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Serious about Educational Consulting? Why CounselMore College Counseling Software is the Right Choice for Your IEC, College Planning Practice

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 03:16:18 GMT

Why CounselMore College Counseling Software is the Right Choice for Your IEC, College Planning Practice

Starting Your Journey as an Independent Educational Consultant

Beginning your career as an independent educational consultant (IEC) is an exciting and rewarding endeavor, full of opportunities for growth and meaningful impact.

One of the first and most important decisions you'll make is selecting the right tools to support your practice. At first glance, many new consultants assume they need a CRM (Customer Relationship Management software), a tool commonly used in sales-driven industries. However, IECs don’t simply manage relationships—they provide highly specialized services that require a system tailored to their unique needs.

Other service-based businesses, such as legal practices, real estate agencies, and even specialized craftspeople, rely on industry-specific tools that make intangible offerings measurable. Similarly, IECs must translate their “comprehensive package” of services—including college selection, application guidance, enrollment, financial aid support, and more—into a clear, deliverable process that clients recognize as valuable.

Repeatable Service Delivery is Critical to Successful Educational Consulting Service Delivery

Success starts with clear expectations and processes that are replicable across many clients. When your service delivery is standardized, it becomes scalable and ensures every client receives a consistently high level of care. This approach not only enhances client satisfaction but also streamlines the growth of your business.

Congruence of Brand and Services

A defined, repeatable process allows your service delivery to align seamlessly with your brand. When clients experience consistency, they develop trust in your personalized, expertise-driven services. This trust bolsters your brand identity and creates loyal advocates. Additionally, having a structured system in place makes hiring staff and scaling operations more manageable. Internal operations become more efficient, allowing you to focus on personalized client interactions while maintaining excellence.

Kickstart Your Business with CounselMore's College Readiness Curriculum

A standout feature of CounselMore College Counseling Software is its College Readiness Curriculum, a ready-to-use set of assignments that mirrors the most common services offered in a "comprehensive college counseling package." Recognized as the easiest way to launch your educational consulting business, the curriculum is purposefully crafted to guide college candidates through key preparatory steps before applying to college.

Comprehensive & Flexible

The assignments cover a range of topics and can be introduced as early as eighth grade, supporting students at various stages of their college journey. Designed with scalability in mind, this curriculum serves as an invaluable resource for new consultants who are still refining their service offerings. For those just starting out, it offers an immediate framework, cutting down the time spent figuring out service structures and web content creation—an incredible value for solo education entrepreneurs.

Plug and Play Success for a New Educational Consultant

Counselors who leverage this curriculum within the CounselMore platform can automate delivery through assignment schedules, creating an efficient and professional process for their clients. With a willingness to embrace the system, consultants can seamlessly implement a plug-and-play model for their services, transforming preparation into a streamlined and impactful process.

Whether you're new to the field or looking to scale efficiently, CounselMore’s College Readiness Curriculum provides the foundation for success while freeing you to focus on what you do best: guiding students toward college admissions success.

Reputation Defense is Critical for Educational Consultants Elevate Your Reputation and Online Visibility

Your reputation is your most valuable asset in a word-of-mouth-driven industry, and safeguarding it requires consistent service delivery and brand alignment. Additionally, being discoverable online is no longer optional—it’s essential to your growth and success.

CounselMore’s Educational Services Directory enhances your visibility with exceptional SEO. By leveraging CounselMore’s proven search appeal, this tool increases your online presence, helping you attract prospective clients, stand out in a competitive market, and grow your reputation with confidence.

The CounselMore Advantage; a Niche Software Built Esspecially for Educational Consultants delivers business infrastructure to an independent practice College Planning

CounselMore is designed specifically for IECs, by IECs. It provides the tools you need to create measurable processes, align them with your brand, and grow your reputation with confidence. As your partner, CounselMore empowers you to deliver exceptional service, operate efficiently, and succeed in an ever-evolving industry.

1. "My Mentor uses CollegePlanner Pro, should I use that?" You should try CounselMore! CounselMore was Built by those who do the job, for others who do the job.

CounselMore was created by individuals who have worked as college counselors independently and understand the day-to-day challenges and specific needs of the profession. CounselMore was born from a deep understanding of the college counseling process. The founders of CounselMore conducted extensive interviews and surveys with colleagues to identify common challenges and needs in college counseling. This hands-on approach has led to a platform that addresses real-world issues that IECs face, making it more intuitive and practical for daily use. This also enables practitioners to build a livelihood as an educational consultant. A proven ROI.

Focus on Functionality: The development of CounselMore focused on the actual job performance of college planning consultants, ensuring that the features and tools are highly relevant and useful.

2. Superior Admissions Data Capabilities

One of the key differentiators of CounselMore is its strong focus on data. The software is designed to help you save, store, and retrieve data specific to college shopping, selection, applications, enrollment, and financial fit. In contrast, other so-called college planning tools offer limited data availability and little functionality to manipulate or customize the data.

CounselMore has the ability to track data, which is necessary for a consultant to demonstrate their college knowledge and acceptance rates, in the college lists and spreadsheets they build on the way to deciding on a college application list - this elevates their services and their ability to make adjustments in the collaborative process of choosing which schools to apply to.

Comprehensive Data Tracking : CounselMore offers robust data management for college admissions, which is essential for consultants needing to track the progress and outcomes of their students.
Application Tracking : CounselMore has tools to track where students applied, their chosen majors, and any financial aid awarded, which is critical for pricing strategies and service evaluation.
Analytics : CounselMore's platform allows for the analysis of data, to ensure a consultant can track progress and make informed decisions for their business.

3. Authentic Growth and Support for Independnt Educational Consultants

CounselMore focuses on supporting the counselor, CounselMore has a variety of support resources including a monthly mentorship circle and a weekly study hall where consultants can gain guidance from industry experts.

Community Resources : CounselMore prioritizes community , providing a platform for peer-to-peer support and collaboration.
Mentorship : CounselMore hosts events like a monthly mentorship circle and a weekly study hall, providing opportunities for consultants to ask questions and gain guidance.
Authentic Growth : CounselMore's focus on genuine support ( Directory.CounselMore.com ) for counselors translates to organic and sustainable growth for your business.

4. Streamlined Educational Services Business Processes

CounselMore is designed to help you organize all aspects of your business, from client management to accounting. Its features are specifically tailored to meet the needs of an IEC practice.

Client Management : Tools for client management include biographical banners , assignments tabs, files tabs, messaging, accounting, quicklists, contacts, and financial fit tabs.
Time Tracking : CounselMore includes a built-in stopwatch function to track time per student, and has a function to add time to a client's accounting tab automatically.
Document Management : CounselMore has the ability to integrate with Google Drive for seamless document management.

5. Customizable and User-Friendly Design Follows the Actual Core Service Model

CounselMore is designed to be user-friendly and customizable for your business. You can personalize your account to fit your brand and business model.

Customization Options: CounselMore has detailed descriptions of account settings and customization options. You can set up your business details, branding, default data columns, routine assignments, and more.
Billing : You can choose from package, hourly, and block of hours billing, and use the tool to track time spent and generate invoices.

6. When Choosing your Tools, Focus on Value over Hype - Data is critical to all Things College Counseling

CounselMore focuses on delivering practical, value-driven solutions for solo practitioners in the educational consulting field. CounselMore prioritizes authenticity and the holistic support of independent educational consultants striving to build sustainable private practices.

CounselMore was built by professionals who deeply understand the needs of independent counselors. CounselMore retains its core mission of empowering counselors with tools designed by individuals who have shared their experiences and challenges. CounselMore emphasizes creating an honest, supportive community for like-minded professionals eager to succeed together.

Reviews highlight this distinction: CounselMore users praise the platform not only for its ROI and innovative tools but also for the genuine support and connection they receive.

Choose CounselMore for authentic, mission-driven support—not just software but a partner truly invested in your success.

Making the Right Choices as a New Educational Consultant

Starting out as an independent educational consultant (IEC) can feel daunting—like holding a cafeteria tray on your first day of high school. Attending conferences alone, navigating unfamiliar "rules," and striving to make good impressions all add to the pressure. The fear of making the wrong choice is real.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make early on is choosing the right software for your practice. It's an investment in the structure and scalability of your business. While any platform will take time to learn, CounselMore sets itself apart by offering tools tailored specifically for the challenges and needs of independent consultants.

CounselMore isn’t just software—it’s a business-building ecosystem. It allows you to:

Create repeatable, efficient processes for service delivery.
Develop structured flow of:
candidate profile discovery and development
structured flow to essay crafting and theme building for the application
differentiate data that matters from statistics, demonstrating up-to-date numbers
put a signature on your client experience
Plan for growth, ensuring your practice can surpass $100K annually.
Lay the foundation to sell your company or expand your team in the future.
Plans start as low as $35 - $150 per month and while unlimited plans are still a very reasonable $150 per month

Unlike other platforms, CounselMore prioritizes data-rich solutions and real-world efficiency. By investing your time wisely in building a process-driven practice now, you’ll save time later—allowing you to focus on helping students achieve their college dreams while growing a sustainable business.

Start strong. Choose a platform built with your profession and success in mind. Choose CounselMore.

Staying Relevant & Authentic: How Lee Norwood Sparked Annapolis College Consulting's 5-Fold Growth Journey

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:17:21 GMT

Staying Relevant & Authentic: How Lee Norwood Sparked Annapolis College Consulting's 5-Fold Growth Journey

Since purchasing Annapolis College Consulting in 2020, Lee Norwood ignited five-fold growth by building a repeatable service delivery process, staying relevant through engaging videos and building a diverse team of experts.

Annapolis, Maryland - College dreams are an innate part of life for most teenagers, filling young minds with both excitement and anxiety. To alleviate the stress by providing practical guidance to students and their parents, Lee Norwood stood at the helm of Annapolis College Consulting (ACC) in 2019, marking the start of her mission.

For five years, Lee has been relentlessly unveiling the mysteries of this next milestone, helping lost youth navigate this complex process and ensuring their choice aligns with their hopes, goals, and values. With a fusion of tailored services and geographical expansion, Lee grew the business five-fold, promising a brighter future for all adolescents.

Central to Lee's strategy is maintaining a constant stream of relevant updates, a dedication that addresses the industry-wide problem of misinformation and lacking education. "While school counseling is a step in the right direction, these services are far from perfect. With hundreds of students to cater to, professionals aren't able to deliver truly personalized services," she stresses.

"This is one of the most important decisions any young person will make in their lives, and the tricky nature of this landscape makes it even more stress-inducing."

Since its establishment, one-on-one sessions have been the company's cornerstone. Here, by working closely with families over the course of two years, ACC's specialists help youth identify future plans and dreams and align them with college decisions. For those looking for test assistance, the consultancy provides referrals to certified tutors, empowering students to achieve results that safeguard their way to their preferred institutions.

This comprehensive service bleeds into students' free time, helping them manage summer holidays and weekends in the most productive way without overburdening youth with responsibilities. The final stages revolve around personal statements and effective applications, helping teenagers curate outstanding writings that stand out amidst thousands of others. Determined to shatter barriers and unleash all possibilities, ACC has a financial specialist that illuminates the financial landscape and increases the understanding of every student's costs and payment and loan options.

For Lee, this motivation is personal; a former pharmaceutical expert of 23 years, she has always felt drawn to different fields, knowing she 'wanted to do more.' Serendipitously, she met ACC's previous owner at a networking event, quickly falling in love with the business' concept and potential. Soon after, she made the life-defining decision to purchase the business, enrolled in summer consulting courses, CounselMore's Accelerator program, and dedicated her time to honing her skills and expertise.

This determination was reinforced when Lee's daughter started looking into colleges, working alongside Lee's previous mentor to make the best choice. Because of widespread misinformation and not enough clarity, she didn't realize Lee's family was Pell-eligible, missing out on an opportunity to receive substantial funding and expand her college list. Though her daughter's college fulfilled all expectations, this experience further highlighted the immense need students and parents are in.

From a small team comprising Lee and her dog to growing ACC through sharing - videos, information, engaging reels, and authentic content - this field innovator fostered a diverse and inspiring environment that addresses all needs of students. More than expertise, Lee was looking for experienced consultants with a range of skill sets and personalities that complement the differing needs of today's kids. For example, those with learning and emotional difficulties, home-schooled students, those set on Ivy League schools, and even those uncertain about college.

Annapolis College Consulting, a culmination of Lee's life experiences and passion, is an impactful medium through which she channels the lessons she learned under ACC's previous owner's tutelage. After nearly two years of absorbing knowledge from a seasoned professional, Lee felt ready to continue this journey solo.

As part of her efforts, Lee also curated and launched College Sharks, an accessible program that provides more affordable solutions to families across the economic spectrum. A sought-after public speaker, entrepreneur, author, and podcast guest, she shares her well of wisdom with students globally, encapsulating it in digestible, entertaining, and timely "Walking, Thinking, Sniffing, and Such" videos available on the website, where Lee shares insightful thoughts while walking her beloved white lab Fenwick.

"When it comes to growing, especially in the digital era, you have to stay relevant and keep your finger on the pulse. College consulting doesn't have to be a chore," she adds. "At ACC, all services are vibrant, fun, and entertaining, showing all students that college dreams are within reach for everyone."

Media Contact

Name: Lee Norwood
Email: lee@annapoliscollegeconsulting.com

Is Fordham a good school? Can I get into Fordham? What is Fordham looking for in a student?

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 21:39:43 GMT

Is Fordham University a good school? Can I get into Fordham?

What is Fordham looking for in a student?

Reading this article will help you understand what Fordham is looking for in a student because it compiles the real-life experiences and perspectives of current Fordham students, providing insights into what traits and experiences are valued at the university.

Here is som e insight into what Fordham University may be looking for in a student based on what actual students who chose to attend Fordham:

Academic Curiosity and Engagement:

The students interviewed discussed a collaborative learning environment with accessible professors and challenging coursework. They mentioned a variety of teaching styles, including lectures, discussions, and hands-on projects. This suggests Fordham values students who actively participate in their learning and seek out opportunities to engage with professors and classmates.

Community Involvement and Service:

Fordham's Jesuit mission emphasizes community, service, and caring for the whole person. Students interviewed showcased their involvement in extracurricular activities , many of which had a service component. This suggests Fordham values students who are committed to making a positive impact on their community and demonstrate leadership qualities.

Adaptability and Resilience:

Students interviewed highlighted the challenges and rewards of attending a university in an urban environment. They discussed navigating safety concerns , balancing academic and social commitments, and adapting to a diverse student body. This suggests Fordham values students who can thrive in a dynamic and demanding environment.

Whether or not Fordham is a "good" school is subjective and depends on your individual needs and preferences . This article provides you with perspectives directly from students, offering a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the university than standard college rankings or statistics.

Regarding your chances of getting into Fordham, this article does not provide specific admissions requirements or acceptance rates. You can find this information on Fordham University's website but we caution you that "last admitted class profile" will not tell you the full story. If you fall outside of the state reported you could still be admitted. Speak directly to the school admissions office or seek the experience of an educational consultant resources like those provided by CounselMore.

CounselMore , a cutting-edge software solution designed for the unique needs of independent educational consultants, offers a wealth of resources to help students navigate the complex world of college admissions. Students can find these counselors in the CounselMore Directory .

In partnership with current college students, CounselMore has gathered in-depth interviews that provide invaluable insights into the realities of campus life. These interviews go beyond the glossy brochures and statistics, offering prospective students a raw and authentic glimpse into what it's actually like to attend a particular university .

One institution featured prominently in CounselMore's collection is Fordham University , a Jesuit university located in the vibrant heart of New York City. Through candid conversations with current Fordham students, CounselMore unveils the diverse experiences, perspectives, and opportunities that await students on this dynamic campus. Keep reading to delve into the unique academic culture, social scene, and Jesuit influences that define the Fordham experience , as revealed by the students themselves.

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These in-depth student interviews can be found on the website CounselMore, a platform designed specifically for independent educational consultants. CounselMore recognized the need for resources tailored to this niche profession and collaborated directly with students on various campuses, including Fordham University. These interviews provide prospective students and their counselors with a unique, firsthand perspective on the student experience. By understanding the lived experiences of current students, along with their backgrounds and demographics, prospective students can gain valuable insights into various aspects of campus life, academics, and social dynamics that traditional college resources may not offer.

Here is a summary of student experiences at Fordham University based on the CounselMore interviews with students:

Fordham University Academics:

Fordham students have described a collaborative learning environment where they feel supported by their peers and professors.

Professors are generally described as accessible and willing to help students outside of class.

Students have access to a variety of resources, including career services and academic advising.

However, some students have reported issues with the Biology department, citing a lack of flexibility and difficulty getting into required classes.

Fordham University Campus Culture:

Fordham is known for its strong Jesuit presence, with students noting the emphasis on values such as community, service, and caring for the whole person. The university has an active social scene, with students frequenting bars near campus and in Manhattan, as well as attending on-campus events and parties. Students describe a close-knit community where they feel connected to their peers. While Fordham is a predominantly White institution, students report that people of different races and sexual orientations generally mix socially. Commuting can be a challenge for some students, as it can limit their involvement in campus activities and social life.

Fordham University Location

Fordham’s location in New York City is a major draw for many students, providing access to internships, cultural events, and a vibrant urban environment. However, safety in the surrounding Bronx neighborhood is a concern for some students.

Pros and Cons of Attending Fordham University:

Reasons to attend Fordham University Pros:

Strong Jesuit presence and emphasis on values

Active social scene and close-knit community

Accessible and helpful professors

Excellent location in New York City

Strong alumni network

Reasons to attend Fordham University Cons:

Safety concerns in the surrounding neighborhood

Limited flexibility and potential for course registration difficulties in certain departments

Commuting can be a challenge and limit involvement in campus life

High tuition costs

Not a target school for big banks if that's your target

Reasons to attend Fordham University - Things to Consider Before Enrolling:

Commuting vs. living on campus:

Living on campus can significantly enhance the student experience, especially for those looking to be fully immersed in the Fordham community.

Safety:

While the campus itself is considered safe, students should be aware of safety concerns in the surrounding neighborhood and take necessary precautions.

Academic interests:

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of specific departments and make sure the university offers programs and resources that align with your interests. Read the courses required for your potential majors!

Financial aid:

Fordham's tuition is high, so explore financial aid options and scholarships thoroughly.

Fit with the Jesuit mission:

Fordham's Jesuit identity is a significant part of the university's culture, so students should consider whether this aligns with their values and educational goals. The sources highlight the diverse experiences of Fordham students, offering valuable insights into the university's academic environment, campus culture, and location . Prospective students should weigh these factors carefully to determine if Fordham is the right fit for them.

Test Optional 2025

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 15:27:53 GMT

Test Optional?

Maybe Not... Should I Submit Test Scores to Colleges?

Insights on College Admissions Testing

MONTHLY PRESENTATIONS BY PEER COLLEAGUES

Test Optional Admissions Introduction

This blog post summarizes key insights from Brian Eufinger, an experienced test prep expert from Edison Prep, who spoke at a recent CounselMore Mentorship meeting. He discussed the evolving landscape of college admissions testing, the impact of test-optional policies, and offered advice for educational consultants navigating these changes.

The New SAT and ACT: Key Changes and Considerations

Digital SAT:

The SAT has transitioned to a digital, adaptive format. The test adapts after the first module, placing students in a higher or lower difficulty level for the second module.

Implications of Digital SAT:

Encourage students to aim for the higher module, as scores are capped if they don't reach it.

Desmos Calculator (scientific calculator):

The digital SAT includes a built-in Desmos calculator, but students should also be proficient with their handheld calculators.

Practice Test Limitations:

The limited number of official practice tests (currently six) is a challenge. Advise students to use third-party materials for early practice, saving the official tests for later.

College Testing Score Volatility:

The smaller number of questions on the digital SAT leads to greater score volatility.

New ACT:

The upcoming digital ACT, launching in September 2025, is shorter than the current format.

ACT Science Optional?

While the ACT is making science optional, students should plan to take this section as most universities will still require it.

Paper ACT Preferred:

The paper ACT is recommended over the digital version as the inability to write on the math and science sections may negatively impact scores.

Practice Test Availability:

Unlike the SAT, the ACT has ample practice material available, including 43 real tests, as the content is not significantly changing.

Test Optional Policies: Navigating the Nuances for College Planners and Students

Test Optional Doesn't Mean Test Blind:

While many schools are test optional, submitting strong test scores provides a significant advantage in the admissions process.

Submitter Advantage:

Data from several universities, including Fordham, shows that students who submit test scores are admitted at a much higher rate.

Context Matters:

The decision to submit or withhold scores depends on several factors:

The student's scores in relation to the university's average scores.

The student's intended major (engineering, nursing, and business programs often place more weight on test scores).

The percentage of enrolled students who submitted scores (check the Common Data Set in CounselMore college data menu).

Test Scores and Merit Aid:

Even if test scores are optional for admissions, they may be required for merit-based scholarships.

Hidden Test Policies:

Some schools, while publicly test optional, may pressure students to retract submitted scores or discourage submission altogether, impacting merit aid and rankings.

The Importance of Test Scores in a Test Optional World

Grade Inflation and Compression:

Grade inflation and compression make it harder for universities to differentiate between applicants based solely on GPA.

Predictive Value:

Test scores remain a strong predictor of college success, even exceeding high school GPA in some cases (e.g., Harvard).

Equity:

Standardized tests can level the playing field for students from under-resourced schools or backgrounds, offering a measurable indicator of academic potential.

Test Optional Advice for Educational Consultants

Educate Students and Parents:

Explain the nuances of test-optional policies and the submitter advantage.

Encourage Early and Frequent Practice:

Help students prepare early and take practice tests to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Emphasize the Benefits of Test Prep:

Highlight how test prep can improve scores, reduce stress, and open doors to scholarship opportunities.

Utilize Resources:

Direct students and families to helpful resources like:

Merit Aid Grids on College Websites:

A free tool that helps students explore merit aid opportunities based on GPA and test scores.

Assessiv.com:

A collaborative platform offering practice materials for the digital SAT.

Reddit.com/r/ACT:

A source for free ACT practice tests.

Mathchops.com:

A gamified platform for math practice.

Stay Informed on Admissions with CounselMore for Educational Planners:

Keep up with the latest developments in college admissions testing and test-optional policies by being a member of an actively engaged community like CounselMore for Educational Planners.

Test Optional Conclusion

While the landscape of college admissions testing is constantly evolving, test scores remain an important factor in college admissions and merit aid decisions. By understanding the nuances of test-optional policies and utilizing available resources, educational consultants can effectively guide students toward successful college applications.

RECORDED PRESENTATION

What should I include in my college applications? Admissions Trends 2025 and why you'd consider hiring an education planner

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:51:26 GMT

What should I include in my college applications? Admissions Trends 2025 and why you'd consider hiring an education planner

Admissions Trends for 2025

What are the major college admissions trends for 2025?

Test-Optional Policies:

While many schools adopted test-optional policies during the pandemic, some, including elite institutions like Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale, are reinstating testing requirements . Others are updating their policies annually, making it crucial for students to check each school's specific requirements in the Test Policy column of their CounselMore App Tracker .

Early Applications:

Early applications to selective schools have increased in recent cycles. Applying Early Action or Early Decision often provides a statistical advantage due to smaller applicant pools and higher yield rates for colleges. Those numbers are shifting diluting opportunities. Strategies to build a balanced college list cannot rely on an early-admissions boost.

Affirmative Action and Legacy Admissions:

The Supreme Court's decision to eliminate race as a factor in admissions has led many schools to re-evaluate their legacy admissions policies. Some have already abandoned legacy preferences , while California is considering legislation to prohibit funding for private universities that prioritize legacy applicants . Moreover, consider Justice Sonia Sotomayor's advice when crafting essays to reflect the student's environment in their narrative.

College Applicant Activities List Specialization vs. Well-Roundedness:

There's a noticeable shift towards specialization and focus in college applications activities lists. Colleges are increasingly interested in students who demonstrate a deep commitment, steady-focus, prolonged-interest, and self-pursued expertise in a few areas rather than a broad but superficial involvement in many activities.

College Application Inflation:

Students are applying to more colleges than ever before , leading to record-breaking application numbers. This trend is fueled by the ease of applying through platforms like the Common App and the increased accessibility of college information that is not validated causing students to be overwhelmed and scattershot apply instead of tool their application to schools that fit.

AI in College Admissions:

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in application review is on the rise and accelerating. AI helps colleges process large volumes of applications, with some even relying on AI to make final admission decisions. This trend underscores the need for students to carefully craft their applications with potential AI scrutiny in mind. Authenticity above all!

Direct College Admissions:

Direct admissions programs are gaining traction as a way to increase college accessibility and enrollment. These programs automatically admit eligible students to in-state colleges, often before they formally apply. Check out the CounselMore Community Lists for a automatic list of Direct Admit schools and apply these to your App Tracker. Schools on the App Tracker will show on the Fin Fit tab, compare financial aid for state schools against ivy-dreams and ivy-pricing. Note the link directly to state aid options. Many auto-qualify for state programs and its just a matter of awareness!

Financial Aid Challenges:

Ongoing challenges with the FAFSA have caused delays and complications in financial aid disbursement. These issues, coupled with rising college costs, emphasize the need for families to engage in open and honest conversations about college affordability and to explore alternative funding options.

Colleges saw an increase in financial aid appeals, causing overwhelmed financial aid offices, slowing down processes. For this reason it is important to complete all the necessary paperwork on time and submit corrections as soon as you are aware of them. Any considerations the applicant would like the office to weigh should be made plain with little narrative. Submit copies of documents that backup your ask for need. Pursue the CounselMore Financial Assignments for a complete How To Apply for Financial Appeal.

Lastly, since students are applying to so many colleges, this ties up financial aid resources unnecessarily. Students who are admitted hold financial aid resources that are ear-marked for their potential admittance throughout the Spring, while the applicant considers their options. Most students know when they have no intention of attending a school. Other students are waiting for the admitted student to release their offers, so their funds can be reallocated. For this reason students are asked to inform schools of their true intentions immediately.

Increased Diversity in Applicants:

Despite the challenges posed by the removal of affirmative action, there's been a notable increase in applications from first-generation students and underrepresented minorities. However, the overall diversity of enrolled student bodies has declined at some institutions in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision. As schools also struggle with economics, they must meet occupancy first and diversity goals second.

How can Admissions Trends impact my college application strategy?

College Prep Testing:

Consider whether submitting (or not submitting) test scores aligns with your overall application profile. See blog for more strategies .

Early Application:

Strategize with your counselor on whether applying Early Action or Early Decision is beneficial for your target schools.

Highlighting Strengths:

Focus on showcasing your passion and depth of involvement in a few key activities that align with your interests and goals. Develop a compelling narrative that emphasizes your unique strengths and contributions.

Application Choices:

Create a balanced college list with a mix of reach, target, and safety schools, taking into account application inflation and the competitiveness of your chosen majors.

Financial Planning:

Engage in open conversations about college affordability early in the process. Explore various financial aid options and develop a comprehensive plan to manage college costs.

College Research:

Thoroughly research each college's admissions criteria, student body profile, academic programs, and campus culture. Use online resources, virtual tours, and connections with current students to gather insights.

What are some additional insights from CounselMore that can aid in the application process?

The CounselMore materials outline valuable resources and strategies to streamline the application process:

Utilize the CounselMore Portal:

Both students and parents can access web-based portals to manage assignments, track progress, and research colleges using a proprietary database. The portal facilitates a more organized and efficient application journey.

Biography Banners:

These sections in the portal help students craft compelling narratives about their activities, awards, and honors. Accurate reporting of time spent on activities is essential as it provides context for evaluating their significance.

Academic Résumé:

Create a comprehensive academic résumé that showcases your achievements and can be used for letters of recommendation, applications, and other purposes.

Letters of Recommendation:

Request letters of recommendation early from teachers and mentors who can speak to your abilities and character. Be prepared to provide them with necessary materials like an academic résumé and transcript.

Financial Fit Tool:

Use this tool to understand the potential costs and return on investment for your top-choice schools.

What are some things to keep in mind after submitting college applications?

The sources stress the importance of staying engaged and proactive even after submitting applications:

Applicant Portals:

Register for each college's applicant portal and regularly check for updates and communication . Actively engaging with the portal demonstrates genuine interest to admissions committees.

Additional Materials:

If permitted, submit updated transcripts, additional letters of recommendation, or other relevant materials to keep your application active.

Financial Aid Appeals:

Understand your financial aid options and prepare to write an appeal letter if your initial offer doesn't meet your needs.

College Visits:

Visit the campuses of your top-choice schools to gain a firsthand perspective on student life and academics. Don't hesitate to ask detailed questions about campus culture, academic rigor, and housing specifics.

Remember, the college application process is a journey that requires careful planning, diligence, and a proactive approach. By staying informed about current trends and utilizing available resources, you can increase your chances of success.

Navigating the College Admissions Maze: Why You Need an Educational Planner in 2025

The college admissions process has always been a challenging endeavor, but the landscape for the class of 2025 is particularly complex and ever-evolving. With shifting admissions policies, an increased emphasis on specialization, and the rise of technology in application review, the journey from high school to higher education can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. This is where a professional educational planner steps in, acting as your guide, mentor, and advocate throughout this critical transition.

Think of an educational planner as your personal admissions strategist . They've witnessed the process countless times, understand the nuances of each college's requirements, and have the expertise to help you present your best self to admissions committees. They won't be fazed by your questions or concerns; instead, they'll offer tailored advice and support every step of the way.

2025 Admissions Trends: Why Expert Educational Consultant Guidance is More Important Than Ever

The sources provide an in-depth look at the emerging trends shaping the admissions process for the class of 2025. These trends underscore the importance of seeking professional guidance:

Test-Optional Policies: Navigating the Maze:

While many colleges adopted test-optional policies during the pandemic, some, including prestigious institutions like Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale, have reinstated testing requirements.

Other colleges are constantly updating their policies , creating a sense of uncertainty for students. An educational planner can help you decipher these evolving policies and determine the best testing strategy for your individual profile. Professional College Planners use admissions spftware like CounselMore to stay up-to-date on changes to test policies in admissions. They can assess whether submitting (or not submitting) test scores aligns with your overall application narrative and guide you on effective test preparation if needed.

Early Applications: Gaining a Strategic Edge:

A consistent rise in early applications to selective schools means applying under Early Action or Early Decision options could offer a statistical advantage due to smaller applicant pools and potentially higher acceptance rates. This option is less true as stats change.

It's crucial to understand the implications of each option by checking the former application year's number of early submitted and whether it's the right fit for your target colleges. A seasoned educational planner using CounselMore software can analyze your chances of acceptance under early application deadlines and advise you on the best-fit strategy based on your academic profile and college preferences.

Affirmative Action and Legacy Admissions:

Charting a New Course: The Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action, coupled with increasing scrutiny of legacy admissions, has sent shockwaves through the admissions landscape. These changes are prompting colleges to rethink their admissions evaluations, and the long-term implications are still unfolding. An educational planner can help you understand how these shifts impact your application , particularly if you belong to an underrepresented group or are a legacy applicant. They can guide you on effectively highlighting the diversity of your experiences and perspectives in your application materials and narrative.

Specialization vs. Well-Roundedness College Application Activities List:

Showcasing Your Passion: Forget the myth of the "well-rounded" student. G rowing preference for specialization in admissions means Colleges are seeking students who exhibit a deep commitment and expertise in a few areas that genuinely excite them . An educational planner can help you identify your core strengths and passions and craft a compelling narrative that showcases your specialized skills and experiences. They'll guide you on curating your activities, framing your essays, and securing strong letters of recommendation that highlight your unique contributions. However, if you have the chance to start planning early your admissions-coach can guide you on your choice of activities now.

Application Inflation: Standing Out in a Crowded Field:

The ease of applying through platforms like the Common App has fueled a surge in application numbers, leading to unprecedented competition. Colleges are receiving record-breaking applications, which means admissions officers have less time to review each application . An educational planner can help you craft a standout application that captures the attention of admissions committees. They'll help you identify the key elements that resonate with your target colleges and ensure your application materials are strategically aligned to present your most compelling narrative.

AI in College Admissions: Understanding the Algorithm:

With the rise of AI in admissions, it's no longer just about impressing human readers. Colleges are increasingly using AI to filter applications , identify specific keywords, and even make final admission decisions . An educational planner can provide insights into how AI is being used in admissions and help you optimize your application for potential AI review. They can guide you on using the right language, highlighting niche extracurriculars, and crafting essays that stand out to both human readers and algorithms.

Direct Admissions: Exploring New Pathways:

Direct admissions programs are emerging as a way to streamline college access for eligible students, often guaranteeing admission to in-state colleges. While these programs offer a more predictable pathway, an educational planner can help you evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of direct admissions and determine whether it's a suitable option for your goals.

Financial Aid Challenges: Making Informed Decisions:

Rising college costs, coupled with ongoing challenges with the FAFSA, make financial planning an essential aspect of the college admissions process. An educational planner can guide you through the complexities of financial aid , help you understand your options, and develop a realistic financial plan . They can advise you on maximizing your chances of receiving scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance.

CounselMore: Your Partner in the College Planning Journey

The CounselMore platform offers a wealth of resources designed to support both students and educational planners in navigating the college admissions process.

The platform includes:

Comprehensive College Planning Blueprints:

These meticulously crafted blueprints provide a structured framework for educational consultants, outlining a series of assignments and tasks to guide students through every stage of the college planning journey.

Web-Based College Planning Software Portals for Students and Parents:

CounselMore provides user-friendly portals where students and families can access assignments, track progress, research colleges, and manage essential documents , fostering collaboration and organization.

Proprietary College Information Database:

CounselMore offers access to a comprehensive database of college information , enabling students to research colleges in depth, compare key metrics, and build personalized college lists.

Financial Fit Tools:

CounselMore empowers students and families to assess the financial fit of their top-choice colleges by analyzing costs, scholarships, and potential return on investment.

Google Drive Integration:

Seamless integration with Google Drive allows for efficient document sharing and collaboration , streamlining the application process and ensuring all materials are readily accessible.

CounselMore Directory: Finding the Right Educational Planner for You

Finding the right educational planner is a crucial step in ensuring a successful college admissions experience. The CounselMore directory is a valuable resource for connecting with qualified and experienced educational planners who can meet your specific needs. The directory allows you to search for planners based on:

Location

Specialization

Price Range

By using the CounselMore directory, you can find an educational planner who aligns with your budget and goals .

Making the Most of Your College Admissions Journey

Investing in a professional educational planner is an investment in your future. These experts provide personalized guidance, strategic insights, and emotional support to help you navigate the complexities of college admissions and achieve your higher education aspirations. The CounselMore platform and directory offer valuable resources to connect with the right planner and streamline the application process. With the right support and preparation, you can confidently approach the 2025 admissions cycle , knowing you've taken the necessary steps to maximize your chances of success.

Do Summer Programs Impress College Admissions? Should I goto a Summer Program? Is Summer Program Worth it?

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 20:39:47 GMT

Is a Summer Program Worth it? Will a Summer Program Look Good on my College Application? Start Comparing Programs: Begin with The National Student Leadership Conference

Summer Enrichment Done Right: The National Student Leadership Conference

The recent CounselMore webinar featuring representatives from the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) offered valuable insights for educational consultants seeking enriching summer opportunities for their students. This post summarizes key takeaways from the presentation, focusing on how NSLC addresses common concerns about summer programs and provides a unique, impactful experience for students.

Experiential Learning at its Core

NSLC distinguishes itself from traditional pre-college programs by prioritizing experiential learning over lectures and college credit. Students engage in hands-on activities, connect with guest speakers, and embark on field trips, immersing themselves in their chosen career field. They select a specific track and spend six, nine, or eighteen days on a college campus, gaining a realistic understanding of the chosen profession.

This approach allows students to "test drive" their future career, as illustrated by the example of a student interested in forensic science. NSLC's program goes beyond the glamorized portrayal of forensics often seen on TV, providing a tangible experience that helps students make informed decisions about their academic and professional paths.

Holistic Development: Leadership and Life Skills

NSLC’s focus extends beyond career exploration to encompass holistic student development. A robust leadership program is integrated throughout the summer sessions, facilitated by dynamic speakers who conduct engaging workshops. These workshops cultivate essential "life skills"—social and emotional competencies vital for young people navigating an increasingly complex world.

The program’s impact on students' leadership and personal growth is evident in parental feedback, with some parents expressing astonishment at the positive transformations they observe in their children.

Dispelling Myths and Highlighting Truths

The webinar addressed prevalent misconceptions surrounding NSLC and summer enrichment programs in general.

The "Pay-to-Play" Myth: The presenters, particularly Dr. Andrea Maldonado, strongly refuted the notion of NSLC as a "pay-to-play" program. They emphasized that NSLC maintains an admissions process, ensuring that acceptance is not solely based on financial capacity. In today's educational landscape, few programs are truly free, and NSLC's fees reflect the value and comprehensiveness of their offerings.

The Diversity Myth: Kelsey Pearson highlighted NSLC's commitment to diversity and inclusion, underscoring their efforts to cultivate a diverse student body, staff, and guest speaker pool. She shared data indicating that the student body reflects the country's racial demographics, with approximately 10% of participants being international students representing 70 countries. The diversity within NSLC fosters meaningful connections among students from different backgrounds, broadening their perspectives and creating lasting bonds.

The Cost Myth: While acknowledging the financial investment involved, the presenters emphasized the value provided by NSLC programs. Program fees cover all on-campus expenses, including housing, meals, and activities from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. This ensures students are continually engaged and derive maximum benefit from their participation. Additionally, NSLC offers various scholarship opportunities, including need-based scholarships, partnerships with schools and organizations, and even educator scholarships. With nearly half a million dollars in scholarship funds distributed annually, the average scholarship ranges from $750 to $1,000.

The University Program Myth: Pearson clarified that while NSLC programs are not directly run by the universities where they are hosted, the organization collaborates closely with each institution to ensure a high-quality experience. She also pointed out that some seemingly university-run programs are actually operated by third-party organizations, making NSLC's model more common than some might perceive.

The Supervision Myth: Addressing parental concerns, both presenters emphasized the highly structured nature of NSLC programs, with a full schedule of activities and continuous supervision throughout the day.

The College Recognition Myth: Pearson acknowledged that while NSLC participation alone might not guarantee admission to a top college, universities recognize NSLC as a reputable organization. She highlighted the value of NSLC experiences in enriching students' college application narratives. The experiences provide compelling content for essays and interviews, enabling students to articulate their interests and growth beyond simply stating their ambitions. Moreover, participants receive tangible evidence of their involvement, including a transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a certificate, which can be included in college applications.

Finding the Right Fit

Dr. Maldonado emphasized that NSLC caters to a specific type of learner, one who thrives in busy environments, embraces hands-on learning, and seeks professional development and networking opportunities. Students who prefer research-oriented or theoretical, classroom-based learning might find other programs more suitable.

Engaging with NSLC

NSLC encourages educators to nominate students who demonstrate a strong academic record (B average or higher) and leadership potential. As an added incentive, educators attending webinars receive a discount code offering $50 off the program fee for up to ten nominated students. Interested individuals can also connect with NSLC through their website, social media, or the email address: educator.info@nslcleaders.org .

Beyond Information, a Sense of Passion

The presenters' evident passion for NSLC and its impact on students further underscored the program’s value. Their enthusiasm resonated throughout the webinar, highlighting their genuine belief in NSLC's ability to provide transformative summer experiences. For educational consultants seeking engaging and enriching opportunities for their students, NSLC offers a compelling option worth exploring.

NSLC Program FAQ

What is the NSLC and what does it offer?

The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) is a renowned organization that provides summer enrichment programs for middle and high school students. These programs focus on specific career fields, allowing students to "test drive" potential majors and gain valuable insights into various professions. Hosted at prestigious universities across the US and internationally, NSLC programs provide immersive experiences with hands-on activities, guest speakers, field trips, and leadership development workshops.

How diverse is the student body at NSLC programs?

NSLC is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, creating a rich and varied environment for students. With participants from over 70 countries each summer, including a substantial 10% international student representation, NSLC boasts a diverse student body. This commitment extends beyond geographical representation, encompassing racial and ethnic diversity, with a student population that closely mirrors the demographics of the United States.

Are NSLC programs only for wealthy students? What about scholarships?

While NSLC programs require tuition, the organization is committed to making its programs accessible to a wide range of students. NSLC offers various scholarship opportunities, including need-based scholarships, school and organizational partnerships, and alumni scholarships for college. The scholarship application process resembles the Common App, providing valuable practice for college applications. Annually, NSLC awards nearly half a million dollars in scholarships, with approximately 85% of applicants receiving some financial assistance.

What does the NSLC tuition cover?

NSLC program tuition covers a comprehensive range of expenses, including accommodation, meals, activities, field trips, and materials. Students are engaged in structured activities from morning till night, ensuring a worthwhile investment. The only additional costs students may incur are for souvenirs, occasional off-campus meals, and transportation to and from the program location.

Are university-organized programs superior to NSLC programs?

NSLC programs maintain strong relationships with their host universities, ensuring students benefit from a quality experience. While some may perceive university-run programs as superior, NSLC programs often offer similar benefits, sometimes even surpassing university offerings in terms of faculty expertise and industry connections. Importantly, NSLC programs are recognized and respected by universities, enhancing student applications and providing valuable networking opportunities.

Are the professors and guest speakers at NSLC programs affiliated with the host university?

While NSLC strives to engage professors from host universities, the summer schedule can present challenges. However, NSLC programs consistently feature experts in their respective fields, including renowned professors from other top-tier universities, industry professionals, and leaders in various sectors. This diverse range of speakers exposes students to a broader perspective and enhances their networking opportunities.

How structured are NSLC programs? Are students supervised?

NSLC programs maintain a highly structured schedule, ensuring students are actively engaged throughout their program duration. Activities, workshops, and field trips fill the days, providing a balance of academic exploration and leadership development. Students are constantly supervised and guided by experienced staff members, ensuring their safety and a productive learning environment.

Do colleges really care about summer programs like NSLC?

Colleges and universities value experiences that demonstrate a student's passion, initiative, and personal growth. NSLC programs, particularly through their leadership development components, offer students a platform to develop these qualities and articulate them effectively in their college applications. Participation in NSLC programs can enhance personal statements, provide unique material for essays, and even serve as a source for an additional letter of recommendation. Moreover, the recognition NSLC holds within the higher education community adds weight to a student's application, showcasing their commitment to pursuing their interests.

Be an educational consultant: It is rewarding! Do the job for you!

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 02:45:20 GMT

How to be an educational consultant: It is rewarding! Do the job for you!

Transcript:

Speaker: (00:00)

You're here today because you run your own College advising business.

I really appreciate you taking your time to listen and be a part of this business development Academy.

Speaker: (00:13)

Imagine yourself zipping together a jacket. A little piece of plastic or metal fits into another piece at the bottom and you're pulling the tab slowly so it doesn't snag bringing two pieces of fabric together.

Speaker: (00:31)

Zippers, they keep us warm. They brace Us Against the Wind and sometimes they keep us from losing other pieces we need.

If one side of that fabric is what you do in your life to keep the lights on and the other side is what you love and what you like to show the world about you, zipping those two together will keep you warm.

Speaker: (00:55)

I knew early on that I loved to teach and to learn. I also knew early on that I was in charge of my own Financial stability.

So from the beginning, I was always in some kind of school and I always had a job.

Speaker: (01:12)

At 30 I moved across the country with my young family and stayed at home with my toddler, this was the first time I wasn't financially independent and it was the first time I wasn't in a school.

I looked into teaching jobs in San Diego after we moved but I also like the idea of having more flexibility as a mom with a growing family. So after a few years in California, when looking for a next career step, I explored the College counseling certificate program at UC San Diego and signed up.

Speaker: (01:47)

Those years off work taught me a lot about who I am and what I need. Mostly I realized that when I loved what I was doing not only was I happier but others left smiling and feeling pretty good about themselves too. I love that.

So let's be clear, I work because I need it. Clearly I haven't always felt like an expert in college admissions and in this industry's ever changing world there's a large learning curve that doesn't ever feel flat, but what can I pass on to you today basically, I feel like I'm here to help you know that it's not just okay but it's great to feel good about what we do as much for ourselves as for our students.

Speaker: (02:39)

One of my constants is other people who do this work I've gained such close friendships in the last 10 years. Particularly, collaboration is key to the way I practice. Even though my practice is just me, together we have hosted a blind college fair, run case studies with admission counselors, and Essay workshops with each other.

Speaker: (03:05)

Another thing I love about this work is the travel. And seeing college campuses is a great thing to build a trip around. Going beyond my students and educating the broader public has become a bit of a mission for me, and I've steadily gained followers and even clients from it. And if you're not sure how people feel about you, ask for testimonials. It's such a wonderful feeling to read how you're valued through the eyes of others. You can either define it or let it define you, and if you know all those maybe personal and selfish reasons for wanting to do this work, you can own it, not just run it.

Admissions data and the power of crowdsourcing

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 02:43:33 GMT

Do College Counselors Share Secrets? Is there a "Side-Door" In College Admissions? The Power of Crowdsourcing College Admissions Data

The Power of Community

Spoiler alert - there is no side door.

Since the dawn of the internet, crowdsourcing has become more accessible than ever before, bringing along a host of benefits and amazing results . Just think about it—we now have a treasure trove of admissions data at our fingertips.

Let's dive into three exciting ways that a specific type of crowdsourcing, known as self-organized crowds, can make a big impact on your college counseling process.

1 – Better Solutions to Tough Problems

Remember the saying, "Two heads are better than one"? Crowdsourcing takes that idea to the next level by bringing together thousands of counselors to solve problems. The results? Faster and often better solutions.

By tapping into the diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives of a global crowd of college planners, we can tackle issues from all angles. Imagine if we used crowdsourcing to address higher ed data or uncover the mysteries of admissions. Well that's exactly what CounselMore does!

2 – Sparking Innovation

Crowdsourcing isn't just for solving problems; it's also a powerful tool for innovation.

At CounselMore we leverage crowdsourcing to innovate our college readiness platform, from brainstorming new product ideas on the Collaboration Lab to sharing counselor opinions on specific colleges. College planning companies of all sizes can benefit from the crowd for fresh, innovative ideas because, let’s face it, good ideas can come from anywhere.

3 – Quicker Problem Solving

Crowdsourcing isn't just about getting the best ideas—it's also about getting them quickly.

As independent college planners, we often try to solve problems on our own, we're limited by how fast we can work. Even the most brilliant innovators can only visit so many college websites to source data in so much in a given time.

But by inviting thousands of college planners to join the process, you can get amazing results much faster. For time-sensitive services, like during college application season, this speed can be the key to success.

It doesn't have to be hard

In fact, it can be as simple as using the Counselor Opinions Column in you Counselor List.

The more entries you make, the more college counselor opinions data will become available, especially for colleges with no opinions entered yet.

Comparing Educational Consultant Certification Programs: Course Offerings and Key Features

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 02:40:39 GMT

Do Educational Consultants Need a License? Comparing Educational Consultant Certification Programs: Course Offerings and Key Features

If you’re considering a continuing education program in educational consulting, college counseling, or advising, you’ll quickly encounter a wide range of program titles and formats. The rapid expansion of the educational consulting field over the last decade has led many universities and adult education centers to develop specialized professional training and certificate programs. It makes sense that these institutions would seek to shape the professionals guiding students through their admissions processes, as most private educational consultants focus on creating application lists, managing deadlines, and supporting candidates through every aspect of college applications. Additionally, many consultants, academic advisors, and private college planners ( who go by various titles ) have broadened their services to encompass college and career readiness. This holistic approach includes guiding students in course selection, preparing for higher education academics, nurturing their interests, and building well-rounded profiles for competitive college admissions.

Unlike a Master’s degree in higher education studies, these certification programs are well-suited for individuals with existing degrees who are exploring a new career path. They offer practical skills, industry insights, and a confidence boost to help professionals transition smoothly into educational consulting.

As you evaluate different programs, it’s crucial to compare them based on cost, time commitment, coursework, and hands-on training. To help, we’ve compiled a comprehensive comparison grid featuring well-regarded certification programs from institutions like Hamline University, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and Rice University.

Our aim is to give you a clear picture of what each program offers, so you can choose the one that aligns best with your career goals and educational aspirations.

Key Insights from the Comparison

Cost Differences Across Programs :

The estimated costs of these programs range significantly, with UC San Diego offering one of the most budget-friendly options at approximately $1,505, while UCLA's program is on the higher end at $5,320 . Prospective students should evaluate their budget and weigh the program's cost against potential outcomes and benefits.

Program Duration Variability :

Program lengths differ greatly, from the shorter, self-paced option at Rice University and UC San Diego’s 6-9 month program , to UCLA’s more extended timeline of up to 24 months . This flexibility in time commitment allows prospective enrollees to choose a program that aligns with their current professional and personal responsibilities.

Practicum and Hands-On Experience :

While all programs emphasize educational consulting or counseling, not all include a dedicated practicum . Programs like UC Irvine and UC Riverside specifically integrate practical experience through practicum courses, offering hands-on skills that may better prepare graduates for the field.

Course Structure and Required Courses :

The number of required courses varies significantly, with some programs offering as few as three core courses (Hamline University) and others requiring five or more with elective options (UC Irvine). Those interested in a more comprehensive or specialized curriculum may prefer programs with additional electives or requirements.

Specialized Focus Areas :

Several programs offer specialized focus areas tailored to the evolving needs of educational consulting. For example, UC Irvine focuses on developing independent consulting businesses, while UC San Diego provides coursework on American College Consulting for International Students . This added focus can be a key differentiator based on career goals.

Application Fees :

There is a wide range of application fees, from no cost at Hamline University to a $200 fee at UCLA . Potential applicants should factor these fees into their decision-making, especially if they plan to apply to multiple programs before choosing.

CounselMore Cohort Training Availability :

Each of these programs is recognized by CounselMore Educational Service Management Software as a thought-leader in our industry. CounselMore offers the option to join a CounselMore cohort training group , enabling members to learn alongside their classmates in a collaborative environment.

This cohort-based model offered through the Educational Services Academy provides a sense of community, consistency in training, and the opportunity for shared learning experiences, enhancing the educational journey and professional growth for aspiring consultants.

Some of these programs offer a focus on entrepreneurial skills and business startup guidance for educational consultants.

Specifically:

UC Irvine's Independent Educational Consultant Certificate Program includes a course titled Developing an Independent Educational Consulting Business (EDUC X406.3) , which focuses on building and managing an independent consulting practice.

UC Berkeley's Professional Program in College Admissions Consulting provides foundational knowledge in Foundations of College Admissions Advising , which can be helpful for those looking to establish their own consulting practice.

These elements can be highly beneficial for individuals seeking to start or grow their own educational consulting business. By combining practical knowledge with targeted entrepreneurial skills, these programs empower participants to navigate and thrive within this competitive field. This balance of educational expertise and business acumen offers a solid foundation for building a successful consulting practice.

While these university-run certificate programs often excel in delivering an academic understanding of educational consulting, running a solo entrepreneurial educational services startup poses unique challenges that go beyond foundational knowledge .

Growing a business, especially in its early stages, requires not only technical and industry knowledge but also hands-on guidance and the ability to adapt to market demands. During critical growth periods, having access to mentorship and practical insights can make a significant difference in the trajectory of a consulting business.

Even with a certificate in educational consulting or college counseling, an entrepreneur my feel unprepared and for those new to the practice, attending the Educational Services Training Academy offers distinct value that goes beyond the essentials in the certification programs. While certificates provide essential knowledge and skills, the academy is uniquely focused on delivering entrepreneurial business startup expertise specifically tailored for educational consultants. This specialized training in intangible-product development and diversifying revenue streams, for example - helps participants identify and refine their service offerings, building quickly, ensuring that service delivery costs are strategically outweighed by fees to maximize both revenue and sustainability.

The academy provides in-depth guidance, personalized support, and insider industry knowledge. This hands-on approach empowers participants to thrive, scale, and navigate the complexities of running their own businesses. By filling in the critical business-building gaps often overlooked in traditional certification programs, the Educational Services Training Academy equips participants with the tools and strategies needed to build successful, scalable consulting practices.

Conclusion

Selecting the right educational consultant certification program depends on several factors, including cost, duration, course offerings, and the specific skills you want to develop. Whether you are seeking a program that is short and cost-effective or one that provides in-depth specialization and practical experience, the above comparison can help guide your decision.

For more detailed information about each program, you can visit their respective websites:

Hamline University https://www.hamline.edu

UC Irvine https://ce.uci.edu

UCLA https://www.uclaextension.edu

UC Riverside https://extension.ucr.edu

UC San Diego https://extension.ucsd.edu

Rice University https://glasscock.rice.edu

Explore these options to find the program that best aligns with your career goals in the field of educational consulting!

Update:

SUNY Oneonta, C.A.S. School Counseling

What can I do when I am 18?

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 02:35:33 GMT

What happens when I turn 18? What does 18 really mean? What rights do I have when I turn 18?

Turning 18 is a transformative milestone in a young person’s life. It marks the legal transition to adulthood, bringing new freedoms, rights, and responsibilities. While families may focus on college applications or career planning during this time, understanding what turning 18 truly means can be a great conversation starter for both students and parents.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the key rights and responsibilities students gain when they turn 18, offering insights that can help private college counselors and students alike.

Civic Rights and Responsibilities

1. Voting:
At 18, you are eligible to vote in federal, state, and local elections. This is an opportunity to emphasize the importance of civic engagement. Counselors can encourage students to register to vote early and educate them on the voting process.

2. Military Service and Selective Service Registration:
Males aged 18–25 are required to register with the Selective Service System . Failure to register can impact eligibility for federal student loans, grants, and government jobs. Counselors should remind students of this important step, especially those applying for financial aid.

3. Jury Duty:

Once 18, you can be summoned for jury duty. While full-time students can often defer service, it’s essential to understand this civic obligation and its role in the justice system.

Healthcare and Privacy

1. Medical Decisions and Records:
Under HIPAA, 18-year-olds gain control over their medical decisions and records. Families should consider signing HIPAA release forms or durable power of attorney documents to ensure parents can assist in emergencies.

2. Insurance and Medical Bills:
Medical bills may now be addressed to the student instead of their parents. Counselors can remind families to review their insurance coverage and clarify billing procedures.

Financial Independence

1. Opening Bank Accounts and Credit Cards:
Turning 18 allows individuals to open their own bank accounts and apply for credit cards. Counselors can advise families to discuss financial literacy, including managing accounts, building credit, and avoiding debt.

2. Taking Out Loans:
Students can now apply for personal loans or assume control of custodial accounts set up by their parents. This is also the time to ensure students understand the implications of student loans and repayment schedules.

3. Legal Contracts:
Eighteen-year-olds can legally sign contracts, from employment agreements to leases. Counselors should encourage students to review agreements carefully and seek guidance if they’re unsure of the terms.

Academic Privacy

Educational Records:
Under FERPA , students control access to their academic records once they turn 18 or enroll in a post-secondary institution. Families should discuss whether the student will sign a FERPA release form to allow parental access.

Legal and Lifestyle Freedoms

1. Living Independently:
At 18, individuals can legally move out and live independently. They can rent apartments, purchase homes, and enter housing agreements.

2. Changing Legal Names:
Students can legally change their name at 18 without parental consent, though the process varies by state.

3. Tattoos, Piercings, and Body Modifications:
Eighteen-year-olds can get tattoos and piercings without parental approval, a topic worth discussing with families as part of broader lifestyle changes.

4. Travel and Hotel Stays:
Students can book hotels and travel without parental consent. Counselors can advise families on ensuring students are equipped for independent travel.

Additional Rights and Opportunities

1. Career Choices:
Turning 18 opens doors to new career options, such as becoming a notary public or obtaining specialized licenses for certain jobs.

2. Lottery and Gaming:
Students can purchase lottery tickets or participate in gambling where legal.

3. Joining the Armed Forces:
Eighteen-year-olds can enlist in the military without parental consent.

4. Creating Wills:
Students can create legally binding wills, an opportunity to discuss financial planning and future preparedness.

Counselors’ Role in Navigating This Milestone

As private college counselors, you’re uniquely positioned to help families navigate the complexities of turning 18. Here’s how:

Holistic Guidance:
Use this milestone as an opportunity to educate families on rights and responsibilities, integrating these discussions into broader college and life planning.

Resources and Tools:
Provide resources on topics like FERPA, HIPAA, and financial literacy. Consider creating checklists or guides tailored to your clients’ needs.

Empowering Independence:
Help students understand their newfound freedoms and responsibilities while emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making.

Supporting Families Beyond College Planning

Turning 18 is more than a legal milestone; it’s a critical point of transition that shapes how students approach adulthood. By addressing these changes comprehensively, counselors can position themselves as invaluable resources, helping families feel confident and prepared for the journey ahead.

This guide serves as a foundation for counselors to provide meaningful, relevant advice, ensuring every family feels supported as their student steps into this new chapter of life.

Master Time Management With These Techniques for Maximizing Productivity and Efficiency

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 14:08:15 GMT

In an era where multitasking and constant busyness are often glorified, effective time management is a cornerstone of productivity and well-being. By mastering time management techniques, individuals can achieve their goals with less stress, higher efficiency, and more satisfaction. This article, courtesy of CounselMore , provides an in-depth look at several strategies designed to optimize the use of time. Let’s take a look.

Prioritize Tasks

Effective time management begins with the ability to differentiate between what is important and what is urgent. Important tasks are those that contribute significantly to your long-term goals and values, while urgent tasks require immediate attention but may not be as consequential in the long run. The Eisenhower Box is a practical tool in this context. By categorizing tasks into four quadrants – important and urgent, important but not urgent, not important but urgent, and not important and not urgent – you can focus on what truly matters.

Task-Specific Software

Using task-specific software can significantly enhance your productivity by streamlining tasks tailored to your unique business needs. Specialized software automates processes, reducing manual work and minimizing the risk of errors. By using tools designed for your field , you can optimize workflows, improve data management, and ensure better alignment with industry regulations. This leads to improved outcomes, saving you time and resources while allowing you to focus on growth and innovation in your business.

Time Blocking Technique

Time blocking is a powerful method to manage your daily activities. It involves planning your day in advance and dividing it into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or group of tasks. This technique helps you avoid the pitfalls of multitasking and ensures that you allocate adequate time to each task. By assigning tasks to specific time blocks, you can focus more effectively and minimize distractions.

The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo, is a time management method that uses a timer to break work into intervals , traditionally 25 minutes in length, followed by short breaks. These intervals are called Pomodoros, named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used. This technique encourages frequent breaks to reduce mental fatigue and enhance concentration. It’s particularly effective for tasks that require sustained focus and for individuals who struggle with time management.

Minimizing Distractions

A key aspect of time management is the ability to minimize distractions. Distractions can derail your focus and significantly reduce productivity. To combat this, control your physical environment to limit interruptions. This might involve locking your office door or using signage to signal when you're not to be disturbed.

Learning to Say No

An often-overlooked aspect of time management is the ability to say no. Taking on too many tasks can lead to stress and burnout. It’s important to assess your workload and only commit to new tasks if they align with your priorities and you have the capacity to handle them. Saying no is not just about rejecting requests; it's about setting boundaries and respecting your time and commitments.

Batching Email Checking

Counselors’ Role in Navigating This Milestone

As private college counselors, you’re uniquely positioned to help families navigate the complexities of turning 18. Here’s how:

Holistic Guidance:
Use this milestone as an opportunity to educate families on rights and responsibilities, integrating these discussions into broader college and life planning.

Resources and Tools:
Provide resources on topics like FERPA, HIPAA, and financial literacy. Consider creating checklists or guides tailored to your clients’ needs.

Empowering Independence:
Help students understand their newfound freedoms and responsibilities while emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making.

Supporting Families Beyond College Planning

This guide serves as a foundation for counselors to provide meaningful, relevant advice, ensuring every family feels supported as their student steps into this new chapter of life.

Emails can be a major distraction if not managed properly. Rather than checking emails sporadically, allocate specific times for this task . This approach prevents emails from disrupting your workflow and helps you focus on tasks without constant interruption. During these scheduled email-checking times, process all your emails: reply, delete, delegate, or file them. This not only keeps your inbox under control but also frees up mental space for other tasks.

Adopting effective time management practices transforms the way we approach our daily lives, leading to increased productivity, reduced stress, and a more fulfilling personal and professional journey. It's about understanding the value of each moment and using it to enhance our overall quality of life, not just to complete more tasks. Through mindful organization and planning, we unlock the potential to achieve our goals while nurturing a balanced and satisfying lifestyle.

Direct Admissions and Curated College Lists: CounselMore’s Solution for College-Interested Students

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 02:23:25 GMT

Curated College Lists, by Topic Area: CounselMore’s Community Lead Resources

In an exciting development, the Common App has officially launched its 2024–2025 Direct Admissions program, inviting students from 117 member colleges across 35 states to apply through proactive admissions offers. This expansion aims to provide low- and middle-income students with a more accessible and straightforward route to college. For college counselors, private consultants, and educational planners, CounselMore is ready to support this evolving college admissions landscape through its curated, topic-focused college lists, including an essential Direct Admissions list.

At CounselMore, we believe in equipping our members with robust, organized tools to assist students in exploring and applying to colleges that fit their needs. Our platform includes multiple topic-driven lists that organize colleges by specific criteria and interest areas, supporting students on every step of their journey from search to application. CounselMore’s Community College Lists allow members to access a range of college lists tailored by topic, including direct admit options, which simplifies the advising process and makes it easy for consultants to provide personalized guidance.

What is Direct Admissions?

Direct admissions is a growing trend designed to increase access and equity in college admissions, especially for first-generation and underserved students. Rather than waiting for students to complete traditional applications, participating colleges extend admissions offers to students based on academic qualifications available on their Common App profiles. This proactive approach means that students receive college admissions offers without needing to complete each application first, turning the narrative of college admissions from a place of scarcity to one of opportunity.

