Worrying about College Essays?

I have been to a lot of informational discussions that talk about the "good old college essay", and I always come away feeling always  the same.....EMPTY---   no one REALLY can explain the core of the essay, and everyone wanted to hear something they could sink their teeth into.  For me,  it is really sad because it is the MOST important, Most Crucial, and MOST time consuming part of the entire process and worse, one essay is not enough!

The process of preparing for college  really needs to start in the 9th grade.  This is the time when a student should be mapping out their plans.  It might sound early, but it is not.  It does not mean you can not go if you dont start in the 9th grade, it just means that the longer you wait, the mose stress it will cost you and your family.

By the end of the 11th grade the ideal student should have taken all of their SATs, ACTs, AP Subject Tests, and be ready to look to college apps.  Doing this in the 12th grade like in the old days is too lateApplications start around the 15th of September if not a little sooner.

Right now, High School Seniors should be have their essays complete and be on the application process.  Schools have deadlines, and if you miss the deadline, you are our out till the next year, so deadlines are critical.

I can promise you that many students have not begun their essays, are not sure which schools are right.  I hear a lot of students say,  "I want to go to college, but I dont think I could get in".  Waiting is not going to help.  If you think you have learning issues, talk to someone.  If you are looking to play a sport and have not been recruited, talk to someone.  If you dont know what to do next, talk to someone.

If you are one of these students and you are beginning to sweat bullets about the admissions process, we are here to help you.  We work with students and create strategies on how to get in, and get through college.  Not every student is right for the big Ivy or California Schools, but that does not mean that college is out of the question, it means that you have to find the school that will meet your needs. But he is some advice... rule out FOR PROFIT schools.  They love to mislead you.

FOR PROFIT schoosls, like the University of Phoemix, National Univ ersity, etc. are schools to avoid because they costs more than the most expensive school in the country... George Washington University in Washington DC, and they offer you a 4th tier education.

Schools you want to look at are NON-Profits.  There are schools that have admissions officers who are in admissions, not sales reps.

If you need help and can not find the answers, consider talking to us.  We have fees too, but they are about 1% -2% of what a 4 year education will cost you.  We help you on different levels, and help to make your college experience a positive one.

Visit our website at www.thecollegeadmissionsconsltant.com if you feel you need guidance.  We are here to help you.  We offer a FREE 1/2 hour consultation.

NACAC's FALL SCHEDULE FOR COLLEGE FAIRS

If you are thinking about going to a college fair, NACAC has just published their dates for 2012....

Fall 2012 Calendar

​ Some college fairs may be offered on multiple days or have more than one session available to provide more flexible hours for students. ​Click on each fair name to display detailed date and time information.

• September

  16

  September

  16

  Birmingham National College Fair

  Birmingham, AL
• September

  29

  September

  29

  Chicago National College Fair

  Chicago, IL
• September

  30

  September

  30

  Long Island National College Fair

  Uniondale, NY
• September

  30

  September

  30

  Milwaukee National College Fair

  Milwaukee, WI
• October

  02

  October

  02

  Indianapolis National College Fair

  Indianapolis, IN
• October

  07

  October

  07

  Denver National College Fair

  Denver, CO
• October

  09

  October

  09

  New Orleans National College Fair

  New Orleans, LA
• October

  09

  October

  10

  Minnesota National College Fair

  Minneapolis, MN
• October

  10

  October

  10

  Baton Rouge National College Fair

  Baton Rouge, LA
• October

  13

  October

  13

  Jacksonville National College Fair

  Jacksonville, FL
• October

  14

  October

  14

  Cincinnati National College Fair

  Cincinnati, OH
• October

  14

  October

  14

  Greater Phoenix National College Fair

  Phoenix, AZ
• October

  21

  October

  21

  St. Louis National College Fair

  St. Louis, MO
• October

  26

  October

  27

  Portland National College Fair

  Portland, OR
• October

  29

  October

  30

  Baltimore National College Fair

  Baltimore, MD
• October

  30

  October

  30

  Boise National College Fair

  Boise, ID
• November

  01

  November

  01

  Atlantic City National College Fair

  Atlantic City, NJ
• November

  01

  November

  01

  Greater Ft. Lauderdale National College Fair

  Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• November

  02

  November

  03

  Seattle National College Fair

  Seattle, WA
• November

  04

  November

  04

  Philadelphia National College Fair

  Philadelpha, PA
• November

  06

  November

  06

  Spokane National College Fair

  Spokane, WA
• November

  07

  November

  07

  Greater Washington D.C. National College Fair

  Washington, D.C.

Check Early Policies Carefully and Maximize your Chance

We are often asked to explain the many application options.  It’s confusing and changes every year. Hard to know what the difference is between “early action” and “early action single choice.”  Figuring out the difference between Early Decision 1 or 2 can be confusing. Now, as you probably know, UVA, Princeton, and Harvard have gone back to an early option (restricted) meaning students can NOT apply to Harvard in the early round AND a binding early decision school. 

