College-bound next year? The application process can be confusing, complicated, and time consuming. Rising seniors can get a jump on college applications at the third annual Coronado College Admissions Boot Camp. This dynamic, customized one-week summer boot camp will prepare new seniors for all aspects of the college search/apply process, help them maximize their outcomes, and significantly reduce stress for both students and families. Classes will meet from 1 to 5 p.m., Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20.
Students will receive a personalized list of suggested colleges based on test scores, their transcript, and an instructor’s questionnaire submitted to staff before the course begins. Each list will consist of about thirty schools with a range of selectivity that is appropriate for the individual students. The lists will take financial restrictions into consideration and will suggest merit money opportunities wherever feasible.
During camp hours, students will receive assistance researching their colleges and learning how to compare programs at different schools. They will also get organizational tips, a calendar covering summer tasks and 2014-15 deadlines, as well as a ten-month subscription to a powerful online program supporting the search/apply process. In addition, students will learn what colleges are looking for in the application process, how best to present themselves on the application and in person, how to pursue merit money awards, tips for interviewing and visiting colleges, testing recommendations, and much more.
Perhaps the most critical element will be working together to understand and develop strategies for presenting the strongest applications possible and compiling all the materials required for the Common Application, used by over 500 schools nationwide. Students will receive guidance and support in completing the short answer section to their best advantage and in developing essay topics that showcase their strengths and individuality. We will choose one topic to develop into a fully edited essay suitable for both the Common Application and one of the UC essay prompts. (Please note that the instructors and students will also work on essays outside of camp hours.)
Camp staff includes Carolyn Muehlenbeck, a college admissions consultant at Connecting to College and a former director of Coronado High School’s College/Career Center. She is a member of both the National and the Western Associations of College Admissions Counselors as well as the Higher Education Consultants Association. Additionally, Carolyn holds a California Single Subject teaching credential and a College Counseling Certificate from UCLA. Along with assisting students applying to colleges at all competitive levels, Carolyn has special expertise in identifying merit money opportunities, guiding students with learning differences, and advising students interested in visual and performing arts programs. She has been advising students about college programs and college admissions strategies for fifteen years.
The second member of the team is Mea Ben-Joseph, an experienced high school English and middle school visual arts teacher. She is a University of California honors graduate with a Masters in Education. Mea will focus on supporting students through the essay writing and revision process.
The cost for this year’s program includes both a $595 instructional resource fee and a separate $80 registration fee. Class size is limited to allow for individualized attention, so please consider enrolling early. For questions or to reserve a space, please contact Carolyn at 619-435-0660, 619-962,3046 (cell), or [email protected]. You may also get more information about the boot camp, college admissions issues, and Carolyn’s services at www.connectingtocollege.com