CounselMore’s Direct Admissions List and Community-Lead Lists

With this expanded direct admissions approach, CounselMore’s Direct Admissions list within the Community College Lists is an essential tool for counselors. This list highlights colleges participating in the Common App's Direct Admissions program and beyond, allowing counselors to quickly identify which institutions offer proactive admissions options to students.

In addition to the Direct Admissions list, CounselMore’s Community College Lists encompass a range of curated topics, making it easy for counselors to provide tailored recommendations based on student interests, backgrounds, and academic goals. This functionality makes the college search process more efficient and accessible, providing students with actionable insights into schools that align with their academic profile and preferences.

Key Benefits of CounselMore’s College Lists

Personalized Recommendations: CounselMore’s lists are curated to align with various student needs, such as direct admissions, financial aid-friendly schools, and STEM-focused programs, allowing counselors to match students with ideal fits.
Time-Efficient Search: By organizing colleges by topic, CounselMore saves counselors time, enabling them to provide detailed, relevant lists quickly without needing to search for criteria individually.
Enhanced Access for First-Generation Students: For counselors working with first-generation students or those with financial limitations, CounselMore’s Direct Admissions list simplifies the search and highlights accessible opportunities.
Collaborative and User-Friendly: All CounselMore members can access and contribute to these lists, creating a community-driven resource for the latest in college admissions trends and opportunities.

How to Access CounselMore’s Direct Admissions and Other Topic-Specific Lists

Getting started with CounselMore’s curated college lists is straightforward. Simply visit the CounselMore Knowledge Base for guidance on using these tools effectively within the platform. Here, members will find detailed instructions on adding lists, tagging colleges, and creating personalized notes for each student, making every college list as individualized as the students you support.

The Future of Accessible College Admissions

CounselMore is committed to evolving alongside programs like the Common App’s Direct Admissions, continually enhancing our platform to better serve counselors and their students. By integrating curated, topic-specific lists and supporting proactive admissions initiatives, CounselMore helps create a smoother, more inclusive path to college for all students. Our tools empower counselors to guide students through a complex admissions landscape, providing the resources and support needed to make confident, informed choices.

Ready to make a difference in your students’ college journeys? Log in to CounselMore today and explore our topic-driven Community College Lists to enhance your advising experience.

For more information about the Direct Admissions program and CounselMore’s tools, visit our Knowledge Base . Together, let’s turn the opportunity into reality for students everywhere.

Avoiding College Application Pitfalls: A Guide for Private College Counselors

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:17:54 GMT

Avoiding College Application Pitfalls: A Guide for Private College Counselors

If you are new to educational consulting - keep these college application trip hazards in mind!

For private college counselors supporting families through the complex college college readiness process AND college application process, every detail matters. Beyond grades and test scores, it’s often the qualitative aspects of a student’s application that define whether they stand out or blend into the crowd. Admissions officers evaluate thousands of applications, seeking signs of a well-rounded, prepared, and driven candidates while identifying potential red flags. Here’s a guide to five common pitfalls to help your students shine—and how CounselMore’s innovative tools can support your practice.

1. Insufficient Course Rigor

Colleges expect students to stretch themselves academically. Admissions officers often look for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or other challenging coursework as evidence of academic ambition and readiness for college rigor.

CounselMore Insight: CounselMore allows you to track and evaluate students’ course selections in real-time, ensuring their academic paths align with their college aspirations. With a holistic view of each student’s course rigor, counselors can provide tailored advice on course planning, helping students maximize their academic potential.

2. Limited Extracurricular Involvement

Admissions offices place significant weight on extracurricular activities to assess how students will contribute to campus life. A lack of meaningful involvement can suggest limited interest in community engagement or leadership potential.

CounselMore Advantage: Use CounselMore Candidate Shaping Tools , to quickly see a comparison between student preparation and their college aspirations. By documenting a student’s extracurricular activities in one centralized place, CounselMore makes it easy for counselors to identify and highlight key areas of involvement. Use CounselMore’s tracking tools to ensure students’ activities reflect a genuine passion and consistent commitment—elements that admissions officers appreciate.

3. Disconnected Extracurriculars

A scattershot list of unrelated extracurriculars can work against a student. Admissions officers prefer to see a narrative—a consistent thread that reflects a student’s growth, interests, and potential contributions to their intended field of study.

How CounselMore Helps: CounselMore’s platform supports counselors in connecting the dots between a student’s activities, academic interests, and career aspirations. By using CounselMore to craft a coherent story, counselors can showcase a student’s unique path and demonstrate a deliberate pursuit of their passions.

4. Inappropriate Social Media Presence

According to a 2023 Kaplan study, 67% of admissions officers consider students’ social media presence in their evaluations. Inappropriate or risky content can severely harm a student’s chances, even after an acceptance.

Best Practices with CounselMore: Did you know there are counselors who only focus on providing services related to student's social presence and reputation defense?! As a CounselMore member you receive a discount on their services. Guide students on digital reputation management and help them curate a positive online image that aligns with their application narrative. CounselMore facilitates these conversations, empowering counselors to remind families of the importance of online professionalism.

5. Unpolished and Unprofessional Essays

Essays are a student’s voice in the admissions process—a chance to stand out through personal stories, growth, and self-reflection. Poorly executed essays or those that overshare personal struggles without reflection can harm a student’s prospects.

CounselMore’s Writing Support: CounselMore members receive discounts on WOW writing workshop - Learn to be a better essay coach!! Counselors can streamline the essay-writing process with CounselMore’s tools. Easily track drafts, provide structured feedback, and guide students toward developing polished, thoughtful essays that leave lasting impressions.

CounselMore: Your Essential Tool for College Application Excellence

Managing multiple students’ applications is no easy feat. From academic records to extracurriculars, essays, and application nuances, staying organized and aligned is critical. CounselMore is here to revolutionize your practice by providing a structured, repeatable process that keeps your students’ college readiness plans on track. With CounselMore, you can seamlessly align each student’s application with their individual goals, ensuring no critical element is overlooked.

Transform your practice. Empower your students. CounselMore is your key to unlocking college readiness success.

The Impact of the Supreme Court's Decision on Affirmative Action: A Guide for Private College Counselors

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 23:41:06 GMT

The Impact of the Supreme Court's Decision on Affirmative Action: A Guide for Private College Counselors

The landscape of college admissions experienced a seismic shift following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down race-conscious admissions policies in 2023. For private college counselors working closely with families, understanding the nuances of this ruling and its implications for prospective students is vital. This blog aims to equip counselors with actionable insights into navigating the post-affirmative action admissions process, spotlighting how holistic review strategies and the telling of a student’s story remain key.

What the Ruling Entailed

The Supreme Court's decision fundamentally changed the way race can be considered in college admissions. The ruling underscored that using racial classifications directly in admissions processes is unconstitutional.

However, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissenting opinion, offered a beacon of guidance:

“Today’s decision leaves intact holistic college admissions…that seek to enroll diverse classes without using racial classifications. Universities should continue to use those tools as best they can to recruit and admit students from different backgrounds based on all the other factors the court’s opinion does not and cannot touch.”

For counselors, this means that while direct references to race are no longer viable, many other dimensions of a student’s identity—socioeconomic background, first-generation status, linguistic abilities, unique experiences, and personal achievements—remain valuable components of a competitive application.

Early Data and Its Mixed Impact

Recent demographic data for the Class of 2028, the first to enroll after the Supreme Court's decision, reveals a varied impact on diversity at selective institutions:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Experienced a 15-percentage-point decline in Black and Hispanic student representation, accompanied by a one-point decrease in white enrollment and a significant seven-percentage-point increase in Asian American students.

Yale University : Saw no change in the percentage of African American and Native American students compared to the Class of 2027. However, its Hispanic/Latino population dropped by 1%, and the Asian American population declined by 6%.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC): Reported a notable 25% decrease in Black first-year and transfer students, with Hispanic enrollment falling by 7%. Overall, the Class of 2028 was about 64% white, 26% Asian, 10% Hispanic or Latino, 8% Black, and 1% American Indian.

These data points illustrate that while some schools saw considerable shifts, others maintained a relative balance. For private college counselors, these statistics underscore the need for a strategic approach that adapts to these evolving dynamics.

What This Means for Private College Counselors

Justice Sotomayor’s statement highlights a critical opportunity for counselors: the ability to guide students in showcasing aspects of their identity that contribute to a diverse and holistic narrative. Here’s how private college counselors can adapt their strategies:

Emphasize Socioeconomic Background and First-Generation Status: Colleges can still consider a student’s socioeconomic circumstances and first-generation college status. Counselors should encourage students to highlight these aspects in their personal statements or supplemental essays, showcasing resilience, adaptability, and ambition.
Highlight Unique Life Experiences and Challenges: Extenuating circumstances that don’t fit neatly into data metrics can and should be featured in the narrative. Whether it’s overcoming significant personal challenges or navigating cultural and linguistic differences, these experiences enrich a student’s profile and illustrate character and determination.
Showcase Leadership and Community Engagement: Activities that demonstrate leadership, civic involvement, and community service are essential components of a well-rounded application. Counselors should work with students to reflect on how their participation has shaped their perspective and prepared them for college life.
Utilize Holistic Review Tactics: Encourage students to build an application that tells a cohesive story. This includes integrating personal essays, recommendation letters, and extracurricular activities that align with the attributes colleges are now more likely to focus on, such as social mobility and community impact.
Guide Students in Articulating Multilingual and Cultural Assets: As Justice Sotomayor pointed out, colleges can consider linguistic abilities and cultural backgrounds. Counselors should advise students to present these traits as assets that contribute to the intellectual and cultural diversity of a campus.

Navigating the New Landscape: Practical Steps

Counselors Should Be Proactive in Information Gathering: Stay updated on individual schools’ evolving admissions strategies and data points. This insight will help counselors tailor their guidance for students aiming at specific institutions.
Educate Families: Clearly communicate the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision to families. Reassure them that while racial classification may be off the table, many meaningful pathways still exist for demonstrating a student's unique contributions and potential.
Develop Comprehensive Student Portfolios: Counselors should ensure that students compile portfolios that include achievements, challenges overcome, leadership roles, and community involvement, all supported by strong narratives.

Moving Forward with Confidence

The Supreme Court’s decision has undeniably reshaped the admissions landscape, but it has not closed the door on fostering diverse student bodies. As private college counselors, the mission now is to refine and elevate how students’ stories are told. By emphasizing factors such as socioeconomic diversity, first-generation status, unique life experiences, and personal achievements, counselors can continue to guide students effectively through the application process.

Justice Sotomayor’s words remind us that while the legal framework may have changed, the spirit of holistic admissions remains alive:

“Colleges…can and should continue to consider socioeconomic diversity and to recruit and enroll students who are first-generation college applicants or who speak multiple languages, for example.”

The path forward is clear: leverage these dimensions, and continue to support students in presenting their most authentic and compelling selves.

This blog was written by reviewing the information of these stories to compile new insights from the point of view of the educational consultant

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2024/09/06/early-look-racial-diversity-post-affirmative-action

https://apnews.com/article/affirmative-action-college-enrollment-unc-7415a8d201481afdcf968a6b19efded0

https://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2024091001nacac&r=8819701-ce49&l=005-3ec&t=c

https://www.inquirer.com/education/race-based-college-admissions-enrollment-first-year-20240906.html

https://www.highereddive.com/news/brown-university-drop-diversity-incoming-students-class-of-2028/726365/

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/the-colleges-falling-behind-on-black-student-enrollment-f3728f99

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article291920935.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/us/unc-affirmative-action-black-enrollment.html

Can a Parent become a College Counselor? Yes, but do they want to?

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 03:49:43 GMT

Should Parents be their Student's Educational Planner?

They Grow Up So Fast!

Thinking about what your student needs next; Hire a consultant or become one?

Parents becoming college-counselors

As a parent, you've witnessed firsthand the joys and challenges of guiding your child through college. Or you are just beginning to understand the complex process resembles an intricate maze rather than a paved path. Or you might be knee-deep in the college selection process and realize the time and dedication that the process demands closely resembles a part-time job. My journey as an IEC spans over 25 years. Over those decades, I’ve met hundreds of mothers and fathers like you who felt a calling to share their wisdom (or survival notes) after successfully shepherding their children through their college applications.

A Parent's Guide to a Career in Independent Educational Consulting (IEC)

Becoming an IEC is a growing profession. Most IECs are self-employed, offering many the lifestyle flexibility they desire. This article is an introductory compass for parents contemplating a pivot into college counseling. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned educator, this article is your blueprint for success in the IEC landscape. The educational consulting universe may seem daunting, but with the proper guidance, you can navigate it with assurance. My primary goal is to equip you with the skills and insights you need to excel. This will enable you to thrive in this dynamic sector. So, let's dive into the captivating world of IEC, all from a parent's unique viewpoint.

Laying the Foundation for Your IEC Business

First impressions matter. As you set out on this career path, it's crucial to establish your educational consulting enterprise correctly from the get-go. This isn't a mere hobby; it's your livelihood. Your initial choices will set the stage for your consultancy's future. Selecting the appropriate business entity is one of your first significant decisions. Whether it's an LLC, S-Corp, or another structure, each option has its implications. These choices may not be the most exciting part of your journey, but they are undeniably crucial. We, your future colleagues, aim to guide you through these decisions to ensure you make informed choices. This article and others hosted on the CounselMore IEC blog will provide a touchstone throughout your business journey.

Financial Planning for Your IEC Practice

Money talks. Guesswork won't cut it when it comes to your business finances. Professionals charge for their services and have systems to do that. Amateurs don’t. The first step to professionalizing your business is set up how to get paid for your services. A well-defined plan for revenue generation is essential for your consultancy's efficiency and for building trust with your clients. In today's digital landscape, smooth payment solutions are crucial. Most counselors, in my experience, use one of three systems:

Stripe
Quickbooks
PayPal

Before you do any of that, though, you need a business bank account.

Before you sell anything, you’ll have to figure out your product and how much you charge for your services. Through the many CounselMore resources, each step will be elaborated to ensure you're well-equipped to manage the financial aspects of your consultancy. For instance, this clever ROI calculator will show you your service price, how many clients you’ll need to meet your goals, and which tools provide the best ROI.

Building a Robust IEC Network: Utilizing Free and Paid Resources

Your network is your net worth. In the IEC landscape, the value of a robust professional network cannot be overstated. It's not merely about accumulating contacts but fostering meaningful relationships that can propel your career forward. Free resources abound, offering mentorship programs, study sessions, and valuable platforms like the CounselMore IEC community events . These can be transformative stepping stones in your journey. Our guidance will focus on how to maximize these resources for your benefit. The goal is to help you build a network that supports and enriches your professional life.

Investing in Professional Development as an IEC

Beyond free resources, paid avenues offer depth. Associations like HECA, the Higher Educational Consulting Association, and paid mentorship programs, like the CounselMore Business Development events can be game-changers, providing insights that set you apart in the crowded IEC field. Industry leaders offer unique perspectives that can elevate your practice to new heights. We'll navigate you through these paid resources, ensuring you make informed decisions that align with your career goals. The aim is to help you invest wisely in your professional development, maximizing the return on your investment.

Identifying Your Specialty in Educational Consulting

The IEC field is a mosaic of highly specific opportunities . As a parent, your unique perspective can be your guiding star in identifying a specialized area within the broader IEC landscape. Your firsthand experience with your children's educational journey can offer invaluable insights into what other parents might seek. Your former career and hobbies will also provide skills that will set you apart from other counselors. Think about the areas of life you find most interesting or that you have a unique personal experience to pull from. Here are some niches you might consider, each with its unique needs and rewards:

Aptitude Testing

Very few IECs I know practice aptitude testing. Thus, this industry is a budding market with much room for new IECs to master. The IECs I know specializing in aptitude testing usually use advanced psychometric tools. They’re the parents who love taking personality assessments and figuring out what makes people tick. For example, my colleague Marc Gray essentially weaves aptitude testing into every part of his educational practice. Marc uses the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB), the golden standard of aptitude testing (in my opinion), to do many things with his students.

With the HAB, Marc helps students…

Identify which foreign language they should study
Pick their electives and foreign languages
Choose their college major
Select research opportunities that match their strengths
Find colleges that match the student's learning aptitudes
Pursue passion projects that capitalize on their aptitudes

Sounds fun, right? Marc thinks it is. Ultimately, if combining career coaching and psychology interests you, Aptitude testing might be a good niche for you. If you want to use Aptitude Testing in Your IEC practice , feel free to contact my colleague, Marc. He’s always willing to mentor IECs on that process.

International Educational Consulting

International admissions is a growing industry. This niche is for parents who have navigated the complexities of international admissions for their children or lived abroad. This niche focuses on understanding cultural nuances and preparing students for a global academic experience .

Athletic Advisory

This might be your niche if you've spent countless hours cheering for your child from the bleachers. It focuses on helping student-athletes balance sports with academics and understand NCAA regulations .

Special Needs Consulting

Parents of children with learning differences or disabilities can offer invaluable support and guidance to other families facing similar challenges. The transition from high school to college provides many service opportunities for students choosing schools with unique resources and the need to build social safety nets around their campus choice.

Career Counseling

This niche might resonate with you if you've guided your child through various career interests, from astronauts to zoologists. It goes beyond college admissions to help students align their academic pursuits with long-term career goals. There’s also a great synergy between aptitude testing and career counseling.

Gap Year Planning

For parents who have seen the value of a gap year , this niche guides students in making the most of their time off, whether through travel, internships, or volunteer work.

Remember, it may take time to establish yourself as an expert in your chosen niche. Consistency, quality service, and continuous learning are vital to gaining recognition and trust in the industry.

Expanding Your Reach as an IEC

Your journey in Independent Educational Consulting doesn't end with specialization. As a parent with a unique perspective, you have the potential to reach far beyond your immediate community. In today's digital age, online platforms and social media can be powerful tools for connecting with students and families nationwide. Consider starting a blog, hosting webinars, or even offering virtual workshops. By sharing your insights and experiences, you can become a valuable resource to a broader audience.

The Journey Ahead: Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities

The road ahead is promising. Every journey comes with its set of challenges, but it's these very challenges that shape us and make us resilient. As you venture further into the world of IEC, take a moment to reflect on the path that lies ahead. It's an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities for continuous learning and growth. Embrace it with confidence, knowing that you can successfully navigate the world of IEC and make a meaningful impact. Your unique perspective as a parent can be one of your most invaluable assets on this remarkable journey.

Networking: Connecting with Industry Trainers

In your journey as a parent transitioning into Independent Educational Consulting (IEC), networking isn't limited to building relationships with fellow consultants and educators. It extends to a valuable facet that can significantly elevate your consultancy: connecting with industry trainers . These individuals or organizations specialize in developing dynamic systems and methodologies that have yielded proven results. Here's why this network can be a game-changer in your IEC career.

Access to Cutting-Edge Techniques

Industry trainers are at the forefront of educational consulting. They invest time and resources into researching and developing innovative techniques that adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions. Networking with these experts gives you access to cutting-edge strategies that can set you apart in the field. These strategies often encompass the latest trends in college admissions, including changes in standardized testing, evolving application processes, and emerging best practices.

Proven Track Records

One of the most significant advantages of collaborating with industry trainers is their track record of success. These professionals have honed their systems over years of experience, working with a diverse range of students. They have a documented history of achieving remarkable outcomes, including high acceptance rates into prestigious institutions. By aligning yourself with trainers with a proven track record, you can leverage their expertise to benefit your clients.

Tailored Guidance for Your Niche

Industry trainers often offer specialized guidance. These specializations often align with specific niches within the educational consulting field. Whether you're focusing on international admissions, athletic recruiting, or career counseling, some trainers specialize in these areas. Connecting with the right trainer can provide you with tailor-made resources and strategies that cater to your chosen niche's unique needs and challenges. This specialization enhances your expertise and bolsters your credibility within your niche.

Continuous Learning and Development

Embracing industry trainers as part of your network ensures you are committed to continuous learning and development. They offer workshops, seminars, and ongoing support that keep you updated on the latest industry trends and best practices. This commitment to staying informed and adapting to changes in the field positions you as a consultant who provides the most up-to-date guidance to your clients. It also demonstrates your dedication to their success.

Building Trust and Reputation

Collaborating with industry trainers enriches your knowledge and enhances your consultancy's reputation. When clients know you are connected to experts with a history of achieving exceptional results, it instills trust in your services. It reassures them that you are committed to offering the highest guidance and support throughout their college admissions journey. Building such trust and reputation is invaluable in the competitive world of IEC.

Finally:

The Rewards of IEC Being an Independent Educational Consultant is more than a job; it's a calling. The role is complex, requiring you to wear multiple hats—from advisor and mentor to strategist and aptitude tester. Yet, the rewards are manifold. Not only do you guide students to their dream colleges, but you also contribute to their overall personal development. Each skill you acquire and each success story you help write adds to your consultancy's credibility and unique sense of accomplishment. In this dynamic field, your adaptability and expertise are your greatest assets. So, as you continue on this rewarding path, know that each challenge met is a stepping stone to both professional and personal fulfillment.

What Are Fly-in Programs and How to Use Them

amber@pressroom.ai (Amber Doe) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:15:30 GMT

Student Fly In Programs

Attention College Counselors: Campus Fly In Programs for Students to Visit - Free!

Fly-in programs are campus visit opportunities offered by colleges to underrepresented or low-income high school students, often covering travel costs. These programs let students experience campus life, meet faculty, and get a feel for the school before deciding to apply.

When it comes to guiding students through the college application process, knowing about campus fly-in programs can be a game-changer for educational consultants and private service college counselors. These special opportunities, offered by many colleges, provide underrepresented or low-income high school students with a chance to experience campus life firsthand, often with travel costs covered. For students who might not otherwise have the financial means to visit, fly-in programs open doors to explore schools that could be the perfect fit.

As a counselor, staying informed about fly-in programs is crucial for offering well-rounded, personalized advice. These programs not only help students gain a feel for a campus but also introduce them to the resources, faculty, and community they might be joining. Knowing which schools offer these opportunities allows counselors to recommend colleges that actively support diversity and inclusion—empowering students to make informed choices and broadening the options available to them.

Moreover, when counselors guide students through the process of applying to fly-in programs, it’s more than just an introduction to a potential college; it’s also a powerful way to build relationships with admissions offices. These connections can provide students with an advantage when they submit their applications, making the fly-in experience an invaluable part of a comprehensive college planning strategy.

Benefits of Fly-in Programs

Experience Campus Life : Fly-in programs give students an immersive experience, helping them better understand the campus environment, culture, and community.
Make Informed Decision : Visiting a college in person helps students decide if the institution is the right fit for them.
Networking Opportunities : Students can connect with current students, faculty, and admissions staff, creating valuable connections for future correspondence.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Insights : Many programs provide details on financial aid packages and scholarship opportunities.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility varies by school, but many Fly-in programs focus on students from underrepresented backgrounds, first-generation college students, or those from low-income families. Academic performance, leadership, and extracurricular involvement are often considered when applying.

How to Apply for Fly-in Programs

Research Schools Offering Fly-in Programs : Start by identifying colleges that offer Fly-in programs, typically available on their admissions or diversity pages.
Meet Application Deadlines : Each school will have its own deadlines and requirements, so be sure to stay organized and apply early.
Prepare Required Documents : Most programs will require a short essay, transcript, and letters of recommendation. Tailor your application to reflect your genuine interest in the school.
Follow Up : After applying, check your email regularly for updates and respond promptly to any communication from the college.

How to Make the Most of a Fly-in Program

Engage Fully : Take advantage of tours, information sessions, and opportunities to talk to current students and staff.
Ask Questions : Prepare a list of questions about academic programs, campus resources, student life, and financial aid.
Take Notes : Document your experiences during the visit to help with decision-making later.
Network : Stay in touch with contacts made during the visit, including admissions staff or student ambassadors.

Schools Offering Fly-in Programs

Amherst College – Access to Amherst (A2A) https://www.amherst.edu/admission/diversity/a2a
Babson College – Access Babson https://www.babson.edu/undergraduate/admission/visit-and-engage/access-babson/
Bates College – Prologue to Bates https://www.bates.edu/admission/prologue/
Bowdoin College – Explore Bowdoin https://www.bowdoin.edu/admissions/visit/explore-bowdoin/index.html
Brandeis University – SEED https://www.brandeis.edu/admissions/visit/seed/index.html
Bryn Mawr College – Fly-in Programs https://www.brynmawr.edu/admissions-aid/visit-bryn-mawr/fly-programs
California Institute of Technology – Caltech UP Close https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/visit/fall-fly-in-program-caltech-up-close-2022
Carleton College – Taste of Carleton https://www.carleton.edu/admissions/visit/toc/
Case Western Reserve University – Diversity Overnight https://case.edu/admission/fall-diversity-inclusion-program
Colgate University – Colgate in Focus (CIF) https://www.colgate.edu/admission-aid/visit/colgate-focus
Colorado College – Experience Colorado College (ECC) https://www.coloradocollege.edu/flyin
Connecticut College – Explore Weekend https://www.conncoll.edu/explore-weekend/
Dartmouth College – Dartmouth Bound https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/visit/visitation-programs/dartmouth-bound-summer-program
Dartmouth College – Indigenous Fly-In Program (IFI) https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/visit/visitation-programs/indigenous-fly-program
Davidson College – Access Davidson https://www.davidson.edu/admission-and-financial-aid/visit/access-davidson
Denison University – Dialogue With Denison https://connect.denison.edu/register/DWDApplication
Elon University – ElonYOU https://admissions.elon.edu/register/?id=7b76596f-16cc-4025-8407-7d372a485c30
Hamilton College – Home at Hamilton https://www.hamilton.edu/admission/home
Harvey Mudd College – Future Achievers in Science and Technology (FAST) https://www.hmc.edu/admission/fast/
Harvey Mudd College – Women’s Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (WISTEM) https://www.hmc.edu/admission/wistem/
Haverford College – Have-A-Look (HAL) https://www.haverford.edu/havealook
Kenyon College – The Kenyon Educational Enrichment Program (KEEP) https://www.kenyon.edu/campus-life/diversity-inclusion/programs-services/keep/
Middlebury College – Discover Middlebury https://www.middlebury.edu/college/admissions/visit-us/special-visits
Mount Holyoke College – Mosaic https://admission.mtholyoke.edu/register/2023_Mosaic_Application
Oberlin College – Oberlin’s Multicultural Visit Program (MVP) https://www.oberlin.edu/mvp
Pomona College – Perspectives on Pomona (POP) https://www.pomona.edu/admissions/apply/perspectives-pomona-pop
Providence College – Pathways to PC https://admission.providence.edu/visit/pathways/
Scripps College – Discover Scripps https://www.scrippscollege.edu/admission/discover-scripps-program
Swarthmore College – Discover Swarthmore https://www.swarthmore.edu/admissions-aid/discover-swarthmore-fly-program
The College of Idaho – Fly-In Reimbursement https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/admission-aid/visit/fly-in-reimbursement
Trinity College – Fly-in Program https://www.trincoll.edu/admissions/get-to-know-us/diversity-access-team/
Tufts University – Voices of Tufts https://admissions.tufts.edu/voices/voices-home/
Tulane University – PreviewTU https://admission.tulane.edu/student-life/diversity/multicultural-access-programs
University of Evansville – Fly-In Policy https://www.evansville.edu/visit/flyinpolicy.cfm
University of Michigan - Ross School of Business – All-Access Weekend https://michiganross.umich.edu/about/events/all-access-weekend
University of Richmond – Access Richmond https://admissions.richmond.edu/visit/open-houses.html
University of Rochester – Multicultural Visitation Program (MVP) https://admissions.rochester.edu/visit/multicultural-visitation-program/
University of Vermont – Discovering UVM https://www.uvm.edu/admissions/undergraduate/discovering-uvm
Washington and Lee University – Diversity and Inclusion Visit Experience (DIVE) https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/visit/dive/
Washington University in St. Louis – WashU Preview https://admissions.wustl.edu/preview-days
Wesleyan University – WesExplore https://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/visit-connect/wesexplore.html
Williams College – Windows on Williams (WOW) https://www.williams.edu/admission-aid/wow/

Crafting a Comprehensive School Profile: Essential Elements and Best Practices

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 02:27:51 GMT

Crafting a Comprehensive High School Profile: Essential Elements & Best Practices

Sometimes the role of the College Counselor includes the responsibility of refreshing the school's public profile page.

A well-designed school profile is a key communication tool that can make a significant difference in how colleges, universities, and employers understand your students’ academic journey. This guide will help educational institutions create profiles that showcase their strengths and academic rigor while supporting students’ goals.

Creating a high school profile that effectively communicates your school’s unique characteristics and values is crucial to helping students stand out during college admissions. A well-crafted profile not only provides vital information about the academic environment but also contextualizes student performance and highlights the opportunities your school offers. Below, we guide you through essential elements for developing a standout high school profile, aligned with best practices recommended by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Whether you are revisiting an existing profile or creating a new one, here’s a structured approach for building an effective school profile.

Purpose of a School Profile

A high school profile serves as a bridge between the school and admissions officers. It is used to interpret students' transcripts, grading standards, and educational context. When thoughtfully prepared, this profile can give colleges, universities, and even potential employers insight into what students have achieved in light of your school’s academic offerings and environment.

Core Elements to Include in a School Profile

School Mission Statement

Purpose: The mission statement summarizes your school’s values and educational philosophy. This element gives admissions officers context about the goals your school prioritizes, whether that’s academic excellence, community involvement, or student leadership.

Key Staff and Contact Information

Include the names and contact details of primary points of contact, such as the principal, college counselor, and registrar. This ensures quick access for follow-up questions.

Information About the School Community

Context: Provide a brief description of your school and its surrounding community. Highlighting factors such as student demographics, local economic conditions, or unique regional attributes helps admissions teams understand the background of your students.

Graduation Requirements

Clarity in Expectations: Listing graduation requirements illustrates the academic expectations at your school. Include required credits, course types, and any specific electives or capstone projects necessary for graduation.

Transparency: A clear explanation of grading scales and GPA calculation helps admissions officers interpret student achievement accurately. Outline how grades are derived, any weighting for advanced courses (AP, IB, or honors), and any unique academic policies.

Student Learning Experiences and Opportunities

Highlighting Distinctions: Include information about specific programs that make your school unique, such as specialized courses, independent study options, or partnerships with local organizations for internships or service learning.

Portrait of a Graduate or Vision of a Graduate

Graduate Portrait: Many schools are now including a “Portrait of a Graduate” section, which describes the transferable skills or attributes that students are expected to develop. This could include qualities like critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience, which go beyond academic achievement.

Standardized Test Scores

Academic Benchmarking: Including recent SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores provides benchmarks that help colleges gauge your students’ performance relative to national standards. Share average or median scores from recent graduating cohorts to give a snapshot of academic readiness.

Co-Curricular Activities

Student Involvement: Provide an overview of the clubs, sports teams, and volunteer opportunities available to students. This demonstrates the well-rounded experiences students can have and gives insight into school culture.

College and Career Outcomes

Post-Secondary Pathways: Listing where recent graduates have been accepted, along with data on military or career placements, can add credibility and demonstrate the success of your school’s programs.

RESOURCES FOR EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS - SIGN UP BELOW

Additional Components for Enhanced School Insights

College and University Acceptances

A list of schools that recent graduates attended can illustrate the post-secondary pathways your students are prepared to take.

Post-Secondary Plans

Break down the percentage of students who enter four-year colleges, two-year colleges, military service, or enter directly into the workforce, offering a clear sense of student trajectories.

Tips for Accessibility and Usability

To ensure your profile is accessible to a wide audience:

Keep it Online:

Make sure the profile is easy to find on your school’s website.

User-Friendly Format:

Present the profile in a downloadable, easy-to-navigate PDF format, with consistent and informative section headings.

Clear Layout:

Use a clean design with organized sections that allow readers to quickly locate relevant information.

Using a Checklist to Review Your Profile

Regular updates to your profile are essential to keep it relevant. NACAC suggests using a checklist to ensure your profile aligns with best practices.

Here are some key points to review:

Current Mission and Values:

Are the mission and values of your school accurately reflected?

Updated Data:

Are your graduation requirements, grading scale, and standardized test scores current?

New Opportunities:

Have there been new courses, programs, or unique experiences added that should be highlighted?

Formatting and Accessibility:

Is your profile easy to find online, downloadable, and visually accessible?

A well-constructed school profile is a powerful tool for your students. By following these best practices, you’ll create a profile that positions them for success by clearly communicating the strengths and values of your school. Regularly updating your profile and aligning it with the guidelines above ensures it remains a valuable resource for admissions officers, providing them with the context needed to fully understand the unique achievements of your students.

Case Study on Using CounselMore Assignments as Vehicles in College Readiness

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 21:48:28 GMT

Case Study on Using CounselMore Assignments as Vehicles in College Readiness for Educational Consultants and Private College Planners

Case Study: Streamlining the College Readiness Process with Targeted Assignments

In college counseling, effectively utilizing assignments can turn the complex journey of college readiness into a streamlined and manageable process for both the student and the counselor. In scenarios where one counselor manages multiple students, optimizing the counselor's time becomes essential. Standardizing any part of the workflow inevitably enhances clarity and efficiency. The most time-consuming aspect of this process is often the "readiness" phase, where communication and task management are most intensive. By structuring assignments strategically, as vehicles that carry information back and forth and containers that hold all associated assets - the counselor creates a uniquely organized file system for each student. Counselors can better manage this critical phase, ensuring that both their time and their students' efforts are used most effectively.

This case study explores how one college counselor successfully leveraged assignments as "container-vehicles" to guide students through the critical steps of gathering letters of recommendation.

By conceptualizing assignments in this way, the counselor was able to reduce redundancy, maintain clarity, and ensure that all necessary resources were easily accessible to the student - let's see how through use-case discussion below.

Background and Challenge to Administering College Readiness; Gathering Letters of Recommendation

A key aspect of college admissions involves students obtaining letters of recommendation. This task can become cumbersome due to multiple deadlines, varied requirements from different colleges, and coordination with teachers or other recommenders. In this study, our counselor faced a common challenge: students often struggled with:

Track of who they had asked for a letter
What information was needed
Where to find school-specific instructions.

Methodology: Assignments as Structured Guides

To address this, the counselor reimagined assignments not just as tasks but as vehicles to guide students through each phase of college readiness. The goal was to use assignments to consolidate all related information and resources into a single, easily accessible location .

Here’s how it worked:

Assignment Creation and Launch:

The counselor created an assignment titled “ Gathering Letters of Recommendation, ” which was made a “live” assignment on a specified date. On that date, the assignment became visible to the student. As well, an assignment summary email was sent to the student, providing an overview of instructions and a link to their Student Portal.

Centralized Access to Information: The student accessed the assignment through their portal, which included:

An Explanation: What letters of recommendation are and why they are important.

Detailed Instructions: Steps on how to request a letter, including templates and best practices.

Relevant Resources: Provide direct links to a document prepared by the counselor, or survey questions from the high school, or links to high school instructions, and so on... to help the student draft their request.

Call to Action: A specific task to be completed with an estimated time to completion.

Completion and Feedback Loop: Upon completing the request, the student marked the assignment as done, triggering a notification to the counselor. The counselor then reviewed the assignment, added feedback to the description or the comments section or added additional resources, and, if necessary, marked it as “un-done” , thus re-setting the assignment for the next phase or instruction. Along the way the student and counselor are linking to and adding resources to the single assignment regarding "gathering letters of recommendation" - anytime the college readiness topic comes up for this student, all stake holders will return to one centralized location for all things related to letters of recommendation for this student - the one assignment - vehicle.

Efficient Communication Management

Our counselor in this story is in the middle of grocery shopping, when they receive a notification on her phone that a student has replied to a broadcast text message. The notification lets the counselor know the student has replied and the contents of the reply:

“Mrs. Smith will not write my letter, what do I do?!” the counselor is now aware of the message. The message has also been recorded in the student's CounselMore portal > messages tab.

In this story, the counselor resists the urge to reply back to the student because the counselor maintains good professional boundaries. In this story, the counselor has the benefit of experience and recognizes there are very few emergencies in college counseling and doesn't set a text-messaging precedent with their student communications.

When the counselor is prepared to begin working again, the counselor notices a red bell icon in the top right hand corner of their screen, when selecting the student's text messages from the notifications window, the counselor's screen automatically changes to the Messages tab. The counselor reviews the message and replies from within the messages tab: "No worries, we will discuss the alternatives in our next meeting"

The counselor navigates to the student's Assignment's tab and uses the search filter to search by key word for the assignment regarding gathering letters of recommendation.

Use Your Time Wisely: Logging Activity and Moving Forward

To efficiently handle this task within CounselMore, the counselor should:

Use the search filter to locate the existing "Letters of Recommendation" assignment.
Access the assignment, which already includes relevant notes and context about Mrs. Smith.
Make notes directly within the assignment, keeping all pertinent information centralized and easily accessible for future reference.
The counselor may choose to sort the Recommendations assignment to the top of the assignments tab to indicate top priority of next meeting.

Outcomes and Results

By treating assignments as comprehensive containers, the counselor achieved the following:

Improve Student Engagement: Students found it easier to follow instructions and complete tasks wh en all resources and instructions were clearly outlined in one place.

Reduce Redundancy: There was no need to create multiple assignments or send repeated reminders. All necessary resources were linked within a single assignment.

Streamline Counselor Workflow: The counselor saved time by consolidating communications and resources, allowing for a more efficient review and feedback process.

Lessons Learned by Educational Consultants Practicing College Readiness Services

This case study highlights how using targeted assignments as "container-vehicles" can effectively guide students through the college readiness process. By centralizing all related information and resources, the counselor was able to maintain clarity and efficiency, leading to better outcomes for both the students and themselves.

Once the student has gathered all letters of recommendation, these documents can be evaluated by the counselor to determine which letter best suits each specific school application. Until the process reaches the application phase, the "Letters of Recommendation" assignment should serve as a convenient storage folder that travels between the student and counselor, housing all relevant materials in one place.

Avoid diluting your services or creating confusion by maintaining multiple communication channels, meeting notes, and scattered documents. The more documents and channels you create, the more time you’ll spend searching for information. Some counselors rely heavily on meeting notes alone, but without standardized workflows, they can waste valuable time. The practices shared here are data-driven and refined for effectiveness. If you have a better approach, we would love to hear about it in a future blog post!

For additional insights on optimizing the college readiness process, check out CounselMore’s resources on College Counseling Strategies and explore more case studies and best practices in the counselor resources section of the customers knowledge base. For live peer-to-peer support - join us at live events .

Related Resources from CounselMore:

Navigating Financial Aid: A Guide to California's "Cash for College" Resources

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 03:12:07 GMT

Navigating California's Cash for College Program: A Comprehensive Guide for Educational Consultants & private college counselors

As a private Educational Consultant or College Planner, especially for those using the CounselMore Educational Services management software, you are a pivotal resource for families navigating the complex path to college. In this article let's acknowledge that it takes a village to pay for the application fees and housing fees, let alone college tuition! So educational consultants are usually advising the whole family navigating the transition to college on many different levels.

We all expect the rule #1 is to mind our professional business and not offer advice unless we are qualified, trained, licensed or insured to do so in any specific area. Each consultant knows their limits. Most often when it comes to money and college tuition families have a financial advisor, tax preparer or otherwise dedicated confidante, who they will share those intimate conversations. The IEC is usually associated with completing the FAFSA correctly but less associated with student loan identification. Unless of course the consultant has these expertise to offer these types of services and trusted advice. (Have we covered our bases?) Surely we all can agree, that when a family asks for resources, we believe that knowledge is power and we share good informational resources.

To that end, below are shared resources you should be aware of as an IEC or private academic advisor working in California. Check your own state government website because every state receives federal money to support college funding. Hence, if you find no resources for your state you have a very important question for your local politicians.

When clients ask about securing financial aid— California’s Cash for College program offers an array of resources designed to simplify the financial aid application process. By leveraging these tools, you can enhance your services and provide invaluable support to your clients.

1. Understanding the Cash for College Program: A Financial Aid Resource Hub for California Students

California’s Cash for College program aims to make higher education more affordable for all California students, offering various grants, scholarships, and financial aid resources. Whether your clients are high school seniors, returning adult learners, or community college students, this program has financial aid options tailored to their needs.

2. Key Financial Aid Resources for College Planners and Consultants

Familiarizing yourself with the following resources will help you guide your clients through the financial aid process efficiently:

a. Financial Aid Application Resources

California Dream Act Application (CADAA): Essential for undocumented students or those who meet specific eligibility criteria, the CADAA enables access to state financial aid without sharing information with federal immigration authorities. Learn more at: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) still exists and remains a critical step for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens seeking financial aid for college in the 2024-2025 academic year. The FAFSA form has been updated and will launch by December 31, 2023, with some significant changes, including the replacement of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the new Student Aid Index (SAI). It is essential to apply on time, as completing the FAFSA accurately and promptly opens doors to federal, state, and institutional financial aid opportunities. Visit StudentAid.gov to learn more and to complete your application.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a new formula-based measure used to assess a student's eligibility for federal financial aid, replacing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting with the 2024–25 academic year. The SAI ranges from -1500 to 999999, and a lower or negative number indicates a higher financial need. Unlike the EFC, the SAI does not represent the amount of aid you will receive or the amount your family is expected to pay; instead, it serves as an index for financial aid administrators to determine your aid offer. Your SAI is calculated based on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and it helps colleges and universities gauge the level of financial support you may require. For more information, visit studentaid.gov .

b. Key Grant Opportunities

Cal Grant Programs: State-funded grants that cover tuition, fees, and living costs for eligible students. This program is a cornerstone of California’s financial aid offerings. Learn more at: https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants

Chafee Grant Program: Provides targeted financial aid for current or former foster youth, ensuring they have the support necessary to pursue their educational goals. Visit: https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/

c. Scholarship Opportunities

California Community College Scholarship Programs: Offers a variety of scholarships for students attending community colleges, a key alternative to four-year universities. Find more information at: https://www.cccapply.org/en/money

State-Sponsored Scholarships: Scholarships funded by the state to support students across California. Encourage your clients to explore these opportunities. Visit: https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/california-student-aid-programs

3. Support Systems: Maximizing Client Success in Securing Financial Aid

Educational Consultants can better support their clients by guiding them toward these valuable support resources:

Cash for College Workshops: Recommend these workshops for expert advice and hands-on help with financial aid applications. Workshops are available both online and in person. Direct your clients to register at: https://www.cash4college.csac.ca.gov/

Financial Aid Counselors: Encourage clients to connect with financial aid counselors for personalized assistance. Counselors can help address specific questions and troubleshoot application issues. Find counselor contacts at: https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/scholarship_contact_information_list_2021.pdf?1622148133

4. Tools and Resources: Streamlining the Financial Aid Process for Students

Help your clients stay proactive with these essential tools:

Scholarship Search Tool: Direct students to tools that match them with scholarships that fit their profile and needs. Visit: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

Budgeting Resources: Encourage the use of budgeting tools and resources to help students manage their finances effectively throughout their college experience. Access budgeting resources at: https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/students/budgeting

5. Staying Updated: Real-Time Financial Aid Information and Resources

Ensure your clients are always informed:

News and Announcements: Keep up with new financial aid opportunities, updates, and important deadlines at: https://www.csac.ca.gov/stay-connected

Social Media Channels: Follow Cash for College on social media to receive real-time updates. Check out their Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/CAStudentAid

6. Introducing "Cali": AI Chatbot for Financial Aid Guidance

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has launched “Cali,” an AI chatbot designed to assist students with their financial aid applications. This tool is especially beneficial for students navigating the new “Better FAFSA” application process, which has introduced new complexities.

How Cali Supports Students:

Proactive Engagement: Cali communicates with students via text, guiding them through the FAFSA or CADAA process. More about Cali at: https://linktr.ee/castudentaid

Problem-Solving Support: Cali provides personalized guidance to help students resolve common issues, from understanding financial questions to handling technical challenges.

7. Action Steps for Educational Consultants Using CounselMore

To effectively support your clients, consider these steps:

Promote Workshops and Resources : Encourage your clients to participate in Cash for College workshops and utilize available resources.
Introduce Cali: Leverage Cali’s capabilities to assist students struggling with financial aid applications.
Stay Informed: Regularly update yourself with the latest financial aid tools, resources, and deadlines.

Enhancing Your College Planning Services with Cash for College

Consider how CounselMore improves your workflow. Resources like those discussed above can be made available on a pdf with your company brand - the pdf can be used in your Master Folders attached to your CounselMore account. The auto file generating tools in CounselMore software make it easy to create resources and disseminate unique electronic copies to multiple student folders at one time. When thinking about how to manage educational services, its easy to recognize the advantages of CounselMore software tools.

By integrating the resources offered by the Cash for College program, you can provide comprehensive, informed guidance to your clients. These tools will help maximize their financial aid opportunities, making college more accessible and affordable.

For more information, visit the California Cash for College website at https://linktr.ee/castudentaid . Encourage your clients to explore available workshops, webinars, and support services. And then add resources to your CounselMore account.

Educational Consulting FAQs: Expert Services, Pricing Strategies, and Career Insights

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 20:11:42 GMT

8 Eight Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ About becoming an Educational Consultant

Navigating the world of educational consulting can feel overwhelming, whether you're an aspiring consultant or a family seeking guidance.

This growing field offers invaluable support to students and families as they navigate the complex landscape of college admissions, but it also presents a unique set of questions about pricing, services, and best practices. This post addresses some of the most frequently asked questions about educational consulting, drawing from industry insights and practical advice, particularly for those using software platforms like CounselMore.

Whether you're looking to understand the average salaries of educational consultants, explore different pricing models, or learn what it takes to become a successful IEC, this FAQ will provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions and navigate this dynamic field.

What kinds of services do independent educational consultants (IECs), college counselors provide?

IECs assist prospective college students and their families by offering guidance through the college exploration and application process. This includes reviewing a student's academic record, extracurriculars, and work history to suggest improvements and identify suitable colleges.

Independent educational consultants (IECs) are experts in auditing students' profiles to determine eligibility for specific schools. Many colleges have complex application rules, and interpreting them can be challenging. Consultants also develop strategic plans for application deadlines and maximize admission potential. With students applying to as many as 15–20 schools each, and consultants managing 35–45 students annually, IECs juggle significant project management responsibilities, offering their expertise and guidance to ensure personalized, successful outcomes. The CounselMore College to candidate comparison tools will help you to know if the student is qualified to apply and where their profile will need focus.

IECs also guide families through the application process, including essays and financial aid options. They may also specialize in certain types of students like athletes or those with learning disabilities. They help families understand the college admissions process, providing individualized advice and support that school-based counselors, who are often burdened with many students and other responsibilities, may not have the time to offer.

2. How should an educational consultant, college planner determine their pricing structure?

Several factors should be considered.

First, demographics and cost of living in the areas served.

Second, competition , researching the services and pricing of other consultants.

Third, the consultant's experience , highlighting professional development and client recommendations.

Fourth, the consultant's reputation .

Fifth, the specific services provided , where it is recommended to start with one "product" such as a c omprehensive college counseling package , developing a repeatable and trackable process for service delivery.

Finally, supply and demand in the consultant’s region, which may involve educating potential clients on the value of their services. Charging for initial consultations is increasingly common, and some consultants apply the consultation fee toward the cost of a larger package. It's advised to use tools like ROI calculators to experiment with strategies and forecast financial goals. Don't have those, then take advice from others who already have a practice.

3. What are common pricing models for educational consultants or private college counselors?

Educational consultants can use different pricing models.

Package -based billing which is a fixed fee for the entire counseling process.

Hourly billing for time spent with the student and family.

Or a block of hours model that provides a fixed amount of service hours that are tracked and deducted from a set overall fee.

CounselMore software also offers a system to build and apply different kinds of billing models in the same account.

4. What is the average salary for an educational consultant, college planner and how does it vary?

The average annual salary for an educational consultant varies based on experience, location, and other factors.

As of December 1, 2024, the national average is around $110,901 per year.

Salary ranges from $98,601 (25th percentile) to $123,201 (75th percentile), but this depends on geographical location.

For example, in California, the average is around $93,731 per year. Those with less experience might make closer to $105,585 and those with eight years or more experience might earn upwards of $112,337.

Hourly rates are approximately $53 on average nationwide and can vary by location and experience as well. The East and West coasts, charge significantly more than Middle America and will skew all of the averages. Check your local market to set the right price.

5. What skills and qualifications are important for becoming a successful independent educational consultant?

A bachelor's degree is essential, and a master’s degree in education or a related field can add credibility.

While there are no mandatory licensing requirements, having an advanced degree in education or a related field with career experience in higher education or high schools is the most common credential listed by practicing private educational planners.

Membership in professional organizations such as IECA or HECA can give you discounts on planned college tours which will grant you access to college campuses. Examining the ROI of club membership would be important for any new consultant.

The skills necessary for success include consulting, business development and change management.

Good communication skills, empathy, and knowledge of the college admissions landscape are essential.

An IEC should be student-focused, honest, and able to navigate the college application process while remaining a neutral advocate.

6. What are the key features of niche software platforms that support educational consultants specializing in college planning?

Software like CounselMore offers features to organize, grow, and market an IEC business.

This includes tools for client management, college list building, application tracking, scheduling, and accounting.

In CounselMore, there are several tools built specifically for time-tracking including a built-in stopwatch function to track time per student that is also automatically added to the client's accounting tab, different billing profiles to track time and package fees, and an invoicing tool that sends clients payment links and confirmation notes, which helps streamline the consultant's business processes. Having integrated document management and communication tools also contributes to more efficient work flow.

7. How can an private college advisor price their services for workshops and teacher trainings?

When pricing for a workshop or teacher training, an educational consultant should calculate their daily rate by first determining all business costs per month, adding a 20-30% profit margin and then dividing by the number of workdays. Travel expenses should always be billed separately and not deducted from the daily rate to avoid diminishing profit margins. It is also recommended that consultants ask for business class and accommodations for trips longer than six hours to avoid potential delays that could risk the job itself.

8. What should parents look for when hiring an college shopping consultant?

Parents should look for reputable consultants who ideally have an independent educational consultant certification and membership in professional organizations. Reviews and testimonials online are also a helpful tool. A good IEC is student-focused, listens carefully to the family's needs and concerns and asks questions to understand their objectives, and is honest about the process and where the student is most likely to find success. They should help families navigate the entire process while also being a neutral advocate for the students needs. A bad IEC will focus more on themselves and their credentials instead of the family. It's essential to ask about professional relationships with colleges, typical clients, and references before hiring a consultant.

Essential Legal Documents for College-Bound Students: A Guide for Educational Consultants

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 01:51:42 GMT

Essential Legal Documents for College-Bound Students: A Guide for Educational Consultants

As a private college counselor or educational consultant , ensuring your students are fully prepared for the transition to college involves more than just guiding them through applications and financial aid. One often overlooked aspect is helping families understand the legal documents that can protect both the student and their parents during this significant life change. By advising your clients on these crucial documents, you can add substantial value to your services, positioning yourself as a comprehensive resource for college readiness.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Waiver: Ensuring Access to Educational Records

As an educational consultant, you know that once a student turns 18 or enters college, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) transfers control of educational records from parents to the student. This means that even parents who are paying tuition won't automatically have access to their child's academic records, health records, or disciplinary actions.

Why It’s Important for Your Clients: Advising parents to have their child sign a FERPA waiver ensures they can stay informed about their child's academic performance and any potential issues. This proactive step can prevent miscommunication and frustration, especially during the first year of college.

Action Step for Educational Consultants: Ensure that each student you work with, along with their parents, understands the importance of the FERPA waiver. Guide them to the appropriate office at the college—often the financial aid office—to obtain and sign this form.

HIPAA Authorization: Access to Medical Information

Turning 18 is a significant milestone, but it also means that parents lose automatic access to their child's medical information due to HIPAA regulations. As an educational consultant, you can help families understand the importance of signing a HIPAA authorization form.

Why It’s Important for Your Clients: In the event of a medical emergency, this form allows parents to communicate with healthcare providers and access vital health information, ensuring that their child receives the best possible care.

Action Step for Educational Consultants: Advise your clients to include HIPAA authorization as part of their college preparation. Encourage them to have the form signed and stored securely, so it’s readily accessible if needed.

Health Care Proxy: Empowering Parents in Medical Decisions

A Health Care Proxy, also known as a Durable Medical Power of Attorney, is another essential document that educational consultants should recommend to their clients. This document allows parents to make medical decisions on behalf of their child if the student is incapacitated.

Why It’s Important for Your Clients: In case of a severe accident or illness, having a Health Care Proxy ensures that parents can act quickly and according to their child’s wishes, avoiding potential delays or legal hurdles.

Action Step for Educational Consultants: Discuss the importance of a Health Care Proxy with your clients and recommend they complete this document before their child heads to college. This conversation can be part of a broader discussion about emergency preparedness.

Living Will: Communicating End-of-Life Preferences

A Living Will, or Advance Directive, is a sensitive but necessary document that outlines a student’s preferences for end-of-life care. As a trusted educational consultant, you can help families navigate this difficult topic.

Why It’s Important for Your Clients: A Living Will ensures that a student's wishes are honored in the event of a critical health situation. It also helps prevent family disputes during an already challenging time.

Action Step for Educational Consultants: Encourage an open dialogue between students and their families about end-of-life care preferences. Assist them in drafting a Living Will and ensure copies are provided to relevant healthcare providers.

Power of Attorney: Managing Financial and Legal Affairs

A Durable Power of Attorney (POA) allows parents to handle financial and legal matters on behalf of their child if the student is unable to do so themselves. This is a vital tool for any family, especially if the student will be far from home.

Why It’s Important for Your Clients: A POA enables parents to manage bank accounts, pay bills, and even file taxes on behalf of their child, ensuring that important financial responsibilities are not neglected in case of an emergency.

Action Step for Educational Consultants: Include a discussion about Power of Attorney in your comprehensive college planning sessions. Ensure that your clients understand the importance of this document and that it’s correctly executed before the student leaves for college.

Reviewing Insurance Policies: Health and Homeowner’s Insurance

Part of your role as an educational consultant is to ensure that your clients are prepared for every aspect of college life, including reviewing and updating their insurance policies.

Health Insurance: Confirm that the student is covered under their parents’ health insurance plan, particularly if they are attending college out of state or abroad. Recommend that your clients verify coverage details and consider additional insurance if necessary.

Homeowner’s Insurance : Advise families to check whether their homeowner’s insurance covers the student’s belongings while they are at college. If not, suggest that they consider renter’s insurance, especially for students living off-campus.

Action Step for Educational Consultants: Include a checklist for insurance review as part of your college planning services. This ensures that families address potential gaps in coverage before the student departs for college.

Preparing for Departure: Medical and Dental Appointments

Before your students head off to college, it’s crucial to remind their families about the importance of scheduling any necessary medical and dental appointments.

Why It’s Important for Your Clients: Ensuring that these appointments are completed well before the departure date can prevent last-minute stress and ensure that students have the prescriptions and records they need while away from home.

Action Step for Educational Consultants: Provide your clients with a timeline for scheduling these appointments, and suggest that they create a medical file for their child to take to college.

Final Considerations

As an educational consultant, your role extends beyond academics—you’re also guiding families through the legal and practical steps that ensure their children are fully prepared for college life. By advising on these essential legal documents, you can provide comprehensive support that sets you apart from other consultants.

Encourage your clients to take these steps early, ensuring all documents are signed, notarized if necessary, and stored securely. Regularly review these documents with your clients to keep them up-to-date, particularly after major life events.

By integrating these legal considerations into your counseling services, you’re not only helping students succeed academically but also ensuring they are protected and supported as they embark on this new chapter in their lives.

Best Practices for Onboarding Clients in Educational Consulting: Leveraging CounselMore with Calendly and Acuity

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 01:26:57 GMT

Best Practices for Onboarding Clients in Educational Consulting:

Leveraging CounselMore with Calendly and Acuity

Onboarding a new client is one of the most critical stages in the educational consulting process. A well-structured onboarding process sets the tone for the entire relationship, ensuring that both the student and their family feel confident and supported from the very beginning. By integrating tools like Calendly and Acuity with the CounselMore platform, educational consultants can streamline this process, making it efficient, professional, and personalized. This article will explore the best practices for onboarding clients, including the use of paid introductory meetings, and the importance of Student Portal grooming before sending out invitations.

The Importance of a Structured Onboarding Process

In educational consulting, the onboarding process is more than just administrative work; it’s the first step in building trust and setting expectations. A structured onboarding process helps to:

Set Clear Expectations: Clients understand what to expect from the counseling process, including timelines, responsibilities, and communication protocols.
Demonstrate Professionalism: A smooth and organized onboarding process reflects the consultant’s professionalism and attention to detail.
Build Client Confidence: When clients see that you have a systematic approach to onboarding, it reassures them that they are in capable hands.

"I can look at the assignments report and see when they scheduled last and if we have our next meeting booked."

Integrating Calendly and Acuity with CounselMore

Calendly and Acuity are powerful scheduling tools that, when integrated with CounselMore, can significantly enhance the onboarding process.

These tools automate scheduling, reduce administrative tasks, and ensure that no inquiry goes unanswered.

Streamlined Inquiry Handling: When potential clients reach out via your website, you can use a scheduling tool like Calendly or Acuity to automatically handle inquiries. These tools can send immediate confirmation emails, schedule introductory meetings, and even collect preliminary information that feeds directly into CounselMore. This automation not only saves time but also ensures that every prospective client receives prompt and professional attention.
Automated Responses: Both Calendly and Acuity can be configured to send automated responses that acknowledge receipt of an inquiry and provide further instructions. For example, when a parent fills out a form on your website, they can receive an email with a link to schedule an introductory meeting, during which you can discuss your services in more detail.
Paid Introductory Meetings: One recommended best practice is to charge a small fee for the initial consultation. This not only secures the client’s commitment but also ensures that your time is valued. If the client decides to continue with your services, you can credit the fee toward the full service package. This approach filters out non-serious inquiries and establishes a professional tone from the start. Read more about using paid introductory meetings

Student Portal Grooming Before Invitations

Before you invite a student and their family to the CounselMore Student Portal, it’s essential to groom the portal, making it ready for the student to land in a familiarized location. This preparation ensures that the portal is personalized and ready to provide value as soon as the family logs in.

Customizing the Student Profile: Begin by setting up the student’s profile with the information collected during the inquiry phase. This includes adding initial colleges to their list, or relevant admissions data, and any notes based on the family’s concerns or goals. By customizing the portal in advance, you demonstrate the depth of your service and your commitment to the student’s success. Best practices for customizing the student portal at https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/self-guided-3-student-parent-portal.
Adding Schools and Data Columns: In CounselMore, you can add schools to the student’s list based on the inquiry form and your initial consultation. This could include specific colleges that match the student’s interests, as well as data columns relevant to their application process. This level of detail in the portal helps the student and their family see the value of your expertise right from the start. Learn how to add schools and customize data columns at https://helpdesk.counselmore.com/self-guided-2-college-lists-app-tracker.
Engaging the Parent Portal: Early engagement with the Parent Portal is crucial. This allows parents to contribute to the student’s profile, enter additional information, and feel involved in the process. It also reduces the administrative burden on the student, enabling them to focus on their college readiness tasks. By introducing the Parent Portal early, you can enhance the overall client experience and ensure that the family feels fully integrated into the process.

Recommendations for a Seamless Onboarding Process

To ensure that your onboarding process is as effective as possible, consider the following recommendations:

Automate Where Possible: Use tools like Calendly and Acuity to automate scheduling and responses. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency in your onboarding process.
Charge for Initial Consultations: Implement a small fee for introductory meetings to secure commitment and establish the value of your time. This practice can help filter out non-serious inquiries and ensures that prospective clients are invested in the process.
Personalize the Portal: Before sending out portal invitations, make sure the student’s profile is fully groomed with relevant information. This includes setting up college lists, adding admissions data, and ensuring that the portal reflects the family’s concerns and goals.
Engage Parents Early : Introduce parents to the Parent Portal early in the process to enhance their engagement and reduce the administrative load on the student. Early involvement helps parents feel more connected and informed, which can lead to better outcomes for the student.

Building Trust from the Start

Onboarding is not just a process—it’s an opportunity to build trust and set the stage for a successful consulting relationship. By integrating tools like Calendly and Acuity with CounselMore, and by following best practices such as charging for introductory meetings and grooming the Student Portal, you can create an onboarding experience that is smooth, professional, and highly personalized.

When you’re serious about delivering the best possible service, you’re here—at CounselMore. Meet for a demonstration

CounselMore community groups discuss these situations and more. Join an event today!

Test Optional Admissions Strategies for Educational Consultants

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 03:56:08 GMT

Making Sense of Test Optional Admissions: A Guide for Educational Service Providers

Decoding Test-Optional Admissions: Navigating the New Path with Confidence

Decoding test-optional admissions can feel like navigating a maze with no clear exit. However, it’s not an unsolvable riddle—it’s a shift in the admissions landscape that requires a new approach. As educators and service providers, our role is to illuminate this path for students and parents, helping them understand what test-optional truly means, how it impacts admissions decisions, and what strategies can lead to success in this evolving environment.

Understanding Test-Optional Admissions:

A New Strategy, Not a Puzzle.

Test-optional admissions might initially seem as complicated as solving a Rubik’s Cube. But once you understand the underlying strategy, it becomes less daunting and more of an exciting challenge. Test-optional admissions are not an enigma—they represent a new approach that values a broader range of student qualities beyond standardized test scores.

The Role of Educational Service Providers in the Test-Optional Era

Educational service providers are crucial in helping students and families navigate the test-optional landscape. As guides, we help them strategize their applications, highlighting strengths that resonate with admissions committees. This is where tools like CounselMore’s Candidate Shaping Tools come into play.

CounselMore’s Candidate Shaping Tools evaluate the differences between a student’s profile and a school’s admissions priorities by overlaying the student’s responses to six simple questions on top of the school’s admissions data, as reported to the government. This comparison tool allows college counselors to identify areas where the student might need improvement and suggest actions to enhance their application. For instance, if the data shows a gap in extracurricular involvement, the counselor might advise the student to take up volunteering or get a job, signaling genuine interest in their chosen major.

