#28 Meet Lara! She is the daughter of Ecuadorian parents who could not be more proud of Lara! Lara took 9 APs, completed 200+ hours of community service and is the recipient of NYS seal of biliteracy. Listen how this family from Ecuador moves to New York and built a life for their daughter, Lara. Ah-mazing! We’ve decided to Celebrate 30 Teens With 30 Dreams and reveal the 30 Destination YOUniversities they will call home! YOU are invited for a front row seat!! Join us and you’ll hear each applicant’s tale; the hits, the regrets, their advice, and where they will land this fall. ________________________________ Learn the 5 Biggest Mistakes Teens Make and the 4 Most Common Essay Topics: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/essay-mini-training Check out the Destination YOUniversity FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2489993244570408 See our website here: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/​ Schedule a call with Dr. C: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/schedule​ ________________________________ #maristcollege #rochesterinstituteoftechnology #collegeadmissions #collegeessays #collegeapplication #financialaid #scholarships #collegeessaybootcamp #dreamcollegeacademy #drcynthiacolon #Classof2025

“Think less about what you think we want to hear, and more about what you want to say.” Gary Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admission at UCLA. The University of California receives more applications than any other public or private institution in the country. UCLA ranks number one as the leader of the board, having received over 135 thousand applicants in each of the last two years. (nearly 150K for the class applying for entrance fall of 2022) If you ever wanted to get in the brain of the Director of Admission at a highly selective institution, you will not be disappointed. I traveled to visit Gary live on the UCLA campus and we did the show from his office. The interview is broken up into three parts. Here are a few key highlights of what Gary Clark shared in each section of the interview: Part 1: Gary Clark’s Describes His Personal Journey Grew up in Virginia with two older brothers and supportive family. Gary would be the first in his family to attend college. Gary talks about finding a way to pay for college, including having a job and becoming a Resident Assistant. Best Gary Clark “Golden Nuggets” from Part 1: “If you picture a college diploma hanging on a wall, the name of that institution is in script along the top. We focus so much attention on that, that we forget about the name in the middle of the diploma which is your name.” Part 2: Gary Clark Describes College Admissions at UCLA Being a tour guide and a student ambassador, Gary helped families navigate the college admission process. Gary enjoyed being able to “pull back the curtain” and help demystify the process for others. College admissions appeals to “both my head and my heart.” Gary discusses why colleges ask for so much information from applicants. Gary describes what they look for in an application, the qualities of a student that stand out. Why it’s important to be yourself in your college application. Gary and Dr. C discuss what to do when students don’t feel they have much to say or talk about in their application. Tips on how to describe your own home life experience in an application. At UCLA every single application is read at least twice. Why it’s important for the student to be their best advocate. Best Gary Clark “Golden Nuggets” from Part 2: “The UC application doesn't have a lot of safety nets ... you have to be a strong self-advocate. You have to be somebody who's willing to tell your story and to hit all the points that you really need us to know because there isn't a counselor or a teacher that's going to cover those details or isn't an interview that you can count on that's going to cover those details.” Part 3: Gary Clark Offers Tips On The UC Application All 9 University of California campuses offer top notch education. University of California has increased the number of California residents over the past several years. Gary discusses which sport his son plays and why he is now a fan. Wherever you attend high school, someone on Gary’s staff is assigned to your high school.  Best Gary Clark “Golden Nuggets” from Part 3: “[UCLA applicant pool] It's a very self-selective applicant pool and there are not a lot of bad students that apply here, and so we are choosing amongst very, very talented students. I think we're all humbled by that and proud of the fact that those students are considering UCLA and honor us with an application. But what it means is that the quality of students that we admit are extraordinary and the quality of students that are often not admitted here is also extraordinary.” Original Airdate: 11.21.18

#27 Meet Audrey. This academic scholar has balanced a nearly full time job as her award winning marching band’s drum major. Audrey will major in English and has aspirations of writing for medical books and journals. Talk about Grey’s Anatomy, hello! Which California college will be lucky enough to have Audrey as a member of Class of 2025? Find out today! We’ve decided to Celebrate 30 Teens With 30 Dreams and reveal the 30 Destination YOUniversities they will call home! YOU are invited for a front row seat!! Join us and you’ll hear each applicant’s tale; the hits, the regrets, their advice, and where they will land this fall. ________________________________ Learn the 5 Biggest Mistakes Teens Make and the 4 Most Common Essay Topics: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/essay-mini-training Check out the Destination YOUniversity FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2489993244570408   See our website here: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/​ Schedule a call with Dr. C: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/schedule​ ________________________________ #UCDavis #UCIrvine #UCSB #UCSD #DrumMajor #Musician #collegeadmissions #collegeessays #collegeapplication #financialaid #scholarships #collegeessaybootcamp #dreamcollegeacademy #drcynthiacolon #Classof2025

