early decision

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Demonstrated Interest: The Dating Game

Imagine walking down the hallway to your locker and making eye contact with someone you’ve never seen but would like to get to know.  You can’t stop thinking about them. In your heart you know it could be love, but is the feeling mutual? 

What do you do? First, you have to find out everything you can about them. When you realize they’re perfect for you, introduce yourself, let them know who you are. Once you’ve got their attention, and you start to spend time together, you realize that they are interested in you, too.  You begin building a relationship. What’s next – flowers, candy, Six Flags? You see there’s a future here, and you consider the options – early decision, early action, or even (gasp!), restrictive early action!

What do we call this dating game? Demonstrated Interest. It’s how you show colleges your level of interest. It’s how you separate yourself from the pack. Like dating, it’s a process. If you send love notes (emails), bring flowers (visit them at a college fair), have a first date (visit the campus), they will likely want to know you better, see if you’re a good match. Can’t afford to go Dutch?  No problem, they’ll come to your school or invite you to a local Starbucks for a conversation.

Colleges are looking for students who want them.  For any relationship to grow, you need to put in some genuine effort. Take the time to show your top schools just how interested you are. The more love you show, the more they will understand the depth of your commitment.  Colleges want to offer admission to students they believe will accept their offer (we call that yield). Demonstrated interest is a real thing – don’t let your #1 leave you standing at the altar!

For more ways to demonstrate your interest to colleges, please see our related blog posts.

If you would like some assistance with your college search and how to show your interest the right way, contact Lynne today for a free consultation.

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

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Eric Aug 13, 2019 , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

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. We also investigate career interests through research, internships, and job shadows.

Paying For College

Parent meeting and ongoing communication regarding college costs, merit scholarships, net price calculators, scholarships and tuition discounting, to reduce the potential for excessive debt.

The College List

Explore numerous college attributes to create a list of schools that are good matches academically, personally and financially. Organize a standardized testing plan for the SAT or ACT including strategies for preparation. Make final determination of which schools should be applied to Early Decision or Early Action and ongoing modification and organization of the list until all applications are submitted.

Activities Planning & The Activity List

Review of accomplishments, extracurricular activities, awards, honors, and career exploration to help the student develop an activity list which can be used for applications.

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 to best approach all required essay prompts. 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. Of special note here: We never write any part of any essay. The student is always the author.

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. 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. Organize and manage the completion of all applications and supporting materials by their respective deadlines.

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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Eric Feb 11, 2019 Comments 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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Eric Oct 03, 2014 , , , , , , , , , , , , 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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Eric Dec 08, 2013 Comments 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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Eric Oct 21, 2012 , , , , , , , , No Comments