Thriving Beyond SATs and ACTs: Strategies for Success in Test-Optional Admissions

In the test-optional landscape, the SATs and ACTs are no longer the primary keys to college acceptance. The game has changed, and as educational service providers, we must adapt our strategies to help students thrive in this new environment.

Standardized tests, once the cornerstone of college admissions, are now optional at many institutions. While this shift has created some uncertainty, it also presents a unique opportunity for students to showcase their abilities beyond test scores. Now, every aspect of a student’s application—academic records, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal essays—carries more weight.

To succeed, students need to present a comprehensive narrative of their abilities, experiences, and aspirations. CounselMore’s Candidate Shaping Tools can assist in this by offering a scattergram that compares your student’s profile against those of successfully admitted candidates. This visual comparison provides valuable insights, helping counselors guide students in refining their applications to better align with the school’s expectations.

Crafting Compelling Personal Narratives

One of the most powerful tools in a test-optional application is the personal essay. This is where students can tell their unique story, highlighting personal growth, resilience, and the experiences that have shaped their aspirations. As service providers, we can guide students in focusing their essays to ensure they are not only well-written but also reflective of the student’s authentic voice.

In some cases, the essay might also address why the student chose not to submit test scores or explain any special circumstances, such as untimed tests. This helps admissions committees understand the student’s situation and see beyond the absence of scores.

Ensuring Success in the Test-Optional Era

Every student has the potential to shine in a test-optional admissions process. By helping students strategize their applications and emphasize their strengths, we can increase their chances of college admission, whether they submit test scores or not.

Our role as educational service providers is not just to guide students but to empower them. The success of our students reflects our effectiveness, and it’s our responsibility to equip them with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in this new landscape.

Balancing What to Submit and What to Withhold in Test-Optional Applications

When opting for a test-optional strategy, it's crucial to balance what you choose to submit with what you decide to withhold. Not submitting test scores means admissions will notice their absence , so it's essential to offer strong evidence elsewhere in the application to explain this choice. The goal is to ensure that the rest of the application—through academic achievements, extracurriculars, and personal essays— compensates for the missing scores and clearly demonstrates the student’s capabilities and reasoning. This approach not only shifts focus to the student’s strengths but also provides a narrative that justifies the decision to withhold certain information, ensuring the application remains compelling and complete.

Conclusion: Embracing the Change

Test-optional admissions are not an unsolvable puzzle. They represent a new challenge that requires a shift in strategy and approach. With the right guidance and resources, students can navigate this landscape successfully and showcase their full potential.

CounselMore’s Candidate Shaping Tools provide the insights and support needed to make the most of this opportunity. By embracing these tools, we can work together to create opportunities for all students, ensuring that every student has the chance to shine—regardless of their test scores.

As we move forward, let’s embrace this change and work together to create opportunities for all students, regardless of their test scores. The success of our students is the success of our educational system, and together, we can ensure that every student has the chance to shine.

Sources:

"Test-Optional Admissions." National Association for College Admission Counseling. Accessed on March 20, 2022. https://www.nacacnet.org/news--publications/newsroom/test-optional-means/
"Pros and Cons of Test-Optional Admissions." U.S News. Accessed on March 20, 2022. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/pros-and-cons-of-test-optional-admission
"Navigating Test-Optional Admissions." Inside Higher Ed. Accessed on March 20, 2022. https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/03/22/admissions-leaders-discuss-future-test-optional-policies

Direct Admissions in Balanced College Lists: A Growing Trend and How CounselMore Can Help

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:27:03 GMT

Direct Admissions Trends Help Educational Consultants Create Balanced College Lists: A Growing Trend and How CounselMore Can Help

Direct admissions is an evolving practice where colleges proactively offer admission to students, often before they've even applied.

This approach, once considered unusual, has expanded significantly in recent years, with numerous state university systems and private colleges adopting it.

The Common App has also launched a direct admissions program, with 116 partner institutions for the 2024-25 application cycle, up from 71 the previous year.

This growth suggests that direct admissions is becoming an increasingly significant part of the college admissions landscape. While the impact of direct admissions on enrollment is still being studied, it is clear that this approach is changing the college admissions landscape, especially for educational consultants list building process.

Understanding Direct Admissions Impact of Educational Consultants Proposed College List Building Process

Direct admission typically means a student is guaranteed admission to a college or university without a competitive selection process. This is often based on meeting specific criteria, such as a minimum GPA, standardized test scores, or other program requirements.

In some instances, students may receive acceptance without even applying to the school. Some colleges use programs like the Common App Direct Admissions program, where eligible students can receive offers without applying individually. Direct admission aims to increase access to education, reduce gatekeeping, and save time and stress for both applicants and admissions offices. It can also help colleges to admit students from a wider range of backgrounds. It can also balance a list when a candidate is unreasonably focused on competitive entrance schools.

CounselMore College Counseling Software's Role in Direct Admissions College Planning

For educational consultants and college planning specialists, keeping up with these changes can be challenging. That’s where CounselMore comes in. CounselMore offers a variety of tools to help you navigate the ever-changing college admissions process, and now includes a specific focus on direct admissions as it relates to building a balanced college list.

Here's how CounselMore helps Create a List of Application Schools:

Pre-made Starter Lists:

CounselMore provides over 30 pre-made starter lists . These lists, created by CounselMore community members, cover a wide range of topics, including direct admit schools. These starter lists offer a great starting point for your college planning efforts. You can use them as is or edit and customize them to your specific needs.

Easy Tagging System Creates Simple Ways to Sort Schools by Topic:

CounselMore allows you to tag schools with specific labels . This means that you can use tags to quickly identify and reference schools by organized topic lists. For example, as the list of Direct Admit schools will change and change again over the next few years as the ecosystem settles in - you can tag new schools that offer direct admissions and/or remove schools you'd rather not include, making it easy to find or sort them.

To add tags, you just scroll to the right of any school list, double click on the cell in the "Tags" column, type the tag, and hit "close". For easier navigation, just start typing and similar names, already created previously will appear.
You can apply a list of tagged schools to another student.
To do this, go to the student's Counselor List, click on the menu button, then click on search. From there, click on the "My Database" tab and then the "My Lists" button. Choose the appropriate tag and click "Show Results" to see the schools you have tagged.

Customizable Pre Made Direct Admit College Lists:

The starter lists are not static. You can add or remove schools to make the list your own. If you see a school is missing, or if a school no longer fits your criteria, you can easily adjust the list. You can delete a tag to remove a school from your list or add a tag to include a new school on your list.

Community Sourced Lists:

CounselMore provides an avenue for educational consultants to collaborate and share resources. Many CounselMore members contribute to developing these resources. You can review lists and add or remove schools.

To access these lists, go to the Counselor List of any student, click on the menu button, and select search. From the tabs at the top of the page, click on My Lists and then select the box next to any list you would like to use and click "Import These Lists".
Importing a list means the title of the list will appear as a 'Tag' in your Tags column for each of those schools anytime you pull up that school. You will also find your imported list in 'My Lists' .

"My Lists" Function:

CounselMore allows you to save lists by topic and use them later with a new student. Once you have created your list, it is easy to use it with another student and another students. As a counselor becomes comfortable with their cultivated college knowledge, it becomes critical to be able to store and retrieve that information to minimize the time it takes to build college lists. CounselMore members build lists in an average of 30 - 45 minutes. Whereas, those who do not use CounselMore Admissions Data spend 3 - 5 hours researching lists.

Direct Admit List:

CounselMore makes it easy to use lists focused on direct admissions and allow you to further edit the lists to sub-topics. As this list of direct admit schools grows, you can add to it and remove schools that you don’t consider viable for future choices. This means you can create a highly customized list of direct admissions schools that are the best fit for your clients.

Submitting Community Lists:

You can also contribute to the CounselMore community by submitting your own lists. You can create a student record for the topic, add colleges to the list, and then share it with the community by contacting the help desk.

Why Educational Consultants Need To Know

The growth of direct admissions means that college planning is becoming more complex, and educational consultants need tools to stay informed. CounselMore helps you stay ahead of the curve by providing a simple, customizable tool to manage and utilize this trend. Direct admission can offer a simplified application process, eliminating essays, recommendation letters, and application fees. It can also provide a more predictable outcome for students based on their academic performance. However, direct admission might not be the best fit for every student, and it is important to research all the available options and make choices about your reviewed and approved schools.

In Conclusion for Educational Consultants

Direct admissions is a growing trend that educational consultants must be prepared to address. CounselMore's direct admissions resources, along with its other features, will help you stay organized, efficient, and effective in assisting your clients. With the flexibility to add and remove schools, and to import and share lists, CounselMore is a valuable tool for college planning specialists. CounselMore is a counselor-centric tool, offering pre-made starter lists and professional development programming, as well as search tools to get started.

Pay Attention! Early Action and Decision

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 23:09:37 GMT

Pay Attention! Early Action and Decision

After all your hard work in applying to colleges, you want to know if you have been accepted! Decisions could be coming sooner than you think if you’ve applied Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) , with most ED notifications coming before December 15th and most EA notifications coming by February. Make sure to check college early action notification dates in this article.

Early Action

If a school offers early action , this means that they have the option to submit your application earlier than the rest of the “regular” applications. This is paired with an earlier decision notification to you - the applicant. Most early action decision notification dates are before February, except for Northeastern University. The Northeastern early action notification date is February 15th for the class of 2028. More typical early action notification dates are in December or January. Some typical examples would be MIT and the University of Wisconsin. For the class of 2028, the MIT early action notification date was December 17th, and the University of Wisconsin early action notification date was January 28th. Other schools like the University of Vermont more generally state that the UVM early action notification date will be in late December.

Early Decision

Early decision is a binding application. It commits an applicant to attending that school if admitted. Applying ED also significantly boosts your chances of getting accepted. This is because colleges are motivated to have a high yield rate (or rate of people who enroll after being accepted). Admitting applicants who are committing to enroll if accepted increases a school’s yield rate, so you’re much more likely to be accepted if you apply ED. This makes applying ED a great option for those who are confident in a particular school. Notification dates for those applying ED will come pretty early, with most decisions being announced before December 15th.

Single Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action

Single Choice Early Action (SCEA) or Restrictive Early Action (REA) is an option given by some more elite schools. Think of this type of application as a hybrid between EA and ED. You apply early and agree not to apply ED to anywhere else (like the ED process), but it is also non-binding (like an EA application). This is an option at schools that are more comfortable with their yield rate and don’t feel the need to lock students into a binding agreement. CalTech, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, University of Notre Dame, and Yale are examples of this.

Download a printable copy of the list

North East Colleges

American University (40.6% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/31

- ED II: by 2/15

Amherst College (7% acceptance rate)

- ED: early to mid-December

Babson College (22.3% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- EA: by 1/1

- ED II: mid-February

Bates College (13.3% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/20

- ED II: by 2/15

Barnard College (8.8% acceptance rate)

- ED: mid-December

Bentley University (58% acceptance rate)

- ED I: late December

- ED II: early February

Boston College (16.7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Boston University (14.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Bowdoin College (9.2% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: early February

Brandeis University (39.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/1

Brown University (5.1% acceptance rate)

- ED: by mid-December

Bryant University (68.8% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/1

- EA: mid-January

- ED II: by 2/15

Bryn Mawr College (31% acceptance rate)

- ED I: late December

- ED II: mid-February

Bucknell University (32.6% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Colby College (7.6% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Colgate University (12.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

College of the Holy Cross (36.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/15

Columbia University (3.9% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

Connecticut College (40.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Cornell University (7.5% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

Dartmouth College (6.4% acceptance rate)

- ED: by mid-December

Dickinson College (35% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: late February

Emerson College (42.7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- EA: mid-January

- ED II: early February

Fordham University (54.1% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/20

- EA: 12/20

- ED II: 2/15

Franklin & Marshall College (36.2% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Georgetown University (12.2% acceptance rate)

- EA: by 12/15

Gettysburg College (56.3% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Hamilton College (11.8% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Harvard University (3.2% acceptance rate)

- REA: mid-December

Haverford College (14% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: early February

Johns Hopkins University (7.3% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/16

Lafayette College (33.6% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/15

Lehigh University (37% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (4% acceptance rate)

- EA: mid-December

Middlebury College (13% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Mount Holyoke College (52% acceptance rate)

- ED I: late December

- ED II: late January

Northeastern University (6.8% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 1/1

- ED II: by 3/1

- EA: by 2/15

New York University (12.5% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/15

Pratt Institute (50.4% acceptance rate)

- EA: by mid-December

Princeton University (5.7% acceptance rate)

- SCEA: mid-December

Providence College (52.8% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/1

- EA: by 1/1

- ED II: by 3/1

Rhode Island School of Design (19% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

Skidmore College (25.5% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Smith College (22.9% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: late January

Swarthmore College (7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Syracuse University (51.8% acceptance rate)

- ED I: late December (rolling)

- ED II: late January (rolling)

Trinity College (36.1% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by mid-December

- ED II: by mid-February

Tufts University (10% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

Union College (46.5% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- EA: late December

- ED II: by 2/15

University of Rochester (38.9% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: early February

University of Vermont (59.8% acceptance rate)

- ED: 12/1

- EA: late December

Vassar College (18.7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: early February

Villanova University (23% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- EA: by 1/20

- ED II: by 2/15

Wellesley College (16% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Wesleyan University (14.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/10

Williams College (8.5% acceptance rate)

- ED: by 12/15

Yale University (4.6% acceptance rate)

- SCEA: mid-December

Midwest

Carleton College (16.6% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Case Western Reserve University (27.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/2

- EA: 12/19

- ED II: 2/10

Grinnell College (11% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: early February

Indiana University- Bloomington (82.5% acceptance rate)

- EA: by 1/15

Macalester College (28% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/3

- EA: 12/20

- ED II: 1/28

Northwestern University (7.2% acceptance rate)

- ED: December

Oberlin College (34% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/1

The Ohio State University (52.7% acceptance rate)

- EA: by 1/31

Purdue University - Main Campus (52.7% acceptance rate)

- EA: 1/15

University of Chicago (5.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- EA: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (44.8% acceptance rate)

- EA: 1/26

University of Michigan (17.7% acceptance rate)

- EA: by late January

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (74.9% acceptance rate)

- EA I: by 1/31

- EA II: by 2/15

University of Notre Dame (12.9% acceptance rate)

- REA: mid-December

Washington University in St. Louis (11.8% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/16

West or Western Colleges

California Institute of Technology (2.7% acceptance rate)

- REA: mid-December

Chapman University (72.5% acceptance rate)

- ED: mid-December

- EA: mid-December (rolling)

Claremont McKenna College (10.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Colorado College (20% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- EA: late December

- ED II: mid-February

Harvey Mudd College (13.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/15

Loyola Marymount University (41.3% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- EA: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Occidental College (39.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/20

Pitzer College (18.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/18

- ED II: by 2/15

Pomona College (7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

Santa Clara University (52.1% acceptance rate)

- ED I: late December

- EA: late December

- ED II: mid-February

Scripps College (28% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Stanford University (4% acceptance rate)

- REA: by mid-December

University of Denver (77.7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: early December

- EA: late December (rolling)

- ED II: mid-February

University of Southern California (12% acceptance rate)

- EA: mid to late January

South or Southern Colleges

College of Charleston (75.7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/1

- EA (in-state): 12/1

- EA (out-of-state): 12/15

- ED II: 3/1

Davidson College (16.9% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/16

- ED II: by 1/31

Duke University (6.3% acceptance rate)

- ED: mid-December

Elon University (74.5% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/1

- EA: 12/20

Emory University (11.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by 12/15

- ED II: by 2/15

George Washington University (49% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by late December

- ED II: by late February

University of Georgia (42.5% acceptance rate)

- EA: by 12/1

University of Miami (18.9% acceptance rate)

- ED I: by mid-December

- EA: by late January

- ED II: by late February

University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill (17.1% acceptance rate)

- EA: 1/31

University of Richmond (24.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: around 12/15

- EA: around 1/25

- ED II: around 2/15

University of Virginia (18.7% acceptance rate)

- ED: by 12/15

- EA: by 2/15

Vanderbilt University (6.7% acceptance rate)

- ED I: mid-December

- ED II: mid-February

Wake Forest University (21.4% acceptance rate)

- ED I: Rolling

- EA: by 1/15

- ED II: around 2/15

Washington & Lee University (17% acceptance rate)

- ED I: 12/15

- ED II: 2/1

William & Mary (33.5% acceptance rate)

- ED I: early December

- ED II: early February

Download a printable copy of the list

Conclusion

Applying Early Decision or Early Action CAN dramatically impact your college application strategy. Keep these things in mind:

● With Early Action, you get to submit your applications and receive your results earlier without the binding commitment, giving you the flexibility to consider multiple options.

● Early Decision, on the other hand, offers a higher chance of acceptance with the commitment to attend if accepted—perfect for those who have a clear first choice.

● For the elite schools, Single Choice Early Action or Restrictive Early Action blends the benefits of both without the binding nature, giving you the best of both worlds.

As you wait for your notification dates, keep track of each school's timelines to stay ahead. Knowing when you’ll hear back can help you manage your expectations and plan your next steps. Applying early gives you peace of mind and a head start in college planning. Remember, stay informed, stay organized, and keep your eye on the long game. It’s a lot of work, but it ensures your work pays off.

Happy Testing!

-Marc

Finding a Research Lab as a High School Student

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 30 May 2024 02:48:22 GMT

7 Steps: Finding a Research Lab as a High School Student

University admissions committees have started looking for academic research as part of a competitive admissions portfolio. This demonstrates critical reasoning, teamwork, and technical communication skills. High school students now face the challenge of seeking in-person lab positions with senior professors, discovering that these positions are scarce and highly sought after. How do you help a high school student find an academic research position? There are seven steps to success.

Aligning Passion with Lab Opportunities

Success depends on a compatibility between the lab’s projects and the student’s passion. A student should expect to spend at least 5-10 hours weekly in the PI's lab over many months and perhaps years. With that kind of commitment, passion is an important motivator. To determine if the student’s interest is a passion and to facilitate later steps, ask them to write down twenty things they wish they knew about their passion area. If they can’t identify twenty questions or if the questions are easily answered, they need to dig deeper.

Building a Network of Potential Labs

Who might they ask for a lab job? Start by combining university and company websites for lab directors, professors, and researchers. Include local community colleges, research universities, established companies, or start-ups. The broader the search, the better. Students should ask their parents, parents’ friends, high school teachers, club supervisors, and science fair judges. The goal is to generate a list of 100 potential contacts.

Writing an Effective Inquiry Email

Once your student has a long enough list, they are ready to write a short, two-paragraph email requesting a meeting. The first paragraph should describe the student’s passion, not their accomplishments. Why are they interested in this area of inquiry? How does that passion relate to the lab? Ideally, they should mention a specific, recent publication or success from the target lab. The second paragraph should be focused on requesting a face-to-face meeting. The best second paragraph states that the student will be on-site on a particular day and would like to meet during a particular time window.

Strategically Following Up on Emails

Almost all the student’s emails will be ignored. Of the 100 emails sent, perhaps 10 will get a response. This might be disheartening, but it is the reality of job search, even for a high school lab position. It is important that the student take every one of the ten responses very seriously. In most cases, no matter what the response says, “Are you mature enough and passionate enough in this area to succeed in my lab?” The student should craft a one-paragraph, professional response with your counsel that explains why they think this lab would be a great experience for the student. Don’t focus on how the high school student will greatly benefit the lab. This can appear arrogant.

Preparing for Lab Interviews

The goal of the ten responses is to get three interviews. Be sure to help prepare your student for these interviews. Even if they are highly professional and mature with an easy conversational manner, they may be inexperienced at speaking with academics. The interview will likely begin with small talk. The student should prepare answers to the most common questions about school, their favorite subject, the weather, or the local sports team. Academics can be awkward at small talk, making this an uncomfortable start. Some practice can help the student drive through any rough patches.

Try CounselMore's Candidate Shaping Tools. Click the image below.

Following Up Post-Interview

In rare cases, the PI may make an offer on the spot. If they offer a position, coach your student to take as many notes as possible but not accept the job right then. It is probably better to complete all the interviews and speak with you and their parents before jumping in. In most cases, the interview will end with an agreement to check back in a couple of days, even ending abruptly as the interviewer realizes they are late for their next meeting. No matter how the interview went, the student should send a follow-up note thanking the interviewer for their time and directly asking if there would be a lab opening for them. Ideally, the note should mention a specific project discussed in the interview. Navigating the Offer

Negotiation

Finally, the lab director may respond with an offer to work on a specific project. They did it! Your high school student got an offer. It is still not time to accept. Coach your students to ask enough questions to ensure they meet the lab’s expectations, e.g., hours per week, special skills needed, and remote work. It is also reasonable to ask about the student’s interests, e.g., letters of recommendation, first-authored publications, and how the student will interact with the PI.

Conclusion

Finding an in-person lab position can be a lot of work, but the rewards of meeting students, researchers, and faculty who share a deep passion with your high school student can be immeasurable and might just help their college admissions portfolio.

About the Author: Dr. Robert A. Malkin, PhD, PE

CounselMore Member Spotlight: Marc Gray - Odyssey College Prep

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Tue, 28 May 2024 22:41:47 GMT

CounselMore Member Spotlight: Marc Gray - Odyssey College Prep

In this CounselMore Member Spotlight, we meet Marc Gray of Odyssey College Prep. Marc joined in 2021 but has been involved in college counseling and test prep since 2014. In this post, we’ll discover how Marc began his career in college admissions counseling and learn about his unique approach to guiding students through the college application process. Keep reading to learn more about Marc, his philosophy on college counseling, and the specialized services he and his team offer to help students achieve their higher education goals.

Member: Marc Gray

Business: Odyssey College Prep

Website: odysseycollegeprep.com

Started: Spring 2019

Tell us how your background influenced your approach to college admissions counseling.

I started as a test prep tutor. I prepared kids for the ACT and SAT. My favorite portion of the ACT was the Essay Section. Writing was always hard for me growing up. However, I grew to enjoy it immensely as a college student. Helping high school students develop their voice and an understanding that their own stories have power was advantageous. As my clients grew, I started to get requests from parents to do more essay coaching for their college applications. Things got really busy from there.

I partnered with other tutors and hired tutors to help me manage all our students. Ultimately, I've taken a step back from tutoring now. I do the majority of the admissions coaching now while my staff of educators works with our test prep students.

The pattern of starting with one skill that flows into another became a central theme in my practice. While test prep and college counseling are how I entered the college admissions industry, aptitude testing is how I've distinguished myself from my peers. My team and I use advanced aptitude testing services to supplement and support our test prep and college admissions students. Through aptitude testing, we help our students pick college majors, advise them on their college lists, and guide them to their career paths.

It's been a wild journey but incredibly rewarding.

How do you personalize your counseling approach to accommodate diverse student aspirations and needs?

As I mentioned, we give advanced aptitude tests to all our college counseling students. This allows us to collect complex data on each student. We can tell how fast they read, what foreign languages they'll have an easier time mastering, how quickly they solve problems, etc.

We use this data in myriad ways. However, it tells us as educators how fast to go with students, how best to teach them, and how to follow up and manage their workload.

Can you recount a particularly memorable transformation you've witnessed in a student's academic journey?

I gave one aptitude test to a recent college graduate. She approached a career crossroads. One turn would lead her to med school, while another would take her to business school. I tested her, debriefed her results, and met with her again to advise her further. While she loved economics and business, her most cherished times at work and school occurred during much of her lab work over the years. We looked at many careers together, and we both determined that med school made the most sense for her.

I recount this time because not only did it culminate in success, but due to the intensity of the choice she was making. The sheer amount of trust she had in our services hit me. It's a trust I don't take lightly. I heard from her recently that she loves med school. She's looking forward to becoming a doctor, as "loving med school" might be a bit of a stretch. She looks at PowerPoint charts until her eyes fall out, reads incessantly, and studies feverishly. And yet, it's an effort that will culminate in a meaningful and lucrative career.

Being able to take part in those decisions is exhilarating. It's a fantastic gig.

Tell us something most of your students and parents don't know about you.

My wife and I call each other Boo. Why? We're still determining.

We have two Shih Tzus, Seelie, and Laszlo, respectively. We have an unhealthy obsession with these two dogs, and we enjoy the company of other humans who have untenable obsessions with their pups.

I love Greek and Norse Mythology more than most. Hence, the name of my business is Odyssey College Prep.

Can you recount a time when a student's boldness left you surprised?

I recently worked with a student who was rejected from USC's film program. In his appeal letter, the student wanted it very clearly communicated that he didn't need USC's program to succeed as a film student. I told him he sounded a bit aggressive and reckless. What's odd is that this student usually does whatever I tell them. They have a great attitude and are a pleasure to work with. We worked on his appeal letter to see if he might have another shot. However, he was adamant about not begging or using the word count and his rhetorical energy to beg for a seat at USC's table. He claimed why he was a highly interested candidate and candidly asked that they reconsider his application.

I usually don't advocate for this kind of brazen pride, but he impressed me. He didn't have arrogance but a scrappy confidence he'd earned over the years as a professional filmmaker. Since he's older than most applying first-year students, having already earned an associate's degree, he's had to hustle more than most, which gave him a practiced ethos so rare in people so young. I don't know if he'll get in. However, he has opportunities at other colleges that give him the leverage of being that brazen. And I applaud him for it.

In what ways has your counseling enhanced your community?

Conclusion

That concludes this week's CounselMore Member Spotlight.Marc also updates his Odyssey College Prep blog regularly. To join the next mentorship meeting, click on the link below. Marc welcomes any and all college counselors to attend. Stay tuned for more college counseling events by joining the CounselMore Newsletter as well.

Navigating College as a First-Generation Student

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Tue, 14 May 2024 17:05:30 GMT

Navigating College as a First-Generation Student

Growing up as a student whose parents immigrated from Vietnam as refugees, I faced unique challenges navigating the educational system. Unlike many of my peers, my parents didn't have the traditional educational background; they didn't graduate from college. This meant that I didn't have the same level of familial support or guidance when understanding the ins and outs of higher education.

First-generation college students may face many challenges and hurdles. Today, I’ll discuss how to navigate college as a first-generation student.

Understanding the Challenges of First Generation College Students

You may be wondering, what makes a student considered to be first-generation? A first-generation college student is usually defined as someone whose parents or legal guardian has not completed a four-year college degree. This means that it doesn’t matter whether your extended family members have completed degrees - if your parents don’t have degrees, you are a first-generation student. Students from low-income families or underrepresented minority groups are more likely to be first-generation.

Since there is lack of familial support, many students may not know how financial aid works or even understand academic expectations. Many students, like myself, have struggled with wondering where to even start or how to ask for help - and for what help to ask for. In a way, first-generation college students are starting from scratch and have to figure out the process on their own. This can lead to many unwanted emotions such as anxiety, confusion, and even isolation.

In this article, I’ll be addressing how to deal with these emotions, obstacles, and how to navigate college as the first person graduating from your family.

While this journey is undoubtedly challenging, it also encourages strength and resourcefulness. Many first-generation college students are further driven to provide a better future for themselves and their families. With the right support and resources, first-generation students have the potential and beyond to be successful and contribute to their community as a whole.

Finding Support and Resources In Higher Education

Finding support, whether it be on campus or off-campus, seems like a daunting task, especially when you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, there are many resources out there for first-generation students - let’s talk about how to find them.

There are many colleges that offer support specifically designed for first-generation students. Research, whether online or in-person, will help you see what is out there. For me, I went to community college in California for two years and was a part of the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) . This program ensured that I met with a counselor a few times during the semester, while outlining my transfer plan and making sure I got to ask any questions regarding school. This program is specific to California, but many other states offer similar programs for first-generation students.

Additionally, many schools have first-generation student centers and counseling as part of their student life staff. At the college I transferred to, I utilized the on campus counseling services that the school offered. Through that, I was offered an invite to group counseling for first-generation college students which was very helpful for me. Some colleges also offer mentor programs that can give you guidance and support, as well as 1:1 coaching. By simply asking a professor, counselor, or students around you, there are opportunities for support that you might’ve never known about. It’s important to gather the courage to ask - you do not need to be alone in this challenge.

Navigating test prep is another crazy maze to navigate. Many first generation college students can't afford expensive test prep tutoring programs. While not free, there are a few inexpensive test prep courses that students can take advantage of. Achievable is a great example of this. Most test prep programs that I know of cost thousands of dollars. Achievable has an Online ACT Prep Course for $130. With a bit of discipline and technology, obstacles like test prep and college application can be surmounted.

Another big thing that many first-generation college students struggle with is the financial aid process. It’s byzantine, and some students aren’t lucky enough to have parents that are well-versed in the application. There are many financial aid workshops that students can attend, and you should consider asking academic counselors for access to more resources as well. Simply going to your financial aid office in person can also be beneficial and give you answers to specific questions you have about the process.

Another obstacle that first-generation college students face is feeling like they don’t belong. Making friends with fellow first-generation college students can be comforting, especially because you can talk to them about this shared experience. This helps you feel less alone in your journey and you’re able to have peers to relate to certain struggles that other students may not understand. By seeking out clubs or programs specifically made for first-generation college students, you can get a better sense of belonging and possibly make lifelong friends.

Overcoming Obstacles As a First Generation College Student

First-generation students are 71% more likely to leave college in their first year compared to non-first-generation students. They often face more difficulties adjusting to college and succeeding academically than their peers. Some of these difficulties include mental health, social support, family support, and socioeconomic status.

Something that I wish I had done in my earlier college career was prioritizing my mental health. I found myself having imposter syndrome and comparing myself to other students, many of whom had guidance and nurturing from their parents that I did not. This greatly impacted how I viewed myself, my struggles, and my sense of belonging. Being an advocate for yourself can be hard, especially when you don’t know where to even start.

Taking initiative is the first step. It's essential to recognize that prioritizing your mental health is not a sign of weakness, but rather a crucial aspect of self-care and well-being. Whether it's seeking counseling services, joining support groups, or practicing self-care activities, finding ways to manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance is essential for academic success and personal fulfillment.

I noticed that the majority of first-generation students at my school were often juggling work and school full-time. I was also in the same situation. This can be a major challenge that is more common with first-generation college students. Balancing work and academics can be incredibly stressful and take a toll on one’s well-being. It's important to set realistic expectations for yourself and prioritize self-care, even in the midst of busy schedules.

In addition to managing work and academics, first-generation students often face immense pressure to succeed. It's important for first-generation students to recognize that success is not defined by perfection or external validation. It's okay to set realistic goals, make mistakes, and learn from setbacks along the way. By attending college at all and hopefully graduating, you will go further in the American education system than anyone in your family before you - and that is a huge accomplishment worth celebrating.

Celebrating success

Reaching and graduating college as a first-generation college student is a huge achievement. According to statistics, around 37% of first-generation students graduate college. Being a first-generation college student carries with it a unique set of challenges, from navigating the complex admissions process to managing the unfamiliar academic environment. Despite these obstacles, those who persevere and earn their degrees defy the odds.

Each step forward, each milestone reached, is a victory not only for the individual but for their entire community. It's a celebration of resilience, ambition, and the belief that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future. Be proud of yourself and know that you are making a huge difference in your own life and in the lives of your family and community.

Author Bio:

Hi, my name is Courtney Dang, a college student passionate about marketing and fueled by a love for learning. Some of my hobbies include crocheting, reading, or hitting the gym. I'm all about sharing useful knowledge, whether it's marketing insights or the latest crochet techniques!

How to Become an IEC Referral-Generating Machine!

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 21:00:52 GMT

How to Become an IEC Referral-Generating Machine!

Have you ever wondered how long it will take to pay my bills as an IEC? In today's digital age, building a thriving consultancy practice goes beyond offering excellent services; it's about becoming a referral-generating powerhouse. How do I know this? I grew my college planning business into a financially sustainable practice in my first year through the power of referrals! I’ll walk you through four essential strategies to elevate your consultancy game in this guide. By following these steps, you will attract clients effortlessly and organically so that more families learn how you are a valuable resource in their college planning journey. So, let's dive in!

Get Visible: Make It Easy for Your Clients to Find You

Being an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) means that on top of attracting clients who can benefit from your services, you also need to educate potential customers on the benefits of college planning. Students and parents need your help, and many families still don’t realize that college planning services exist! In our niche market within education support, seeing is believing. What do I mean by that? Visibility is the key to making it easy for students and parents to find you. When a former client recommends you to a friend, chances are people will first try to find you online before they reach out. Don’t lose out on potential leads due to lack of visibility. Here are some tips to enhance your online presence:

Updated, professional headshots —I’m a fan of brand photography to help establish a strong first impression when people encounter you online. If that’s not in the budget, you can use a tool like Aragon.Ai to generate polished photos for your website and marketing materials.

Website - Your website does not have to be fancy at first. Start off with quality pictures and images, contact details, a summary of what you do, and what services you offer. Over time, tailor it to reflect your distinct brand and personal style.

Google listing —Establishing a Google listing helps people in your local area find you and enhances SEO, which drives online traffic to your website.

Brochures, Flyers, and Business cards - Informational materials are still a great way to establish credibility and reinforce your presence. Hand them out at networking events, sponsor booths, and events you host. They help you stay in sight in mind. I recommend using the design app Canva for easy design and print solutions.

Facebook & Instagram- Students and parents use social media, so make it easy for them to find you on the most popular platforms. Instagram and Facebook are owned by Meta, so it’s easy to create one post and publish it on both platforms simultaneously.

YouTube- You don’t have to post videos on YouTube regularly, but having a channel is a great place to upload videos that you can later embed into your website or event-listing page.

TikTok- If you want guidance on TikTok strategies for college counselors, check out Lissett "Bo" Bohannon on Niche for monthly content tips.

Nextdoor- Nextdoor is a free app that connects you to nearby communities. You can list a business profile and post about your services and specials to spread awareness about your business.

Alignable- Alginable is a free networking app that connects you to other local professionals or even national business owners, and you can exchange referrals with each other.

How to Grow Your Network

Expanding your network opens doors to new opportunities and referrals. I’ve found that having a winning mindset makes a tremendous difference because, many times, the least obvious people can help you grow your business. You will succeed if you believe there are opportunities everywhere for you. Pulled directly from my experience of growing a sustainable business in my first year of operation, this is how to grow your network effectively:

In the first month of my business's launch, I planned to engage with local support. The following tips will show you how to grow your network with a low budget.

Join a Chamber of Commerce- You can join any Chamber of Commerce where you want to do business; it doesn’t necessarily have to be affiliated with your town.

Usually, Chamber of Commerce groups have several networking options for you to explore. Visit several and see which ones feel right for you. I’ve developed numerous friendships and business connections by choosing the groups that welcomed and energized me.

Visit the Small Business Development Center- The SBDC is a state-funded business mentorship program, free for all residents to engage with, regardless of what stage of business you are in.

Not only did I receive guidance from seasoned professionals in marketing, accounting, sales, and operations, but I also made connections with local industry leaders. Look for your local chapter, typically within junior or community college centers.

Seek Local and Regional IEC Networks—Connect with other educational consultants to support each other and grow together. Remember, more students need guidance than counselors, so let’s collaborate and make new friends!

If you’re not sure where to start looking, contact HECA or IECA for leads. If you’re in the Chicagoland area, contact me, and I will connect you with our local group.

Growing your network is not a short game. By meeting more people and seeking local support, you are planting seeds that will grow and blossom into referrals. If you believe networking is beneficial, then it will be!

Where are YOUR Clients?

Understanding your target audience is crucial for attracting the right clients. Have you clearly outlined who your clients are and how you differentiate from other IECs? If not, contact me via my website, and I will send you a list of journal prompts to help you with this.

Once you understand exactly who your ideal clients are and the unique ways that you serve them, you can successfully identify where your clients are. Getting visible is making it easier for your potential clients to find you. Finding your clients involves proactively going where they are to spread awareness of your services.

Parents regularly thank me for existing. They say, “Wow, I wish I had someone like you when I went to college.” People want and need your guidance! Here is a list of ideas to help you find your potential clients:

Local partnerships- Partner with local tutors or test-prep specialists so you can refer your students to them, and they can refer their students to you.

Local events- Think about where parents and teens go in your area and see how you can get involved. This could be a weekly community event or an annual gala.

Workshops and Seminars- Attend local workshops and seminars for professional development and to meet other professionals with whom you can partner or help their own children with college planning. I recently met a speaker at an event who will help me market a new service I’m offering and introduce me to a professor who may want me to speak to business students at a local community college.

Host Events- Informational events help spread the word about your business while also providing value to the community. It feels good to share what I know to help my local youth feel more confident about going to college. You can also give corporate presentations at businesses, like lunch-and-learn-style events, for their employees to learn about what you do.

Smart Sponsorships- You likely won’t have a large marketing budget when starting. You will likely be approached about many sponsorship opportunities. Choose these wisely so you get the most out of your investment. I mainly invest in sponsor booths to meet people face-to-face rather than passively having my logo on a banner.

Harnessing the Referral

Referrals are powerful endorsements that can significantly boost your consultancy business. Referrals can come from clients you work with, people in your community, and other professionals who support what you do. Remember, you are helping people; they are likely truly grateful for your expertise. Here's how to maximize referrals:

Always follow up- Whether you meet with a potential client or are networking with local professionals, always follow up and let them know how they can connect with you.

Ask for feedback- Take diligent notes as you grow your practice to see what your clients value most. Ask professional contacts about how to improve your marketing materials and ways to improve your elevator pitch.

Ask for testimonials/reviews- Those who don’t ask don’t get them. More often than not, people are willing to provide feedback. Reviews don’t just help your business; they help other families find the help they need.

Create a template—Make your life easier with a template! Create a message that reflects your style and simply copy and paste it to ask your clients for their review or testimonial; be sure to include the link to where you want them to post it. The key is to make it easy for your clients to sing their praises.

Strategic pro-bono clients— You are a counselor because you like to help people. You need to make a living, but it’s common practice in our industry to help some people who are “on the house.”

Referral program- Consider creating a referral incentive or gift for people in your network. One of my core values is reciprocity, so I would like to show my appreciation by offering a referral program to anyone who refers a new family to my college planning business. You know you’re doing it right when it feels good for both parties.

Your Next Steps

Congratulations on taking the first step towards becoming a referral-generating machine! But remember, success doesn't happen overnight. It requires dedication, strategic planning, continuous learning, and a successful mindset. If you follow this guide, you will take your business to the next level. However, even coaches need a coach to maximize their results. I’m here to help you craft a personalized action plan so you can grow your business and enjoy a sustainable living doing what you love. Let's work together to turn your consultancy dreams into reality!

Keep learning, keep growing, and let your consultancy shine!

Ready to supercharge your consultancy practice? Visit my Jackie's website to book an IEC Strategy Session with her today. You can also enjoy a special CounselMore voucher of $50 off.

Early Decision Dates: Unlocking the Calendar

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 23:48:01 GMT

Early Decision Dates: Unlocking the Calendar

The college application process is an exciting yet nerve-wracking time for high school seniors. For those considering early decision options , understanding the early decision release dates, application deadlines, and notification timelines is crucial. In this article, we will discuss when schools’ early decision applications are due and when those schools inform you of a decision to help you plan your application strategies effectively.

Understanding Early Decision

Early Decision (ED) is a college admissions process that allows you to apply to your preferred institution early in your senior year. By applying early decision, you indicate a strong commitment to attending the specified college if admitted. This process typically comes with an advantage, as admission rates for early decision applicants tend to be higher compared to regular decision applicants.

Early Decision 1 (ED1) was traditionally for highly competitive students confident of their first-choice school. Meanwhile, early decision 2 (ED2) emerged as a more flexible option. The flexibility of ED2 provides additional time for students to evaluate choices and strengthen applications. If admitted, you must withdraw all other college applications.

The emphasis here is on the word must. Applying ED1 or ED2 is a contractual agreement that you will attend the school if admitted.

Early Decision Release Dates

Applying early decision is nuanced. Even though you might apply early decision, you will still need to prepare (or at least begin preparing) other applications in case you are not accepted or deferred from your ED school. However, if you're accepted into your ED school, you will be obligated to withdraw all other applications. So, knowing when early decision comes out or when you will be notified of a school’s decision is important to planning applications for your backup schools.

Remember this - ED1 typically has a deadline in November of the senior year, with decisions released in December. On the other hand, ED2 has a later deadline, usually in January, and decisions come out in February.

To help you plan for application season, CLICK BELOW to see if your planned school offers early decision 1, early decision 2, and/or early action.

Again, these tables provide a comprehensive overview of the early decision and early action application policies across various universities and colleges. Use these as a reference for your early decision strategy and college list building .

If you’re considering applying Early Decision 1:

Many institutions offer an Early Decision 1 option, indicating that students can apply early and receive a decision in the first round. This would be a good choice if you are dead-set on what school you want to attend and if you are able to get your applications submitted early. Notable schools such as Boston University , Brown University , Carnegie Mellon University , Case Western Reserve University , Chapman University , Columbia University , Cornell University , Dartmouth College , Duke University , John Hopkins University , New York University , Pepperdine University , Rice University , University of Pennsylvania , and Vanderbilt University offer this option.

If you’re considering applying Early Decision 2

Some schools provide an Early Decision 2 option, allowing students another opportunity to apply early if they missed the ED1 deadline, want to compare financial aid packages, or need more time to boost their application. Institutions like Boston University , Carnegie Mellon University , Case Western Reserve University , Dartmouth College , John Hopkins University , New York University , and Vanderbilt University offer this choice. Logically, all schools that offer early decision 2 options also offer early decision 1 options.

If you’re considering applying Early Action

Early Action programs allow students to apply early and receive a decision earlier than the regular decision timeline without committing to attend the institution if admitted. This would be a good choice if you are unsure about which school you want to attend or if tuition costs and finances are a big part of your decision. By applying early action, you would have more flexibility to compare financial aid packages or scholarship offers , allowing you to pick from whatever institutions you have been accepted into. Some schools that offer early action but not early decision options are California Institute of Technology , Florida State University , Georgia Institute of Technology , Harvard University , MIT , North Carolina State , Princeton University , Purdue University , Stanford University , University of Georgia , University of Notre Dame , Virginia Polytechnic Institute , and Yale University .

Conclusion

Early decision is a significant option if you are dead-set on a specific college. Being well-informed about the early decision release dates, application deadlines, and notification timelines is crucial for a smooth application process. Remember especially that ED1 typically has a deadline in November of the senior year, with decisions released in December. ED2 has a later deadline, usually in January, and decisions come out in February. By knowing which schools offer ED1, ED2, and early action, you can better plan your applications and relieve some of the stress associated with the college admissions journey.

Early Decision 1 vs. 2 - Which One to Choose?

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 17:20:45 GMT

Early Decision 1 vs. 2 - Which One to Choose?

More and more students are applying to colleges via Early Decision, and rightfully so. The college application process is a pivotal moment in a student's life, and one crucial decision they face is whether to opt for Early Decision 1 (ED1) or Early Decision 2 (ED2). Understanding the nuances between these two options can significantly impact both admission chances and financial aid offers.

Understanding Early Decision 1 vs Early Decision 2

Early Decision (ED) was introduced in the mid-20th century. The purpose of the admissions policy was to streamline the college admissions process for universities as much as students. Today, there are two main types: ED1 and ED2. The primary distinction lies in the application and decision timelines . ED1 typically has a deadline in November of the senior year, with decisions released in December. On the other hand, ED2 has a later deadline, usually in January, and decisions come out in February.

ED1 was traditionally for highly competitive students confident of their first-choice school. Meanwhile, ED2 emerged as a more flexible option. The flexibility of ED2 provides additional time for students to evaluate choices and strengthen applications. If admitted, you must withdraw all other college applications. Both options offer early notification, but they come with their own set of pros and cons.

The emphasis here is on the word must. Applying ED1 or ED2 is a contractual agreement that you will attend the school if admitted.

Pros and Cons: Early Decision 1 vs. Early Decision 2

Strengthening admission chances is a crucial advantage of both ED1 and ED2. Universities fill their first spots from applicants who apply using ED1 and ED2 before regular decision applicants. As you can imagine, this head start increases a student’s chances of securing a spot.

To understand how ED1 and ED2 help you, you must also understand how it helps the college. Colleges are businesses. They have institutional priorities that drive their selection processes. The more people who apply, the more selective their university appears. And while we could debate the morality of this practice (many have), what we can’t debate is its reality. And that reality is this: If you use ED1 or ED2, you’re giving the college a head start in finding a serious applicant. Consequently, they give you one. It’s a transactional arrangement that benefits both parties.

Universities value a high yield rate. Admitting students through ED1 and ED2 increases the likelihood of enrollment. This, in turn, relieves admissions offices from the challenge of predicting matriculation. Additionally, the selectivity of colleges is enhanced by admitting a higher percentage of students from the ED pools. Many selective schools, aiming to bolster their prestige, fill nearly a third of their spots through Early Decision.

What is Early Decision 1

ED1, in particular, may often have slightly higher acceptance rates than regular decision rounds. Colleges aim to secure a significant portion of their incoming class early. This can be attractive for students confident in their first-choice school and seeking a higher likelihood of acceptance. Applying ED1 generally gives a student a greater chance of admission than applying ED2. Universities value the enthusiasm and commitment that students show by applying ED1. In a way, applying ED1 is a way to show the coveted “demonstrated interest.”

Another benefit of ED1 is providing early resolution. That resolution offers clarity sooner in the admission process. This can be advantageous for students seeking a swift decision on their college application. This can give students time to make plans for their college experience with time to spare rather than being forced to make arrangements quickly.

What is Early Decision 2

On the other hand, ED2 serves as a "second chance" for students. Students who were deferred or rejected from their ED1 schools, or those who missed the ED1 deadline, can then apply for colleges that allow ED2 applications. This provides a valuable opportunity for applicants to reconsider their options and apply to a second-choice school with a more flexible timeline.

Moreover, the later timeline of ED2 offers applicants additional time to enhance their application. This includes finalizing standardized test scores and incorporating more recent academic achievements. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for students whose academic performance shows an upward trend.

Drawbacks to Applying Early Decision

However, there are certain drawbacks to consider when opting for Early Decision. One significant limitation is the restricted ability to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools. This lack of comparison may have significant financial implications, as students might find themselves accepted into a school they cannot afford. Applying early could be risky if scholarship offers change where you plan to attend college.

Additionally, entering into a binding agreement through Early Decision comes with pressure. Essentially, you risk jeopardizing your standing with other colleges. Breaking the ED agreement is generally frowned upon, and the pressure to make a definitive decision early in the senior year might not allow sufficient time for campus visits or a thorough evaluation of all available options. However, it is possible to withdraw if you can convincingly show the financial aid package makes attendance impossible.

Strategy of Picking Early Decision 1 or Early Decision 2

The decision between ED1 and ED2 should align with your academic and personal circumstances. Evaluate your academic and extracurricular profile to determine if you are a strong candidate for your target schools. If your application is robust early in senior year and you have a clear first-choice school, ED1 might be the best route. Conversely, if you believe additional achievements could bolster your application, ED2 or Regular Decision may be more suitable.

Remember to be sure in your choices to apply early decision. Consider a scenario where you apply to your first-choice college, College A, in ED1. Sadly, you get deferred. This means your application goes into the regular decision pool. If deferred from ED1, you are released from your commitment if admitted. Because you were deferred, you applied to your second choice, College B, in ED2 and got accepted. Complications arise if you don't withdraw your application to College A after being accepted to College B. Be aware that attempting to change commitments might lead to withdrawal of acceptances.

The decision often boils down to timing, and a self-assessment can help gauge readiness to commit early or benefit from more time. However, carefully research each school's financial aid policies, as some offer generous packages to Early Decision applicants.

Conclusion: What is the difference between Early Decision 1 and 2?

Choosing between ED1 and ED2 is a critical decision with implications for your college journey. The key is understanding your academic standing, personal circumstances, and the commitment level you're willing to make. ED1 and ED2 offer distinct advantages, and your strategic approach can enhance your chances while aligning with your priorities.

Both ED1 and ED2 are binding contractual agreements you make with a college. However, the difference between ED1 and ED2 is their respective due dates. Often, ED1 deadlines fall around November 1. Contrastingly, ED2 deadlines usually fall around Jan 1.

Balancing the desire for early resolution with the need for additional time to refine your application is crucial. Make an informed decision based on your unique situation, keeping in mind the binding nature of the commitment and the potential impact on your future academic path.

About the Author: Marc Gray

Early Decision vs Early Action Series

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 06:16:53 GMT

Early Decision vs Early Action Series

College admissions continue to grow more and more competitive. As such, many parents, students, guidance counselors, and educational consultants on Early Decision. Early decision, to grossly oversimplify, is an application process where a student applies to a college early in the admissions cycle.

Like anything in college admissions tactics, it’s complicated, with no small amount of nuance. Thus, we believe it deserves its own series.

Ed1 vs Ed2: What’s the difference?

As if Early Decision wasn’t nuanced enough, there are two of them: ED1 and ED2 . In the next post, we’ll delve into the differences between the two: from their application deadlines to the obligations they place on the parents and students. As such, we won’t cover the myriad complexities of early action in this post. That will be reserved for our next one.

Early Action vs Early Decision - What's the difference?

Early Action is a fairly straightforward process. It offers a tiny portion of the benefits ED does without the pressure of a binding decision. However, it has its own set of challenges that we’ll discuss in a later post.

How College Counselors and IECs Use Early Action and Early Decision

As a college counselor , you guide the hands that steer the ship. Parents and students will follow your lead. That means you have to be able to navigate the hills and valleys and labyrinthine complexities of ED and EA. Throughout this series, we’ll look at a few case studies to help illustrate how counselors and IECs should advise students when to use these application processes .

Conclusion

Early Action and Early Decision are the two most reliable application formats that are advantageous for students. Keep reading the series to learn how to get the most out of each one. In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about college admissions, feel free to join Counselmore’s email list or register for our free monthly mentorship meeting.

Happy Counseling!

-Marc

The Four-Year Academic Plan as an IEC Business Gamechanger

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:36:18 GMT

The Four-Year Academic Plan as an IEC Business Game Changer

How I experienced the postsecondary process as a recruited D1 athlete is likely unique. I began visiting universities in the 7th grade to compete in various swim meets and improve my skills through the guidance of college coaches during summer camps. When I applied, I had toured 42 campuses and zeroed in on an athletic program that met my needs. However, I realized what I was pursuing was already a foregone conclusion – swimming in college – but I never really focused on my academic purpose. This backdrop highlights the transformative journey from athlete to Independent Educational Consultant (IEC), underscoring the pivotal role of academic planning.

Hindsight and Planning: An IEC's Perspective on Academic Purpose

Hindsight is always 20/20, but I realized that my journey would have been much more intentional if I engaged with my school counselor, academic advisor, and career mentor. I know that the insight I needed would have lived within a longitudinal, adaptable plan. Reflecting on this, it becomes clear how vital strategic academic planning is from an IEC's perspective, emphasizing the missed opportunities and the potential for guiding students toward more intentional educational and career outcomes.

Evolution of a Career: From Educator to Purpose-Driven IEC

Instead, I launched into business consulting and then meandered my way through the field of education in search of helping students but in positions that did not precisely fit my skillset or interests. This journey meant that I would spend nine years teaching history, coaching many sports, earning a few master's degrees, and working as a test prep tutor to make ends meet. My interests in college and career counseling became more defined during this time. This narrative highlights the importance of aligning one's career with personal talents and interests, illustrating the transition from various educational roles to a purpose-driven IEC.

The Four-Year Academic Plan: An IEC's Strategy for Student Success

Then, I began utilizing a four-year academic plan. I knew the idea wasn’t novel. Many IECs use a four-year strategy with their students. However, I approached it differently. I started each student with a guided series of questions that presented opportunities to engage in clubs, electives, and free coursework so students could hone their interests further. After all, the 8th-10th grade years should be seasons of experimentation. We want students explore their interests freely, but also intentionally. This planning model empowers students to navigate their interests and academic choices effectively, showcasing how IECs can facilitate student exploration and decision-making. See the image below to get a rough approximation of how I outline this:

Early Engagement: The IEC's Role in Maximizing High School Experience

Today, I aim to work with families during the course selection period. This begins in the 8th or 9th grade to help onboard students make the most of their high school experience. This approach advocates for early engagement by IECs, presenting the four-year academic plan as a means to explore career paths and interests without overwhelming students with advanced coursework. It also introduces the idea to parents and students to see me, their IEC, as a resource and a partner rather than another adult, giving them more work.

Another added benefit of this plan is that it makes subsequent years easier to navigate. When a student has spent their high school career exploring their interests and passions, they don’t have to spend their junior and senior years figuring out exactly what those are. This makes essays more effortless to write, future course selection even easier, and their college list easier to narrow.

Unlocking Opportunities: IECs, Career Paths, and Positive Mentorship

The four-year model has afforded me far more latitude with my families. That latitude enabled me to share with families unique trajectories that have resulted in incredible long-term career opportunities for my students. This section delves into how IECs can use the four-year academic plan to reveal long-term career opportunities for students, highlighting the importance of mentorship and purpose in promoting students' social and emotional development.

Charged by the pandemic, I returned to graduate school. I earned my master's degree in school counseling and mental health to see what occurred in school counseling offices in real-time. This reflective piece underscores the need for IECs to focus on purpose, structure, and connectedness in their academic planning efforts, especially in response to the pandemic's challenges.

Empowering IECs: Incorporating the Four-Year Academic Plan into Your Practice

During pre-college meetings, I illuminate how students can highlight meaning in their lives, what moments they have reflected on that were their turning points, and how to help them remain present to lean into their environments. This concluding section emphasizes the four-year academic plan as a vital tool for IECs to help students develop a sense of purpose and direction in their educational journeys.

If you want to incorporate a four-year academic planning model into your counseling practice, watch my talk on building this feature into your approach using the CounselMore platform. This call to action encourages IECs to learn to integrate the four-year academic planning model into their practices, offering resources and support through the CounselMore platform.

About the Author

Works Cited

Blake, Jessica. “Feeling Adrift Drives Anxiety, Depression in Young Adults.” Inside Higher Ed, 1 Nov. 2023, www.insidehighered.com/news/students/physical-mental-health/2023/11/01/lack-purpose-drives-anxiety-depression-young-adults.

Sharma, Gitima, et al. “Examining the Role of Life Purpose in High School Students’ Self-Esteem through Structural Equation Modelling.” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 9, 1 Sept. 2023, p. e19614, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023068226#sec10, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19614. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

Becoming an Educational Consultant - Series Wrap-Up

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Sat, 24 Feb 2024 05:01:12 GMT

Becoming an Educational Consultant - Series Wrap-Up

This post wraps up our discussion on becoming an educational consultant. If you’re interested in becoming a college counselor, there are several steps you need to take to get started. It involves becoming part entrepreneur, part teacher, and part coach. While the journey of that transformation isn’t always easy, it’s possible and gratifying. As we’ve previously mentioned, the industry is unregulated. And while that has its perks, it also means that there’s no structure, manual, or set of regulations to guide your fledgling steps to becoming one. This series helps to shed some light on this process.

If you missed the previous posts, consider reading the articles below.

As we conclude this series, let’s reflect on the steps all take to become a college counselor.

Setting Up Your Educational Consulting Business

Make no mistake: setting up an educational consulting practice is a business. It’s not a charity or a passion project. To succeed, you must treat your practice as a business. In his book How to Grow Your Small Business, Donald Miller called this “professionalizing your business.” This entails incorporating your practice into an officially registered business.

You can do this yourself, hire a business consultant, or enlist an attorney to help you. Whatever you choose, you have three options for structuring your business. Those options are a sole proprietorship, an LLC, and an S-Corp. Let’s briefly review those:

Sole Proprietorship: A Personal Business Venture

Starting a sole proprietorship means taking full ownership of your business as an individual. This setup offers simplicity and cost-effectiveness for educational planners offering private college prep services and admissions advising. In this business format, you retain complete control over your operations and earnings with minimal overhead costs, making it an enticing prospect for independently owned enterprises. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the risks involved, including personal liability and high liability insurance premiums. Contingency planning becomes essential to mitigate potential setbacks, ensuring continuity and resilience in facing challenges.

Many first start their business as a Sole Proprietorship to avoid startup costs. Note that all but a select few college counselors I know have LLCs or S-Corps to protect themselves.

S-Corporation (S-Corp): Balancing Protection and Complexity

The S-corporation structure is a blend of shareholder ownership and pass-through taxation. Educational consultants seeking to share ownership with partners may find this option appealing. While it facilitates fundraising through stock sales and provides long-term strategic advantages, establishing and maintaining an S-Corp demands rigorous compliance and administrative efforts. Engaging a reliable tax preparer is essential to navigating regulatory complexities in operating out of an S-Corp. This ensures consistent income reporting to ensure everything is above board. Despite the additional complexities, an S-Corp offers scalability and control over ownership, aligning with ambitious growth plans.

Limited Liability Company (LLC): A Hybrid Approach for Security and Flexibility

Most IECs I know have LLCs. For those seeking a middle ground between sole proprietorship and corporation, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers an attractive solution. Combining the benefits of limited liability with pass-through taxation, an LLC shields owners from personal liability while maintaining tax efficiency. This structure suits educational planners who value asset protection and operational flexibility. With fewer formalities and greater management autonomy, an LLC streamlines business operations without compromising legal safeguards. Partnering with a knowledgeable tax advisor simplifies the setup process and ensures compliance, allowing educational consultants to focus on their core mission confidently.

Hiring an Accountant and an Attorney

Your IEC practice is business, not a passion project. Invest in your business by hiring a professional to guide you through the financial complexities. Whatever you make, you want that choice to be informed and deliberate. Don’t leave your income to chance.

How to Build a Strong College Counseling Network

No counselor can master every niche . But here's the secret: you don't have to! Building a solid network of college counselors unlocks a wealth of knowledge and support. Having trusted colleagues to handle international admissions or collaborate on customized test prep is a game changer. Your network becomes your extended knowledge base, ensuring you confidently guide students through every stage.

Free Resources for College Counselors: Building Your Network on a Budget

In our post on networking as an IEC, we delve into how to make these meaningful connections.

Collaboration fuels growth. Share expertise with other counselors to gain new skills, expand your thinking, and stay ahead of the curve. No more frantic searches – your network becomes your source of trusted, experienced advice.

Fortunately, free online resources abound! The CounselMore Mentorship Circle offers expert presentations, while the CounselMore Study Hall provides peer-led discussions. Don’t procrastinate getting plugged into an IEC community – actively seek out opportunities! Engage online, attend conferences, and connect with other counselors.

From Solo to Supported: Connect with Your IEC Community

Remember, community support is a two-way street. Offer your expertise as readily as you seek it from others. Build your network and nurture it. Success will come through referrals, sharpened knowledge, and a better-equipped team. Fundamentally, your network is your net worth. Don’t neglect to cultivate one.

Finding Your Niche in the Educational Consulting Market

The next post in this series focuses on niches. There’s an adage that claims, “Niches get riches.” While a gross simplification, having a niche in a market where many consultants have the same skills (college essay coaching and college list building) differentiates your expertise and business. Just like a store can't effectively sell everything, your educational consulting business needs a niche, a focused area where you shine. This specialization offers many benefits: enhanced client value, higher earning potential, and a more substantial reputation as a leader in your chosen field.

But how do you find your niche? Start by not forcing it. Start by analyzing your existing clientele. What services do they regularly seek? What questions do they frequently ask? Look for patterns and opportunities to expand within your already established client base.

Align your niche with your strengths and interests. Are you passionate about test prep? Consider specializing in helping students with specific learning differences or athletic aspirations. Pay close attention to emerging market needs. Are parents increasingly asking about gap year programs or international admissions? Consider certification to meet those needs and expand your service offerings.

College Counseling Niche Examples

Here are just a few examples of exciting niche possibilities:

Aptitude & Career Counseling : Help students discover their strengths and map out their academic and career paths.
Athletics Admissions Process: Guide student-athletes through the complexities of college recruitment and scholarship opportunities.
Gap Year Consulting: Craft meaningful post-high school experiences that enhance college applications and personal growth.
International College Admissions: Assist students in navigating the complexities of studying abroad, including visa requirements and application processes.
Learning Differences & Neurodivergent Student Counseling: Offer expertise in crafting personalized college strategies for students with unique learning needs.

For example, I built my own business through the niche of aptitude testing . I love psycho-analytics, but, more importantly, I knew that many of my clients were driving to Dallas to take an aptitude test that was not available in Little Rock, where I practice. I got certified, began marketing my services to my current clients, and the niche grew from there. I found a service I enjoyed providing and an audience willing to buy those services. Consequently, it’s become a large part of my practice.

Build your brand around a college counseling niche. Seamlessly integrate your expertise into your existing services, highlighting its value to clients. Target your marketing efforts to reach clients within your chosen niche. Stay constantly updated on trends and developments within your field to maintain your expertise and credibility.

The best educational consulting niche is the one you can sell

Remember, your niche is the intersection of your client’s needs and your services. Focusing on a specific area can add value, boost your reputation, and serve as the fulcrum to success in your educational consulting business. That said, we warn you not to pick a niche based solely on the fact that you enjoy it. You have to make sure your clients will buy it. Remember, this is your business, not a hobby. To carve out a profitable practice, you must be able to sell the service to your clients, not just offer it.

The Importance of College Counseling Software

Tools shape our profession. As a craftsman wears a tool belt, advanced software for college counselors is indispensable. It serves two critical functions: maintaining a comprehensive, current college counseling database to navigate admissions changes and organizing student information to optimize admissions chances. This is the final part of the discussion of building your educational consulting business. As such, it’s the most technical portion of the series.

The Role of Educational Consulting Software in Professionalism

Your educational software isn’t just for you; it’s for your parents and students. Adopting specialized educational consulting software goes beyond organization; it communicates to parents your commitment and strategic approach to college admissions. Showing the tools and systems you use provides tangible proof of your organizational skills and strategic planning, which is essential for gaining parents' trust. In a world that values visual evidence, demonstrating the software in action can substantiate your claims of effectiveness, enhancing parents' confidence in your ability to guide their children toward success.

