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Comprehensive College Consulting Plan

The Comprehensive College Consulting Plan

The Comprehensive College Consulting Plan covers all aspects of the college planning process. We help drive the process forward and assure that students complete all parts of the process on time and in a way that helps them present the best versions of themselves.

This plan also provides 24/7 access for both the parents and the student to an online college planning database which we use for college research and overall organization of deadlines and requirements. The database allows us to maintain a college list with notes, updates and deadlines customized for each student, while also tracking progress on all assigned work. We also email post-meeting recaps outlining the student’s progress, as well as upcoming goals, deadlines and announcements. The parents and the student both receive unlimited contact by phone or email to discuss questions or concerns in addition to a weekly “Monday Morning Update” which outlines key dates, deadlines and timely reminders.

Here is a more detailed outline of everything we aim to cover in the Comprehensive College Consulting Plan:


VIPS Assessment

  • Assess student's values, interests, personality-style and skills (what we call VIPS) to help them develop a more informed idea of their values, strengths and weaknesses.
  • Results are then used to create the college list, generate ideas for the essay and develop strategies to construct the strongest applications possible.

Career Exploration

  • Using YouScience, an online assessment tool, the student will explore the intersections of their interests and skills with career paths and majors.
  • Explore and establish career interests through research, internships, and job shadows.

Paying For College

The College List

  • Explore college attributes including location, size, cost, academic requirements, majors, athletics, disability and special needs accommodations, activities, and other individualized interests to develop priorities for a preliminary list of colleges. 
  • Organize a standardized testing plan including strategies for preparation and differences between the SAT and ACT.
  • Research appropriate colleges and then create a list of schools that are good matches academically, personally and financially.
  • Make final determination of which schools should be applied to Early Decision or Early Action.
  • Ongoing modification and organization of the list until all applications are submitted.

Activities Planning & The Activity List

Interviewing

  • Develop an interview plan including a mock interview (where appropriate) to help the student approach any interviews or interactions with admission counselors with confidence.

The College Essay

  • Essay brainstorming session on how student can best approach all required essay prompts. (Of special note here: We never write any part of any essay. The student is always the author).
  • Detailed suggestions throughout the writing process to ensure the student effectively shares his or her story in a way that makes the essay stand out.

Application Review

  • Create a master schedule of all tasks to be completed with deadlines based on stated goals and interests.
  • Conduct a thorough review of high school profile, transcript, and projected courses to ensure student makes the most of all available academic opportunities.
  • Provide suggestions and feedback on the selection of teachers and other individuals for letters of recommendation.
  • Plan and prepare for college visits.
  • Review admission requirements to help recommend future courses to ensure a challenging, yet appropriate curriculum.
  • Organize and manage the completion of all applications and supporting materials by their respective deadlines.
  • Brainstorm ideas for all supplemental essays and provide detailed suggestions throughout the writing process.
  • Thorough review of each application prior to its submission with special attention placed on all Early Decision or Early Action applications.

The Final Decision

  • Evaluate all admissions decisions, financial aid awards, and/or merit scholarship offers.

PLEASE NOTE: Dobler College Consulting is unable to guarantee admission to any college or university.  Our goal is to assist each student in making informed decisions with the understanding that the admissions process is complex and uncertain, and a college or university’s decision to accept or reject an applicant is completely outside of our control.

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EricFeb 11Comments Disabled
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The CSS/PROFILE: The “Other” Financial Aid Application

The CSS Profile The Other Financial Aid ApplicationThe CSS/PROFILE went live on October 1st officially kicking off the start to the financial aid season. Ironically enough, many families don’t even know the CSS/PROFILE exists.

It does and here’s what you need to know about it:

1. While every college requires a student to file a FAFSA to qualify to federal need-based aid, over 200 mostly private colleges require students to complete the CSS/PROFILE as well for consideration of scholarships.

2. Here in Connecticut that list includes: Connecticut College, Fairfield University, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Trinity College, University of New Haven, Wesleyan University, and Yale University.

