“Spending Sleepless Nights Worried About Getting Your Kid Into The RIGHT College?  Afraid Tuition Will Break The Bank?  Then You MUST Read This Letter…”

The best DVD on everything you need to know about college admission!

An Open Letter to a Concerned Parent:

I'd like to ask you a few questions. Please be open and honest with yourself as you answer them...

Are you worried about getting your child into the right college—the kind of college that leverages her unique strengths and helps her prepare for the most successful possible future and career?

    Obviously, you want the best for your child.  Are you afraid he might not get into the college that fits him best, and that if he doesn’t, he may miss out on some key opportunities in the future?

Another one...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by countless college admission details?  Confused by standardized tests, recommendation letters, secondary school reports, the Common Application, financial aid forms, and the dozens of other college admission requirements?

Did you think the counselor at your child’s school was going to manage this process, only to find that she is responsible for several hundred students and has fewer than 30 minutes per year to spend with each one?

    Of course, the worst part is that you feel like you should be able to guide your child through this process, as you have with every other process in her life.  But the process has changed so much since you went through it and you don’t even know where to start…

    And finally:

Are you afraid that, even if your child does get into a great school, you won’t be able to pay for it?

Has the troubled economy thrown a wrench into your college plans?

    The financial aid process seems so complicated and you’re afraid you can’t make your child’s college dreams come true without breaking the bank and without burying yourself (and your child) in mounds of crippling debt…

    With these questions in mind, I’m guessing you’ve looked around for inexpensive, quality help, but found the search to be a frustrating one:

    College admission consultants can be too expensive for most families.

    Most books on the topic are thick and complicated and only add to the high school reading pile.  What are the odds your child will actually plow through one of these books to help him gain an understanding of the admission process?

    And the Internet is filled with so many websites, where should you begin?

    Unfortunately, the bad news is that the college admission process IS complicated, and that college IS expensive.  There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States, and it’s tough to find exactly the right fit. 

    And because admission to many of America’s top colleges and universities is so competitive, it really IS important to turn in a great application—and NOT an un-polished application a student frantically filled out at the last minute.

    When it comes to college admission, the truth is this: what you don’t know can hurt you.

    Your child can get into a great college—the college that fits him best....IF you know what you’re doing.

The Secret To Helping Your Child’s
College Dreams Come True...

     The main PROBLEM here is that college admission isn’t easy to understand, and inexpensive, quality help is hard to come by.
    
     Everyone thinks they’re a college admission expert—from the parent whose kid got in two years ago, to your child’s classmate with the perfect SAT score, to the random friend that heard XYZ was the key to getting into college.

    But trying to synthesize random bits of hearsay into a comprehensive college admission plan can not only be a tremendous source of stress, it can actually make matters WORSE.  Anecdotal evidence could point you in the wrong direction, and what works for one family may not work for YOUR family.

    This situation is MOST dangerous when you don’t have a lot of time.  If your child is a junior, you need to start thinking about college NOW.  And if your child is a senior, you don’t have a second to waste.

    You can't afford to throw away a good week, month... or even LONGER... and risk losing the chance to help your child submit a top-notch application to the school of her dreams... just because you didn't know how to manage the admission process.

    Well, there is some good news here... I personally believe that there IS something you can do about it.

    You CAN learn how to get your child into a great college—a college that fits her personality, leverages her strengths, and helps prepare her for a successful future.  You CAN avoid pulling your hair out from college admission-related stress.  And your family CAN afford to send your child to college…

    And how do I know this?

    Because I am a former college admission officer.  I worked at a highly competitive college and I’ve seen the way the college admission process works…from the OTHER side.

    I’ve reviewed thousands of college applications and witnessed first-hand what makes the difference between a winning application and, well, an application that gets pushed aside. 

    I’ve seen the smiles on the faces of thousands of students whose college dream has come true, and the dejection on the faces of students and parents for whom it didn’t work out quite the way they envisioned it.  And I’ve seen WHY things happened that way.

    I’ve seen families in the most difficult financial situations light up when they’ve realized that they CAN afford college after all.

    And as an independent college counselor for several years, I’ve worked directly with hundreds of parents that didn’t think they had a chance in the admission game, only to see their child gain admission to the college of their dreams.

    After years and years of experiencing these types of situations I decided to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT...

