College 4 ALL

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is well known for many things - its research, sports, innovation ideas and great folks like Michael B Jordan, musicians like James Taylor, former president like President Polk, their famous mascot Rameses, and now with my former student, Delaney Broderick!  Let's go Tar Heels! 

You can also follow her more on The Daily Tar Heel as well! https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2024/11/opinion-satire-delaney-in-print

Are the cuts true?  What can that mean?  What is the next thing we need to do?

Learn how doing co-curricular activities outside of the classroom can help you shine not only in the college application process but also provide you with insights about your possible future career and YOU!

What a gift to watch and witness students rise and rise again despite it all.  However, after 30 years of doing college counseling you do see hiccups along the way that are blocked not because of one's intelligence, but one's mindset and doing life alone.  These words are inspired by my students from my heart to you!

What a honor to listen to the wisdom and greatness of Raven Shaw.  A graduate from St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco, a soon to be graduate from Howard University and future legend in the making.  It is great to interview a current game changer who talks about the importance of HBCU's and the greatness of Howard University in DC!

What an excellent opportunity to meet with my former student - the one and only - Ann Anish.  A current leader already in politics and a game-changer in life.  Check out her journey and advise other students about making a difference at George Washington University and tips from her college journey.

Often, when the relief occurs after submission students forget there are still a lot of next steps.  Listen to this quick podcast so you can be on the right mindset on the timeline towards your future!

I was so lucky to visit Duke University.  It is everything you heard and more - minus the outdated dorms.  But the energy, intellect, and beauty are all there.  One of the most diverse campuses in North Carolina.  So Go, Blue Devils.

Let's get schooled with Get Schooled!  A non-profit organization focused on helping youth to get ahead whether it be for a job, college or BOTH!  A program that does NOT sell young adults' data, information or privacy like those other programs who say they are giving "free" scholarships or other information but do not.  Due to Get Schooled's long legacy since 2010, they are funded by grants and even have partnerships with other schools due to their great work.  Don't believe me? Listen to the show and then follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getschooled/?hl=en and TEXT...

Get Schooled is a non-profit organization to assist young people to get into college, learn methods and support to get a job, and MORE!  One of the few programs that has no advertising, and never shares personal user data unlike so many other programs that hunt down your information on social media, your school executives.  So enough said - let's get schooled so you can move above and beyond!

Santa Monica College aka SMC has transferred more students to UC campuses than any other college in the country — for 33 years straight. SMC is also tops in transfers to USC and LMU, and the top feeder west of the Mississippi to the Ivy League Columbia University.   SMC offers the same lower-division courses as UC, California State University, and other four-year campuses at a fraction of the cost. Students who start at SMC can save thousands of dollars while benefitting from rigorous smaller classes, personalized counseling, and great professors whose focus is teaching — not research.   

Santa Monica College’s academic...

Everyone needs to plan early for college admissions, which means financial aid.  We are lucky to have Paul Martin from College Money Method.  Paul works with all types of families to address their concerns about the crazy maze called college financial aid.  He is thorough, knowledgeable, and empathetic to various situations as a person who has benefited from financial aid.  Listen and subscribe to learn much more from the College Money Method from Paul Martin.

From California to Texas, we get a chance to interview a transfer student at one of the most selective and desired campuses in the nation: the University of Texas, Austin.  Teresa, a psychology major from the Bay Area, speaks about her experiences on campus.  The University of Texas, Austin, is the state's flagship public research university.  There are 8 different campuses, with locations in Arlington, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tyler.

But this one is pretty hard to get into as an incoming freshman. Besides requiring the SAT or ACT exam now, the...

You gotta take the time to visit some colleges to understand what you like and what you need and what you need to avoid.  Give yourself a moment to hear from students about their experiences with great tips when they visited six colleges (small, big, and medium) and their experiences when they visited campuses like UCLA, Whittier College, Cal Poly Pomona, Loyola Marymount University, University of Southern California AND Chapman University.

We got answers to the many questions that are out there on admissions. They are also changing to listen so our world can be college 4 all!

