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.

Now is a good time to start.

1. The most important responsibility for a High School student is to increase their grade point average in the core classes i.e. English, Math, History, Science and Foreign Language. All colleges want to see improvement each semester. It sends a message that the student has matured and has an understanding of how important it is to be prepared for each and every day in school. The feeling of the admissions committee is if grades are spiraling upward the student has probably learned how to study to maximize their performance which will relate to success in college when the work gets difficult or overwhelming.

2. Next – the student should focus on creating a personal brand so the admissions committee will have material substance to support their admissions decision. Each of us is unique and possess talents and skills that will make the campus richer owing to one’s presence.

3. Never give up. Never give up. Go in for extra help from teachers, if the student has a dream and wants something bad enough it may take longer to get there or one may have to go down a different path to finally reach the goal, but do not give up.

4. 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.

NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball produces a phenomemal force — so much so that one has to really take an inventory of what type of school one wants to attend. The passion and collegial nature that spreads from having a team in the “Big Dance” is amazing. It does not matter if you attend a small liberal arts school or a large public university the NCAA Tournament becomes the topic of conversation at the table in the dinning commons on campus.

When selecting the “right fit” college or university the geographic location, size of the classes, locale- urban, residential, college town or rural environment becomes a topic that discussion at this time of year and throughout the fall than any other time of the year. With 65 teams participating in the NCAA tournament on both the Men and Women’s side of the bracket it is interesting to look at how each of the locales, size of schools and classes and geographic positioning is represented in the 130 schools playing over the next three weeks.

The University of Kansas, U Kentucky, U Connecticut, U Tennessee, U Michigan, U Texas represent the college town environment where every Saturday in the fall is a life and death game and throughout the winter basketball steps to the forefront to push the envelope of hysteria. Schools like Villanova, Butler, Xavier, U Minnesota, U Washington represent medium and large schools in or around a major city, Cornell, Baylor, East Tennessee State and U Montana are more rural campuses but have survived by having the town revel in the college as a social and sports highlight. Then there are the small urban campuses: Swarthmore, Emerson, Pace University, that thrive in a major city with all the energy and trappings that comes with living in a big city.

Based on the results of the first week of the Men’s Tournament it does not matter the size of a school or the locale but the heart and soul of the coaches, players and fans that follow the teams. Wouldn’t be awesome to be sitting or in Duke fans approach jumping up and down the whole game cheering for your team during the NCAA Tournament throughout spring break. Some students want this type of atmosphere and others want a lower key approach.

What I have found over the 25 years of coaching students and their families to find the right fit school it has become apparent that those students who want a small school setting have blossomed if their school was near or in a city. After indulging in great discussions and getting to know all the professors and students on campus these very stimulated young adults are always looking for the next opportunity to grow as people. By being near a big city the opportunities for internships or jobs during a student’s undergraduate years especially the final two years is paramount. When a student attended a small school in a rural setting they enjoyed the experience but had to go abroad to experience more than what had become the norm on campus day after day. Those that attended a large college in a college town were absorbed with the fire and flash of tradition that was embodied by those who attended before them but also felt like by junior year they needed to spread their wings. At least in that college town there were research opportunities and way still be engaged in the towns business community which helped.

No matter your choice for the right fit college or university. The approach to finding the right fit is the same. You must ask yourself a couple of questions:
1. What geographic area of the country do you want to be in?
2. What type of locale do you want to be in – Urban – USC, Temple, Boston U? Or residential near a big city – UCLA, Northwestern, Georgetown? Or a college town – Syracuse,  Ohio State, U of  Florida? or in a rural setting — Colgate, Wesleyan or Northern Iowa?
3. What size classes do I learn best in — small 1-20, medium 20-100, or large 101-500?
4. What majors does the school offer- is there flexibility to change majors?
5. What can we afford?

Just having the NCAA tournament flourish on both the Men’s and Women’s side opens up the door to so many schools that no one has ever heard of – There are more than 3,500 colleges and universities in the US. Spend some time taking an inventory of yourself and then search for the right fit.

Despite the enormous effort made to get into college, more than half of US students drop out in the first year. Of those that remain, half again change their major at least once with many changing two and three times before they graduate. When asked why a college admission coach is needed one only needs to look at the underlying causes that motivate these behaviors.