 

You do not want to get caught violating these policies so be sure to read the fine print at each school. Here is a quick reference list of the main types of early policies with SAMPLE schools in each category:

 

Types of Applications*

 

* Double check application deadlines as they can vary year to year

** MIT’s Early Action Program is available only to citizens and permanent residents of the United States.

 

The moral of the story is, the rules have changed; in recent years and it is your responsibility to read the fine print carefully and stay within the guidelines for every school you choose.

We do, however, urge students to apply with an early strategy. In case you haven't noticed, the general trend has been that MORE kids are applying not just to Ivies, but to Ivy overflow schools like Middlebury, Connecticut College, Haverford, etc. If you love a school, apply EARLY. Middlebury for example fills 40% of its class early. Keep in mind that the top liberal arts colleges are experiencing the same rise in applicants as top Ivies and bigger schools. You don’t want to be in the regular pool – especially at the Ivies as admissions drops to under 10% in regular – see our chart below!

 

Ivy League — Class of 2016

 

COLLEGE³, THE FREE COLLEGE FAIR EVENT FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS, ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD PROGRA

LOS ANGELES – COLLEGE³ (www.MyCollege3.com), a free one day college fair event to help students and parents learn everything about the college application process, has announced the details of the scholarship and award program, according to Sophia Berkley, Executive Director of Celebration of Education and a member of the organizing committee.
“We are very excited about the scholarship and award program,” said Berkley. “With the rise of college costs, and the decline in funding, this is the perfect opportunity to help students in their quest to go to college.”
As part of the essay writing educational scholarship and award competition, students are asked: “In 500 words or less, “Explore, Educate, Empower – How Will Your College Education Help Further These Ideals?”
Award winners will be announced on the day of the event. Awards include: educational scholarship; a full dorm room setup including a free laptop courtesy of Celebration of Education; a complete College Application Mastery Program (CAMP), which is a 6-8 week course that covers each component of the college application process from College Application Training; and more. Essays can be submitted at CollegeE3@gmail.com.
COLLEGE³ is an interactive event, where attendees have access to colleges, universities, and other exhibitors, such as college counselors, financial aid experts and more, that will provide students and parents with valuable information about the college application process including SAT/ACT Test scores, essay writing, financial aid, enrollment, attendance and more.
COLLEGE³ is a one day “college fair” event to benefit college bound high school students and parents by educating them about the college application process. By the end of the day, attendees will know how to get into college by raising their SAT/ACT Test scores, how to create a winning college application, how to succeed once in college, and even how to pay for college. In addition, the event will help assist at-risk and foster families address the specific challenges facing them in the college application process, and offer educational information for adults who want to return to college or training after an extended layoff.
BASICS:
WHERE: 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230 (Agape International Center)
WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 9am to 5pm.
WHO: High school students and their parents. Teachers and school administrations working with high school students. Adults returning to college after an extended layoff.
Sponsorships opportunities are available starting at only $200. Financial support is strongly needed! Details available at www.MyCollege3.com/Sponsorships.html.
Registration is open to the public. There is no fee for admission but advanced registration is encouraged as the event will sellout. Attendees may register at www.MyCollege3.com, or at CollegeE3@gmail.com

OUR WEBSITE

Please bare with us as we upload a new and improved website for you to navigate through.  It may take up to 72 hours to make the provider switch, so please come back soon!

JUST RELEASED! USC NOW HAS ON LINE GRADUATE PROGRAMS NOW

Just minutes ago, Max, Nikias, President of USC just announced to the alumni association that USC has developed a global online graduate education enterprise that features academic breadth and economic viability-one that expands educational access broadly, while maintaining all-important standards of academic rigor, integrity, and quality.

Today, roughly 4,800 persons from around the world are enrolled in accredited USC online master's degree programs that span nine different USC schools. Altogether, USC's online education programs reach 5,500 remote students through graduate-level degree programs and executive and continuing education programs. USC faculty have embraced the potential of online graduate education and have
eagerly explored and experimented with models that can engage learners and spark powerful
ideas, fresh insights, and new knowledge. As we continue to implement our economically viable
online education model that was developed a few years ago, we expect to double our enrollment
and degree offerings within the next five years.

The "online degree programs" will use USC's normal admissions standards and charge
regular tuition rates. Other universities are increasingly offering online courses for free, with
scant concern for whether enrollees ever complete a course. Our goal, by contrast, is to ensure
that the educational experience is reserved for only those students with the requisite interest and
ability to meet our faculty's high expectations. Every remote student seeking to pursue a degree
program must meet the regular admissions criteria of the USC School offering the diploma. In
addition, there shall be a careful monitoring of student progress.