Enhancing Your Service with a College List Builder

Our tools are digital. Unlike professions that rely on physical tools, college counseling utilizes software to guide students through admissions. This digital toolkit, especially a college list builder, allows us to document, track, and manage the journey, making our intangible services tangible and visible to clients. Without such tools, our services might seem abstract, similar to fields like corporate law or psychology. By leveraging college counseling software, we showcase the structured path we create for each student, highlighting our expertise and the tangible results of our efforts.

Summary: Advancing College Counseling with Digital Tools

Conclusion

Building a college counseling business is a study in improvisation. So much of becoming a college counselor involves building your business on the fly. There will always be an element of making it up as you go, trial and error, and embracing the inevitable uncertainty. However, it all doesn’t have to be.

With the practices covered in this series, you can have predictability in your business. That level of efficiency and consistency comes with time, but it starts with applying principles with a reliable foundation. Ryan Holiday wrote, “Principles are better than instructions and ‘hacks.’ We can figure out the specifics later—but only if we learn how to approach them.”

This series aims to provide that foundation. How you prioritize applying those principles is up to you. It will be dependent on your time, your willingness to learn, and, of course, the amount of money you have to invest in your business gradually. But with this series complete, you will be able to build the foundation of your business intelligently.

I want that for you. CounselMore and its team want that for you.

Becoming an educational consultant is a lot of work. However, I think it’s one of the most meaningful careers. We guide the trajectory of students towards some of the most personally and professionally formative years of their lives. It’s sobering work.

To do that work, you must treat that work not only like a calling, but a profession, a craft. And yes, you must treat it like a business.

We wish you the best of luck!

Happy Counseling,

-Marc

Connecticut's Bold Move: Towards Ending Legacy Admissions in Higher Education

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 20:16:41 GMT

Connecticut's Bold Move: Towards Ending Legacy Admissions in Higher Education

In a groundbreaking move, Connecticut is poised to challenge a long-standing tradition in higher education: legacy admissions.

A bill set to be proposed in the upcoming legislative session aims to ban this practice in both public and private universities across the state. With bipartisan support, this initiative could mark a significant shift in the college admissions landscape. The Connecticut General Assembly, convening from February 7th to May 8th, 2024, will be the stage for this potentially historic legislation.

The Legacy Admissions Debate:

Legacy admissions, the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants with familial ties to alumni, has been a fixture in American higher education for decades. Proponents argue it fosters alumni loyalty and continued support, while critics see it as perpetuating inequality and hindering diversity. Connecticut's proposed bill brings this debate to the forefront, challenging the status quo and sparking a conversation about fairness in college admissions.

Connecticut's Legislative Journey:

The journey to this moment has been gradual but significant. In 2022, a similar proposal failed to pass the Connecticut legislature. However, the landscape has shifted since then, with increased public opposition to legacy admissions practices. This new bill, therefore, arrives at a time of heightened awareness and growing demand for change.

Wesleyan University's Pioneering Step:

Last summer, following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on race-conscious admissions, Wesleyan University became the most high-profile private liberal arts university in Connecticut to ban legacy admissions. This decision reflects a broader trend among Connecticut's public colleges and universities, which have been moving away from this practice in recent years. However, legacy admissions still play a role in seven of the state’s private colleges and universities.

Yale University's Legacy Admissions:

Yale University , Connecticut's most prestigious institution, admitted 14 percent of the class of 2025 based – at least in part – on legacy status. While a Yale spokesperson declined to comment on the proposed bill, the university's practices highlight the ongoing relevance of legacy admissions in elite institutions. The argument against a legacy admissions ban often centers on concerns of government overreach and the potential impact on university traditions and autonomy.

The Case for Equity in Admissions:

Advocates for ending legacy admissions argue that the practice is outdated and contributes to an unequal playing field. They assert that college admissions should be based on merit and individual achievements, not family connections. This perspective aligns with a growing public sentiment that higher education should be more accessible and equitable.

Implications for College Counselors:

For college counselors and educational consultants, particularly those using CounselMore's software tools, these developments underscore the need to stay informed about changing admissions policies. Counselors must be prepared to guide students through an admissions landscape that may increasingly prioritize merit and diverse experiences over legacy connections.

The Role of CounselMore in Navigating Changes:

CounselMore offers a comprehensive suite of tools specifically designed for educational consultants and college counselors. As the admissions landscape evolves, CounselMore's features like college search and list builder , and assignment packages , become even more vital. They enable counselors to adapt their strategies and provide the best guidance to students in a changing environment.

Connecticut's potential ban on legacy admissions is more than a state-level policy change;

it's a symbol of a shifting paradigm in higher education. As the Connecticut General Assembly debates this bill, the implications for colleges, students, and counselors nationwide are profound. This legislative session could set a precedent for other states, signaling a move towards a more equitable and merit-based admissions process.

Stay ahead in the evolving world of college admissions with CounselMore. Simplify your practice, focus on what you love, and guide your students towards their future with confidence and clarity.

Unlocking Success: Maximizing Benefits with College Counseling Software

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 07:54:15 GMT

The Importance of College Counseling Software

Like any profession, college counseling is either enhanced or hindered by the tools you use. Professional sales reps often use CRM (customer relationship management) software to organize their clients. Project managers use Asana or another project manager to keep track of their teams. College Counselors need similar software to help them on two different fronts. First, advanced software enables them to keep track of their college database to stay ahead of the curve on admissions changes. Second, with this organized information easily accessible, they can then keep their students organized and optimize their admissions chances.

In case you’re just joining us, this post continues a longer discussion on how to become an IEC. This article will examine how college counseling software enhances your practice. If you’d like to look at the previous articles, check out the article links below:

Otherwise, keep reading to learn how college counseling software can help your practice.

Professionalize Your College Counseling Practice With Software

We’ll cover the technical benefits of using college counseling software later. Let’s first delve into why college counselors should have software, even if they don’t use it frequently.

For starters, consider this. Using college counseling software means having a college counseling system. Having a system demonstrates organizational competence. Parents hire IECs for that reason: to keep their kids accountable, organized, and on track for their college applications. Thus, showing your parents the counseling software you use showcases that competence. It demonstrates that you have your act together, a plan, and a system that increases their chances of success.

And it does it far better than simply explaining it to your parents. Humans trust what they can see. We are visual creatures. Showing your parents the software you use, in a way, helps prove your skills might be as effective as you say they are.

The Problem With Not Having College Planning Software

Magic comes from the wizard, not the wand. However, when we imagine Harry Potter performing great feats of magic, we see him with a wand. That’s the tool a wizard uses in that context. And while we might forgive Gandalf for using the outdated and cumbersome magical staff, we can’t fault him for it. He has the tools for the job he performs. The point I’m making isn’t subtle. Professionals use the tools of their trade. My father was a master electrician. When he wasn’t wearing a tool belt, his instruments rested in his toolbox not far from his reach. My wife worked in theatre for twenty years as a costume designer. As such, she was never without a needle and thread or one of her trusty sewing machines.

As college counselors, we, too, have tools. These tools help us administer our services and build our products. However, unlike the professions I mentioned above (wizards included), the products we make don’t exist in physical form. You’ve never gone to the grocery store to pick up a six-pack of college counseling. You can’t see college counseling any more than you can see corporate law, psychology, or economics.

We, as counselors, need ways to make our services tangible to our clients. We do this by documenting their journey through the college admissions process. The more simple and seamlessly we do that, the more our clients will trust our expertise and see the value we provide. Otherwise, we become just another contact that shows up in their inbox.

Without a college counseling software solution, we are easily unable to track and share the value of our services.

The Benefits of Having College Planning Software

The inverse is true if you have college planning software (and use it). However, using robust college admissions software gives you more advantages than you may think.

College Counseling Software Benefit #1: Tracking and updating your students

First, it lets you track your students' progress and update your families. While that may only seem like one box on a checklist, it’s a big and important box. Putting everything on a spreadsheet seems nice initially, but it quickly becomes a mess. Also, spreadsheets are even messier to share with families. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to track every student with their corresponding spreadsheet (unless you then make a spreadsheet to keep track of your spreadsheets). The software organizes it all and is easy to share with families.

You want any message you share with your clients to be branded with your logo. A robust college admissions software solution allows you to brand your communications with your clients. This may not sound significant when you’re a solopreneur, but it becomes increasingly important as you grow your business and hire staff. This ensures continuity in the nexus of communication you establish with your clients.

College Counseling Software Benefit #2: Keep Track of Your College Counseling Research

You’re a college counselor. So much of the value you give your clients hinges on what you know about individual universities. However, according to a recent NCES report, there are 5,916 colleges in the United States. There’s no way you can simply remember all that in your skull. This is where a college counseling software solution comes in. Consider the different data points you might need about a particular university.

Location
Tuition Cost
Scholarships
Campus Size
Available Majors
Acceptance Rate
Financial Aid Plans
Average Sat or ACT Scores

Even with a nearly photographic memory, you can never keep track of it all. Nor should you. As an educational consultant, you likely run your own business. You barely have time to brush your teeth. You’re the director of sales, accounting, marketing, and a slew of other responsibilities too numerous to list. You can’t afford to burn brain cells on remembering data that reliable software can remember for you, and with far less effort. Look at the image below:

This is just the data for one college. You may be great at your job, but you are finite. There is only so much data you can, whereas the scope of what college counseling software can provide is virtually limitless.

College Counseling Software Benefit #3: Automating Your Student Assignments

As a new IEC, you’ll often feel the weight of your students on your shoulders. After all, your advice will shape their college career trajectory. Think about that. Many of them will get their first internship, job, and, oddly enough, even their spouse as a direct result of where you advise them to apply. There are a million things to do and even more to consider. However, while a lot does ride on your influence and decisions, much rides on the students themselves.

Your job will be enhanced or diminished by the assignments you give them. One way to enhance that process is to use college counseling software to automate those assignments.

For example, one of the first assignments I give my students is to start an open dialogue with their High School guidance counselors. The reason for this is simple: High School guidance counselors better understand the kinds of schools their students get into. So, I have students reach out to ask them. I start with having students email them, then drop by their office. I could spend a meeting doing that with them. However, I can easily keep track of their progress by automating the assignment via my college counseling software.

While you can technically email all this to your students, good luck getting them to keep track of it all, not to mention getting them to do it. Kids are kids. They haven’t reached the peak of physical or mental maturity. They are very busy and have a lot to do. As such, it’s easy for your assignments to get lost in their email. However, if they have a portal to log into that keeps track of their work with you, they will stay organized and, by extension, productive.

Free College Counseling Software

You need a college counseling platform to give you the edge to succeed. CounselMore , as it turns out, is a software company that makes… you guessed it… college counseling software. Feel free to SIGN UP FOR A FREE 14-day trial or attend an upcoming demo to see the software yourself. I’ve used CounselMore’s software solutions for three years in my college counseling business. I’ve never looked back, been more organized, and felt more in control of my practice.

Conclusion

This concludes our discussion on the importance of using college counseling software. We hope you found this article helpful in running your practice more effectively. If you’d like to learn about other topics in college counseling regularly, consider joining CounselMore’s email list . We send subscribers free resources like free webinars, training, and articles from college counselors like you.

Happy Counseling!

-Marc

About the Author

Marc Gray is the Founder and Director of Education for Odyssey College Prep . Marc uses advanced aptitude testing to simplify the college admissions process for students and parents. He also guides students to create targeted passion projects to differentiate their college applications. He currently serves as the Highlands Company ’s ambassador to CounselMore. In that role, he enjoys helping other college counselors use aptitude testing to enhance their business. As an active member of CounselMore’s community, Marc hosts CounselMore’s Mentorship Community Roundtable Discussion , where college counselors can learn from one another and instruct each other in best practices.

5 Easy Steps on How to Find Your Niche in Education

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:44:59 GMT

5 Easy Steps on How to Find Your Niche in Education

This post continues our discussion on how to become an educational consultant . In the last post, we explored how to grow your network of independent educational consultants . In this article, we’ll discuss how to find your niche in the educational consulting market. First, however, let’s learn why having a niche is essential.

Let’s not complicate this any more than we need to. You operate your business to make money. Thus, you want to sell your services to as many people as possible and make as much profit as possible. In any market, you have a series of services that are more popular than other services. For example, while in college, I needed to purchase a computer, and I did so from BestBuy. BestBuy has a history of selling computers, so no shocker there. However, when I pursued the isles while shopping, I discovered they also sold extra-long cell phone chargers.

I needed a cell phone charger at the time. So, I bought one from BestBuy. And as it turned out, a longer chord served much better than the last standard charger I used. So, can you guess what I did come Christmas time that year? I bought several long cell phone chargers for my family as stocking stuffers. And where did I go to buy them? I went to BestBuy. To me, BestBuy inadvertently found a niche customer in me: one who needed a longer cell phone charger.

Now, admittedly, things have changed since then. If I want a longer cellphone charger, I order it on Amazon. But you get the picture. BestBuy became my go-to solution when I needed a particular problem solved.

Benefits Of Selling A College Admissions Counseling Niche

Your business as a college counselor is finding the problems your students need to solve. And, if we want to be more specific, we’re looking for what problems your parents are willing to pay you to solve. When you have solutions to those problems, you can expand your services to solve more niche issues. This is a win/win for you and your parents.

When you have other niche services, you deepen the utility you provide to your clients. You remove the stress of parents watching their children struggle through college admissions. When you do that, your parents trust you. That trust translates into a willingness to pay you for other services.

So, the benefits of providing niche services are clear and as follows:

Add more value to your clients.
Increase your sales and profits.
Bolster the reputation of your business.

There are a trillion ways to do that. But as a practical example, here’s how I did that in my business.

How I Added Niche Services Into My Business

Many of my parents took their students to aptitude testing research labs. They did this to help them pick their majors in college. As someone who genuinely had no idea what they wanted to do in life while I was in college, this aptitude testing phenomenon intrigued me.

I called the companies that provided the testing to inquire if we could start a referral relationship. They weren’t interested in working with us. So, I looked into aptitude testing certifications and found one. I applied and was accepted into the program. I obtained the certification and began offering aptitude testing services to parents.

It was a no-brainer for parents. These parents were paying between $850-$925 for the testing. I charged them $500. This also meant they didn’t have to travel to Dallas (the closest aptitude testing research lab). I could administer the test remotely and interpret the results. That flexibility enabled me to save them from traveling, which saved them money and time.

I made around $500 more per student, all while providing a vital service to my clients. Now, I’m known as the aptitude testing guru in my community. I didn’t plan on that happening, but I’ve been called a lot worse.

What You’ll Need To Become A Niche Consultant

Let me start by telling you what not to do. Don’t just find a neat service and start offering it to people. First, identify what your clients are already paying for. For example, I started with test prep tutoring, became an independent consultant for college admissions, and began offering aptitude testing. I didn’t provide these services on a whim.

While working with an ACT student, parents asked me if I did college application essays. I’d done that work before. However, when they kept asking me about it, I saw an opportunity to expand my services. That inadvertently led me to become an IEC. Aptitude testing came later, and so on.

Look for Educational Niches Your Clients Are Already Paying For

Ensure the Niche Services Compliment Your Existing Services

I don’t get an oil change when I go to my bank. Surprising, I know. I also don’t get a haircut from my doctor. However, I will likely get budgeting advice and tax preparation services from my accountant. You get the picture.

If you have a specialty, it needs to integrate seamlessly into your existing practice. Test prep is a great skill to factor into the equation of your consulting practice. Students trying to get into elite colleges need elite test scores. Keep reading to get a brief description of the different types of niches you could weave into your current services.

What Niches Exist in College Counseling?

The list below contains examples of niche services you could offer in your practice. Some are easy to add to your existing repertoire of skills, and others require more time and training. However, the examples below will clarify what niche your business needs.

Aptitude Testing and Career Counseling

Aptitude testing and career counseling is a niche that's gaining traction. It taps into students' and parents' desire for a clear educational path. By focusing on a student's innate strengths and interests, this niche helps in making informed decisions about college majors and career trajectories. My venture into this field has been met with enthusiasm. Parents appreciate the clarity it brings to their child's future, making it a sought-after service in my consultancy.

Athletics Admissions Process

Specializing in the Athletics Admissions Process is crucial. It involves guiding student-athletes through the complexities of sports recruitment and understanding NCAA regulations. This niche focuses on providing strategic advice on eligibility, identifying scholarship opportunities, and developing effective communication with college coaches. Consultants in this area are pivotal in helping student-athletes navigate the unique challenges of balancing their athletic and academic aspirations. They ensure compliance with collegiate athletic standards, assist in securing athletic scholarships, and help students maximize their potential in sports and academics.

Gap Year

Gap Year consults craft meaningful post-high school experiences outside of college. This service caters to students seeking opportunities outside the traditional educational path before commencing college. Consultants in this niche offer guidance on selecting gap year programs that align with a student's interests and future academic goals. They assist in planning enriching activities that contribute to personal growth, cultural exposure, and skill development. This niche helps students gain clarity about their future and improves their college applications, making their experiences stand out. It's about turning a year off into a year of valuable, life-shaping experiences.

International College Admissions

International college admissions is a complex niche, catering to students aiming to study abroad. This service requires expertise in understanding different educational systems, application processes, and visa requirements. By offering tailored advice on selecting suitable colleges and navigating the application nuances, I've helped numerous students realize their dreams of studying internationally, making this a valuable and rewarding niche.

Learning Differences and Neurodivergent Student Counseling

Counseling for students with learning differences is intricate. This niche requires understanding the unique educational needs of neurodivergent students and crafting personalized college application strategies. Consultants offer expertise in ensuring test accommodations and selecting colleges with suitable support systems. They guide students and parents in navigating the educational landscape to find environments where these students can thrive. This service is about academic success and empowering students with unique learning needs, helping them realize their full potential in an inclusive educational setting.

Music and the Arts

Consulting in Music and the Arts is multifaceted. It involves more than guiding through college applications; it requires a deep understanding of audition processes, portfolio development, and identifying institutions with vital arts programs. Consultants in this niche help students effectively showcase their artistic talents in applications and auditions. They guide students in navigating the competitive world of arts education, helping them find colleges where their creativity will be fostered and valued. This service is crucial for artistically inclined students, ensuring their talents are recognized and nurtured in suitable academic environments.

Passion Project College Advising

Passion project college advising is a niche focusing on students with unique projects or interests. It's about leveraging these passions in their college applications to stand out. My role involves guiding students in articulating their projects compellingly and aligning them with their academic goals. This service has enriched my portfolio and led to some of the most authentic and impressive college applications.

STEM Research

The STEM Research niche is dynamic. It caters to students passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Consultants in this field must stay updated on the latest trends, research opportunities, and emerging STEM fields. They guide students in aligning their academic pursuits with STEM-focused programs, advising on research projects and extracurricular activities that enhance college applications. This service fosters a deep interest in STEM, prepares students for advanced studies and careers, and helps them stand out in a competitive educational landscape.

How to Market Yourself As A Niche Consultant

When you acquire new services, integrate them into your primary services soon. Make your unique niche, whatever it may be, a part of your full suite of services, not a stand-alone service or add-on.

For example, any student who works with me receives an aptitude test evaluation. It gives them better guidance for college major selection and career options. Additionally, aptitude testing makes that transition more seamless if a student grows interested in using a passion project to differentiate their application.

You can’t do with that every service (most of my students have done a gap year). However, if you’re going to differentiate your brand by adding a niche service, don’t hide that service under the bushel. Likewise, don’t make it so optional that none of your clients ever choose to pay for it.

Conclusion

Niches get riches. Okay, not necessarily riches, but they get you more revenue and add value to your clients. If you listen to your clients, they’ll tell you what niches are available. Your niche is the intersection of their needs and your services, that magic place where your business becomes their solution.

If you want to learn more about the different niches available in the educational consulting market, consider coming to the CounselMore Mentorship Circle . Each month, we explore a different college counseling niche for you to learn about.

In the meantime, Join The Admissions Insider List to get FREE TIPS on college counseling.

Talk soon,

-Marc

About the Author

Marc Gray is the Founder and Director of Education for Odyssey College Prep . Marc uses advanced aptitude testing to simplify the college admissions process for students and parents. He also guides students to create targeted passion projects to differentiate their college applications. He currently serves as the Highlands Company’s ambassador to CounselMore. In that role, he enjoys helping other college counselors use aptitude testing to enhance their business. As an active member of CounselMore’s community, Marc hosts CounselMore’s Mentorship Community Roundtable Discussion , where college counselors can learn from one another and instruct each other in best practices.

Networking Mastery: How to Cultivate and Grow Your College Counseling Network

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 21:09:36 GMT

Networking Mastery: How to Cultivate and Grow Your College Counseling Network

I remember feeling overwhelmed as a new independent educational consultant (IEC). There was so much to learn. Currently, the practice of college counseling isn’t regulated. As a result, there isn’t a single set of knowledge-based standards that IECs must follow. I wanted a rulebook, a fat, encyclopedic manual with JRR Tolkien-level appendices. Don’t get me wrong, numerous books, great books even, exist on the topic. But nothing entirely comprehensive exists. So, when new problems arise, you’re on your own. And that’s what happened to me.

One day, I had a new client call. She was a high school senior and wanted help with her application (easy enough). Then she dropped the bomb on me: she was an international student. I had never advised an international student before. She contacted me late in the application season, so I was stacked with other clients. I had no time to research these processes. So, I took a shortcut. I called my friend and colleague Margaret, who had a history of working with international students.

“Margaret, what do I do with international students?”

To this day, I owe her big. She spelled it out in a comprehensive list, making the process more manageable. That day, I learned two things:

1.) College Counselors Love Lists.

2.) My Network Saved My Life.

In this blog post, I’ll focus on that second point: the importance of building a solid network. Like me, you’ll encounter myriad situations where your knowledge ends and where someone else’s begins. This is a dangerous place to be, that is, if you don’t have a strong network that can make up for your deficiencies.

One College Counselor Can’t Know Everything

In the labyrinth of college counseling, you can't memorize the entire maze. All that matters is that you can help your clients arrive at the end of it. However, there are many routes you can take to reach your destination. If we want to keep beating this metaphor to death (and why not), think of your network as the way finders and guides for each part of the college counseling maze.

Myriad niches exist in college advising. There's aptitude testing, test prep, college admissions essays, career counseling, financial aid, international admissions, graduate school advising, etc. The list goes on and on and into an infinity of services you don't have decades to master. So, you have two options: forge a network of experts and specialists to help you with each area. Or, you can try to learn it all yourself; spoiler alert, you can't.

Even if you prefer to master things yourself, a network is still your best option. For example, out of all the niches I mentioned before, I am the most qualified to speak intelligently on aptitude testing. I've been administering them for years, written articles on aptitude testing , and spent much time researching and studying the topic.

So, imagine my friend Margaret incorporates aptitude testing into her counseling practice. She could figure it out herself. And she totally could. Margaret's clever, after all. However, she's also busy. She has a lot on her plate, namely a full caseload of students. If she tries to teach herself aptitude testing in time enough to add it to her suite of services for the next season, she'll have to forgo sleep or lower the quality of service she's giving her current clients.

Or, she could give me a call. I owe her one, after all. She helped me with international students; I can help her prepare her aptitude testing services . I have templates for emails, marketing collateral my graphics designer made for me, and a host of other things that could benefit her practice. So, she calls me, schedules a Zoom meeting, and I talk her through the process.

There we have it. I saved Margaret time and energy by leveraging my knowledge. She did the same for me. We could both leverage our knowledge and augment our suite of services. We barter in skill and expertise, not goods and money.

As Stephen Pressfield wrote,

A Professional Dedicates Himself To Mastering Technique.

The professional respects his craft. He does not consider himself superior to it. He recognizes the contributions of those who have gone before him. He apprentices himself to them.

A part of being a professional is harboring the humility that others know more than you. Amateurs believe they can do it all themselves and that others aren't interesting enough to teach them anything. Thus, most professional college counselors I know and respect grow their counseling network, deepen their professional relationships, and continually share their knowledge with others. Such an asset of professional counselors is priceless, and your continued success hinges on having your network. Keep reading to learn how to cultivate one.

Your Plan For Building A Comprehensive Counseling Network

Forging a local or global counseling network of college counselors doesn’t require you to fly to the next IECA conference. You also don’t need to chum it up at local venues to buy drinks for senior college counselors, hoping they’ll spill all their secrets. After all, flights are expensive (and so are drinks). And if there’s one thing a new college counselor doesn’t have, it’s spare money lying around in droves. So, you’ll want to attend networking events that are cheap or free. In this arena, we’ve got you covered.

Attend A Free College Counselor Meeting

While it might be self-explanatory, hear me out. A networker networks with other professionals in her field. So, you must attend events where professionals in your field are present. To connect with people, you have to find people. Thus, you must regularly attend a meeting to rub shoulders with other independent educational consultants, IECs, college planners, test-prep tutors, and other educational support providers. And as I mentioned before, these meetings should be free to attend. We suggest real-world events to build closer relationships, but if there aren't any in your area, it will certainly still be worthwhile to build a virtual counselor network.

Two of my favorite free college counselors' networking meetings : The first is the Mentorship Circle Meeting. The second is the College Counselors' Study Hall. CounselMore hosts both meetings. Generally, the purpose of each meeting is to provide a space for education service providers to connect and learn from each other. However, the two conferences have different sets of subgoals that are important to note. Before we dive into the specifics of each meeting, look at the bullets below to see what both meetings have in common.

The Mentorship Circle Meeting and Study Hall Meeting have the following in common:

Held Virtually so that anyone can attend.
Cost Nothing to participate so that you can build your network for free.
Meets Regularly so you can meet as much as possible with fellow IECs.

College Counseling Mentorship Circle

Attend the Mentorship Circle to build skills and learn new college counseling hacks. Each month, a specialist in the college admissions field gives a presentation to arm admissions advisors like you with new skills. The skills are always practical and transferable. What we learn typically involves adding value to our students and marketing ourselves to our clients.

For example, several months ago, I spoke about how College Counselors can use Blogging to attract more clients. Cyndy McDonald, who I lovingly refer to as the Matriarch of College Counseling, spoke last month about several common mistakes IECs make. Cyndy’s presentation was particularly instructive because, due to her thirty years of experience, she provided examples of how to avoid these mistakes.

To attend the Mentorship Circle, click on the link below. It’s typically on the last Thursday of each month.

It’s a beautiful opportunity to learn from experts in the field of college admissions. Additionally, most speakers leave their presentations online to be accessed anytime. Or, the speaker will leave a gift like a PDF or a link to a complimentary Q&A with them. Either way, they make it worth your time to attend, especially since the conference is free.

College Counseling Study Hall

The final free meeting we’ll discuss is the College Counseling Study Hall. This peer-led meeting is held on the last Friday of each month. To register for this meeting, click on the link below:

This meeting is more informal, as it’s a peer-led roundtable discussion. While there are some structured meeting guidelines, it’s mostly just college counselors talking and sharing ideas. Additionally, since it is a CounselMore-sponsored event, some meetings center around getting training on the CounselMore software tool.

What happens if you don’t grow your network?

Humans are tribal creatures. We’re not designed to do things on our own. Your network is your lifeline. Your network will make you smarter, expand your thinking, and shore up the gaps in your knowledge. While we’ve all been there, we all hate being asked a question we don’t know by a parent or student. What happens afterward is what I call “the search of shame.” This happens when you have to google something you should already know and hope the internet has something wise to say on the matter.

Again, while we’ve all likely done this, it doesn’t need to be a regular occurrence. Here lies the strength of a robust network. When you ask your network a question, you’ll likely get an answer backed by experience. This means you’re not at the whims of a soulless search engine.

Act on it

Don’t wait around for people to find you. Go where the multitudes gather and find your tribe of college counselors. As Pressfield wrote, apprentice to the masters and make their techniques your own. So many of us college counselors have had to trod this path alone. We don’t recommend it. Ways exist to get the support you need to do the job you love. Find that support by attending the mentorship circle. You’ll learn loads and meet a lot of intelligent people.

Happy Counseling,

-Marc

Navigating the Maze of College Planning Software: A Mostly Unbiased Review

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 21:43:56 GMT

Navigating the Maze of College Planning Software: A Mostly Unbiased Review.

The point of this article is to cut-to-the-chase for you, on which college counseling software is best at moving you and your program forward.

Choosing the best educational consulting software is critical.

Luckily, there are few choices and only one stand out option. If you are shopping for a software tool that reflects the esoteric needs of college readiness planners and delivers on the magic of technology, then you're struggling to find a tool that delivers on everything for a few reasons;

1) A solution has never existed before because the occupation of college planning used to be exclusive to the high school career counselor.

2) The definition of what constitutes college readiness is unclear because the process has never been codified. Sure, it's been theoretically defined but what constitutes readiness is in the eye of the beholder, while they navigate the challenges of education resources, district benchmarks and the educational environment.

3) Making a tool comparison is a challenge when you are unsure what you need or what is available. You know web applications exists for everything so it's easy to conclude there must be a tool that delivers on most of what you need but you've set your expectations low. If you are an experienced education planner or high school counselor your expectations are even lower because you've seen everything and been frustrated by all of it. If you are beginning to build a high school college readiness curriculum or start a private practice, I know you are feeling particularly overwhelmed. Learning the complexity of the admissions process is enough, let alone shop for technology!

How would I know that?! Because I've been there. The point of this article is to cut-to-the-chase for you, moving you and your program forward. Once you find a strong foundation you can build anything. The right software choice will streamline operations, enhance education service quality, and possibly, most importantly save-you-time. Time savings is critical when serving student needs because there is always a race to serve more, no matter the environment. With various options on the market, you can get lost in marketing or weak unsubstantiated opinions and unable to make an informed decision. If you choose incorrectly, you'll stall your overall goals, losing time and momentum. If you choose wisely, you'll find a foundation to build on. This guide will detail the material differences between CounselMore, College Planner Pro (CPP), and College Kickstart (CK), focusing on the capabilities that can deliver a financial return on your investment and time-conservation ROI, because time-savings directly impacts financials.

Evaluate your software for Needs-Awareness & Process Flow

Decoding the Features & Capabilities

CounselMore excels. We have to begin here because anyone's first inclination when comparing two things is to list the attributes of each and compare. However, when comparing these 3 college planning software tools, one carries an extensive list of features, far outpacing the others. Therefore, let's acknowledge this fact and move our focus away from quantity and over to the quality of 'needs-awareness' and 'process flow' ; two things often considered when evaluating technology. CounselMore provides a comprehensive suite of tools tailored for esoteric needs of college. selection, application, results collection. Unlike CPP and CK, CounselMore's features map to the process of college-bound client in-take to client close-out, complete with admissions-result analytic tracking.

For those who are attempting to manage a large program with limited staffing, CounselMore offers a process roadmap, essential for today's admission-prep demands. This difference is critical for consultants who need reliable, all-inclusive platforms to handle complex tasks. With CounselMore, everything from college readiness plans to student engagement is covered under one roof, which is not just about convenience; it’s about providing a seamless, professional experience to your clients, their families, your program supervisors and yourself.

On a strong foundation you can build anything.

Integration is key.

In today's technology landscape, you are likely to use 7 - 10 different tech-tools in one day, for one job. Therefore, anywhere redundancy can be answered to with compatible integration, will be key to creating an organized service offering. CPP's platform offers some integrations but lacks critical awareness of the counselor's workflow by not offering, verified application requirements and Google Drive integration, which is a setback for consultants who rely on collaborative college research and accessible document management. CounselMore’s integrative approach ensures convenience and elevates the professionalism of your services. The platform's holistic design reflects a deep understanding of educational consultants' needs, equipping you to offer a comprehensive and collaborative consulting experience. With CounselMore, you're prepared to meet any education planning or prep challenge head-on. But it will never be the only tool you use because that isn't the technology landscape we live in. What CounselMore will do that others won't, is integrate across other platforms thus, sewing together previously disparate processes across your organization.

The True Cost of Using CPP

For an independent new comer, hesitant to spend on start up costs, when the future is uncertain, CPP’s introductory price is appealing. The costs of the plans are determined by the number of "active" students. On average, across the country a private college planner will serve 15 - 25 students per graduation year. On average, by the end of the consultant's first year in practice, they will have an active client list of 7 - 10. Therefore, knowing your intentions for growth would have an impact on your choices. A savvy shopper might conclude that their average monthly costs with CPP will likely be $100.

If you intend to maintain less than 10 active students in total, then intro price looks great. You also have the option of toggling your client between "active" and "prospective" to manage your account. This requires turning off an "active" client first and then enabling your "prospect" to allow for editing their account. That sounds cumbersome to me and not the vision I have for my tools. But if you don't mind - then it could work for you!

The initial pricing can quickly become a financial burden as your client base grows. What starts as a cost-effective solution soon escalates into a unprepared significant monthly expense. CounselMore’s pricing is not based on per student fees instead all plans offer an unlimited amount of student records, regardless of active or non-active status, its all unlimited. Oh, I just got it - that's the name; counsel more. Truly, I had not made the connection previously. CounselMore's pricing structure offers clarity and consistency, accommodating growth without sudden price hikes, making it a more predictable option for long-term financial planning. Consider the numbers.

CPP Plans

CounselMore Plans

Unlimited student storage - all inclusive plans - no hidden per student add ons

Price Comparison

With CPP, managing a small client list of 20 students could lead to a $100 monthly fee. At the $100 price point you'd have unlimited students storage, plus the extensive list of features with CounselMore. To reach an unlimited student count with CPP, you're paying the same and getting less. CounselMore offers a transparent pricing plan that actually aligns with the future reality of the service provider. To me, this exemplifies a deeper knowledge of the industry and make me feel more confident about my cost. CounselMore scales with your business, ensuring that you can plan your finances with confidence. Predictability in pricing is a cornerstone of a sustainable and thriving practice, and CounselMore provides just that. With CounselMore, you can focus on expanding your services without worrying about escalating costs.

Discount offers

In the image above you may have noticed two different prices offered by CPP. The * means a discount is offered to 'association' affiliations, three of them IECA, HECA, NCAG. Everybody loves a deal! An affiliate price means the price paid for one product will lower the cost of the other product. My AARP card does the same. To make this comparison easier I'm comparing CPP's discounted rate with CounselMore's regular rate. CounselMore does offer deeper discounts for most professional association members, non-profit groups and first-responders. I've noticed a * on their page too, it reads "Just ask." So I did and I was offered 15% for my association membership or a 25% discount for having participated in a live demo. I did the math and I'd be paying $132 for the highest single license plan with unlimited students, paid monthly. If I chose to pay annually they'd reduce my cost again by giving me one month free. By paying annually, my monthly expense would be $121/mo. all features included, essay prompts, verified deadlines, Google drive - all of it. That's a $43/mo and $516/annually in savings.

Kick in the pants price

As for CK pricing, I'll need you to hold on to your hat for this reveal. In marketing-speak the CK pricing is an example of putting the value on the price and not the product. Meaning, that if its a challenge to show value, hike up the price because humans naturally believe that if something is priced exorbitantly, there must a a reason! We all believe that premise because we are good-natured and don't naturally suspect deviance. Which is good - don't change! But do be aware of crafty pricing models. CK's pricing model is plainly unreasonable, here's why:

CK pricing

College Planning Beyond the Algorithms

College Kickstart may promise an advanced algorithm, but it over-relies on test scores and early admission statistics. CounselMore acknowledges the multifaceted nature of college applications. It ensures a comprehensive candidacy evaluation, beyond just statistics, crafting a college list that truly reflects each student’s aspirations, potential and challenges. The CounselMore tools guide the counselor before guiding the student. After using the evaluative tools, an actionable prep-plan takes shape. CounselMore tools demonstrate for the counselor and the parent that admissions is not a numbers games but a preparation process, with unpredictable outcomes, a reality check with reasonable conclusions but no guarantees.

Here is my opinion, that you are free to disagree with; I think most educational consultants who choose to use CK are nervous about their ability to evaluate candidate potential and want an admissions 'silver-bullet' to assuage their insecurities while serving demanding parent-clients. Being an educational consultant is not an easy job. I think that an admissions coach, hired by a family would choose to use CK for the convenience of substituting their own judgement for the computer out-put. I don't judge them for it because that would be wrong but also I am one of them! I used CK too! Admissions planning is hard, parents are hard to please and it takes time to build awareness of institutional priorities. By leaning into the software's algorithm for admissions probability and a promised "balanced list", the counselor partially avoids liability but more so lowers their stress. What's unfortunate is that its a costly belief system, not a fact. Feel free to disagree. I found difficulty explaining the data to families - it didn't add up for me. If it does for you - you are much smarter than I am and I beg your pardon for my ignorance.

Beauty isn’t everything.

CK’s reports are slick, glossy and sexy! Pushing their reports across the table definitely made me feel more "professional". The trouble arrives when the client wants the counselor to interpret the results and conclusions. I found that hard to do. CK's reports may be visually appealing, but what I found was that they lack the depth consultants require for effective planning. CK's candidate evaluation is predicated on early admissions results. What's interesting is that colleges are notorious for using early admissions applications as a tool to "craft the class". These applicants may apply by an early deadline but are often deferred to regular admissions considerations. So one of many questions is, are the early admissions comparisons based on EA submitted or admitted or EA deferred? Other questions, among many, might be, how old is the information? is it aggregated across years? are GPAs separated by EA and RD?

Whereas, a CK balanced college application list would tell me that I can apply to more schools early and increase my likelihood of admissions, any experienced counselor would reply to that statement with "Dah." But the reports are sexy.

CounselMore’s reports do a better job but lack that glossy shareholder's report look. There are more visual analytics contained in the app but they are not export-able. Also, the reports cannot be manipulated but I hear this is coming soon. That's not to say that CounselMore's reports aren't aesthetically pleasing they are, but more importantly, they are rich with actionable insights. They empower consultants with the right information to guide students and families through the complex college readiness process. This depth and usability make CounselMore a more practical choice for consultants who need to translate data into meaningful advice.

Building a Strong Foundation

Your choice defines your future. Selecting a software platform is not just a purchase; it's an investment in your practice's foundation. CounselMore provides a solid base upon which you can build and expand your services. The right technology choice today sets the tone for your business's success tomorrow.

Think long-term. CounselMore’s suite of tools is designed to grow with your business, adapting to your evolving needs. It's not just about meeting today's demands but also anticipating tomorrow's challenges. CounselMore's foresight in its design ensures that you're well-equipped for the road ahead, making it a wise choice for educational consultants planning for longevity and success in their practice.

Why CounselMore is the Preferred ChoiceI think it's about more than features. CounselMore's robust platform outperforms competitors, but its value extends beyond its feature set. The platform reflects a deep understanding of the educational consulting landscape. It's built to foster the success of both new and seasoned professionals alike. The tech support team is accessible and friendly. My onboarding experience was with a live-person over Zoom and I attended a peer-to-peer study hall to ask questions of other users. I didn't know all of this was included in my plan and it was a happy surprise.

A vote for CounselMore is a vote for the growth of the profession as a whole.

When you choose CounselMore, you're selecting a partner that is invested in your success. The platform’s comprehensive resources, supportive community, and continuous innovation create an environment where consultants and students thrive. It's a choice that pays dividends in the quality and impact of your consulting services.

The Story Behind the Success

CounselMore's rise is noteworthy. While the origins of CounselMore may primarily interest industry insiders, they underscore a commitment to customer-centric development. The company's growth is rooted in its responsiveness to the needs of educational consultants. This attentiveness has resulted in a platform that truly understands and addresses the complexities of college consulting. CounselMore's evolution is a testament to the company's dedication to continuous improvement and excellence.

From the founders' firsthand experiences to the collaborative development process, CounselMore’s trajectory consistently focuses on community and innovation. The platform's expansion is a direct result of its ability to meet and exceed the nuanced demands of educational consulting. The growth story of CounselMore is intertwined with the success stories of the consultants and students it serves. Its mission to empower consultants with robust tools is evident in every feature it offers.

The Ultimate ROI Showdown: CounselMore vs. College Planner Pro vs. College Kickstart

Authenticity matters.

In the dynamic world of college admissions planning, the tools you employ can significantly impact your practice's success. CounselMore is designed by counselors for counselors to understand the intricacies of the admissions process. It offers a specialized suite of tools that align with the industry's specific needs.

Real-world applications.

Sarah, a new counselor, values authenticity and wants a tool that comprehends the nuances of her field. CounselMore's specialized focus gives her the confidence to navigate college admissions planning quickly. Its process flow mirrors real-world college preparation planning , making it an invaluable asset for her budding practice.

A practical choice.

David, a counselor juggling multiple roles, finds College Planner Pro's generalist approach appealing initially. However, he quickly realizes it lacks depth in features for college prep planning, unlike CounselMore. He’s looking for an all-in-one tool where he can manage different services, and CounselMore's suite of college readiness assignments and candidate shaping tools are precisely what he needs.

CounselMore: The Gold Standard

Authority is earned. CounselMore has established itself as an industry leader, recognized for its comprehensive features like a proprietary college database and robust search capabilities. Its authority comes from its dedication to research and development, responding to the evolving needs of educational consultants.

Used worldwide, CounselMore isn't just a tool; it's part of a larger community of professionals. It fosters networking and professional growth through events like the Mentor Circle and Study Hall. This community support is invaluable for professionals like Karen, who rely on a network of peers to stay informed and innovative.

CounselMore offers competitive pricing with a clear emphasis on value. Its range of features and scalable plans accommodate practices of all sizes. CounselMore’s affordable plans mean that consultants like Emily, who is budget-conscious, can access a premier set of tools without compromising on the quality of service she provides to her students.

The Contenders in Review

College Planner Pro has a reputation for reliability and functionality. Yet, it doesn't offer the specialized focus that CounselMore provides, which is crucial for a field that demands expertise. Counselors like Robert, oriented toward efficiency and personalized service, find CPP's lack of customization a significant limitation.

College Kickstart specializes in data-driven features but falls short in providing a holistic toolset. For counselors like Emily, who seek a more comprehensive view of their student's needs, CK's limited scope is a significant drawback. Its high cost also raises concerns about the return on investment, especially compared to the value provided by CounselMore.

Final Thoughts

CounselMore has proliferated by putting customers first and continuously studying their needs. You're not just buying software; you're building a practice. The right choice in technology can either propel you forward or hold you back. CounselMore stands out as a partner invested in your growth, offering tools and community support that translate into real-world success for you and your students.

This comprehensive comparison has given credit where I believe it is due and highlighted the significant advantages of CounselMore over its competitors because that's what I found. You may find differently and if you do, please share that with me. I can be reached at support@counselmore.com Attn: Marc Gray. I found that CounselMore's customer-first approach, robust feature set, and community support, as the most authentic, authoritative, and valuable tool for educational consultants. It’s the preferred choice for those who seek a comprehensive, specialized solution that understands and caters to their unique needs.

Don't settle for less when it comes to the tools that will define the future of your college counseling practice. Choose CounselMore for its comprehensive solutions, specialized features, and supportive community. Make the decision today to invest in a platform that understands your needs and grows with your success.

Setting the Right Price: A Comprehensive Guide for Educational Consultants

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 03:53:54 GMT

Setting the Right Price: A Comprehensive Guide for Educational Consultants and College Planning Specialists

CounselMore can guide you in setting your service prices by providing tools, resources, and a framework based on industry best practices and data, as well as your specific business needs. Here's how CounselMore helps:

Understanding Your Product and Costs:

CounselMore emphasizes that you need to understand your "product," which refers to the services you provide, and the time and resources it takes to deliver that service. This involves defining your services, typically starting with a comprehensive college counseling package, and creating a repeatable, trackable process. The software platform, CounselMore was made specifically for educational consultants and provides deep resource articles about these services. These resources encourage consultants to focus on perfecting a single product delivery system before adding new products.

Considering Key Factors Influencing Pricing:

CounselMore advises taking into account several factors that influence pricing, including demographics, competition, experience, reputation, the specific services you provide, and the supply and demand in your region. This includes:

Demographics:

Adjusting your fees to align with the cost of living and economic conditions of the families you serve or would most like to serve - consider this carefully.

Competition:

Researching the prices of other educational consultants in your area, while also maintaining your unique value proposition.

Experience:

Emphasizing your experience, training, and professional development, including recommendations from past clients. Consider a step plan for rising your prices to a goal over a period of time, proving concept as you go.

Reputation:

Building your reputation by providing exceptional service, which will contribute to word-of-mouth referrals. To meet your price goals build referals into your forward planning.

Services Provided:

Being specific about the services you offer, and establishing a repeatable process for delivering them. Do one thing well.

Supply and Demand:

Understanding the market, particularly in areas where there is less competition, and educating potential clients about the value of an educational consultant.

Choosing a Charging Model:

CounselMore provides flexibility in how you charge for your services, with options for hourly billing, package billing, or block-of-hours billing.

Package Billing:

A fixed fee for the entire counseling process.

Hourly Billing:

Charging a set rate for the time spent with the client.

Block of Hours:

A set number of service hours are bundled at a fixed price. The platform allows you to track how many hours have been used.

Using Tools and Features within the Platform:

CounselMore offers several tools and features that support the process of pricing your services:

Time Tracking:

The platform includes a built-in stopwatch function to track the time you spend on each student. It allows you to track time spent with the student and automatically add it to the student’s accounting tab. This is critical for you to know your costs.

Billing Profiles:

CounselMore lets you create billing profiles to manage different pricing models. You can set up package, hourly, or block of hours billing.

Invoicing:

The platform has an invoicing tool to help with client accounting, including sending payment links and confirmation notes.

ROI Calculator: CounselMore offers an ROI (Return on Investment) calculator that helps you experiment with pricing strategies and forecast when your revenue will compensate your startup debt and start generating income.

Guidance on Initial Consultations:

CounselMore acknowledges that opinions vary on whether to charge for initial consultations. It suggests that you can choose to offer free consultations, especially in your early years, or you can charge a fee that you can then deduct from the overall cost of a comprehensive package if the client chooses to work with you.

Emphasis on Value and Tangibles:

CounselMore emphasizes that, because you are offering an intangible service, you must make that service tangible for the customer by quantifying it. It suggests that you do this by breaking down your services into benchmarks, phases, meetings, or assignments. CounselMore also recommends developing a repeatable process, much like selling a dress, so that you can administer the same process to many different clients.

Developing Policies:

CounselMore's approach, called "no wins, no waiver, no favor", encourages you to develop company policies and standard operating procedures to ensure that you do not make pricing decisions in the heat of the moment. It encourages you to practice your answers to pricing questions so that you can respond professionally, and to see your company as your best friend, and defend it.

Defining Your Niche:

CounselMore advises that, if you are struggling with price, the first question to ask is "what is your niche?" By defining your niche and ideal client, you can determine what their specific concerns, fears, and needs are. This allows you to create a service and price that is specifically tailored for them.

Analyzing Your Costs and Expenses:

CounselMore states that you need to know what it costs to run your business and what you need to make,

If 100K is needed annually, then the cost to run the business must be tallied to determine how much higher than 100K has to be earned to meet the goal of 100K revenue... As a general number, let's say the cost to run the company were budgeted at $500 per month (CounselMore, Calendly, Bookkeeper, tour-fund...) 6k annually,,, 106k must be earned and the average per comprehensive national price in 2020 was $4000, on average a counselor takes on 25 - 35 students per year in contracts averaging around $4000.

Steps and Logic to setting your educational consulting price rate fees:

Revenue Goal : To take home $100K annually, a counselor needs to account for business expenses and add those to their target income.
Business Expenses : At $500/month, expenses total $6,000 annually.
Total Earnings Needed : $100K (target income) + $6K (expenses) = $106K.
Average Price Per Client : $4,000 per comprehensive package.
Clients Needed :

$106,000 ÷ $4,000 = 26.5 clients .

Since a part-time caseload is often considered 25–35 clients per year, this math aligns well with industry averages, requiring 27 clients at minimum to hit the revenue goal with $6K in expenses. This is a reasonable benchmark for solo IECs using these numbers. However, the more repeatable the process, the more you are capable of serving and the more you are capable fo teaching your process to scale your services.

Considering National Averages:

CounselMore suggests you research national averages for consultant fees and salaries to get a benchmark. As of December 1, 2024, the average annual salary for an educational consultant in the United States is approximately $110,901. However, the platform notes that it is more useful to think about your price today, tomorrow, and in the coming years, and how many clients you expect to take on.

Pricing for Your Ideal Client:

CounselMore emphasizes that you need to understand your ideal client to set your prices accordingly. For instance, if you work with clients for whom accessibility is a priority, you might put your fees on your website. However, if you work with clients for whom discussing price is "out of cache," you may need to use specific language when discussing costs.

Community and Support:

CounselMore provides a community for you to connect with other counselors and ask for feedback about your pricing. They host a monthly mentorship circle and a weekly study hall for members to ask questions of industry experts.

By using CounselMore, you can move beyond guesswork and create a pricing strategy that is both competitive and sustainable. Join a community committed to counselor success because more counselors serving more students means more students served.

How to Become an Educational Consultant? Tips & Advice!

mgray@odysseycollegeprep.com (Marcus Gray) — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 16:36:13 GMT

How to Become an Educational Consultant? Tips & Advice!

How to get paid

This is the first article in a series of articles taking you through the steps of how to become an educational consultant. As an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC), you may offer services as a college planner or academic coach. Either way, your primary concern is taking care of your students. However, you also must make sure you get paid. This article covers the crucial steps of financially setting up your educational consulting practice. But, before we get into the details of how to start an educational consulting business, please understand two things.

First, your accountant’s advice supersedes anything I write. The same could be said for an attorney. This article is meant to be a resource for those starting their IEC journey. My colleagues and I, highly recommend you begin your journey as an entrepreneur with two things:

An attorney.
An accountant.

An attorney will know your legal abilities in the state or country you practice in. An accountant will know the tax ramifications of your practice. What they advise trumps anything we say.

With those disclaimers in mind, let’s begin with the basics of starting your educational consulting practice.

Choosing the Right Business Entity for IECs

Begin with structure. As you plan to launch your educational consulting practice specializing in private college prep services and admissions advising, seeking advice from a financial advisor and an attorney is essential. LegalZoom is an excellent alternative for low-cost legal advice. Invest time in finding the right tax preparer and bookkeeper . These two lifelines will keep you out of trouble and your books balanced. They can provide personalized insights based on your specific business goals and educational consultant requirements. Furthermore, they help you choose the most suitable structure to ensure success and mitigate risks. Again, though, go with what your attorney and accountant advise.

Sole Proprietorship

It's simple. A sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by one individual. It's the most cost-effective option to set up. You would have complete control over your practice's operations as an educational planner providing private college prep services and admissions advising. Everything you earn is yours, allowing you flexibility in reinvesting or keeping the profits. How can educational consultants afford all of those conferences and college tours? They have very little operating expenses - no overhead. Making this an exciting independently-owned opportunity. However, remember that personal and business assets are at risk, and (if you choose to get it) liability insurance premiums might be high. Additionally, if anything goes wrong, it's all on you! So you’d need a plan for that. For instance, if you had a full client list and fell ill, you would still be on the hook for helping everyone you have contracted with for services. This shouldn’t be a deterrent, it should be added into the plans you are currently formulating. You’ll find that planning for challenges is as much as planning for success.

Advantages of a Sole Proprietorship

Cost-effective
Complete control
Flexibility in finances

Disadvantages of a Sole Proprietorship

Personal and business assets at risk
High liability insurance premiums
Sole responsibility for issues

S-Corporation (S-Corp)

Consider this. An S-Corp is a legal entity owned by shareholders. But, an S- Corp contains pass-through taxation similar to partnerships. For your private college prep and admissions advising practice, an S-Corp could offer limited liability protection for shareholders, safeguarding their assets. Profits would flow directly to the shareholders' tax returns, avoiding double taxation. (Bonus!) If you are working on your own but you will share the burdens with your lagal-life-partner, then you may want to consider this option over sole-ownership.

The ability to raise funds through the sale of stock is another advantage. If you wanted to raise startup funds, you could sell pieces of the compay’s ownership. On the downside, establishing and maintaining an S-Corp requires more time and effort than a sole proprietorship. Compliance with various regulations and additional paperwork are also necessary. Choosing a tax preparer who you feel comfortable working with long-term will provide you and your company with consistency in your reporting. Therefore, on the advice of your tax preparer you’ll make the best choice and the compliance reporting and tax information will be completed once and refiled each year. Because you chose a good tax preparer, they’ll see to it. Do not let complicated tax lingo steer you from the best choices - find the right advisors. A good tax preparer could walk you through and maintain that process. An S-Corp is the choice educational consultants make if they are planning to scale because they can easily offer shares to future co-owners but maintain controlling shares. Choose a good tax advisor with your future plans in mind.

Advantages of an S-Corp

Limited liability protection
Avoids double taxation
Ability to raise funds through stock
Provides for long term strategy

Disadvantages of an S-Corp

More time-consuming to establish and maintain
Regulatory compliance and paperwork
Potential costs for professional services

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

If we blend the previous two entities in a smoothie, we’ll have an LLC. An LLC is a hybrid business entity that combines aspects of a corporation's limited liability with the pass-through taxation of partnerships. This structure could benefit an educational planner providing private college prep services and admissions advice. As an LLC owner, you would not be personally liable for the company's debts and obligations, protecting your assets.

Think about this. Imagine you accrue significant startup costs to your business. You'd likely want to avoid going down with a company that was closing. An LLC enables you to avoid paying the company's debt out of your pocket. The setup requires fewer formalities than a corporation, such as board meetings or filing with state agencies. It offers more flexibility in management and ownership structure. But again, a good tax preparer could walk you through the process and maintain your paperwork.

Advantages of an LLC

Limited liability protection
Pass-through taxation
Fewer formalities and more flexibility

Disadvantages of an LLC

Subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes
Immediate profit recognition for tax purposes
Employee benefits might not receive the same tax treatment

Financial Essentials for IECs

Now that we’ve discussed structuring your business entity, let’s look at the financials. There are many ways to overcomplicate this crucial part of your business.

Opening a Bank Account

However, one step isn’t negotiable: YOU MUST OPEN A SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNT. Don’t wrap your finances with your business if you plan on making an LLC or an S-Corp. A separate account is non-negotiable. It helps maintain clear financial records, which is crucial for tax purposes and your general sanity. It also presents a professional image to your clients. A business bank account is an essential tool for effective financial management.

Why is it important? Mixing personal and business expenses complicates tax filing. A dedicated business account simplifies this process. It makes it easier to manage your finances and stay compliant with tax regulations. Many banks offer business accounts with additional features like overdraft protection and higher transaction limits.

Opening a business checking account may have some advantages because banks often offer promotionals on new business checking accounts, shop around. Your business bank account with have your business name on it, no matter what entity choice you make. This may mean using your legal name in the title of your company or choosing a different name to ‘do-business-as’, commonly referred to as DBA. Check with your local ordinances regarding business licenses in your area. Some locales are easier to obtain a license than others but if you plan on gaining the advantages of a business account (and you do), you will need to show a DBA license. That will prove the DBA is yours and not used by someone else in your area. This is specifically regulated by the area which you do business, so please check your local regulations regarding a DBA.

Payment Solutions for New IECs

Remember this: to be a business owner, you must have something to sell and a way to get paid for it. In the 2020s, people often pay for things digitally. Most don’t mail checks or send ravens. We go to a website, click on a link, put in our credit card, and become recipients of the goods or services we just bought. You must choose what that experience will look like for your client and yourself.

When You're Starting Out

Here are some payment options to consider when starting. The options below will not have features to organize your finances (we’ll cover those later). However, they will ensure that you can charge for your services.

PayPal

PayPal is a beginner-friendly option. It's a well-known platform that doesn't require advanced technical skills to set up. It's particularly suitable for small or new businesses, like new IECs just starting. PayPal accepts multiple forms of payment, including Venmo and cryptocurrency, and is a name that customers trust.

PayPal is easy to set up and doesn't require a contract. You can cancel anytime. PayPal also offers multiple e-commerce features but lacks robust Point-of-Sale (POS) features. It ch arges $29 for the first POS card reader and $79 for each additional device. There's a $20 chargeback fee and extra fees for international credit cards. It's available in over 200 countries, making it a globally recognized option.

PayPal Features

User-friendly
Multiple forms of payment
Available in 200+ countries

Stripe

Stripe is for the tech-savvy. It offers extensive customization options and is better suited for larger companies or those with technical expertise. Stripe provides a unified dashboard to manage business operations and has over 450 platforms and third-party integrations.

Why opt for Stripe? It allows for a highly customized customer checkout experience. Stripe is developer-friendly and can accept international payment options. However, it requires developer expertise for specific features and integrations. Stripe's POS hardware options are fewer, and it charges fees for international transactions. It's available in more than 40 countries.

Stripe Features

Highly customizable
450+ third-party integrations
Available in 40+ countries

For More Established IECs

The following payment methods are more advanced. While nothing prevents you from using the following options immediately, they require additional steps to set up and monthly expenses. So, consider these after your business has been up and running for a while. Or, consider upgrading to one of these platforms if you want to streamline your financial operations and professionalize your business.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks goes beyond basic billing. It’s a full-on accounting platform. It offers hundreds of app integrations and detailed inventory tracking. It's easy to scale and share with your accountant. QuickBooks is comparable to FreshBooks but offers more features and is better suited for more significant operations.

Why choose QuickBooks? It includes tools that help automate th e reconciliation process, a global search function, and a customizable dashboard. However, there is a learning curve. QuickBooks can support larger small businesses with dozens of employees; the highest-tier plan includes 25 users.

QuickBooks Features

Robust reporting tools
Scalable for larger businesses
Available in multiple countries

FreshBooks

FreshBooks may be a cheaper alternative for freelancers and independent contractors. It offers all the essential accounting functions and is available at a lower price than QuickBooks. FreshBooks auto-categorizes transactions for you but lacks a global search function and bank reconciliation tools.

Why opt for FreshBooks? It can support freelancers, contractors, and small businesses with a handful of employees. The highest-tier plan includes two users, and additional users can be added for a fee. FreshBooks integrates with more than 100 third-party apps but offers limited ch oices for direct payroll and point-of-sale integrations.

FreshBooks Features

Strong invoicing features
Suitable for freelancers and small businesses
Available in multiple countries

Freshbooks or Quickbooks: Which is best for your IEC Practice?

I’m actually in a strange situation where I use both. I’ve been using Freshbooks for the past year in a test prep firm I run. It’s been a great experience and works well for that small business. Finally, I have been using Quickbooks for my primary LLC that I’ve run for the past five years. It has far more options and integrations. However, if I could return, I would probably have used Freshbooks over Quickbooks starting. It’s cheaper and a little easier to use.

With that said, I need the features of QuickBooks now. So, I’d hate to migrate my accounting to another platform. So, while it may cost you a bit more in monthly fees if you plan on growing your business to a larger scale, it may be worth starting and then sticking with Quickbooks. Remember that this is my anecdotal experience, not peer-reviewed data. Again, ALWAYS go with what your accountant recommends. While most accountants can navigate the reports of both platforms, they may prefer one over the other. So, if it makes it easier for them to use one platform over another, that could be a factor in your decision.

Have it all: Set up payment links

Conclusion

Let's recap. Setting up your Independent Educational Consulting (IEC) practice is more than just a startup venture; it's about laying a robust foundation for long-term success. Each choice, from your business structure to your financial setup, plays a pivotal role in shaping your practice's future.

Key Takeaways:

Choosing the Right Business Entity : Whether it's a Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp, or LLC, your choice has far-reaching implications for taxation, liability, and scalability.
Financial Essentials: A dedicated bank account isn't just an option; keeping your finances organized and professional is necessary.
Payment Solutions: PayPal and Stripe work well for beginners, especially for web-based services. For more established IECs, QuickBooks and FreshBooks offer advanced features to streamline accounting and invoicing.

What's Next? Stay tuned for our next blog to explore the importance of building a network and collecting mentors in the educational consulting field. We'll offer strategies to establish meaningful relationships that provide guidance, open doors, and contribute to your practice's success.

About the Author

Marc Gray is the Founder and Director of Education for Odyssey College Prep . Marc uses advanced aptitude testing to simplify the college admissions process for students and parents. He also guides students to create targeted passion projects to differentiate their college applications. He currently serves as the Highlands Company’s ambassador to CounselMore. In that role, he enjoys helping other college counselors use aptitude testing to enhance their business. As an active member of CounselMore’s community, Marc hosts CounselMore’s Mentorship Community Roundtable Discussion , where college counselors can learn from one another and instruct each other in best practices.

BSMD PROGRAMS-A DIRECT ACCEPTANCE TO MED SCHOOL

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 05:07:55 GMT

Navigating the Path of Educational Consultancy with BS/MD Programs

Exploring BS/MD Programs at Top Colleges

Greetings, esteemed educational consultants,

In the vast landscape of college planning, we often find ourselves in search of innovative strategies to guide our students towards their academic and career aspirations. Today, I'd like to share valuable insights into a distinctive approach that can significantly enrich your consultancy and open new horizons for your students: BS/MD combined degree programs.

Embracing the BS/MD Odyssey

For those devoted to shepherding young minds into the realm of medicine, BS/MD programs offer a unique and transformative opportunity. These specialized programs, available at select colleges and universities, possess the potential to streamline and elevate your consultancy. Let's delve into the advantages that make BS/MD programs an attractive choice for both your practice and your students.

Clarity from the Outset

One of the hallmark features of BS/MD programs is their ability to provide crystal-clear direction right from the beginning. As educational consultants, we comprehend the importance of charting a definitive course towards medical school. BS/MD programs eliminate the uncertainty of medical school admission, offering a seamless path from undergraduate studies to medical education.

Stress-Free Medical School Admission

The intricate web of medical school applications can be an overwhelming challenge for our aspiring healthcare professionals. BS/MD programs remove this burden by (almost) guaranteeing a spot in medical school. This assurance allows students to channel their energies towards their studies and clinical experiences without the constant concern of navigating the medical school application process.

Unique Learning Opportunities

Our role as consultants extends beyond academics; it encompasses nurturing well-rounded, compassionate healthcare professionals. BS/MD programs often present unique learning opportunities, mentorship, and research experiences that enrich a student's journey. These experiences play a pivotal role in helping students develop the essential skills and qualities required of healthcare professionals.

