COLLEGE CONSULTANTS
NEW YORK - The Blog

How We Do Things

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:28:09 -0800

So, in the last six months, CCNY has gotten more inquiries from people than at any other point in our history. This could mean many things--people can't find work and want to go back to school, the competition for admission at all campuses has increased, or, we're one of the more accessible sites. We hope the real reason is the latter. Of course, part of that accessibility has lead to more than half of those inquiries expecting free consultations or services. And we do not do that.

We assess your individual needs based on the information you provide and can offer a variety of packages to fit those particular needs. We will not give free consultations; our ability to give targeted advice is our inventory, if you will. It would be like walking into a grocery store and expecting to get free food. We can't give it away or we'd have to close our doors. If you want free advice, go to your guidance counselor or your student's guidance counselor; if you're already in college, go to your academic advisor. Even that advice isn't free; those guidance counselors and advisors are paid salaries to give you that information. The sad fact is, that those same people are usually servicing hundreds of students and don't always have the ability and/or experience/knowledge to efficiently help you in the context of your particular needs. That's where CCNY comes in.

If you want targeted help on things like scholarships, financial aid, the "right-fit" colleges for you or your students, and, how to best apply to those schools--then you need us. College is a HUGE investment today; by using a service like ours, though it certainly isn't free, you will ultimately save money on those costs by having specialized advice to help your particular situation. Anyone can apply to college on their own. But today, it pays to not take that challenge on alone. Depending on your individual needs, skills, and abilities, we can direct you to opportunities you may not have even considered--like one of our students who had very specific schools in mind, but based on her scores, was eligible for a full scholarship at a school outside of her expectations. Yes, she still had to pay for room and board, but her tuition was covered. For four years. The cost of tuition alone was $40,000/year, or $120,000 for four years. Her total cost for room, board and books was about $12,000/year or $48,000 for four years. Without the scholarship, her tuition, room, board, and books for four years would have totalled $168,000...just for a Bachelors degree. With our help, the cost of her Bachelors or four-year degree was only $8,000 more than one year of tuition alone. So how much did CCNY charge her for our services? Everyone has individual needs. For that particular student, we did about 15-18 hours of research and consultation or approximately $1,500 worth of services.

For a very minor investment--about 1% of her overall savings based on our efforts--the student and her family saved over $120,000 in tuition costs. THAT'S what we do. Now, not everyone is going to be able to get a full scholarship. But we can take our specialized knowledge, collected over the course of the last fifteen years, and use it to your benefit. Our interests are not to take you for all your worth. We are not the consultants who charge $10,000 for our services; yes, some of our packages are upwards of $3,000, and, if you hire us by the hour, it can certainly add up. But you get what you pay for and if we can't help you, we'll tell you that ahead of time.

Some college consultants market their ability to "do it all for you." No one can legally submit applications or financial forms on your behalf. But we can help you fill those forms out and coordinate application, scholarship and financial aid deadlines.

We've also had clients come to us after using other consultants who promised to have "an in" with admissions people at certain colleges. While it's true we do know many faculty and admissions professionals across the country (even internationally), NO ONE can promise you admission to any school. If they do, it's being done through illegal means, like pay-offs or kick-backs. And that's not something reputable colleges participate in. Or, reputable college consultants. We can help advise you on the colleges that would most likely offer admission based on your indiviual talents and abilities, even identify schools that might offer scholarships to fit your particular talents/abilities/needs, but guaranteeing admission or indicating that's even a possibility? Illegal, unethical, and ultimately, unprofessional. We're none of those things.

So, if you're looking for help for yourself or your student in finding the best path to the "right-fit" college, university or graduate school, you've come to the right place. And we're happy to help. What we can't do is do that for free. It's unconscienable to ask us to do so and we cannot take the time to explain this fact to people looking for a freebie. We respond to only serious inquiries, and yes, we can afford to be that picky. We're experts and if you want expert advice, you have to pay for it--just like if you went to an accountant for your taxes, a lawyer for legal advice or a doctor for a medical opinion.

Hopefully, this post helps you understand not only more about what we do, but more about educational consulting in general. There's nothing worse than taking on a new client who's already spent $10,000 with another consulting firm that didn't deliver; it's hard for us to imagine how anyone could ethically charge that much money for any reason in our field. We still have to charge those unfortunate people for our services, but for ALL of our clients, we PROMISE to only charge you for what you need. That's why it's important to include as much detail as possible in your initial inquiry. It tells us that you're really serious about our services and it also let's us know that you're serious about the process itself. We assess your needs based on the details you provide and if we feel we can help, we'll send along a contract. Once we get your signed contract and deposit, we're happy to get started in helping you REACH YOUR PEAK!!!