USC will not offer online degrees at the undergraduate level. This university does
not intend to join the growing ranks of institutions that seek to franchise undergraduate education
through the Internet or through smaller satellite campuses abroad. The years between 17 and 22,
which coincide with the traditional undergraduate experience, represent a corridor of
transformation, one in which much of a student's identity and many of her lifelong affiliations
are formed. Face-to-face intellectual and creative encounters, inside and outside the classroom,
create the greatest impact. This immersive, undergraduate approach is performed best on a broad
and comprehensive research university campus such as ours, where knowledge is continually
created, tested, and challenged within a dynamic residential community. Technology will
enhance, but not replace, the traditional campus undergraduate educational experience.

USC Rossier's Master of Arts inTeaching online program, which received the 2011 International Award for Innovative Practices in Higher Education in Washington, D. C., successfully places some 90 percent of its graduates inmeaningful employment positions or advanced study. Spouses of military service-members areexpressing gratitude for the ability to pursue quality graduate education in social work despitethe prospect of frequent relocation.

About 200 persons have signed up for the special health insurance program we established last year for remote students. Online and hybrid program students are creating their own USC student organizations, affiliating with on-campus organizations, and even trying out for the Trojan Marching Band.  In addition, hundreds of online students and their families now proudly participate in our spring commencement ceremonies.They are becoming, in all respects, full and valued members of the Trojan Family.



If you are interested in these programs, contact the university. or look on line at www.usc.edu

FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE

As colleges and universities gear up for another school year, new freshmen are anxious and nervous as well as excited about their new ventures.  Parents, if this is their first child going off to college are quickly learning that YOUR CHILD IS AN ADULT, and parents have to sit under a tree while little Johnny who is now an adult, can register for his classes alone without any help.  It's a maddening experience, yet we all see the good in it, and as parents we try to quickly adjust.

Here are 10 Wonderful Tips for Freshmen to consider as they move into their new dorm rooms.   Best Wishes to the new freshmen and their parents in this first year.

 10 Tips for College Freshmen

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE

The College Admissions Consultant has created a new website for easier navigation. " It's the site I wanted six years ago" said . " I wanted something that was light and airy long ago, and everyone told me it was all about content to get noticed by search engines". 

We still have some "KINKS" to work out because we have a lot of information for you on the site, and it is not being displayed through all the buttons yet.


This weekend we will be up in California City, Ca. offering a college admissions and financial aid presentation for anyone who lives in the High Desert.  We hope to see you there. 

We are looking for anyone who would like to host a FREE college admissions and financial aid program at their home.  It can be a nice time when friends and family get together and all learn some new and innovative ways to approach one of the most expensive times of their lives 


 See our new site here:    THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CONSULTANT

THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS RECEIVES HONORS FROM SANTA MONICA!

SANTA MONICA August 11, 2012 -- THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CONSULTANT has been selected for the 2012 Best of Santa Monica Award in the Tutoring Instructors category by the Santa Monica Award Program

1. Each year, the Santa Monica Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Santa Monica area a great place to live, work and play.
   
   Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 Santa Monica Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Santa Monica Award Program and data provided by third parties.
   
   
   About Santa Monica Award Program
   
   The Santa Monica Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Santa Monica area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
   
   The Santa Monica Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
   
   SOURCE: Santa Monica Award Program

THE JOB MARKET MAY NOT BE AS IT APPEARS

 In a recent study completed by the MANPOWER GROUP,  it appears that the job market may not be as it seems, in fact you might be surprised to learn of something called the “Job Paradox.”

 The paradox refers to the fact that even though unemployment rates remain high (8.1% in the US and 11% in California),  a very large number of jobs that are available,  remain unfilled.

As the chart next to us illustrates , there is a dynamic that  is contining into 2012-2013 for a payroll when the number of jobs available are going unfilled.  During the recession  it is no surprise that we had fewer job openings and people were left  unemployed. However,  the right hand side of the graph acknowledges that as we are  moving further and further away from the recession many jobs remain unfilled, dispite that so many continue to look for work.  So, what accounts for this?

When the Manpower Group questioned employers about the applicants that they were interviewing,  many employers said that they were not finding the right kind of applicants; and they needed to find individuals who possessed the right knowledge and skills required by their job openings.  On the other side of the coin,  many of the individuals who they did find to be suitable were/are not able to just up and relocate for new positions as quickly and easily as they might have been able to in the past.   Employers felt that  they had to take into account the tough housing and tight credit markets. There was also no doubt that in a this tough economy, many companies were/are choosing to leave positions unfilled rather than to hire and train someone without the right knowledge and skills.  Companies want to wait till the markets are stronger.

So what can a high school or college student, or job seeker do?  Well,  a series of focus groups were held by a research company consisting of hiring managers and directors from a variety of industries in the Los Angeles area. What they learned was that employers do recognize the value of a college education, additional training, and additional certifications.

