Student Testimonials
“I never thought visiting colleges could be so fun. The trip helped me learn what type of campus I was looking for and see vastly different college cultures. Mr. Rubin’s exhaustive knowledge on all things college related helped me find my dream school before I had even visited.”
Alain C.
Dartmouth College
Ransom Everglades School, Miami, Florida
“The College Authority was the most important part of my college search while I was in high school. Not only was Bill Rubin knowledgeable about the academics, politics, and vibe of every campus we visited, he was unusually adept at getting to know each student on his trip and let them know what schools would be good matches for them. He read me within a few hours and knew exactly which places to tell me to pay particular attention to. A year late, I even called Bill after I was accepted into different colleges to ask him which would be the best fit for me.”
Jordan B.
Vassar College
Webb Schools, Claremont, California
“I could not have asked for a better college tour experience. It was informative, comprehensive, and also very fun! I highly recommend this opportunity to explore such a wide variety of colleges and their areas while making lifelong friendships along the way. Bill is an incredible resource and really knows his stuff!”
Allison F.
University of California at Berkeley
Harvard-Westlake School, Studio City, California
“I signed up as a sophomore to go on The College Authority college tour. This tour can directly be linked to my decision to attend Boston College, a school I otherwise may never have seen in person. I highly recommend this tour, not only for its informative nature, but also because it was a lot of fun.”
Katie F.
Boston College
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, San Juan Capistrano, California
“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel on The College Authority tour with Bill Rubin. His knowledge of each school we toured was amazing. He even answered questions about tons of colleges that were not a part of our tour. After my tour, I felt much more certain of the type of school I wanted. Bill’s enthusiasm and passion bring joy to a process that can become daunting if you let it. I definitely recommend The College Authority tours.”
Kirby L.
Amherst College
Ransom Everglades School, Miami, Florida
“I still think about the absolutely amazing experience I had on The College Authority tour with Bill Rubin. Bill is not only personable and enthusiastic but is insanely knowledgeable about literally every college and university. He took time to answer everyone’s questions about so many colleges and was spewing facts left and right. By touring different types of schools, I was able to narrow down the kind of place I saw myself and could then apply that knowledge to schools that we didn’t visit during that week. I never could have guessed the knowledge I would acquire and the fun I would have while on this trip.”
Erin L.
Oberlin College
Archer School for Girls, Los Angeles, California
“Taking Bill Rubin’s TCA college tour addressed all of my concerns and answered all of my questions. The tour is packed but very well organized; we had time to explore and make friends, and we had ample time to unpack our thoughts after every college visit. I am honestly a little afraid to imagine where I would be if I hadn’t taken The College Authority tour!”
Blair H.
Union College
Athenian School, Danville, California
“The College Authority college tour was the highlight of my junior year. Bill Rubin ensures that every day of touring is informative, fun, flexible, and exploratory. Bill’s charisma and knowledge of the college atmosphere make him an incredible resource, even after the tour has ended. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Camilla W.
Tulane University
Webb Schools, Claremont, California
“Had it not been for Bill and the TCA college tour, I never would have found my perfect school. The tour allowed me to find a place that felt like home. Bill was a fantastic and fun tour leader, always willing to give advice on colleges on and off our itinerary.”
Shyla W.
Lafayette College
Webb Schools, Claremont, California
“My College Authority trip was an extremely enriching and very fun, experience. I left the tour far more aware of my preferences, which ultimately greatly improved the quality of my applications.”
Sophia S.
University of California at Berkeley
Convent of the Sacred Heart School, San Francisco, California
“My college tour with The College Authority went way beyond my expectations. I finished the tour feeling much more confident in what I wanted for my college education and experience. Bill Rubin was incredibly helpful and fun. Not only did I learn about various colleges and my preferences for schools on the trip and beyond, but I also made lifelong friends and memories. I highly recommend Bill’s tours!”
Emily C.
University of Southern California
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, San Juan Capistrano, California
“Going on Bill’s tour was a lot of fun! He is energetic, friendly, and so knowledgeable about the admissions process. We had great conversations about finding the right schools, and overall, I felt a lot more excited about applying to college after the trip. The experience opened my mind to a lot of other places I previously had not considered applying to. I think this tour is a great way for any rising senior to start the application process.”
Carolina R.
Harvard University
Ransom Everglades School, Miami, FL
“The College Authority’s spring break college tour was absolutely invaluable to me. Seeing schools in so many different settings helped clarify what kind of environment I wanted when I went to college. Bill Rubin has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of colleges (and everything else), and has answers to just about any question you might have. I can’t say enough good things about this experience – hands down the best way to find the right college for you.”
Sonya R.
New York University
Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, New Mexico
“Bill Rubin is an excellent, impartial tour leader who encouraged the tour group to weigh the positives and negatives at each campus while debunking many common admission myths. Under Bill’s guidance, I was able to find a college that was the best fit for me and my goals.”
Nicholas C.
Georgetown University
Bellarmine College Preparatory School, San Jose, California
“Bill’s tour, without a doubt, changed the direction of my life. You will visit a wide range of colleges, and become so well versed in the college admissions process and about so many colleges, even beyond the itinerary, that it is no longer scary.”