Best wishes for a happy summer!
CCNY

Thanks for visiting!

Sat, 01 May 2010 14:23:41 -0800

This website has an amazing "Stats" feature that shows exactly how many people visited, who the "unique" visitors are, and what the referring websites and search engines were.

We average about 30-80 visitors a day. However, we've yet to HEAR from any of you. This leads us to believe that our website is SO GOOD, you don't need to contact us for help...we've already given it to you in our wonderful essays and help pages.

While we're thrilled you find us such a good resource, we'd like to encourage you to please use the CONTACT FORM and get in touch. We're here to help all students at any level--that includes any financial level as well. Money is tight nowadays so it makes sense for people to try and do as much as they can without spending any money. We're happy we've been able to help you there. But though most students feel they can go it alone, or by doing minimal internet research, it's best to bolster your time and money investment in college with professional guidance.

Please keep this in mind as you peruse our website and take advantage of the free information we provide. And thanks for visiting!

The CCNY Team

Spring Thoughts....

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 07:29:39 -0800

I heard from a student yesterday who did not use our services when applying to graduate schools. This student's GPA was just below a 3.0 and the GRE test scores were not where they needed to be. My message today is about planning for your future by being prepared. It costs money to apply to college, whether you're applying for undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate studies--why bother unless you've put in the time, energy and effort ahead of time? You MUST be FULLY prepared for your applications or you will find yourself in a similar situation to the student I referred to earlier.

Had that student sought my advice PRIOR to applying to graduate programs, I would have discussed the importance of the GPA; for most graduate programs, the expectation is high for the undergraduate GPA--often a MINIMUM of 3.0 but minimum qualifications don't cut it in today's hyper-competitive world. But what happens when your GPA isn't where it needs to be but you find you need to go further with your education to meet your professional goals?

There ARE options--the first of which is to retake ANY classes where you received less than a B. Hopefully, that isn't much more than four or so classes--if it is, it may be cost prohibitive for you to retake say. an entire years worth of courses. SO, an alternative is to begin part-time graduate study at a program like BU's MET school; it offers graduate degrees in things like Computer Science, Actuary Studies, and a plethora of other fields that will be WELL worth the time investment. St. John Fisher in Rochester has an 18-month part-time graduate program in Education Science, where at the end of it, you're fully qualified to teach in your choice of subject areas including English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Technology. Major cities like Boston, New York, and LA even have law schools where you can apply for part-time study. Once you've proven yourself academically, despite your GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores, you can often apply to transfer full time either at your current school or maybe someplace even better. Berkeley, for example, allows transfers based on grades alone for their law school.

My other advice is about taking the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT multiple times if necessary--don't feel you can get away with scores that aren't up to par for graduate studies--you're no longer in an undergraduate environment, where students are practically congratulated for simply being there. Graduate study is rigorous--and the tests are meant to "weed out" those students that simply shouldn't be there. That isn't a terribly fair system given that some people are better at test taking than others--however, your test score MATTERS so put in the extra time to study, take as many practice tests as possible--and begin the whole process leading up to the test AT LEAST ONE YEAR prior to the test itself.

You also NEED to show INTEREST in the area of study to which you are applying for. This means finding internship opportunities where yes, you basically work for free--but guess what? You need to PROVE yourself--unless you have a parent or family member in a particular business where you can more easily get your foot in the door, colleges like to see that you're COMMITTED to the area of study you're applying for.

In today's economic climate, graduate degrees are a MUST. Even if you have aparent who's employed without one, that WILL NOT be the case for you if you're under 25. SO, when considering graduate school make sure your energy and efforts in applying don't go to waste. Get the GRE score you need; if you don't get it the first time, try, try again...until you do. If your UGPA is lower than it should be, retake those courses you did poorly in. If that's not an option, consider alternatives to full time study, like an online degree, or part-time study with an eye toward full time matriculation. And be sure you address your level of voluntary interest in the area of study as well. Finally, my last most important piece of advice is this: DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk about your religion, disability or health history in your personal essay. You want to stand out? Write a witty piece or try to come out from a more creative angle--in the case of the personal essay--there are just some things better left UNSAID.

Good luck!

PS: Check out our new CONTACT FORM on our home page!

Good luck on fall '10 applications!

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:16:14 -0800

Well, by now you should have your applications for fall 2010 wrapped up. Though we are no longer able to offer active support, our thoughts are with all of you who will be anxiously waiting to hear from admissions. Over the next several months, take time to relax. You worked hard on getting your materials organized. Whatever happens from here, you did your very best. Now, it's time to leave it to the experts.

