ACT My Journey Free Virtual Event

Finding Your Fit: Researching & Choosing the Right College

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. CT

About this session:

With over 4,000 universities just in the US, it’s no wonder most students feel overwhelmed by the research process to find the right schools. Where do you even begin?  

In this webinar, Collegewise admission experts will be sharing top tips on how to effectively conduct college research and solidify a well-rounded list of schools. We want every student to be thrilled about their options.   
 
By the end of the session, you will discover:  

  • How to do robust and effective research  
  • What factors to consider when conducting college research  
  • How to maximize college visits  
  • How to create a balanced college list that includes likely, target, and reach schools  
  • How to find schools that are the right fit for your personality, aspirations, and budget  

College research doesn't have to be so complicated, and with Collegewise expert advice, you'll be all set to approach it with a greater sense of confidence. Register now and secure your seat!
 

For over 25 years, Collegewise has been at the forefront of college counseling and tutoring, ensuring that families, schools, and nonprofits have the most up-to-date, honest information about admissions. Collegewise is committed to helping communities around the world understand that applying to university should be an exciting time, not a stressful, anxiety-ridden rite of passage. 

With 500+ years of combined experience, Collegewise’s expert counselors have guided 30,000 students from all walks of life. From navigating high school to finding their students’ ideal university matches and securing acceptances, Collegewise counselors infuse the process with a sense of calm and joy, giving families the confidence they need to succeed.  

Collegewise also partners with schools and independent counselors to enhance the college application experience within their communities. The company develops an array of free events, guides, podcasts, and blog posts, so every family can embark on a less stressful and more successful journey to college. 

If you are interested in learning about Collegewise’s 1:1 services, please visit collegewise.com to schedule a free one-on-one consultation with an expert program advisor. During your meeting, your advisor will answer all of your pressing questions and gain a deep understanding of your family’s goals. Then, they’ll develop a personalized program, which may include: college counseling support, development of success skills, extracurricular and leadership guidance, athletic recruitment support, and/or financial aid & scholarship support. 

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Meet the Speakers

Paul Kanarek 

Co-Founder of the Princeton Review, Collegewise CEO Emeritus 
 

Paul is celebrating his 40th year in the education space; he was the founder of The Princeton Review in California in 1983. During that time, he mentored Kevin McMullin, a young protege who went on to start Collegewise in 1999. Paul recognized just how valuable college admissions support can be and jumped in to support Collegewise as CEO, from 2013 to 2017.

Paul loves nothing more than sharing information on the college admissions & testing landscape. Widely quoted in all major papers, Paul has appeared on multiple television shows and has spoken about US college admissions all over the world for Collegewise. He is renowned for his lively, insightful, and inspiring talks.

Can’t place his accent? He grew up in the UK, South Africa, and the US. He currently lives on a ranch with 23 (yes, 23!) different animals. 

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Allison Lopour

Collegewise Master Counselor and Chief People Officer  

Since joining Collegewise as an admissions counselor in 2007, Allison has personally helped over 500 students find and apply to the right colleges. Over the past 17 years, she has seen every admissions situation under the sun and has gotten to know the ins and outs of thousands of colleges. She is now a Master Counselor and also the Chief People Officer who leads the Collegewise counselor learning & development team, and a certified Taylor Swift fanatic (the real kind, not the kind who just says that as a cheap ploy to connect with teenage students). 

A 2005 graduate of the University of Redlands, Allison studied English and Creative Writing while working as a barista at Starbucks. She then spent two years as a University of Redlands admissions officer and personally reviewed over 1,000 college applications. When she’s not counseling, Allison enjoys watching bad TV, crafting, and spending time with her husband and their daughters, who is already being groomed to become president of the Taylor Swift Fan Club one day. 

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Karen Kimball

Collegewise College Counselor 

With over 25 years in education, Karen is known for empowering students to develop confidence in academically rigorous environments. She finds joy in helping students position themselves well for college applications and in enabling them to discover how much they have to offer.  

As a parent whose child has been through the college application process, Karen understands the stress the process can place on students and parents. With a Master’s in Communication Studies, it’s no surprise that Karen is masterful at communicating in a way that keeps the entire family feeling informed and prepared at every step. Families who have worked with Karen describe her as calm, kind, and firm, with a great sense of humor. Her students have said 'yes!' to a variety of schools: large public universities, private liberal arts colleges, and the UC and CSU systems. 

When she’s not guiding students in their college application process, you can find Karen spending time creating pottery, reading a good book, or chasing after her corgi Bess.

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