Expand what's possible in advising
Meet Outcomes-Driven Advising, the post-secondary and career coaching model that's relentless about long-term student success.
Hard-earned credentials should become high-value careers.
But in today’s world, that’s not a guarantee. State mandates, massive caseloads, and limited time make it almost impossible for counselors to provide students the personal advising they need to succeed on their post secondary paths and in today’s job market.
3%
Only 3% of high-performing, under-resourced students end up in jobs that position them for upward mobility.
52%
52% of college grads end up in jobs that don't require a college degree.
25%
Nearly a quarter of bachelor's degree programs have a negative ROI.
88%
88% of employers say college graduates from the last three years are less prepared for the workforce than in years prior.
Outcomes-Driven Advising is the solution.
It empowers counselors and coaches to offer rigorous, individualized, and results-oriented advising within their constraints. And it empowers students to turn their education into a career—and life—they love.
The pillars: raising the bar
Together, these seven pillars create an advising program that drives the long-term results students, counselors, and parents care about:
Future Orientation
Traditional advising uses students’ present inclinations to drive decisions about their futures. Outcomes-Driven Advising inverts this practice, reverse engineering the choices students make now from the futures they want in 10, 20, 30 years.
It widens the practitioner’s aperture, shifting their focus from isolated, short-term milestones to long-term life trajectory.
The practice: better coaching, amplified
Using Backrs' resources, curriculum, and technology, advisors and coaches implement the pillars within their practice through a five step cycle that builds on itself over time:
Learn
Learn the frameworks and methods that help students make the most progress towards their goals. Stay up to date on post-secondary and labor market data they’ll need to make smart decisions.
The Backrs Institute →
Implement
Build what you learn into your advising practice while honoring your constraints through strategic planning. Backrs provides the lesson plans, content, and technology you need to integrate all seven of Outcomes-Driven Advising into your work with students.
Learn more about the Backrs Curriculum →
Advise
Execute your strategic advising plan with students in 1:1, group, or async settings using the Backrs platform. Clarify aspirations, deliver data-driven insights, identify target tracks, zero in on priorities and binding constraints, all while ensuring students build self-reliance.
The Backrs Platform →
Support
Ensure students have access to the coaching and resources they need outside of advising time to accomplish their priorities and make progress towards their school, work, and life aspirations.
The Backrs Platform →
Evaluate
Evaluate students’ progress towards their goals, identify intervention needs, and stay accountable to outcomes—like employment rates of alumni—vs. inputs—like college matriculation.
Explore the coaching dash sandbox →Curious about bringing ODA to your community?
The outcomes: long-term success, life-time fulfillment
Outcomes-Driven Advising is powering more student success, greater counselor fulfillment, and better peace of mind for parents across the country:
“Our partnership with Backrs aligns with our data-driven approach to helping students make informed, personalized decisions about their futures. Backrs allows our students to evaluate long-term success and return on investment when deciding on college and post-secondary programs.”
Mark Stulberg
Director of College Counseling, North Star Academy Charter School of Newark, an Uncommon Schools campus
“Noble Schools is excited to partner with Backrs to help our students not just apply to and get accepted into incredible institutions but also guide them in determining best majors and career pathways to follow to give them the highest rate of academic and professional success.”
Michelle Santos
Director of College Counseling, Noble Schools
“I am excited to partner with Backrs because of the alignment of values between Da Vinci Schools and Backrs, and the opportunity that Backrs will give us to leverage their expertise, research insights, and experience with network partners to help Da Vinci students make good choices on their path to a strong early career.”
Steve Wallis
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Da Vinci Schools
“We've seen increased student engagement, clearer career direction, and a boost in confidence as students articulate and pursue their goals. It's been a game-changer for helping us meet our mission of preparing students for life beyond the classroom.”
William Clark
COOP to Careers Team, University of Cincinnati
“I got another voice of reason to confirm some of my advice to my fiercely independent daughter and to share things both of us didn't know. My anxiety has taken a back seat to my excitement and support of her decisions.”
Andi
Parent of an 11th grader
“I absolutely loved the step by step guidance working from the big picture to practical things we can do now. After one session both me and my daughter feel like we have a better grasp on her future both long term and short!”
Ashley
Parent of a 9th grader
“Detailed explanation of how the meeting would go, expectations set, detailed data presented, short term and long term plan of action discussed, questions answered. I was impressed by the content and our coach's presentation and his ability to relate to my son.”
Kristen
Parent of a 10th grader
“I loved our coach putting in perspective where you want to be and working backwards from there. It really helped our son to have a clearer picture of his goals and what he needs to accomplish.”
Rae
Parent of a 10th grader
“So impressed, what a huge improvement on traditional college counseling.”
Sarah
Parent of an 11th grader
“I've been accepted into the VCU School of Medicine! I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity and appreciate all the support I've received. Thank you, coach for your guidance and encouragement!”
Tigist
Incoming first-year med student
“I recently finished my first five months at McKinsey, which have been filled with more success and learning opportunities than I can count. Thank you for your guidance.”
Noel
Recent graduate
“Backrs helped me secure an internship with a company that aligns with my major and minor. It will give me insight into a career path I'm interested in.”
Aurella
College sophomore
“I finally have a plan instead of just guessing what I'm going to do. I'm feeling way more confident going into freshman year of college.”
Oliver
Rising college freshman
“I've been accepted to Appalachian State, UNCW, College of Charleston, Loyola University New Orleans, and Sewanee. Loyola gave me their President's Scholarship along with enough financial aid to bring the cost way down. Sewanee gave me their highest EQB merit scholarship along with induction into their Wilkin's Society of high merit scholars, which granted me additional funds. Additionally, I got selected for the Bonner-Canale Program as a Bonner Scholar!”
Mabry
Senior in high school
“It makes everything feel a lot more structured and motivating, keeping you accountable without feeling overwhelming. There were definitely moments where I would've fallen off track, but Backrs helped me stay focused and actually follow through.”
Evans A.
Junior in high school
“Whether I need resources, professional connections, or advice I know I can turn to Backrs. The past year has been really hard for me, but because of Backrs the load has been lifted.”
Samantha
Senior in high school