#26 Meet Ethan.Yep it’s true he wrote one of his essays about Socrates. This runner and debater is also part scientist and his dynamic personality makes him a natural politician. Which California college will be lucky enough to have Ethan as a member of Class of 2025? Find out today! We’ve decided to Celebrate 30 Teens With 30 Dreams and reveal the 30 Destination YOUniversities they will call home! YOU are invited for a front row seat!! Join us and you’ll hear each applicant’s tale; the hits, the regrets, their advice, and where they will land this fall. ________________________________ Learn the 5 Biggest Mistakes Teens Make and the 4 Most Common Essay Topics: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/essay-mini-training Check out the Destination YOUniversity FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2489993244570408  See our website here: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/​ Schedule a call with Dr. C: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/schedule​ ________________________________ #UCBerkeley #BU #UCSB #UCDavis #UCRiverside #StudentAthlete #Debator #Classics #collegeadmissions #collegeessays #collegeapplication #financialaid #scholarships #collegeessaybootcamp #dreamcollegeacademy #drcynthiacolon #Classof2025

#25 Meet Derick! He plays guitar and piano, builds robots, attended St. Albans School of Public Service and has a twin brother!! Will he join brother Steve on the east coast or will he stick with his Cali roots?  We’ve decided to Celebrate 30 Teens With 30 Dreams and reveal the 30 Destination YOUniversities they will call home! YOU are invited for a front row seat!! Join us and you’ll hear each applicant’s tale; the hits, the regrets, their advice, and where they will land this fall. ________________________________ Learn the 5 Biggest Mistakes Teens Make and the 4 Most Common Essay Topics: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/essay-mini-training Check out the Destination YOUniversity FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2489993244570408 See our website here: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/​ Schedule a call with Dr. C: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/schedule​ ________________________________ #History #USC #UCLA #UCBerkeley #Cal #GeorgeWashington #UArizona #Musician #Robotics #Twin #collegeadmissions #collegeessays #collegeapplication #financialaid #scholarships #collegeessaybootcamp #dreamcollegeacademy #drcynthiacolon #Classof2025

#24 Meet Jalynn!! She was a children’s book author before starting senior year! WOWZA! This Girl Scout Gold Award winner found a way to tie in everything she loves, animals, environmental science, and service. Will it be Spelman, Purdue, UC Davis, Trinity University, or UT San Antonio. Find out today! We’ve decided to Celebrate 30 Teens With 30 Dreams and reveal the 30 Destination YOUniversities they will call home! YOU are invited for a front row seat!! Join us and you’ll hear each applicant’s tale; the hits, the regrets, their advice, and where they will land this fall. ________________________________ Learn the 5 Biggest Mistakes Teens Make and the 4 Most Common Essay Topics: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/essay-mini-training Check out the Destination YOUniversity FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2489993244570408  See our website here: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/​ Schedule a call with Dr. C: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/schedule​ ________________________________ #Author #GirlScout #PreVet #STEM #WomeninStem #SpelmanCollege #UTSanAntonio #UCDavis #Purdue #TrinityU #collegeadmissions #collegeessays #collegeapplication #financialaid #scholarships #collegeessaybootcamp #dreamcollegeacademy #drcynthiacolon #Classof2025

LA Catholic Schools 5-Part Mini Series Episode 5 Title: Grandmother & Uncle Raised Her With Catholic Education Guest: Kelley Manzo, LA Catholic School Graduate, Class of 2021 Her biological parents were unable to raise her. Her grandmother and uncle took her in and raised her. Now known as “mom and dad” - grandma and uncle choose Catholic schools for Kelley. After graduating in 2021 - she is now a freshman in college. Against all odds, she made it, and not only did she make it - Kelley is a young woman other girls can aspire to become. Oh MY Goodness! You are going to fall in love with Kelley. In this FINAL episode of our 5 - part mini series with LA Catholic schools -- Kelley is the CHERRY On TOP! Kelley shares with us the village of champions and cheerleaders she had along the way and offers praise and thanks to those who believed in her. Kelley communicates with ease, showes kindness and compassion and she is articulate with her thoughts and ideas and incredibly confident. Kelley IS the epitome of the amazing students who graduate each year from LA Catholic schools. If you want to hear directly from a Catholic school alumna, this episode is for you. If you are a sucker for a good story of overcoming the odds, OMG - this episode is definitely for you. If you want YOUR child to become a young woman/ man with courageous confidence AND a compassionate heart, THIS EPISODE has your name written on it! Grab your tea, coffee, or beverage of choice -- oh - and you might need a tissue. If you’re like me and cry at Hallmark commercials, trust me - get a tissue. I cried tears of joy for Kelley. Enjoy this heartwarming story. Cheers! www.drcynthiacolon.com #catholicschool #catholiceducation #lacatholicschools #tipstalestruthcs #drcynthiacolon

