I love graduation ceremonies, not just to hear “Pomp and Circumstance” one more time, but mainly to witness the joy and happiness in student’s faces as they walk across that stage towards their diploma and their life. This is a time of celebration and reflection, and I hope each of you take the time to… Read more
3 A’s of College: Access, Admissions & Affordability Seminar in Bradenton
Learn from a college admissions’ expert the proven steps you can take to not only gain admission to one of your dream schools, but to complete college without massive debt. Applying for college can be difficult, overwhelming and stressful. Dianne Keilholtz, NCC, IEC has over 30 years’ experience guiding students and families through the entire… Read more
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Volunteering is Important to College Admissions Officers
I recently received a phone call from an anxious Mom. “My child has completed all of her college applications. Now I’m freaking out because we haven’t heard anything yet and my friend just told me that my daughter needed to volunteer someplace in order to get in. Is that true?!” I felt for this mom. … Read more
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The Importance of Gratitude in College Admissions and in LIFE!
Several years ago, my husband became very ill. All of a sudden, his blood pressure shot up into the unhealthy stroke range. For several days, nothing the doctors did seemed to bring it down. I was filled with worry and dread. I began to miss appointments, not return phone calls or emails, and would find… Read more
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11 Steps to Successful College Visits
“It’s his senior year of high school, for goodness sakes! Why am I feeling such dread?” one parent recently asked me. “I thought I’d be dancing with joy. He’s a senior; almost an adult. But instead I’m feeling scared and filled with questions. He told me he needs to visit a few colleges. I have… Read more
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Six Steps College-Bound Students Need to Take BEFORE Senior Year
All the books have been put away, the exams are a fading memory and rising high school seniors are breathing a collective sigh of relief. School’s out for summer. Time to sleep in, visit with friends, go on vacation, and, maybe even work. They can worry about the college admissions process later. Right? Wrong! If… Read more
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College Decision Time? Follow These Six Steps
For students and parents, the results of the college admissions process can be both exciting and painful. There are the happy surprises at being accepted into the dream school. Or sadness and shock at not getting into that school that you ‘knew’ was a shoe-in. Once all the acceptances, rejections, and deferments are tallied, the family… Read more
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Documented Disability? Your Student Can Still Excel!
I began my career as a special education teacher, and to this day helping these learning disabled students holds a unique place in my heart. Special education students often struggle with reading and math and work really hard for every success. My job was to teach to their strengths and provide them with strategies to… Read more
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Preparation & Practice Can Get You a Winning Interview!
More colleges each year are requesting that students interview with either an alumnus or an admissions’ counselor. According to a counselor at Tufts University, “Interviewing with a college is a signal of the applicant’s interest in actually attending the college. This process should be looked at as a student’s time to ask questions about the… Read more
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Applying to College? Top 10 Factors to Consider.
It’s a rainy Thursday afternoon at the end of August 2012. I’m sitting at my desk in the Guidance office when I receive a phone call from a frantic parent. After introducing herself, she says, all in one breath: “My son is a senior, Mrs. Keilholtz. You need to help us. He hasn’t even looked… Read more
