Destination YOUniversity

When I was admitted to Columbia University for graduate school I paused and just stared at the letter.

My parents did not attend college. I went through high school without a clear plan on what to do, and by senior year, I had no clue where to find a college application, let alone how to apply. In spite of this, I was admitted to my first choice school.

The 1979 Harvard MBA study set out to analyze goal setting among graduates. The study asked only one question, “Have you set written goals and created a plan for their attainment?”

· 84% of the entire class had not set any goals.

I can not tell you how often I have heard a student or grown adult say, “My counselor told me I could not.” UGH! The thought of counselors everywhere dashing the dreams of teens makes me nuts. Trust me, none of us mean to do it.

The past couple of weeks on social media have been a continued stream of what I call the “Final carpool” and the “Last drop off.” It is a parents best and worst day: the drop off to college.

Parents, if you have a teen in high school, this episode is for YOU.

If you are wondering how to be on campus without being “in the way,” this episode is for you.

Ever wonder what Wait - List students look like? Who are they? How could they get so close to an admit, but yet - not get admitted.

I’m just going to say it.

Your competition sits next to you in class

I hate to say it, but it’s true. Your application has to be better than the kid sitting next to you in math or English class – not the kid applying from some other state. NO.

As an admissions committee we voted with a Red, Yellow, or Green card.

That was it.

Deny, Wait List or Admit.

Three votes

Majority of 2 votes would win the day.

Red - yellow - Green.

There we sat, staring into space, going through the list of colleges like a rolodex running through my head. Meghan had a great heart with a huge desire to help others in need.