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The Transformational Bridge helps kids transition from teenagers to young adults.

When I was 16, I was a top golfer, a good student, and a nice kid—shy and bashful. I had college plans ahead, but I had not given them much thought.

By the time I was 22, I had attended two colleges, enlisted in the USAF, was on assignment at Ramstein AB in Germany, and was married!

Those six years were anything but normal. But they transformed my life into who I am today.

Recently, my great friends Jim and Linda visited me in my new apartment. Linda peeked into my bedroom and said, "You made your bed!"

Jim quickly replied, "He was in the Air Force."

My transformational bridge was the USAF.

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2025 Season in Review, Part 7.

The 16 - 22 age range represents the most important transformational years in life. I refer to college as the "Transformational Bridge", turning a teenager into a young adult. 

Arriving at college as freshmen equates to entering the front gate of the Transformational Bridge. Graduating from college equates to exiting the back gate.

Where the student lands upon leaving college needs to be an ongoing priority. The goal must be centered around the transformational journey, and where the bridge will take them.

You have total control of that journey and its transformational influence. But few families assert control of that, and it declares itself one day to people's dismay. 

The results are more predictable than ever in 2025. Many students either transfer colleges or change their major a couple of times. Few students connect with the academic community of the college. Few students land meaningful internships while in college.

Too many students leave their outcome to chance. The result? Only 20% of college graduates get the desired jobs. It's all predictable!

Why so? The competition for desired jobs is tough. The competitors are better prepared, qualified, responsible, and accountable. They work from a more determined, structured, and inspired approach.

These students are more engaged and involved from early in the process, building their Student Profile throughout.

They -

• Improve their writing skills
• Express their passion more effectively 
• Enhance their credentials
• Engage in career-related activities
• Build meaningful relationships
• Pursue college with a heightened purpose.  

Successful college outcomes result from executing a defined plan. This plan includes choosing the right college and major for the right reasons while understanding the real purpose of college, which likely includes getting a desired job one day. 

The college transformation yields desired results for those with a mindful approach and undesired results for those without. It's quite that simple and also that elusive.

A mindful approach to college, now before college, and when in college, makes a desired outcome much more certain. It's the CollegeLogic way.

"There are no shortcuts." - Stephen Covey

First, I have some commentary to share. While I have no problem with federal funds being withheld from universities that have billions in endowments, I'm 100% opposed to restricting international student visas.

We live in a global society. Too few American students have any understanding or awareness of the world outside the United States. One of the best learning experiences that a college can offer is having a culture that is rich in international students.

Fact: Restricting international students from attending U.S. Universities will significantly alter the educational experience and shrink the college culture.

The presence of international students represents the bright light and spirit of the world on our college campuses. Their beautiful smiles and amazing perspectives are so valuable. Learning from them reflects the purest form of education... and it's free! 

2025 Season in Review, Part 6.

My business model is built around Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Why? Because the world values effective people.

Stephen Covey's first three habits are -

1. Be proactive.
2. Begin with the end in mind.
3. Put first things first.

I teach, coach, and mentor students to be proactive, begin with the end in mind, and put first things first.  

This sounds simple enough. But it's rarely practiced by high school students and their parents. The significance of this is that their outcomes are primarily determined by their willingness, or unwillingness, to follow these three habits. Let's take a look. 

In applying these principles, being proactive means taking the initiative and not waiting for things to happen to us magically. While most people hope, wait, and wish, our students take appropriate and timely action. They engage early to build their Student Profile. We work diligently to compile an accurate list of colleges. It's a winning platform. 

There is no waiting around. It doesn't work. In the college process, there are deadlines. You will get "timed out." One day, it'll be over. Families will live with the outcomes forever. Most families wish they had started the process earlier and had more knowledge about it. 

Hoping, waiting, and wishing for something grand to fall into your lap is a losing proposition. Being proactive in your college plan begins early in high school. There is no time to wait, and wishing doesn't win admissions, scholarships, or eventual job offers.

To begin with the end in mind means to be mindful of the outcomes from college that you desire. The "end" is not getting to college or finishing college. The end reflects how well prepared and qualified the student is to achieve their desired life ambitions upon graduation.

This cannot be overstated. Coming home to live unemployed after college is far too common and predictable. It often occurs due to a lack of foresight into what is truly important, and that's the continuous need to work toward your desired goals. 

The most common goal from college is to get a job. Building personal skills, abilities, and gaining meaningful experiences beyond classroom academics is essential to qualifying for a desired job offer.

One of the more meaningful purposes of college is to become "worthy of pay." Worthy of pay refers to the value that an individual contributes to their employer. The value is determined strictly from the employer's perspective.  