3. While the FAFSA is a free application, the CSS/Profile is not. The initial application is $25 and then each subsequent submission costs $16.

4. Unlike the FAFSA, a family’s home equity is taken into account as an available asset.

5. If a family owns a business, 100% of its equity will be assessed.

6. Assets held in the names of siblings will be considered parental assets and assessed as such increasing the parents’ EFC.

7. Only untaxed social security benefits for the student will be excluded whereas benefits for the parent will not be excluded.

8. Pre-tax contributions to flex-plans for healthcare and dependent care are assessed as untaxed income.

9. Schools have their own deadlines for when the CSS/PROFILE should be filed and these dates can range from as early as sometime in November for Early Decision or Early Action applicants to as late as February for students applying Regular Decision. When in doubt, families should always check the school’s website or call the financial aid office to verify deadlines.

As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into the CSS/PROFILE. It’s costly, it’s invasive and it’s just another hurdle standing in the way for many students and their parents.

If you would like some assistance filing the CSS/PROFILE as well as the FAFSA, contact me today. Like an accountant would with your taxes, I can help you gather the documents you need, assist you in the filing of both applications and then also help you with appeals should the need arise.

Here’s what other families like yours are saying about how Dobler College Consulting made a difference for them.

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EricOct 03 , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

Comprehensive College Counseling

Comprehensive College Counseling Services

I believe in working with students and their families to design college counseling services with structure, deadlines and goals that will help them successfully navigate the admissions process. I teach them how to put together the strongest applications possible to maximize their chances of being admitted to their top choice schools while paying close attention to academic, social and financial fit. Your student will not only receive personalized guidance, but will also benefit from my experience as a former admission counselor and academic advisor. We focus on getting into college, and making the most of the experience so that they can lead happy and successful lives.

I also provide regular feedback to parents, providing you with a recap of what your student is working on and how you can help move things along in a supportive way.

Students may begin college counseling services as early as sophomore year or as late as senior year. If you’re wondering why I don’t work with freshmen, the answer is easy: outside of trying to motivate them to do well in school and perhaps visiting a college campus or two simply to walk around and take it all in, I think it’s too early.

College Admissions 101
  • Creation of a master schedule of all tasks to be completed with deadlines based on stated goals and interests.
  • Thorough review of high school profile, transcript, and projected courses to ensure student makes the most of all academic opportunities available to them.
  • Review of activities, service and accomplishments to help the student develop and maintain a brand that compliments their academic profile.
  • Exploration of college attributes including location, size, cost, academic requirements, majors, athletics, disabilities and special needs, activities, and other individualized interests.
  • Discussion of the different ways a student may apply and their impact on the student’s applications.
  • Review admission requirements to help recommend future courses to ensure a challenging, yet appropriate curriculum.
  • Organization of a standardized testing plan including strategies for preparation and differences between the SAT and ACT.
  • Suggestions and feedback on the selection of teachers and other individuals for letters of recommendation.
  • Plan and prepare for college visits.
  • Review of all college acceptances to assist student in determining which college they will attend.
VIPS Assessment
  • Assessment of student’s values, interests, personality-style and skills (what I call VIPS) so that before the search is begun, we have a more informed idea of who the student is, and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
  • Results are then used to create the college list, generate ideas for the essay and develop strategies to construct the strongest applications possible.
Career Exploration
  • Exploration and establishment of student’s career interests through research, internships, job shadows, informational interviews and part-time employment.
Paying For College
The College List
  • Discussion to develop priorities for a preliminary list of college recommendations including location, size, cost, academic requirements, majors, athletics, disabilities and special needs, activities, and other individualized interests.
  • Research appropriate colleges and then create a list of schools that are good matches academically, personally and financially.
  • Ongoing modification and organization of the list until all applications are submitted.
  • Final determination of which schools should be applied to Early Decision or Early Action.
Activities & The Resume
  • Review of accomplishments, extracurricular activities, awards, honors and career exploration to help the student develop and maintain a brand that compliments their academic profile and strengthens applications.
  • Creation of a resume for schools which can be used for individuals writing recommendations, to bring on interviews at colleges and for inclusion with applications where schools will accept one as a supporting document.
Interviewing
  • Development of an interview plan including preparation of a 30-second commercial to help the student approach any interviews or interactions with admission counselors with confidence.
  • Completion of a mock interview (where appropriate).
The College Essay
  • Essay brainstorming session on how student can best approach the essay prompts for Common App schools in addition to schools who do not use the Common App. (Of special note here: I never write any part of any essay. The student is always the author).
  • Detailed suggestions throughout the writing process to ensure the student effectively shares his or her story in a way that makes the essay stand out.
Application Review
  • Organization and accountability for completion of all applications and supporting materials by their respective deadlines.
  • Brainstorm ideas for all supplements and provide detailed suggestions throughout the writing process.
  • Thorough review of each application prior to its submission with  special attention placed on all Early Decision or Early Action applications.