As college admissions get earlier and earlier, the time to start college begins now. Listen to tips on how and what you can search for so you can draft your college list NOW!

It is time for every senior in the country to look on what they have not done and what they need to get done like:
Final draft list of collegesTheir requirements for admissions, interviews, rep visits and financial aid (check this one!)Drafts of statements for each application and for each campus (there will be a lot)Check with recommenders (two core teachers, counselor and outside recommender if desired)Check your emails -- they can see if you read your emails or notGet connected with your repsTriple check your list that there are challenge, possible and likely campuses for...

Seniors it is time to get ready to work on your college applications before applications open up and deadlines approach.

There is a lot you can do like statements, interviews, research and so much more. Let's just listen and for more information go to www.college4all.com.

Lots of changes are moving fast and forward in college admissions due to the decisions made this June by the Supreme Court of the United States aka SCOTUS.

The world of college admissions will be transforming again. Some individuals in society do not know what has happened, many outlets are not talking about it extensively, many discussions are happening behind close doors and individuals are trying to adapt, pivot and understand.

Here is a reflection.

On June 29, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) made the decision to stop allowing college admissions across the nation to use Affirmative Action. Since 1978, the Supreme Court has upheld the use of affirmative action as one factor for admissions until today even though colleges throughout time have proven time and time again that the use of holistic admissions has many factors not just one. On this day, it is important that we all understand that research and data have shown time and time again that diversity (race, experience, background, and ideas) benefits not one, but ALL.

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It is time to get starting in writing your personal statement. The key thing to is to start writing, but if you need a little bit more help. Here are just tips on how to start. So let's get going.

Welcome to Rice University in Houston, Texas.

This urban campus is located in 300-acre tree-lined area with the most breathtaking research and innovative opportunities.

Since 1912, the university has produced doctorates and continued to create impressive numbers. Rank top 20 university in the United States.

Top 10 schools with resources per the Wall Street Journal and Timers HIgher Education.

Amazing in quality in life as well as "race/class interaction" per Princeton Review.

The close instructor contact along with amazing peer opportunities allows for a great amazing research opportunities in this...

It is summer time!

Time to rest.

Time to connect.

Time to have fun.

Time for college. Yes, college. Let's make sure you have volunteer, internships or work lined up along with showing your curiosity in subject areas and fields, virtual tours, virtual interviews, research and getting that Common App and Personal Statements done.

Let's go!

We have our wonderful expert in financial aid, Dino Koff, who is the Director of Financial Aid at Dartmouth College.

He will address the critical question of how to afford college! As college cost increases, active research on the different aspects of financial aid is critical as understanding the limits for both colleges and families.

In addition, tips will be addressed, and questions will be answered. Families will also learn about some of the changes from the changes on FAFSA, beginning with the 2024-2025 application seasno from the Simplification Act.

Learn, listen, and let's...

Welcome to Regis University where we get interview a current student on campus to learn more about this Jesuit university that has been recognized as a college of distinction on Business, Nursing, Equity and Inclusion, Military Support. It has been long recognized for being a career readiness for their first generation college student.

With an enrollment of over 6000 students with almost 100,000 alums that is an impressive number. Close to transportation to get you into downtown Denver but still provides activities on campus even with their local pub on campus.

The one thing that is honored time...

Are you the first person in your family attending college? Are you and your older siblings are the first? Whether you are first or not, learn about how being one of the few and creating a "road never traveled" can feel alone, frustrating, hard AND SO REWARDING! Listen to our host and our guests who are all First Gen!

There are a lot of instructions, information, facts and details. IT IS OVERWHELMING which creates a crazy roller coaster ride for any future prospective college admissions. Thus many topics and critical steps often are overlooked like: verification, additional required documentation and many more. Let's listen to a senior who just went through this process who is going to tell you what she didn't know and wished she knew ahead. SYou are lucky that you are listening to this podcast now!

One of our last stops was visiting some great students at Chapman University like Matt.

Chapman University is very fortunate to have a student like Matt and it tells. They are a growing popular campus in Orange County in California with beauitful facilities and opportunities.

