The Key Worldwide has made available a brand new brochure that provides students and parents with an in-depth overview of the Key’s Complete College Program.

This service helps the student select the appropriate college with specific recommendations based on the individual’s academic and personal goals. The program works individually with students and their families to develop and implement a “game plan” complete with objectives and goals, and an understanding of how the results, if achieved, impact their ability to gain admission to the college of their choice.

You can download your free copy of the brochure by clicking here.

The Key recently announced that it will be holding 3 new summer intensive camps for high school students on the UCLA campus this summer.  The camps run from late July to early August, and cover entrepreneurship, writing and leadership.  Each camp includes housing in the dorms at UCLA, food, local transportation and all course materials.  The all inclusive fee for each camp is $1,200 for students that already work with the Key, and $1,600 for non-members.  Space in these camps is extremely limited, and the leadership camp is capped at only 25 students, so don’t delay in registering today.

Click on the camp below for more information or to register:

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/

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

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.