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.