Fifteen miles from the beach from their mid-sized community known for its historic architecture and great weather. This private campus was founded in 1861 filled with about 10,000 students from 49 states and 82 countries. With the small classrooms they offer a variety of academic areas such as Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Broadcast Journalism, Biophysics...

While on the road, stopped by Loyola Marymount University and visited with one of my former students who is a current student at LMU. Loyola Marymount is one of 28 Jesuit (a Catholic university) colleges that are located in 17th states, the District of Columbia and Belize.

Jesuit colleges like Loyola Marymount University in California welcome students of all faith and strive to instill values of menaing and empathy for their students. At the same time, their mission is encourage students to become leaders not only in their profession but social justice as well.

Loyola Marymount University...

We are back again on the road talking with college students to give you real stories of their experiences. This podcast is about one of the nine University of California campuses - UC Riverside!

It is 1,200 acre campus with over 26,00 students with two Nobel Prize winners, 11 Fulbright Scholars and 28 National Academies Members located in a diverse geography from the desert to the coast with a group just as diverse. Located Inland Southern California and graduated the first class of 20 students in 1955.

Since then he has made some impressive rankings:

*No 1 public univeristy in US...

The Posse Foundation was founded in 1989 by Deborah Bial who received the MacArthur "Genius" Grant for her work to recruit students from across the nation and connect them with partner colleges and universities in the United States as a leadership cohort that is about inclusiveness, support, understanding and game changers.

It is one of ten organizations chosen by President Barack Obama to receive a portion of his 1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize and has expanded their program not only with the Posse Arts Program in collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Miranda Family Fund but also with a new...

If you haven't heard about UC Scouts - you need to know about it. We are here to inform you about an online opportunity to help you to remediate a course or advance your skills in subject areas that may not be available at your high school. This is podcast for anyone who is a lover of learning from 8th grade to high school. Let's learn and grow!

Let's learn about one of the big leaders in higher education - Boston University. This large university with "endless" amounts of opportunities is the gateway to so many different majors, scholars and fun all around Boston. We will learn from one of their best - BU Alumnus - Rob who will talk about his best experiences at BU and how Boston University can be a great fit for YOU!

Did you know some colleges offer optional college interviews? Yes, they do! But do not worry we have a student who will share their experiences before, during and post interview along with suggestions on how you can schedule, prepare and how to obtain a great mindset before you go onto your next college interview!

Changes are still coming your way whether you are a Senior, Junior or even a Sophomore. We are here again to talk about standardized test requirements for U.S. colleges like over 1800 of them. What have they decided since the Fall 2022 college admission cycle? Let's learn, let's understand TOGETHER and YOU DECIDE whether to test or not to test for college admissions. The key thing is to take ownership of the college process and focus on one's talent and moments that will benefit the students short term, mid-term and long term! YOU MATTER NOT A NUMBER. Let's go!

Have you been asked about your college list? Do folks forget to ask you how you are and rather ask you where you are applying to? Let's listen to a Senior who is going through this process right now and how she is going to decide whether to share or not to share.

We are here today to cover some vocabulary words that are often used in college admissions that most folks do not know. There are many out there, but never hesitate to ask the college rep or your counselor because YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE!

We are bringing over twenty years of experience of planning, coordinating and following up on college visits with high school students with a school counselor and a coach, award winning Coach Nicole Dinas, who really just want their amazing students see themselves at a college campus. Whether you can fly out or just deciding to check out colleges online, here are some imperative tips for you that are critical for you on your college journey so you can reach higher and know that nothing is impossible unless you think it is impossible.

So honor to interview with St. Ignatius Magis Alum Ed who is a current student at Seattle University in Washington. He is also a Sullivan Leadership Scholarship winner and is a great example of how to make an impact in college both inside and outside the classroom. Let's learn together about Seattle University, one of 28 Jesuit universities and colleges in the USA. For more details go to: https://www.ajcunet.edu/institutions

Welcome to another episode where we prepare you this summer to get ready for your college applications this summer. Let's do this thing!