I couldn’t let this graduation weekend go by without once again expressing my appreciation and gratitude for your amazing and invaluable help that made the difference for Sara getting into MIT. She just graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and was given a Henry Ford II award by her Department. She will be interning for a 3rd summer with ExxonMobil, and turned down two full time job offers from Exxon and Chevron, in order to complete a Masters in Technology Policy (with focus in Energy) at the University of Cambridge.

And, I’m so glad that Sara’s friend Alex eventually connected with you about his application for graduate school. I told him that if you can’t help him get into Stanford (his dream), then no one can.

Again—just wanted to let you know that you made a huge difference for Sara, and we are greatly appreciative.

Many thanks,

Ellen Comis

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.

I wanted you to know that thanks to your careful counseling, so far my daughter, Alexandra has been accepted into every university she has applied to.  We are still holding our fingers crossed that she can work out attending USC, but we just found out she was accepted at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  The Key rocks!  I know she was a little difficult on and off, so a huge thank you for all you have done.  Allie is so excited!!

Best,

Dawne Knobbe
Runaway Storm- Gold & Silver Medal Winner
2010 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

http://deknobbe.com/
http://infusethemuse.wordpress.com/
http://thenaturekid.com/

We were very hesitant to hire someone to ‘pick a college’ for our boys, but then we met you and our gut said that there was much more than that to working with you… and our guts didn’t let us down.. throughout the process our boys learned more about who they are, got focus in areas they needed, help from you during a stressful period in life (as did we). You challenged them, you coached them, you motivated them. You gave them both insights into college, themselves and the paths life has to offer. Gave them both tools to expand who they are.

Our son, Zach, is flourishing at Arizona State and in his 3rd year as manager of the Men’s Basketball team which is a big commitment (including travel). He also landed an paid internship last summer at NFL Media (very competitive with top college students), and the NFL actually reached out to him to come back this summer. Our younger son, Jake, is loving Case Western Reserve, and looks like he will do a double major Computer Science plus Economics. He joined a Fraternity, and is surrounded by like minded smart people. The schools you helped us filter and find for Jake, and your help with Jake in narrowing down to Case was of tremendous value. We loved that Jake’s high school efforts led him to getting ‘scholarship’ money offers as well as carry in almost a full year of credits.

Rick thank to you and the Key for making a meaningful and lasting imprint on our boys’ journey. We know that they have many great things ahead of them.

Bob Schwartz
President
Magento, an eBay company

Two sisters have worked with the Key since they were young to position themselves for acceptance by the colleges of their dreams. Not just any colleges, but colleges that were a perfect fit for their personalities and goals. The Key helped them to choose the right courses and engage in after school activities that positioned them to truly shine for all to see.

After about nine years it appears our relationship with you has come to an end- four months earlier than expected. I can’t thank you enough for everything that you have done. Both Shae and Sydney got into their first choice colleges- schools that also appeared to me to be the best place for each of them and schools that neither they nor I thought they would be accepted at.

Obviously much of the credit is to them as they both had to work hard in school and develop extra curricular activities to be able to succeed. But a lot of it is also due to your guidance and support.

Hope all of your other families have as much success and satisfaction as we do but just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am of everything you have done for both kids over these past nine years.

Best Always,

Rusty

Nothing can be more complicated, confusing and challenging as the college application process is today, and yet a young person’s entire life will be molded by the outcome.  The mission of the Key is to help students and their families navigate these roiling waters to get to accepted at the college of their dreams.  Lolo is one such student:

I just wanted to thank you again for all of your help and support with Lolo’s college application process. I know that you deal with a lot of kids, but you make Lolo feel like a priority and you always made time for the many questions, etc.. throughout the process. Have a Happy New Year and speak with you soon.

Jaime
AFC Commercial Real Estate Group
Westlake Village, CA

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.

Jacob always dreamed of going off to college, but not just any college.  Jacob wanted to attend a top tier university.  His years of playing sports provided him with the insight that if he was going to reach his goals, he needed to find a great coach who would help him excel.  When it was time to begin the college application process, Jacob’s mother agreed that “Team Jacob” would benefit from finding a new head coach.   After doing her homework, Jacob’s mom discovered Rick Singer and the Key, worldwide coaching for college-bound high school students.  Coach Singer came to their home and spoke candidly, not only with Jacob, but with his entire family during his consultative meeting.  He crafted a game plan to get Jacob into the tier one college of his dreams.  Now it was up to Jacob to put in 110% to move the ball down the field.  Rick spoke with him weekly to check his progress.  By the time Jacob’s senior year rolled around, he had a 3.86 GPA, solid SAT scores, was co-captain of the football team and a Presidential Ambassador for his high school.  Coach Singer worked many hours with Jacob to refine his college choices and hone his college applications and supplementary essays.  As Jacob’s high school career was coming to a close, the “crowd went wild” when he opened his acceptance letter from Duke University.  While working with The Key Worldwide, Jacob reached his full potential, and realized that his dream to attend Duke University was finally a reality.

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

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.