25. Navigating the College Admissions Process with Brooke Daly and Lindsey Ringenbach

College can be one of the most important choices that a young person makes. Yet, it’s getting more and more difficult to navigate the admissions process and all of the financial choices that come along with it. A large percentage of students don’t even know what they want to do or what their interests really are. Contributing to the issue is that high school counselors don’t have the time and resources to really help with an individualized plan for most students. 

The answer to these issues are personalized college admissions consultants and we have two of them on the show today. Brooke Daly is one of the nation’s leading experts in college consulting. She is the immediate past president of the Higher Education Consultants Association and the owner of Advantage College Planning which she started in 2008. She is joined by Lindsey Ringenbach. Lindsey has extensive experience in college admissions starting her career at UNC Chapel Hill where she worked in undergraduate admissions. 

Together they love to guide students and parents through the college admissions process and help ensure the student ends up attending a college that fits their personality and provides the experience they desire. In this episode they explain what a consultant does and how the selection and admissions process can be improved for kids and adults. 

Highlights from This Episode 

[01:30] Brooke started Advantage College Planning in 2008, after working for a nonprofit in the college planning process. She wanted to branch out on her own and start a business that would help families make this process less stressful and help them find affordable college solutions. 

[02:09] Lindsey has a background in college admissions and college counseling. She's a former assistant director of admissions at UNC Chapel Hill. She's spent time at public and private schools and colleges. 

[02:59] Brooke and Lindsey work with families in the planning process, and they take the budget and affordability into account. They don't want students to graduate with a lot of debt hanging over their heads.

[04:08] The college fit is very important. It's a major problem when a student has debt and hasn't even graduated.

[05:09] Look at the Higher Education Consultants Association or the Independent Education Consultants Association to see if your potential consultant is a member.

[05:48] The match between a student and a consultant is very important. Different consultants have different strengths such as helping athletes find the right school.

[07:27] A sweet spot to start working with students for the admissions process is in their freshman or sophomore year of high school.

[08:04] Brooke and Lindsey do a variety of personality and aptitude assessments.

[09:02] The application process and writing essays starts in the junior year. A great high school experience creates college opportunities and makes the high school years fulfilling.

[11:21] Curriculum is one of the most important factors. Students should challenge themselves. Students should look for ways to stretch themselves by taking advanced courses, but not be overloaded. 

[13:00] Taking a summer junior college class can also help.

[14:08] Online classes can be a great fit for some students. It really depends on a student's readiness.

[15:43] The first most important factor is rigor of curriculum and the second most important factor is grades. You want mostly A grades. 

[18:08] Lindsey and Brooke also help students make academic goals.

[18:44] Test scores round out the student profile. They help students understand what test to take and when and how to prepare for them.

[21:32] Gap years are becoming more popular. The time should be used wisely. 

[23:28] In North Carolina, credits from community colleges transfer over to the state universities. There may be more scholarship opportunities for state college freshman. 

[25:17] Military affiliation could be taken into consideration. It really just depends.

[28:14] A consultant can give you more personalized help compared to an overworked high school counselor.

[29:29] Reach out to the admissions office of your college and see if they have staff that works with non-traditional students.

[31:47] With extra curricular activities focus on depth of involvement as opposed to breadth. Be the kid with lots of angles instead of well-rounded. What was your involvement and contribution?

[34:59] Learn how to be organized and manage the process. Have an email just for college. 

Links and Resources

Advantage College Planning

Brooke Daly on LinkedIn

Lindsey Ringenback on LinkedIn

Higher Education Consultants Association

Independent Education Consultants Association