Key Takeaways
- The school system rewards strategy, not just effort
- Colleges evaluate students differently, one size never fits all
- Early planning creates more options, less stress, and lower costs
- Spreadsheets turn chaos into clarity
- Career goals should shape academic choices, not the other way around
1. Personal Story and Purpose: Crafting a Convincing Personal Narrative
Key Focus Areas
- Identifying strengths, interests, and values
- Understanding personal motivation and life purpose
- Structuring a compelling personal essay
- Translating life experiences into strong interview answers
- Connecting personal stories to college mission and fit
2. Career Roadmap and School Selection: Aligning Education with Future Goals
Key Focus Areas
- Identifying career interests and strengths
- Understanding majors, programs, and career outcomes
- Researching colleges and academic opportunities
- Building a step-by-step academic and career roadmap
3. Financial Aid and Scholarships: Understanding the Cost of College
Key Focus Areas
- Overview of FAFSA and financial aid basics
- Types of scholarships and where to find them
- Budgeting and financial responsibility for students
4. Adulting and Life Preparation: Preparing for Independence Beyond Academics
Key Focus Areas
- Managing time, deadlines, and responsibilities
- Building healthy habits and routines
- Communicating with professors, advisors, and peers
- Understanding accountability and independence
5. Passion Projects and Extracurriculars: Building a Meaningful Student Profile
Key Focus Areas
- Identifying interests, causes, and passions
- Creating or joining meaningful extracurriculars
- Demonstrating leadership, initiative, and consistency
- Connecting service and involvement to personal goals