The Gift of Time

Time is a precious commodity, and in the realm of education, it is often in short supply. BS/MD programs bestow the gift of time by compressing undergraduate and medical education into a shorter timeframe. Typically spanning six to seven years, these programs enable students to embark on their careers more swiftly than through conventional routes.

Community and Support

As educators, we are well aware of the power of community and support networks. Many BS/MD programs foster close-knit communities among students who share similar career aspirations. As well as offering a consistent cohort of classmates to share the burdens. This sense of camaraderie and support can be invaluable as students navigate the intricacies of their medical-education journey.

The Quest for Knowledge

CounselMore's Blog : Our own blog is a treasure trove of insights into educational consulting and the latest developments in the field. Discover articles that delve into the nuances of BS/MD programs and their potential to enhance your consultancy.
NACAC's Resources for Counseling Professionals : The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) offers a plethora of resources tailored to counseling professionals. Explore their articles and guides for comprehensive information on educational consulting.

Guiding Your Path & Saving Your Research

Save your research! As you learn about programs, collect and save what you are learning, so that nuances are not something you must re-learn with each student. Instead, bank your knowledge of programs into an adaptive agile database, like CounselMore’s college search database for educational consultants and college planners, where you can access crowdsourced intel, verified admissions results and your own private database. Educational consultants grow more valuable with time because of the deep knowledge we acquire about programs. BS/MD degree programs are an excellent tool in your toolbelt but not if you are not readily aware of the options available and have some guidance to begin your search. We’re including a list of programs below to get you started.

In conclusion, my esteemed colleagues, the journey in the realm of educational consulting is one marked by continuous learning and adaptability. By embracing BS/MD programs as a valuable tool in your arsenal, you not only enrich your practice but also provide your students with a guided path towards their medical aspirations. Remember, knowledge is your greatest ally, and through its pursuit, we pave the way for success in our noble mission of shaping the future of healthcare professionals.

Stay enlightened, stay empowered, and continue illuminating the path forward. Above all, counsel more, counsel as many as you can!

Incomplete List of Colleges with BS/MD Programs

Here is a list of colleges and universities in the United States that offer BS/MD programs:

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine – Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) :
Located in Chicago, Illinois, Northwestern’s HPME offers early acceptance to the medical school for exceptional students.
Brown University – Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) :
Brown’s PLME program in Providence, Rhode Island, provides students with guaranteed admission to the Warren Alpert Medical School.
Rice University /Baylor College of Medicine – Rice/Baylor Medical Scholars Program :
This program in Houston, Texas, offers a unique partnership between Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine.
University of Miami – Medical Scholars Program (MSP) :
Located in Miami, Florida, this program grants early admission to the Miller School of Medicine.
Union College /Albany Medical College – Leadership in Medicine Program (LIM) :
Union College in Schenectady, New York, partners with Albany Medical College to offer the LIM program.
Case Western Reserve University – Pre-Professional Scholars Program in Medicine (PSPM) :
This program in Cleveland, Ohio, provides guaranteed admission to the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
George Washington University – Early Selection Program (ESP) :
Located in Washington, D.C., GWU’s ESP offers a streamlined path to the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Drexel University – Seven-Year Accelerated BS/MD Program :
Drexel’s program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, allows students to complete both their undergraduate and medical degrees in seven years.
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) – BS/MD Program :
NEOMED collaborates with several colleges in Ohio to offer a BS/MD program.
Virginia Commonwealth University – Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) :
This program in Richmond, Virginia, offers guaranteed admission to VCU School of Medicine.

College Planning Consultant Startup Guide: Series Intro

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:02:09 GMT

College Planning Consultant Startup Guide: Series Intro

Embarking on a journey in Independent Educational Consulting (IEC)? This series is your compass. Designed for both novices and seasoned educators, we aim to provide a roadmap to success in the world of college counseling. The field is vast, but with the right guidance, you can navigate it with ease. Our goal is to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need. Let's dive in and explore the exciting world of IEC.

Registering Your Educational Consulting Business

Starting right is crucial. It's your business, after all, not a hobby Your initial decisions lay the groundwork for your consulting practice's future. Choosing the right business entity is paramount. Whether it's an LLC, S-Corp, or exploring other options, each has its implications. This stuff isn't fun, but it's important. We'll delve deep, ensuring you make informed choices.

Deciding How You Get Paid For Your Consulting

Don't leave your finances to guess work. If there's one thing to be certain about, it's how you'll get paid. In our digital age, seamless payment solutions are vital. From the basics like opening a bank account to navigating payment platforms like PayPal, QuickBooks, and Stripe, we've got you covered. Each choice impacts your business's efficiency and client trust. Ensuring smooth financial operations is key to building a successful practice. We'll guide you through each step, ensuring you're well-prepared.

Building a Strong IEC Network: Free and Paid Resources

A robust network is your lifeline. It's not just about numbers but about meaningful connections. Free resources offer a treasure trove of opportunities. Mentorship meetings, study hall sessions, and platforms like the CounselMore Blog can be game-changers. We'll guide you on leveraging these to your advantage. Building relationships and expanding your network is essential for growth.

Investing in growth is essential.

While free resources are valuable, paid avenues often offer depth. Whether it's joining associations like HECA or opting for paid mentorship, there's a world to explore. Insights from industry experts like Cindy McDonald, Founder of Guided Path and the Higher Education Consultants Association and Margaret Rothe, Founder of CounselMore Educational Enterprise Software, Pam Shor, Founders of Strategies for Success, will provide a unique perspective. With the right resources, you can elevate your practice and stand out in the IEC community.

Carving Your Niche in Educational Consulting

The world of educational consulting is vast, intricate, and ever-evolving. As an aspiring IEC, understanding the myriad opportunities available is crucial. While foundational services like essay writing assistance and campus fit evaluation remain at the core, the broader landscape of IEC is teeming with specialized niches that cater to diverse student needs.

Key Niches in Educational Consulting

College Counseling is a complicated animal. There are plenty of nuances, layers, and markets within the industry. As such, many niches exist, any of them rife with potential to earn you a moderate or lucrative living. With the right mentor, technology, tools, and knowledge, you can add value to the families you'll serve. You'll find a list of some of those niches below. Do any of them sound interesting? Take note of any of the niches that strike a chord of curiosity. Make a note to research them later. In a subsequent blog post, we'll explore how to carve out a niche in a subindustry.

International Educational Consulting:

Tailored for students aiming for global education, this niche focuses on navigating the complexities of international admissions, understanding cultural nuances, and preparing students for a global academic experience.

Athletics Advisory:

This niche is dedicated to student-athletes, assisting them in balancing sports with academics, understanding NCAA regulations, and securing athletic scholarships.

Specialized Fields Consulting: Catering to students with specific academic and career passions, this includes:

Art
Engineering
Fashion
Theatre
Film
UC system-specific guidance

Gap Year Planning:

With more students opting to take a year off before college, this niche guides them in making the most of their gap year, whether it's through travel, internships, or volunteer work.

Career Counseling:

Beyond just college admissions, this niche helps students align their academic pursuits with their long-term career goals, offering insights into various industries and professions.

Guiding Passion Projects:

For students keen on delving deep into personal projects, this niche provides guidance, resources, and mentorship, ensuring their projects stand out in college applications. Not to toot my own horn, but I do a lot of these with my clients. There's a right and wrong way to do them (I've done both). However, they really enable a student differentiate their applications.

Special Needs Consulting:

Tailored for students with learning differences or disabilities, ensuring they find colleges that offer the right support and environment.

Transfer Admissions Consulting:

For students looking to transfer from one college to another, navigating the unique challenges of transfer admissions. I see a lot of transfer admissions consultants specialize in matriculating to the UC colleges.

Understanding and mastering these niches can significantly enhance your value proposition as an IEC. It's not just about guiding students to colleges but ensuring they embark on a journey that aligns with their passions, strengths, and aspirations. As the world of education continues to evolve, so do the opportunities within educational consulting. Staying updated, continuously learning, and adapting will ensure you carve a niche that's both fulfilling and impactful.

Pricing Strategies for College Consulting Services

Understanding your value is the first step. But how do you translate that into a pricing strategy?

We'll start by helping you dissect your offerings. From there, we'll move to analyzing local competition and understanding market dynamics. Deciding on a pricing model can be daunting. Hourly or package pricing? Each has its pros and cons.

We'll delve into the intricacies, helping you strike a balance. Implementing a clear payment policy and understanding payment methods are also crucial. With our guidance, you'll ensure your services are not just valuable but also financially viable. Pricing is more than just numbers; it's about understanding your worth and ensuring your clients see it too.

The Importance of a College Database for IECs

In today's information age, a reliable college database is a must. But why? We'll start by exploring the limitations of traditional search methods. From the risks of unverified data to the inefficiencies of spreadsheets, we'll lay it all out. An effective college database offers more than just information. It's about building trustworthy relationships with university colleagues, understanding their priorities and ensuring you have access to verified, actionable data.

Platforms like CounselMore offer unique insights, streamlining communication and enhancing your service quality. We'll guide you through the benefits, ensuring you harness the power of data to its fullest. With the right tools , you can offer unparalleled service, ensuring your clients have the best possible college experience.

Reflecting on the Education Planner's Journey and Looking Ahead

Every journey has its challenges. But it's these very challenges that shape us. As we conclude this introduction, let's take a moment to reflect. The road ahead is exciting, filled with opportunities and learnings. Let's embrace it with confidence, ensuring we not only navigate the world of IEC successfully but also make a meaningful impact.

Becoming an Educational Consultant is a rewarding career!

Fill your counseling toolkit! Free resources designed to offer a wealth of knowledge, procured just for you.

7 TIPS FOR GREAT TEACHER RECS

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 01:30:00 GMT

Here are 7 essential tips for navigating the role of school counselors and teachers in your college planning practice:

1. Recognize the Linchpins: School Counselors and Teachers

Understanding the critical roles that school counselors and teachers play in the college application process is essential. They offer invaluable elements like transcripts, school profiles, and recommendations. CounselMore's comprehensive assignments package includes an assignment on obtaining letters of recommendation, which even features a writing exercise to help students articulate their strengths.

2. Decode School-Specific Procedures

It's crucial to familiarize ourselves and our clients with the specific protocols schools use for sending transcripts and recommendations. Systems like Naviance, Scoir, or Maia are often employed. Annapolis College Consulting offers an insightful blog post on navigating these systems effectively.

3. Unpack What Schools Provide

School counselors are responsible for sending official transcripts, which include academic records, grades, and GPAs. They may also submit a school profile that offers additional context to the application. CounselMore's application management features can help you and your clients keep track of these crucial elements.

4. Guide Clients Through Teacher Recommendations

Many colleges require letters of recommendation from teachers. It's essential to review these requirements carefully, as some colleges specify the number of recommendations and the subjects. CounselMore's comprehensive assignments package provides a structured approach to obtaining these vital endorsements.

5. Adapt to the New Normal

You may have taken online courses and think everyone is comfortable with the new normal - not everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges, especially concerning the strength of virtual class recommendations. Letters of recommendation from teachers you've only known over Zoom are going to be less effective. Annapolis College Consulting has a blog post that addresses these concerns and offers alternative solutions.

6. Navigate Transcript and Recommendation Requests

Schools often have specific protocols for these requests, requiring resumes or brag sheets and sometimes even proof of application submission. CounselMore's comprehensive assignments package can help streamline this process, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.

7. Beat the Clock

It's crucial to coordinate with school counselors and teachers well ahead of application deadlines. For those applying for Early Decision or Early Action, being proactive is especially important. Annapolis College Consulting offers excellent time management tips to help you and your clients stay ahead.

By adhering to these seven tips, we can better guide our clients through the labyrinthine college application process. Remember, the goal is not just to complete applications on time but to set our clients up for success. CounselMore's resources, combined with insights from Annapolis College Consulting, provide a robust framework for achieving this.

Why do Educational Consultants, College Planners, Admissions Advisors should tour school s

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:30:00 GMT

As an educational consultant, college advisor, admissions coach, educational planner - you should be touring schools

As an experienced college admissions advisor, I have had the privilege of guiding numerous students through the process of selecting and applying to colleges after high school. Throughout my career as an educational consultant, I have gathered valuable insights that I wish to share with my colleagues and peers in the field. This essay aims to provide professional advice and useful information on the importance of college campus tours, whether in person or virtually. For the purpose of enhancing college counseling and advisory services in your own practice.

The Value of In-Person College Campus Tours

College campus tours offer unique opportunities for students and admissions advisors to immerse themselves in the college environment . As a college admissions advisor, I advocate for in-person campus visits (when possible), as they provide a tangible experience of the college atmosphere.

For instance, when I was on the American University campus, I found out that it sits at the top of a sweet hill, but it is also very windy up there. If I were to attend that school (oh, how I wish I had that opportunity), I would have been inside all the time because the wind is a bother to my creature comforts.

Another example I have is from my visit to CalTech . When I was there, I met turtles by a lovely pond and imagined myself reading by the water. I also noticed students were sleeping all over the campus. I found them on window sills, tucked away behind a couch, and another in the middle of the grass. I thought this must be because they are working so hard. But when I met with students, I actually found that these are kids who felt like they were in fast forward mode their whole lives, and on this beautiful campus, they can settle into their thoughts and drift away with the power of imagination, perhaps for the first time in their lives. For the very smart kids who attend CalTech, taking away the noise could be very powerful. The student I assisted, who chose CalTech, reflects that culture. Because I toured the campus, I could imagine him there. Had I not toured, I would have stuck to my previous incorrect thinking - “smart school that rejects everyone, moving on…” Now I UNDERSTAND the culture of that school and who the environment would work best for.

Students can observe the campus, its facilities, and the surrounding community, enabling them to assess whether the college aligns with their preferences and goals. During these tours, they can interact with current students and faculty, gaining valuable insights into the college's culture and academic offerings.

Virtual College Campus Tours and Innovative Tools

For those who cannot physically visit campuses, virtual college tours have become increasingly popular and accessible. Some schools have started allowing students to give uncensored reviews and tours of campus on social media. These are also excellent ways for our students to see and hear their potential classmates, thereby absorbing some of what the culture might be like on campus. The student can reserve on-campus tours after they are accepted to the school. This is smart because when admissions has accepted you, they WANT YOU to enroll and are willing to fly the student (student only) to the campus, match you with a campus host for an overnight stay in the dorms with a current student, and show them all the campus has to offer.

As educational consultants, we can leverage technology to provide students with virtual experiences that come close to on-campus visits. Innovative tools like CounselMore Educational Consulting Software play a pivotal role in facilitating virtual tours and offering real-time admissions data. By incorporating virtual tours into our education services, we can ensure that students have access to comprehensive college information from the comfort of their homes.

The Expertise of Independent Educational Consultants

As we gain experience, our ability to master the processes of college selection, application, and choice improves exponentially. That is why more experienced counselors confidently charge more for their services. That is why their answers do not begin with “It depends…” (when we all know …it depends…). Experience matters! The craft of educational advising is clumsy and disjointed when an educational consultant is just beginning their practice. there is so much to learn and remember and then there are all of the interdependencies contained in the information. I have heard it compared to drinking from a fire hose many times. The amount of first hand knowledge and instinctual fortitude that in experienced educational planner has is unquantifiable. Mix that kind of training with a little bit of talent for working with teens and a young adult can receive more than guidance; they could gain some enlightenment.

Independent educational consultants bring specialized expertise to the college counseling process. They fill the widening gap between High School and what's next for a young person. Having visited numerous colleges and universities annually, we possess firsthand knowledge of various campuses and their unique features. We attend conferences, engage with college admission representatives, and stay updated on college admission trends. We stay out of higher education politics (our role is student advocate and parent ally) and we are astutely aware of institutional priorities. We get it! The school has to pay the bills. We don’t judge, we adjust! This deep esoteric experience equips us to help students differentiate among challenges and opportunities to identify the best fit for their academic and personal aspirations. In short, we talk-the-talk and to do that best, we walk-the-walk. Campus tours are critically essential to gain expertise as an educational consultant.

Uncovering the Student Vibe Doesn't Always Happen on Campus

By engaging with Campus Life, College campus tours offer a glimpse into the student vibe, which plays a crucial role in the college experience. As admissions advisors, we encourage students to actively engage with campus life during their visits. Observing student interactions, activities, and priorities can provide invaluable insights into the college community. Talking to current students and seeking their opinions about academics, campus activities, and social scenes can help students gauge whether they will thrive in that environment.

My students have taught me many things over the years. One thing I learned was about ratemyprofessor.com. In my practice, when a student's results have arrived and we are comparing schools, I will suggest that they look at the professors who will be teaching the courses that they have to take in order to graduate with their intended degree. In one case, my student was able to look at eight of the core lecturers for his major. What he saw was that the majority of his courses would be taught by these professors. He then found a post that said that the teacher's assistant was there more than the professor. So he started digging through social media. He soon came to find out that his major at that particular school had been suffering financially and that mostly the teacher-assistants were teaching the undergraduates. For the amount of money he was about to pay, he crossed that school off his list. You don't always need a college tour to see the deeper qualities of the campus culture.

It is painfully hard to remember everything that I know about different schools. I started my practice so many years ago that the campuses that I toured my first year can become hazy in my memory. Also things change, so touring regularly and frequently touring the schools that are most often included on the list of schools you build - is worth it. But what happens when you've never been to a school and the family is committed to applying? You would ask a colleague what they thought of the campus and academics. When in doubt ask a colleague! Because of my memory I record all of my opinions about a school in my CounselMore Educational Consulting Software, in a column that is dedicated to counselors opinions. This is a public forum where all of my colleagues leave their comments about a particular campus. Their comments are Anonymous so they tend to be particularly honest and professional. They are not visible to the student so they are truly my insiders Edge. After a tour I will add my thoughts into the counselor's opinion forum for each school that I have toured. I love to read what my colleagues have to say about a school and think about if my experience on the campus was different.

As college admissions advisors, our role goes beyond just guiding students through the application process. We play a pivotal role in helping them make one of the most significant decisions of their lives – choosing the right college. By emphasizing the importance of college campus tours, both in-person and virtually, we can provide a comprehensive college counseling experience. In-person visits enable students to feel the college atmosphere and interact with the community, while virtual tours offer accessibility and convenience.

As experienced educational consultants, we bring specialized expertise and a deep understanding of campus culture to our profession. By continuously seeking ways to enhance our education services, we can empower students to make well-informed decisions and embark on a successful higher education journey. In the words of one of my fellow college counselors, "Navigating college applications is a transformative journey, and our role as admissions advisors is to ensure that students find the path that best suits their dreams and aspirations" (Smith, 2023).

Smith, John. "Transforming Lives: The Role of College Admissions Advisors." Journal of College Counseling, vol. 25, no. 2, 2023, pp. 87-98.

Written by:

Margaret Rothe , Campus Life & Student Affairs Professional, MA Higher Education Student Affairs, owner of HigherGrounding, a college consulting agency

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, wh ich means we may earn a comission if you make a purchase through those links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support the blog. Thank you for your support!

What does it take to be a successful IEC, education planner?

support@counselmore.com (CounselMore Support) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:09 GMT

New to Educational Planning?

You have questions and even bigger concerns. Before you start -

"A treasure trove of insights for anyone considering a career in educational consulting or college planning. "

- CounselMore Business Accelerator Attendee

Titled "Want to be a college planner? New to Educational Consulting? Avoid the 'Backwards Field of Dreams'," the video is hosted by CounselMore.

In three minutes and twenty-one seconds she describes most every college planning practice. The video emphasizes the importance of building a resilient, transferable, and scalable college guidance process in educational consulting.

It critiques the common approach of acquiring clients first and then figuring out services, terming it as the "Backwards Field of Dreams."

Instead, the video advocates for a business-centric approach that focuses on creating a repeatable process. This ensures that the business can run smoothly even in the absence of the owner, unlike businesses where all processes and expertise are locked in the owner's head.

The speaker, Pam Shor, underscores that your job isn't just about getting a student from point A to point B; it's about developing a process that can be repeated.

She shares her experience of taking over a business from a 20-year veteran in educational advising, highlighting the pitfalls of not having a structured, repeatable process.

And here's the cherry on top:

CounselMore educational software is presented as the ultimate tool for anyone looking to build a home-based college counseling business or scale up with their multi-counselor option. It offers the most up-to-date admissions data and integrates seamlessly with Google Drive. Register for a trial today .

EARLY ACCEPTANCES, DENIALS AND DEFERRALS ARE IN. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 05:33:34 GMT

EARLY DECISION OUTCOMES

Although getting that first YES! feels wonderful, sometimes your Early Decision outcome is not in your favor and you may have been deferred or denied. You can take advantage of the data here from InGenius Prep and others: Early Decision acceptance rates 2020-2021. This should give you some idea of where you stand and help you decide about your next steps for the EDII and Regular admission rounds.

At this point in the year, most top schools have let students from the Early Applications and Early Decision round know their results. We are celebrating all of the acceptances with you!! If you’ve been deferred or denied, we want you to take a minute and think about your school list and forge a plan to show continued interest where you were deferred.

The application season has been different this year. There were higher than usual numbers of students applying to top universities. This graph shows significant growth in applications. Look at MIT ! We believe that many of the early applicants were those students with high test scores, or students who took a chance with their reach schools and did not have test scores. As predicted earlier in the year, this clogged the system.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made this year see a more competitive applicant pool at many national universities and liberal arts colleges. So, if your early decision results haven’t gone according to plan, do not stress. You can work through this! And if you still have not heard from your schools, many are predicting that results will be out in late January.

We believe that students end up where they belong. It is important to have a realistic college list with a good mix of schools. If you were deferred or denied, this is NOT the time to apply to tons of additional schools to hedge your bets for regular admissions; it is time to look at your list and, if you had balance before this started, you should be fine. Anotheroption is to add 1 more safety school that you would love to attend, so that you have your bases covered.

DENIED OR APPLYING TO RD SCHOOLS?

A denial can be a tough pill to swallow, but please know that the decision does not define you. Maybe it really was not the right fit? Now it is time for the Regular decision round, so put your best foot forward. If your ED I school offers ED II, you cannot reapply there in the same application cycle. Reexamine your list, and try to see yourself at each of the schools .

You may want to revise your list, add more safeties, or maybe there is a new school you have been thinking of after hearing great things from the college kids on break.

IF YOU’VE BEEN DEFERRED

If you’ve been deferred from your top choice college, it means that the school will look at you again in the Regular decision round. It is not over. The word on the street is that many schools deferred tons of students this year in order to see what the next round of applications look like. What can you do about it?

Make sure to read what the college will allow regarding a letter of continued interest, additional information, updating your resume, or an additional recommendation.

Meanwhile, now that the Early Decision acceptance rates are out, revisit your school list to decide if other colleges may be tough given your current profile. A small portion of deferred students do get admitted every year, but the reality is that most are rejected in the RD round. So, apply to the other schools on your Regular decision list and make sure there is a good balance of reach, target, and safety options.

ED II – IS THIS AN OPTION FOR YOU?

Some schools have the option to apply EDll, which is also a binding application. Do not make this decision lightly, but if there is another school that you would be willing to commit to, and love to attend, this EDll will work in your favor. BUT…Colleges have been unpredictable this year. Schools may receive a lot of applications, so you must prepare for any scenario.

ACCEPTED!

Did you get in EDI? Congratulations! Now you can throw yourself into trying to have a stress-free spring and do some fun (socially distanced) activities. Remember that ED is binding, and if you applied anywhere else, you need to withdraw your application.

If you received positive results from your EA or REA schools , now you may want to lessen your workload and explore other Regular decision options – only apply to schools that you REALLY want to attend or schools where we think you may have a chance at good merit aid. Don’t forget our article on college applications being like the dating game . Make sure you understand your options and the commitments you are about to make. We are excited to hear about your journey.

Lee Norwood is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, Higher Education Consultants Association, NACAC Charactor Collaborative and she is on faculty with the CounselMore Business Development Academy. She speaks at industry conferences on topics like “Meeting Gen Z Where They Are” and “Growing Your Business” and she has been featured on podcasts with CollegeScoops, ThirdFloor Views, Tests And The Rest, and others.If you are interested in our process, our team, reviews and outcomes, just look at our website www.annapoliscollegeconsulting.com

Setting the Right Price: A Guide for Independent Educational Consultants, College planners, private College Counselors

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 19:25:57 GMT

Setting the Right Price: A Guide for Independent Educational Consultants, College planners, private College Counselors

Starting your practice as an educational consultant specializing in college planning is an exciting endeavor. One of the most crucial decisions you'll make is determining your pricing structure. Understanding your services (the product you offer) and the associated costs (time and resources) is essential for staying competitive and successful. This post will delve into key factors, pricing models, and best practices, especially for those using CounselMore, to help you establish a sustainable and profitable business.

Key Factors Influencing Your Educational Consulting Fees

Several factors play a significant role in determining your IEC fees:

Demographics : Consider the cost of living in your service area and adjust your fees accordingly. Align your pricing with the economic conditions of the families you serve.

Competition : Research what other educational consultants in your area are charging for similar services. While it’s important to be aware of competitors' pricing, focus on your unique value proposition rather than directly comparing your services.

Experience : Emphasize your experience, including client recommendations, professional development, and training. Highlight your counseling certificates, internships, volunteer work, webinars, and conference participation.

Key Factors Influencing Your Educational Consulting Fees

Several factors play a significant role in determining your IEC fees (continued from above):

Reputation : A strong reputation will generate word-of-mouth referrals and become a valuable source of revenue. Focus on delivering a repeatable process so you deliver on clear expectations to build a positive reputation .
Services Provided : As a new consultant, it's wise to focus on one core product, typically a comprehensive college counseling package. Define your services clearly, create a repeatable process, and track your progress using tools like CounselMore. Specify your delivery model, availability, and any limitations on application/essay assistance. Checkout the CounselMore toolbox for a Template Contract that includes different critical expectations every educational consultant should consider.
Supply and Demand : In areas with limited competition, you might need to educate your market about the value of educational consulting. Think about the return on investment (ROI) versus the return on experience (ROE) when setting your prices. An example of this might be putting in the college readiness curriculum a focus on building the students skill set as well as their application profile .

Choosing a Charging Model as an Educational Consultant, specializing in College Planning

Here are a few options for how you can charge for your services:

Hourly Billing : This model allows you to track and invoice for the time spent on each family. It provides transparency but can be difficult to equate all of your time to fees, especially when research outside of meetings is required. As a new consultant, it’s often recommended to start with a comprehensive package. Or you could offer a few hours that move into a package product. We discussed more about this and other ways to create lead generation in our follow-up article.
Fee-Based (Package Pricing): Clients pay an upfront fee for all services within a set time and a well-defined termination point. This reduces administrative work since you don't have to track hours. Although time tracking, even when you offer package services will always be critical to making good business choices. Therefore tracking time formally or informally should be a part of every consultant's daily/hourly routine.
Many consultants break payments into two installments, with the first due at contract signing and the second due at the start of the student's senior year . Linking payment to events helps clients know when to pay, and minimizes administrative tasks.

CounselMore offers different types of billing profiles to support various business models:

Package : For clients paying a set amount, not based on hours.
Hourly : For clients paying an hourly rate.
Block of Hours : For packages that include a set number of hours, allowing you to track time spent. For instance, you can create a "10 Hour Block Package" and track the remaining hours as you log time.

Initial Consultations: Should College Planners Charge for Initial Consultation? To Charge or Not to Charge?

Most educational consultants do charge for initial consultations, it is becoming a standard practice.
Some offer free initial consults, particularly when starting out to attract clients, build confidence and minimize imposter syndrome.
Charging for initial consultations can help you qualify serious clients.
You can also charge for the initial consult but deduct the fee from the total cost of a comprehensive package. These are things that great Peer Mentors teach you . This works as an incentive to sign a contract, but there should be an expiration date for this offer. When you know your Market you will know when it is best for offers like that to expire or if that will work for your target audience.

Invoicing and Payment Tracking for Educational Consultants with CounselMore

CounselMore is a powerful tool for managing your educational consulting practice, especially when it comes to billing and invoicing. Here’s how you can utilize its features:

Billing Profiles : Set up billing profiles within CounselMore to define your different service packages or hourly rates. These can be packages, hourly, or block of hours.

Time Tracking: Use the built-in stopwatch feature to track time spent with each student. This auto-populates into the student's accounting tab as a line item that is fully editable.

Adding Line Items: You can add line items to a student's accounting tab that include date, miles (if tracking travel), hours, and billing profile.

Invoicing : Use CounselMore's tools to preview and send invoices.

Customizable Notes : You can customize notes on invoices to include payment instructions or legal terms.

Payment Links : You can also set up a payment link within the CounselMore software. This way clients can pay directly through their invoice.

Recording Payments : CounselMore allows you to record payments, track balances, and send payment confirmations.

Automated Invoicing: Set up automatic monthly invoicing within CounselMore.

Accounting Tab : The accounting tab is only visible to the counselor in the basic plan.

Time Tracking Reports: Generate reports on "Time per Student" to make informed decisions and track time for grants or funding opportunities.

Maintaining a Sustainable Revenue Stream as a Private College Planner

Package Pricing : Offering comprehensive college counseling packages helps provide a steady income stream, rather than relying solely on hourly billing.

Payment Schedules : Structure your payment schedules to ensure consistent cash flow, such as two payments or payment linked to significant events.

Track Time : Utilize time-tracking features to ensure your time is accurately accounted for and that you're being properly compensated.

CounselMore : The time tracking, invoice, and billing profile features of CounselMore are especially designed for educational consultants.

Additional Tips for setting your fees as an educational consultant in this growing cottage industry

Value-Based Pricing: Don’t just charge based on time. Consider the value you bring to your clients and the expertise you provide.

Professional Development: Continue your professional development to increase your value and justify your rates. Seek out a personal business mentor.

Be Transparent: Clearly communicate your pricing structure and what services are included in each package.

Utilize Resources: Join CounselMore's monthly mentorship circle and weekly study hall to get guidance from industry experts. Plans start at just $35 a month, and you have access to the group mentorship resources for free!

Setting the right price for your educational consulting services is an art and a science. By carefully considering these factors, choosing the right pricing model, and effectively utilizing tools like CounselMore, you can establish a sustainable and successful practice. Remember, your expertise and the value you provide are crucial, so price your services accordingly.

Advice on starting your Independent Higher Education Planning Service Company

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 23:45:17 GMT

Advice on starting your Independent Higher Education Planning Service Company

As an educational professional offering guidance to someone considering launching their own consulting practice specializing in private college prep services and admissions advising, it's crucial to weigh different business structures.

Let's compare the options of a sole proprietorship, an S-Corp, and an LLC:

Sole Proprietorship:

An educational consulting sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by one individual. It's the most cost-effective option to set up. As an educational planner providing private college prep services and admissions advising you have complete control over your practice's operations. Everything you are paid is yours, allowing you flexibility in reinvesting or keeping the profits. Ever wonder how educational consultants can afford all of those conferences and college tours??? They have no overhead.

However, keep in mind that personal and business assets are at risk and (if you choose to get it) liability insurance premiums might be high. Additionally, if anything goes wrong it's all on you! So you’d need a plan for that…

S-Corporation (S-Corp):

An educational consulting S-Corp is a legal entity owned by shareholders but with pass-through taxation similar to partnerships. For your private college prep and admissions advising practice an S-Corp could offer limited liability protection for shareholders, safeguarding their personal assets. Profits would flow directly to the shareholders' personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation - bonus! The ability to raise funds through the sale of stock is another advantage.

On the downside, establishing and maintaining an S-Corp requires more time, effort, and money compared to a sole proprietorship. Compliance with various regulations and additional paperwork are also necessary. But a good tax preparer could walk you through that process and maintain it for you. This is the choice educational consultants make if they are planning to scale because they can easily offer shares to co-owners while maintaining a controlling number of shares.

Limited Liability Company (LLC):

An educational consulting LLC is a hybrid business entity that combines aspects of a corporation's limited liability with the pass-through taxation of partnerships. This structure could be particularly beneficial for an educational planner providing private college prep services and admissions advice.

As an LLC owner you would not be personally liable for the company's debts and obligations, protecting your personal assets. Think about this if you had significant startup costs and wanted to avoid the risks of a company closing (meaning you’d avoid paying the company's debt out of your own pocket).

Additionally, you'd enjoy the advantages of pass-through taxation, avoiding double taxation on profits. The setup requires fewer formalities than a corporation; no board meetings or filing with state agencies. It offers more flexibility in management and ownership structure. But again a good tax preparer can walk you through the process and maintain your paperwork.

Nonetheless, there are some considerations with an LLC. While profits are passed through to the owners' personal tax returns, they may also be subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes, potentially resulting in higher tax payments compared to an S-Corp. Also, LLC owners must recognize profits immediately for tax purposes. So you will need a bookkeeper and a tax preparer. Furthermore, employee benefits might not receive the same tax treatment as they would with a corporation.

As you plan to launch your educational consulting practice specializing in private college prep services and admissions advising it's essential to seek advice from both a financial advisor and an attorney. LegalZoom is a great alternative for low cost legal advice. Invest the time in finding the right tax preparer and bookkeeper . These two lifelines will keep your books balanced and keep you out of trouble. They can provide personalized insights based on your specific business goals and help you choose the most suitable structure to ensure success and mitigate risks.

Written by:

Margaret Rothe, Campus Life & Student Affairs Professional, MA Higher Education, Student Affairs, owner of HigherGrounding, a college consulting agency

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a comission if you make a purchase through those links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support the blog. Thank you for your support!

College Rankings Stink

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 21:27:41 GMT

College counseling is a profession that requires a high degree of dedication and knowledge.

The picture above is of an incredible private college that you've never heard about

Educational Consultants do not click to the U.S. News and World Report website because we know the rankings are hype. We also know that our clients have already read every inch of the U.S. News and World Report website because they will tell us how a school is “ranked” and why their student must go to a higher-ranked school.

One of the most important aspects of the job is keeping up with changes in the education industry, particularly the college ranking system.

The U.S. News and World Report was the first publication to introduce a ranking system, which completely disrupted the education sector. However, over the years, the ranking system has come under criticism for its flaws and biases.

As frustrating as it is to professional education planners. The U.S. News and World Report ranking system has become the most-read ranking system across the United States, causing competition among institutions to increase. As U.S. News and World Report turned higher education into a commodity instead of a noble endeavor, the market responded with a must-have attitude, and the price of higher education has grown consistently and exorbitantly ever since. Myself and others pin the responsibility for this cluster-F on U.S. News and World Report.

Institutions began focusing on improving their standards in light of the imagined defined criteria, which increased costs and competition. Campus presidents who could increase rankings received higher salaries and became sought after. Other companies saw value and developed their own ranking systems, but U.S. News and World Report remains the most cited publication to this day.

This advice is for more than College-Planners, this is advice for every college applicant

Malcolm Gladwell , a Canadian journalist, was one of the critics of the U.S. News ranking system. Gladwell's argument centered around Undergraduate Academic Reputation . He argued that reputation could not be used to measure quality education. He conducted interviews with different school administrators and made viable arguments based on unfair reception of information and unjustifiable sources to gain statistical insights. His argument illuminated popular colleges and universities, including Rowan University, Reed College , and Dillard University. He pointed out how colleges take steps toward improved rankings while the system is based on bias and the financial standings of students and individuals. All of which are irrational when it comes to gauging the quality of education.

Frank Bruni , a New York Times writer, has also spoken in-depth about the problems associated with the ranking system in his book called, "Where You Go is Not Who You'll Be." He referred to the issue as " College Admission Mania " and disagreed with how the U.S. News ranking system defines our future and success. He discusses how mass rejections are the key for universities and colleges to hack their way up in the flawed ranking system.

Bruni attempts to restore the excitement of going to college by motivating parents and students to not fall prey to the pecking order of prestige subject to school rankings. He instigates them to realize that what they gain out of college is a product of their willingness to learn and their efforts.

How does U.S. News and World Report impact your college application

The U.S. News and World Report ranking system has played a significant role in shaping the education sector. However, the system has come under criticism for its flaws and biases. Malcolm Gladwell and Frank Bruni are two critics who have discussed the issue in-depth. The criticisms and debates surrounding the ranking system will continue, but it is essential to keep in mind that the college experience is a product of individual willingness to learn and efforts rather than the prestige of the institution. The irony is that you will explain that to the family and they will nod in full agreement and then turn back to the rankings.

Our job is to get beyond our client's limited source of information. I must demonstrate to my clients why they should listen to me more and read U.S. News and World Report less. Thankfully, I have a college list building machine that makes me look like the ultimate college encyclopedia. My clients are eager to review the tailored lists I export for them directly to their Google Drive. I use the candidate shaping tools to offer my clients actionable direction on improving their applicant profile. U.S. News and World Report cannot do that but what really stinks - is that they were never interested in helping the student, that was never their goal.

If you take a close look at the other ranking companies, you'll find the same motivations. Its about collecting student data (to sell) through the questions they ask the student and selling website advertising space to colleges. We are talking about billions of dollars. The college data websites and "free" college shopping tools, turn out to be nothing more than lead generators! These lead generators are posing as honest college resources to our young adults at a critical moment of choice! Many days I can't believe that's true because I don't want it to be true, but it is. Sigh. It's a good thing the occupation of higher education consulting is growing, at this rate we may get loud enough that someone can hear us over the noise.

Written by:

Margaret Rothe, Campus Life & Student Affairs Professional, MA Higher Education, Student Affairs, owner of HigherGrounding , a college planning consulting agency

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a comission if you make a purchase through those links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support the blog. Thank you for your support!

Considering independent educational consulting as your next career? What do private college counselors do?

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 20:44:47 GMT

Tips and insights for prospective educational consultants

The journey through the college admissions process can be intricate and stressful for students and their families. As a college counselor, you are instrumental in easing this journey, providing guidance and expertise. This blog offers valuable tips and insights for educational consultants, admissions advisors, and college planners to effectively support students in their college admissions endeavors.

Encourage Students to Build a Strong Application

The role of educational consultants extends beyond creating a college list. It involves guiding students in building a strong, comprehensive application. This process begins with encouraging students to engage in activities that resonate with their passions, which forms the foundation of a compelling college application. The application should not only highlight academic achievements and extracurricular activities but also reflect the student's personal journey, showcasing their unique talents and experiences. Authenticity is crucial, as it demonstrates the student’s dedication and ability to persevere through challenges.

To help your students build a strong application, you should encourage them to start early, stay organized, and seek guidance from teachers, mentors, and other professionals on free opportunities to gather experiences through school clubs, local volunteering, job shadowing, or organizations like Polygence . Admissions is not impressed with candidates who have plenty of opportunity and resources but take advantage of none of them.

Early Engagement and Organizational Skills

Encouraging students to start their college-prep journey early is crucial. Organizational skills are key in managing the multitude of tasks involved in the application process. This early start allows students to seek advice and support from various sources, including teachers, mentors, and professional organizations. Engaging in school clubs, volunteering, and job shadowing are excellent ways for students to enrich their experiences and build a well-rounded profile.

The Critical Role of Choosing the Right Colleges

One of the most significant aspects of the college admissions process is assisting students in selecting the right colleges. This involves researching various institutions and understanding their unique offerings, including academic programs, campus culture, location, and financial aid options. Educational consultants need to motivate students to engage actively in this research process, helping them identify colleges that align with their goals and aspirations.

When you have several clients and lists to build, you won’t stress because your software will track the many moving parts. Prior to CounselMore, plenty of time was wasted on homemade spreadsheets and internet hunting.

Leveraging Technology in College Planning

In today’s digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in college planning. Tools like CounselMore Educational Consulting Software are invaluable for building college lists and tracking complex application processes. These technological advancements enable educational consultants to offer efficient and precise services, enhancing their ability to guide students through the college admissions journey.

To help your students write a compelling essay, you should encourage them to brainstorm ideas, outline their thoughts, and revise their work. You can also provide feedback and guidance on the structure, tone, and content of their essays. If you do not have any experience in essay writing, then it is highly recommended that you obtain training in this area with an organization like Wow Writing Workshop. Free resources here .

Navigating the Admissions Essay Process

The admissions essay is a critical component of the college application. It offers students a platform to showcase their unique voice, creativity, and writing skills. Educational consultants should guide students in brainstorming, structuring their essays, and revising their drafts. Providing constructive feedback on the content, structure, and tone of the essays is essential. For consultants new to essay coaching, seeking training from organizations like Wow Writing Workshop can be highly beneficial.

Addressing the Expanding Role of Educational Consultants

With student-to-school counselor ratios at concerning levels, many students receive limited college counseling. This gap is increasingly filled by educational consultants who offer tailored support. Consultants help students navigate the complexities of college admissions, reducing stress and increasing their chances of finding an ideal college match.

Embracing Virtual College Campus Tours

Virtual campus tours have become a vital tool, especially for students who cannot visit colleges in person . These tours provide insights into campus life and culture, helping students make informed decisions. Educational consultants should integrate virtual tours into their practice, ensuring students have access to comprehensive college information remotely.

The Value of In-Person College Campus Tours

Despite the rise of virtual tours, in-person campus visits remain invaluable. They offer students and consultants a firsthand experience of the college environment . Observing the campus, facilities, and community life helps students assess if a college aligns with their preferences and goals. Sharing personal experiences from these tours can provide students with a deeper understanding of various colleges.

Expertise of Independent Educational Consultants

Experienced educational consultants bring a wealth of knowledge to the college counseling process. Their expertise in college selection, application strategies, and understanding of institutional priorities is critical. Staying updated with college admission trends and engaging with college representatives enhances their ability to guide students effectively.

Providing Support During Decision-Making

Post-application, students enter a period of anticipation and anxiety. Educational consultants should offer ongoing support, addressing queries, and providing reassurance. Assisting students in comparing financial aid offers and making informed decisions about college selection is a crucial aspect of the consultant’s role.

The Role of Navigator

Navigating college admissions is a complex process, but with the right guidance and support, students can realize their academic goals. As an educational consultant, your role is pivotal in helping students through this process. Staying informed, leveraging innovative tools, and offering personalized support can significantly impact students' college journey.

Educational consultants play a vital role in bridging the gap between high school guidance and higher education. With a comprehensive approach, they not only guide students academically but also empower them to make informed decisions, shaping their future. Your expertise as an educational consultant, college planner , or admissions advisor is invaluable in lighting the path for students embarking on their college journey.

This article did not cover all of the services provided by an educational consultant. If you are considering this career change, I can assure you that it will be a rewarding occupation. I can also tell you that there is a tremendous amount of information that you will need to learn and assimilate on a daily basis. You can shorten your learning curve with the CounselMore community. CounselMore hosts a monthly mentorship Circle and a weekly study hall . Join these events to ask questions and gain guidance for developing your educational Consulting practice from industry experts and thought leaders.

Educational Consulting - Setting the Right Price

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:56:51 GMT

Setting the Right Price: Considerations for Educational Consulting Pricing

When starting your practice as an educational consultant or college planner, or career readiness counselor… one of the key decisions is determining the right pricing structure for your educational services. You might offer a comprehensive college counseling package but understanding your product (a.k.a. the services you provide ) and therefore knowing what your cost is to deliver that service (a.k.a. the time and resources it takes to deliver the service) will be essential for staying competitive and successful in this field.

Factors Influencing Educational Consulting Services Pricing:

1. Demographics: Consider the cost of living variations across different regions and set your fees accordingly. Tailor your pricing to align with the economic conditions of the families you'll be serving.

2. Competition: Familiarize yourself with the current pricing in your area and understand the services provided by other educational consultants or educational planners. While it's essential to be aware of the competition's price, avoid directly comparing your services to others to maintain your unique value proposition.

3. Experience: Emphasize the significance of your experience in the field. Highlight recommendations from former clients, as well as your professional development and training through counseling certificate classes, internships, volunteer work, webinars, and conferences.

4. Reputation: As you establish yourself in the industry, a strong reputation will become a valuable source of revenue and marketing. Focus on providing exceptional service to generate positive word-of-mouth referrals.

5. Services Provided: It is highly recommended that a new or emerging educational consultant focus on providing one product at first. That product is usually a comprehensive college counseling package. Know what you are selling; be specific about the services you offer. Establish a repeatable process that can be contained and tracked throughout the time you are providing the service. Watch CounselMore’s videos on creating a repeatable process. Define your delivery model, your availability during business hours, and any limitations on the number of applications/essays you'll assist with.

6. Supply and Demand: In regions with limited competition, setting prices might be challenging due to a lack of knowledge about educational consulting services. You may need to educate your market about what an educational consultant does. Consider the return on investment (ROI) versus the return on experience (ROE) when determining your pricing strategy. Use the CounselMore ROI calculator to experiment with pricing strategies and forecast when your revenue will compensate your startup debt and begin generating take home pay for you.

Choosing a Charging Model:

When deciding how to charge for your services, consider the following options:

1. Hourly Billing: Some consultants prefer hourly billing, which allows them to track and invoice the time spent on each family. This method ensures compensation is directly tied to the delivered services, providing families with transparency. However, The only measurement on the service is one-hour. Many Educational Consultants have to engage in research outside of their meetings, making it very difficult to equate their time to their fees. As a new or emerging educational consultant, it is highly recommended that you offer a comprehensive college counseling package and perfect that system before creating new products and pricing. But if hourly charging feels right to you, then that is the right choice for you. There is no right or wrong choice.

2. Fee-Based: With fee-based pricing, clients pay an upfront amount to cover all services provided within a specified time period. This model reduces the administrative burden of tracking hours and billing on a per-hour basis. Most Educational Consultants will divide the payment into two payments. The first payment will be due at the time of the contract. The second payment is due on September 1st of the student's senior year of high school. That is during application season, but before applications are submitted and results are received, all payments will be settled. Also, linking the payment to events helps the buyer know when to pay. The client pays at the time of contract, which is one significant event, and September 1st of a student's senior year of high school is the other significant event. Collecting fees at only two intervals also minimizes the Educational consultant's administrative tasks.

To Charge or Not to Charge for Initial Consults:

Opinions vary on whether to charge for initial consultations, but as our industry grows, some practices are normalizing and will become ingrained in our future client’s expectations.

- Most educational consultants charge for the initial consultation.

- Some consultants offered free initial consultations during their early years to attract clients and minimize their imposter syndrome.

- Clients will self-select and opt-out of the paid consultation; this lets the consultant know the clients were not serious about purchasing services and the consultant did not waste any time.

- A sales strategy is to charge for the initial consultation but deduct the fee from the total cost of the comprehensive college counseling package. Keep in mind that there should be an expiration date on that offer.

Setting the right price for your educational consulting services requires careful consideration of various factors, pricing models, and industry best practices. By understanding your market, experience, and services offered, you can ensure a competitive and sustainable pricing structure that reflects your expertise and value to prospective clients.

Do you still have questions about your pricing? CounselMore hosts a monthly mentorship Circle and a weekly study hall . Join these events to ask questions and gain guidance for developing your educational Consulting practice from industry experts and thought leaders.

Written by:

Margaret Rothe, Campus Life & Student Affairs Professional, MA Higher Education, Student Affairs, owner of HigherGrounding , a college planning consulting agency

The High School College Counselor is going Independent

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:46:04 GMT

High School College Counselors in Transition to Private Practice

High School College Counselors in Transition to Private Practice: Navigating the Path as an Educational Consultant

As an experienced college counselor, you're deeply familiar with the pivotal role you play in guiding students through the often overwhelming process of transitioning from high school to higher education. In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the demand for personalized guidance in college planning has surged, leading to a significant rise in the popularity of independent educational consultants (IECs). This shift represents a unique opportunity for high school counselors to explore a rewarding career transition into private college counseling services.

Understanding the Role of IECs

IECs, distinct from traditional high school-based college and career advisors, offer a specialized form of college counseling. According to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), a small percentage of their membership comprises IECs, emphasizing the growing need for these professionals in the industry. IECs dedicate themselves to providing comprehensive educational services, including college selection, application strategies, and essay coaching, to students and families navigating the complex landscape of higher education.

The Evolving Needs of Students and Families

The changing dynamics of college admissions have led to an increased need for tailored educational consulting . Families are actively seeking independent educational consultants who can offer expert insights into college readiness, helping students to find their best fit in terms of academic and cultural environments. This shift has made services like college planning and admissions advising more critical than ever.

High School Counselors vs. IECs

While high school counselors are instrumental in initial college readiness efforts, their capacity to offer in-depth , individualized college counseling is often limited due to constraints such as understaffing and broad academic responsibilities. In contrast, IECs can dedicate more time and resources to each student, providing a level of service that goes beyond the typical scope of high school-based college counseling.

Addressing the Challenges for High School Counselors

Many high school counselors face the challenge of balancing their workload with the need to provide effective college counseling. Resources like the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) offer invaluable support to these professionals, helping them navigate the complexities of the college admissions process and stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in the field.

The Advantages of Transitioning to Private Practice

Transitioning from a high school setting to private practice as an IEC offers numerous benefits. This career move can lead to greater autonomy, the potential for increased income, and the opportunity to engage more deeply in the areas of college counseling that most resonate with counselors, such as essay coaching or college selection strategy.

Leveraging Insights from NACAC, HECA, and IECA

Professional associations like NACAC, HECA , and IECA avenues for counselors looking to meet other practitioners making this transition. These organizations provide access to a wealth of information, including up-to-date college admissions data, which is invaluable for anyone in the field of educational consulting. By leveraging these resources, counselors can enhance their expertise and stay ahead in the competitive landscape of college admissions advising.

Success Stories in the Transition

The journey from high school counseling to private practice is filled with inspiring success stories . Many counselors have found that embracing the role of an independent college counselor not only revitalizes their passion for educational consulting but also allows them to make a more significant impact on their students' educational trajectories.

Practical Steps for Making the Transition

For those considering a move to independent practice , practical steps include obtaining relevant certifications, engaging with professional networks through associations like NACAC, and building a solid client base. This approach helps establish a foundation for a successful career in educational consulting.

Emphasizing Collaboration and Ethical Practices

Collaboration between high school counselors and IECs can create synergistic benefits, enhancing the college planning process for students. Upholding ethical standards and professional integrity is crucial in this partnership, ensuring that the best interests of students are always at the forefront.

Conclusion: Expanding Impact through Transition

For high school counselors contemplating a transition to private practice, this career path offers an enriching opportunity to expand their impact in the field of college counseling. By joining forces with organizations like NACAC, HECA, and IECA, counselors can access the support and resources necessary to excel as independent educational consultants. Embracing this role enables counselors to provide more personalized and effective college planning and admissions advising, ultimately helping students to navigate their educational journeys with greater confidence and success.

As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, the role of independent educational consultants becomes increasingly critical. For high school counselors, transitioning to this role not only offers personal and professional growth but also the chance to guide students more effectively through the complex world of college admissions. By staying informed, collaborating with peers, and focusing on ethical practices, counselors can make a profound difference in the lives of their students, shaping the future of educational planning and college counseling.

Written by:

Margaret Rothe, Campus Life & Student Affairs Professional, MA Higher Education, Student Affairs, owner of HigherGrounding , a college consulting agency

Admissions clarity would be nice!

margaret@counselmore.com (Margaret Rothe) — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 05:38:14 GMT

Greater clarity on what College Admissions is truly looking for:

In the world of college admissions , the need for greater clarity and transparency of admissions qualifications is essential. Parents and students alike feel overwhelmed and confused by the college readiness process , and often feel as though they aren't getting the help and guidance they need. As an educational planner with a passion for higher education, I believe it's time for us to take a closer look at how we approach college admissions. Let's start with the information they do provide and build tools that help us maximize our student's opportunities.

One of the biggest problems with the current system is the lack of transparency in the admissions selection process. Colleges often use vague language and ambiguous criteria, leaving students and parents unsure of what they need to do to gain admission. To compound the problem, many schools spend a significant amount of money on flashy marketing campaigns that ultimately do little to help students understand what they're looking for in a college.

It's time for us to demystify the process and provide students with real, actionable college admissions information . At CounselMore, we've developed a real-time school information database that allows students to answer a few questions and know where they're qualified to apply. This information is based on admissions criteria provided by each school to the US government, and includes a range of character traits in addition to GPA and test scores.

College applications are broken up into areas of character qualities. Each college application is evaluated based on each of those qualifiers. Each of those qualifiers has a weighted scored. Examples of qualifiers are; volunteering, having a job, strong writing skills and so on. In the CounselMore software, we ask the student 6 simple questions that are directly related to the primary admissions weighted qualifiers. After answering the questions, the software compares the students answers to how each character quality is weighted for each school the student is interested in. From there the student has concrete direction on which character qualities they need to improve for which schools. This type of pre-admissions qualifier is also true of academic preparation. Admissions has "recommended coursework" that is also compared and charted for disparities.

By providing students with this information, we're giving them the tools they need to make informed decisions about where to apply. A student shouldn't pour time, energy and stress into college applications that don't have an icicle's chance in hell of being admitted because they aren't qualified to apply to begin with!

New York University received a record breaking number of applicants, for less than 2000 available spaces. How many of those students wouldn't have applied if they had known that the character quality of volunteering was heavily weighted and they had no volunteer experience...or how many would not have paid the application fee if they had known that 4 years of math and at least 3 of language were mandatory?! Lucky for those who use CounselMore because they know these critical admissions qualifiers in advance of application choice.

CounselMore is also empowering students to take control of the admissions process, rather than leaving them at the mercy of schools and marketing campaigns. So many students ask " What is admissions looking for? ..." and they don't receive an actionable answer. The ambiguity is astonishing. Just tell us what you want in your university admissions candidates and we will oblige. Or is it that 120,000 applications are helpful to the universities for other reasons?

Recently, I was a member-attendee of the National Association for College Admissions Counselors, Character Collaborative Committee. Our mission is to ask how admissions can better evaluate character beyond test scores, GPA and zip code. Many of my excellent colleagues presented on technology tools that asked personality, integrity, and moral questions of the student and then presented the results to varying degrees of actionability. Sadly none of these presentations demonstrated tools that would help the student prepare for college or better know their opportunities, nor did any of the products provide admissions officers with greater clarity. But the food was good!

The whole time I was in attendance, I was enthusiastic about my colleagues growing keen to the idea of better ways to evaluate a student's potential other than grades. New York University presented and offered thoughtful reflections on how the university admissions website should be consistent with information and more transparent about what and who they are looking for. "Who we are looking for..." is code for visually demonstrating a hospitable environment for non-typical college attendees. Good job NYU for noticing. How many college websites have you been to where one page reads the opposite of the last page...? Admissions' goal is to raise diversity numbers (without affirmative action guidelines) and they are looking for new ways to find their poster-children.

Commonapp is trying to help admissions find those candidates too. Commonapp piloted a responsibilities questionnaire this past application season. The questions prompted the candidate to think more deeply about all of the things that make up their daily activities, to hint at responsibilities the applicant may not have recognized as application-worthy info. Well done Commonapp for thinking outside the box!!

With so many admissions representatives in one room, I had to ask...why don't you post the character weighting on the website and allow the candidate to self-select? Other than collecting application fees, why would you want 50,000+ extra applicants? In response to my question I received shoulder shrugs and some honest deflection. These are my beloved colleagues, we share the scars only a campus-life can deliver, so I empathize with their need to balance campus priorities. However, one answer did ring true, "one of those applicants might be the one who missed 4 years of math but taught himself multi-variable calc in his garage - we want that kid! And he might not apply if our parameters are interpreted too narrowly." Thank you University of Connecticut for your astute acknowledgement.

I suppose I understand why the weighted character qualities aren't posted on the website but why no knowledge of them at all? Of course, providing students with information is only part of the equation. As educators, it's our responsibility to help students make sense of this information and make the best decisions for themselves. This means taking a more holistic approach to college readiness, one that takes into account a student's academic strengths and weaknesses, as well as their character qualities, interests, and goals. Or lack there of.

Ultimately, the cure for college admissions is greater clarity and transparency of the whole process. There's this one piece of information that sheds light on what qualifies a candidate to apply to a college and I think you should tell everyone! Run to CounselMore and enter in your students information, evaluate their potential with the candidate shaping tools and provide your students with actionable direction on questions like; "How many hours of volunteering is enough?" Now, you'll be able to answer that question concretely based on the specific students current qualities status compared to their college goals.

We need to provide students with the information they need to better prepare for their goals, long before the applications open. After all it isn't what the applicant writes on the application that matters - it is everything they did long before the application that matters most.

Written by:

Margaret Rothe, Campus Life & Student Affairs Professional, MA Higher Education, Student Affairs, owner of HigherGrounding , a college consulting agency

Use Blogging to Grow Your Business

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 03:38:25 GMT

Harnessing the Power of Blogging for Your College Counseling Business

In the July 2023 Mentorship meeting , I discussed the value blogging brings to IECs. This article is meant to summarize this presentation. In the digital age, online presence is crucial for any business. College counseling is no exception. One of the most effective ways to establish your online presence is blogging. Unlike social media posts or Google ads, which have a limited lifespan, a blog post is a long-term investment. Once you publish a blog post, it's there forever, continually attracting traffic and helping your website rank higher on Google. As more people read your blog, you gain insights into what your audience is interested in, allowing you to refine your content strategy over time.

I’ve been blogging since 2021. I started blogging seriously in the fall of 2022. Since I started blogging regularly (about 2 monthly posts), our annual revenue has increased by almost a quarter. I don’t make that claim to brag. After all, I haven’t been blogging long. And I’ve never thought of myself as a content creator. But, at the recommendation of my website developer, I’ve started doing it (reluctantly at first). Now, it’s how I get about half of my clients. My email list is finally growing. Finally, our website traffic has compounded and continues to grow.

In this blog, you’ll learn how to start blogging in a way that grows your web traffic. If that sounds interesting to you, please keep reading.

Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console Every Time You Blog

Before you even start writing a blog post, it's essential to consult Google Analytics and Google Search Console. These tools provide valuable insights into what your audience is interested in and how they interact with your website. They can help you identify popular topics, understand user behavior, and optimize your content for search engines. If you don’t have these analytics on your blog, google search “how to set up Google search console on my website” right now. Never start writing anything without consulting your analytics first.

For example, one of the services I offer in my business is aptitude testing. So, I decided to write some articles on aptitude testing. After searching through my Google search console, I discovered this (see image below)

A few people came to my website searching for a particular phrase. That phrase was “aptitude test for high school students.” That search phrase resulted in 32 visits to my website. So, I set out to write a series around that search phrase. One of those articles turned out to be exactly what a lot of parents were searching for (see image below).

That article is now the third most-read article on my website, and I wrote it almost a year ago. I’m not trying to brag here. I’ve written blogs that no one reads. And do you know why? Because I didn’t use read analytics before I wrote them. The moral of this story is to follow the data. Your website data might not be perfect, but it’s the most reliable tool you have to lead your blogging efforts to success.

Creating a Good User Experience

A crucial aspect of blogging is creating a good user experience. This is where the use of appropriate headings comes into play. Headings help structure your content, making it easier for readers to navigate your post. They also help search engines understand your blog's content, which can improve your rankings on Google search.

Here are a few things you should do to give your reader a good user experience.

Use Search-Friendly Headings

You can change the headings of your text in whatever word processor you use. Typically, a drop-down menu will give you the heading options. Here are the different headings you should use while blogging.

Use H1 Headings (see image below) for your title
Use H2 headings for your primary body paragraphs (the heading above that says “creating a good user experience is in the H2 heading)
Use H3 headings for subheadings. This is when you must break down a big topic into smaller ones. You should limit yourself to using h3 headings if you have 2 or more subpoints to make, not just one.

For more information on formatting blogs, see the CounselMore Guest blogging guidelines article .

Use Specific Examples

Another crucial way to enhance user experience is by using specific blog examples. Examples can make abstract concepts more concrete, help readers understand complex ideas, and add credibility to your arguments. It’s also a great way to showcase your expertise and experience. They also make your content more engaging and relatable, which can encourage readers to spend more time on your site.

If you don’t use specific examples, your readers will likely go to a more helpful blog. For example, imagine if I look up how to change a tire and read an article that just says this.

You change a tire with a tire iron. You can get one at a local store. You’ll also need a jack. Make sure you wear gloves so your hands don’t get dirty. Good Luck!

I’m probably going to go to another site. Now, imagine if I look up “how to change a tire,” and I click on a blog that says this:

Safety First: Find a safe location, preferably a flat, stable ground. Turn on your hazard lights to signal other drivers.
Get Your Tools Ready: Gather your essentials - a jack, lug wrench, and spare tire. Remember your vehicle's owner's manual.
Loosen the Lug Nuts: Use your lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Remember, you're still waiting to remove them.
Lift Your Vehicle: Use the jack to lift your vehicle off the ground. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct and safe way.
Remove the Lug Nuts and Tire: Now, you can fully remove the lug nuts and the flat tire…

This is actually helpful. It’s detailed and tells me exactly what I need to know. Anyone can give vague advice. Your blog needs to be a cut above the rest. Your readers or anyone who stumbles into your website must see you as someone with a plan. You act as the guide, the Obi-Wan, to your readers. Guides have plans that call their heroes to action. Haymitch guided Katniss through the Hunger Games. Giles trained Buffy to kill vampires. Galadriel gave the fellowship shelter, tools, and wisdom that moved them closer to their destination to destroy Sauron’s ring.

You may not be guiding your customers through Mordor, but your blog serves a similar function. It lets your customers see you have the wisdom they need to solve problems. They’re far more likely to hire you when they see your well-written articles because you’ve already earned some of their trust.

Writing for Your Clients

What you want to write doesn’t matter. You are not the hero of your customer’s story. They are. When writing your blog post, it's essential to keep your clients in mind. Use a tone and language that resonate with them, and make sure your content is relevant and valuable to them. For IECs, that usually involves writing to parents. The best way to ensure relevance is by writing to solve problems. The problems you choose to address should come directly from your analytics and Google Search Console data. Again, these tools provide insights into what your clients are searching for, allowing you to tailor your content to meet their needs.

