Northwestern, Duke and Stanford are just some of the schools that the Key reports USC will surpass this year as one of most sought-after universities in the country.

“Over the past ten years USC has risen from a middle of Tier 2 school in competitiveness to low Tier 1 school by attracting a phenomenal group of students through their scholarship program,” said Rick Singer, student coach and founder of the Key, one of the nation’s leading providers of college admissions coaching. “We are definitely seeing an up tick in the number of students that are listing USC as their 1st-choice school.” USC has done an exceptional job of late in showcasing its academic assets, particularly the honors science college and the access to its high-tech research facilities.

At the same time, its financial aid is among the most generous nationwide—a $2.4 billion endowment allows more than 60 percent of students to receive some type of aid. “Because attending any university is so expensive many families of exceptionally strong academic kids will consider taking the scholarship money at USC before attending an Ivy,” continued Rick Singer.

Add in a winning athletics program—Trojan football has consistently ranked in the top 5 nationwide in recent years—and its ever expanding and loyal alumni organization, and it is no wonder why applications to USC have risen about 35% since 2000.

The Key Worldwide a leader in providing coaching that helps high school students get accepted at the college of their choice the world over, has just started a new program focused on STEM.  Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are the key academic disciplines the United States needs to stay competitive in a global market.  The Key STEM program helps to promote studies and achievement in these core subjects.  The new Key STEM website (http://www.TheKeySTEM.org) is totally run by Key students.  The site will be a gathering place for all things STEM.  Please stop by and check it out.

The Key student, Chloe Katerndahl, had a dream to make music. Working with her Key coach, Chloe grew in her music and found her way to a college that was the perfect accompaniment to musical dream.

“I just wanted to express my gratitude for knowing exactly where I belong from the very start. I am in Nashville at the moment and I feel immersed in music. It’s wonderful and I’ve already met so many like-minded people just walking around Belmont’s campus. The best part is, I got offered a publishing deal for my songwriting and they want to promote me as an artist. The company’s called Ole and their office is right down the street from Belmont! What a coincidence. The synchronicity of my life lately has been unbelievable and I wouldn’t have such confidence in my future had it not been for your advice, so thank you from the depths of my heart! ” – Chloe Kat

The Key’s coaching staff can help you develop your passion and launch your career.

Our brains can process 240 billion bits of information each and every minute. All too often we accept what we see, hear and are told, to be the whole of all that we need to know as we would be overwhelmed having to determine what was relevant by the bit.

To accommodate this avalanche of stuff we have become dependent on branded sources for our information gathering. Unfortunately, the commercial necessities of servicing a mass audience can also render the individually brilliantly bit as mundane if at that moment the inbound isn’t relevant.

For those that extend themselves to define their own information filters and exercise the extra rigor to learn from doing THE KEY WORLDWIDE presents its summer program for those who invest in their passions: LA Film Academy, Automotive Design and Engineering, Apple World, Ideas Festival and Business Entrepreneurship.

Rising above the din of the crowd, future leaders are finding their voice as their personal brands emerge as products of their passion.  In his recent book Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell writes about meaningful work as the fruit of passion. This summer, meaningful work can be found on the campus of Loyola Marymount University where THE KEY is offering a diverse set of learning tracks that provide both rigor and relevance for students following their passions.

The LA Film Academy –focuses on the Movie Industry, Automotive Engineering –focuses on Alternative Fuel Vehicles, NXT Think Tank – focuses on Youth Collaborating to solve the world’s problems, Ivy League Entrepreneurship — focuses on start-up businesses and The Real Mac Genius – focuses on Apple’s four major products. All programs will be presented by the leaders in each respective field, the three-day total immersion programs will offer students access to relevant real-world expertise and hands on practical applications unavailable elsewhere. Contact Jackie Strong: 3415 American River Drive, Suite D, Sacramento, California 95864 (800) 620-8085

College admission committees are not just responsible for determining which student is admitted, but for the complex social atmosphere that defines the energy of the entire campus. The KEY works with its students and their families to identify the “right fit” of people, place, culture, temperament, rigor, course and finances with student talents and aspirations.