    I spent well over a year carefully documenting my knowledge and experiences.  I spent much of that time researching and interviewing other admission experts.

    Here's an example of what I discovered:

3 Powerful Secrets Colleges Won't Tell You
And How To Use Them To Your Advantage…

Secret #1: Just like airlines, colleges have developed a science around “overbooking”…

    A university may tell you they received 15,000 applications for 2,200 spots.  It's easy, based on this, to assume a 14.66% acceptance rate, which would make a college extremely competitive.

    What they’re glossing over is that they had to admit over 5,500 students to fill their class of 2,200, which makes their acceptance rate about 36.67%.  A school with an acceptance rate between 35-40% is still selective, though not as selective as you might have previously thought.

    Admission offices use complicated algorithms that tell them how many students to admit given a number of variables including number of applications, inflation, yield from the previous 5 years, the economy, etc.

    Colleges must over-admit students to guarantee their class is filled, much like airlines overbook flights to guarantee a plane is filled.  However, since YIELD – the percentage of students that accept their offer – is so important, their goal is to over-admit by as little as possible.

    Colleges are faced with the obstacle of wanting to admit top students, yet knowing top students will have other offers.  In this day and age students can apply to multiple schools simultaneously, and the number of applications colleges receive is multiplying.  However, that doesn't mean all those students are seriously interested in the school; many students apply to several safety schools. Colleges struggle to know if they are a safety school for a particular applicant…

What Does This Mean For You?

• It means demonstrated interest is of high importance to college admission offices. They want to know an applicant is seriously interested in their school and didn't add that school "just in case.”

• For example…College X is a highly selective school and is looking at two top applicants. Applicant A has a 3.8 GPA and a 2170 SAT. Applicant B has a 4.0 and 2290 SAT.  They have similar extracurricular profiles and stellar essays. Applicant A visited the school, went on a tour, requested an interview, visited the rep at a local college fair and has been communicating with the local rep about the status of their application for months.  Applicant B requested information online and hasn't had any other communication.  Tough choice?  Indeed.  Applicant A clearly shows interest, is a solid student and has a strong profile.  Applicant B is a better student with stronger scores, but is probably applying to several other highly ranked colleges.  These are the decisions colleges face daily.  College X's yield is important, and Applicant A looks like a sure thing, but Applicant B has better test scores...hmmm, what to do?

• We’ve all heard stories about students with lower GPA's and scores being admitted over students with superior stats. You never know what goes on behind closed doors.  The bottom line is that the students can seriously enhance their chances of admission just by demonstrating interest – all because of that all-important yield.

Secret #2: Demographics DO Matter…

    Most colleges value diversity as an important quality of their student body.  Cultural heritage, geographic differences, gender, race, and religion are examples of factors that contribute to our diverse worldviews.

    In order to build a diverse community, most (though not all) colleges continue to consider these personal characteristics in the admission decision, and the Supreme Court has upheld their right to do so.

What Does This Mean For You?

• Several things you may not have considered could ultimately be factors in a particular college’s admission decision.  For example:
• How many students of your child’s race and/or gender applied to the school
• How many students from your geographic region applied to the school
• How many students from your child’s high school applied to the school, and how she stacks up in comparison
• How many students (and students like your child) applied to the same major or program to which he applied

• By finding schools and/or programs where your child is a more unique applicant, he may increase his chances of admission.  For example, a student from Milwaukee may find it easier to get into Chapman University in Orange, California than into Marquette University in Milwaukee, and vice versa.

• Ultimately, your child is one-of-a-kind, with her own perspectives and worldview, formed out of her own unique experience.  Your job in the admission process is to help her show the committee what she—and only she—can contribute to making their school a better, more successful place.

Secret #3: Financial Aid Packages are Negotiable…

    No one will tell you this because the last thing colleges want are 5,500 parents calling and requesting more financial aid.  Some schools are open to reevaluating financial offers, and others are not.  

    Colleges are typically receptive to reevaluating financial aid offers given new information, such as job loss, death of a parent, mounting medical bills, divorce, etc.

What Does This Mean For You?

• You may be able to get a better financial aid offer than what you got at first – especially if the college really wants your child to attend.  A quick call to the financial aid office will tell you which type of school you're dealing with.

• Whatever you do, don't call it "negotiating.”  Colleges hate that term and it often rubs financial aid offices the wrong way.

