San Clemente Voice Podcast
The San Clemente Voice recently interviewed Melinda about how to manage the college search and application process with less stress and more confidence! LISTEN by clicking the link below: https://soundcloud.com/user-811395894/college-safari
What Colleges Look for in High School Students: 2020 Results
Each year, a nationwide survey of the professional members of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) is conducted about what they believe are the top characteristics colleges are looking to see in their applicants. These are the 2020 results:
5 Reasons NOT To Attend Your Reach College
In a society obsessed with brand names, we have fallen prey to the idea that students should attend the most competitive college they can get into. Sometimes it’s the kids who are mesmerized by big name schools, other times it’s the parents. Students spend hours in...
Applying Early Decision: 5 Good (& 4 Bad) Reasons to Do It
If you're currently a high school senior, chances are your life has turned into stacks of colorful college brochures, scribbled pros-and-cons lists and books about applying to college, all piled so high around you that you're wondering where the light at the end of...
Will Your Son or Daughter Get an Athletic Scholarship?
Many kids dream of playing professional sports. One of the steps to get there is to play, most likely, Division I in college. But how likely is that to occur? According to the Federal Department of Education, “In 2010, a student who played high-school sports had a 6%...
5 Essential Rules for Writing Your College Essay
Few things intimidate high school seniors more than writing their college essays. Perhaps it's the thought of "summarizing" yourself in 650 words (an impossible task) or the vision of a grumpy, elbow-patched, pipe-smoking admissions officer reading it and wielding a...
What It Takes to Make New College Graduates Employable
Alina Tugend wrote this article as she began to think about her son who had just graduated from high school. It provides a lot of interesting information about predicting “employability” for the students we send off to college and hope to see succeed in the “real...
Why Parents Pay So Much for College
This commentary by Keith Humphreys is MUST READ for parents AND the children who love them! A friend of mine was feeling very ready to retire in his 60s after a long, demanding career. I was thus surprised when he told me over lunch that he was in some distress about...
SAT versus ACT
What are the key differences between these two high stakes exams? High school students applying for college must submit ACT or SAT scores as a part of their applications. A great score on either of these standardized tests can mean significant scholarship money and...
Twelve Rules for New Graduates
What advice would you give new college graduates about launching themselves into the workforce? Hundreds offered responses with a wealth of advice and insight about what it takes to make a successful transition from college into the workforce. What follows is based on...
“How can I ever thank you for all the support and great advice during the college search for my daughter? You were clear, informative, open, and CALM during a very trying and scary time. With your help, she was accepted by six colleges, including her top choice! I would highly recommend you to any family during this difficult and confusing process.”
– Parent, daughter attending Maryland Institute College of Art
College Safari LLC
Melinda B. Kopp, MBA, CEP
Melinda@CollegeSafari.com
Independent Educational Consultant
Certified Educational Planner
Advising students & families nationwide
Based in Orange County, CA