A mother of one of our students had this to say about the “right fit”–

Rick-
Reed was one of the coolest colleges I have ever seen. Shannon really liked it. She thinks the kids are a little quirky and… well… they are!  But she is too (self-admitted). She thinks they are very quirky. She is going to look at Chapman the 27th - and is leaning toward Chapman – I think because of location and opportunities (and money! Thanks) I think Reed was a great idea for her… and if she doesn’t go there this year I think she’ll consider it in the future. Two of the women we met there came to Reed from Berkeley and USC, because they couldn’t handle the impersonal, big class, you’re a nobody mentality.

Thank you for making a personal investment in my kids – the “right-fit” is important!

Anne

ABOUT REED: Reed is one of the most unusual institutions of higher learning in the United States, featuring a traditional liberal arts and natural sciences curriculum. It requires freshmen to take Humanities 110 — an intensive introduction to the Classics, covering ancient Greece and Rome as well as the Bible and ancient Jewish history. Its program in the sciences is likewise unusual — Reed’s TRIGA research reactor makes it the only school in the United States to have a nuclear reactor operated entirely by undergraduates.

Reed has produced the second-highest number of Rhodes scholars for any liberal arts college: 31, as well as over fifty Fulbright Scholars, over sixty Watson Fellows, and two MacArthur “Genius” Award winners. A very high proportion of Reed graduates go on to earn Ph.D.s, particularly in; the sciences, history, political science, and philosophy. Reed is third in percentage of its graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in all disciplines, after only Caltech and Harvey Mudd. The Princeton Review acknowledges Reed as first in Overall Undergraduate Academic Experience and number two in “Best Classroom Experience.” Newsweek magazine acknowledges Reed as one of “the nation’s elite colleges.”

An effective coach working with a passionate high school student can have a significant impact on their pre and post college experience preparing them for the rigors of college by creating a realistic admissions strategy based on truthful introspection, a strong personal brand, meaningful extra-curricular activities with an aggressive pursuit of test scores and grades.

The coaches of the KEY have been successfully preparing students for lives of merit by assuring them that they will be able to meet the challenges of academia and successfully leverage their passions into rewarding careers. Call us at 800.620.8085 without obligation, to find out how the KEY can make the difference of a lifetime.

The KEY Worldwide is offering five rigorous summer programs for high school students to earn college level mastery of their personal career passions: LA Film Academy –focus on the Movie Industry, Automotive Engineering –focus on Alternative Fuel Vehicles, NXT Think Tank – focus on Youth Collaborating to solve the world’s problems, Ivy League Entrepreneurship — focuses on start-up businesses and The Real Mac Genius – focuses on Apple’s four major products.  All programs will be presented by the leaders in each respective field, the three-day total immersion programs will offer students access to relevant real-world expertise and hands on practical application unavailable elsewhere.

The growing interest in THE KEY’s summer programs reflects the attention paid to gaining personal mastery achieved through a rigorous and thorough curriculum. The fall semester of 2011 will be remembered as the most difficult for even the most superior applicants to gain entrance into the top tier colleges and universities.  Applications to the eight Ivy League schools plus MIT and Stanford skyrocketed from just over 200,000 applications to almost 300,000 early and regular applications, for a total increase of more than 40 percent, according to Michele Hernandez, President of Hernandez College Consulting.

To further filter candidates, a relatively new standard of excellence has been added to the admissions criteria: rigor and relevance.  It is expected that students will not only effort to study more challenging subjects which reflect their personal passion, but acquire a college level of mastery within that specialty.

Rigor requires students to use a higher order of thinking skills to demonstrate their mastery from simple knowledge responses to complex evaluation and judgments employing a combination of analysis, synthesis and evaluation processes.

The KEY Worldwide Summer Programs challenge each student’s rigor with unique performance-based real-world projects like building an electric and hydrogen car  in 36 hours, that are specifically designed to demonstrate mastery levels of cognitive thinking that will be required to participate in the global marketplace.

Contact Jackie Strong at The Key Worldwide; (800) 620-8085  thekeyworldwide.com
3415 American River Drive, Suite D Sacramento CA Sacramento, California 95864 to learn more about THE KEY Coaching and its Summer Programs.