It is generally agreed that dropping out is the result of being ill prepared for the rigors of college studies. While a portion of those changing majors can be attributed to a lack of self-awareness, the remaining statistics point to stressed students taking less demanding courses to assure a degree.

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.

There is a great probability that a significant number of the job classifications being filled by college graduates today, may not exist or the demand for those historic sector applicants may significantly diminish in four years’ time. On the other hand, new technologies, changes in society and constant political shifting will open new career opportunities for the well prepared.

By 2015 estimates have it that there will be billions of smartphones connected to one another enabling social networks and providing audiences of one, to enjoy a variety of entertainment in the palm of their hand — among those entertainment properties electronic video games. This multi-billion dollar industry has come a long way since PONG was launched in 1972. Students seeking careers in this sector are looking for admissions to schools like: University of Southern California, DePaul University, DigiPen Institute of Technology, The Art Institute of Vancouver, Michigan State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Drexel University, The New College, Parsons, Rochester Institute of Technology and Becker College. Yet as exciting as the entertainment industry might be, it is fraught with uncertainty. The upside of chaos however, is opportunity.  The career consideration here will be aptitude, innovation, skills and temperament in addition to a portfolio of work, test scores, grades and recommendations.

While the aforementioned example is quite narrow in its scope, it becomes even more apparent that designing a personal strategy while making applications for college admissions needs to consider what knowledge base will be of value over time, which skill sets will be in demand and can one’s innate personal talents be amplified to an advantage over others competing for similar opportunities.

To meet the challenges of a competitive marketplace you need to perceive yourself as a Company of One – with a personal brand identity — continually working to evolve and grow your brand’s value by expanding your knowledge base through experiences that rigorously test your skills and talents. For those driven by personal passion, the marketplace will always present options if we are aware of our market driven economy.

As a nation more of us are living longer presenting career options owing to the aging of our population. In four years the 17 million boomers reaching 65 with skin problems will invigorate the demand for dermatologists with parchments from; University of California in San Francisco School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. What will it take for an undergrad to get admitted to one of these schools?

Our growing dependence on business systems will raise the demand for analysts. The need for Network Systems and Data Communication Analysts is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade. It is also expected that 286,600 new jobs will be introduced over the next 10 years, making this a 53% increase. Degreed applicants from MIT, Cal Tech, University of Illinois, Georgia Tech, Rice, Northwestern, DeVry and ITT will be filing those positions.

Financial Analysts offer businesses and individuals expertise advice on investment strategies. Personal Financial Advisers focus mainly on a specific industry, region or a certain type of product. Personal Advisers help individuals to develop sound money strategies by assessing their client’s assets, liabilities, insurance coverage, tax status, cash flow and objectives with their finances. Employers look for people with a college degree in accounting, statistics, business or finance and prefer a master’s degree in business administration.

Math, problem solving and computer skills are a must as well as great communication skills. You should also have the ability to explain complex financial ideas in an easy to understand manner. Being able to write reports well and make presentations which hold people’s attention and interest is another necessary skill.

In 2008, the annual median income was $84,780 however; many analysts receive large bonuses on top of their annual earnings. This occupation is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade. Mutual Fund companies and banks will need financial analysts to tell them which stocks and bonds they should buy and sell. In 2008, financial analyst’s held 397,000 jobs. By the year 2015 this number is expected to grow to 548,000. The large baby boom generation is the main reason why more people are seeking the help from Harvard, Stanford, Babson, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and Carnegie Mellon Institute grads. This is a global economy and literacy in multiple languages and cultural customs will become an essential credential to consultants as commerce will continue to shift manufacturing, commodities and the distribution of wealth.

The decisions made today will resonate a lifetime. Prepare by introspectively, assessing your skills, talents and achievements. Ask yourself; where do I stand in relationship to my peers? Where do I feel most environmentally and socially comfortable? What level of stress can I live with? Can I happily picture myself four, eight or even sixteen years ahead in a work environment?

While gaining admission to the right school is critical, staying the course deserves equal attention as one in every four freshman enrolled in a four year school drops out. The consensus is that the student was ill prepared for the rigor of college. Choosing the wrong school could also be a contributing factor.

I’m Rick Singer and have been coaching and counseling students and parents making the tough choices about which college, what courses, career options and the quality of life sought for more than twenty years. There is much to talk about in defining the right fit for a student with a college and meeting that institution’s admissions standards. Give me a call to find more about my company; The Key Worldwide and what our team can do for you and your future.