CollegeBound Academics

If you know any high school seniors who are about to fly the nest, PLEASE share this video with them. Freshman year of college (especially in the very beginning) can be HARD. A lot harder than most think it’s going to be.

College freshmen have to start a new life, create a new identity, figure out who they can trust, and where they’ll fit in in a totally new ecosystem.

Social media doesn't help either because their older friends, who are at college, are only posting their highlight reel and it looks like all you have to do is step onto campus and you'll have an instant life, complete with amazing friends.

It isn't hard for all, so maybe this won't be their experience!

But, it could be.

And, if it is...I think it’s important they know they are not alone. It's completely normal.

And it gets better. Way better. Like 1000% better!

My advice: Be prepared. Be proactive. Get involved in everything that strikes your fancy, figure out where you fit in, and meet as many people as you can.

Trust me when I say it's going to be AMAZING, it just might take a little time. :)

My College Transition Video project for Homework; we had to depict a "transformation". I chose my college transition. This is my first film! I hope you like it. To use this video ...

10 college acceptances but is the lucky winner!

I couldn’t be more excited for your next adventure.😍

University of Oregon is lucky to have you!

I love working with all kinds of students, but transfer students hold a special place in my heart because I think they are the least supported students in education.

The numbers speak for themselves. In California:

*5% of all community college students transfer to a four-year college or university after 2 years

*25% transfer after 4 years

*38% transfer after 6 years.

All the while, spending valuable time, money, and energy.

And, that’s not even the worst part!

Spinning your wheels like this can be DEFLATING and DEFEATING, which is why most people give up.

But those negative feelings don’t just go away when you leave school.

Sometimes, you start to believe it’s YOU.

It’s not, trust me.

I have a 100% transfer rate. I don’t say this to toot my own horn. I mention it because I KNOW from experience that going through school with a PLAN and a STRATEGY for where you want it to take you makes all the difference in the world.

In honor of wrapping up the last of my transfer applications this week, I hereby declare that a major theme for the rest of this month is going to be transfer admissions!

Today, I’d like to share the story of one of my transfer students because I think all of our stories are important and add value to the world.👉🏼

“The college application process can be extremely overwhelming and stressful at times.

I should know, I’ve done it twice.

I applied to a list of colleges as a senior in high school without the help of a private counselor because my high school told me I didn’t need one.
And then the unimaginable happened. Or at least it was unimaginable to me because I had a high GPA and solid test scores.

I only got accepted to the bottom two schools on my list.

I was devastated. I called Iris at the recommendation of a friend at the end of my senior year because I was in desperate need of answers and guidance.
The first thing she did was a full review of my application and essays and gave me feedback.

It wasn’t easy to hear but she was right.
I didn’t want to go to a college I wasn’t excited about so I decided to go to a community college and reapply.
I worked with Iris throughout the whole process and I think her approach, advice, and strategies is what got me to transfer to my #1 college in ONE year - NYU!
But I think the best part was her support, attentiveness, and compassion. I feel like I have a mentor for life.” -Maryam A.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Want to have some fun at your next party?

May I recommend using the University of Chicago’s application essay prompts as conversation starters?

No, I’m not kidding. Yes, these are real.

1)Create your own spell, charm, jinx, or other means for magical mayhem. How is it enacted? Is there an incantation? Does it involve a potion or other magical object? If so, what's in it or what is it? What does it do?

2)You're on a voyage in the thirteenth century, sailing across the tempestuous seas. What if, suddenly, you fell off the edge of the Earth?

3)Coin your own word using parts from any language you choose, tell us its meaning, and describe the plausible (if only to you) scenarios in which it would be most appropriately used.

THE BEST THING?

I’ve done a lot of wonderful things in my career, but working with transfer students continues to remain at the top.

There is this weird “in-between” thing that happens when someone decides to attend a community college, or finds themselves at a university that isn’t the right fit.

You can feel a bit lost - and this loss of momentum can add years and $$$ to the finish line (new study alert!).

That’s where I come in because I am nothing if not a woman with a PLAN.

Seriously, it is my jam.

Tell me: Where ELSE would you have applied or attended college if you could do the whole process over again?

Congratulations to all of our CollegeBounders!

Today is D-Day!

As in, national College Decision Deadline day!

My hive is off to some amazing schools next year.

Watch out Cal Poly SLO, UCLA, USC, Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, TCU, SMU, University of Oregon, Cornell, Georgetown, University of Toronto, Boston College, NYU, University of Vermont, and UC Berkeley.

THEY. ARE. COMIN’.

But, one of the LUCKIEST darn schools out there is GONZAGA because they get to have this treasure of a human being for the next 4 years.

Do you guys believe in soulmates? I do.

I believe certain people come into our lives for a reason and that their souls speak directly to our souls.

Well, that’s how I feel about .dearmin. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it feels like we’ve known each other for forever.

She’s a good student but her work in the classroom doesn’t even come close to being her strongest attributes.

Grace is a champion and advocate for the special needs community. And, at 15 years old, she started a business that turned into a wildly successful children’s cheer camp. (What up !)

She did things like create her own website, hired staff, figured out how to take credit card payments, and act as her own publicist (which also landed her a regular writing gig with a local publication I might add).

Talk about a personal brand - yowza!

I sleep better at night knowing the future is in such capable hands. CONGRATULATIONS!

Empty nest (or basket?) syndrome is not a clinical disorder, or so says the Mayo Clinic. But, let me tell you - IT IS REAL.

While I’m not quite there myself in the parenting journey, I have had a front row seat to this transitional phase for almost 15 years, and I have learned a thing or two. First, doesn’t always start when kids leave for college – it can start far, far earlier. I’ve had freshman parents tell me they have feelings of angst over the thought of their children leaving for college.

So, here are a few of my suggestions to help you weather this storm:

1) Lean into your emotions, especially those unpleasant ones. Let yourself have all the feels then talk to friends, neighbors, a therapist, literally anyone who acts as a sounding board in your life.
2) You’ll probably want to adapt your parenting style a bit too (more coaching/facilitating, less doing/managing) while your kid is going through this “parting with childhood” phase.
3) The MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do…Reinvent Yourself. You evolved as a person when you became a parent, now it’s time to evolve once more. This could be a new hobby, job, or philanthropic endeavor. Maybe you’ve always secretly fantasized about getting your yoga teacher certification, running a half/full marathon, or pursuing grad school level coursework.

THIS IS YOUR MOMENT. Go ahead, have yourself a good cry. Then, realize this is an opportunity for growth and go for it.

Do I have your attention? Cool, because this important.

College admissions decisions are rolling out in a big way this week and next week.

Please, please, please remember that college acceptances do NOT equal your self-worth or value in this world.

You have gifts, talents, and strengths you are only just starting to understand, and college is merely the training ground to realize those further. (Remember – it’s a launching pad, not the end goal.)

And parents, please know that where your child gets accepted is NEITHER a status symbol NOR a reflection of your parenting.

Let us remember that the goal in all of this is to raise healthy, well-adjusted adults with the self-confidence to chase their goals and dreams.

Namaste, Friends.