• This process works best if you let the college know this is your child's first choice, the only school they want to attend, and they WILL attend in the Fall if there's a way to create a better package.

• I've seen the most success in financial aid packages when a family calls the school, gets an ally on their side and gives the school an offer, i.e. “we can pay THIS amount per year.”  In negotiating, no one likes to throw out the first number, but in the case of financial aid, a parent needs to tell a school what they can pay and if a school wants a student badly enough, they'll figure out a way to make it happen.  Trust me.

    If this information was helpful and you’d like to learn more, read on…

Here's How To Help Your Child Get Into (And Pay For)
A Great College, Without The Stress…

    Wouldn't it be nice to have all the answers you need in one convenient place?

    Would you like to understand the “ins” and “outs” of college admission, so you can offer your child the kind of expert guidance he needs?

    Would you like to have an almost "unfair" advantage over all other families who are mucking their way haphazardly through the admission process?

    Are you tired of arguing with your child about college-related issues, and of trying to get him to be “on the ball” when it comes to the admission process?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a resource that your child will actually USE, and that you can enjoy together?

    Do you want to break out of the destructive cycle of feeling so frustrated with your child’s college admission prospects that you temporarily give up, and then, in a panic, realize you and your child are worse off than you were before?

    Do you ever feel like you just can't find the help you need at a price you can afford?

    If you answered, "YES" to any of these questions, I have some exciting news for you...

    I've put together a what I like to call a “get into college” video series that literally ANY family can use to help make the college dream a reality.

Your "Secret Weapon" For College Admission Success

    My series is called "College Admission. Simplified."

    I believe that if you learn how to understand the college admission process and learn how to manage it effectively, you can help make your child’s college dream a reality.

    In my videos, I'm going to take you by the hand, and show you step-by-step how to find, get into, and pay for your child’s best-fit colleges.

    My videos—all six of them, filled with more than 2 hours of content jam-packed with great college admission tips and advice—are available on one CONVENIENT DVD, so you can enjoy them with your child from the comfort of your living room. 

    Other college admission videos out there generally consist of a talking head going on and on in a boring tone that’s as likely to put your child to sleep as help her get into a great college. 

    My videos are produced in an entertaining, fast-paced format, and they’re hosted by Marc Istook (you may have seen him on the FOOD Network or the TV Guide Network). I can practically guarantee you won’t lose focus and miss something important. 

  PLUS, they go straight to the source to get the information you need.  Instead of having one individual give you their take on the admissions process, why not hear directly from an array of professionals from the OTHER SIDE of the admission desk?

  If you're looking for the real... the genuine... straight-talk way to help your kid get into the right college, this could be the most important video you'll ever watch.

Here Are Some Of The Secrets You'll Learn Inside
My Informative Videos…

• Simple, no-nonsense advice on how parents can help their children in the admission process.  Struggling to walk the line between making sure your child does her best and empowering her to stand on her own two feet?  I’ll tell you how…

• When your family can REALLY know how much a particular college is going to cost…

• The single greatest myth of college admissions—that public schools are always cheaper than private schools.  I’ll help you understand why a more expensive school is not always…more expensive.

• An inside look at the total cost of college: what are you really paying for?

• Practical advice on how much money families should expect to budget for college beyond what schools state in the sticker price…

• How to interpret those oft-misunderstood acronyms – FAFSA and EFC – and the confusing concepts behind them.  Learn about the best time to fill out the FAFSA form to ensure your child gets as much financial aid as possible…

• A POWERFUL fact about how to help your child pay for college and make sure you can still afford your retirement.  How do family assets and student assets affect the cost of college, and why is it probably a bad idea to dip into your 401k to pay for college tuition?

• The truth about 529 plans: why do they sometimes backfire?

• Why having more than 1 child in college at a time can save you bundles of money.  For years, I’ve been hearing about families that try to space out their children by 4 years to avoid having to pay for more than one college education at a time.  Unfortunately, this may actually cost them tens of thousands of dollars in the long run.  I’ll tell you why…

• Two important reasons why college loans can be a great thing for student.  Learn about subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and why it’s foolish to assume that all college loans are inherently dangerous…

• REVEALED: A loan-based trick some colleges try to pull on unsuspecting families…

• Why, contrary to popular belief, it may be good for students to work while in college

• A HUGE secret of financial aid: why outside scholarship dollars often end up being completely worthless to families and how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you…

• Why college should be thought of as an investment rather than an expense…

• The inside scoop on what kind of high school classes colleges are looking for.  Why is it so important for students to take classes in their area of interest?

