It’s easier to expect things of other people than to expect things of ourselves. It’s human nature. 

However, when it comes to family planning for their child’s college and possible career, parents’ expectations can be a burden on their child if not mutually understood. 

I understand the role of a parent, as I am one. It’s essential that we set performance standards for our children.

For college, parents are entitled to impose essential parameters, such as limits on travel distance and cost. 

It’s also vital for parents to determine what level of academic performance is required to justify the cost of college. You should make that clear to your child. 

Your teenage child is no longer a kid. They are growing and maturing. The best we can do is help students raise their expectations and willingness to do what’s necessary. Your expectations alone are not enough.

That brings us to my quote of the week- 

“For students to own their outcome, they must own their expectation.”

When this occurs, performance standards are more likely to be met, desired success achieved, and family conflict avoided.

If you’d like to discuss this further, let’s talk.

Hans- CollegeLogic Office # 203.470.3704, hans@mycollegelogic.com

People put far more due diligence into buying a house than they do when buying a college education.

Think about what you do when you buy a house. You’ll only look in your preferred areas and neighborhoods, taking into account several key factors, including cost, schools, safety, and desired environment.

You’ll hire realtors to help find you the right fit house. You’ll hire attorneys to make sure your investment is safe. You’ll hire an appraiser to make sure that you’re paying the right price. You’ll hire an inspector to make sure you know what you’re buying. You’ll have a bank that ensures you can afford it.

Of course, you’ll do all of these things because you know the proper process for buying the right house.

Today’s quote is one of my own. It makes perfect sense, yet it remains so elusive.

“If you treated buying a college education like you do when buying a house, you would make a better deal, have a better experience, and get your desired outcomes.”

In my opinion, buying a college education for your child requires at least as much attention and professional oversight as purchasing a house.

There’s an equal amount of due diligence when buying a college as there is when buying a house. But parents don’t do it. Why not? They lack an oversight committee, similar to a bank that ensures thorough due diligence when purchasing a house.

I’m your oversight committee.

Here’s a little bit of due diligence that my families do to understand better what they are about to buy—College.

1. They know how the college does its business by meeting with an Admission Counselor when visiting a college. They arrive with a list of the right questions to ask so that they get it right for themselves. They don’t rely on the tour and its Information session.

2. They build credibility in the Admission Office by having an extended, well-thought-out, clearly expressed response to the question: “What interests do you have in a major?“

3. They create a meaningful relationship with the Admission Counselor by engaging them in thoughtful discussions, going back and forth with one another… no shallow responses to their questions are allowed.

4. They know how the endgame is achieved by visiting with a representative in their anticipated department of study. They discover how the department can assist them in achieving their desired outcome by asking the right questions. This way, they don’t have false expectations.

5. Understand the clear differences between the roles of the Admission Office vs. the Financial Aid Office; Merit Scholarships vs. Financial Aid; Parent Loans vs. Need-based Grants. They know how to navigate financial awards, when to do so, and with whom, with my guidance.

My families leave the campus knowing better how the college conducts its business and how the study program helps deliver the desired outcomes.

I have the questions to ask. If you would like to receive them, send me an email request.

If you’d like some guidance, let’s talk.

A student getting derailed as a freshman with unacceptable grades is quite predictable and also avoidable.

One of my favorite all-time quotes comes from a parent.

I was on a Zoom call with Marie and her son just before he headed off to college—U Miami. As she cupped her forefinger and thumb, she looked at her son and said, “C you at home.” 

Those words rang out with profound significance. And it got his attention. 

Three years later, her son and I remain mindful of those powerful words. 

The unspoken secret to academic success is to avoid C’s. They indicate a lack of content knowledge. It’s tough to catch up from there. 

Aside from that, college costs too much to accept making Cs.

Thank you, Marie, for pointing that out. 

If you’d like to talk about how we can implement a similar effect with your child, let’s talk.

Hans- CollegeLogic

Office # 203.470.3704, hans@mycollegelogic.com

College success and satisfaction are driven by having a meaningful purpose.

When I went off to college as a young 18-year-old, I clearly lacked any level of meaningful purpose for it.

After 2 1/2 years of academic struggle, majoring in Political Science, I needed a big change. I joined the USAF, where I spent 5 years in Colorado and Germany. I worked in the Accounting & Finance Office.

When my term was completed, I returned to college with a strong and meaningful purpose. I majored in Business- Accounting. I received my degree with high honors. A CPA firm immediately employed me. Within two years, I passed the CPA exam, and the rest is history.

I graduated as a 27-year-old, and according to my Mom, I turned out well. Through it all, I learned a valuable lesson, and that’s the basis for one of my favorite quotes. It’s my quote, and I often use it in discussions with students and their parents.

“Life success is about direction, not velocity.”

When I lacked direction, I was heading nowhere. It took me well into my 20s, but once I found direction, coupled with a meaningful purpose, my life took off.

I ask everyone, what’s the rush? We don’t need to speed to the finish line. Instead, we need to be moving in the right direction, but without rushing.

If you would like to discuss how I can help with your child’s direction, let’s chat.

Hans- CollegeLogic Office # 203.470.3704, hans@mycollegelogic.com

Investment is often linked directly to money, but not so when it comes to college success.

My series on favorite quotes continues from the world of major DI college football. 

We all know how costly college can be. In most cases, an undergraduate degree (often taking five years) will cost between $200,000 – $400,000.

That’s undoubtedly a big investment parents make in their children… an investment in dollars. But that does not guarantee, ensure, or necessarily improve the odds of successful college outcomes. In fact, college success has little to do with money.

For many years now, people have shared their ambitions, goals, dreams, and desired outcomes with me. They always represent something significant.

What I don’t hear often enough is what people will do to see it through to success. Therefore, I love this quote.

“Your investment in something important must equal or exceed your expectations.” – Shane Beamer, Univ. South Carolina Head Football Coach  

Coach Beamer’s quote pertains directly to the nonmonetary form of investment – the time, effort, energy, focus, commitment, loyalty, and game-plan execution necessary to reach one’s highest potential. 

Of course, Coach Beamer is applying this to his team of football players. I apply it to my students.

The implication is that when the ambitions are big, the human form of investment must be bigger. It’s so true and so elusive among most people, leading to their disappointment. That doesn’t have to be your story. 

The best coaching, teaching, and mentoring I can provide to students is to help them understand the importance of their investment in doing the things necessary to achieve their goals.