College Smart Start

 At selective schools smart, well-rounded applicants are a dime a dozen and many great applications get lost in the shuffle. There are specific ways to ensure that you stand out and differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. In today's episode, we discuss how to become more "spikey" and ways you can go about branding yourself to boost your admissions chances.  

Many students get caught up on the idea of having a dream school, but sometimes these dream schools can turn into nightmares. While you can - and possibly- should shoot your shot at your dream school, you also don't want to put all of your eggs in one basket. In today's episode, we will discuss how you can use the qualities of that school to help you find backups that have similar characteristics...

You might not think you need to worry about college applications until closer to your highschool graduation , but you can get much or all of your applications done before the start of your senior year. In today's episode, we are going to break it down step by step what you can do to best set your senior up for success. 

Many schools offer entry points other than fall, sometimes those are options that students can opt into that can potentially make admissions easier. In today's episode we'll discuss some specific schools and their alternate entry points, how to apply for and/or avoid them, detailing the options, what they entail, and why schools offer them. 

Transfer admissions can be easier - yet less direct - way to gain entry to selective schools, it can also be a way to save on college costs. In today's episode, we detail the transfer admissions process and how to determine whether it's an option worth considering - either as a primary strategy or as a back up plan. 

The multiple types of application options - and acronyms - can be confusing. Let's demystify and discuss all of the common and different application options and decisions: What is Early Action (EA) and how does it differ from Restrictive Early Action (REA) or Early Decision (ED)? What is a Deferral and how is it different from a Waitlist? 

College admissions decisions are not personal and are not a reflection of your worth as a student. They have more to do with the universities' needs and wants than the students' wants and needs. This episode discusses how you can learn what each school values and considers, and how to plan accordingly. 

What does a college advisor do? Let's discuss how a college advisor can potentially help with a student's application process throughout their high school career. How do you find and vet a college advisor - and what are the other options that students and families might want to consider instead. PS This is NOT a sales pitch

There are some possible ways to pay in state prices for out of state schools - but adjusting to in state residency isn't always easy and is sometimes not possible. Let's talk about states and schools where this is more possible than others, debunk myths, and find some great, affordable options for students and families.     

The college admissions process has gone off of the rails– ensuring that students and parents understand that there are options for nearly everyone, at all levels of achievement and finances.

Smart kids applying to schools are unfortunately, a dime a dozen. Here are some specific ways to help yourself not blend in with the rest of the pack, but to get noticed - and, hopefully, get admitted. These specific suggestions work for both superselective schools and for those schools that admit more students than they deny. 

Recap from this year's senior class-and specific advice for this year's juniors/soon to be rising seniors. What to do to increase your chances of being admitted to the school of your choice. 

Students often create their Common App activities list on the fly, almost as an afterthought. Having a strong activities list (or resume) can make all of the difference, especially for selective schools. Learn about the limitations and how to write a strong and impactful activities list, resume, and/or Honors list. 

The college essay is one of the few ways that a student can communicate with the admissions office. How to brainstorm, structure, and craft a college essay. Some topics to avoid and a few to consider. How to generate ideas and get them to flow. 

Delve a bit deeper into the details about what type of schools will best meet your academic and financial goals - learn abou the components that most application processes will include, as well as some essay writing and organizational tips. 

In today's episode, we'll discuss different types of aid (financial, merit) that are likely to be offered - and how to potentially access them. We'll bust some myths and allow families to have a better sense of what type of strategy would best fit their student and their finances. 

Okay, I don't actually hate the National Honors Society - I was a member, as are nearly 10% of all students in all schools in the U.S. But that's the problem, it's just so common that it fails to impact or increase your chances of admission. Rather, students should be following and exploring their interests in unique, distinctive, and FUN ways. 

Don't want to ride a unicorn while playing the ukulele in the hopes of being accepted? Then don't! There are a multitude of ways and specific schools that will not require anything beyond a GPA and a simple application to being accepted.  Some of these schools will provide automatic and generous merit scholarships. 

Learn what metrics (GPA, SAT, ACT, and/or PSAT) are considered by admissions - and when and how to prepare for testing. Additionally, learn more about how Test Optional and Test Blind policies have impacted admissions and how admissions considers - or don't - test scores - it might not be as straightforward as it sounds, like so much else in admissions.

Learn how to boost your admissions chances both through your 'math' and your 'magic'. It's not only about GPA and SATs/ACTs (your math), those just allow you to 'knock on the door' of colleges, those alone won't get you admitted to top schools. It's the 'everything else'-- or your 'magic'--  that helps to get you invited in. Learn how to start branding and positioning yourself in an impactful and...

Why is the college application process so ridiculous, overwhelming, and confusing?  Let's start breaking down and demystifying the college admissions process together. Learn what to do, when/where to do it, and how to do it well.

A sneak peak of what's ahead...