J.P. SchmidtThe only comprehensive college planner you need. |
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In case you didn’t know it – college is expensive. Excruciatingly expensive. The average cost for an in-state public college is nearly $30,000 a year. Since most students no longer graduate in four years, but closer to six years in a public school, your overall price tag could range from $120,000 - $180,000.
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 A Closer Look at the Pros, the Cons, and What Really Matters
For many families, the Ivy League isn't a question — it's the goal. Parents beam when their child dreams of Harvard. Students feel the weight of expectation when someone casually asks, “So… are you applying to Yale?” And somewhere in the background, there’s an unspoken belief that if you can get in, you go — no further questions asked. But maybe it’s time we start asking. Is attending an Ivy League school really worth it — financially, emotionally, and in terms of long-term opportunity? Or has the prestige of the Ivy brand overshadowed a more important question: Will this school actually help my child thrive? In this article, I’ll take a balanced look at the real pros and cons of an Ivy League education — and why the answer is more personal than most people realize.
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 In the college application process, creating a smart college list is one of the most crucial steps. A well-thought-out list typically consists of about 8 to 10 schools, striking the right balance between ambition and practicality. However, when students apply to more than 15 or even 20 schools, it often signals a lack of direction or inadequate research into what they truly want in a college experience.
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 In the competitive realm of college admissions, especially for selective schools, standing out and earning a college acceptance requires more than just stellar grades and test scores. Admissions officers sift through thousands of applications from students who excel academically and participate in common extracurricular activities like sports, school clubs, or volunteering. While these are valuable experiences, they rarely set an applicant apart.
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 Attention high school students!
I want you to understand your college application begins in the 9th grade. As you stand on the brink of critical decisions that will shape your future, it is vital to understand the essence of your genuine, authentic self. Since higher education is a trillion-dollar industry and colleges hire professional consultants to recruit you (and try to figure out how to get the most amount of money out of you), I want you to understand this is big business. So to let’s put this in business terms – your genuine, authentic self is your personal brand. This guide will explain the importance of discovering and cultivating your personal brand, rooted in your unique aptitudes and personality. By leveraging this understanding, you can significantly enhance your college applications, making them more compelling and distinctive, thus increasing your chances of winning that coveted acceptance letter.
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 Finding Your True North: Guiding Students Toward a Life That Matters
As parents, we all want our children to lead lives filled with purpose, significance, and satisfaction. We want them to achieve more than academic success; we want them to thrive as individuals who make meaningful contributions to the world. But how do we guide them toward a future that aligns with their true potential and values? The answer lies in helping them discover their True North.
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 When planning your future career, it's natural to feel pulled in a million directions. Family, friends, societal expectations, and even your own uncertainty can cloud your vision. But what if you had a way to cut through the noise—a compass for your heart that could guide you toward a fulfilling career? That’s exactly what the Career Personality Profiler, rooted in the Big Five personality traits, offers.
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 Choosing a career path can be overwhelming, especially for high school students standing at the crossroads of endless possibilities. How do you uncover a path that feels right for you—one where you’ll thrive academically, professionally, and personally? Enter the Holland Code Assessment, a proven, research-backed tool that helps you identify careers and academic paths aligned with your personality and interests.
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 Why “Pursue Your Passion” Is Terrible Advice
When mentoring high school students, I avoid saying, “Pursue your passion.” While it might sound inspiring, research from Stanford University highlights several reasons why this advice can be misleading. Here are three critical points:
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 Navigating high school can be a tumultuous journey for our teenagers. They're constantly bombarded with academic pressures, social expectations, and the daunting task of figuring out who they are and where they fit in the world. It's no wonder that many of them struggle with anxiety and uncertainty about their identity during this pivotal time.
But what if I told you that there's a way to help your child not only survive high school but thrive in it? |
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