In these focus groups, hiring managers and HR personnel stated that when they saw or see  certificates in a concentrated area, it demonstrates to them that the individual applying for the position is showing the companies that have continued to be productive and to keep themselves continually up to date in the latest ideas and practices by going through a robust, rigorous, relevant, and focused education.

The individuals in the focus group expressed that "an individual who completes a certificate is seen as someone who is prepared, motivated, engaged, and “willing to go the extra mile.” To these people,  these are elements that will fill the gap between what an employer is seeking and what an applicant can bring to an organization. 

If you are looking for your jobs or internships to do when in High School, College, or you are considering going back to school to retrain for a new profession,  consider what you want your next employment opportunity to be and keep the job paradox in mind, particularly how you can fill gaps in your own knowledge.

CHECK OUT THE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THE U.S.

Are you considering an application to  a top tier school?

We would like to share with you a list of top tier schools, and how they market their school to you.   This list shows you how many students attend each school and how much advertizing they do to get YOU!

Unfortunately, what these numbers do not tell you is weather or not the school is right for YOU!  They may not offer the best program for you, or meet what you think is the best college to attend.

We do not want to see you just get into college...  we want to see you graduate and come out with the least amount of debt possible.

If you need help... we are here!

Top Tier School Marketing Statistics

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES (CSU) ARE CHANGING THEIR POLICIES

Today. The Board of Trustees of the California State University announced that there will be a change in admissions in the system.   First and foremost, there is a FREEZE on college transfers at this time.   As of 2013,  students who choose to transfer to a Cal State Campus will find transferring will be a little more difficult, particularly at the Northridge, Long Beach and Dominguez Hills campuses.


No longer will college transfers be allowed to transfer mid term.  Additionally, the Board says that college transfers will only be allow to transfer if they have an AA degree.


What does this mean for students?  A lot.


Most students want to get into and out of college.  There is no better time that in that 18-23 year old period of transition.  However, this change means that students must be very focus if they choose to attend a CSU campus.  It may take a student longer to get through college, and students should consider looking at a 5-6 years.    




If you are looking to go to a CSU school, see the school map below showing where the campuses are located and contact the admissions office to get your questions answered.

If you are looking to go these colleges or have other questions, talk to your  school counselor.  If you feel uncomfortable with that idea,  look to a college admissions consultant who can help you through the process.  They have a little more time than a high school counselor and can work with you from the point of where you are.



We offer a FREE 1/2 hour consultation about how we can help you through the process. Consultants can help students through the "FEAR" of college applications.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE ACADEMIC INDEX IS?

Have you ever wondered what your Academic Index is?   Well, the  AI is a formula which is what is commonly called combines the averages of student test scores (both SAT I’s and SAT II’s) and the  high school GPA and divides by the class ranking.

Although the Top Tier schools have spent many years denying they used any kind of formula for their calculations on how to admit students,, the fact is that they have been using a ranking formula since the 1950’s called the Academic Index.  This formula, often called AI for short, has been around a long time and is used predominantly to make sure that athletes recruited to the school meet the minimum academic criteria that is ultimately reviewed by the NACC.


Most student never hear about this term unless they are applying to Division I or Division II Schools.  While this calculation has traditionally been used for sports purposes; maintaining some kind of academic standard on the various athletic teams, every school still calculates an AI for every student in order to assess their athletes for the NACC.

Why? Because the average AI of each member on an athletic team cannot be more than one standard deviation away from the average AI of the entire class  The only way a college or university  to know and show if questioned is to calculate an AI for every student.

The AI is represented on a scale of 1-240, with 240 being the highest.  There is a high level of correlation between the AI rank and acceptance rates. Applicants with 8 and 9 rankings were accepted at over 90% of the time. Half of the 6-ranked applicants were accepted, while a mere 11% of the 4-ranked were could still place in the acceptance poo. Virtually no students with a 1 ranking are admitted,  and these numbers do not include any outside achievements, awards, or any other positive information, the system is only used as it relates to grades. 

Since the number was so easy to produce, many schools begun to print the number right on the front of every student’s folder and used it to help them rank the student academically. It also creates a ranking to show that the athlete is capable of playing his or her sport.

REMEMBER:  The AI is just a statistical tool that is used for a specific purpose. The majority of students do not need to be concerned with the AI.   It does not take into account a student’s essay(s), teacher recommendations, or letters of recommendation.

If you must, you can find on line AI calculators to see where you fall,  but be careful--  it is only an informational tool used, and hold no merit to you the student  UNLESS you are going to be an athlete.

Important Note: the Academic Index is not used by all elite colleges and even those that may consider other factors, like extracurricular achievements, recommendations, and essays, equally or even more important as pure academics. Use with caution!