In 2007 The UA asked senior college advisors at Collegiate and Horace Mann, two of NYC's most distinguished private schools, how to help students get into the nation's very best colleges without private school resources. Their advice was to develop outstanding college counseling both at UA's central office and in its schools, and build relationships with university professionals and admissions offices.

The UA created a college planning office that provides comprehensive training for college counselors. The UA's central staff helps to recruit and train a counselor for each school and makes sure they have the skills and resources they need to help students apply and be accepted to college.

The UA's college counselors oversee and monitor the college and financial aid application process, prepares students for campus life and teach them to be self advocates. UA families, most of whom are exploring college for the first time are engaged as early as possible. With these support systems in place, The UA is making college accessible for all of its students. In 2010, 98% of UA graduates applied and were admitted to colleges which included some of the most competitive institutions in the country.