College Planning Solutions, Inc. blogs

College Money That's Too Good To Be True

Drew Mayer — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:36:26 +0000

"Every year thousands of scholarship dollars go unclaimed"

Have you heard this one before? This idea strikes a note of frenzy in many students’ and parents’ hearts as they strive to look for affordable ways to pay for their college education. While this assertion is undeniably true, beware of those who take advantage of the feeling this statement creates in order to further their own personal gain.

For Chinese and Indian students, 6 Components for College Success

Bob Mahmoudi — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:58:16 +0000

A New Approach to College Preparation and Selection

High school students in China and India are riding on the tide of rising economic growth and prosperity. They have the opportunity to build on the foundation laid by their parents over the past three decades to lead their countries in the 21st century. The same old strategies that worked for their parents will not produce the same results they enjoyed, however; today’s students need a different success strategy when making college decisions, one that includes these six components.

First: The parents’ understanding that things have changed. The college decisions that brought parents success will unlikely bring the same degree of success for today’s students. Parents who do not realize this conundrum inadvertently limit their high school student’s opportunities for admission to outstanding colleges that are poised to teach leadership.

Does Test Prep Work?

Drew Mayer — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:41:09 +0000

Not Everyone Is Good at Test-Taking

As most college-bound high school students know, one of the necessary evils of the college admissions world includes the dreaded standardized college entrance exams. For some students, it is not the most fun thing they have ever done, but they jump through the hoop with relative ease and move on to the next college admission step. For other students, the standardized college entrance exams (SAT or ACT alike) present a quest similar to running a marathon, while having a nightmare, in the pouring rain, uphill, without shoes on.

Those few students who are naturally gifted at taking standardized tests may never consider test preparation, much less need it to score well on a test. For students who are desperate to score well on the standardized tests but not naturally inclined toward this success, however, test preparation courses often represent a glimmer of hope to cling to as THE salvation for their college dreams and aspirations.

Even More Important Than Your Essays

Debbie Schmidt — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:37:29 +0000

To Which Colleges Should You Apply?

First, Choose Your Colleges Knowledgeably and Strategically

Beginning in February, some high school students who will be applying to college in the fall will say, “I’ve already chosen my colleges; can you just help me with my essays?” If only college admission success were that easy.

Yes, we can help you with college application essays; they are important. I could go on at length, but I’ll save that for another post. Watch for "10 Qualities of an Excellent College Application Essay" soon.

But first things first: The importance of choosing the colleges to which you apply based on logic, reliable information, and a strategic plan cannot be overstated.

Answer For My Son: Why Do I Send You My Goals?

Bob Mahmoudi — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:08:31 +0000

The Power of Setting Goals

Setting Goals

I believe in the importance of setting goals, and I have set goals for myself every year since 1966. Fourteen years ago, when my son was 15 and my daughter 10, I began asking them to also take a few days before the New Year to set goals. I modeled the importance of goal-setting by emailing them a copy of my own goals. And as a true believer in the power of goals, I have also required my CPSi students to set goals at the beginning of each year to help them take charge of their education and their well-being.