Step-by-Step College Prep (Growing Up with Dr. Sarah Podcast)

Estrela College Planning Consultant, Alyson Campbell, was recently featured as a guest on the "Growing Up with Dr. Sarah" podcast! Check out the episode and additional resources below:

In this episode we're diving into one of the biggest transitions in family life, preparing for college, if that's where your child is headed. So whether your child is in middle school, just starting to think about their future, or a high school senior in the middle of applications, this process can feel overwhelming for students and parents alike. From choosing courses and extracurricular activities to building a college list, visiting campuses, and of course, managing financial responsibilities. That's why we have Alyson Campbell, from Estrela College Consulting. She brings a wealth of experience as a former college athlete, coach, and now an independent educational consultant.

EPISODE TOPICS:

• Timeline for College Preparation—what should families be thinking about in 8th and 9th grade when it comes to planning for college
• Connecting with high school counselors and mapping out coursework
• Sophomore year is a big growth year –building foundations for getting into college
• How students can get more involved in school academically, in their extracurriculars, and athletics
• Junior year, the pivotal year when a student has a sense of the Leadership roles they’re interested in –and when that College List begins to take shape
• How to build a strong, realistic college list
• How to approach college visits
• Senior year is crunch time. Time for Applications & Transitions
• Assessing whether a school is a good financial fit: balancing “dream schools” with affordability and return on investment
• When is considering a Community College a good idea, and then transferring to a 4-year college
• Identifying schools that support the unique needs of students that are neurodiverse learners, LGBTQ students, or those seeking honors programs

RESOURCES:

Jeff Selingo's Buyers and Sellers List (https://jeffselingo.com/which-colleges-are-really-buyers-and-which-are-sellers)

Estrela YouTube page -- transition to college webinar, how to find merit scholarships webinar, 8th grade gameplan webinar (https://www.youtube.com/@estrelaconsulting)

Mama Bear Legal Forms: (https://www.youtube.com/@estrelaconsulting)

Our website: www.estrelaconsulting.com - you can learn about our firm and services, subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter, or schedule a FREE 60-minute consultation

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number that colleges use to determine a student's eligibility for federal financial aid check out:

https://studentaid.gov/