 The road to finding the perfect college can be a long and winding one for students, parents, family and friends alike. When it comes to ensuring that their children reach their full potential, parents are faced with a number of different challenges. Part of this includes navigating through the competitive world of sports and academics to find the relationship that will best fit both the student and the university. Parents do research, dedicate time and often make financial sacrifices to unlock and identify their children’s unique qualities. Students attend camps, go to schools and work with specialists to build a lucrative skill set with the hope that it will set them apart from the rest of the college applicant pool. Through these combined efforts, young people can build a brand for themselves that shows they are devoted, passionate, unique and motivated in their personal, academic and athletic pursuits.

Building Your Brand

Your brand is what sets you apart and differentiates you from every other applicant. In the University of California system alone, 45,000 qualified (4.0+ GPA and 2,200+ SAT scores) applicants for 10,000 freshman slots were received. So, how important is it for you to stand out? Extremely.

Despite being ingrained with the mantra of having to excel at every single activity you enroll in, a student who, instead, dedicates his or herself to what they are passionate about will have an advantage. Nobody expects you to master everything you try but what will make you a candidate for a Tier 1 school is a resume of unique and significant experiences.

Admissions and the Pursuit of Happiness

University admissions officers are looking for students who challenge themselves. This means taking Honors and AP courses instead of taking standard courses that guarantee an “A”. It also means dedicating some of your summers to taking summer school classes at a local community college. In other words, it means stepping out of your comfort zone as you pursue your passions.

In terms of self-fulfillment and college admission, students who follow this path will stand out more. They will have developed a legitimate network of mentors, a unique set of skills and cultivated their passion. Whether it’s in the world of public service, journalism, speech and debate, sports or business — there are outlets for everybody — with the proper guidance and opportunities, you can find and settle into what makes you tick.

The importance of finding those things for which you have a genuine interest is essential. The main point to consider is your true motive for self-improvement and self-discovery. It’s not for the fame, getting into a Division I college or even to win every game. You devote yourself to something because you have an actual passion for it. It is something from which you will grow, mature and gain confidence from. As a result, the payoff – whether in the form of a college acceptance, scholarship or win – should be secondary because the greatest reward will come from the fact you are pursuing something that makes you happy.

The Academics

Getting into the right college starts with a strong academic foundation and a willingness to take responsibility for your academic curriculum. Making the right choices for college requires research, planning and direct involvement. It is not the responsibility of a counselor, friend, or relative to decide. That responsibility is yours. Students who aspire to attend prestigious schools should be willing to take on the challenge of advanced courses (AP, IB, Honors), sign up for classes at a community college, and take no less than 4 years of English, Math, Science, Social Science and Foreign Language. Taking these classes shows a desire to achieve above and beyond the norm. More importantly, taking advantage of these academically stimulating programs will provide you with an early college experience, giving you an understanding of the increased pace and competitiveness of college course work.

The Athletics

Athletes who are dedicated or aspire to compete in college need to keep certain things in mind as they progress towards the infamous signing day. Finding yourself and your brand is one thing, but it’s also important not to lose sight of the logistical side of things. In order to be considered by Tier 1 colleges and universities in the US, you must be prepared to take the most rigorous curriculum available at your high school. If you plan to play sports competitively in college, it is very important to map out a four-year high school academic plan.

Starting in high school, it is crucial to draft a game plan in each of the five core disciplines: English, Math, Social Science, Science and Foreign Language. This must be done to avoid any issues on the backend when attempting to become an NCAA student-athlete. The NCAA requires a rigorous core curriculum for students, and it’s important that you meet all of the academic qualifications.

The NCAA Clearinghouse.

Before your junior year, you should visit www.ncaaclearinghouse.com. The Clearinghouse is the data repository that determines if a student is a qualifier, partial qualifier or non-qualifier for participating in college athletics. When you register with the Clearinghouse, you will need to send a high school transcript that includes six semesters of grades and your SAT/ACT scores. These official documents will help the Clearinghouse create your GPA (based on NCAA-approved classes). Remember to always stay aware of the regulations and what is needed to compete in college. You’re investing a lot in your academics and your athletics. Make sure you don’t neglect to complete the NCAA’s mandated checklist. Your Ultimate Goal As an athlete you have an intrinsic advantage in the college admissions game.

