"College Admissions & Funding Secrets for Parents"
Class Content Highlights

   Believe it or not, all these topics (and more) are covered during this unique two-hour class:

   * The easiest way to get organized, in a jiffy (you’ll need to be organized!).
   * The top ten qualities that admissions officers are looking for in applicants.
   * How to find and utilize online discussion forums and appropriate chat rooms.
   * The one skill that colleges value above all others and how to sharpen it.
   * Why shyness is a disadvantage and how to overcome it. 
   * How to develop superlative public speaking skills.
   * How to cultivate relationships with guidance counselors and teachers.
   * How to “seize the summer” and gain an edge on applications.
   * What you should know about add-drop options.
   * The importance of AP & IB classes and qualifying exams.
   * How to transform school papers & projects into articles, for possible publication.
   * How high school students can easily become published authors.
   * A little-known but powerful technique for making faculty connections at schools of interest.
   * The dangers of “senior slump” and how to avoid it.
   * Why more importance is generally attached to test scores than grades.
   * How ordinary chewing gum can serve to improve test performance and scores.
   * The role of test preparation programs and their potential for boosting scores.
   * The importance of the PSAT (it’s not just for practice!).
   * The optimal strategy for retesting, with standardized tests.
   * Special options for poor testers, including test-optional schools.
   * The little-known relationship between AP, IB, ACT and SAT.
   * The role of the CLEP (College Level Examination Program).
   * The ideal number and mix of colleges to which to apply.
   * How to mathematically calculate odds of acceptance at different schools.
   * Online versus paper applications: You probably won’t hear about this in high school.
   * The pitfalls of the Common Application and how to sidestep these.
   * The use of mailing receipts and which forms are most effective.
   * The top ten college “hooks” and related “packaging” strategies.
   * The most beneficial types of extra-curricular activities.
   * Resumes versus activities lists: which are most effective?
   * How to get the best letters of recommendations from teachers and others.
   * How to utilize “undersubscribed” or “back-door” majors to boost the odds of acceptance.
   * How to write an effective application essay or personal statement.
   * Five fundamentals for a successful application essay.
   * Why gimmicks backfire and how to distinguish between gimmicks and themes or hooks.
   * The three biggest mistakes students make in their applications and how to avoid them.
   * The truth about admissions interviews and the three kinds of interviews.
   * How to lay the groundwork for a successful interview.
   * Questions to ask the interviewer and why you need to ask them.
   * What to do when faced with rejection: a wide range of “Plan B” options.
   * How to use the transfer student route to win admission to one’s dream school.
   * When to apply, to increase the chances of acceptance.
   * How to find colleges that did not fill their enrollment objectives.
   * The post-graduate or PG year strategy and how it can work for you.
   * The distance learning or online degree program alternative.
   * A little-known yet legitimate “back door” to Harvard and other prestigious schools.
   * The key equation for financial aid based on need.
   * The difference between the Federal Methodology and Institutional Methodology (IM).
   * Important FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) basics.
   * Differences between the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
   * The importance of understanding which schools are “need blind” and how you can find out.
   * International students and financial aid at U.S. colleges: What you need to know.
   * Techniques to lower your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and increase financial aid.
   * Penalties for saving and how to avoid them.
   * Formulas for calculating expected contributions from students and parents.
   * When it becomes counter-productive for a student to continue to earn income.
   * The role of home equity in college funding strategies.
   * How setting up a legitimate business can save you money and increase financial aid.
   * The relationship between medical expenses and college financial aid.
   * The truth about scholarship finder services and the best free options.
   * The role of personal credit in the loan process and how to improve your FICO scores.
   * How divorce affects the financial aid process (custodial versus non-custodial parents).
   * The best time to apply for financial aid.
   * How to apply without completed federal tax returns.
   * How to create competition among schools for a particular student.
   * Why the most expensive schools may actually end up costing you the least!
   * The truth about “early decision” (ED) and its relationship to admissions and financial aid.
   * When it’s best to avoid “early decision.”
   * Understanding the two great scholarship myths.
   * The best strategy for applying for scholarships.
   * How to avoid scholarship application fraud.
   * How to leverage scholarship awards, to best advantage.
   * Tips and tricks for effectively completing the FAFSA.
   * Fine print to watch out for in financial aid packages.
   * How to successfully negotiate financial aid packages (yes, you can negotiate!).
   * How to distinguish between “good” loans and “bad” loans.
   * How to get tuition discounts.
   * How to combine a college education with a job in one’s chosen field.
   * Assistantships, internships and on-campus versus off-campus employment opportunities.
   * How the average family can save more than $25,000 during a four-year period.
   * Free insider’s list of websites, tools and services.
   * And much more!