Alyssa L.
Northeastern University
Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, California
“The College Authority gave me more perspective on deciding on a school than any book I read, website I visited, or information session I attended. Being with a group of people my age without my parents forced me to think critically about what kind of college experience I really wanted. Bill really helped me to consider more factors that can get easily overlooked in the college touring process.”
Bradley F.
University of Pennsylvania
Oakwood School, North Hollywood, California
“Without The College Authority tour, I never would have found or applied to the university I attend today. My week with Bill was truly life changing in that it revealed the schools I was thinking of applying to would not be good for me. I will be forever grateful to Bill.”
Shaylynn D.
University of Richmond
Justin-Siena High School, Napa, California
“What was, and still is, most impressive to me was the extent of Bill’s knowledge of the college/university landscape and his ability to get to know the students on his tours so well within such a short amount of time. Bill’s gift is that he knows how to relate to students. Many thanks to Bill for opening this young girl’s eyes to the type of school that was right for her!”
Julia B.
Duke University
Polytechnic School, Pasadena, California
“Out of all my preparations for the college application process, this tour was the best investment that I could have made. If I hadn’t spent my spring break with the East Coast Tour, I probably would’ve been afraid to leave my comfy bubble in California. I still find myself saying, ‘While I was on my college tour, I learned this…”
Alison S.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Presentation High School, San Jose, California
“I had a wonderful experience with Bill Rubin on my college bus tour. We traveled all up and down the east coast and got to see a variety of different colleges and universities. Bill has a wealth of knowledge on all higher education, and does a dedicated and thoughtful job of advising each student individually, as well as briefing the entire group on every school before you even arrive. It is also just a very fun experience, especially if you are touring with your classmates. Bill also does a superb job of setting clear guidelines and rules to help the tour run as smoothly and professionally as possible. I had already seen 10+ universities by the time I went on the tour, and I still felt like it was very beneficial in helping me make my college decision. Overall, I highly recommend Bill and the unique college tour experience he has to offer.”
Cole M.
Wake Forest University
Ransom Everglades School, Miami, Florida
“I still look back fondly on my college tour and am so thankful for how much it helped me with my college search. Bill Rubin is a great tour guide and resource! By visiting a wide variety of schools of various sizes and types, I was able to determine exactly what I was looking for. I still keep in contact with Bill and make sure to say hi whenever his tours visit campus.”
Zelpha W.
Johns Hopkins University
Marymount High School, Los Angeles, California
“This college tour was an immense help in selecting the right school for me. This variety of campuses we visited really helped shape my preferences. Although Cornell was not on our itinerary, the information gleaned from the tour and from Bill showed me what the admissions process and campus life might be like. Visiting so many types of colleges helped send me to the school that was the right fit! Thank you Bill!”
Christopher A.
Cornell University
Sage Hill School, Newport Beach, California
“I can only say great things about The College Authority’s college tour and Bill Rubin. The campus tours and admission meetings gave me an insider’s view, but my favorite moments were actually on the bus in between stops with constant access to Bill’s decades of expertise. The more he got to know me, the more he helped me figure out what was really important for my college search. This tour was essential for me.”
Kiersta H.
Vassar College
Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, New Mexico
“I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the college scene than my tour with The College Authority and Bill Rubin. Beyond the diversity and quality of the schools we visited, Bill gave me a strong sense for what to look for in a school and the freedom to observe and discuss my own preferences.”
Milan M.
Stanford University
Polytechnic School, Pasadena, California
“Bill was a fantastic college tour leader. Though we were touring campuses on the East Coast, he drew my attention to U Chicago, as he believed it would fit my bill. The school’s culture, campus life, and rigor seemed like exactly what I was looking for. I applied on his recommendation and can’t imagine going anywhere else today!”
James S.
University of Chicago
Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, California
“I can’t imagine how my college search journey would have turned out had I not participated on this college tour. My tour definitely was one of the highlights of my high school career and truly made a major difference in my search and where I went to college.”
Raquel F.
Stanford University
Marymount High School, Los Angeles, California
“The tour really opened my eyes to all of the options that are out there when it comes to picking a college. Bill Rubin was an excellent guide, always telling it like it is, very communicative, easy to talk to, and arranging the trip so that it was as informative as it was entertaining. I highly recommend The College Authority.”
Ingrid D.
Georgetown University
Sage Hill School, Newport Beach, California
“I know many of my friends went into our spring break tour thinking one thing and left thinking another. Of course, I can’t forget to mention how much fun it was having Bill make it a great learning experience, even if we didn’t like a school. Bill is just so knowledgeable about colleges all across the country.”
Catherine L.
Southern Methodist University
Polytechnic School, Pasadena, California
“The College Authority tour and the awesome Bill Rubin showed me a diverse range of schools and encouraged me to really explore what kinds of college was best for me. Bill’s encyclopedic knowledge of American and foreign schools could give you a whole host of colleges and universities to consider that fit your needs.”
Tevon S.
Stanford University
Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, California
“The College Authority college tour was filled with independence and friendship. I was encouraged to advocate for myself and look beyond the brand of a school. Bill Rubin definitely inspired me. I must admit that I will never stop sharing my experiences from this tour because it is what helped me to select the best college for me.”
