What Sets Us Apart?
Most college advisers offer a similar menu of services. But several factors really set Lakeside College Advisers apart.
- Julie’s background as a writer/editor and journalist gives the student a leg up in the essay process. Julie understands idea generation, getting to the heart of the story, concise writing, and editing the final product. In addition, her background as a reporter means Julie isn’t afraid to ask questions and put together the variables that make up a complete picture of every college on your student’s list.
- Julie visits colleges regularly and sits down with admissions staff to find out what’s new at their school and what they are looking for in their applicants. This kind of current knowledge is invaluable in today’s competitive admissions environment.
- Julie will personalize the college search journey to your individual student and his/her needs. Many variables factor into finding a student’s best college match once 12th grade rolls around. That’s why it’s ideal to start early. The high school journey should be a time of discovery and growth, but it goes all too fast! Proper planning goes a long way toward alleviating the stresses of teen life and college prep.
These are things we do, right from the start, to keep the student on track. We’ll manage the essentials so the teen can manage school and continue to explore the interests that make him or her unique.
We guide our students through a careful, step by step process:
Choose the right high school curriculum.
The right schedule and course load is important, so Julie helps put you on a four-year path to success. She helps your student find both the rigor and balance to be successful and to build a compelling story.
Strategize the student profile (extracurricular activities, etc).
What do you do outside of school and why? Julie helps you understand the range of extracurricular and volunteer opportunities available through your school and in your community. But beyond that, she researches programs that your student can take advantage of that can really set him/her apart.
Find the right test prep and set realistic guidelines for testing.
When should you test and which tests should you take? Julie considers your learning style, preferences, and busy schedule to help recommend a tutor or tutoring service that will meet your needs, and helps you craft a testing plan that makes sense and matches your budget.
Build a college list.
We take many factors into consideration, starting with getting to know your student and his/her goals, maturity level, academic program preferences, and financial parameters to put together a balanced list of colleges and universities tailored to suit your unique needs.
Provide special insights from frequent campus visits and interviews with admissions staff.
Julie has traveled to more than 200 colleges and universities throughout the United States and the UK and has met with admissions counselors on each campus. Seeing students in action and viewing campus activity, and engaging in regular conversation with admissions representatives gives Julie invaluable insight into the current admissions landscape.
Recommend gap year programs (if appropriate)
Gap years have become increasingly popular, and for some students taking a gap year can be a clarifying and valuable experience. We take into account your goals and aspirations and can advise on the pros and cons of the decision to take a gap year and we will work to find options that match your ultimate goals.
Keep track of deadlines
Julie helps manage the deadlines you’ll be facing through the college search process, from scheduling class selection meetings every winter, to carefully considering a testing plan over sophomore and junior years, to the application process in the summer before senior year. Students get reminders and families get regular updates on the next steps in the process.
Assess scholarship opportunities and financial aid.
While not a financial aid adviser, Julie does keep abreast of trends in merit scholarships and changes in federal student aid policy to best advise you on where scholarship opportunities lie.
Plan and evaluate college visits.
Julie advises you on all phases of the college visit process–how many schools to visit, whether to do a “drive-by,” how to sign up for an interview on campus and what to say in the interview, whether you should sit in on a class, and many more tips that make your time and money well-spent.
Tackle the essay(s).
Writing college essays is often the most dreaded experience for parents and students alike. But it’s Julie’s favorite part of the work. Having worked as a reporter, writer, and editor, Julie helps your student brainstorm, bring out his/her best stories, and craft exceptional personal statements and essays that are tailored to specific schools.
Complete the application.
If looking at a pile of paperwork and forms is about as fun for you as a trip to the dentist, rest assured that here at Lakeside College Advisers we will help shepherd you through the process of sending the appropriate materials, proofread and on time.
Help students through the final decision.
Julie is here through the end of senior year to work with students to make a final choice after all the college decisions are in. Deferrals, waitlists, scholarship applications: All these are part of our process to help you through high school graduation.