One hint: If you have ANY changes in your application or updates, be sure to communicate that ASAP to admissions offices in an email with a follow-up hardcopy sent via snail mail.

ALSO, keep an eye on financial aid deadlines for individual schools. You can fill out FAFSA online anytime after January 1st using your 2008 tax returns, updating your information once your 2009 returns are completed in April.

Good luck! Enjoy getting those acceptances! And if you get any rejections, if you really want to go to that campus, attempt to negotiate probationary admission or wait-list status. Find out when you can apply as a transfer student if you can't negotiate a more immediate acceptance. Prepare to apply for transfer for the following fall by sending in your application before Thanksgiving 2010. Remember that everything is negotiable--there is no failure. You can only fail at not trying.

And before I end this entry, let me issue a congratulations to Shadab K. who got into University of Rochester Medical School for fall 2010, Patrick A. for admissions to Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacky L., who will receive his acceptance to Wharton any day now, Kate P. who is also expecting acceptances to graduate school including Northeastern in Boston, and Matt K., who will be working on his MFA in fall '10! Great job all!!! I'm so very proud of you.

All my best!

Fall: A Time of Change

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:10:10 -0800

Hello:

Fall is always one of the nicest times of year. We are relaxed after a lovely summer and refreshed, ready for whatever the year has in store. Fall is also a transition period, a time that ushers in change.

This fall, College Consultants New York is also transitioning, preparing for change. I will be going on a book tour this fall, which is exciting and new, but it also means, with Courtney in Long Island and Stephanie in DC, that the office will be open on a very limited basis. We are not accepting new clients at this time. If you received a referral for our services, we will do our very best to work with you, however, our schedule is rather limited, particularly in October, and, from November 23 through January 15th.

We will be availble on a full-time basis again in perhaps mid-2010; I am working on another book, this time about the Emmy-winning HBO Series, True Blood. The book is scheduled for release in May 2010.

I'd like to wish all of our wonderful student-clients a very productive fall!

Change is sometimes unexpected, so can often be perceived as difficult. But change can also mean new opportunities for growth and learning. Whether you feel happy or tentative about the changes in your life, always move forward, putting one foot in front of the other, pushing your wheels in a new direction. I know you can do it. I know this because I know you. I've seen you all work hard, push yourselves toward evolution. And evolution is an infinite process.

Stay well!

Congratulations on a Job Well Done! And...Happy Summer!

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:19:51 -0800

Hello! It has been a VERY BUSY season. Not much time for blogging but before we say 'so long' for summer, the staff at CCNY wants to congratulate all our student-clients on a job very well done! You worked hard this year and so did we. But the best part is the BIG pay off:

Congratulations and Kudos go to:

Jessica, who gained admission to the London School of Economics for graduate study--way to go!

Miles gets a shout out for getting in to SUNY Oswego with his amped portfolio--you go, Miles!

Laura found a home at Johns Hopkins--you're a rock star!

Ali will be rowing her way to BU in fall--the Charles is calling your name!

Joe had some tough decisions to make with GREAT options so we know he's on track for success!

Congrats to Aaron who's heading for Georgetown Medical School--the Michael Crichton of Georgetown!

Adam gets a round of applause for gaining hard-earned admission to the Chicago Medical School--calling Dr. Adam!

Lindsey is heading to UNC for an MLS--nicely done!

Achilleas finished his first year at UR Simon School--working hard with only one more year to go!

Orin completed his sophomore year at BU and is in the midst of a terrific co-op--the future of aerospace engineering is in your capable hands!

Matt is at UArizona heading into year two of his PhD--more power to you!

Andrew finished up his freshman year at Cornell--jazzing it up!

Lindsey is going to FLCC in fall--a future educator, we take our hats off to you!

Laura is going into senior year and is in the final countdown--it's all about the journey!

And so, another year comes to an end here at CCNY; we wish to thank our student-clients and their parents for all the tireless efforts toward educational success. Keep in mind we'll be here to help you as you continue your journey with advice on classes and internships, co-ops and curriculum vitaes!

We'd also like to give kudos and thanks to our own Stephanie, whose blog 'Poorer Than You' gives great advice to our student-clients and their families.

Our own Courtney is going to be winging her way to Italy very soon--we will all miss you here! Courtney married Ryan, one of the bravest pilots overseas, in December. Congratulations to Courtney and Ryan! But don't worry, both will be back to visit us here at CCNY.