It doesn't mean students have to know now what job they want. Instead, it means they know now what they need to do to position themselves for future success and satisfaction. Obtaining a college degree alone doesn't accomplish that. 

Putting first things first is knowing what to do right now, in this moment, as you take your next step.

Stephen Covey says that "You can't parachute into your destination; you must take every step along the path. There are no shortcuts."

In my practice, the first step is to build a college list that matches your child's qualifications and interests, while also aligning with your needs. Only then can you be proactive in this process. Otherwise, you will always remain reactive. It's guaranteed.

Would you like to know the next steps to take from there? Let's talk!

You are the buyer. College is the seller. After spending thousands $$$, don't expect to receive a "thank you" note.

The Season in Review, Part 5. - Know better what you are about to buy--College.

When during this journey will you ever feel like you are a valued customer of the university?

You won't. And why not? Because you won't position yourself as a customer. Instead, you will do everything that they tell you to do. They own the process unless you reclaim ownership.

They take ownership the moment you arrive on their campus. They tell you to take a tour, so you do. From that moment, they own the outcome. Parents become puppets of the colleges. That's not a winning platform.

To take ownership, you must understand the big business of college, its rules, policies, and ways of getting you to buy what it is selling.

They will tell you they have a job placement rate of over 90%. As false as that can be, parents "buy" into it. Just ask them how they track the number. They don't. 90% job placement rates are fake news.

College costs- what is your budget for a four-year college degree?

You're thinking you don't have one. Why wouldn't you have a defined budget for buying a college education? In any event, colleges know you don't. They know you will make a psychologically driven purchase to make your child happy. That works for them, not for you.

Most private colleges cost over $80,000 per year. Many colleges cost over $90,000 per year. Multiply that by four years and add related costs into the equation, and a four-year college degree could cost $350,000 - $400,000.

The national average time to graduate with a four-year degree is 5 1/2 years. That's an extra 100 K. Who budgets for that? Not me. The additional term(s) serve the college business well, but not you. It's part of their plan, and they get little resistance. Why not? Few families have thoughtfully planned how to execute and work toward a four-year, on-time, meaningful graduation.

Are you relying on scholarships? Over the past 10 years, merit scholarships have mostly been replaced by "sticker price discounts."

The top 50 private colleges don't generally offer scholarships. Why not? They don't have to. They have enough customers willing to pay their full price.

The next 250 top private schools all followed the increased cost patterns of the top 50. However, they don't have enough parents to pay the full price. Therefore, those colleges must offer a sticker-price discount, masked as a merit scholarship award, to fill their desired enrollment.

If you know how to ask, up to 50% of tuition is available for scholarships to many excellent colleges. Few people do.

In April alone, my families received over $400,000 in added scholarships through the "Appeal" process. We know how to ask, so it's good for us.

Are you relying on financial aid? Over the past 10 years, colleges have become lenders. They have replaced need-based financial aid dollars you don't pay back with Parent Loans. Worse yet, they refer to loans as financial awards.

Parent Loans are used to meet a parent's EFC, as determined by the FAFSA. This negates the qualifications for receiving need-based financial aid.

I call this the Financialization of College. They lend money to make it easier for potential customers to buy what they are selling, and they keep more of the money. It's good for them, not for you.

Colleges have mastered their business model. They are experts in applying parent-child psychology to achieve the desired outcomes.

I'm not blaming the colleges at all. They train their customers well and manage their businesses to perfection.  You don't have to give in to it, but you must know better what you are about to buy.

If you'd like to know better, let's talk. 

True or False- I only need a high GPA and SAT score to win admission?

The Season in Review - Part 4. There's more to Admissions than GPA and SATs

Of course, the answer depends on the schools you apply to. For the Top 300 colleges in the U.S., that statement is false.

I don't understand. My son was denied, but his friends with lower GPAs were accepted. I don't understand.

My daughter had a 1520 SAT score and was denied admission to her top schools.

They're right. They don't understand. These people's comments show a misunderstanding of how college admissions work.

The initial 10-second glance of an application determines whether the applicant's academic credentials merit further consideration. While an immediate denial is determined in thousands of cases, acceptance requires further evaluation.  The ultimate decision is made based on the importance of the remaining factors, and each college weighs them differently. Let's examine them.

On a side note, SAT/ACT scores are becoming increasingly essential and required by more colleges each year. Applying "Test Optional" is a weakened platform for admissions into top schools.

