Welcome to The College Commons

a part of Cogi’s Journey On Your Own (JOYO) experience

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The College Commons is JOYO’s free online community to help students and their families navigate the college admissions journey on their own, with expert advice and real support.

On Your Own, But Not Alone!

What is JOYO?

JOYO is a uniquely designed service of Cogi College Consulting (Cogi) intended to support students, families, and school counselors who want or need expert advice and guidance but can't afford or don't want to pay the high costs of traditional admissions consultants.
 

  • Calm and supportive online community to share with and learn from others on their journeys

  • Free access to trustworthy advice, premium tools, and expert answers to pressing questions

  • Low-cost and discounted options for extra support, including individual and group coaching, test prep guidance, and traditional services

If you’re considering college and you’re

Then this community is built for you!

  • Unsure what to do—or when to do it

  • Looking for smart, practical college options, not prestige

  • Confused or stressed about college costs

  • Struggling with essays, activities, or what “counts”

  • Worried about getting accepted or choosing the wrong school

  • Wishing you had someone to ask for help or a place to figure things out

What you get…

  • A welcoming, judgment-free space for students, parents, and experts

  • Chat rooms tailored to where you are on your journey

  • Monthly live expert Q&A sessions and regular follow-ups

  • Premium guides, checklists, tools, and AI-powered SAT/ACT Prep

  • Relevant news and updates in real time

  • A place to ask questions, share what’s working, and support others

  • Optional, low-cost upgrades for coaching, essay support, & more

What makes this community different?

You won’t find hype, pressure, or endless comment threads here. Just clear, trustworthy guidance from someone who’s been in higher ed for 25+ years—and cares deeply about helping students succeed.

- Expert-led, not influencer-fed

- Supportive, not salesy

- Calm, not chaotic

- Made for families, not for clicks

How it works

The College Commons runs on Discord - a free, flexible platform for hosting private communities.

 

Never used Discord? Don’t worry.

We’ve kept it simple & beginner-friendly, and we’ll walk you through every step.

  • Safe & Private – Only approved members can access the server

  • You’re in Control – Share only the info you want and customize notifications so it’s not overwhelming

  • Friendly, Respectful Culture – No spam, trolling, or cliques allowed

  • Help is Built In – Resources and tips are available inside 

You’ve Got This. We’ve Got you.

Check out this Walkthrough

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