I am happy to work with families to provide a customized package that meets your need and budget. To learn more about how you can successfully navigate the college admissions process, call or email me today to schedule your FREE consultation

 

PLEASE NOTE: Dobler College Consulting is unable to guarantee admission to any college or university.  My goal is to assist each student in making informed decisions with the understanding that the admissions process is complex and uncertain, and a college or university’s decision to accept or reject an applicant is completely outside of my control.

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EricDec 08Comments Disabled
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So You Want To Major In The Arts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: I will be conducting a college admissions workshop titled, “A Conversation About College” on November 7th at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, Connecticut. Please scroll to the bottom of this post to learn more.

Just a quickie today as we prepare to finalize Early Decision and Early Action applications.

For those of you interested in the arts, there will be two events in early November here in the New England area which are designed just for you.

The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) is hosting Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs in Boston on November 1st and in Philadelphia on November 5th.

These fairs are designed for students interested in pursuing majors in the areas of music, dance, theater, visual arts, graphic design, among other related disciplines.

Interested students will learn about educational opportunities, admission and financial aid, portfolio days, audition and entrance requirements, and much more by meeting with representatives from colleges, universities, and conservatories who specialize in the visual and performing arts.

If you’re afraid of turning into the starving artist, conduct some research now to see what you can do with a major in the arts.

Not sure if you even want to major in one of these fields? That’s okay too. Here’s a great article from the New York Times blog, The Choice, about how those of you interested in pursuing a career in music don’t necessarily have to declare it as your major in order to be successful.

Learn More at Dobler College Consulting’s College Admissions Workshop

For parents and students who can make it, I will be conducting a workshop titled, “A Conversation About College” on Wednesday, November 7th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South in Southbury, Connecticut.

The workshop shares strategies to help your son or daughter navigate the college admissions process while eliminating mistakes that tend to reduce their chances of admission. Topics include college lists, online resources, essays, interviews, campus visits, what you need to know about making college more affordable and how to stay sane throughout the process.

All workshop participants will receive informational handouts and will be eligible for discounts off any of my college counseling services.

The workshop is free to the public. Want to come but can’t make it? You can easily get in touch with me to set up a free 60-minute consultation to help address your pressing college admissions-related questions and issues.

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EricOct 21 , , , , , , , , No Comments
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ED, EA, Regular, Rolling – Which Way Should You Apply?

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown College

With the launch of the Common Application on August 1st, the 2012-2013 college application season is upon us. If you’re not familiar with the Common Application (more commonly referred to as the Common App), here’s a nice little post from stateuniversity.com that will get you caught up.

Last week I talked about the different ways of applying to colleges. Your level of interest and your qualifications are what will help you decide which one is the way to go. For now, let’s talk about the differences and how they affect you.

Early Decision, also known as ED, is where you choose to apply anywhere from November 1st to December 1st, and can expect to hear a decision by December 15th. Some schools will offer two rounds of early decision where ED I applicants hear in December and ED II applicants, who will apply typically around the same time as regular decision candidates, will expect to hear in February.

Early decision can be a great idea if you know, without a doubt, that you are in love with everything a school has to offer, you know you can afford to attend that school and you are ready, willing and able to commit to that school. You’re all in with early decision and the risk level is significant if you haven’t done your homework ahead of time.

