Founded in 2011, Doorway to College emerged from a 30-year history of serving college-bound high school students. Until recently, many parents, educators, and students knew us as ZAPS Learning Company, the provider of focused test preparation for the ACT, PSAT, and SAT. Doorway to College continues to provide ZAPS instruction, yet ZAPS is no longer the entirety of the services we provide. Our mission covers a much broader scope than our previous focus on test preparation alone.

The Doorway to College Mission

Doorway to College is dedicated to assisting high school educators and parents with preparing and inspiring their students to achieve a successful transition to higher education.

We believe that the success of high schools cannot be measured simply by the number of graduates who continue on to higher education, but by the success of these students after being admitted. Doorway to College high school programs include a broad range of assistance measures:

• preparation for the PSAT, in classroom groups or online, using proprietary materials as well as any effective tools available directly from the College Board
• guided assistance in understanding students’ readiness and need for higher education or other training alternatives
• preliminary screening of higher education preferences, with a focus on matching students’ individual characteristics and needs with the known attributes of each college and university
• preparation for the ACT and/or PSAT/SAT, in classroom groups or online, using proprietary materials as well as any effective tools available directly from the publishers, ACT and College Board
• guided assistance with every aspect of the college application process, with an emphasis on avoiding common errors
• guidance for preparing the admission application and required essay
• assistance with making a final decision between the available higher education options
• guidance in applying for financial aid and campus housing
• orientation for both parents and students in preparing for the transition to the chosen institution of higher education, taking into account diverse cultural, personal, and family backgrounds
• orientation and encouragement related to establishing a personal relationship with the Academic Advisement services available at the institution of choice
• establishment within each high school of a “reach-back” program for bringing alumni back into the school to inform, inspire, and prepare future college-bound students