The College Admissions Edge

Each month we tell clients "Here's What You Should Be Doing Now," so that they never have to wonder about deadlines for applications, financial aid, when to visit colleges, more.

In this session, I ranted (briefy) about fake November 1 emergencies and other client behavior, under the guise of advice to 11th grade and younger families, which I called "Here's What You Should NOT Do in a Year From Now"

I hope you take the advice to heart!

-Andy Lockwood

This episode was originally a live, unscripted off-the-cuff open mic session where college advisors Pearl and Andy Lockwood fielded questions from webinar attendees on the fly.

Topics included: the FAFSA and CSS Profile, deadlies, the 529, how much income is too much to quality for aid, how to legally "shelter" assets from the financial aid formulas, how to appeal or negotiate a financial aid award, more!

For more information about Lockwood College Prep's financial aid and college advising services, see http://www.lockwoodcollegeprep.com/ (www.LockwoodCollegePrep.com).

It's rare for a day to go by without someone asking us at Lockwood College Prep which test should they take, the SAT or ACT?

This episode outlines the key factors you should consider when deciding which standardized test to take, including:

If you're a strong math student

If you're a strong reader or writer

If you hate science

If you're a medium-to-slow-test taker

More

See LockwoodTestPrep.com for information about our diagnostic exam, online and in-person SAT and ACT prep classes, more

In this episode, college consultant Andy Lockwood grills Marissa Uneberg, Esq., head of tutoring at Lockwood Test Prep with several high stakes, gotta-know-em questions, including:

What do you do if you have a kid with great grades, but is a poor test taker?

Is "Test Optional" really test optional?

If you get the same scores on a practice SAT and a practice ACT, which one should you focus on?

More!

For more information about our tutoring and small group classes (in person and online), visit LockwoodTestPrep.com.

For information about college advising and financial aid consulting, visit LockwoodCollegePrep.com

College consultant Andy Lockwood shares some widespread obstacles facing college essay writers, and an "old school" way to bust through writer's block (that he uses personally).

More info at CollegeBootcamps.com and LockwoodCollegePrep.com

Lots o' students and parents I speak with get hung up on the college essay about "obstacles." There seems to be one primary reason:

Most kids don't have any.

(Note to Internet trolls: I said "most," not "all." No need to send me a short 1,200 word reply on this topic.)

So what do you do if you're an aspiring college essay writer but haven't lost a limb, brought yourself up in outer Mongolia with the help of a pack of wolves (assuming there are wolves in Mongolia, otherwise that's unrealistic) or got cut from your 8th grade competitive cheerleading squad?

First, you don't have to write about overcoming an obstacle. That's only one of six (really seven) Common Application essay prompt choices. Pick another prompt if you like.

Second, understand that you do not have to have some hugely dramatic, severe trauma in your life to write about. To quote Sarah, one of our admissions officers-turned-essay-advisors, it's OK to "go small."

Meaning, some of the best essays are about normal, everyday "slice of life" topics. Things that are right under your nose, but you may not notice them because you're searching high and low for something worthy of a series on the CW network.

One trap essay writers fall for is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, i.e. ascribing monumental significance to an otherwise insignificant event. Example:

As I reached the top of the summit and gazed down at the families below, I reflected on how I could no longer distinguish the differences in shape, size and color I had perceived from my ground-level perspective...

(Written by a somewhat superficial lax bro upon his return from a family ski trip to Vail.)

Don't twist yourselves into knots writing what you THINK admissions officers want to read. Write something interesting and meaningful -- to YOU.

Want help with the essays and applications? We're filling our seats for our 6th annual "Incomparable Applicant College Essays and Apps Bootcamps."  We're virtual again this year, because the feedback from last year was great (I may add a live session in the office, but we're still figuring that out.)

One ticket buys you two sessions, plus help before and after the events. Here's the page to read more about what happens, look at the schedule, more:

https://www.collegeguruacademy.com/bootcamp (https://www.collegeguruacademy.com/bootcamp)

Use the coupon code BOOT-200 for an instant $200 "scholarship" before we close out.

I've been getting a bunch of questions about teacher recommendations lately so I figured it could be on your mind. Here are some thoughts...

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Email: [email protected]

Bootcamp for seniors: http://www.collegebootcamps.com/ (www.CollegeBootcamps.com)

Inner Circle (and college guru software): http://www.lockwoodinnercircle.com/ (www.LockwoodInnerCircle.com)

Hope this helps! :)

This episode was originally a webinar broadcast in May 2021, after the admissions cycle for high school class of 2021 graduates wrapped up for the most part.

I covered:

Just how hard was it to get into college this year?

The impact of test-optional for 2021, 2022 and younger students

What admissions officers want to see (not just high GPA)

The "New SAT" 

More!

I hope you find this information helpful!

For more tips on getting into college and being able to comfortably afford to pay, without cutting back on your lifestyle or scrimping for retirement, go to LockwoodCollegePrep.com

College advisor Andy Lockwood grills Lacrosse coach and former 3 sport Ivy League athlete Dave Kotowski on topics such as:

Who really gets athletic scholarships (WARNING: the answer may shock you)

The truth about what coaches are looking for in their recruits (hint: it's not only athletic skill)

The biggest mistake student-athletes (and parents) make in the recruiting process

More!

If you're the parent of an aspiring college athlete and can handle the TRUTH about who gets to play in college, and how to make it happen, this episode is for you!

For more information about Dave Kotowski, Team Elevate and to download a free copy of his 70 page recruiting guide, visit:  https://www.teamelevatelax.com/ (https://www.teamelevatelax.com/)

For more information on Lockwood College Prep and a free copy of Andy's most popular report, How to "Hide" Your Money from the Financial Aid Office, visit LockwoodCollegePrep.com

College consultant Andy Lockwood interviews his buddy Rahz "The Motivator" Slaughter, co-author with his wife Michele Slaughter of the book, Student Success Secrets.  

Topics included how to motivate your teen (if that's possible), dealing with anxiety and depression, what's it like to write a book with your wife/husband, more!

For more about Rahz, the book, his motivational speaking and other information, see https://www.rahzslaughter.com/ (https://www.rahzslaughter.com/)

For more information about Lockwood College Prep, see LockwoodCollegePrep.com