Think about the questions your clients often ask you. Chances are there are articles to be written around those questions. Ensure that some of what you say centers around analytics from your analytics, but you have wiggle room to address those same questions. I wrote one article on How to Get Into the Ivy League. This was one of the first blogs I wrote. I didn’t use analytics when I wrote it because I was still new to blogging. However, I wrote it because many parents I spoke with would ask. It’s not a high-performing article on our site. However, when potential customers call and ask me about it, I send it to them if the sale doesn’t convert. Several times, they call back, hire me, and later reveal it was because of the article they read that sold them on my services.

That’s one of the reasons why blogging remains one of your best marketing tools. Each blog is a business card, a weapon in your marketing arsenal curated to solve your customers' problems. Or rather, it shows them how you’ll solve their problems once they hire you for your services.

Demonstrating Your Expertise

When I tell business owners reluctant to blog, some grow concerned. “Why would people hire me if I spill all my trade secrets online?” First off, people are busy. Applying to college is a tedious nightmare for students and parents alike. Very few students and parents will take your advice and apply it, but it will make them think about how they could apply some of your insights to their applications. They’ll begin envisioning a world where your services are helping them. And a wise parent will know that the chances of their student’s success increase with you there to keep them accountable. That’s when you get calls. And when you do, be ready to convert them.

Every Blog Needs a Call To Action

A well-crafted CTA can significantly increase your conversion rates and grow your business. It's the bridge between your informative content and services, guiding your readers from gaining knowledge to taking action.

CTA Examples and Guidelines

For example, if you offer a free initial consultation, your CTA could be "Schedule a Call Now." If you have a guide on college admissions, your CTA could be "Download Your Free Admissions Guide Now."

Second, your CTA should create a sense of urgency. This can be achieved by using time-sensitive language or highlighting the benefits of immediate action. For instance, "Schedule Your Consultation Today" or "Join Now and Get Instant Access." Look at the image below to see what a simple but effective CTA looks like.

Lastly, your CTA should stand out visually. Use contrasting colors, larger fonts, or eye-catching designs to make your CTA pop. Remember, if your CTA blends into the rest of your content, your readers might miss it.

No worries if you don’t have the resources for graphics, banners, or buttons on your website. Just type your CTA out. Make your font exceptionally large, and link your calendar to the text. That’ll do for now until you can get familiar with Canva or get a graphics designer to help you make one. Look at the CTA BELOW

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BLOGGING CHECKLIST

In the CounselMore Mentor Roundtable Meeting, I gave everyone a free blogging checklist. You can click on the “DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BLOGGING CHECKLIST” to access it. It’s not as cute as using a well-designed button, but it does the job.

Write Your Blog In A Series, not in a Vaccum

Your blog should rarely be a solitary article. It should be connected to a series. A blog series consists of the following articles.

An Intro Article: 500-1000+ words

2 - 4 primary articles: 1000+ words

One wrap-up article that concludes the series. 500-1000+ words.

There’s a reason for this. One, if you outline a series of articles , you know what you’re going to write. You plan it out, systematically write each one, and post them. Blogging works better when your articles are part of a larger strategy, no matter simple that strategy is.

When I mention this, beginner bloggers sometimes say, “I can’t write that much.” When I hear that, I understand the sentiment. But it’s not true. It can seem overwhelming not to be a blogger and then write a blogging series. However, writing five articles about entirely different topics is more overwhelming than writing five articles in a series centering around one central theme.

Conclusion

Blogging is a powerful tool for building your college counseling business. It allows you to connect with your clients, demonstrate your expertise, and drive traffic to your website. By leveraging the power of blogging, you can take your college counseling business to new heights.

Taking and Studying for the ACT

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 23:00:00 GMT

Is Test Optional Really Test Optional?

Should You Hire an ACT Tutor or Study Alone?

Conclusion

The upcoming posts will delve into the nuanced maze of ACT prep. We hope to provide you with what we always do: practical tips, expert advice, and insider knowledge to equip you to make informed decisions as students prepare for college. I look forward to sharing these posts with you, shedding light on these critical issues, and offering strategies that empower students to navigate their path toward college confidently.

How Teaching Students to Fail Empowers Them to Succeed

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:00:00 GMT

As we head into summer, you may find your students nursing some emotional wounds from the past school year. Maybe they didn’t get into their top summer research program, amazing internship, or job they wanted. Maybe they bombed an exam or audition. Whatever this personal “failure” may be, it can send them into a tailspin of disappointment. Here are a number of important insights that students and educators alike can use to reframe their understanding of failure. We also provide tangible lessons on how to use failure productively in the learning process.

The Pressure Cooker to Excel: An Examination of Academic Stress

For students (and parents) with aspirations for prestigious schools, the pressure to succeed is overwhelming. In such settings, it is not uncommon for students to suffer acute emotional distress from seemingly inconsequential things. Getting a B on a test or delivering a paper one day late can feel like the end of the world to some.This is in part because of the intense competition for resources and recognition that students must engage to be elevated to honors-level classes, AP courses, special clubs, and eventually to elite colleges. But it is also because students accustomed to nothing but A’s can’t see a B in a positive light, especially if it has not been framed as such by the instructor or the school at large.

How do these competitive conditions manifest in the school environment for students? A counselor at an all-girls school in the San Francisco Bay Area explained that her students take it as a point of pride to see who can survive on the least amount of sleep. Stanford students suffer from the “Duck Syndrome,” paddling desperately below the surface to keep up with the academic competition around them while presenting the image of relaxation, like a duck gliding across the water. And at MIT , to the chagrin of Professor Sarma and his colleagues, students often reference “IHTFP” (an abbreviation for “I Hate This F-ing Place”) to reflect and perpetuate the feeling that their coursework makes them miserable.

Effects of High-Stress Learning Environments on Students

The solution is not necessarily to remove academic rigor. In their book Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning , Henry Roediger and Mark A. McDaniel, psychology professors at Washington University in St. Louis , examine how certain practices can help students become more productive learners, including the intentional introduction of difficulties. Perhaps the solution, instead, is to get rid of the pernicious stigmatization of failure.

Demystifying Failure: Why It's Essential for Real Learning

“A fear of failure can poison learning,” they write, “by creating aversions to the kinds of experimentation and risk-taking that characterize striving, or by diminishing performance under pressure.” In psychological terms, these students are often more focused on performance—that is, how well they do in comparison to others—than on the true mastery of a subject or skill. This means that for a student a bad grade can feel like a crippling judgment of their intellect by a jury of their peers and parents, rather than just an innocuous part of the learning process.

There are alternatives. In Finland, university students created a “National Day for Failure” in 2010 in order to promote the benefits of learning from mistakes. Sadly, this is far from the norm.

When Failure Isn't An Option: The Socioeconomic Dimension

You may have already talked to students about the importance of accepting failure. But even those gestures, though well-intended, may overlook socioeconomic inequities. Writing about his own college experience as a first generation student, education professor Tyler Hallmark recalled one of his own teachers saying “It’s OK to fail… students worry too much about their GPA.” But for less privileged students like Hallmark, failing was not simply a reputational concern; he lost a key scholarship after his freshman year when his GPA dipped below 2.5. It is also imperative not to place the burden of creating failure experiences on the students themselves. Nor should they be asked to muddle through on their own. So what can you do to help?

Creating Safe Spaces for Failure in Academic Journey

Fortunately, there are opportunities both inside and outside of high school or college that can provide students with the experience of productive failure without threatening their GPA. Doing an independent research project, creating a podcast, writing an app, building a prototype, learning an instrument, picking up a new sport, or doing a passion project of any kind can provide them with a rigorous academic experience without the pressure of grades. Removing this pressure encourages them to take chances and make mistakes in ways that high school and college classes don’t.

Our own data proves this point. In a survey of more than 1,000 members of our alumni—students who have done passion projects with Polygence—91% reported that they did things in their projects they would not have had the chance to do in school. And 88% said that they learned things that will help or already have helped them succeed in college. One reason for these ratings is that these independent projects provide a safe haven for failure. Do not let the fear of failure prevent your students from taking a chance on a big dream or a new idea.

Overcoming Fear of Failure: Three Effective Strategies

1. Diffuse fear by imagining worst-case scenarios.

This step-by-step process for imagining worst-case scenarios was devised by the author Tim Ferriss, who based it on the Stoic practice of præmeditatio malorum, “the premeditation of evils.” The Stoics believed that the fear of not knowing may create more anxiety than the fear of failure itself. So by imagining what may happen, you can take away that anxiety.

In Ferriss’s version, called Fear-Setting, he asks himself the following simple questions:

What’s the worst thing that could happen if you did this or didn’t do it?

How could you prevent the worst-case scenario from happening?

How could you repair the damages of those outcomes?

If you attempted to do things that might lead to failure but then didn’t, what would the benefits of success be?

And finally, what is the cost of inaction, of not even trying something because of your fear of failing?

Once a student has done the visualization work and contemplated possible scenarios, the potential failure might not feel as threatening.

2. Embrace the process of multiple drafts.

This next tip is especially helpful for writer’s block, but it can be used to think about starting and completing any personal project. When author John McPhee’s daughter Jenny was a senior in high school, he offered her some advice after she complained about the time it took to simply start a writing project, let alone finish it:

“The way to do a piece of writing is three or four times over, never once. For me, the hardest part comes first, getting something—anything—out in front of me. Sometimes in a nervous frenzy I just fling words as if I were flinging mud at a wall. Blurt out, heave out, babble out something—anything—as a first draft. With that, you have achieved a sort of nucleus...You finish that first awful blurting, and then you put the thing aside.”

In other words, most writers–even great ones like Pulitzer-Prize-winning John McPhee–don’t produce print-worthy prose on the first pass. And unlike a final exam, passion projects like a piece of writing, a prototype, or an experiment allow a student to keep coming back to revise mistakes.

3. Strive to fail on purpose at least 9 times and celebrate failure.

Celebrating failure and striving to fail on purpose are great antidotes to humiliation. They can also be good ways to get students to trick themselves past failure and relax enough to think more creatively. Simone Giertz, a popular YouTube inventor, talks about her own career path in this way. She started making useless robots as a way to learn more about engineering and bypass her crippling performance anxiety. And it totally worked. She went from making ridiculous prototypes (e.g., a toothbrushing helmet) to building a fully functional electric cybertruck before Tesla did. Her joy and passion for engineering come through in all of her attempts, no matter how “unsuccessful” they may be. Failing nine times gives the student a concrete tactic to destigmatize failure and shows them how much failure really is part of an ongoing process toward success. Why nine? Nine is a sweet spot, an ideal failure-to-success ratio that is conducive to learning.

When Failure Leads to Success Case Study: A Student's Journey

We conclude with a case study that shows how effective failure leads to success. Chloe started a Polygence project during the summer of her junior year at the encouragement of her college counselor. Working with her Polygence mentor, Chloe devised an experiment to test whether native or non-native plant species sequestered more carbon. There was just one problem: the experiment didn’t produce any significant results to support her hypothesis. Compared to many controlled experiments in high school science classes, failing to get interpretable data seemed like a big letdown. But as her mentor explained, failed experiments are not only extremely common, they tend to be extremely useful to the research process.

Join Polygence: Cultivate Resilience in Students and Learn from Expert Mentors!

By confronting failure in an experiment of her own design, Chloe learned this lesson early. More importantly, she learned how to translate that lesson to an equally gratifying outcome. She went back, isolated everything she did wrong, and described how she would correct those mistakes. She even created a new campaign that would inform consumers about the carbon sequestration rates of different plant species. This idea was so compelling that a local plant nursery and greenhouse agreed to work with Chloe to create classifications for their inventory, informing customers about how well certain plants capture carbon. “All these small solutions are going to have a big impact,” Chloe observed after completing her project. Equipped with experiences of effective failure like this one, she’ll be ready to achieve great things. Check out more successful student projects!

Create a free account with Polygence and work with an expert mentor!

FINANCIAL AID DEFINITIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:00:00 GMT

A

Acceptance Rate:

The percentage of students, out of everyone who applied for admission to a particular school, who were offered admission.

Accrued Interest:

Interest that accumulates from the date of the loan disbursement through the length of repayment.

AGI (Adjusted Gross Income):

Total gross income minus deductions.This amount is used during the financial aid process to determine need.

Aid Package:

The total amount of financial aid offered by the college after analyzing data on the FAFSA.

Articulation Agreement:

An agreement intended to facilitate transferring from one college to another, particularly from a community college to a four-year college. These agreements generally detail what course credits will and will not be accepted and what degree requirements they will fulfill.

Award Letter:

An official document issued by the college’s financial aid office listing all the financial aid awarded to the student.

C

COA (Cost of Attendance):

The total cost of attending a college or university for one academic year. It’s listed on the award letter.

Consolidation: Combining all individual federal loans into one loan with the government. The fixed interest rate is an average of the individual loans that were consolidated. This only applies to federal student loans and allows borrowers to keep the protections and benefits that come with them, while paying towards a single loan balance.

Cosigner:

Someone who signs the loan along with the student borrower. They’re legally obligated to repay the loan if the student fails to make payments.

Cosigner Release:

An agreement that allows the cosigner to be released from any legal obligation to pay back the loan once the lender’s terms have been met. This would remove the loan from the cosigner’s name, and the debt would no longer show on their credit report. Each lender has different requirements to qualify for the release.

CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile):

A non-government FAFSA ; not all schools require it, but most private universities do.

D

Deferment:

An agreement between the borrower and lender to reduce or postpone repayment of a loan for a designated period, often during enrollment in college or before being employed after graduation. During deferment, interest does not accrue on subsidized federal student loans.

Demonstrated Need:

The difference between total college costs (COA) and the family’s ability to pay (EFC). It is the amount of money the family needs for the student to be able to enroll at the college.

Dependent Student:

A student who is dependent on parents or guardians for financial assistance based on the guidelines established by the Department of Education. The Department of Education has specific criteria to determine dependency for the purpose of student aid.

Direct Loan: A loan offered by the U.S. Department of Education. Direct loans can be subsidized, unsubsidized, parent loans, graduate loans and consolidation loans.

E

EFC (Expected Family Contribution):

The amount a family is expected to pay based on their specific circumstances and finances from data retrieved on the FAFSA.

F

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):

A federal form that is completed to give colleges a picture of a family’s financial status. Colleges use this to determine the amount of aid needed to attend.

Federal Aid:

Aid funded by the federal government and administered by the U.S. Department of Education along with the college or university.

Federal Grant:

Money from the federal government that does not have to be repaid.

Federal Methodology:

The formula used by the federal government in calculating a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which determines their eligibility for financial aid.

Financial Aid:

Any type of grant, scholarship, or work-study offered to meet the cost of attendance.

Financial Need:

The difference between a college’s cost of attendance (COA) and the expected family contribution (EFC) used to award need-based financial aid.

529 Plan:

A college investment tool that allows tax-free growth when funds are used for qualified educational expenses such as tuition, fees, and room and board. This can be used for college, grad school, trade school, and certain apprenticeships.

Fixed Interest Rate:

A type of interest rate that does not fluctuate over the course of the loan term.

Forbearance:

An agreement between the borrower and their lender to postpone repayment for a designated period based on meeting specific conditions, such as: financial difficulties, medical expenses, change of employment, or other reasons acceptable to the loan servicer. Interest accrues on all loans during forbearance.

FSA ID:

A required ID made up of a username and password. Students, parents, and borrowers must create this ID to access certain U.S. Department of Education online systems and sign federal student aid documents.

Financial Aid Appeal: An appeal directed towards the financial aid office of a college to request additional aid beyond the amount originally offered in the financial aid award letter.

G

Gapping:

Refers to colleges not covering 100% of a student’s financial need. If a college’s financial aid award doesn’t cover all of a student’s needs, the student has been “gapped.”

Grace Period:

A defined amount of time after a borrower graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time before beginning repayment.

Graduated Repayment:

Repayment plan for federal loans that starts with lower payments that increase every two years. This plan is meant to help with students who start out with a lower income but expect it to steadily increase over time.

I

Income-based Repayment:

Repayment plan for federal loans that cap the required monthly payment at an affordable amount based on income and family size.

Independent Student:

Student who either lives independently of parents or guardians, is 24 years of age, or fulfills other requirements established by the Department of Education. This student does not include parent information on the FAFSA.

Institutional Aid: Financial assistance or aid program funded and administered by the college or university.

Institutional Methodology: Method developed and maintained in partnership with practicing financial aid professionals and economists used by colleges to evaluate a family’s ability to pay for the cost of higher education.

M

Merit Aid:

Financial aid awarded by the college that is not based on financial need, often based on academics or other achievements and talents.

N

Need Aware:

A need aware (or need sensitive) policy means that the college or university makes most of its admissions decisions based on the student’s need for college money. In other words, they may reserve some spots for students who are able to meet the college program’s full cost of attendance (COA) without the need for loans, grants, or scholarships.

Need-based Aid:

Aid disbursed to students based on financial need.

Need Blind:

The policy of admitting students to a college without considering their ability to pay.

Net Price:

The real cost for a year of college determined by taking the stated cost of attendance and subtracting free money such as merit and need-based scholarships and grants. The net price is specific to each student because it’s based on their personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. (Loans do not change the net price.)

O

Origination Fee:

A percentage of the loan that is charged by the lender when they process a student loan. Federal loans all have origination fees and some private lenders may as well. It is also known as a loan or disbursement fee.

P

PLUS (Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students):

A loan with relatively low interest rates for creditworthy parents to pay the cost of education for a dependent student.

Private Parent Loan:

A loan offered by a private lender, such as a bank or credit union, to cover the cost of education for a dependent student with higher interest rates. Typically, these loans offer limited deferment and forbearance options and no loan forgiveness, loan discharge or cancellation options.

Private Student Loan:

A loan offered by a private lender such as a bank or credit union, state agency, or a school for students to pay the cost of attendance, typically requiring a creditworthy cosigner to qualify.

R

Refinance:

Combining all student loans (federal and private) together through a private lender into a single, more affordable loan. Students can refinance loans to get a lower interest rate if they or their cosigner have good credit.

S

SAR (Student Aid Report):

A report sent to the student after completing the FAFSA. It’s a summary of information provided on the FAFSA that is used to determine the expected family contribution (EFC).

Scholarship:

Money to help pay for the cost of tuition that does not need to be repaid after graduation. This is based on specific criteria from the college itself or private organizations.

Subsidized Loans:

Lower interest rate loans awarded based on the student’s financial need with interest deferred until after graduation.

State Grants:

Money from a state that is given to resident students who are attending in-state schools. It does not have to be repaid.

U

Unsubsidized Student Loans:

Federally guaranteed loans awarded without regard to financial need with interest accruing immediately upon disbursement. Regular payments begin after graduation.

V

Variable Interest Rate:

A type of interest rate that may fluctuate over the course of the life of the loan depending on the market.

Verification:

An asterisk next to the expected family contribution (EFC) on a Student Aid Report (SAR) indicates the person’s FAFSA has been selected for verification. If someone is flagged for FAFSA verification, they’ll be asked to provide documentation that proves the information submitted is accurate.

W

Work Study:

Need-based aid in the form of part-time employment at the college or a non-profit or government agency that helps pay the cost of attendance.

Y

Yield:

Of all applicants admitted to a school, the percentage who accept and enroll.

Yield Management: A practice some schools employ to protect their yield. For example, rejecting the applicants whom they determine have not shown demonstrated interest. Also called “Yield Protection.” Schools with lower yield percentages may be more open to financial aid appeals in order to get students who were offered admission to enroll.

The Artist Statement

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Premise

Last month (Thursday April 20th), I presented on The Artist Statement for CounselMore’s Mentorship Roundtable discussion.

Join us in this engaging post on The Artist Statement, where we dive into practical insights and valuable advice. We're all about building a supportive community that fosters shared learning and professional empowerment. Here, we'll explore art students' unique needs, vulnerabilities, and insatiable curiosity. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to working with art students, this post is packed with actionable guidance to support and guide them effectively. And parents, we haven't forgotten you! Discover empowering insights to nurture your budding artists at home. Let's unlock strategies that boost college admissions and ignite students' confidence in their talent and chosen path. Get ready to impact the artistic journeys of those you mentor positively!

Introduction: Understanding the Artist Statement

Just when you thought you had a handle on how to coach your students through the process of writing a strong Personal Statement, you are contacted by a family whose child wants to attend an art school. And you quickly realize the Common App essay is not sufficient!

Prospective art students are often asked to submit an “Artist Statement” and often as an accompaniment to their Portfolios.

This presentation aims to help counselors know the criteria for a strong Artist Statement and how that differs from the more general Common App essay or Personal Statement.

I will walk you through examples from successful Artist Statements and give you my Pro Tips for how to take your cues from your student’s Portfolio and encourage them to articulate their creative process.

And know that you can always reach out to me for additional support!

Working Definitions

I began with a working definition and a comparative take on how the Artist Statement is different from the Common App Essay. Most of us have some familiarity with how to coach the Common App Essay, so I would start with the core elements that define each and then pick out the nuance.

I like to qualify the Artist Statement to my students as such:

The Artist Statement is not an essay or a biography of the artist.

a window into understanding your work – creation!
a description of your sources – inspiration!
a chance to walk the audience through your process – materials/media!
a reflection on what is important to you – themes!

At its core, the Common App Essay is a story about an experience and what you learned.

The Artist Statement, on the other hand, discusses what you did – your process, materials, inspirations – and where you hope to go.

Comparative Take between the Common App Essay and the Artist Statement

I constructed a bullet series with striking differences to help my students orient themselves.

Strictly speaking, the Common App Essay begins with several prompts – the Artist Statement has none.
The Common App Essay is an opportunity to present your characteristics (who you are) – the Artist Statement is after the themes (about your body of work).
The Common App Essay is devoted to a personal experience - the Artist Statement tackles your Creative Process.
The Common App Essay is a narrative - the Artist Statement is a visualization of the pieces you created (NB: a number of art schools don’t necessarily require a portfolio for admissions, so they need the written work to help them picture your work … literally).

In the end, though, both communicate how you think and what you value!

Successful Examples (snippets of style, tone, keywords)

The presentation then turned toward the practical. I revealed strong examples of some of my own student’s words so that colleagues could get a sense of tone, style, and level of articulation.

The first series are a great set of ways to talk about process:

“I like to start my sculptural projects with a 2D sketch to take what I have in my imagination to paper.”
“I loved making my own dress, learning how to balance rhythm as well as silhouette and shaping.”
“Unlike my highly emotive illustrations, my photography is pure experimentation. My work emphasizes the synchrony of light, shadow, and color to create landscapes that confuse the tangible and intangible.”

This second series points to a link with overall themes:

“My art is engaged. My projects must have utility and social impact. After visiting the Terrence Conran Design Museum, I conceived of an inflatable house project for homeless people.”
“Erasing the body with [natural and man-made] objects, I wished to provoke a new conversation about the ‘objectification’ of the female body.”
“Foreground and background meld, collapsing all middle ground, further blurring the distinction between reality and fantasy.”

My Pro Tips!

Before concluding, I wanted to ensure everyone had a few Pro Tips they could keep handy as they worked with students.

I always remind my students to:

Resist the urge to quote!
What you have to say is far more interesting!
Write in the 1st Person!
This is about you!
Don’t overthink but do research carefully!
Read, Visit, Explore!
Steer away from common art experiences!
Your own approach to art and your process will be unique!

Process for Guiding Students

Having just completed my professional development with a Wow Writing Workshop expert, I thought about the process I use with my students.

I created a 5-point set of guideposts that will help a student move from “the what” (their art pieces) to “the why” (reflection on sources and themes).

I find “the what” – a tangible object or canvas – to be a helpful place to start.

I then dedicate time to creating a safe space where young artists can feel supported as they begin to reflect on a deeper level.

You can use this process to help students as they begin to write their statements, but also to prepare for a formal exam or set of exhibit description plates. Note that the criteria for getting that 5 on the AP Art exam or a 7 in the IBDP Art HL course depends greatly on how students can express their thoughts, linking their art to their values.

First and foremost, start with the portfolio to guide your students from “the what” to “the why.”

Portfolio Review – this is a great way to group like pieces together and separate out singular works. Students are proud of their work – this is not your place to judge or question their “talent.” Rather, just listen!
Planning to Write – talk about your art, explain your mindset when you create
Visualization – color/line, media/texture, composition/space, size/shape
Influences – other artists (famous or not), exhibitions, museums/galleries
Theme – research, attempt to make intellectual connections from the raw emotional connections

What to do if your student is “stuck” or feeling “un-productive”?

As I mentioned, this process can work for writing the statement or prepping for a standardized AP or IB exam, but I find it’s also a great way to help students get unstuck.

Additional options might include encouraging students to keep a journal or create mood boards. Here, the emphasis is not on full sentences but a gathering spot for thoughts, color samples, fabric swatches, magazine clippings …, or anything “speaking” to the artist.

It’s also a way to help students work through their unproductive states . Reassure them that it’s OK not to know. In fact, I would encourage your students to write about that!

Struggles or what they see as “obstacles.”
Undecided how to proceed – should they take the risk?
Exploration / Experimenting - different paths, colors, lighting, materials …
Unfinished work and current projects are great places to dig deeper, too!

Remember, you are creating a safe space for these students to express their process, their raw emotions that slowly (but surely) will morph into a polished written version of their creative act.

Conclusion & Live Questions

Finally, there were many great questions, and I thought I’d address a few here. Some asked about the value of National Portfolio Day. This is an amazing opportunity for art students, but it can also become extremely overwhelming, particularly for students who haven’t even begun to unpack their portfolio or artistic themes.

I actually prefer the Open Days and individual portfolio review sessions that many art schools will offer to prospective students. However, it is always better to work with your students prior for two reasons: first, students who can present their work (even unfinished work) will impress the admissions team and foster a deeper conversation almost immediately about the school’s program/modules; second, students are receptive to the feedback and can apply it more effectively.

Need More Help?

Please know that you can always reach out to me with an informal question or request a partnership – I offer a stand-alone scaffolding to your IEC practice to work with your student, whether for the entire duration of a portfolio to the completed polished Artist Statement or a la carte services, ie: just the artist statement.

Please feel free to contact me here or contact me on LinkedIn to go over logistics and see how best we can work together to support our young artists!

The Comprehensive Guide to Speaking at CounselMore's Mentorship Roundtable

Fri, 26 May 2023 15:00:00 GMT

The educational landscape has never been more competitive. Because of this, the role of Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) remains crucial. IECs steer students and families through the college admission process with many advantages. We want you to have access to these advantages. At CounselMore , we understand the importance of continuous learning and skill development for IECs. That's why we've established the Mentorship Roundtable Meetings —a platform for sharing counselors' insights, advice, and strategies to help others refine their counseling skills and manage their practices more efficiently.

However, ensuring the quality and relevance of these presentations is paramount. It's not just about sharing knowledge; it's about providing practical, actionable information tailored to our community's needs and concerns. With this in mind, we've set strict speaking requirements for those considering sharing their expertise at our meetings. Here's a comprehensive guide on what you need to know if you are considering speaking at a CounselMore Mentorship Roundtable Meeting.

Being a CounselMore Member: The Ground Rule

The first and foremost requirement for speakers at our meetings is membership or affiliation with CounselMore. This isn't a bureaucratic move; it's about ensuring that our speakers truly understand our community's unique challenges and concerns. After all, who better to address these issues than those who have personally experienced them? Shared experiences among members lead to more focused and relevant discussions, creating a rich learning environment and promoting mutual growth. As a speaker of our community, you are uniquely positioned to address the pressing issues your fellow IECs encounter, making your insights particularly valuable.

The Problem-Solving Paradigm

At CounselMore, our fundamental belief lies in the power of actionable knowledge. We want our members to leave each meeting with new information and practical solutions they can apply directly to their practice. Therefore, we expect our speakers to primarily focus on problem-solving in their presentations. The goal is to arm IECs with practical methods to overcome counseling obstacles and manage their practices. By sharing experiences, case studies, and even lessons learned from failures, speakers can contribute significantly to their peers' professional growth, thereby strengthening the entire community.

Limiting Self-Promotion: A Gentle Reminder

We recognize and appreciate that our speakers bring a wealth of knowledge to the table and may have services or products that could benefit others. However, the primary objective of the presentations should be to educate and empower IECs, not to sell the speaker's services. We advocate for a minimal self-promotion policy. While a brief mention of your services or products at the end of the presentation is acceptable, the main takeaway for the audience should be valuable knowledge and practical solutions, not a sales pitch. This approach ensures the integrity of our platform and keeps the focus where it should be—on knowledge sharing and community growth.

Staying Relevant to IECs

The specificity of our audience—IECs—requires that the presentation topics be directly relevant to their daily challenges. Whether discussing effective counseling strategies, updating on the latest changes in college admissions, or providing tips for managing a successful practice, your focus should be on the issues IECs face daily. This relevance makes the discussion more beneficial, ensuring attendees leave with applicable insights they can use to improve their work.

We have identified five categories under which speaking topics typically fall. Below each category are examples of hypothetical speaking topics.

Understanding the College Admissions Process:

"Early Decision vs. Early Action: Guiding Students and Families"
"The Impact of Standardized Testing: Adapting to the Evolving Scenario"
"Promoting Equity and Access in College Admissions: The IEC's Role"
"Keeping Up with Changes in Admissions Policies: A Guide for IECs"
"Crafting the College List: Assisting Students with Reach, Match, and Safety Schools"

Controlling Emotions and Expectations:

"Techniques for Managing Parental Expectations During the College Admissions Process"
"Dealing with Rejection: Assisting Students and Parents with College Admission Decisions"
"Reducing College Application Stress: Wellness Strategies for Students and Parents"
"Promoting a Growth Mindset: Building Resilience in the Admissions Process"
"Supporting the Whole Student: Looking Beyond Academics in College Admissions"

Assisting Students with Special Needs:

"Grasping and Overcoming Financial Aid Challenges: An All-Inclusive Guide for IECs"
"Helping First-Generation College Students: Unique Considerations and Tactics"
"Understanding Gap Years: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Counseling Advice"

Enhancing Student Readiness:

"Addressing Essay-Writing Challenges: Techniques to Support Your Students"
"Beating Procrastination: Effective Time Management Strategies for Students"
"Preparing Students for College Interviews: Tips and Techniques"
"Mastering the College Visit: Maximizing Campus Tours"

Running a Successful IEC Practice:

"Promoting Your Practice: Standing Out in the Competitive IEC Landscape"
"IEC Confidentiality and Ethics: Handling Difficult Conversations"
"Using Social Media Responsibly: Guiding Students in the Digital Age"

Notice that each topic addresses a potential challenge an IEC might face in their practice. Additionally, each is carefully chosen to provide broad coverage of the issues most important to our community. However, these categories are not exhaustive, and we're always open to new topics that can bring value to our members.

Integrating an Interactive Element

We strongly encourage our speakers to include an interactive component in their presentations to promote engagement and active learning. This could be a Q&A session, a quick quiz, or even a breakout room discussion for smaller groups. Including these elements makes the session more lively and engaging, it also promotes a better understanding of the material and allows attendees to ask questions, share their experiences, and connect with their peers. After all, learning is not a passive process; the more our members engage, the more they learn.

The Non-Compete Clause: Fostering a Supportive Environment

In keeping with our spirit of community and collaboration, we ask our speakers not to promote services or products that compete directly with CounselMore's offerings. This rule ensures a supportive and harmonious environment focused on learning and professional growth rather than competition. By honoring this clause, we can maintain a platform where everyone feels comfortable sharing their knowledge and experiences.

Recording and Ownership: Spreading Knowledge Beyond the Meeting

We often record the sessions to ensure the longevity of the knowledge shared during our Mentorship Roundtable Meetings. This practice not only allows us to maintain a theme of collective learning and ongoing development, but it also allows us to make your invaluable insights available to members who couldn't attend the live session. By recording these presentations, we create a knowledge pool that can be revisited and learned from repeatedly, ensuring the value of your contribution extends well beyond the live session. Please note that once your presentation is recorded, it becomes CounselMore's property. We guarantee that it will be used responsibly to encourage growth and learning in our community.

Leaving a Lasting Impact: The Speaker's Gift

At CounselMore, we believe in the power of giving. We encourage our speakers to leave a gift for our participants—a memento that extends the learning beyond the meeting. This could be a free PDF guide, a set of handy resources, or even access to your presentation slides. This gift, however modest, serves as a practical takeaway from your talk, allowing participants to revisit and apply the learnings in their work.

Final Thoughts: Setting the Path for Success

Speaking at CounselMore's Mentorship Roundtable Meetings is more than just delivering a presentation; it's an opportunity to guide fellow IECs through the intricate terrain of college admissions. By being a member of CounselMore, focusing on problem-solving, limiting self-promotion, staying relevant to IECs, integrating an interactive element, honoring the non-compete clause, and leaving a lasting impact through a speaker's gift, you're setting the path for success—not just for yourself, but for our entire community.

You're not merely imparting your knowledge but molding the future of college admissions counseling. Your contribution is more than just a presentation; it's a lasting contribution to our community, and for that, we express our utmost gratitude.

The Complete Guide To Publishing Your Research In High School

Thu, 11 May 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Publishing academic research is becoming a common way for the top high school students to distinguish themselves in the admission process. Yet, for many students what publication is and how to approach it is unclear and confusing. This guide’s goal is to provide a starter for any students interested in research and publication. It comes from the result of working with 500+ students as part of the Lumiere Research Scholar Program.

What does it mean to “Publish Your Research?”

What does publication even mean? In short, publishing your research means that you have gone through a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that has analyzed, critiqued, and ultimately accepted your research as legitimate. Scientific publications are gatekeepers to the broader world. If a research piece is not published by a journal, it means that it has not yet passed a rigorous, external analysis of the research.

Publications use a process called the “peer review” which means that fellow researchers in the same field will analyze the paper and its contribution and give feedback to the authors. This process is often double-blind, meaning that the reviewer does not know who the author is and the author does not know who the researcher is.

Is it possible for a high school student to publish their research?

The short answer is yes. The longer answer, detailed below, is that there are many different types of journals that have different selectivity rates and bars for rigor. Just like universities, some publications are extremely competitive and provide a very strong external signal for the author. Some journals are less competitive and so provide a less powerful signal.

For high school students, there is an emerging group of journals focused on high school or college-level research. These journals understand the limitations of high school students and their ability to do research, and so they are often more feasible (though still difficult) for students to get into. We’ll explore some types of those journals below.

Why publish your research in high school

But, why even go to the trouble of publishing? Does it really matter? The short answer again is that it does matter. Publication in a top journal, like the Concord Review , can provide a valuable signal to a college admission officer about your work.

One thing to consider is who is an admission officer (for US universities ). These people are usually generalists, meaning they have a broad background, but do not have researcher-level depth in many fields. That means it’s difficult for them to distinguish good research from bad research. What is rigorous and what is just put on an application?

This means that admissions officers search for signals when evaluating research or passion projects. Was the project selected into a selective journal? Did it go through a peer-review process by respected researchers? Was it guided by a researcher who the admission officer would believe? Did the research mentor guide speak positively about the student? All of these are positive signals. The publication is thus not the only way to signal ability, but it is one of the most important for young researchers.

What type of research can get published?

Most types of research can be published. But, the more original research that you can do, the broader the options you have. In other words, if you write a literature review, then your writing and synthesis must be very strong for it to be eligible for most publications. If you do some form of data collection or new data analysis, then the bar for rigor in student publications is usually a little bit lower as the difficulty to do this type of data collection or analysis is higher.

Types of Publication Targets

At Lumiere, we think of publications like students think of universities. There are research journals (most selective), target journals, and safety journals. In short, journals range in their selectivity and rigor. The more selective the journal, the better a signal it gives.

Highly Selective High School & College Publications

The first type of journals that students should think about are highly selective high school & college-level publications. These journals include the Concord Review or the Columbia Junior Science Journal . For example, one Lumiere student’s research was recently admitted to the Cornell Undergraduate Economic Review, a rigorous college-level journal for university-level economic papers. This student was the first high school student to ever be published in the journal, a clear signal.

These journals include both a review process and a limited number of spots in the journal. The Concord Review, for example, accepts about 45 student research papers each year of an estimated 900 submissions. The Columbia Junior Science Journal, similarly, publishes between 10-20 papers each year. Most of these journals will require original research or data collection of some sort. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Rigorous, Peer Reviewed High School Publications

For these journals, students will submit their paper and the journal will assign (or ask you to identify) a potential set of reviewers for the paper. These reviewers will be researchers in the field, who hold a PhD. The reviewers will then give back comments. The Journal of Emerging Investigators stands out here among these journals as being one of the most rigorous and providing the most in-depth, critical feedback to students.

Additionally, The Lens Journal is an open-access academic journal that offers high school students the opportunity to publish their academic research across various fields. It provides a peer-reviewed process, encouraging students to submit original, scholarly work while gaining valuable experience in academic publishing. You can learn more or submit your work here: The Lens Journal .

Pay to Play Research Journals (AVOID THESE)

Finally, there are some journals that are essentially “Pay-to-play” meaning that they will accept any paper as long as a fee is paid. These journals are not only not academically ethical, they can actually be a bad signal in the admission process. For example, I spoke with a former Harvard Admission Officer, Sally Champagne, about her experience with publications. During the late 2000s, there was a high spike in students from Russia submitting “publications” that all linked back to a few fraudulent journals.

You can spot a fraudulent journal if there is a high fee for submitting the paper (some journals will charge a nominal fee to recoup their costs. That is OK, especially if they have a financial aid waiver). If any paper you submit is accepted without any revisions or feedback, then this is also a sign that the publication is not rigorous.

PhD Level Publications in A Field

Finally, there are publications that PhD researchers or professors target with their research. These journals are highly selective and can take years of back and forth in order for a paper to be admitted. In general, we do not recommend high school students who are working on independent projects to target these journals for their difficulty and time required. The most common way to target these journals is if you act as a research assistant for a researcher on an existing project and you are credited as a supporting author.

Other Publication Options

Beyond journals, there are other ways to showcase your research. I highlight some of those below.

Practitioner publications

Another way to showcase your work is to target respected practitioner publications. These are places where non-researchers go to learn about developments. For example, one student in Lumiere published a piece in Tech In Asia summarizing his research on Open Innovation and the Ventilator Market (Tech In Asia is the Tech Crunch equivalent in South East Asia). Other practitioner publications include Online Magazines like Forbes or the Financial Times, local newspapers, or online blogs like the Huffington Post can all serve as possible targets. Generally publications in these places requires direct contact with an editorial manager, who can take a call as to whether your work is appropriate or not. To get to these editorial managers, you’ll need to do some online search and send them a pitch email that explains why your work is relevant to their audience. Offering an “exclusive” can be one additional way to make it attractive to the editors.

Research Conferences

Another place to showcase your research is in research conferences. In some fields, like computer science, conferences are actually more common places to publish work than journals. One advantage of research conferences is that they often will accept abstracts of research instead of full-length research articles, making the amount of effort required to get accepted lower. As well, many conferences want more researchers to populate the conference, again making the admission process easier. Example conferences for high school students to look at include the Harvard Science Research Conference or the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting . There are also field specific conferences that you should search for based on your research paper.

Competitions

Competitions can be one of the highest impact ways to show your work because it’s clear signaling. If you can win a competition with hundreds of entrants, then being able to write about it in your application shows your unique ability. In addition, competitions can often be submitted to parallel with other research publications (check your publications requirements before doing that though!).

The Final Word – Publication Can Be High Impact

If you have already written a research paper, then I highly encourage you to think about submitting it to high school or college level publications. The majority of work that you have done is spent on the research paper itself. So, if you can spend an additional 10-20 hours to showcase your research, then it’s highly valuable for you.

FAQ About Publications

1. Do I need to publish my research for it to be impactful?

No, but it provides a useful signal. Doing research alone is a rare and impressive way for students to showcase their academic depth. If you can publish that research, it adds a layer of external legitimacy to that research.

2. Can I publish a research that is a literature review?

Yes, though, you’ll have to think of which target journals accept that. For example, the Journal of Student Research and the STEM Fellowship Journal both accept literature reviews, but the Journal of Emerging Investigators does not. In general, the more original research that you do (i.e., data analysis, data collection, etc.) the broader the range of publications you can target. With that said, some fields (e.g. astrophysics) can be particularly difficult to do new data collection as a high school student, so for those fields a rigorous literature review is usually the best choice.

3. Are all publications the same?

No. Publications are like universities. Some are highly respected, selective, and rigorous and others are not. The key is for you to identify a journal that is as selective/respected as possible that you can get into. Watch out for pay-to-play journals, as they can become negative signals for you and your application.

CounselMore Guest Blogging Guide

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:55:55 GMT

We love our colleagues and want to share your good advice. As a college counselor, sharing your knowledge and expertise with others is crucial for personal growth and community building. Guest blogging for CounselMore educational consulting software is an excellent and easy way to achieve this goal. CounselMore will extend your digital reach. However, it's essential to understand the requirements and guidelines for writing a successful blog post.

CounselMore Guest Blogging Requirements

If you're interested in writing a guest blog post for CounselMore, you must meet specific requirements. Firstly, blogging is exclusively reserved for active members and partners. Secondly, presenting at one of CounselMore's monthly community events is ideal before writing a blog post. This helps you contribute to CounselMore's community and ensures that you're familiar with the concerns of your colleagues; other college counselors. This also drives Search Engine Optimization (SEO) by advertising your presentation corresponding to your blogging. If you're interested in growing your digital presence effortlessly by presenting at a community event or writing a blog post (or a few), you can reach out to CounselMore's team to express your interest. support@counselmore.com

So, remember the following to write a guest blog post for CounselMore:

Presenting at one of CounselMore's monthly community events is ideal before writing a blog post
Contact CounselMore's team to express your interest in presenting or writing a blog post.

Blogging Format and Heading Guidelines

You must follow specific formatting guidelines. Your blog's title should be in H1 format, followed by an introduction paragraph. The body of the article should be broken up into several main points, each with at least one paragraph. You should have a minimum of four main points, with each point beginning with a heading in H2 format. The final paragraph of your blog should be a conclusion with the heading that reads "Conclusion" in H2 format.

Here are the blogging format guidelines summarized in bullet points:

Title in H1 format
Introduction paragraph
Minimum of 4 main points
Each main point should have at least one paragraph
Each main point should begin with a heading in H2 format
Conclusion paragraph with heading in H2 format

Write to the Appropriate Audience

It's essential to remember that your audience is a community of college counselors. You should write your blog post as if a new or seasoned college counselor is reading it. The aim is to help your fellow college counselors and not solely promote your service. Focus on providing useful information and insights that reflect your professional experience rather than marketing your services. Parents do read the CounselMore blog. Your advice to your colleagues equally compels parents as they are with your advice to potential clients.

1000 Word Count Requirement

To ensure your guest blog post ranks higher on search engines, you must write an article at least 1000 words long. A blog post with more words generally performs better in search engine rankings, with more opportunities to target specific keywords. This also ensures that the web presence of your own website ranks higher. It’s a win-win scenario for both CounselMore and your business’ website.

Include a Bio about You and Your Practice

You should include a brief bio about yourself and your practice in your guest blog post. This should be positioned at the bottom of your blog post. Your bio should include your name, where you practice, any niche skills, and any philosophical approach or belief that helps distinguish you as an educational consultant. You may include one hyperlink to a page on your website in your bio.

Focus on Niche College Counseling Topics

Focus on niche topics to ensure your blog post is useful to college counseling colleagues. Avoid writing about general guidelines that the average college counselor / educational consultant already knows, such as vague essay suggestions or the Ivy League's competitiveness. Instead, prioritize specificity and depth over general and vague information.

Backlink and Hyperlink Guidelines

If you reference a source in your blog post, cite it in APA or MLA format, but do not include an active hyperlink to the source. The only link you should include, will be in your bio at the bottom of the article. This ensures that your blog post is credible and not spammy, which increases its power. Following these guidelines ensures that your guest blog post for CounselMore educational consulting software and community is well-structured, informative, and professional.

Using Images in your blog

As a guest blogger, incorporating images into your posts can greatly enhance your content's visual appeal and engagement. That said, you are not required to use images in your blog. Just know that your post will likely get more engagement if you do use images. However, it is important to use images in an appropriate and respectful manner. First, ensure that you have the proper rights and permissions to use any images you include in your post, whether it be through your own original content or licensed from a reputable source.

If you want free images that won’t infringe on any copywriting issues, use these sites:

Unsplash : Unsplash offers a large collection of high-quality images that can be used for personal or commercial purposes. The images are free to use, and no attribution is required.
Pexels : Pexels provides a vast library of free stock photos and videos that can be used for both personal and commercial purposes. Attribution is not required but appreciated.
Pixabay : Pixabay has over 1.9 million high-quality images, illustrations, and vector graphics that can be used for personal or commercial projects. No attribution is required but appreciated.
Burst : Burst is a free stock photo platform that Shopify powers. They offer thousands of high-resolution images that can be used for commercial or personal purposes without attribution.
Freepik : Freepik provides a wide range of free vectors, PSDs, icons, and stock photos for personal and commercial use. Attribution is required for the free version of their images, but they also offer a premium subscription that allows for attribution-free use.
Canva is another great website that allows bloggers to use images for free. Canva provides a vast collection of templates, graphics, and photos that can be used for both personal and commercial projects. While Canva offers a premium subscription that unlocks additional features and resources, many free options are still available. Canva also provides an easy-to-use design platform that allows bloggers to customize their images and create unique visual content for their blogs.

Additionally, be mindful of the size and placement of your images within your post, as large or improperly placed images can disrupt the flow and readability of your content. Finally, consider the relevance and purpose of each image, and ensure that they add value to your post and support your overall message. By following these guidelines, you can effectively utilize images to enhance the impact and effectiveness of your guest blogging content.

Submitting Your Blog Post

Once you have written your blog post, you must submit it to CounselMore's team for review. Your post will be reviewed for compliance with the abovementioned requirements, accuracy, clarity, and overall quality. If your blog post meets the necessary criteria, it will be published on CounselMore's website, and you will be notified accordingly. If there are any issues with your post, you will be informed of the necessary changes that need to be made before it can be published.

By submitting your blog post, you are granting CounselMore permission to post your blog. To send your blog submissions:

Email Support@counselMore.com

Send a link to a Google Drive shared document.

Set the share permissions to “anyone with the link” can “edit”

Doing so allows the CounselMore team to download and manipulate the article’s formatting more easily and quickly. The greater the convenience of posting the article, the faster it will be published.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a guest blog post for the professional CounselMore community is an excellent opportunity to share your expertise with other college planning professionals while promoting your services. Partnering your blog with a community presentation will maximize your efforts. However, following the requirements and guidelines outlined above is essential to ensure your blog post is well-structured, informative, and has the farthest reach. By doing so, you can best capitalize on the impact of your blog post and establish, build, and secure your position as a credible and authoritative voice in the educational consulting community. CounselMore supports the educational planning industry by building concrete avenues to expand your practice and delivering research-proven tools to deliver your services easily. Join our professional community today!

College Admissions Officer Essay Tips

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 16:00:02 GMT

What do colleges want to read in any admissions essay?

I've been in this business since 2009, and I asked that question all the time. I contact an admissions person once a week.

That helps Wow stay up-to-date on college essays (changes in the prompts, new supplements, what’s coming up in the next season/). I check in with admissions folks from the Ivies, super selective publics, small liberal arts schools, some large and some small institutions.

Admissions officers tell us exactly what they want in the essays. And you know what? That hasn’t changed since we launched Wow in 2009.

No matter the type of college essay, or whether it’s 50 or 650 words, college admissions officers want to read focused, meaningful narratives that:

Answer the prompt

Are written by the student

Demonstrate insight into who the student is beyond grades, scores, and accomplishments

That’s it. That’s always been it! And that’s what we teach our students to do.

This blog features some of our favorite tips from a few amazing admissions folks. Find out how you can become a college essay expert here.

I was at a meeting of college admission officers in Salt Lake City when I had a most engaging chat with Duke University ’s Dean of Admissions Christoph Guttentag. He’s been inside the admissions world for so long he’s seen and read every type of essay.

He told me he would like students to just answer the questions, rather than write beautiful prose that sounds good but does not share much in a college admissions essay. He and I had been chatting about all the misinformation on the Internet, inside the schools and elsewhere about the essay when he shared this insight.

After I told him I was a journalist before starting this company with my business partner, Susan Knoppow , he shared that he has an ongoing disagreement with his wife (also a journalist) about the college essay.

His wife tells him college admissions essays should resemble gorgeous prose, but Guttentag is firm. This is not the place for gorgeous prose. In fact, he just wants the students to write the essays themselves – and show some reflection.

“Students are often so focused on writing beautiful pieces of prose that they fail to answer the question and do not write authentic, meaningful personal statements,” he said. “The hook gets in the way; the writing gets in the way.”

I like to talk to college admissions officers like Guttentag to get insight into the essay and its role inside the complex and competitive admissions field. Over the years, I have discovered that whether admissions officers work at large, small, public, private or Ivy schools, they want the same thing, no matter how they use them.

And what is that?

Admissions want reflective stories written by the student, in the voice of a 17-year-old student.

As many of you already know, colleges use essays to find out if a student is compatible with the educational environment on their campus. But it goes deeper than that. They want to know how a student thinks, what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown. Will they add value to the campus? Will they fit in? The essay provides college admissions officers with additional insight to help them make admissions decision.

Your job is to help your students write application essays that colleges will want to read to help them make an impression about you on their application readers and decision makers.

Here are some more college admissions essay tips to share with your students that are direct from college admissions offices throughout the U.S.

If you want to some more college admissions essay tips , here’s a sample of our pre-work guide for preparing to write the Why College X essay.

WHY WORK WITH A PRIVATE COLLEGE CONSULTANT?

bill@friscowebsites.com (Bill Sholar) — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 03:30:00 GMT

If you are my age, feeling 29 and actually 54, the college application process that you remember is no longer relevant. It is a completely different beast. No more paper applications, hands cramping from writing essays, and being finished after applying to 2-3 schools. The game has changed. It is a detailed, often overwhelming process filled with questions: How to apply? When to visit? How to keep track of everything? How can we afford college? These are just a few of the pressure points that families are dealing with these days. A good college consultant will have the answers and take the guesswork out of the process. Finding the right school academically, socially, geographically, and financially can be difficult if you are a first-timer with a Generation Z student.

WHY WORK WITH A CONSULTANT?

1.LOWER FAMILY STRESS.

In a post-covid world, even the mention of “college” seems to stress out students and families alike. Working with a private consultant is a great way to save time and money figuring out the college application process. I often think of it as having the bumpers up when you bowl duckpins…you simply will not go into the gutter; if they are good at what they do, you will soon be rolling strikes!

A professional understands the whole process and can team up with you every step of the application from creating a list of schools to activities to essays to interviews and negotiating better offers. A consultant is a curator of the infomation that will come flying at you from many sources, most of which are incorrect or slightly off with their information because the only right answer is IT DEPENDS. The answer to any of your college questions is always, it depends.

2. SCHOOLS GROW MORE COMPETITIVE EVERY YEAR.

Hundreds of colleges are happy to admit mere mortals with a B average and “good enough” test scores. In fact, many of those institutions will provide your kid with the best possible education for them and allow them to graduate at the top of their class, leverage internships and ultimately become successful adults. But alas, many families are shooting for the top 25 list- and that is no easy mark to hit. Admission rates at highly selective colleges and universities are dipping into the single digits. Admissions rates ranging from 10 to 30% are the new normal.

Getting accepted at a top 25 university is like buying a lottery ticket- you just hope you win.

College acceptance FOMO has ignited mad rush to inflate GPA’s with the addition of AP classes, super-scoring and tutoring to push test scores to the limit, engaging in summer activities that include research and sometimes effecting change on a regional or national level. It is important to get past the universally popular names like universities that are in the movies (think Dartmouth and Animal House or Yale and the Gilmore Girls), places friends/family have attended, or the “I heard that……” opinions you cannot avoid at almost every social engagement with other parents.

How can we help? College consultants visit many colleges every year, so they understand the programs, outcomes and overall vibe at many more schools than you could even imagine. Here are 9 reasons some fa milies do not look at some colle ges.

3. APPLYING TO MORE SCHOOLS THAN EVER.

Parents and students are often shocked by the extent of planning and thoughtfulness that goes into a successful college preparation and application process. There is the testing through College Board and ACT, the Common Application, the FAFSA, the CSS profile and many more letters in this alphabet soup. Not to mention the activity list, the essays, the teacher recommendations…

Working with a college consultant will help families navigate this sea of acronyms and keep them on track to hit deadlines and stay afloat. These days kids are over-scheduled, and tired, and would rather watch TikTok and YouTube than focus on college (because college seems so far away). You need to have college in your view starting as early as possible.

Managing the college application process is a full-time job—so why not entrust it to someone who does it full-time?

4. GUIDANCE COUNSELORS ARE OVERWHELMED.

Statistics show that the average public school counselor-to-student ratio is over 400/1. This makes a private college consultants different from a high school guidance counselor: one-on-one attention.

Even counselors at private schools who primarily advise rising seniors don’t dig deep into extracurricular activities and help students start businesses, tie in their interests and activities to summertime off, or see the college application process as a continuous one. Most independent college counselors will be much more available to your family in the summer and evenings too. And, the most relevant ones use software that makes things much more organized like CounselMore College Counseling Software.

A private counselor is like a personal trainer at the gym. You will get results faster, tailored to what you need, and with personal accountability.

5. COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE.

Paying for college is a knot of confusion and we take pride in helping you untie it. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line if you simply throw a Hail Mary and apply without a plan. Hiring an admissions consultant is an investment. This investment can be a good one for several reasons: you may recoup the money with the merit aid or need-based for which your student may qualify, you may have your sites on schools that will never offer a discount and therefore need to be off of your list, you may find that you just don’t have to time research, learn and execute with your student. Asking for help may be the key to finding several “right” schools for your child.

A seasoned consultant will be able to discuss your financial goals and find schools where your student will fit academically and socially, and that you can afford. We work with several groups that focus on affordability for our clients incliuding TuitionFit.org and Quatromoney .

ONCE YOU ARE READY TO PULL THE TRIGGER AND SEEK HELP, YOU NEED TO FIND A QUALIFIED COLLEGE CONSULTANT. HOW?

1. Look at their website, their results and reviews from parents and students.

2. Ask other parents about their experiences with and without a professional.

2. Ask questions about the counselors’ experience and outcomes.

3. Shop around to find the right fit. If you and your student don’t connect with the counselor, it’s “game over.”

4. Make sure they provide complete, personalized support.

5. Understand the process. Make sure they have one.

6. Confirm that your student is on board with your decision and will be engaged.

The College Interview

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 22:00:00 GMT

The College Interview

Many of you will have the option to do a college interview. Some of you will be required to do them. It’s an excellent way to demonstrate to the admissions counselor or the alumni interviewer that you are confident, capable, and able to articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely. Is it scary? Absolutely! The stakes are high when discussing admissions to college, being awarded a scholarship valued at thousands of dollars, and speaking to someone who is a stranger. Here’s the good news- no one knows you better than YOU!

The college interview is the time to discuss why you are interested in attending their school . That means doing your research! Don’t just skim through the website; examine it! Review the school’s mission statement. Can you integrate that into your conversation and how it’s meaningful to you? Check out the acceptance rate, the retention rate (the number of freshmen that return the following year to be sophomores), and the graduation rate. Yes, indeed, that’s a lot of information. This information is arming you with data to see if you are the best fit for the school. Remember, you can be interviewing them as they are interviewing you. The fit must be on both sides. Read that again. Both sides are interviewing each other. Do your research and see how you fit into the school. You must review your application package and the materials you’ve submitted. The interviewer will have thoroughly reviewed these.

So you’ve done your research, and interview day is here. It’s not necessary to wear a suit; Nothing should be wrinkled or messy. Remember to leave your vape pen at home. Paper and pen are ok to have; the interviewer may state something and ask if you may write that down- perfect time to glance at notes.

Conduct three mock interviews focused on the questions commonly asked by the universities. The mock interview allows you to feel comfortable and prepared but not rehearsed. Sounding natural comes with practice, practice, and more practice! Practice with your parents, friends, and college counselor. Talking about yourself is likely something you don’t have much experience doing, so the more opportunities you have, the more natural you will become. What’s important in the interview is for the interviewer to be able to remember you. Have answers that will set you apart from your peers. Can this be scary? Of course! You will feel confident and prepared for any question with practice and preparation.

Questions to Prepare For

Tell me about yourself – 3 things maximum. Any more than that, you are likely to forget something, get flustered, and get off course.
What is your favorite book? Why?
What is one thing you would change about your school? Why?
What are some of your academic achievements?
What are some academic areas that need to be strengthened?
Who is a role model in your life and why?
What are some academic goals you hope to accomplish in college?
How would you contribute to our college community?
How will school X assist you in the next phase of your life?
What extracurricular activities have you participated in? Here’s something to remember. It’s not the number of your activities but the quality that counts. Why are you passionate about them?

The interviewer will likely ask, “What can I tell you about our college?” This is a great opportunity to show that you have done research on the school and ask questions about something that interests you. Perhaps you want to start a club soccer team? Do you want to participate in research you learned about online? You would like to be an RA at some point and would like to know how that works.

What have you done in high school so far that you are most proud of? Here’s your chance to share something that might not be on your transcript or application. Maybe you started a new organization at your school, revived the school paper, helped your parents with your younger siblings, and now understand what a big task is. Whatever you decide to speak about, make sure it’s important to you, not something you think will impress the interviewer. Admissions representatives want to know you, not what you think they want to hear.

It’s your turn to ask the interviewer. Here are some helpful tips and questions to ask the interviewer.

Research your interviewer. What was their major? Where are they from? Do you have mutual friends/activities in common? They are likely alumni of the school so ask about their experience and what resonates most with them when looking back on their college years.
Is there anything they would have done differently? Think outside the box with questions you won’t find on the school’s website.
What did they love most about this college that other colleges did not have?
What didn’t the school do well (and it’s perfectly ok to ask that)?
What type of student succeeds at this university?
What is the best way to prepare for college life?
Here’s my favorite - What makes you proud to work for this university?

When students prepare well in advance, students will sound relaxed and confident to be the next member of the class of 2027. If you need help, contact me at Admissions Untangled !

How to Use Aptitude Testing In Your College Counseling Business

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 11:33:23 GMT

How to Use Aptitude Testing In Your College Counseling Business

Independent College Counselors help students plan for college. Thus, college counselors are in the business of assisting students in planning for the future. How a counselor goes about doing this makes their brand and company unique. In entrepreneurial language, we call this our niche or the specialized way we help students and families. In your college counseling business, there likely exists a niche service that you’re likely not offering, one that helps your students, increases your income, and enhances the quality of your brand.

This service empowers students with a data-driven understanding of their talents and careers that capitalize on those talents. Finally, this service gives college counselors the tools to help students choose their college majors. What is this tool? Aptitude Testing .

On Thursday, 2/23/23, at CounselMore’s Mentorship Roundtable Meeting, I shared with college counselors how aptitude testing can enhance their businesses. In this blog post, I’ll go into what aptitude testing is, what it isn’t, the organizations that offer quality aptitude testing, and how you can use aptitude testing in your college consulting business.

What an Aptitude Test Is Not

It may seem strange not to define what an aptitude test is first. However, by knowing what an aptitude test isn’t, you’ll better understand the value they provide your students. You see, the internet is rife with scammy aptitude tests. And you don’t want to be caught pushing an inferior service to your students. For example, if you google the “Best Aptitude Test for High School Students,” you’ll likely see the following results.

Here’s the problem with that. None of these alleged “aptitude tests” are actually aptitude tests. They’re personality tests, interest profilers, or skills assessments.

Aptitude Tests are not… •Personality Tests

•Interests Profilers

•Skills Assessments

Personality tests aren’t useless or ineffective. Neither are interest profilers or skills assessments. However, personalities are not aptitudes, so it wouldn’t make sense for a personality test to measure aptitudes, and it would be highly unethical to advertise it as such.

What are Aptitudes?

So that brings us to the heart of our discussion. What exactly are aptitudes? Why are aptitudes important? And how would you offer aptitude tests in your business? Let’s address each of those.

Aptitudes are natural abilities. In this definition, we place a keen emphasis on the word “natural.” In other words, we’re born with them. They come prepackaged within us from birth. They fully develop at fourteen to fifteen. We don’t grow them through practice and repetition (that’s a skill). Thus, aptitudes predispose us to excel at specific tasks.

For example, a med student with a high design memory (the ability to remember images) would have an easier time becoming a radiologist. A defense attorney in court would greatly benefit from a higher classification (quick problem-solving aptitude), while a divorce attorney would benefit from a lower classification (reflective problem-solving). Which aptitudes a person is born with determines which tasks they’ll have a more accessible time mastering.

Why are Aptitudes Important?

Students who don’t know their aptitudes leave much of their career success to chance. And it happens all the time. I love my students. The lion’s share of them are bright and well beyond their years in wisdom, maturity, and resourcefulness. However, many spend far more time researching colleges they might go to than what they’ll study in college. I would argue many of them spend more time picking out their prom outfits, than planning their careers.

An aptitude assessment removes much of the guesswork from career planning. They show students if they have a knack for graphics or designing, potential for engineering, or a penchant for excelling in learning a foreign language. Consequently, students can make more intentional choices about their future.

As you can see, this level of self-awareness offers impressive advantages. However, they’re challenging to measure. Only with an advanced aptitude technology that has gone through the rigors of scientific validation can reliably provide these insights. Yet, only with the wisdom of an advanced career aptitude test can one know if they are a natural at something. Otherwise, they may major in something that emphasizes their weaknesses, not capitalize on their strengths.

Offering Career Aptitude Testing Services Helps Your Counseling Skills & Business

Before using aptitude testing in your business, let’s discuss how to market it. Every consulting business is a problem-solving business. That same axiom goes for college counseling. If you’re a college admissions consultant or counselor, there’s a cluster of problems your customers need you to solve. And if you don’t communicate to them the problems you solve with clarity, they will find someone else who will.

Marketing Your Aptitude Testing Services

Donald Miller, one of the most excellent marketing experts alive, said this:

“Your customers don’t really care about your business beyond how it can help them solve a problem and make life better. The sooner you realize this and embrace it, the sooner you can show customers how much you can help them.”

