through Score Academy Online. Private scope, fees and contract terms are agreed through the US counselling team after consultation.
Can international students apply with British or South African qualifications?
International students can apply to US universities, but each institution sets its own entry requirements. Your qualification, subjects, results and supporting documents need to be checked against each university’s requirements. No curriculum gives automatic admission.
Do all US universities require the SAT, ACT or an English test?
No single testing rule applies to every university. Check each institution’s current admissions policy for your application year, including any English-language requirements. Testing strategy is part of the Stateside programme.
Does Stateside guarantee admission or a scholarship?
No. Universities make their own admission and funding decisions. Stateside helps families prepare and make informed choices; it cannot guarantee an offer or scholarship. Financial-aid eligibility and available awards differ between institutions.
How does Stateside work with our school?
Your school remains responsible for your academic records and any school documents or recommendations a university requires. Stateside supports your college planning and application preparation. It does not replace your school or issue your school transcript.
Is Stateside included in CambriLearn school fees?
No. Stateside is a separate service with its own fees. It cannot be added to CambriLearn school-fee payments.
Start with the next right step
Tell us when you hope to start at a US university. We’ll help you understand which Stateside option fits.