You are already devoted to pursuing an activity you love and have sacrificed a lot of time, money and energy towards becoming the best athlete that you can be. The college process is very much the same. Your ultimate goal — select a college that makes you happy, challenges you and leads you to a fulfilling life — demands that you continue to act with the same degree of diligence and fortitude.

By focusing on and defining yourself, you will be able to create a unique brand that makes you stand out from the rest of the pack. The road to finding the perfect college can be a scenic, tree-lined wonder… and it can be one on which you find fulfillment, success and happiness, as long as you are prepared as Elena, one of clients, discovered;

Hi Rick,
Just thought I would give you a little update. I was accepted at Johns Hopkins and shockingly received a full-tuition merit scholarship as one of only 2 (!!!) Charles R. Westgate Scholars in Engineering. I can go back next month at their expense to tour and meet people. I also just found out that I am in to Rice. I was rejected at MIT and wait listed at CalTech. And, as you know, on Friday I am off to Duke for four days as a Robertson Scholarship Finalist. I am pretty happy with how it is all playing out so far. Looking forward to meeting on the 1st and sorting stuff out.
Thanks, Elena

An effective coach working with a passionate high school student can have a significant impact on their pre and post college experience preparing them for the rigors of college by creating a realistic admissions strategy based on truthful introspection, a strong personal brand, meaningful extra-curricular activities with an aggressive pursuit of test scores and grades.

The coaches of the KEY have been successfully preparing students for lives of merit by assuring them that they will be able to meet the challenges of academia and successfully leverage their passions into rewarding careers. Call us; 1.800.620.8085 to find out how the key can make the difference of a lifetime.

Although it can be hard to believe — in the midst of academics and athletics — nobody can be a super hero. It really is impossible to enroll and succeed in everything. Unfortunately, I’ve found that many college applicants try this kind of shotgun approach to building a unique college application, signing up for everything, yet focusing on nothing.  These students consequently pad their resumes with laundry lists of the dozens and dozens of things they’ve tried, but nothing in which they’ve excelled. The important thing that students need to remember is that the key to getting into a top-tier school is a passion for self-fulfillment. Passion, genuine passion – that’s the key!  And with that comes the concept of self-branding.

Personal Branding is centered on unlocking a student’s passions by meticulously working to uncover their dreams and aspirations.

What drives a student is what makes them unique. If you have an interest in keeping their finger on the pulse of the community, writing for a school paper – If it’s being a team player, being the star high school running back – If it’s for entertaining, being the star in a drama production. The depth, breadth, tenure and responsibility a student takes on to uncover their passions is paramount.

What’s going to make an application stand out in a pool of thousands is a Personal Brand. Proof that a student possesses passion and has used high school as a time to truly find themselves is crucial. For years you have heard through the grapevine that a high school student must be involved in everything — just sign up for each activity, pad your resumes and you’ll stand out.  But the reality is that colleges can see right through that approach.

To be competitive for college admission, a student should participate in the activities that they truly care about. Too often, the myths of the admission process promote a hysterical shotgun approach that students have to be well rounded and that they need to do everything. In other words, many students are lead to believe that they need to be a superhero.  While it is important to be well-rounded, students who try to do everything, often excel at nothing.  Students, however, who focus of the activities that they are truly passionate about are more likely to excel in all of their endeavors.

A student who vainly attempts to be a Jack-of-all-trades often loses sight of the importance of why colleges and universities desire a strong extracurricular resume. The goal of a college is to find out whether a student’s activities and passions make them a good fit for the school.

To create your Personal Brand, you’re going to need to dedicate yourself and devote time to uncovering your passions. Exploit your interests — turn them into far-reaching and real-life projects. If you are a student interested in entrepreneurship, create a true-life company with a budget, business model and products that can be manufactured and sold across the country. Or if you enjoy traveling and are interested in International Business, look into summer internships in commercial companies abroad that could potentially lead to paid employment in the future, life-changing experience and a distinctive resume.

