Accepted to Several Ivies
I wanted to give you a heads up that this year, like virtually every year past, we've had multiple students get into multiple Ivy League and other elite colleges. Even two of my own four kiddos cracked the Ivy code in the past couple of years.
They've all used what I call the Admissions Edge Method, to stand out on their applications, answering the Invisible Question that's technically not on the Common Application...
Why Should We Choose YOU Compared to 20,000 Near-Identical Competitors?
The Admissions Edge draws heavily on marketing principles (like this email. I eat my own cooking). Because college admissions is largely about marketing, not a meritocracy.
I wish that weren't the case, but I calls 'em like I sees 'em.
It takes more than high (inflated) grades and near-perfect SAT or ACT scores to be a contender at a top college today. Some factors are in your control, many are not.
I'll be sharing these fact, theories and strategies tonight,...
10 College Planning Mistakes to Avoid
We stuck a new "text us" thingy on our website the other week, and some of the incoming messages have been heart breakers.
The sad ones are from parents with kids who either 1. got into their top choice college, but didn't get anywhere near the financial aid or merit aid they needed, or 2. got denied from colleges they thought were slam dunks.
Here's the thing about these situations....
They're Avoidable. Easily Avoidable.
I'm polishing off the notes for my upcoming new, local presentations this week (Wednesday,January 15 and Thursday, January 16) and thinking through which mistakes I want to share, and how.
There are two types of mistakes: those of commission -- where you do something wrong, and omission -- where you fail to do something.
Examples of the former: applying to the wrong colleges. Writing the wrong essay. Submitting your SAT or ACT when you shouldn't.
Examples of the latter: failing to learn strategies to get merit and...
College Applicant Goes 10-for-10 (so far)
Registration Closes in:
This morning I had a fun time interviewing a Class of 2025 student, Kate, who is currently 10-for-10 (with four to go) in college acceptances. Plus she's received a healthy amount of merit scholarships.
I'll post that interview on our podcast in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, I wanted to give you one last reminder about our 11th annual College Application Edge bootcamp, especially the Early Action Discount and super valuable bonus:
When you sign up now, before the ball drops, tonight, you'll 1. save 500 bucks and 2. we'll do your FAFSA, CSS Profile and all other financial aid forms (value: $3,500).
Once we hit deadline, the registration window slams shut. Assuming we re-open it later this spring, the price will be higher, no ifs, ands or but-tocks.
If you want to give your kiddo The EDGE over his or her competitors, and position them to win tens of thousands...
Pearl Saves a Mom 270K
Good morning! Three quick announcements today.
1. 10am EST: live on our Facebook page: Student loan forgiveness magician Pearl Lockwood walks you through how she saved a mom $270,000.
2. College Application Edge Bootcamp: Early Action registration is open for one more day. Save 500 bucks and get your FAFSA and other financial aid applications taken care of -- a 3,500 value -- if you sign up by deadline.
3. SAT and ACT "Crusher" classes start right after the New Year. Keep an eye out for a promotional announcement after January 1.
Okie dokie, I'm headed over to College Coffee Talk now, hope you can stop by.
-Andy "Showtime" Lockwood
College Bootcamp Early Discount
If you're the parent of a high school class of 2026 grad, I have a very, very nice Festivus gift to share:
A discounted, and heavily bonused Early Action Registration ticket to our summer College Application Edge Bootcamp!
Plain and simple, this group coaching program is designed to help your child answer the question,
Why Should We Admit YOU, Compared to Your 50,000 Competitors?
When you sign up now, before January 1, you'll 1. save 500 bucks and 2. receive a big bonus: we'll do your FAFSA, CSS Profile and all other financial aid forms (value: $3,500).
But I think there's a bigger, more important reason to take me up on this offer:
Peace of mind. Because we, not you, will take over the deadline reminders, accountability and organization of the whole college application kit and kaboodle.
You won't have to scream and threaten your kiddo all summer!
Unlike other summer bootcamps, this one lasts more than a week or two. It runs ...
Deferred? Don't Do This
Good morning!
We're hitting the airwaves this morning -- 10:00am EST -- for College Coffee Talk, our live show about college admissions and financial aid news that you can use!
Here's what's on tap for today:
Deferred? How to Screw Up Your Letter of Continued Interest
Grab a cup of joe and we'll see you at 10am EST (recorded if you can't make it)
- Andy Lockwood
Negotiating Your Scholarship
"Print Scholarships" On Demand Workshop
I'll be quicker than a presidential pardon because there's not much time before I go on the air.
One of the big topics I'm planning to cover is what to do if your college "lowballs" your merit aid or need-based aid offer. I'll share some case studies that, frankly, might be pretty hard to swallow.
But I swear it's not fake news. Each example I describe in today's mini-webinar come straight outta Glen Head, New York, a/k/a Lockwood College Prep world headquarters (and the college negotiation capitol of the world).
Here are some additional value bombs that I will drop on today's workshop:
- How to legally "hide" your money from the financial aid office
- The dark truth about the 529 plan
- How to negotiate your so-called "final" scholarship or financial aid award
- Special "loopholes" and "landmines" for business owners
- How much income (Adjusted Gross Income) is too much to qualify for aid?
- How to get 56.1% off...
The New Rules of Financial Aid
It's weird the way colleges decide how to award scholarships and other aid:
There's no "magic" income number.
Sure, there are a handful of exceptions, mostly from elite private colleges who claim to give full tuition to families earning 150K, 180K and even 200K.
But you have to GET INTO these elite, rarified air colleges to be in the running for the cashola.
What about the other 98% of colleges?
If you were nerdy enough (ahem) to read through the financial aid rules and regulations, websites and handbooks for college aid information, looking for an income "ceiling" or cut off number, your search would be fruitless. Because there are 70+ other factors that go into the Double Secret Formula in addition to Adjusted Gross Income.
In our 22+ years of advising, we've had a handful clients earning more than 300K qualify for substantial amounts of need-based aid.
We've also seen those with 50K in income get zilch.
I can 'splain all that to you tomorrow afternoon. I'm running...
Find and "Win" Merit Scholarships
Good morning!
We're hitting the airwaves this morning -- 10:00am EST -- for College Coffee Talk, our live show about college admissions and financial aid news that you can use!
Here's what's on tap for today:
College consultants Pearl and Andy Lockwood unravel the mystery of how to find and WIN merit scholarships!
Catchy, right? Can't wait :)
Here's where to join us at 10am EST (if you like, follow or whatever Zuck wants you to do, you'll never miss out on our program.)
Grab a cup of joe and we'll see you at 10am EST (recorded if you can't make it)
- Andy Lockwood
A Few Financial Aid & Essays Faux Pas
Good morning - two quickie announcements.
1. A Few Financial Aid and Essay Faux Pas - Live at 10 AM
Join me and Pearl for our weekly program, College Coffee Talk, live on our Facebook page.
Today's topic:
A Few Financial Aid and Essay Faux Pas
2. FREE SAT or ACT Class Promo Expires Today
Announcing: a free, no-obligation "test drive" of ANY of our upcoming SAT or ACT prep classes, either in-person or online. Here's how it works:
1. Check out our schedule in July and August.
2. Pick the class you want to sample, for free.
3. After the class, our head tutor, Marissa will offer our absolute best deal we can give and still keep the lights on and landlord happy. This is a one-time, "exploding" offer that expires 24 hours after class.
4. There is no obligation or pressure to buy anything, just the forthcoming incentive to enroll with us.
Enrollment expires at 5pm today. I'm not sure we'll try this...