It’s a jungle out there–cluttered with all kinds of college advice. How does a parent hack through the massive amounts of advice and find what they need with confidence? It’s not easy. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of college help websites, Facebook groups, YouTube channels and more offering paid and unpaid advice about college.
There are five experts I turn to when I need added advice about all things college:
Paul Hemphill-admissions
There is no shortage of admission counselors for you to choose from. But Paul isn’t your average admission counselor/adviser. He shoots straight and offers a unique method for parents and students to find their perfect fit college. He finds that college based on your student’s personality and career interests, coupled with the financial constraints and shows your student how to individually market themselves to the college to almost guarantee acceptance. He looks for “the best” in your student and shows them how to stand out to a college. If you are looking for an admissions adviser that gets results, Paul is your guy.
Website: https://studentbrandstrategy.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/planningforcollege/
Monica Matthews-scholarships
With all the scholarship search sites and information out there, you need someone to help your student WIN the scholarships they are eligible for. Monica fits that bill. She successfully helped her son graduate debt-free with $100,000 worth of scholarships by using her unique method of packaging the scholarship application. She knows her stuff and she knows what you need to know to make the scholarship application process successful.
Website: https://how2winscholarships.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/How.To.Win.College.Scholarships/
Jodi Okun-financial aid
Perhaps the most complicated aspect of the college application process is financial aid. Jodi has experience in this area from working in a college’s financial aid department. She has advice related to the FAFSA, student loans, financing college and helping your student budget for college. If you have a financial aid question, Jodi knows the answer.
Website: http://collegefinancialaidadvisors.com/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/374562589403896/
Ethan Sawyer-college essays
I love Ethan’s information because he knows what he is talking about and much of it is free to anyone who takes the time to browse his website. He offers samples of essays, tips for writing them, brainstorming ideas and more. He also provides personalized help with the essay and web training for students as well. You can’t go wrong by using Ethan’s expertise and he even has a “pay what you can afford” option for his seminars. What could be better?
Website: www.collegeessayguy.com
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeEssayGuy/
Jenn Cohen-test prep
If you have a learning disabled student or simply a student who can’t seem to focus on preparing for standardized tests, Jenn is the expert. Her unique method of coaching not only helps prepare your student for the test, but she helps them learn study habits to help with more than test prep. Jenn has the training and the experience to help your student do their best on any of the standardized tests. Plus, she’s a Duke alumini and proud of it!
Website: http://www.launchpadeducation.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LaunchPadEducation/
Disclaimer: I don’t receive any fee or commission for recommending these experts. These are simply my own “go to” experts when I have a question or need to collaborate in any of these areas of college prep. I trust them implicitly and you can too!