Our services should make the lives of our clients easier. However, we must emphasize the correct problems we’re solving. Miller claims that most companies sell solutions to external problems or surface-level problems. As college counselors, an external problem would be a parent telling us, “my daughter’s really struggling with her college essays.”

If all you say to your clients is, “I’ll help your daughter with her essays,” they may hire you. But they may not. And truthfully, why would they? How are your services better than your competitors? And besides, that parent likely isn’t concerned with solely getting their daughter help with essays. There’s something more at play.

Fortunately, Miller reveals the secret. Consider this:

“Companies tend to sell solutions to EXTERNAL problems, but people buy solutions to INTERNAL problems.”

Internal problems are problems deeply rooted in emotions.

Thus, the daughter doesn’t just need help with a college application essay; she’s feeling overwhelmed and fears her inability to communicate her thoughts will limit her college education. No parent wants to see their kid go through this. So, what internal problem would you need to solve for this parent? Here’s the answer:

You prevent parents from having to watch their child suffer.

It may sound dramatic, but that’s the heart of what we do. Great businesses don’t just give people success; they help people avoid tragedy (why else would you hire a lawyer?).

Thus, a clever college consultant might say this instead:

“Our college essay coaches simplify the writing process for students. By their final draft, your daughter will have crafted an essay that will make her memorable to an admissions team and arm her with skills she needs to write confidently.”

That sings a little sweeter than “I help with college application essays.” And herein lies the secret to using aptitude assessment with your business.

Aptitude Tests Give Parents Confidence in Their Child’s Future

Aptitude testing solves a straightforward external problem for families. High school students need a career plan for college. Yet, most parents I work with don’t care about solving this external problem. They have more immediate needs, like ensuring their student graduates, keeps up their grades, and finds a college.

Consequently, I nest my aptitude testing services within my college consulting program. In other words, nearly every student I advise for college counseling gets an aptitude test. It’s not something I need to sell them on. It’s just another added benefit of working with me. As I’m advising said student and relaying how I’m helping them to the parents, they begin to understand the value of this service.

In the olden days, college was where people went to find out what they wanted to do. Now, however, with the rising cost of college tuition (around 4% per year!), most families can’t risk paying for a college education that doesn’t culminate in their student successfully entering the workforce. It’s just too expensive. Parents need to feel confident about their student’s career plans. Ironically though, most just don’t have one. In fact, some students might spend more time picking out what they wear to prom than planning for their careers.

Here comes the internal problem your aptitude testing service solves. Parents worry their child won’t emerge from college with a viable career path. They fear for their child’s success.

Comedian and television host Conan O’Brien alluded to this concern in his address to the 2011 graduating class of Dartmouth. In that address, he gave this advice to the parents:

Many of you haven’t seen your children in four years. Now you are about to see them every day when they come out of the basement to tell you the WiFi isn’t working.

You will spend more money framing your child’s diploma than they will earn in the next six months. It’s tough out there, so be patient. The only people hiring right now are Panera Bread and… drug cartels.

While this punchline elicited a hardy chuckle from the crowd, it underscores a pervasive worry. Parents fret about their children. They worry for their safety, emotional well-being, success, and virtually any concern under the sun. More than all of that, they worry about their children’s future. It’s the nature of a good parent to want to spare their children from needless suffering.

Your aptitude testing services stack the deck in the student’s favor. With advanced aptitude tests, you, as a consultant, can give your students data-driven evidence on careers that align with their natural talents. Students can spend their time in college executing their career plans rather than making them.

That’s what aptitude testing gives your college counseling business. You empower your families with confidence in their child’s future success.

How to use Career Aptitude Testing in Your Business

You can use aptitude tests in your business in one of two ways. You can offer the services yourself or recommend your customers to a certified aptitude specialist. Gaining certification is straightforward enough, but it does require time and monetary investment. However, if you don’t have the time or resources to get certified, you can contract an aptitude testing consultant as part of your team. Additionally, you can simply refer your customers to aptitude-testing research centers in your local area. In this portion of our discussion, we’ll explore both options.

#1 Become a Certified Aptitude Testing Consultant

The path is simple if you want to become certified to administer legitimate aptitude tests. The only company that certifies aptitude consultants is the Highlands Company. The Highlands Company administers its proprietary aptitude test called the Highlands Ability Battery .

If you want to use the aptitude testing under your brand, you become a Highlands Consultant. However, becoming a Highlands Consultant isn’t for everyone. You don’t just pay a fee and get certified. You must undergo 16 hours of supervised educational training and 4 hours of presentation coaching. This training ensures you can interpret and present the results of someone’s aptitudes.

I’ve worked as a Highlands Consultant since 2019. Truthfully, it’s the best investment I’ve made in my college counseling business and professional development. The company devotes time and resources to ensuring its consultants possess the tools to deliver practical excellence to their clients. I just want to be clear that certifying with them is no passive endeavor. Additionally, I would only recommend becoming a Highlands Consultant if you are genuinely passionate about helping your students, not just interested in making money.

Don’t get me wrong; the service is lucrative. Offering Aptitude testing is a tremendous asset to your business. But, as my business coach and good friend Spencer Hornonce told me, regarding the use of assessments in consulting, “It’s the wizard, not the wand, that makes a difference.” In other words, aptitude testing doesn’t help people by itself. An aptitude testing certification does the most good in the hands of a caring consultant invested in the success of their students.

How to Become A Certified Highlands Consultant

If you want to become a Highlands Consultant, here’s what you’ll do. I’ll give a summary first. Following that summary, I’ll go into more detail on each step along that process. As promised, here’s an overview of the steps involved in becoming a Highlands Consultant.

Schedule a Consultation with the Highlands Company’s Representative to CounselMore (see the link below to schedule that meeting)
Complete the Highlands Company’s Application Form
Pay the Certification Fee
Complete the Mandatory 16-Hour Training

Now, let’s dig into each step of that process.

First , click here to schedule a free consultation with me. As the Highlands company’s Liaison for College Counseling, I will review the requirements to become a Highlands Consultant and answer any questions on how and where to introduce aptitude testing services into your service delivery process.

Second , you must fill out an application form and send it to Highlands Company.

Third , once your application is approved (approval is not guaranteed) you will pay the certification fee. The Certification fee is $2050. However, if you’re a member of CounselMore , you get an exclusive $100.00 Discount. The price includes the cost of the 16-hour training you’ll receive.

Fourth (and finally), complete the Highlands Certified Consultant Training. The training is an absolute blast. Here’s everything involved based on the Highlands Company’s website information.

An opportunity to take the HAB yourself and receive your own reports and debrief. Which is fascinating!

16 hours of initial training on the Highlands Whole Person Method.
Ongoing professional development as part of your certification.
Your own listing in the Highlands online consultant directory.
Resources to assist you in the development and marketing of your business.
An invitation to be part of an elite community of practitioners who work to transform the careers of students, adults, and business leaders worldwide.

#2 Or Don't....and Just Refer Customers to Aptitude Testing Centers

With that said, you don’t technically have to get certified to use aptitude testing in your practice. If you don’t wish to acquire certification from the Highlands Company, you can work out an agreement with a Highlands Consultant. The Highlands Company has a list of consultants on its website. Additionally, you can refer your students to an aptitude testing research center. However, this is a different animal than working with an independent consultant.

I recommend two aptitude testing research centers. The first is the Johnson O’Connor Foundation. The AIMS organization is the second aptitude testing center I endorse. Both deliver quality aptitude testing services to help students pick their college majors. I recommend them because they require all aptitude-testing students to attend a debrief presentation. An aptitude test loses value to your customers if they merely take it and get a report. Without a debrief to help your students interpret your results, an aptitude test becomes a meaningless statistic.

However, these centers are not without their limits. Aptitude testing research centers exist to collect data on aptitude testing. Their primary goal is to expand their body of research and help their clients while doing so. With that said, know that their mission is not to incorporate their services into your business model. There are two other limitations of aptitude research centers for your families. These limitations are as follows:

Expensive Cost : The Johnson O’Connor costs $850, and the AIMS Aptitude Test costs $925. On the other hand, the Highlands Ability Battery retails between 400-600, which makes it cheaper for your customers.
Travel Accessibility : However, The AIMS and the Johnson O’Connor Aptitude Tests require families to travel to one of their locations. AIMS is only located in Dallas, Texas. Johnson O'Connor has 14 locations across ten states. This means most families must accrue travel expenses to an aptitude center location.

The high cost may not bother some of your clients. Yet, these families usually prefer to avoid the traveling expenses and the time spent traveling. So, if you live in a state other than Texas, there’s a good chance it’s more convenient for families to use local aptitude testing services. These services could come from your college counseling businesses or others.

Join us at the Next CounselMore Mentorship Roundtable Meeting

Did you find this article helpful? If so, remember that this was a summary of a live discussion. The actual discussion occurred at a CounselMore Mentorship Meeting on zoom. If you’re interested in attending that meeting next month, click here and sign up for the next meeting .

There’s no cost to attend. You’ll also mingle and rub shoulders with other IECs, college counselors, college planners, academic advisors and tutors, among other education professionals. At each meeting, we have a single college counselor dive into a best practice for your college counseling business. We also discuss admission topics, marketing techniques, and other subjects that enhance your counseling expertise. We hope to see you there!

Frequently Asked Questions

During our aptitude testing discussion, several counselors asked several great questions. Below is a sample summary of the questions and my response to them.

How Long Does The Highlands Ability Battery Take To Complete?

The aptitude assessment takes 3 hours to complete. However, what I love about it is that your clients need not complete it all at once. The test is comprised of 19 work samples (or mini-tests). Luckily, students can complete the test’s work samples in chunks. The longest work sample is 11 minutes. So the assessment is pretty digestible.

The real fun starts when the student finishes their assessment. When students complete their assessments, they schedule a time with their Highlands Consultants to review their results. This meeting typically takes 1.5 - 2 hours. During that debrief, the consultant reviews each aptitude and shows students and parents how to access and navigate their aptitude reports.

What does an aptitude test report look like?

Here are two sample aptitude test reports. The first is the student standard report. The student report is designed to help students and parents understand each aptitude measured during the assessment. The second is the Student Career Report. The Student Career Report enables parents and students to connect their student's aptitudes to careers that align with their strengths.

Highlands Consultants interpret these reports for their families. So, if you find the reports puzzling, remember these reports provide the most aid when interpreted by a certified Highlands Consultant. However, looking at the career report, you’ll notice that page 10 lists the top 50 career occupations for students. These occupations aren’t just empty lists. Each occupation links to ONET, the Department of Labor’s database for every occupation in the US. So, students don’t just get a career recommendation; they get robust data on the career.

This occupational data consists of the following:

Education Requirements
Average Salary
Demand of Occupation
Demand of Occupation in Each State

As I tell my clients, “Yes. There are more fun things to see on the internet. But these reports have done hours of tedious career research for you.” When I say the word “you,” I’m referring to the students, but I’m really speaking to their parents because they’re the ones who end up researching those careers the most. Because as college counselors, we serve the students, but it’s the parents whose minds we’re putting at ease.

Are there other assessments you recommend to help students or use in your college counseling practice?

For career planning, there’s nothing better than the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB). However, I use another assessment tool in conjunction with the HAB. The assessment is called the O’NET Interest Profiler. I use this to filter the career recommendations the HAB provides. The best thing about this assessment is that it’s fast and free. It takes most of my students 5 minutes to complete it, and it streamlines the career-planning process by identifying students’ interests. After all, aptitudes are just one piece of the puzzle. By knowing a student’s interests and aptitudes, a consultant can help students find careers that they’re interested in and will master more quickly.

Link to ONET Interests Profiler

If you use test prep in your counseling practice, use the MindPrint Cognitive assessment. MindPrint is especially useful for test prep. If you tutor the ACT or the SAT, MindPrint can determine which test students have an affinity for. The test takes an hour for students to complete. They complete it remotely on their laptop or desktop computer. When they finish, you’ll be notified. Then you can review their results with them and their parents and advise them on which test they have the best chance of scoring the highest on. I use it with all my test prep students. It’s a great tool. I charge families $200 per assessment, though I throw in a practice test with that bundle.

How does YouScience hold up to the Highlands Ability Battery and other Aptitude Tests?

The YouScience assessment has taken the US by storm. It’s everywhere now. I love that it’s popularizing aptitude assessments. What YouScience does, it does well, and it’s more affordable to the average family. YouScience does measure advanced aptitudes. However, I don’t use YouScience because it only measures a fraction of the aptitudes the Highlands Company, Johnson O’Connor, and AIMS measure. For example, YouScience only has one aptitude work sample to measure someone's spatial aptitude. The other three aptitude assessments I’ve named measure two.

Therefore, YouScience has half the accuracy of the HAB for mechanical aptitude. This may not seem like much, but it’s vital for engineering, technology, and healthcare careers.

Additionally, YouScience doesn’t measure any of the sound or musical aptitudes. This means students will miss out on discovering how good of an auditory learner they are. Moreover, students won’t know the full range of their foreign language abilities without musical aptitudes. With the HAB, I can tell if a student has a knack for writing, reading, speaking, and listening to foreign languages. If I used YouScience, I would lose all that. There’s just too much missing for me that I wouldn’t have with a more comprehensive assessment like the HAB.

I also love the Highlands company's emphasis on empowering its consultants, not its brand. YouScience aims to provide resources for students and school districts with their organization directly. This is a noble goal, and I applaud their efforts. However, students need an expert to gain the most from their aptitude results. YouScience doesn’t require experts to guide students through their aptitude reports. Why does this matter? It’s kind of like the information Fitbit provides. I can learn how I sleep, my resting heart rate, and how many steps I take daily. However, Fitbit doesn’t offer a practical way to use that information. Likewise, aptitude data grows fuzzy in practicality without a certified aptitude specialist.

So, do I like YouScience? Absolutely. I love what it’s doing for schools and aptitude testing at large. Would I use it in my college consulting practice? No, or not as long as I have the HAB or an aptitude assessment that gives more comprehensive aptitude and career data for my students.

How to Get a Great Story out of Your Students

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Finding stories, whether reporting when she was a journalist, or brainstorming topics with college applicants and professionals enrolled in the College Essay Experience training program, is second nature to Kim Lifton, Wow's president and co-founder. In this blog, she shares some tips for finding stories through a casual conversation with her friend, Ella.

I love having lunch with my friend, Ella, who recently retired after years of serving as a great high school counselor here in metro Detroit, where I live. When we last met in person, we had just started going out again post-lockdown. It felt like a million years had passed.

We started talking about her previous job as a sales manager in the textile industry. I peppered her with questions about her job, what she did, what she liked. I asked, How do people pick colors for clothes or fabric for furniture?

She told me they have a system, analytics; it’s quite interesting, and it works, year after year. Read the rest of the blog here .

I wanted to know who decides if red will be the in color for the season, or how long capris might be cool. She didn’t know, but she said there were people inside the industry who use data to predict that, too.

I couldn’t help myself. I love great stories. I find everything so interesting.

I like people. I like hearing their stories. Who are they? What’s important to them? Why? While Ella has been out of the textiles field for a long time, she appreciated that I was interested in her. I asked questions; I listened to her answers. We had a conversation. It was normal, natural.

Then something clicked.

“Hey Ella,” I said.

“Y-e-e-e-s,” she said.

“You know how to get a great story out of a kid who is writing a college essay? You do what we just did.”

Have a conversation .
Show the student you are interested in them .
Be curious .
Listen to what they have to say .
Ask questions .

That’s it. Yep. That’s the big secret.

That’s how you get a great story out of a student who needs to write a college essay.

How to Prepare for the College Application Journey

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:00:02 GMT

In this business, we all know that college application season can make anyone nervous. But together, we can help students and their families conquer some of these fears. In this blog, Wow's Kim Lifton shares some advice to help students conquer their fears.

This time of year, every year, many moms and dads with high school juniors (and even sophomores!) start to get nervous. Seniors are either done, or at the end of the college admissions process; some have been admitted to their dream schools , while others were deferred or rejected . College talk is all the rage.

For parents and students, it can be overwhelming. Confusing. Distressing. But our job, and yours, is to help them avoid panic. In this blog, we offer advice to parents to help them get through this process with minimal stress inside your home. Read the rest of the blog here .

We can also help you improve your college essay coaching practices. Learn more.

How to Teach Reflection

Despite what you might believe, writing is not the most challenging part of the essay. The tough part comes at the beginning, when we ask our students what matters to them and why. You can help your son or daughter explore how they exhibit their most significant traits or characteristics. That’s the first step toward reflection.

We know that most high school students spend a lot of time thinking and talking about friends, moving out of the house, figuring out life, choosing a career and deciding which college to attend. If you teach your child how to reflect before the next admission cycle starts in late spring, you will all be better prepared for the last phase of this journey to college. Find out what’s important to them and why.

The good news: You are more than ready for this challenge.

At Wow, when we help our students reflect and focus up front, the rest of the process moves much more smoothly. Too many students start in the wrong place. They come to us full of ideas about topics, with little consideration of the essay’s purpose.

All too often, students look for activities that might lead to stories, and they waste a lot of time talking about their experiences and their accomplishments. When they do this, they do not answer the prompt, which, no matter how it’s worded, is really asking students to show some insight into those experiences or accomplishments. That’s reflection.

Encourage your child to start at the beginning of the process – a conversation with you. You know what’s amazing about your child; help your child figure this out, too.

Make a list

What makes your child so wonderful?

What do you love about this person you’ve raised?

Is your son kind? Resourceful? Compassionate?

Is your daughter industrious? Funny? Patient?

Think about qualities and characteristics, not accomplishments.

What are you waiting for?

Find a time to sit down with your son or daughter, then share and listen with an open mind and heart. This is a journey into self-discovery to teach your future college student how to be introspective and find meaning in life experiences.

This is a key conversation to help your child answer the one question that can really help hit that essay out of the ballpark: What do you want to share with colleges that they don’t already know about you, beyond grades, test scores and extracurricular activities?

Once your child can answer this question with a specific trait or characteristic, he or she will be able to find a meaningful story that illustrates that trait and also answers the prompt.

If you can get your child to this point, your son or daughter will be ready to continue the process of discovery – and will be prepared to write those essays this spring or summer.

SOCIAL MEDIA & THE COLLEGE APPLICATION

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 06:13:16 GMT

Did you know that college admissions officers often look at your social media? It is a part of who you are- today, post-covid, more than ever. Your Instagrams, Finstas, Snapchats, TikToks, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media are fair game for college admissions officers and coaches. Social Media can be a place where you can shine, connect and make a positive impression. This makes it really important to know a few things like the tips suggested by IECAs 10 Tips to Help College Applicants Establish Their Social Media Presence

Keep in mind that you are never anonymous. Your posts will never disappear. It does not matter if you are private or using an alias-your post can be found. You may want to develop a social media presence specifically for college, but remember what we just said above. And make sure you use the same email address for your social media as you use in your college applications.

There are many reasons to have appropriate user names and to know what is in your profile(s). Especially now while the world is working in an online environment and everyone, even the not-so-tech-savvy people are learning to go virtual and viral. Take control of your social presence. Social media continues to grow, change, and become more “social” and accounts are becoming less “private”– so there is sufficient cause to do your own social media audit. READ: Why Colleges Look at Students’ Social Media Accounts.

Tik Tok is “in” and Facebook is “out” for teens these days, but there are many other platforms like Reddit, Pinterest, _______ (insert new one here) and each is a window wide open to the student. In a recent Kaplan poll, 29% of admissions officers looked at prospective students’ social media posts. And it is not just about what you post, it is about what you “like,” where you “comment,” and what you share. Luckily, there are many ways to build a favorable online presence. Musicians, athletes, actors – anyone whose performances or products would be best expressed in video format – should consider creating a YouTube channel. Aspiring writers may benefit the most from starting a blog with regular posts. Would-be photographers and painters can use Pinterest or Tumblr to display their work.

WHAT TO DO TODAY?

~Google your own name. ~Look up any profile you may have used in the past. ~Do not accept tags in posts that are not in line with your values. ~Clean up all of your sites. ~Start a new social media account to use specifically with colleges. ~Post things you want colleges and admissions folks to see.[/box]

Carolynn Crabtree, President of Cornerstone Reputation shares these statistics:

● 67% of admissions officers surveyed searched for applicants on Facebook during the 2014 – 2015 admissions season

● 40% found content about the applicant that left a negative impression

● 53% found content about the applicant that left a positive impression

● 81% of schools surveyed have no formal policy on searching for applicants on social media

● 22% of admissions officers believe that an applicant could gain an advantage in the admissions process by building a positive online presence

USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Admission officers may be impressed when they see your talents on social media. You could showcase an article, performance, award, or show your involvement through community service or as part of a team. Some colleges allow you to send links with your work directly to them. Whether you blog, are a photographer, play an instrument, or sing, make sure the content is high quality. This is especially helpful when you have a unique talent that simply must be seen and heard. We love using LifeStream Digital Media with our students so that they can create one link to all of their accomplishments, photos, papers, contests, press releases and more.

● How can you add something unique to your application?

● How can you demonstrate an interest in a program?

● How can you influence searches for your name?

● How can you step outside the box?

● How can you connect with admissions staff more personally?

How interested are you in a particular college? Some colleges assess your interest in them before deciding whether or not to admit you. Using Social Media may be a way to demonstrate this interest. Register on the website of interest. Follow Coaches on Twitter. Follow different Instagram sites and hashtags that are in alignment with your interest. This is also a great way to understand what is brewing on campuses and may help you with the “WHY US” college essay.

People typically think of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as being the social media giants. In fact, most institutions of higher education maintain a profile on each platform. Note that some colleges may own just one generic profile, while others may have additional pages for undergraduate or graduate students or students of particular majors . Generally, the more specific the page, the more closely it may be monitored by admissions staff.

Still, the influence of Reddit and Quora should not be underestimated. On these two websites, which some would call “untapped resources,” you can demonstrate your ability to engage in mature conversations, contribute meaningfully to discussions and display the full range of your interests. Build up an account on either by answering questions you are knowledgeable in and receiving upvotes for strong content.

Athletes are Checked Most Often to Discern their Character and Lifestyle

Coaches are already online looking at profiles and accounts that you’ve sent to them. Your videos that you send with your letters of interest, your team profiles, your social media is all a part of them understanding what type of person you are on and off the field/court/lane. They want to know about your personality and if you will be a good addition to their team, socially and athletically. They want to see how you communicate with others, who you follow, how you contribute; they want to get an overall sense of you. Give them the good stuff!

BRAINSTORMING AN ESSAY THAT IS ANYTHING BUT COMMON

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 19:00:00 GMT

WILL YOUR ESSAY BE HOT, HOT, HOT?

Imagine that your house is on fire. We know you would save your family and pets, but what if…you have just enough time to run back inside to save one (only one) item: no time to deliberate. You rush inside and grab the first item you see, knowing that if you hesitate for even a second, both you AND that object won’t survive. You run back outside to safety, having saved a necklace that’s worth some money. Congrats.

But now let’s add a twist. Replay that scenario, except that before the fireman sends you back inside, he lists three choices for you:

1) a soup ladle 2) that necklace 3)the amulet given to you by your great, great grandfather (something generally considered irreplaceable, to be cherished and passed along, etc.)

It is probably pretty obvious which item you would choose because you had a choice. You were able to quickly rank the importance of the items and pick the one with the most meaning and significance, the family heirloom instead of something you could replace like a ladle or costume jewelry.

It is time to make the strongest choice! Don’t write an essay that is replaceable, make it unique. Make it mean something. Make it count!

Your essay is a one-time impression on an admissions committee. Much like saving an object from a burning fire, you have ONE opportunity to get it right. Imagine spending all those years on homework, projects, extracurricular activities, earning the position of “president” of clubs, achieving greatness in sports and music, only to end up putting together an application that does not show off the best of YOU?

VALUES EXERCISE

We provided a link to a values-based exercise after our June meeting to help you understand what some of your top values may be. Unveiling these through the personal essay is important! Knowing your list of top values may help you build an essay that shows a bit of who you are and your value system- in the form of a 500-650 word story.

You probably have many achievements, talents, and experiences to choose from- even if you cannot think of one right now. So how do you know which things to include on a shortlist? And how to prioritize them? You don’t want to write an essay that any admissions rep has already read before.

HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?

1. Start by writing down your ten best assets:

And let’s define “assets” as achievements, talents, unique personal traits, life experiences, skills, etc. Some examples: Valedictorian; 4.0 GPA; All-State Athlete; President of NHS; 2nd Place in State Science Fair; Published Short Story; Summer Experience at Shipping Yard in Nova Scotia; Won Competition X for Trumpet; Fluent in six languages; Read two books per week; Is made up of fourteen distinct nationalities; Scored above 2100 on SAT; and so on.

Initially, you can make as long a list as you’d like, but ultimately pick the ten best (the ten most obvious, impressive, interesting ones according to his best judgment).

2. Now, rank this list.

Weigh the items according to which things YOU are personally most proud of, passionate about, etc. Then rank the items honestly from 1 to 10 (1 being your most cherished).

3. Now, in a separate column, assign one more grade (or “weight”), according to the following scale:

a. 1 point = No one else on Earth can lay claim to this.

b. 5 points = Very few students have achieved/done/experienced this.

c. 10 points = Many other applicants are likely to have achieved/done/experienced this.

d. 15 points = Virtually every competitive applicant will likely have some version of this.

4. Now, multiply both numbers

This is where it gets fun. Re-rank this “Final” list from lowest to highest number. Pay close attention to the TOP FIVE items on this list.

These are most likely the things you will want to broadcast most prominently to the college admissions committee. A beginning point for establishing your best essay.

5. Now, focus on the FIVE top results

At this point, you will have some ideas and a list of topics in order of WOW! These things can be used in the essay, in your activities list, and even during an interview. This is your best stuff!

It’s better to leave a college admissions committee with a sharp sense of a few things, rather than a fuzzy sense of many.

These are the things that make you stand out. This is what will make an admissions team say, “we want this kid on our campus.”

You can do this. We can help.

Lee Norwood is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, Higher Education Consultants Association, NACAC Character Collaborative and she is on faculty with the CounselMore Business Development Academy. She speaks at industry conferences on topics like “Meeting Gen Z Where They Are” and “Growing Your Business” and she has been featured on podcasts with CollegeScoops, ThirdFloor Views, Tests And The Rest, and others. If you are interested in our process, our team, reviews and outcomes, just look at our website www.annapoliscollegeconsulting.com

VISITING COLLEGES JUNIOR YEAR IS VERY IMPORTANT!

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 09:37:37 GMT

Hello families of Juniors! You are embarking on the single most important year of high school and if this is your first rodeo, you may not be psychologically prepared for the testing, the activity involvement, and the swap from Vermont ski trips, Caribbean cruises, visiting Grandma, sports training, traveling team tournaments to COLLEGE CAMPUS VISITS ! It is a big year and can feel overwhelming.

The time is NOW to focus on college visits.

We are finally getting past the COVID shut down and schools are stepping up with real, MASK TO MASK, tours and events. Plan campus tours for Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, winter or spring break, and Easter break, or Saturdays for nearby colleges. These are the best times to see schools with students on campus, enjoy the official tours and information sessions, and learn how to make a family vacation out of college tour season. Go to several schools close to home to simply begin to understand what college looks like these days! Find your FIT by VISITING.

Your high school junior may be starting to develop their “college list.” That college list will evolve over the next six to nine months, so it need not be—in fact, it shouldn’t be– “complete” before you begin campus visits. College visits will help your 11th Grader clarify what he or she wants in a college. Campus visits are the critical “reality check” that helps your son or daughter determine whether a college lives up to its reputation/expectations.

WE FIND THAT MANY STUDENTS AND FAMILIES START WITH A LIST OF THE “USUAL SUSPECTS” WHICH ARE LOCAL SCHOOLS, SCHOOLS THAT ARE UBER-POPULAR AMONG PEERS, AND INSTITUTIONS WITH A NATIONAL APPEAL THAT LOOK GREAT IN THE MOVIES WE CAUTION YOU TO NOT GET STUCK ON THAT HAMSTER WHEEL. THERE ARE OVER 4000 UNIQUE SCHOOLS IN THE US AND YOU NEED TO DO THE RESEARCH TO MATCH YOUR FAMILY GOALS, ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, GEOGRAPHICALLY, AND FINANCIALLY.

College visits are like a box of chocolate, you never really know what you are going to get! This happened to me while on a college tour with my friend Susan and her mom. We went to popular schools like UVA , NC State , University of South Carolina , Clemson and Wake Forest . But we also stopped at the “not so well known” schools like Furman , Highpoint , and Elon . At the time, Elon College was simply an answer on the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle for “small college in the south’. I had never even heard of it. But it was on that beautiful campus, by the iconic fountain that I felt the unforgettable feeling of belonging. They had a business school, communications program, science, law, and fine art…the typical liberal arts education- and since I had no idea where I wanted to go (other than as far from home as possible with stringent budget limitations) or what I wanted to study, I knew in my CORE that this was MY college. Elon College was where I was going to spread my wings try all of the subjects, clubs, and activities. -right along with 3500 others.

TRUTH BE TOLD, I WAS ALSO INVITED TO A SORORITY PARTY DURING MY TOUR AND THAT PUT ME OVER THE MOON. I WAS SOLD!

Now Elon University is double the size, we have a gorgeous stadium, state-of-the-art communications programs, a law school, a widely recognized teaching program, double the students, a Greek court, major donors, and a new, badass female president. I am headed to homecoming in November and have never been more proud of my Fightin’ Christians- now Elon Phoenix. We are still an answer on Sunday New York Times Crossword; now we are the “most beautiful campus in the US.”

“MY POINT IS, DON’T THINK YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW.” -LEE NORWOOD

Junior year is busy. Your student is preparing for the SAT or ACT, maximizing junior year GPA, participating in extracurricular activities, learning to drive, and having a social life. All super important teen things. Why not wait until summer to visit colleges? Unfortunately, campus visits in the summer are missing one key element: students. It is ideal to visit during the school year because your teen can get realistic first hand exposure to the campus atmosphere (e.g., Greek life, school spirit, academic climate, classroom experience, sports, or performing arts activities) and a real vibe of the place. Also, check out the restaurants, shopping, and the fringe around the school. How do you know where to go? Our friends at College Scoops have the inside info, curated by students and families just like yours. We even have a special discount code www.collegescoops.com ANNAPCC-z21.

In the “ghost-town” weeks of July, you can’t attend a basketball game, musical production, or freshman seminar. Teens need to measure potential “fit” by actually observing students in classes, eateries, bookstores, or hanging out on the green. Do students wear Birkenstocks or Lilly P. fashions? How diverse is the student body? Are students focused on academics, campus activities, urban entertainment, sports, partying, activism, business careers, or tech startups? Is the atmosphere eclectic, enthusiastic, isolated, or dead? Can your teen say, “I can picture myself here!” (or not?).

Don’t forget the weather! Upstate New York is lovely in summer, but what if your student is seasonal affective, and would become depressed during four months of subfreezing temperatures, grey skies, snow, and ice? Everyone loves Boston in the Fall! But a winter visit may change your mind completely about the location of the university. And Florida? If your daughter is worried about constant humidity, this southern zone may not be for her.

“WE DON’T APPLY UNTIL SENIOR YEAR, WHY THE RUSH TO VISIT NOW?”

There is so much to do to prepare to apply to college. It is quite a bit of work. Even if you do not have to officially decide until May of senior year, you should KNOW you want to attend the schools on your list because you have seen the real-life campuses. Most aha moments happen after the visit. Did the college meet your expectations? Was it as “perfect” as you thought since your visit with the admissions officer or after seeing the marketing videos? Once you get your boots on the ground, some schools will be crossed off immediately: in fact, he or she may dislike a campus setting so much vs. its reputation that he or she may not even want to get out of the car. This is a REAL THING- don’t wait until October of senior year. And don’t force them to get out if they have been enthusiastic about other schools on the list.

The more you research and visit with your student, the more their viewpoints and emotional reactions to campuses will evolve. What was once just “the next step” for them is now a reality. This is the next four years of their life and they have choices!

In addition to gaining an understanding of what type of university and what atmosphere makes your student tick, there are admission advantages, such as Early Decision and Early Action. We break down the types of applications in our article THE DATING GAME OF COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON .

It is not necessary to visit every college on your imaginary list either; it is better to offer a few different schools (i.e., a large school vs. a small school, an urban school vs. a rural school with a traditional campus, a Northeast school vs. a Southeast school). And please avoid the whirlwind tour of elite “dream colleges” that your good friend, neighbor, or friend suggests. These highly selective colleges have often been called “highly rejective” and you MUST have a realistic view of where your child can get in, what you can afford, and what matters. Malcolm Gladwell does a great talk on this topic and we suggest ALL families watch.

Our advice is to use our COLLEGE VISIT form and complete one for each school. Start to know what you want. Find other similar schools. Look at the data to see if it is fit. Call us, we can help.

WHY THE “WHY THIS COLLEGE” ESSAY IS SO HARD.

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:07:30 GMT

“IT IS BEAUTIFUL, AND I CANNOT WAIT TO ENJOY THE PALM TREES WHEN I LOOK OUT MY WINDOW.” YOU CAN DO THAT IN LOTS OF SCHOOLS

"THE CITY IS ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT IN THE WORLD.” DUH…

“WHEN I STEPPED ON CAMPUS, I FELT AT HOME.” BORING.

“Why do you want to attend this university ?” is the question, and the answer is not easy. It takes research, and that may be the best thing you can do for yourself- know before you go. Many times this question may be hidden within another question so make sure you are answering the prompt, directly, without a floral introduction to the meat of your answer. Your essays help colleges evaluate your interest in their school. They want to know why you decided to apply to their particular school and if what they offer matches what you want. They are assessing whether you’re a good fit for their community and whether you’ll be able to contribute to and enrich the school’s learning environment inside and outside of the classroom. Will you attend, get involved, be engaged, graduate in 4 years, and be an active alumnus?

THE COLLEGE THAT JUST SENT AN ACCEPTANCE LETTER WANTS YOU TO ASK FOR A BETTER PRICE

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:03:02 GMT

Today’s blog is a nod to Eminem and the Superbowl half-time show; thus the quote in the intro. And now, we are happy to feature a piece from Mark Salisbury, co-founder, and chief executive officer of TuitionFit. TuitionFit empowers the public to create real college price transparency by sharing actual pricing information. This piece is intended for a consumer audience, not professionals, but presents ideas that are useful for all. We suggest that ALL of our families use and contribute to this amazing, crowdsourced, transparency-inducing platform.

“WAIT, WHAT?! PEOPLE NEGOTIATE COLLEGE PRICES???”

Yep. All the time. [That is why we ask you to be patient before committing! Keep your leverage.- Lee]

IN FACT, MOST COLLEGES WISH THAT MORE ACCEPTED APPLICANTS WOULD ASK FOR A LOWER PRICE.

Now pick yourself up off the floor and keep reading. Because knowing this simple college cost hack may well save you thousands of dollars.

You Say Negotiate, They Say Appeal (let ’em have this one) Before we get started – a quick tip about word choice. Colleges care a lot about keeping up appearances, especially when they need to prop up the idea that they are blissfully above the fray. So it’s not a real surprise that admissions offices don’t take too kindly to being lumped in with car salesmen or real estate agents. In particular, colleges get awfully prickly when someone asks if they will “negotiate” a better price. That’s when the financial aid staff will college-splain to you that they don’t negotiate, but they will be glad to consider your appeal.

Although this weird arrogance might turn your stomach (especially if you built your kid’s college fund with money you made selling something), you need to let the colleges have this one. Because at the end of the day, you don’t really care what anyone calls it. You just want a lower price. So dial up your sweetest Oliver Twist voice, take a breath, and ask how you can appeal for more financial aid.

THERE’S GOLD IN THAT THERE YIELD RATE

Lots of colleges brag about their crazy low admission rates (the percentage of applicants that the college accepts), hoping the public will conclude that those colleges really must be able to charge whatever they want. But this is just marketing sleight of hand. There’s another number, the yield rate, that actually tells you how “in demand” a college is. The yield rate is the percentage of accepted applicants that actually enroll. Admit rate vs. yield rate is sort of like the difference between an “oh my god, YESSS!” and a “thanks for paying for dinner, but let’s just be friends.” A high yield rate is what high demand really looks like. A low yield rate just means that the college gets dumped at the altar a lot.

Pull back the curtain, and lots of supposedly very selective colleges turn out not to be nearly as popular as they’d like you to think. For example, Northeastern University proudly talks about admitting only 20% of their applicants. But they aren’t so loud and proud about the fact that only 27% of those individuals actually enroll at Northeastern. Likewise, Grinnell College , with an admit rate of only 19%, loves to tout their exclusivity. But their reality? Only 1 out of every 4 of those accepted applicants actually chooses Grinnell.

SO WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ASKING FOR MORE AID?

WHEN A COLLEGE SENDS OUT ACCEPTANCE NOTICES, THEY GET ONE OF THREE RESPONSES.

OMG, I’m coming.

Thanks, but I’d like to appeal for more financial aid.

crickets

Although the number of students and families appealing for more financial aid has increased in recent years, the vast majority of accepted applicants just vanish into thin air. For a college with a high yield rate, this is a minor annoyance – something they can dip into a short waitlist to fix. But for a college with a lower yield rate, the fact that so many accepted applicants simply disappear dramatically increases the pressure to convert the ones who keep in touch.

From the college’s point of view, an accepted applicant that appeals for more financial aid is an applicant that might still commit. So it’s in the college’s interest to keep communicating with you: to find ways to keep enticing you to commit. This is why many colleges actually build wiggle room into their pricing strategy so that they can entice you by sweetening the pot.

WHAT???

In this case, it really is just like the dance you do when selling a house or buying a car. In almost every case, the first offer – no matter who makes it – is not the final price. It’s just a starting point. In the case of college pricing strategies, this just means that the first offer they send out to most students intentionally gives the college room to drop their price and still meet their revenue goals.

The way to get them to drop that price?

There are two options:

Wait and hope that they will decide to send you a second financial aid offer with an extra bump in it to get you from “on the fence” to “let’s do this.” This actually happens from time to time, when a college realizes that they are trending way short of their enrollment goals and need a Hail Mary to improve their tuition deposits.

APPEAL! Ask for more financial aid. You don’t care if they justify the additional aid as an increase in need-based aid or an addition to a merit scholarship. You just want more aid.

SO …. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Today, most colleges and universities are happy to reconsider the first price they offer. They might not give you the price that you were hoping for, but in many cases, they have already prepared to adjust their price in order to get you and your student to commit.

But you have to ask. And from the college’s perspective, they would much prefer that you ask for more financial aid than simply vanish into thin air. If you ask for more, that tells them that you are still in the mix. As long as they haven’t already reached their enrollment goal (which most colleges haven’t been able to do in several years now), you can increase the college’s motivation to improve their financial aid offer by simply showing them that you are still in the mix. And you do that by asking to appeal for more aid.

You have absolutely nothing to lose.

COLLEGE PREP FOR A HOMESCHOOLER

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:59:04 GMT

If you are a high school homeschooler, you may be wondering how you should be helping your student prepare for college and college applications. One of the biggest concerns of homeschool families is whether their student will be successfully admitted into colleges. The simple answer is YES as colleges look at your student’s application just as they look at any student’s application. The key is having the details to demonstrate that your student is ready for college, Students do not only need to be prepared academically and socially, but they also need to demonstrate drive, curiosity, independence, concern for others, and willingness to take on challenges. Here are some key points when preparing for college apps:

Plan Your Student’s Homeschool Curriculum

One place to start when planning your student’s curriculum is to look at your school district’s requirements for high school graduation. These requirements are minimum requirements for public school students, and so they just serve as a basic guide. Your student will want to go above and beyond these requirements to indicate college preparedness. Most importantly, include the following five core courses for four years.

Math

English

Science

Social Science

Foreign Language (preferably four years, but at least three years)

Then, be sure to include a variety of electives from a range of disciplines such as arts (e.g., music, dance, theater, drawing, painting), technology (e.g., basic computer skills, computer science, film, photography), physical education, health, and religion.

Consider Outside Instruction and Evidence

It doesn’t matter if the parents are the primary instructor, or your student is instructed by someone else. If you can provide evidence that your student made progress in the subject and covered the material expected in a high school curriculum, then you will be fine. Here are some options for outside instruction and evidence of academic preparedness:

In-person or online co-op homeschool programs where the instructor is doing the grading. This can be an accredited program or not.
Dual Enrollment courses at a community college or university
AP online courses and/or exams (Note: if you want to teach your own AP course, make sure it is approved by the College Board)
SAT/ACT scores to demonstrate your student’s academic abilities (sometimes these tests are required for homeschoolers)

Pursue Passions

One of the greatest advantages of homeschooling is that your student can more easily pursue passions because they are not in a classroom most of the day five days of the week.

Maybe your student is interested in different cultures, and they may start by using the Internet to research a few different cultures. Then they may travel to different regions to do further research, interview locals, and take photographs. A detailed report bout each culture and a comparative analysis would be a great outcome to demonstrate what they have learned in this educational experience. Similarly, maybe your student is interested in ornithology, and spends a considerable amount of time reading and learning about birds in their home region. Again, a description of this passion along with documented evidence (e.g., science reports, research, videos, photos, etc.) would indicate their level of interest and dedication to the subject. There are so many options for pursuing passions whether it be in a formal setting or an informal setting. Just be sure to document the progress, work conducted, and results.

Participate Beyond Academics

Colleges look beyond a student’s academics so be sure your student is involved. The opportunities are endless:

Volunteer at a local charity or church (e.g., serve at a food bank, knit blankets for fostered animals, assist a young church class, be a camp counselor)
Participate in clubs (e.g., Scouts, gaming, robotics)
Play sports (any sport counts)
Work a job (e.g., cut grass for neighbors, host at a restaurant, lifeguard)
Help take care of younger siblings or work on the family farm
Start a business or create a class

Through these experiences, students develop many different skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility, empathy, financial literacy, creativity, and leadership. All of these are important for college applications .

Complete College Applications

If your student is on the path to a four-year degree, then the student and their parents need to present the homeschooler’s journey in college applications. Homeschooled students complete college applications just like any other students, and will include elements such as a transcript, school profile, essays to demonstrate character and values, and letters of recommendation. To readily have available the information that goes into an application, it is important to document your student’s journey. You may ask, “What do I need to document?”, and the answer is nearly everything.

Here’s a list of items to track:

Courses (course name, description, curriculum/materials used, deliverables and weights for grade, instructor/provider, duration and dates, credits earned, grade)
Independent projects (description, duration and dates, materials used, skills learned, results)
Volunteer activities (role, description, duration, and dates)
Sports (role, description, duration, dates, competitions/events)
Clubs (role, description, duration, dates, activities performed)
Travel experiences
Photographs of nearly everything your student has participated in

It would also be a good idea to hold onto documentation required by your local or state education department. These items might include:

Enrollment form to start homeschooling
Yearly “Intent to Continue Homeschooling” forms
Reports from bi-annual or annual reviewers

The bulk of the record-keeping will need to be done for the high school years, but you may need to refer to coursework or extracurriculars that your student did in middle school. This is particularly relevant for a student that will graduate in less than four years or a student that excelled in certain subjects. For example, if your child excels in math and took Algebra I and II in grades 7 and 8, colleges may want to know that these courses were completed. So, be sure to keep detailed documentation from middle school onward.

Now that you have documented everything your child did over the last five years, you may ask “What do I do with this all of this?”. The information will be used in:

The transcript – it is an official transcript
A counselor’s letter of recommendation from the parent
Course descriptions
Activities list
Résumés
A homeschool profile was written by the counselor parent

Remember, the purpose of the application is to tell the student’s homeschool journey and demonstrate college preparedness. That journey is partly the student’s responsibility by working hard to earn good grades in academically rigorous courses, challenging themselves, pursuing passions, participating in extracurriculars such as clubs and sports, volunteering, and taking on leadership roles. The parent’s responsibility is to provide the evidence and context of the homeschool journey. In essence, the parent helps tell the student’s story and journey by keeping detailed records.

THE DATING GAME- OF COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:49:35 GMT

DECIDING HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY TO COLLEGE IS JUST ONE MORE PIECE OF COLLEGE APPLICATION JENGA!IT TAKES SKILL, BALANCE, PREPARATION, AND A BIT OF LUCK.

Here are some of the types of application timelines that colleges offer. You will choose the application plan based on your list, your goals, your preferences, and the due dates. Below I will define each type of application and relate it to dating…so you will never forget it. Ever.

ED- EARLY DECISION- FINDING YOUR ONE AND ONLY, ASKING THEM TO MARRY YOU, AND WALKING DOWN THE AISLE.

Early Decision (ED) is for students who are ready to commit to a certain college or university. If accepted, all other schools are off the table. A student applies to ONE school and must attend if accepted. In fact, all other dating is over…all other applications must be withdrawn. There will be no more dating, no more looking for your one and only: you are formally bound together.

Why do it? It can increase your chances this year as many of the schools are hoping to get more committed relationships earlier in the dating game. And, you will know the answer and can move forward to celebrate and buy the t-shirt, work on your deferral by writing a Letter of Continued Interest, or know that that school did not want a committed relationship with you. Admissions offices like the certainty involved with getting a committed, paying relationship. Speaking of paying, you will not get to compare other offers and are committing to pay what the net price calculator on the university website states for your family.

EARLY ACTION- FOR THE PICKY DATER

Early Action (EA) plans are for those who are smitten with several schools. You may like one for one reason and another for a different reason, so you keep your options open; but only with a few, select targets. This plan allows students who are prepared and ready to apply to do so early in senior year and get to having fun in high school. Your decision does not have to be made and you are free to compare offers until May 1st – the national decision date – when you must make a choice. If you are eager and ready to submit by November, and anxious to know who you may be taking to the altar, by the holidays, this may be the way to go. Some students just like to know where they stand with the schools and can decide later – which may reduce stress.

EARLY DECISION II – OF ALL THE ONES I’VE LOVED BEFORE, YOU ARE NOW MY CLEAR FAVORITE!

ED ll plans are later in the year- around January. You may choose this option when your first proposal is refused or when one of your dates just clearly stands out from the crowd a bit later in the dating cycle. Also binding like ED but you just didn’t feel the love quite as early in the process. EDII may also increase your chances as the admissions % are often higher than in regular decision, but again, you will not be able to compare offers, negotiate for more aid, etc. Weigh the pros and cons with your family

ED deadlines are typically November 1st or November 15th, and decisions are released between mid-December and mid-January. You will need to complete a form with your guidance office and your parents confirming that you understand the binding nature of this decision. Does it increase your chances? Sometimes it does. Make sure to look at the early decision admissions rates compared to regular decision.

REGULAR DECISION – LIKE GOING TO THE CLUB.

Regular Decision (RD) plans do not require a commitment, and believe it or not, this is the fan-favorite when it comes to this dating analogy. You can flirt, date, talk about the future, and keep a bunch of prospects on the line until you are ready to compare and commit next year. These deadlines are usually January 1st or later. This is also a way to show off a stellar first trimester or semester of your senior year. Do you need to show a bit more of an upward trend in your GPA? These deadlines may be the right choice for you.

Is this you? Do you need a little more time? Are you still unsure? Is finding that match alluding to you for the time being? Just keep clubbing, testing, studying, dating…the right one will show itself. You may start to look a little better using the regular application once you complete a senior semester or gather a few more activities and scores. If you need some time to show what a great catch you will be, this is the RD plan for you.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?

Depending on who you are, the way you go through this dating process will be about the same…unless you go ED and are off the market to all others. You want to put your best outfit on, mind your manners, be picky, show off the best version of yourself – and apply the way that makes the most sense for your situation.

BUILDING A BALANCED COLLEGE LIST

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:45:52 GMT

This pandemic was not the only worst case scenario.

A balanced college list is more than an admissions algorithm. Counselors bring their life experiences to the table. Counselors know that life is unpredictable. This unpredictability is reason enough to have students build a well-rounded, balanced college list.

Many of my students have earned the opportunity to apply to ‘Reach’ schools. Their initial college list is filled with parents’ aspirations and expectations. Then it begins; parents dicker with me when I talk about the necessity of adding a safety school to the college list. My reason is clear, I say, “Because fate has a way of smacking us upside the head!” Parents also bring their own life experiences to the table and eventually acknowledge the uncertainties in life with a weary sigh of acknowledgement. It is the ‘Reach’ school that everyone around the table likes to imagine but it is the unimaginable that requires college counselors to prepare a balanced college list.

I’ve had 2 students who each suffered the tragedy of losing a parent just months before college Freshmen move-in day. One mother pleaded with her son to go on and continue his journey to the University of Chicago . On August 1st of that year, I sat with him while he made a choice that would carve an adult from the clay of a child before my eyes. He withdrew his candidacy from UChicago and enrolled in San Jose State University . He graduated SJSU at the top of his class, he has money for graduate school and was able to live at home Sophomore to Senior year. His stellar undergrad GPA has given him an excellent opportunity to choose graduate programs.

The other student in this scenario is a young woman who was accepted to her ‘ Reach’ school days before her father passed from a rare, undiagnosed heart condition. She decided to accept the offer from her ‘Reach’ school. She explained that her father was so happy she was accepted there and even though the financial situation had suddenly changed, she still wanted to attend the prestigious school that cost $70,000 a year, and would take her 6 years to graduate.

Balanced college lists are not algorithms.

If they were, this job would be easier. Each year I build a college list that satisfies ‘safety’ schools first. Then I will begin adding ‘Fit’ schools to the college list. I define a ‘Fit’ school as a 50/50% chance of acceptance. Last, I look for schools where the student’s choice of study is the premiere program. After locating cutting edge research or following grant applications to the door of the large research university, I back track from the program to current student biographies, recent admitted class and admissions requirements. I work backwards with reach schools instead of by name brand because my experience has taught me that Yale and Harvard do not always have the premiere program in every category. Instead, ‘Reach’ should be defined by the program of study and where the student will feel the ‘reach’. This is also why I do not use a fourth category. Some call this a ‘Lottery’ school. I call it “open the window and throw your money out of it.” When a ‘Lottery’ school is on the list, I ask if it’s because of the program within the school or because of the brand name.

When a counselor applies a ‘Lottery’ school to a list because of the brand name, it begs the question; “Why apply?” When a counselor applies a ‘Lottery’ school to a list because the academic program within that school is highly competitive, it begs the question; “Where were you when I was learning to be a college counselor?”

Balancing a college list is because life is unpredictable.

Balancing a college list is not because some of the names are recognizable and others aren’t. Focusing on the academic programs as ‘Reach or Lottery’ instead of the school, keeps the goal centered and causes all preparation to focus on the academic program they are applying for and not the school-wrapper. An application squarely focused on the academics offered by the school, overlooking the school name or pedigree, can improve the application outcome, no matter which school says yes.

Link to video Building a balanced college list

Written by: Margaret Rothe, Career in higher education, Master of Higher Education, Student Affairs, owner of HigherGrounding , a college consulting firm; a founder of, CounselMore , College Counseling Software, a college search, list builder and professional college planning management tool.

8 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED ON THAT COLLEGE ESSAY

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:43:40 GMT

The college essay is an important part of your application. Your test scores and grades provide the admissions officer insight into your…well…test scores and grades. Some consider these numbers an indicator of your readiness for the “rigors” of college studies. This belief may have some merit, but it is the essay that can reveal so much more! The essay can set you apart from the other applicants who have similar test scores and grades. Look, there’s only ONE you! It’s time to figure out how to take advantage of the opportunity you’ve been given. Let’s try to open the door to admissions a little wider.

But there is only one YOU, and the essay is where you get to tell admissions who you are, what you’ve been doing in preparation for college, what connection you have with the college community you want to be a part of, and who the person is behind those test scores and grades.

It has the power to reveal so much more about you; your skills, your intentions, and your interests.

What the College Essay is Not

1. An Autobiography

The successful essay will tell a story of YOU. The key word here is “a”. The college essay is not meant to encapsulate your entire life’s experiences and purpose in less than 650 words.

2. A Thesis Paper

Likewise, you should not consider this a typical paper you would hand in to your high school english teacher. While it is true, every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end, the college essay will not necessarily be held to strict term paper rules. We’ll explore more on this idea later.

3. Getting Started

This is often the most challenging part of the process. The idea of choosing what to write about can be overwhelming and stressful. And actually getting pen to paper (so to speak) can cause the most diligent student to procrastinate. Start with an outline! It’s likely you’ll do 2 or 3 of them before you move on to the essay part.

4. Tell It Like It Is

Are you second guessing your choice of subject matter, because you wonder if your topic is something that an admissions officer wants to read? Well, that is good, but a better course of action would be to pick a topic which comes naturally to you. Tell a story that makes you excited; one that gives the reader a feeling s/he is there with you and s/he actually knows you. This will be easier to breathe life into.

5. Brainstorming

There are a million ways to do this, as you will quickly discover when searching the internet. Basically, brainstorming for college essay topics needs to be inspired by doing reflective exercises. After all, this is about YOU. Focus on finding helpful exercises which make you take stock of your accomplishments, characteristics, and life experiences. You can ask others (family members, friends) to help you with this by asking them to add items to add to these lists. Ask 5 friends to share 5 words that they would use to describe you, and then take the ones you may not agree with and ask them why they chose that. You may find that you are even more interesting than you thought.

6. Choosing Wisely

While you’re brainstorming, leave nothing out. Even if you hesitate to write down an idea, because you wonder if it’s too ordinary or too risky, write it down. Even if an idea does not work for your personal statement essay, it may be a wildly creative answer to a supplemental prompt at one or more colleges. It is acceptable to choose the ordinary and to take creative leaps. But understand, some topics are too common and can be difficult to retell with individuality. Some topics are way too broad and end up as a great story but with no take-away to reveal who you are.. Having trouble deciphering this riddle? Get help.

7. Keep This in Mind

Think of it like a novella where the story you tell leaves insights into your values. When reading your essay, admissions officers want to learn two things; more about you to determine whether or not you’ll be a good fit and whether or not you really want to be a student at their school.

8. For Now

Make a list. Actually, make lots of lists. Write the ideas down, and when the best begin to float to the top, start thinking about how these will tell your story…including the part where you envision the future.

WHAT CHANGES WHEN YOUR TEEN TURNS 18?

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:33:41 GMT

WHAT CHANGES WHEN YOUR TEEN TURNS 18?

When your teen reaches the age of 18 , even though you may still think of them as children, under the law they have now achieved adult status. That status allows them to vote, serve in the military, serve on a jury, sign a contract, and get married without your consent. Although they still can’t do certain things, like drink alcohol or rent cars, their legal status is decided.

Here are 6 things you may want to consider:

Students (mostly male) with US citizenship (with exceptions) must register for the selective service upon reaching the age of 18.
Although not required, this is a great time for your kids to register to vote.
When your children turn 18, you no longer automatically have the authority to make healthcare decisions for them. And this is true even if they are still covered by your health insurance and you are paying the bill. This means that if your child has an accident or illness and is temporarily disabled, you may need court approval to act on their behalf or even to be informed of their medical status.
Despite the fact that you are paying for their education, the FERPA law says you no longer have access to your child’s grades once they turn 18. That’s right, you can call the registrar and ask to see your 18-year-old’s transcript and they will not share it with you even though you’re the one signing the tuition checks.
You can no longer manage money for your children once they turn 18.
At 21, any money saved in a UTMA (and other savings accounts- check with your advisor) automatically becomes theirs unless other legal plans are in place.

Who can believe that 18 years have already flown by? It is overwhelming to all of us. You are doing the best you can and knowledge is power.

This post was created by CounselMore Peer Mentor, Lee Norwood is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association, NACAC Character Collaborative and she is on faculty with the CounselMore Business Development Academy . She speaks at industry conferences on topics like “Meeting Gen Z Where They Are” and “Growing Your Business” and she has been featured on podcasts with CollegeScoops, ThirdFloor Views, Tests And The Rest, and featured in Forbes magazine. If you are interested in our process, our team, reviews and outcomes, just look at our website www.annapoliscollegeconsulting.com

3 THINGS AN EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT NEEDS TO COMMUNICATE

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:30:12 GMT

1) How to schedule an appointment.

Let clients know specifically how to schedule a meeting. For recurring clients, consider booking out the student's appointments for the semester, on the same day/time. The CounselMore Business Development Academy advises a per grade meeting pattern. The time between appointments decreases as the grade level increases.

2) Define everyone's role from the beginning.

Clearly state which meetings will be designated 'student only' or 'parent only' or if anyone can attend as they choose. The CounselMore Business Development Academy advises that nervous parents are calmed by knowing a future parent-meeting date is on the calendar and are less likely to attend student meetings or send spurious inquiries between meetings.

3) How to ask questions.

Avoid spurious client phone calls, text and email messages, by setting clear expectations about business hours and the preferred channel for communications. The CounselMore Business Development Academy advises that instructions like, "Let me know if you have questions" is better communicated "Reach me by text, between 3pm and 7pm for quick questions and I will respond. Outside of those hours, an email is preferred. Questions that require nuanced answers we will save for discussion in our scheduled meetings."

SOCIAL JUSTICE MINI-GRANTS FOR ACTIVISM

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:16:44 GMT

In honor of Campus Pride’s 20th Anniversary, we are awarding Social Justice Mini-Grants for Activism to fund student-led projects on college and university campuses. The program offers grants of up to $600 to student activists involved in social justice work. To learn more, visit campuspride.org/ActNow .

Campus Pride helps make campuses safer and more inclusive with the help of student activists. If you are a student leader or are interested in leading a social justice project on your campus, we want you to apply now. Go to the Campus Pride website and apply now for the next round of Social Justice Mini-Grants for Activism.

Our mini-grant recipients and social justice projects

Campus Pride announced the first round of mini-grant recipients in August 2021. Our recipients are fighting for social causes like menstrual justice, LGBTQ sex ed and trans-affirming healthcare. Other past grant recipients include a trans-women-led play by April Lichtman (University of Connecticut) and BYU Pride’s drag show by David Shill (Brigham Young University). Watch a video from Lichtman about her experience with her original play. Read more on our blog about Shill’s Madam Pattirini Day drag show.

For a complete list of the grants Campus Pride is funding, go to campuspride.org/SocialJusticeMiniGrantFunding .

IMPOSTER!!! NEW IEC?

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:11:21 GMT

I felt satisfied with how much I knew

about the higher education underbelly (enrollment management), that I thought I could open up shop. I’ve always been good at offering vision and scaffolded guidance but I eternally stink at transactional relationships. I can haggle a price at a bazaar but beyond that I like everything straight forward. Tell me the rules and I'm happy. I hate sales, marketing, and the acts thereof. So getting my educational consulting practice off the ground was not smooth. I had to think different.

These are not the traits of a successful sole proprietor. I believed I didn’t have the natural instinct or mindset for business, which led me to start viewing my practice as a side gig. I scaled down my vision—charging less, taking fewer clients, and convincing myself that I didn’t need to worry about the business side because my practice was small and uncomplicated. For a brief moment, this approach seemed to make sense. Until it didn’t.

As it turned out, I’m good at what I do, and my client list began to grow. I found it hard to say no and took on more clients than I had planned. I started making adjustments based on each client's needs, spending far too much time helping without tracking my time. I struggled to differentiate between chargeable time and my own professional development, often setting my prices based on emotions rather than the value of my work. Then one year, my tax preparer said to me—these were her exact words...

“No more! This is ridiculous. You are actually losing money and working full time!”

I said, “But I don’t want this to be stressful and I’m just learning…” She snapped back, “Do you want to eat? Do you want your family to eat?! Make some money!”

Oh right! I completely forgot—this is a business! It was a wake-up call that I could no longer ignore. I knew I wanted to take on clients, and I enjoyed the work. It was time to get serious. I needed to own up to being a business owner and gather the skills necessary to do the job. With all the fire of enlightenment, I gritted my teeth and got to work! Ha!

No, I didn’t. Instead, I let this continue, unchecked.

I was my own worst enemy, undermining my entire vision. Early in my practice, I knowingly gave away my time. I was so shy about asking for payment that one family had to insist on handing me money before I even broached the topic. Another family gave me a pep talk one evening about how much I should be charging. What a mess.

Times have changed, but getting there was anything but pretty.

I cleaned up my act. For each of my services, I have routine steps I take each client through. Because my delivery of services are mapped, I am able to formalize those steps and quantify for my clients where they are within their journey with me. When we reach the last step, we both know services have concluded.

Having these steps standardized allows me to free up my brain power for each student.

The quantifiable services (essays, LOR, resume) becomes routine and takes little of my attention away from the part I enjoy most, counseling. Charting my client’s journey through my services allowed me the opportunity to see my practice from a bird’s-eye view. From there I could identify steps and make those routine. Which provided more time and space for me to tailor my counseling per student.

Still, I felt unsteady out there, selling my product. It felt weird to provide help and ask for payment. When a family wanted a discount or forgot to pay me, I floundered for how to respond. I took advice from colleagues who spelled it out straight in big bold letters - GET PAID. Still, I undermined myself. Then I remembered a tactic I have used in many other circumstances in my life. Fake it till you make it!

When I first started in student affairs I was a student myself. There was an emergency on campus that ended with a room full of parents and the housing director introducing me to “explain” the happening.

No one would say I am shy but I was absolutely over-my-head, in that moment.

But, I pretended I was sure of myself. I faked it. Twenty Five years later, I barely think about it when I am in front of people. I figured it was this tactic I would use to master the business owner persona. My advice is, if you are feeling like an imposter, I encourage you wholeheartedly to embrace being an imposter and fake it, till you make it

When I felt like an imposter, it was because I was an imposter! I pushed myself to learn how to make my business workable and profitable, and that step brought structure to how my business operates. Yet, even after that, I still felt sheepish about owning up to being a business owner. The persona I aspired to embody was far more confident than I felt, so I pretended to be her.

Even today, I still feel like an imposter. I constantly seek out projects I want to be part of while simultaneously questioning if I’m truly ready.

My experience has taught me that “ready” is an illusion.

