Spiegel Educational Consulting - Trumbull, Connecticut

Spiegel Educational Consulting, LLC
Trumbull, CT 06611
(203) 261-3299 - phone
(203) 261-5764 - fax

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Mary Spiegel, CEP, Owner of Spiegel Educational Consulting, is pleased to share with you the IECA 2010 list: The Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges look for in High School Students
1.	A rigorous HS curriculum that challenges the student; may include AP or IB classes.
2.	Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend. However, slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all As in less challenging coursework.
3.	Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT), consistent with HS performance.
4.	Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative. Depth, not breadth, of experience is most important.
5.	Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselor that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character traits, and an interest in learning.
6.	Well-written essays that provides insight into the student's unique personality, values, and goals. The application essays should be thoughtful and highly personal. They should demonstrate careful and well-constructed writing.
7.	Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting and well-rounded student body.
8.	Demonstrated leadership in activities. Colleges want people who will arrive prepared and willing to take leadership of student activities and events.
9.	Demonstrated intellectual curiosity through reading, school, leisure pursuits, etc.
10.	Demonstrated enthusiasm to attend, often exhibited by campus visits and an interview, showing an interest toward attending the college.

Financial Planning

Rod Spiegel is a Financial Advisor and First Vice President at Morgan Stanley in Fairfield, CT. Families who seek college investment advice for younger children, or who wish to discuss financial and estate planning, are encouraged to contact Rod at (203) 319-5146 or 1-800-925-3995.

Educational Consulting Professional Organizations

www.educationalconsulting.org

IECA is widely recognized as the nation's leading professional organization for those educational placement advisors working in private practice.

www.aicep.org

The American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP) represents full-time, experienced consultants and school based counselors. "Our goal is to recognize these professionals who have achieved the highest level of competence and to raise the standards of the educational counseling profession."

Tutors and SAT Prep

www.tutoringmatch.com

Subject based tutors as well as qualified, experience test prep tutors. Call (203) 366-3396.

www.thelearningedge.net

Standardized test prep. Offering SAT and SAT Subject test classes in Westport, a "mini-PSAT" courses, as well as private tutoring. Call Mark Anestis at (203) 230-2741.

www.carnegiepollak.com

Carnegie/Pollak SAT and ACT courses.

"Best of the Gold Coast" 2008, CT Magazine. Call Lynn Carnegie at 203-352-3500. Email lynncarnegie@gmail.com

www.prepme.com

On- line and customized test prep, possibly available for free through your local library. Ask your librarian.

www.number2.com

FREE on line test prep.

Naviance. If your high school subscribes to "Family Connection" Naviance, you have a free test prep program available to you. Ask in guidance.

The College Board itself, creator of the SAT, has excellent free and low-cost resources. Once you get your PSAT score, take a look at the "My College Quick Start" and begin discovering the convenient test strategies as well as corrections to YOUR PSAT test.

College Search Engines

www.collegeboard.com

www.petersons.com

Scholarships and Financial Aid

www.finaid.org

A wealth of great information! Start here for information on need based aid, financial aid calculators, scholarship searches, and more.

www.fastweb.com

Scholarship search engine.

www.fafsa.ed.gov

The all-important FAFSA! All colleges and universities require students fill out a FAFSA if they expect to apply for need-based aid.

www.collegeboard.com/profile

If your college list includes any of the 500+ colleges that require the Profile form, this is your place to start.

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