While we are closed from July1-August 24th, we will still be available to current clients for any questions. We are no longer running a 10% discount for Messenger-Post ads but still have a discount offered for students involved in their community, involved in music/art/athletics, involved in the environment, or involved in faith activities.

Best wishes to all for a happy, HEALTHY summer full of sunshine and fun times!

The CCNY Team

Welcome back!

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:46:25 -0800

School's in session! Fall is here with leaves turning colors and the heavy humidity of summer on the wane. CCNY would like to give a warm welcome to new clients Laura A., Jessica B., Laura S., Ali B, and Laura B.! Big congrats to Orin H. for his induction into Sigma Alpha Lambda at BU!!!! We wish all our student-clients, past and present, a great start to the new academic year.

We are continuing our 10% off Messenger-Post special through October 31st for new clients. We'd like to remind our high school seniors and undergraduate seniors about application deadlines for scholarships and admissions. Look to have your materials ready by mid-November for admissions; for scholarships, check individual websites for deadlines.

The Ayn Rand Essay Contest deadline is coming up next week. Good luck to those of you who plan to submit!

What's new with CCNY? Well, we're growing with two new assistant consultants! More hands means more help for our student-clients. We are also offering more focused consultations on writing. Writing has become a major focus in standard testing like the SAT, ACT and GRE. It's important to hone your writing skills for essays, resumes, and writing samples as well. Writing tends to be pushed aside in our society as a non-bottom line skill. However, have you read the employment section recently? "Good verbal and written communication skills" is an oft repeated phrase in ALL ads, even for engineers! So take advantage of our writing services. When you write, you can't go wrong!

Eco-update: Have a pair or two of old jeans? Donate to the Cotton From Blue to Green denim drive, an effort that recycles old jeans into eco-friendly insulation for Habitat for Humanity homes. The insulation is produced by Green Jeans Insulation, a Madison, Wisconsin company. Want to participate? Send your old jeans to:

Fair Indigo Denim Drive
c/o Green Jeans Insulation, Inc.
1109 W. Milwaukee St.
Stoughton, WI 53589

Keep up the good work everyone! It looks like it's going to be a very full, very busy, and as always, very productive school year!

Best wishes!

Fall Special: Receive 10% off services!

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:49:33 -0800

Hello there! I hope you are long-enjoying the lazy days of summer. Meanwhile, I've been writing a book or two--the next one to come out will be part of the Wiley-Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series:
X-Men and Philosophy! I saw the cover art the other day--it looks amazing.... I'll keep you posted on the release date.

So, we here at CCNY begin our Messenger-Post advertising run in a few weeks. In honor of our new friends at Messenger-Post newspapers, we are running a fall special: 10% off!

When you consider the investment you make in your college education (the average state school tuition with room and board is around $15,000 a year; the average private college tuition is approximately $25,000 a year WITHOUT room and board), you may wonder why you would hire someone like me to help you with the process--why spend more money, right? Wrong!

In fact, you can save money on your tuition, not to mention gain admission to, and make the most of, the college or university of your choice. I think the best analogy is likening higher education admissions consulting to financial consulting. You wouldn't just put your hard earned dollars into a savings account without looking into how to best use the money you have to earn the most interest. College Consultants New York will help you make the most of what you have to invest in your educational and career goals. And with 10% off, you're way ahead of the game!

And when we talk about "investment", we're not just talking about your tuition dollars: So many students waste time, energy, effort, AND money when they go it alone. With College Consultants New York, we're there for you every step of the way, from managing your admissions materials and financial aid to helping you choose the best courses, find the right internship opportunties, and generally make the most of your personal investment--which will ultimately help you succeed with your career goals.

Here's to a smooth transition to fall! And good luck with your future endeavors....

Best wishes!

Summer is calling fall...

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:20:03 -0800

...And it's a bit depressing. I was chagrined to receive an "End-of-Season" catalogue in the mail the other day, and it's not yet July!
The summer season soars by quickly, more quickly than we hope. Many of you are beginning to consider what is coming up in the next year. Is it your senior year? Junior year? You may be thinking about what's going to happen next. You may even be, well, nervous. And I don't blame you. Whether a parent or student, the thought of "what's next" is always terrifying.

My message to you as we look toward July and August, and the year ahead after summer sadly becomes a memory, is to keep in mind that you are not alone. We at College Consultants New York are here for you, even in the summer. Though seasons change, we don't.

As you prepare for the upcoming year, undoubtedly full of many changes beyond even the seasons, consider us your partner in your quest toward "what's next" in your future.

Enjoy the sunshine!

COLLEGE CONSULTANTS NEW YORK - The Blog