Makenna D.
Wake Forest University
San Domenico School, San Anselm, California
“The College Authority provided the most informative experience you could ask for while doing a college search. Mr. Rubin’s in-depth knowledge of the process proved invaluable to my own search – he was far more than just a counselor or tour guide.”
Jack C.
College of Wooster
Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, California
“There’s something to say about the fact that my friends and I still talk about this trip! At the end of my week with Bill, I felt like a pro. I knew the right questions to ask students and administrators, I knew what steps to take in order to be a competitive applicant and, arguably most important, I knew which schools would make me feel most at home. Bill makes the experience special. Eight years later, we still keep in touch.”
Cassidy W.
U.S. Naval Academy & Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, New Mexico
“My experience with The College Authority Tour and Bill Rubin is one that I will never forget! Bill Rubin is extremely knowledgeable about all the campuses we tour and more.”
Cristina C.
Trinity College
Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, California
“I really enjoyed this trip, and it highly affected which schools I applied to and where I currently am attending. Although we didn’t see Maine on our trip, this college immersion experience and Bill’s descriptions of other colleges definitely helped me decide where I wanted to go. Another great aspect was our tour leader, Bill Rubin. He was very enthusiastic, fun, knowledgeable, and organized. Bill made this trip a blast, and he lived to entertain us.”
Emily B.
Bates College
Polytechnic School, Pasadena, California
“The genius of Bill Rubin is evident in every aspect of the college touring experience he has created. Whether it’s Bill’s endless wealth of knowledge, his close connections with college admissions insiders on all the campuses we visited, or simply the excellent planning and execution of travel, The College Authority provides superior resources and information and a very enjoyable experience. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the confidence Bill gave me when selecting where to apply.”
Billy S.
Johns Hopkins University
Ransom Everglades School, Miami, Florida
“The College Authority tour experience changed my life and how I looked at the college application process. Bill’s insight and guidance provided me the tools and understanding of what details I should be looking for as well as what questions I should be asking of student guides and admission officers. Before this trip, I knew close to nothing about what I was looking for in a school, but after the trip, I had a crystal clear idea of what I wanted and could not have felt more confident.”
Trevor G.
University of Southern California
Athenian School, Danville, California
“I wouldn’t be at Columbia today without Bill Rubin’s TCA college tour. The tour exposed me to such a wide range of schools that helped me formulate exactly what I was looking for. The Q&As, the campus tours, the chance to talk to students, and the debriefs with Bill really completed the package. We also had ample time to explore during the evenings to see what it really might be like as a student.”
Elle W.
Columbia University
Buckley School, Sherman Oaks, California
“At the end of my TCA college tour, I had a much better idea of what type of school would be a good fit for me, and I had a very fun week.”
Xavier L.
Lehigh University
Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, California
“Going on the TCA College Tour was by far one of the best decisions I have made. The tour helped me truly narrow down what type of college environment I was interested in; seeing a wide array of different schools in different areas was pivotal. Bill’s expertise about the college process and finding the right fit was another huge benefit. I never would have thought that I would find my college match and also meet my future roommate all on the same trip!”
Camille D.
George Washington University
Archbishop Mitty High School, San Jose, California
“Bill’s knowledge of the process and of so many colleges, getting to see what I liked and didn’t like, and having a fun time doing it made the college tour totally worthwhile. Bill’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and love for what he does showed at every step.”
Natan R.
University of Michigan
Oakwood School, North Hollywood, California
“The college tour enabled me to see all different types of colleges, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience. Approaching my junior year at college, I’ve found that the college tour week was one of the best experiences in my college application process.”
Katherine S.
Northeastern University
Polytechnic School, Pasadena, California
“Bill Rubin and The College Authority do a great helping you figure out what kind of college you want. For me, the most helpful part of the tour was towards the end when Bill was able to paint a picture of colleges all over the country using our experiences at the ones that we already had visited. By the time we finished, I definitely had a good idea of what type of school I wanted to go to and memories that will last me the rest of my life.”
Zach P.
Washington University St. Louis
Ransom Everglades School, Miami, Florida
“My TCA college tour was incredibly educational, well organized, and very fun. Without this trip, I would not have had the opportunity to visit so many diverse colleges and universities along the East Coast, helping me figure out what I wanted from a college. Bill Rubin is a wealth of knowledge about every college, and identified other colleges that I could consider based on my interests.”
Maggie N.
University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, New Mexico
“While it might seem counterintuitive, the tour was most useful in figuring out what schools I didn’t like. Once I had an idea of where I couldn’t see myself, I was able to compile a college list that successfully reflected my priorities and ultimately led me to the University of Chicago.”
Clio S.
University of Chicago
Archer School for Girls, Brentwood, California
“I had a great experience with Bill on my college tour! Bill is a very knowledgeable guide and counselor. Seeing such a wide variety of schools really helped me to determine what kind of college I wanted. Because of this tour, I was much better prepared and had an easier time finding the school of my dreams.”
Sydney W.
Amherst College
Sonoma Academy, Santa Rosa, California