Don’t succumb to the pressure that you need to perform miracles to get into a prestigious college. Nobody expects you to save the world, while also being varsity football captain and newspaper editor. In fact, colleges will not be impressed with this unfocused approach. Instead, dedicate your time to developing your true passions, sacrificing everything artificial for something important and creating your Personal Brand.

An effective coach working with a passionate high school student can have a significant impact on their pre and post college experience preparing them for the rigors of college by creating a realistic admissions strategy based on truthful introspection,  a strong personal brand, meaningful extra-curricular activities with an aggressive pursuit of test scores and grades.

The coaches of the KEY have been successfully preparing students for lives of merit by assuring them that they will be able to meet the challenges of academia and successfully leverage their passions into rewarding careers. Call us  800.620.8085 to find out more about how the key can make the difference of a lifetime.

 When you’re applying to college, even little things can make a big difference. Points on your GPA, a notably sincere recommendation letter, that one extra year of an extra-curricular activity-these are the application elements that are going to set you apart.

Think of this: this year, over 60,000 students applied to University of California Los Angeles for less than 15,000 available spots. Roughly two thirds of them had a 4.0+ GPA. There’s no doubt in saying that every hundredth of a grade point average point could be the push you need to get into the school of your dreams. Every student who starts high school is ranked number one in his class on day one. So the question is: in the fury of grade inflation and severe competition, how do you maintain a high grade point average.

Our philosophy is to “turn your pluses into minuses.” That means turning a C+ into a B- or a B+ into an A-. It means making sure that you have every extra bonus you can. When a college calculates a student’s GPA, they count each letter grade (regardless of the plus or minus) as a certain amount of points out of four. For example, they count a B-, B and B+ as 3 grade points; an A-, A and A+ as four points. So if a student can manage to get an A- instead of a B+, their GPA is altered significantly. Two pluses turned into two minuses can take a GPA from 3.2 to 3.5. Don’t let the perception of borderline grades lead you down the wrong path.

When it comes down to report card time, don’t settle for a plus. Tier 1 colleges (3.8-4.5 weighted GPA) look at your high school grades fourth behind the rigor of classes you took, extracurricular activities and class rank. So when applying to these prestigious universities, you must get the best grades possible in the hardest classes possible. However, Tier 2 (3.2-3.8 weighted GPA) and Tier 3 (2.4-3.1) look at your grades differently.

These schools take a more holistic approach, meaning that they evaluate your application as a whole instead of prioritizing different elements of it. Grades, curriculum, extracurriculars, SAT/ACT scores and your personal statement factor more evenly into the selection process. What appeals to these colleges is the “All-American” student. That means you have more freedom to compensate in your application. For example, if your GPA is not outstanding, strong SAT/ACT scores might act as a buoy to help your application out. That said, have no doubt that grades are always a key element in every college’s decision-making process.

Now that the importance of having good grades has been established, the question remains of how exactly to do it. You need to earn your grades. If you aspire to attend a prestigious college, then you need to be willing to work hard, prioritize, and sacrifice your time. There is no secret formula besides dedication and passion.

Remember, too, that every teacher wants their students to achieve their highest potential. Teachers are not out there to ruin your GPA. In fact, if students were persistent with their teachers like they were with their parents when they really wanted something, they could easily change those pluses into minuses. Work with your teacher, put in the extra work, and show that you truly care about your grades.

The equation for success is a subtraction, not an addition. Turn the pluses into minuses and you’ve got the solution. An effective coach working with a passionate high school student can have a significant impact on their pre and post college experience preparing them for the rigors of college by creating a realistic admissions strategy based on truthful introspection, a strong personal brand, meaningful extra-curricular activities with an aggressive pursuit of test scores and grades.

The coaches of the KEY have been successfully preparing students for lives of merit by assuring them that they will be able to meet the challenges of academia and successfully leverage their passions into rewarding careers. Call us to find out how the key can make the difference of a lifetime.