What gets completed?

• Time frames and deadlines are kept front and center (we try)

• Colleges are researched, discussed and suggested based on several factors:
   Interests, majors, size, location, parent suggestions, peer pressure, hearsay, dreams and reality.

• Trips to colleges are vetted before and after visiting (usually spring and/or summer. It’s also okay not to visit during these strange times. You can wait and visit just the colleges you’ve been admitted to.

• Applications are filled out and reviewed for:

  University of California (UC application)
  Private schools (the Common application)
  California State Universities (CSU application)
  Out of state public schools (independent applications)
  Art schools - visual, performing (independent applications)

• Main essays and supplemental statements are written, stared at and rewritten until we get them right, truthful, and authentic (or until they simply tip over at their deadlines).

  Four 350 word essays (renamed ‘personal insight questions) for the University of California system
  One (sometimes a second) 650 word essay for the common application used for private colleges
  Supplemental statements (anywhere from 100 - 500 words) for private colleges
  Independent college application essays (using a different application)

How in the world does the above happen?

I’ve found what works for me, students, and families is to NOT count hours and sessions. We’ll do however long it takes to get the work done. This is why I charge a flat fee.

What about vacations?

Right. I work around vacations. Parent: “Oh, but can’t they do at least some work?” Me: Here’s what always happens. The work they do is, shall we say, crap. They’re on vacation. This is why I do everything with them during our sessions. Parent:“Well, that makes me a little bit nervous.” Me: Tough. But, here’s what I tell them. I give them their first nonsensical Zen koan (a mind bending paradox).

Ready? Me: “Take some work with you. But, don’t do it.” At first they don’t get it. A furrowed brow emerges. Then the smile of total agreement. They know that if they have to work on it, they’ll be resentful and sloppy. If they don’t bring their work (laptop) they’ll, ‘dang, I had a bunch of downtime. My parents are all over me.’ However, we’ll be on a flex schedule that works for deadlines.

What's next?

Parents: Call me for a chat. If interested, set up a phone appointment for your student (no charge). Your student and I will actually do some work by starting an application. They’ll experience the process and get a little work done, rather than just listening to my sterling personality.

What do you charge?

I charge a flat fee. Revealed during the parent chat.

Any advice for parents?

Yes. Here’s the central value for you: It all (mysteriously) works out. Stop worrying. Just a degree. Maybe two. And get out of your student's way.

Any advice for students?

Here’s your central value: Have a life. Like now. Follow your interests. Even if it’s a video game (unbelievable, I know).

No interests? None? I’ll share one of my life altering moments. A teacher was explaining something to me when he suddenly stopped and asked me, “What’s the matter?” I said, “I’m just not interested.”

He kindly and softly said, “Then ‘be’ interested.” It blew my mind. All my life I thought interests just sort of existed out there. I’ll just wait around and sing, “Dum dee dum dum. La la la la la.” ‘I’ll know something interesting when I see it. It’ll come to me.’ If something you have to learn is not appealing, give it just 1% of your attention. Go from zero to 1%. It really does work.

Do not shame yourself by thinking (and failing at), ‘I have to go all in at 100%.’ That’s the painfully upheld standard you don’t want to expect of yourself.

No activities to report? Believe me, there’s always something we can uncover. It’s often something you don’t think is important at all. Yes, colleges want to know.

This might be appealing to you. I don’t assign homework. You read this right. You’ll do everything with me by phone, in front of your computer, using google docs. As I will be. There’s no furious last minute guilt work, known as procrastination (which I know you’re a master of), at the last minute. We do it together. Amazing. You might want to rub your eyes and reread that.

What high schools do your students come from?

Private and public. In all time zones.

What do you think about a gap year?

Parents, do not hold the attitude of, “Oh, no. There goes the neighborhood. They’re going stay in the basement playing World of Warcraft.’ I think it's important to at least allow for the framework of a gap year possibility. Considering it can take the pressure off a student by adding another future pathway. Very few have taken a gap (until recently during these times of covid).

Colleges want mature students who are eager; schools value students with life experience. Gap experience can back up why a student wants to major in this or that, or at least can back up why a student doesn't want to pursue something. The year also makes transition into college much, much easier.

Finally, what if they’re not sure if they want to apply?

This happens. The best argument, explanation, arm twisting I can give you/them is this: If you’re not sure, or think you want to take a gap year, or are kicking and screaming, and don’t think you need to apply now, apply anyway. Know this scenario:

You’ve graduated high school in June, looking forward to a glorious gap. You haven’t applied. You’ve decided not to go to college in the fall, but instead, the following fall. Guess what? You will need to apply during the fall of your gap year. In other words, four months after you started your gap year, in or around September, you’ll need to apply for the next year you plan to attend. You might be in Antarctica.

Wherever you are, you’ll need to write your essays, do your research, go back to your high school teachers and ask for letters of recommendation, request that your transcript be sent, and much more. It will absolutely put the el kabong on your gap year.

Do it now. Get it out of the way. If you apply in your senior year, you might even be admited from colleges that will automatically defer you to the start of the following year. The best part? You won’t have to do it alone.