CREATION OF A MULTI-SERVICE CENTER TO ACCESS UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract

Obtaining a degree from an American university has been for a very long time a dream for Ecuadorian students. The number of students studying abroad in the United States increased from last year and; because of government legislation and financial aid to students a continuous upward trend is forecasted. To be accepted students must show academic excellence starting in high school years and brilliant performance in the standardized exams, along with other variables and qualifications specific to each university. This is why the application and admission process is the most important stage for any student wanting to study in the U.S. Ecuadorian students can prepare for the standardized exams and in some cases receive counseling in the exam-prep institutions located in the city. However these institutions are not certified exam-taking centers and lack other services that the students need while going through the application and admission process, which sometimes lead the students to go to various institutions and to travel to other cities. The Testing Center will be the first certified multi-service center in Guayaquil and La Puntilla in which students can start and finish their application and admission process all in the same place. Students will benefit from the advising, academic, testing and opportunity center services that the Testing Center will offer with customized studying plans and activities for every student based on analysis and examination by the highly qualified professional staff. These services are targeted for students living in the Guayaquil and La Puntilla area wanting to achieve a third level education in the United States. Currently there are small and medium institutions in those areas that offer similar yet not all services that the Testing Center will offer. These institutions are, however, poorly managed and none is identified as a market leader. This is why the Testing Center has the opportunity to seize the market and position itself as a market leader by becoming the first center to offer multiple services through a state of the art process aimed to provide personalized advising sessions, high quality preparation classes, certified standardized exam-taking services and counseling in opportunity services like scholarships and financial aid with its professional and highly trained staff; all which will set the Testing Center apart from its competition. The long-term development plan for the Testing Center is to reinvest the income for internal expansion by acquiring a property where the center can provide more classrooms to satisfy the growing demand of students. The Testing Center forecasted cash flow shows a constant growth in sales revenues of $687,600 in year 1, $721,980 in year 2 and $758,079 in year 3. In year 4 an outflow of $800,000 is anticipated to acquire a new testing center and increase the number of classrooms