Factors considered for Admission Acceptance

Once an application passes through the initial academic review, which includes GPA, AP, and SAT/ ACT scores, admission decisions are deferred to a combination of the following ten factors. Five tangibles for creating significant advantages:

1. Course rigor is measured by the gap between unweighted and weighted GPAs. Every college values this factor.
2. Essay quality is determined by the applicant's ability to convey their thoughts in a meaningful and interesting way—a way that makes complete sense to the reader.
3. Student substance is reflected in their Student Profile, which shows the real purpose of a student's chosen major, ambitions, intentions, mindset, and goals.
4. Activities and extracurriculars measure an applicant's holistic perspective. They reflect a broader involvement in life with a deeper meaning and purpose for each activity.
5. Senior year performance is more critical than ever before. Most colleges now hold off their final decisions until after receiving the applicant's first semester grade report. Hence, the increasing use of "Deferrals" over the last two years.

Five intangibles for establishing worthiness:

1. Family wealth position measures the family's ability to pay the cost of school. Do not underestimate the importance placed on this factor by many schools.
2. Relationships are determined by the student's genuine engagement with the admission office and are still valued in many situations.
3. Global mindedness reflects a student's ability to respect other students' perspectives, contribute to the student culture, and bring value to themselves.
4. Submitting early applications and then tending to the portal reflects the ability to manage matters in a timely and disciplined manner. This is where most students drop off.
5. Expressing one's interests shows an ability to think, speak, and write. The college's biggest frustration with applicants is this. However, it also creates our biggest advantage!

While this is bad news for students and parents who don't pay attention to it, it's excellent news for the students who prioritize building their Profile for Success early on in high school.

In much of this, students have complete control in creating their unique advantages.

For those who wait until the end and rush to submit random applications with poorly written essays, their outcomes are predictable, and their excuses are widely heard. The outcomes are equally predictable for those who become involved early and own their performance. Their celebrations are well earned.

Outcomes from this process result from each family's knowledge, involvement, effort, performance, and ownership.  If you'd like to build for your child's Application Success, let's talk.

Hans

The Harvard saga reminds me of a famous Linda Ronstadt song- "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me"

People tell me they've heard things on the news that concern them about the U.S. university system.

They heard the federal government is holding back $2B of funding from Harvard. People are protesting. Harvard is suing, claiming it's unfair or even unconstitutional.

Poor Harvard. It has a $60 billion endowment fund, charges $90,000/ year for college, and caters to the wealthy. Harvard is the richest college in the U.S.

Are we supposed to feel sorry for them, apologize, or even protest in their favor? Not me. Is this something to be concerned about? No. It has no direct effect on the quality of education.

People heard that political, social, and cultural activism has recently risen on certain campuses. I don't like that. College is for building academic and intellectual capital, not promoting political or social agendas that put people in potential harm. Should we fear this? Not really. I prefer to stay away from those colleges for now.

There are constructive and peaceful intellectual forums on college campuses throughout the U.S. for debating and discussing critical global matters. I favor these. They work to improve the students' learning environment.

People heard that some international students had their student visas revoked, causing concern among international families. I don't know the merits behind each situation, but I know that concern is inconsistent with the college's perspective on international students. U.S. colleges are more desirous of international students now than ever, and the presence of international students remains highly valued on U.S. campuses.

International students are poised to be among the U.S. system's most successful students and young adults. They tend to have preferred skills, abilities, mindsets, perspectives, and work ethics. I am not concerned about their future in the U.S., provided they are here for the right reasons.

So, while the news media is quick, constant, and loud in stirring fear, I don't buy an ounce of it.

The U.S. university system thrives and offers the best opportunity to launch students' early careers. My concern is rising costs and the likelihood that fewer people can afford it.

Community colleges offer the lowest cost with strong credentials for moving into 4-year degree programs.

Online degree programs, such as Penn State World Campus, offer tremendous value and results.

State universities are thriving. They offer their students excellent education, extensive research, study abroad opportunities, and experiential learning, which their in-state students receive at a much-discounted cost. There are at least 50 outstanding state universities.

Private colleges are private businesses. Like any business, running a private college can be challenging. Many have full enrollments and multi-billion-dollar endowments, yet many struggle to fill their classes each year and maintain their cash flows. That's business. It's something to be aware of but not to fear.

I track 200 private colleges. Some are available in every state, and each one can fulfill a family's needs, whatever those needs are. You must understand the college landscape better to find the right colleges for you and your family. My fear is for people who leave it to chance.

Are you worried about college majors? I'm not concerned about it for those who put enough thought, consideration, diligence, discovery, and experience into determining which study path is right. For those who are "undecided", they will be leaving much to random choice and friendly persuasion. I fear for those people.

Fear can be real or falsely perceived. If it's real, it can encourage proper action. If it's falsely perceived, it can ruin your plans.