College Admissions Seminars and Events

An interactive presentation to help parents and students understand how admissions officers “read between the lines” on the application to uncover a student’s academic, extracurricular, and personal strengths—and weaknesses. Participants will look at the Common Application and Coalition Application to understand how information is presented, and then discuss ways in which students can use the application format to present themselves in the best possible light.

60-90 minutes
Suggested audiences: parent groups, private organizations, alumni clubs

This interactive workshop allows participants to review actual applications to Utopia U. Participants take on the role of admissions committee members to review completed Common Applications. We discuss, nitpick, argue, and gossip about candidates—just as admissions officers do. You’ll begin to see the difficulty admissions officers face—especially at selective colleges—as they compare unlike things, weigh competing factors, consider the budgetary bottom line, and decide the fate of hundreds and thousands of 18 year-olds every year.

2-3 hours with a break
Suggested Audiences: college information events, professional development for educators, parent organizations

What characterizes a “good” college? Is our current obsession with the rankings warranted? This presentation gives parents and students new ways to evaluate the quality of the education delivered at various colleges and universities. We also offer ideas for how to select top-flight schools that offer outstanding educational value at an affordable price.

45-60 minutes
Suggested audiences: school college nights, school presentations

Many parents perceive the importance of preparing for college, but don’t know what they can do before their kids enter high school. This one-hour presentation provides helpful advice to parents as they anticipate the transition to high school and begin making good decisions that set their kids up for future success. Emphasis is on choosing the most appropriate high school classes, developing strong study skills, time management, and understanding the relative importance of good grades and test scores.

60 minutes plus Q&A period
Suggested Audiences: middle school parent groups and PTOs, private clubs, civic organizations

The “grand tour” is a staple of the college selection process; learn to extract maximum benefit from these all-important visits. Participants learn the basic “dos and don’ts” of campus tours, information sessions, and interviews.

45-60 minutes
Suggested audiences: school college nights, school presentations

This interactive presentation provides opportunities for students to practice answering interview questions, and to begin developing their strategy for communicating their strengths to others.

60 minutes
Suggested audiences: school college nights, school presentations

In a culture that is mad about sports, many parents and students place great faith in athletic scholarships as a way to pay for college. While it is true that there are billions of dollars in sports scholarships available to talented players, the vast majority of high school athletes never receive a dime to fund their education. In part, this is because of common misunderstandings about how scholarships are awarded, how college coaches recruit, and how financial aid works in general. This one-hour presentation offers tips on how students and families can take control of the recruiting process. It provides step-by-step instructions about how to identify which schools offer the best chance of a scholarship, how to present your athletic abilities in the best possible light, and how to effectively communicate with college coaches.

60 minutes, plus Q&A period
Suggested Audiences: Sports clubs, private clubs, parent booster clubs

Higher education in America is costly. How can families reduce the cost? Who qualifies for financial aid, and how much can you get? Which kids get the best scholarships? Are public universities really the best bargain? This fast-paced presentation gives you the tools necessary to decipher the seemingly secret world of merit-based and need-based financial aid.

60 minutes, plus Q&A period
Suggested audiences: parent organizations, college information nights, civic groups