LA Catholic Schools 5-Part Mini Series Episode 4 Title: Three Ways Catholic School Teachers Show Love Guest: Catalina Saenz, Catholic School Principal You can be a great leader and you can be a great teacher, but the question is, can you be BOTH a GREAT Leader AND Teacher? Until I met Catalina Saenz, I wasn’t sure that was possible. I’m telling you right now, Catalina is the real deal!! As a parent, you want to meet a leader and teacher who can talk the talk AND walk the walk. When she says she cares for you and your child - she means it. AND - can teach math like no other! Today is part 4 in our 5 part mini-series with LA Catholic School Leaders. Our topic today: Three Ways Catholic Teachers Show Love. Catalina herself attended public school through middle school, then headed to boarding school, and traveled all the way back east to attend Wellesley College and later Harvard School of Education. When I say she has experienced every type of education, I mean it. In this episode, you will learn about CAtholina’s own education journey and why she choose to put her own children in Catholic schools. As a teacher, principal, AND Parent - she knows exactly what it means to educate the WHOLE child, while also simply showing love and care to each individual student. If you are not yet convinced that Catholic schools are a good option for you, this episode is for you. If you are looking to validate your decision on choosing a Catholic school - this episode is definitely for you. If you just get excited when listening to quality educators and leaders, well, hello - this episode is for you. Grab your tea, coffee, or beverage of choice! Enjoy this episode. www.drcynthiacolon.com #catholicschool #catholiceducation #lacatholicschools #tipstalestruthcs #drcynthiacolon

LA Catholic Schools 5-Part Mini Series Episode 3 Title: Three Steps To Financing a Catholic School Education Guests: Theresa Fragoso and Andrew Garcia, Catholic Education Foundation If you live in Los Angeles, you can find good schools - Public, Charter, Catholic, Private - you name it - you can find what you’re looking for. But like everything in LA - it is not always free. Let me rephrase - when it comes to LA - most things worth having are in fact NOT FREE. So - if you are in the market for a school for your child, but you’re not sure exactly how to pay for it, well, you’ve come to the right place!  Today is part 3 in our 5 part mini-series with LA Catholic School Leaders. Today’s Topic - you guessed it - 3 STEPS TO FINANCING A CATHOLIC EDUCATION. Theresa Fragoso and Andrew Garcia will walk you through exactly what to do, how to do it and where to find what you need. Catholic Education Foundation has helped fund the education of over 100K students across LA Catholic schools and are looking to fund more. Theresa and Andrew want to help you understand all your options before making any final decisions for your child’s future. As parents - you have MANY expenses when it comes to your child, but remember - education is not an expense, but rather, an investment. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I believe that education -- and I mean Tk - 12 + COLLEGE is all about: WHO your child will meet and eat with, Mentors they will engage with and learn from, ideas they discover and act on, and, “oh, the places they will go!” THAT, my friends, is the real investment. Your child’s happy future. Sit tight everyone! You’re in for a doozie - Enjoy! www.drcynthiacolon.com #catholicschool #catholiceducation #lacatholicschools #tipstalestruthcs #drcynthiacolon

#23 Meet Hunter. This Eagle Scout loves kittens and plants. Sound weird? Well, that’s what he wrote about in his college essays and I still remember the plant essay. Hunter has been laser focused on what he wants to do after college and he is determined to find the right spot to study biology. Will he finally decide today? Watch and see.  We’ve decided to Celebrate 30 Teens With 30 Dreams and reveal the 30 Destination YOUniversities they will call home! YOU are invited for a front row seat!! Join us and you’ll hear each applicant’s tale; the hits, the regrets, their advice, and where they will land this fall. ________________________________ Learn the 5 Biggest Mistakes Teens Make and the 4 Most Common Essay Topics: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/essay-mini-training Check out the Destination YOUniversity FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2489993244570408  See our website here: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/​ Schedule a call with Dr. C: https://www.drcynthiacolon.com/schedule​ ________________________________ #EagleScout #BoyScout #Service #BiologicalSciences #UC #UCSD #UCSB #UCDavis #Pepperdine #CalPolySLO #Brandeis #Reed #Elon #UCSantaCruz #collegeadmissions #collegeessays #collegeapplication #financialaid #scholarships #collegeessaybootcamp #dreamcollegeacademy #drcynthiacolon #Classof2025