Some things to consider with early decision:

You’re allowed to apply early to ONE school only and, if accepted, that decision is binding. That’s it. There’s no backing out of an early decision acceptance. This is why your love for the school must be true – you won’t have a financial aid award yet and you will have to contact the other schools at which you submitted regular applications and notify them that you are withdrawing those applications immediately. Some students will point to higher acceptance rates to justify their choice to apply early – for this past year, the regular acceptance rate at Duke was 11% while the early acceptance rate was 25%; for Johns Hopkins the rates were 16% and 38% respectively. While the acceptance rates are typically higher, the talent pool is also that much more competitive. Just spend a few minutes on College Confidential and search for “early decision” to tap into the mania.

Early Action, or EA, is where applicants complete applications in November or December and expect to hear an answer by the start of the New Year. Early action applicants can be accepted, denied or deferred to the regular decision round of applications. Unlike early decision, early action applicants are not bound to their acceptance and have the choice to commit by the May 1st deadline or attend another school altogether.

There are variations of early action policies so it is important to check with each school first. Some schools are considered single choice early action meaning that they will not allow applicants to apply to any other schools early. Other schools are considered unrestricted and allow applicants to apply early decision or early action to any number of schools.

Early action is great because you have the benefit of applying early and showing a school that you are a very interested applicant while also keeping your options open.

Regular Decision is the process by which you apply by each college’s published deadline which is usually around January 1st. Once the application and materials have been sent, applicants can expect to hear a decision by April 1st. Regular decision applicants can be admitted, denied or placed on a waiting list. More on waiting lists another day.

Regular decision is the vanilla of the application world. It’s plain and simple and doesn’t come with any surprises. Well, that’s not entirely true. Students who choose not to pay attention to what a school is looking for in its applicants can often be met with very disappointing surprises. 

Rolling Admission is where students are admitted on an ongoing, or rolling, basis. The schools begin making decisions in the early fall and continue until they have met their requirements for the new freshman class. Rolling admission provides students with a long period of time in which they can apply – often several months. Colleges may accept or reject an applicant right away, or they may hold off for a period time in order to compare him or her to other applicants. Depending on how strong or weak of an applicant they are, students may also find themselves on the waiting list.

There are several pros to rolling admission. Applicants can apply as soon as the application season is open and, therefore, demonstrate their interest to a school. Remember, colleges are looking for students who are more likely to enroll. Applying early on is a great way to show that you are that student. Because decisions are made on an ongoing basis, the earlier you apply, the earlier you can expect to hear a decision. It can feel great to get that first acceptance out of the way and may just help you enjoy the holidays with your family and friends that much more.

For the procrastinators, rolling admission is great because you can apply when you’re ready. I’m not saying you should work at a snail’s pace, but let’s be honest – some of you just do. Maybe you want to wait for first semester grades before you apply because you know you have some strong grades coming. Maybe your SAT scores were low and you wanted to take them again in December or January. Maybe you just happened to come upon a school mid-year that you hadn’t thought of before and now want to apply – for any of these reasons and more, schools with rolling admissions grant you the opportunity to apply later in your senior year.

Now, for every pro of rolling admission there are also cons. Just because decisions are rendered on a rolling basis, doesn’t mean everyone will hear right away. If your application isn’t the strongest, you could end up waiting several weeks or more before you hear back. This can get very frustrating when your friends hear back from the same school and you’re stuck waiting and wondering. Schools with rolling admission will start awarding aid on a first-come, first-serve basis. Funds are limited so if you apply too late, your financial aid award may not be very helpful. Housing could also be an issue if you apply too late.

As with anything in the college application process, do your homework early on. Check out the admissions webpage for any schools you are interested to find out which types of applications they offer.

If you have any questions or comments about the types of applications available to you and which one might be the best way for you to go, please use the comment box below – I would love to hear from you!

You can also email me directly at eric@doblercollegeconsulting.com.

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EricAug 06 , , , , , No Comments