The reality is, we have to step into the roles we aspire to, even if it feels like we’re just pretending at first. If you feel like an imposter, I’m proud to stand next to you. Let’s fake it and make it together!

Written by: Margaret Rothe : Visionary Extraordinaire, Entrepreneur, and Founder of CounselMore 29 years of higher education experience, a Master of Higher Education Student Affairs, and owner of HigherGrounding, a college consulting firm; Margaret’s latest endeavor- CounselMore , breaking the black box on college admissions.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 2022

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:08:58 GMT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY 2022

Preparing educational consultants for the business side of consulting.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY?

Anyone who is :

Considering your next career chapter in private education planning.
Working full time and advising part time, thinking about going independent.
Already taking on too many clients and eager to streamline your day-to-day practice.
Mid-career and interested in gathering new ideas from experienced colleagues.

CREATIVE WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 15:02:06 GMT

Take AP exams which usually run around $95, and many institutions accept satisfactory scores as transferable course credit. Spending less time in college saves you money.
Pay to live on campus for only one year and then apply to be a Resident Assistant; this position on campus usually pays for your room and board. As an RA, you are paid to live on campus and your travel expenses to and from school are lowered.
At the end of your first-year you will know what classes you will be taking next semester. Contact students who are currently in those classes and ask that they sell their textbooks directly to you, no shipping and notes included. Or rent your textbooks from chegg.com .
Check your State Community College Free program. Many have the option to complete 2 years and transfer to a state four-year college.
Find a non-student staff job on campus . Many positions come with reduced tuition while employed.
Join ROTC - Receive scholarships and stipends in exchange for a commitment to serve your country (usually 4 years) after graduation. You will commission as a military officer - cool!
Join AmeriCorp - The domestic Peace Corp. Just like the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps participants receive an allowance and some programs provide housing. Health coverage, training, and student loan deferment are also included with the programs. At the completion of their assignment, participants receive on average $4,725 towards college or graduate school, or the repayment of student loans.
Earn your degree online from an accredited institution!
Attend part time and ask the registrar if any " life-time learning " credits can be applied to elective credits.
Find a job that will reimburse you for college credits earned. There are large companies that will offer this perk even to new and entry level employees.

15 RESEARCH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN 2022

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:55:40 GMT

Many students are looking for research opportunities and ways to volunteer with researchers, but often don’t know where to look for them. In this article, we outline 15 research volunteer opportunities for high school students. These opportunities are all free, and while some have an application process, others are always open to volunteers.

Here are 15 Research Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students in 2022:

1. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE ) This program combines college-level workshops and lab research in subjects such as civil and urban engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, and robotics. It is open to high school sophomores and juniors. Students can get supervision from graduate or postdoctoral students at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering over the course of seven weeks. Students will also receive presentation and public speaking training from ARISE's partners at Irondale Ensemble Project, and will present their research findings to NYU faculty and graduate students, ARISE peers, other academic experts, family members, and friends at the program's concluding colloquium. A stipend of at least $750 is provided to each participant.

2. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program The Clark Scholars Program is a 6 week long comprehensive research program, giving students the opportunity to conduct research in practically every field, from accounting to dance to philosophy and everything in between. One-on-one research with academics, as well as weekly seminars, discussions, and field visits, are all part of the curriculum. With just 12 students selected each year, the Clark Scholars Program is very competitive. Applicants must be 17+ by the program start date. The program offers a stipend of $750. The application for this year closes on February 16th.

3. University of Illinois High School STEM Research Program This program is for rising high school juniors and seniors. Students are offered research experience in areas of various STEM fields, such as cancer immunology, pharmacogenomics of anticancer agents, physics, biophysics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering. Those accepted into the program are matched with another student and a teacher from the field of their choice. The program is 6 weeks long, with a required time commitment of 30-35 hours per week.

4. Research in Materials Science Program (RIMS) RIMS, which is hosted by the City University of New York’s Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), allows students to conduct research in ASRC facilities. They also attend professional development workshops during the 8-week program. Students earn a stipend for their participation, and admission is very competitive.

5. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program The Jackson Laboratory Student Summer Program is a 10 week genetics and genomics research program for undergraduates and high school students who are 18 years old and have finished grade 12 at the time of enrollment (current seniors can apply). Only around 40 students, or about 3% of those who apply, are accepted each year. Students spend the summer engaged in an independent research project under the guidance of a mentor, with the goal of presenting their findings at the conclusion of the program. The program offers a stipend of $6000.

6. National Institute of Health High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) HS-SIP provides high school students with the opportunity to do full-time biomedical research at NIH facilities, working alongside world-renowned professionals. Applicants must be juniors or seniors at the time of application and 17 years old at the commencement of the program to be considered. HS-SIP is extremely competitive, with only around 15% of candidates being accepted. The program length is 8 weeks, and offers a stipend of $2080 per month.

7. United Nations On the United Nations' database, there are a plethora of volunteer opportunities. Volunteers who work from home are connected to government bodies, like the United Nations, and they help with a variety of civic advocacy efforts. Research, writing, translation, social media, and art and design are among the other volunteer activities available through the United Nations platform.

8. Rockefeller Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) This summer program takes place at the Rockefeller University and is a full-time in-person research program from June 27 - August 11. Students must be 16+ at time of application to be eligible and must be a current high school junior or senior. The program requires a letter of recommendation. Applications close early for this program (usually the fall of the summer before), so be sure to apply early!

9. Simons Summer Research Program Conducted from June 27th to July 29th this year, the Simons Summer Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to undertake hands-on research in a variety of disciplines, ranging from science and math to engineering. Students can join research teams, collaborate with faculty members, learn about laboratory equipment and methodologies, and get to fully experience life at a research university. Students must be 16+ to be eligible for application, and obtain 2 letters of recommendation. The program has an acceptance rate of about 8%. Students receive a stipend for their participation.

10. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP) A program for students interested in computer science and related fields, Spark SIP offers students the opportunity to learn from and connect with prominent industry professionals, while undertaking research in real-world settings through the internship program. The program requires a student to be able to work full-time (30-40 hours per work) for 8-12 weeks throughout the summer to be eligible to participate. The program offers a maximum stipend of $500.

11. Coriell Institute For Medical Research Summer Experience The Coriell Institute is a leader in stem cell research and genetic discoveries. Select students are invited to participate in the four-week Summer Experience, which allows them to work with world-renowned scientists and researchers. Students attend staff lectures, conduct independent research, learn data analysis, attend a resume-building session, and present their findings in a final presentation. The program gives participants the opportunity to work in Coriell's Cytogenomics and Stem Cell labs while also receiving a $1,000 stipend. Before beginning the program, students must be 17 years old.

12. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program The Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship is an 8 week-long, full-time internship for rising high school senior students. The program is specifically designed for students from underrepresented communities, who are interested in the field of biomedical science. Along with receiving hands-on training on laboratory safety techniques and skills in the Fred Hutch Training Labs, students also participate in research education seminars, attend professional development workshops, and receive mentorship from Fred Hutch research groups. Applications for 2022 will open on February 1st. Students receive a stipend for their participation.

13. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS) Offered by Carnegie Mellon University , SAMS is for current sophomores and juniors from underrepresented backgrounds who want to earn college credit while "developing mastery of fundamental ideas in higher-level collegiate math and science." Classroom training, hands-on research projects, and professional and academic development courses are all part of SAMS. The program is 6 weeks long. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum taught by Carnegie Mellon University faculty.

14. Research Science Institute (RSI ) RSI is generally considered the most selective research program for high school students in STEM. This program, hosted at MIT, accepts about 80 students each year. In the program, students work with a Boston-based researcher on an independent project. At the end of the program, students then present their research to the broader community in a conference style. In 2019, there were about 1600 applicants for 80 spots or around a 5% acceptance rate for the program.

15. BC Children’s Hospital The BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute offers high school students the opportunity to participate in research education events throughout the year. These events aim to inform students of exciting research discoveries and encourage careers in science and research. The research institute does not have a formal placement process for high school students but those interested can get involved in research by volunteering to work with investigators at BC Children's Hospital. Interested students can view the profiles of affiliated investigators and contact the research teams directly about available opportunities. Students must be at least 16 years of age to volunteer.

Cold Outreach

You can also reach out to professors using cold outreach. Cold emailing is an effective method to virtually reach out to research professors to convey your interest in working with them in their field, on a topic of your interest, in hopes of learning more about that field. A cold email for a research position must be formal, but also show genuine interest in the professor’s research. Emails that demonstrate clear research of their work, an interest in their prior publications, and an honest passion for their field of work are usually well received. Ensure that your email is concise, to the point, and describe how you were introduced to the professor’s research and express why you are interested in what they do.

Consider A Research Program

If you are interested in a selective, structured research program, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers. The program pairs you with a full-time researcher to develop your own independent research project. Last year over 1500 students applied to 500 slots in the research program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Stephen Turban, Lumiere Education

HOW VALUABLE IS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT'S RESEARCH PORTFOLIO?

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:33:11 GMT

Polygence Research

The College Counselor's answer is "It depends..."

Polygence researchers offer a white paper on the topic of high school student research and its role in college admissions

Click here to read more..

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING FROM AN EXPERT

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:28:34 GMT

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING FROM AN EXPERT

Here at Counsel More we have built the relationships with experts and mentors that will save you the trial and error at your student's expense. There are moments in your practice when you need to lean on someone who knows more than you, to lead and illuminate the path forward. These people act as mentors and they offer learning that you can't get from any book. Mentors that are experts in specific fields can allow you to broaden your professional network, get advice, and gain a deeper understanding of the nuance that only comes with experience. Join us for the 2022 Business Development Academy starting April 6th . Space is limited!

PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE

Educational counselors will chuckle inside at so many question they are asked because the true answer to every question in college counseling is: “It depends.” There are the rules, guidelines and ethics that govern interactions from a general perspective. Experts are able to provide personal knowledge and experience that goes into the details and exceptions to every rule. With experience comes a long list of professional colleagues. Even experts have a rolodex of who they call when they need to think through an issue. Networking isn’t about getting your next job. It's about building relationships in respect for each other’s knowledge. Having a person to call when nuance is the only framework available in a situation is key to career persistence.

HELP

Whether you are scale your practice or your client list overflows, building a network of trusted colleagues is critical to your success and the success of your students.

Have a list of people you trust in different areas of college counseling for an easily accessible, go-to referral. When your list is full, show your leadership by confidently making a direct referral.

Engage your industry leaders and learn from their expertise on topics from 'How to set my prices' and 'This is not pure altruism. Doing what you do for you.' to 'How to evaluate your business', 'Higher education for LGBTQ+ people', 'Scale without breaking a sweat.' and many more .

REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES

Experts are not only knowledgeable within a specific field, they also have been within their industry for some time and they have real world experience.

Real world experience comes with real world mistakes which they have had to survive. Yes, you will make mistakes too, but learn from the experience of your industry leaders and you will be in a better position to serve your students today.

BE THE EXPERT

At Counsel More we encourage all educational consultants to grow into experts for their students and to hold the door open for their newer colleagues. Maintain accountability and make sure that your students are headed off to college with the knowledge, network, advice, and experience they need. Do not be afraid to grow your professional network! The more experts you can meet the more mentors you will gain.

THE CONCORD REVIEW: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GETTING IN

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 19:03:27 GMT

The Concord Review is the most prestigious journal for high school students in the social sciences. As William Fitzsimmons, long-time Dean of Admissions at Harvard College, put it “A simple fact that an essay has been published by The Concord Review is something that’s impressive to the committee, just as the committee can be impressed when a scientist or mathematician does well in an international competition.”

The Concord’s Review’s prestige comes from its high level of selectivity (currently less than 5%), focus on quality, and long track record of winners going on to top universities. In 2010, 10% of all students published in the journal had gone to Harvard College . As the Concord Review describes , many authors will attach their Concord Review in their application. Of students who have been published, they have “gone on to Brown (35), University of Chicago (36), Columbia (31), Cornell (21), Dartmouth (24), Harvard (152), Oxford(17), Pennsylvania (30), Princeton (76), Stanford (86), Yale (123).”

So, what is the Concord Review and how can you build a paper that is accepted? In this guide, we’re going to go through what the Concord Review is, what it looks for in papers, and what you need to do to stand a chance.

What is the Concord Review | A brief history

The Concord Review was founded in 1987 by Will Fitzugh when he was a teacher at Concord-Carlisle High School in Massachusetts. The goal of the journal was to introduce more students to long-form history writing. At the time, he reached out to a few thousand high schools in the United States and their respective history teachers and requested submissions to the journal. Papers began to come in and Fitzugh launched the first journal.

Since then, the journal has grown in its scale and number of submissions. Though the Concord Review does not report exact numbers of its submissions, in 2020, 44 student papers were published of an estimated 900 papers submitted. The journal is considered to be the most prestigious competition for students interested in history, equivalent, as Harvard’s Admission Dean Fitzsimmon’s noted, to a student in mathematics winning a national math competition.

How selective is the Concord Review?

The Concord Review is ranked as most selective by our team, due to its acceptance rate of around 5% in most recent years. The quality of the papers that are published is also very high, with the average length of papers in the past year at 9000 words. A qualitative assessment of the quality of the papers, also indicates significant time invested and a high level of writing.

Essay Requirements | What does the Concord Review look for in papers? The Concord Review gives somewhat broad requirements on their website. We’ll talk below about what else you’ll need to do.

Essay Requirements

Paper must be written in secondary school.
You must be the sole author
The paper must be in English and may not have been previously published
Essays should be in the 4,000-6,000 (or more) word range, with Turabian (Chicago) endnotes and bibliography. The longest paper we have published was 21,000 words (on the Mountain Meadows Massacre).
Essays may be on any historical topic, ancient or modern, domestic or foreign, and must be submitted electronically.
Essays should have the notes and bibliography placed at the end (Chicago Style).

More informally (but implicitly true), the essay must be:

Thoroughly researched (e.g.,, aa minimum of 10 distinct sources)
Well-written and clear
Minimum of 6000 words, but on average 9000 is the average length published.

Submission Process:

As the website describes “The Concord Review is published quarterly, and issues arrive in September, December, March and June. Essays are eligible for at least the next four issues.” In general, you will hear back about a month before the publication.

In other words, after submitting to the Concord Review, the timeline for hearing back may be up to a year after submission, but is usually faster if you are accepted. To submit your paper, you have to create an author member account , which costs $70 for the electronic fee. This also gives you access to the past year’s essays.

10 Tips to Create An Essay That Gets In | Concord Review

1. Pick a topic that you can go deep in

The Concord Review is not only interested in quality, but also in quantity (i.e., length of paper, amount of research done, etc.). That means that you are going to have to spend dozens of hours reading about a single historical event or area.

If that’s the case, choose something that you actually enjoy and could read about. The Concord Review accepts all types of historical areas – from ancient Chinese dynasties, to Enlightenment Era Europe, to World War II USA. So, choose something that you find truly interesting and go deep.

2. Make your topic specific & your thesis clear

Think about your paper as trying to make a contribution to the historical field. To do that, you’ll need to pick something specific. To give some example of past TCR papers, these have included an analysis of John Law and his effect on the French Monetary system, a look at the Iconoclasm of the Taiping Rebellion (Iconoclasm means the destruction of icons/monuments/idols of another religion.), or a look at the persecution of Buddhists in the Tang Dynasty from the perspective of a single Japanese monk (Ennin).

Note how these topics often focus on a single individual, historical event, or phenomena. John Law was a revolutionary economist who helped shape our modern thinking about the concept of money. He also shaped French monetary policy in the 18th century. A paper on the French economy in the 18th century probably would be too large, but a paper on John Law and his influence can be a great fit.

Here is an example thesis statement from the 2020 winner, “ Buddhism in Tang China ” by Jiwon Lee.

Thus, the paper aims to develop the argument that the personal records of the foreign monk Ennin contain invaluable information on how the persecution impacted the general Buddhist clergy; without him, these descriptions might have never been known to contemporary historians.”

3. Write a lot – length matters (And so does depth!)

Throughout the Concord Review website there are references to the length of student papers. The past year’s essays have all hovered closer to 9000 words (one was over 20,000 words!). The Concord Review was founded by Will Fitzhugh, in part, to encourage students to write long-form historical work. So, this journal looks positively on longer length papers.

The key is not simply to “write a lot,” but rather to build up a deep insight into a topic and field that you can write about at length. This requires reading broadly about the topic and developing your own unique thesis.

4. Reference other historians & extend on their work

When you are writing, it’s important to show that you understand what other historians have approached this topic and what they have said. By noting what other historians have written, you’ll be able to show what the current state of knowledge is in the field. You can then add on your own distinct perspective.

One great example of how to do this is in Jingxuan Lin’s 2020 Concord Review essay “Iconoclasm in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom”.

Fortunately, over the past two decades, historical works such as the monographs by Thomas Reilly, Carl Kilcourse and Xia Chuntao have begun to shed light on the religious culture of the Taiping. However, many critical components of Taiping religion still lack sufficient attention. In particular, while almost every account of the Taiping Kingdom touches on its aggressive iconoclasm, Xia Chuntao remains the only scholar to have specifically and systematically analyzed Taiping iconoclasm and traced its development through the history of the movement.9 However, Xia’s work was primarily descriptive rather than analytic, and many of its assertions, which will be explored in this paper, appear to be insufficiently supported by the available evidence.

Note how Lin shows a command of the other historians, then describes how their work will respond to this gap in the current literature. To do this, you need to read widely on the topic. In most winning essays, there are a minimum of ten distinct historical works cited and usually more than 15.

5. Have a thesis

It’s important that you have a point of view. Usually, the structure of Concord Review papers follows an abstract, introduction, main section, and then conclusion. In many papers, the thesis statement comes at the end of the introduction. Here’s an example from the same paper that came at the end of the introduction section.

Therefore, this paper will explore Taiping iconoclasm through the following question: With what significance did the Taiping Kingdom’s iconoclasm enhance or hinder its ability to garner and consolidate political support? To answer this question, this paper will trace the development of Taiping iconoclastic policy and evaluate the reactions of various affected social groups.

Note how this thesis statement sets out an agenda for the paper “What was the importance of iconoclasm in the Taiping Kingdom’s.” The thesis then outlines how it is going to address that question “By looking at the development of Taiping’s iconoclast policies and how other social groups reacted.”

6. Read Examples of Past Winning Essays

The best way to see what is expected of Concord Review winning essays is to see what past winning essays have done. The website has some example essays which you can see by signing up for the newsletter. Unfortunately, these essays are primarily from the early 2000s and so don’t really reflect the level or rigor of the most recent few years. A better bet is to first sign up to be an Author Membe r to see the past essays and to submit one of your own. The cost for this is $70, but gives you access to past essays from the last year.

7. Use a wide variety of historical sources for the essays

When writing your paper, first begin by reading historical perspectives on this issue. One good way to start is to find a book on the topic of your interest. Then while you are reading the book, note what research papers or other books they are citing. Put those other books on a list and identify the ones that come up the most often. That’s your next set of resources.

In total, most winning essays in the past year have had about 15 distinct historical sources in their bibliography. This probably does not mean that all 15 of those sources were fully read, it probably does imply that the author has read deeply at least 3 or 4 of these sources on the topic and has used those to find an additional 10 sources to cite throughout the paper.

8. Follow the abstract, introduction, main content, conclusion format

Most of the papers in the Concord Review follow the same format. They start with either an introduction or an abstract and then an introduction. The introduction frames the main topic and sets the scene for the rest of the paper. At the end of the introduction, usually a thesis statement is introduced that then guides the rest of the paper.

From there, the main section involves the primary analysis of the paper. This is usually broken into a number of smaller chunks to keep the reader engaged and following the broader argument. Sometimes this also involves a narrative description of the historical figure in question. The paper then usually ends with a short conclusion. You should try to innovate on the analysis and the writing quality (more on that next), not as much on the structure.

9. Write, write, and rewrite

All of the Concord Review essays that are selected showcase a level of writing that is difficult to accomplish at first try. Instead, each of these papers clearly show a significant amount of time writing and rewriting. As you work on your essay, make sure to allocate time to rewriting your essay and getting feedback from others.

This will be critical for you to successfully write an essay that gets accepted!

As an example of thoughtful writing, here is the introductory paragraph of Jack Tae Hyun Yoon’s 2016 winning essay “John Law: Murderer, Economist, Statesman.” Louis XIV’s (1643-1715) absolutist France was an authoritarian paradise: “L’etat, c’est moi,” declared the so-called Sun King as he consolidated France’s place as the leading power of Europe. Indeed, the state—with all its various wars and monuments—was the personification of Louis XIV’s towering ego. Yet by the King’s death in 1715, the vast expenses of financing wars such as the costly War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) and building massive construction projects such as the palace at Versailles had left behind a staggering national debt of 2,800 million livres... Nevertheless, while economic turmoil meant hardship for the vast majority of the nation, in the eyes of daring speculators, it signified opportunity, and France met its very own daredevil financier in the form of a mysterious Scotsman named John Law (1671-1729). While Law’s economic system foreshadowed several modern economic policies, its decline served as an early reminder that money is not physical wealth, but rather human confidence in an idea.

10. Prepare alternative publications and competitions to submit to

Ultimately, the Concord Review is prestigious because it is hard to get in. Even with all of the above preparation, it’s very possible that you won’t be accepted to the journal. In that case, be prepared and think of proactive ways to use your essay. After you’ve spent dozens of hours on the project, you shouldn’t let it go to waste. You can identify other history essay competitions, other student journals, or local places for you to publish your work (note that you can’t submit the same article to the Concord Review and another journal. But, you could adapt that piece and submit it somewhere else!). The key is that you don’t let the time you spent on the project go to waste!

One extra tip: Find a mentor

For a long project like this, it’s important to have someone to push your thinking and writing. A history teacher could be a great mentor here or you could identify a history researcher, who can give you the researcher perspective. You want this person to give you direct feedback and to help you shape your thesis, writing, and research process.

Stephen Turban, Lumiere Education

CALLING ALL STUDENTS: APPLY NOW FOR THE COMMON APP STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:42:49 GMT

Starting this year, Common App will launch its first-ever Student Advisory Committee. The Common App and Campus Pride invite LGBTQ students and allies to apply. This group will provide critical feedback on the college admissions process and the experience of using the Common App. Applicants are open until 11:59 p.m. Est on April 22, 2022. Apply online now using this form .

Reference commonapp.org or the Common App Student Advisory Committee webpage for more details. Email the Common App with any questions at studentadvisory@commonapp.org .

Student Advisory Committee responsibilities and requirements

The Student Advisory Committee will include 15–20 students that will meet monthly with the Common App from July 2022 to December 2023. Student participants will receive a monthly stipend of $70. All college students and high school juniors and seniors are welcome to apply. Learn more about the position and how to apply at mailchi.mp/commonapp/studentadvisory .

Common App updates gender identity questions

Common App announced for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, and continuing into the 2023-2024 cycle, the questions related to gender and fee waivers will be revised to better reflect the students that use the Common App. Campus Pride is proud to partner with the Common App in support of its efforts to include trans and nonbinary students.

For the 2022-2023 application season, Common App will add “Mx.” and “other” options for counselor , parent, recommender, teacher, and advisor prefix options, as well as add “legal” to the first/given name question label.

Beginning in the 2023-2024 application season, Common App will add ‘X’ or ‘another legal sex’ as an option in addition to ‘female’ and ‘male’. In 2021, the Common App included changes like preferred names and pronouns to the application. Read more about trans-inclusive changes to the Common App on the Campus Pride blog .

WAITLISTED? LISTEN TO THE MUSIC PLAY

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:39:31 GMT

Lee Norwood, member of IECA, HECA and NACAC. She has been chosen as a national presenter at the 2022 Philadelphia and Denver industry conferences on topics such as “Pivoting to Meet the Needs of Post-Covid Gen Z” and “Growing Your Practice/Remaining Relevant.”

Should You Stay? Or Should You Go?

Hurry up and wait! It can be sooooooo hard to stay patient after applying early, hearing from other schools on your list, waiting for that special date when your dream school is passing down admissions decisions. and SCREEETCH (scratch the record)…………..YOU are on the waitlist. What to do? In the words of the Clash, “Should I stay or should I go now?” is the question you need to answer. It is important to understand why you may have been put on the waitlist in the first place. The waitlist is usually in place so admissions officers have a pool of students in a waiting room to round out their incoming class. Colleges know that all students who are admitted may not attend, and it is from this backstage Green Room that they hold the next act (students on the waitlist) to fill in the set.

This year, the virtual yield for colleges is even less predictable. Corona has led to some students not wanting to go too far from home-the roadtrip may need to be cancelled for this tour-which will lead to openings in the rosters. International students may not be able to attend university in the United States this Fall, which will also make last-minute seats available. You may feel like you “need a miracle” but rest assured, we are all in the same boat. No one knows what will happen in the near future: the economy, travel, family crisis, may all play a role in admissions and the yield at colleges, but this may also open up the ticket booth for a once-in-a-lifetime all access show.

So should you stand in line to try to get in? Is it worth it, or should you choose another school and move on? It may seem like a Cheap Trick… “I Want You To Want Me.” It may feel like a hard “NO” would have been easier to stomach, but schools are businesses, and they are hedging their bets. In some cases, you may think it is the universe giving you a sign. Maybe you should commit to one of the schools that showed you the love or hold out because in the words of Frank Sinatra “The Best Is Yet To Come.” At this point you are thinking, how old is this lady writing the column? Please quote Post Malone? or Harry Styles? Duh!

You may feel like your brain is running in “Circles” (Malone reference), but, it’s ok “You Should Be Sad” (Halsey). After you take a breath, put your shoulders back, and move on. Your next step is to respond whether or not you want to stay on the waitlist. It only makes sense to keep your spot on the list if you’re really interested in going to the college. Don’t get caught up in “Stupid Love” like Lady Gaga. Make your pro/con list and “Know Your Worth”- Khalid. Find out whether there are any conditions attached to being wait-listed (like you may have fewer housing options) which may be a deal-breaker for you.

Even if you decide to remain on the waitlist, prepare to attend another college. Choose the best fit from the colleges that accepted you, Fill out the paperwork and send a deposit, because there are real situations where you come off the waitlist as late as move-in-day, YIKES!, and you need to pivot quickly and will lose the deposit at the other school. Personally, that kind of “what if” situation would make me a bit anxious- but you know what you want. We believe that whatever school you chose can become “Everything I Wanted” (Billie Eilish).

The Show Must Go On

If you decide to stay on the waitlist, be proactive. Here’s what you can do to boost your chances of being accepted:

ACT NOW! Reply to the waitlist immediately.
Get a sense of your chances of admission. Contact the Admissions Office to find out if the college ranks waitlisted students or if it has a priority list. Most are willing to let you know your status. The higher you rank on the list the better your chances of being accepted.
Send an update to the Admissions Office. The college has already decided that you have the academic credentials for admittance. Now’s the time to mention any additional non-academic factors that may help your case — any new achievements or supplemental information. Emphasize your strong desire to attend the college and make a case for why you’re a good fit. You can tell them you’ll enroll if they accept you, but tell them this only if you’re absolutely certain you will.
Study hard. This is no time to slack off. If you’re waitlisted, you may be reevaluated based on your third and fourth quarter grades.
Stay involved. Show Admissions Officers you’re committed to sports, clubs and other activities.
Request another (or a first) interview. An interview can give you a personal contact — someone who can check on the status of your application. You can also enlist the help of your high school counselor or someone you know who graduated from that college.
Realize that you’ve already achieved something. You were waitlisted, not turned away. Many students were not as successful.
Reconsider the colleges that accepted you. If you would be just as happy at one of your other choices, send in a deposit and plan to attend that college. Then turn down the spot on the waitlist. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel after your decision has been made.

We are very excited for you! This is why the college list and all of the work we did together over the past few years was so very important. You have options, and they are a good fit. You can always call us it you want to talk through your opportunities. Rock On!

FEMALE STUDENTS WITH ADHD: HOW IECS CAN HELP

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 17:22:52 GMT

Nia had been so excited to go to college. She’d been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD in eighth grade and received accommodations such as extra time on tests, preferential classroom seating and getting copies of teachers’ notes. An executive functioning coach assisted her in using a calendar and organizing assignments. Nia worked hard, graduated with a 3.8 GPA and moved into her college dorm with high expectations. Sadly, six months later, she was back home. Depressed, anxious and on academic probation, she’d isolated herself, dropped one class and failed two.

Background

Nia’s story is all too common for girls with ADHD. They often struggle to manage their own schedules in college, seek help at learning centers and follow through on appointments; moreover, they frequently fail to inform their parents or advisors when they are falling behind. Some girls who succeeded in high school are confident about their abilities to manage university academics and independent living, only to become quickly overwhelmed. They begin to miss deadlines and skip classes due to shame, anxiety and depression. How can IECs help girls prepare for college more effectively and guide those floundering when they get there?

Let’s start with some facts about girls with ADHD. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition marked by persistent inattention, hyperactivity and sometimes impulsivity; these symptoms are more frequent and severe than in typical peers. There are three types of ADHD: hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive and combination type. Keep in mind that there is a lag of up to three years in brain maturity for those with ADHD.

Girls Are Overlooked

For every girl diagnosed with ADHD, there are three boys identified with the condition. Boys are diagnosed more often with hyperactivity/impulsivity, usually exhibiting inappropriate, aggressive or impulsive behaviors. Girls tend to have the inattentive type of ADHD, which explains why we frequently miss ADHD in girls. Symptoms in girls with inattentive ADHD include forgetfulness, difficulty listening, daydreaming, problems with verbal and/or written expression, shyness, perfectionism, misreading social cues and social isolation. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm often accompany or even overshadow ADHD in girls.

Everyone with ADHD has executive functioning challenges as well as personal strengths. While they can focus well on things that interest or come easily to them, they struggle with uninteresting, unpleasant tasks. Some deficits may be more obvious than others. Ava gets to appointments on time but can’t keep her bedroom organized or meet deadlines. Erika gets her work done but is distracted so easily that it takes her twice as long as it should. To make things worse, many girls will deny their challenges due to embarrassment.

Some girls with ADHD will do anything to avoid disappointing others. Despite offers to assist her with planning and organization, Jasmine lied repeatedly in therapy, saying she had her coursework under control when in fact she was barely passing two out of her four classes. She dropped out of therapy rather than working through her embarrassment. These factors combine to make evaluating and working with girls and young women with ADHD quite complicated.

The IEC as Counselor

It’s critical to approach students with compassion, collaboration and consistency. Despite wishing to go straight to a four-year college, many need a transition year at a job or community college to mature. Some benefit from a gap year program to nurture an artistic, athletic or political passion. They may be managing adequately with considerable parental and school staff support, but when left to their own devices, procrastinate and can’t complete projects. You may witness students’ executive functioning challenges when they can’t start one of their essays, plan application tasks or prioritize what’s important. These patterns suggest that they will likely face similar challenges in college.

College Selection

Most college students with ADHD need academic or executive functioning support. Weekly meetings help them organize their schedules, make a study plan and break assignments into manageable chunks. While colleges frequently offer free peer tutoring and a writing center, relatively few have learning centers with professional academic coaches to help with issues such as time management. If a desired school doesn’t have such a program, it might not be the right college for a girl with ADHD. However, she could hire a private executive functioning coach or company if she is adamant about attending a particular university that doesn’t happen to offer these services.

It’s important to help these girls–and their parents–realistically assess their capabilities and needs. Not all girls with the grades and test scores to get into an Ivy League school will thrive there. They may require more intensive support than what’s offered at their “dream” school. Girls with ADHD benefit from colleges that both understand and accept all kinds of learners and offer services to assist them in achieving academic and life goals.

How to Help

When working with these families, keep in mind:

If a student had a 504 or IEP in high school, she should try to obtain comparable accommodations in college, especially in her first year. However, the high school education plan doesn’t “carry over” into college. The student needs to bring documentation – typically a recent neuropsychological evaluation – to the college’s disability center and formally request specific accommodations and supports recommended in the evaluation. Shame and procrastination may well deter a student from going to the disability center, so the IEC or parents should ensure that she has followed through. Just like in high school, she’ll need support or “scaffolding” to make a successful transition to college and perform well academically. Parents should monitor their daughter’s compliance with services and decide what to do if she stops seeking support. Remember that if she doesn’t sign a FERPA waiver, her parents will have no way to find out if she’s meeting with her coach or even attending class. Ultimately, a parent can’t make a young adult get assistance but, with a caring approach and an agreed-upon plan, you can keep the lines of communication open.
Girls with more severe ADHD and related issues may need a year or two at a program for students with learning differences before moving to a more independent setting. Conversations about a girl’s social and emotional needs are just as important as those geared towards academic topics. Explain that the ADHD brain needs more time to mature. This is a biological fact, not a personal failure. Provide some success stories about similar students.
Girls with ADHD often want to please others and avoid conflict. As a consultant, you may be a girl’s key ally. Get to know your student’s hopes and fears, then help her share them with her parents and assist them in really listening. Keep the college selection process realistic by reviewing what supports helped the student do well in high school.
Consider referring a girl for an evaluation for inattentive ADHD (among other things) when she:

Shows perfectionistic, anxious or depressive signs
Makes comments suggesting distractibility or memory issues
Reports feeling overwhelmed constantly regardless of how much she has to do
Struggles more than typical kids of her age and background with writing assignments or staying on topic.

One year later, Nia is studying at a community college, working part-time at a store and finally accepting her quirky, creative brain. She realizes it was a mistake to pick her first college based on what she thought her parents wanted. She started taking an antidepressant along with her ADHD medication and both her anxiety and depression have decreased. Family therapy reset parental expectations and helped Nia strategize ways to improve time management and organization. Most importantly, her parents are giving her the space to figure out how to participate in college at a pace that works for her.

Thanks to Sharon Saline, Psy.D. for taking the lead on this article, which originally appeared in the Insights newsletter of the Independent Educational Consultants Association .

WHAT’S AN SFD? HOW ABOUT A PFD?

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 17:18:51 GMT

It’s a Stinky First Draft!

As college advisors, helping our students create compelling, memorable and differentiated application essays is critical to their success (and ours).

And while a first draft is meant to be rough, it may also lack the substance or direction to take it somewhere great.

Do you need new ideas to help extract uniquely compelling essays from your students?

Do you find that many high school students don’t understand that college essays are NOT just another expository writing exercise?

Prior to COVID-19, admissions officers have shared, “We see lots of students with exceptional GPAs and strong test scores, so college application essays really matter. Yet, so many applicants’ essays are boring and lack impact.”

When drafting a college essay, some students may not know where to begin. Given how many colleges/universities will be test-optional for the Class of 2021, stellar college essays are going to be more important than ever before.

CounselMore’s webinar featuring Paula Friedman, Founder of The Academic Match, will help you to learn about a proven resource that can help turn SFDs into PFDs (Promising First Drafts).

Join us on Tuesday, June 9 th at 10am PST to learn more about BIG Essay Idea Cards, an interactive process that really helps your students share and learn more.

Originally launched in 2016, BIG Essay Idea Cards were designed and tested by three IEC’s, (my sister Linda Litner, my business associate Jodi Sears, and me).

Since selling out the first run, we updated the cards in 2019 to enable counselors to identify “aha moments” while demystifying the college essay writing process for students. BIG Essay Idea Cards have become a popular resource used by college advisors across the U.S.

Written by: Paula Litner Friedman : College & Career Advisor, Founder of The Academic Match based in Westlake Village, CA and the part-time College & Career Center Advisor at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, CA. Consumer insights/market researcher in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) industry for 25+ years prior to becoming an independent educational consultant in 2011.

Paula graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Psychology and French from Duke University. She earned her MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and her College Counseling Certificate with Distinction from UCLA. Paula has been married to her husband Howard for 31 years. They have 2 grown sons (Dan-29 and Jeremy-almost 26) and a senior rescue dog (Sparky-15).

CAMPUS PRIDE SPORTS INDEX

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 17:13:50 GMT

Campus Pride has expanded its strategic research and out reach efforts to address LGBTQ safety and inclusion in college and university sports by creating the Campus Pride Sports Index . The standardized tool is the only one of its kind for the national collegiate level, focused on focused on LGBTQ inclusions in college sports.

The Campus Pride Sports Index provides a critical foundation of understanding as well as a vital tool for assisting colleges and universities in ongoing efforts to improve intercollegiate athletics and collegiate recreation for LGBTQ players, coaches, participants, staff and fans. The Campus Pride Sports Index sets a national standard of LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs and practices in sports. The index also provides a ground-breaking benchmarking tool that will enable campus leaders and members of college sports to evaluate LGBTQ-friendly sports environments.

SET UP FIRST-GEN STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:17:53 GMT

We have interviewed over 200 first-generation college students and asked them about the academic and social struggles they faced and how they overcame them. Below are some takeaways that we believe will help you guide first-generation college students to success.

One of the most common problem we heard was the lack of awareness of resources and solutions. This is either because they don’t want to ask for help, they try one solution and it doesn’t work so they try to tough it out, or they don’t know where to look for help. For example, when first-generation college students are deciding on a major, they often don’t realize that they have many other resources for making this decision other than their assigned freshman advisor. They don’t realize they can go speak with career services, academic department heads, the academic resource center, and other resources the school provides.

It’s important to show your first-generation clients what offices they can get academic help from so they can avoid falling into academic pitfalls early in their career like this student at the University of Pennsylvania did.

“There are many resources like the Weingarten [Learning Resources Center ]. It’s also easy to contact T.A.’s and they are oftentimes willing to go out of their way to help you understand the material and take some of their personal time to help you. Even though there are a lot of resources, I wouldn’t say that I capitalized on them. My freshman year was mostly trial and error and I made some academic mistakes, but I feel like I’ve learned a lot from it. It’s worth asking for help because it’s everywhere. I wasn’t quite prepared for the constant stream of large tests and I think that’s what you have to prepare yourself for.”

The problem of not knowing where to look for resources also comes from students not understanding what networking is – whether they do it naturally or not – and how to use it to their advantage. This can be very important with looking for research positions, internships, or other opportunities on campus, as well as just having connections they can reach out to on campus.

Tucker Glotzbach is co-founder of the online college guide, Induck College Impressions (www.induck.co). He has personally interviewed over 1,000 college students and strives to provide the most comprehensive information on the student experience at the schools they cover.

COUNSELMORE AND TALI NESHER OF U-COLLEGE

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:11:42 GMT

The next Frances Ford or Sofia Coppola is sitting somewhere right now wishing they had someone who could give them feedback on their Film School portfolio, but until now there were few people to turn to. Tali Nesher of U-College is launching a new service offering portfolio reviews for students applying to Film School. College Counselors can refer their clients to Tali if they are looking for a partner with a trained set of eyes who has years of experience in the business.

Where else can you get access to a graduate of NYU Film who has worked in the TV business as a producer, literary agent, and camera director on popular sitcoms through the years, to review a college applicant's portfolio?

Find an Educational Consultant , who is an expert in the field. Counseling students was the farthest thing from Tali's mind until it was time for her own daughter to apply to college. Tali decided to go through UCLA’s College Counseling certification program just for her own knowledge and even then didn’t plan to become a college counselor. She fell in love with helping students identify their goals and supporting them, just as she did as an agent.

Her natural talents and background have brought her to this place. Now she can give back to the community that has allowed her to follow her passions in the entertainment industry and pay it forward by mentoring students who are on a similar pathway. If anyone knows how to make a Film Student look good in the right market, it’s Tali Nesher. “Life is tough. We learn to deal with it through movies, TV, dialogue… people’s stories show us glimpses of humanity we may have never been exposed to before,” says Tali. As a member of the Director’s Guild of America who loves student films, Tali Nesher’s new service is sure to turn the spotlight on tomorrow’s stars.

Contact Tali at Tali@u-college.com or find her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ucollege310/

COLLEGES ADOPT TEST-OPTIONAL ADMISSION APPROACH AMID COVID-19

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:08:48 GMT

So, this year’s admissions results arrived late as expected. However, did you notice how many students ended up on the waiting list in 2021? Even when students applied earlier to improve their chances, many fell in the waitlisted category.

Some experts predict this year to be the worst than the last. However, it might be due to the highly competitive admission approach amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Colleges are not relying on test scores anymore. Without ACT and SAT scores and the absence of initial paper screening to sort out the applicants, the admission authorities must dig deeper and gauge each candidate's eligibility.

The cancellation of standardized tests and the uncertainty of COVID-19 precautionary measures have pushed the colleges to adopt a test-optional admission approach in 2021. Therefore, the volumes of applications they receive are overwhelming, to say the least.

As a result, schools and colleges are placing more qualified applicants on their waitlists. This is entirely to ensure solid backup entries in case fewer students accept their offers this year. In order to make sure they have suitable candidates on the waitlist, the admission staff committees are spending more time on each application.

The test-optional approach for admissions will ensure that all the hard work put in each application now actually matters. This means they will explore your interests and achievements in full detail by evaluating every minute detail the applicant mentions.

I have always been a skeptic and critic of the so-called “holistic” review approach for admissions since its inception. There is no hard and fast rule which alone makes this entire process a bit all too suspicious. The process gauges applicants based on their demonstrated interest, knowledge of the academics at the college they are applying to, and their applied major.

What It Means for Students

The test-optional approach means students no longer have to submit their ACT or SAT scores to their college applications (not in all cases).

The admission will now focus on how well the student performed overall in the classes over several years, then simply filling bubbles in a test paper one fine Saturday. This comes as a sigh of relief for those who did not perform too well on their tests.

Removing this factor will now force college admission staff to consider other qualitative and quantitative aspects of each application.

Candidate Shaping Tools

If you are a professional educational counselor trying to help students apply

with confidence, they will require something we call “ Candidate Shaping Tools ” in the business. CounselMore offers a wide range of these tools.

Like the schools have embraced new ways to assess each applicant, so must you as an education counselor. This is the time when your candidates can shine high amongst the rest as the admission committee is going to look into every hard work and details your applicants are going to fill in.

Since test scores are majority optional again this year and SAT and ACT availability stays spotty. You will definitely need those candidate shaping tools by CounselMore . Even the tiniest mention about an applicant’s education, talent, skills, and achievements can put them into the lead instead of landing on the waitlist.

Brandi Marcioni

After majoring in English literature and then mastering in education, I planned to embark on an academic writing career. I sobered up to the realities of life asan academic and now serve students and families as they navigate the many choices to consider after high school. If I could have majored in college counseling, I would have found my calling sooner.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 16:44:02 GMT

Many of my students and social contacts ask what it takes to become an entrepreneur in higher education. Well, the answer is not that different than becoming an entrepreneur in any other sector.

The basics are the same such as organized business skills, extensive knowledge of the sales process, and a competitively nerdy level of admission knowledge. Top it up with a pinch of finesse in counseling, and voila, a higher education entrepreneur is born.

Now find an organizational tool so you can focus on counseling. Because not one of us comes to this profession because we are savvy business people. We want to counsel, not juggle, not push paper, not write invoices, not chase payments, not copy and paste old emails....we just came to counsel students!

Did you know that at CounselMore , the majority are female staff with high school counseling and admissions counseling experience? While building a software company from the ground up takes some super powers, building a modern college counseling software from the inside out, was another beast to tackle all together.

I first met CounselMore by a phone call. A pleasant voice on the other end of the line said "Hi, we are college counselors who would like to know you." That was weird. Then I found out about their research project and their goal to build a common denominator process that would automate the admin-work out of my counseling job.

Today, I am a college counselor with my own consulting business to help kids find suitable colleges and prep their applications. However, things were somewhat different when I started my business because I was clueless about where to start. I figured, website, check, business cards, check, certificate, check. And still no clue.

I conquered each learning curve that came my way, and it took 10 (TEN!) years for me to gain some kind of rhythm. However, I was still not able to take on more than 7 students at a time. I knew I wasn't making this easy on myself.

Then I had to make a choice. When my daughter was about to enter her freshman year of college, I realized that I needed my side hustle as a college counselor to become my primary source of income. Therefore, I decided to go full-time and started my journey to become an entrepreneur in higher education counseling.

I knew if I want to create a success story out of this, I will need to take on more clients. Seven might be a lucky number for many, but it takes more than just luck for a rookie to succeed in an entrepreneurial venture.

I examined my process and found that I was repeating things and I tried to find ways to find ways to standardize. I thought through a few solutions, made my own tools and again came to a complete stop. I needed a business infrastructure, a service process and a technology solution to streamline my communications, progress tracking and operations automatically.

I spoke to my peers and sent out an email, and they suggested CounselMore. I was delighted to learn about the founders and find the a college readiness list of assignments baked into the software. I knew I needed an infrastructure but I couldn't build one - I'm not a business person!

CounselMore filled in the missing links that were stopping me from reaching my full potential. If you are from the industry, you will know that parents are the hardest to please. CounselMore enables me to keep my students’ parents updates on their progress.

Now I can create summarized reports and deliver them directly to parents’ inboxes. Moreover, CounselMore allows me to offer my students prepared academic resumes, robust communication, high school course progression plans, and a parent portal.

All of this helps me keep both my students and their parents in the loop at every step of the admission process.

The Takeaway

If you are a part-time education counselor thinking about starting your own business, CounselMore is what you need, just like I did. This software offers a free trial to use processes and tools you will need on the road to becoming an entrepreneur in higher education counseling. I wish you luck and Happy Counseling!

Brandi Marcioni

After majoring in English literature and then mastering in education, I planned to embark on an academic writing career. I sobered up and now serve students and families as they navigate the many choices to consider after high school. If I could have majored in college counseling, I would have found my calling sooner.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO PUBLISHING YOUR RESEARCH IN HIGH SCHOOL

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 16:32:35 GMT

What does it mean to “Publish Your Research?” What does publication even mean? In short, publishing your research means that you have gone through a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that has analyzed, critiqued, and ultimately accepted your research as legitimate. Scientific publications are gatekeepers to the broader world. If a research piece is not published by a journal, it means that it has not yet passed a rigorous, external analysis of the research.

Is it possible for a high school student to publish their research? The short answer is yes. The longer answer, detailed below, is that there are many different types of journals that have different selectivity rates and bars for rigor. Just like universities , some publications are extremely competitive and provide a very strong external signal for the author. Some journals are less competitive and so provide a less powerful signal. For high school students, there is an emerging group of journals focused on high school or college-level research. These journals understand the limitations of high school students and their ability to do research, and so they are often more feasible (though still difficult) for students to get into. We’ll explore some types of those journals below.

Why publish your research in high school But, why even go to the trouble of publishing? Does it really matter? The short answer again is that it does matter. Publication in a top journal, like the Concord Review , can provide a valuable signal to a college admission officer about your work.

One thing to consider is who is an admission officer (for US universities). These people are usually generalists, meaning they have a broad background, but do not have researcher-level depth in many fields. That means it’s difficult for them to distinguish good research from bad research. What is rigorous and what is just put on an application?

What type of research can get published?

Types of Publication Targets

Highly Selective High School & College Publications

Rigorous, Peer Reviewed High School Publications

The next level of journals are rigorous, peer-reviewed publications. These journals, such as the Journal of Emerging Investigators or the Journal of Student Research , have a peer-review process. These journals have requirements on the type of papers that are accepted (e.g., some will accept new data analyses, some will accept literature reviews). These journals do not have a certain number of slots predefined, but they do have a bar for what type of research they will accept. For these journals, students will submit their paper and the journal will assign (or ask you to identify) a potential set of reviewers for the paper. These reviewers will be researchers in the field, who hold a PhD. The reviewers will then give back comments. The Journal of Emerging Investigators stands out here among these journals as being one of the most rigorous and providing the most in-depth, critical feedback to students.

Pay to Play Research Journals (AVOID THESE) Finally, there are some journals that are essentially “Pay-to-play” meaning that they will accept any paper as long as a fee is paid. These journals are not only not academically ethical, they can actually be a bad signal in the admission process. For example, I spoke with a former Harvard Admission Officer, Sally Champagne , about her experience with publications. During the late 2000s, there was a high spike in students from Russia submitting “publications” that all linked back to a few fraudulent journals.

PhD Level Publications in A Field Finally, there are publications that PhD researchers or professors target with their research. These journals are highly selective and can take years of back and forth in order for a paper to be admitted. In general, we do not recommend high school students who are working on independent projects to target these journals for their difficulty and time required. The most common way to target these journals is if you act as a research assistant for a researcher on an existing project and you are credited as a supporting author.

Other Publication Options Beyond journals

There are other ways to showcase your research. I highlight some of those below.

Practitioner publications Another way to showcase your work is to target respected practitioner publications. These are places where non-researchers go to learn about developments. For example, one student in Lumiere published a piece in Tech In Asia summarizing his research on Open Innovation and the Ventilator Market (Tech In Asia is the Tech Crunch equivalent in South East Asia). Other practitioner publications include Online Magazines like Forbes or the Financial Times, local newspapers, or online blogs like the Huffington Post can all serve as possible targets. Generally publications in these places requires direct contact with an editorial manager, who can take a call as to whether your work is appropriate or not. To get to these editorial managers, you’ll need to do some online search and send them a pitch email that explains why your work is relevant to their audience. Offering an “exclusive” can be one additional way to make it attractive to the editors.

Research Conferences Another place to showcase your research is in research conferences. In some fields, like computer science, conferences are actually more common places to publish work than journals. One advantage of research conferences is that they often will accept abstracts of research instead of full-length research articles, making the amount of effort required to get accepted lower. As well, many conferences want more researchers to populate the conference, again making the admission process easier. Example conferences for high school students to look at include the Harvard Science Research Conference or the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting . There are also field specific conferences that you should search for based on your research paper.

Competitions

Finally, a common way to showcase your research is in the form of a student competition. Science fairs, such as ISEF Regeneron , is one common way for students to showcase their work. But, there are dozens of others, including the Genius Olympiad (Environmental Issues), John Locke Essay Competition , or the STEM Fellowship Competition . Competitions can be one of the highest impact ways to show your work because it’s clear signaling. If you can win a competition with hundreds of entrants, then being able to write about it in your application shows your unique ability. In addition, competitions can often be submitted to parallel with other research publications (check your publications requirements before doing that though!).

The Final Word – Publication Can Be High Impact

FAQ About Publications

Do I need to publish my research for it to be impactful? No, but it provides a useful signal. Doing research alone is a rare and impressive way for students to showcase their academic depth. If you can publish that research, it adds a layer of external legitimacy to that research.
Can I publish a research that is a literature review? Yes, though, you’ll have to think of which target journals accept that. For example, the Journal of Student Research and the STEM Fellowship Journal both accept literature reviews, but the Journal of Emerging Investigators does not. In general, the more original research that you do (i.e., data analysis, data collection, etc.) the broader the range of publications you can target. With that said, some fields (e.g. astrophysics) can be particularly difficult to do new data collection as a high school student, so for those fields a rigorous literature review is usually the best choice.
Are all publications the same? No. Publications are like universities. Some are highly respected, selective, and rigorous and others are not. The key is for you to identify a journal that is as selective/respected as possible that you can get into. Watch out for pay-to-play journals, as they can become negative signals for you and your application.

Stephen Turban, Lumiere Education

How to Combat Academic Procrastination

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:57:09 GMT

Academic procrastination is a common issue amongst all ages, especially teenagers. This happens whenever a student postpones his/her completion of projects, assignments, and other educational activities.

This procrastination may not only create unnecessary anxiety and stress but leave the students struggling to submit college applications. Several factors associated with academic procrastination include

Indecision
Fear of failure
Lack of motivation
High-stress level
Poor organizational skills
Poor coping mechanisms
Peer influence

How to Help Teenagers Combat Academic Procrastination

Here are some direct approaches to address procrastination amongst teenage students.

In order to help teenage students beat academic procrastination, encourage them to simplify tasks into lists, staying focused on one-thing-at-a-time. Time Management has a vital role to play in defeating academic procrastination.
Motivation is the key for students, especially during the COVID times. Therefore, help students visualize the bigger picture and how much they can achieve when small tasks add up. Relate current tasks to how they prepare for the future they imagine.
Clearly written assignments provide students a full-circle understanding of why to do tasks on time. Keep communications short and direct. Bullet point the what, why, how with a clear definition of what qualifies as having completed the task. (thank you CounselMore for my assignments package ).
A motivation for anyone is to see their progress with their own eyes. Doing their assignments on time achieves bonus points. As a wise woman said, "eyes on the prize."
Deadlines and penalties are often unsuccessful motivational strategies. However, when a person made a personal agreement with themself to do/don't a task, the results can be more than positive.
Deadline poking can be a helpful reminder tool, use a software (my choice is CounselMore ) to set reminders for assignments and due dates. Steady reminders along the way leads to better results than penalties for past due tasks.

Don't hesitate to deploy a direct approach, or you will most likely find yourself buried neck deep into last-minute submissions. We counselors talk a big game about boundaries and deadlines but I've never seen a counselor walk away from a student, not even at 11pm the night of a deadline. Being direct might sting but you are helping everyone involved.

Get yourself organized too! We can't be so bold as to tell others what to do when we are disorganized, have little standardization of service delivery and superhero our way through application season each year!

Create a business process (nevermind plan, you need a process). Know what you need from the student at each phase or step and take each student through the same set of steps. If that seems like a good idea to you and sounds like a lot of work, you're right! Your alternative is chasing after each student, email, timeline, deadline, password, transcript... without a plan like a dog chasing its own tail; spinning, each app season. There's no excuse for not having a plan when CounselMore not only has a plan but serves it up on a silver platter.

Take the bull of procrastination by its horns and try a more deliberate approach to beating procrastination for our students and ourselves.

-Brandi Marcioni

After majoring in English literature and then mastering in education, I planned to embark on an academic writing career. I sobered up to the reality of life as an academic and now serve students and families as they navigate the many choices to consider after high school. If I could have majored in college counseling, I would have found my calling sooner.

SHOW ME THE MONEY$- FAFSA, LOANS, NEED, MERIT

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:54:25 GMT

PAYING FOR COLLEGE IS AN INTERESTING MAZE TO NAVIGATE.

The MOST money you will ever get toward a college degree is from the institution itself in the form of financial aid (based on need) and merit aid (based on your application and attributes). Our goal is to help you put forth your best self in your applications so that you will be irresistible to the appropriate schools where you apply. But we also focus on finding the best fit for you, and if the price is a leading part of the equation, we will help you discover universities that offer financial need-based grants and scholarships .

Financial need is determined by the FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This opens on October 1st. The sooner you apply, the better. The FAFSA is to be filled out from the point of view of the student, but there is quite a bit financial info that will be required by the parent and you need to know that it is a 2-year look-back on finances. So for the class of 2022, income from 2020 will be used for the application. Soon after filling it out, you will get an EFC-Expected Family Contribution- and this is an important number. There is a full video on the FAFSA, CSS Profile (some private schools may require this), EFC and more on our YouTube channel as well as a few videos on how to fill the FAFSA out correctly. Here is our Video link on paying for college- ABC’s OF PAYING FOR COLLEGE – featuring our financial partner Ann Alsina.

The FAFSA provides info and qualification for different things. Pell Grants that are offered by the government, based on your FAFSA and finances, do not need to be paid back and are often only available for families with very low incomes. Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans are loans offered to your student, in their name, and are paid back by the student (interest differs on each one) and usually cannot accumulate to more than $27,000 over 4 years. Work-study is paid to the student when they work at approved work-study jobs, usually provided by the college and with a priority on student studies over work. Additional loans may be obtained outside of the Pell Grant, Govt Loans and Work Study. These loans require the parent cosigning on the loan for the student and come from a bank. We do suggest that you look closely at any front-loaded fees, accumulated interest etc. when looking at the Parent Plus Loan – it sounds great at first, but your bank may offer a better solution.

One of our colleagues in California, Jeff Levy with Big J Consulting, recently contributed this article on the 15 biggest mistakes families make when filling out the FAFSA. It is worth the read. READ HERE

Beyond what the government can offer you based on your EFC, colleges often have scholarships and grants that they can offer your student. This is i nstitutional need-based aid . Every university handles this differently, has different amounts available, and is usually tied into their endowments. Institutional need-based aid can be offered at the time of acceptance or in the Spring after the initial acceptance letter. We are fortunate to have a deep understanding of the need-based aid offered at most colleges.

The sticker price, may not be the REAL price.

SO WHAT ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS? MERIT AID

“LAST YEAR, OUR STUDENTS WERE OFFERED AN AVERAGE OF $60K-$110K OVER 4 YEARS FOR THE SCHOOLS WHERE THEY WERE ACCEPTED.”

What many of us called “scholarships” from colleges, now fall under the title of MERIT AID. Merit aid is a form of college financial aid that does not consider a student’s financial need but rather is awarded based on academic, athletic, artistic, or special-interest merit. Last year, our students were offered an average of $60k-$110K over 4 years for the schools where they were accepted. This is not a guarantee, but the better your application, the stronger your classes and grades, the deeper your activities, the quality of your essay, and the right list of schools you have can maximize this merit aid. Keep your mind open, don’t go for the most popular schools, most well-known schools, or places you know from movies and friends. There are hundreds of amazing colleges that may be perfect for your student AND willing to provide discounts to tuition in order for your child to attend.

THIS IS WHERE ACC CAN HELP YOU TO SHINE AND THE EARLIER YOU BEGIN WITH US…THE BETTER YOUR RESUME!

HOW DO YOU TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE PRICE OF THEIR FOUR-YEAR JOURNEY? WHEN DO SHOULD YOU START THE CONVERSATION? NOW!

Outside scholarships– these are interesting. We call these the “sprinkles on the sundae” -a bonus, but merely a small amount of money in comparison to the discounts, grants, merit aid, etc. that you can be offered from the government or institution itself. The outside scholarships available are not easy to get and usually yield $200-1000. Your guidance office should have a number of these that are available for the students at your school. Our advice is to go for these after you have put together the best application and done the FAFSA. These are not something that our company focuses on. If you want to go after these, there are several websites that may help find these for you: scholly.com, collegeboard.org, FastWeb, ScholarshipOwl. Another resource may be your company or local businesses that offer these small scholarships to local students. Scroll back up and watch our video!

Entrepreneurial characteristics

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:27:44 GMT

Education Insiders, Stories for and about you

Serious about Educational Consulting? Why CounselMore College Counseling Software is the Right Choice for Your IEC, College Planning Practice

Why CounselMore College Counseling Software is the Right Choice for Your IEC, College Planning Practice

Starting Your Journey as an Independent Educational Consultant

Beginning your career as an independent educational consultant (IEC) is an exciting and rewarding endeavor, full of opportunities for growth and meaningful impact.

Repeatable Service Delivery is Critical to Successful Educational Consulting Service Delivery

Congruence of Brand and Services

Kickstart Your Business with CounselMore's College Readiness Curriculum

Comprehensive & Flexible

Plug and Play Success for a New Educational Consultant

Reputation Defense is Critical for Educational Consultants Elevate Your Reputation and Online Visibility

The CounselMore Advantage; a Niche Software Built Esspecially for Educational Consultants delivers business infrastructure to an independent practice College Planning

1. "My Mentor uses CollegePlanner Pro, should I use that?" You should try CounselMore! CounselMore was Built by those who do the job, for others who do the job.

2. Superior Admissions Data Capabilities

3. Authentic Growth and Support for Independnt Educational Consultants

4. Streamlined Educational Services Business Processes

5. Customizable and User-Friendly Design Follows the Actual Core Service Model

6. When Choosing your Tools, Focus on Value over Hype - Data is critical to all Things College Counseling

Making the Right Choices as a New Educational Consultant

CounselMore isn’t just software—it’s a business-building ecosystem. It allows you to:

Staying Relevant & Authentic: How Lee Norwood Sparked Annapolis College Consulting's 5-Fold Growth Journey

Staying Relevant & Authentic: How Lee Norwood Sparked Annapolis College Consulting's 5-Fold Growth Journey

Is Fordham a good school? Can I get into Fordham? What is Fordham looking for in a student?

Is Fordham University a good school? Can I get into Fordham?

﻿ What is Fordham looking for in a student?

Here is som e insight into what Fordham University may be looking for in a student based on what actual students who chose to attend Fordham:

Academic Curiosity and Engagement:

Community Involvement and Service:

Adaptability and Resilience:

Here is a summary of student experiences at Fordham University based on the CounselMore interviews with students:

Fordham University Academics:

Fordham University Campus Culture:

Fordham University Location

Pros and Cons of Attending Fordham University:

Reasons to attend Fordham University Pros:

Reasons to attend Fordham University Cons:

Reasons to attend Fordham University - Things to Consider Before Enrolling:

Commuting vs. living on campus:

Safety:

Academic interests:

Financial aid:

Fit with the Jesuit mission:

Test Optional 2025

Test Optional?

﻿ Maybe Not... Should I Submit Test Scores to Colleges?

Insights on College Admissions Testing

MONTHLY PRESENTATIONS BY PEER COLLEAGUES

Test Optional Admissions Introduction

The New SAT and ACT: Key Changes and Considerations

Digital SAT:

Implications of Digital SAT:

Desmos Calculator (scientific calculator):

Practice Test Limitations:

College Testing Score Volatility:

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New ACT:

ACT Science Optional?

Paper ACT Preferred:

Practice Test Availability:

Test Optional Policies: Navigating the Nuances for College Planners and Students

Test Optional Doesn't Mean Test Blind:

Submitter Advantage:

The student's scores in relation to the university's average scores.

The student's intended major (engineering, nursing, and business programs often place more weight on test scores).

The percentage of enrolled students who submitted scores (check the Common Data Set in CounselMore college data menu).

Test Scores and Merit Aid:

Hidden Test Policies:

The Importance of Test Scores in a Test Optional World

Grade Inflation and Compression:

Test Optional Advice for Educational Consultants

Educate Students and Parents:

Encourage Early and Frequent Practice:

Emphasize the Benefits of Test Prep:

Utilize Resources:

Merit Aid Grids on College Websites:

Assessiv.com:

Reddit.com/r/ACT:

Mathchops.com:

Stay Informed on Admissions with CounselMore for Educational Planners:

Test Optional Conclusion

What is Fordham looking for in a student?

Maybe Not... Should I Submit Test Scores to Colleges?