• The real truth about high school grades: Is it better to make an “A” in a basic class or a “B” in an AP class?  Many families assume it’s all about the bottom line number, and that students need to make straight A’s at any cost.  Our experts discuss why that may not be the case…

• What’s more important—GPA or test scores?  And why?

• A simple way for students to save money by testing out of college classes they’ve already mastered…

• A surefire way to make sure you submit the best possible letters of recommendation.  Whom should you ask to write your recs and why is the most “impressive” recommender not necessarily the best one?

• EXPOSED: Why “well-rounded” could actually be the kiss of death in the college admission process.  How many extracurricular activities do students need to create a compelling profile?

• What you absolutely must know about deciding between the SAT and ACT.  Should students take the SAT?  The ACT?  Both?  My video clears the air once and for all on this baffling topic…

• Straight talk about how the SAT has changed from the old 1600-point test you took as a teen to the new 2400-point test your child is taking today…

• REVEALED: There are several good schools students can get into without good SAT or ACT scores.  Many families think a bad test score is a college admission death sentence, but it’s not necessarily the case.  Your child CAN get into a great school—even with sub-par test scores.  I’ll tell you how!

• The difference between the PSAT and the PLAN tests.  How can these tests help students determine whether to take the SAT or the ACT?

• The truth about test prep.  How much can students expect to improve their test scores through advanced preparation?  What’s the best way to prepare?  And how can students prepare if your family can’t afford expensive individualized tutoring services?

• Simple tips for determining when to take the SAT or ACT, and when to start preparing.  Learn how to avoid popular misinformation on this important topic… 

• Expert advice on how many times students should take the SAT or ACT.  Sure, taking the test multiple times can help your child improve his score.  But it can also be a turn-off to admission officers.  I’ll help you strike the right balance…

• The most common mistakes students make on SAT/ACT test day and the days leading up to the test.  Avoid the myths; let our experts tell you how to help your student prepare!

• The difference between the SAT I and SAT II (subject tests).  I’ll help you understand whether or not your child needs to take the SAT II…

• 3 key questions parents should be asking students to help them determine what kind of school will fit them best…

• 5 important factors for helping a student determine what kind of college provides the best fit, i.e. when might a private school be a better option, and when might a public school be the best fit?  When is a large school ideal, and when is a small school ideal? 

• The best resources for helping you develop your college list…

• The inside scoop on college visits.  How many colleges do students need to visit to help them determine what kind of school fits them best?

• 3 direct, easy questions your child can ask of current college students when visiting a college campus to help him decide if the school is a good fit…

• The truth about what colleges are REALLY looking for in an applicant

• The 2 factors that constitute the largest portion of an admission decision, and an inside look at why they still might not be as important as you think…

• The single greatest predictor of a student’s ability to perform well in college…

• A great formula for creating a winning essay.  Sure, there are thousands of ways to write an essay, and you don’t want your child’s essay to look just like someone else’s.  But that’s what’s so great about my formula – it will help your student draw on her unique strengths and passion to set herself apart in the admission process…

• A simple 3-part plan for getting great feedback on a college admission essay.  Most students never have anyone read and edit their essay, and those that do typically stop short of getting the kind of help they really need.  I’ll tell you who should read your child’s essay, and what they should be looking for… 

• The one key rule for making sure 21st century social media doesn’t destroy your child’s essays…

• Why being humble in a college application can backfire…

• 5 types of people that make great recommenders, and why teacher recommendations alone may not be enough…

• The one critical thing most students don’t realize about college interviews…

• When to begin the admission process, and a powerful reason NOT to begin focusing too much on the admission process before 11th grade.  Some parents think students should be choosing colleges, studying for standardized tests, etc. as soon as they begin high school, but this could be a BIG mistake…

• How to use early applications to gain an advantage in the admission process.  You’ll learn the difference between Early Action and Early Decision, find out how many schools your child can apply to Early Action, and discover why Early Decision—while risky—could be a risk worth taking.

• Why May 1 is the most important date in college admission…

• The truth about what colleges are really thinking when they waitlist a student…

• The easiest way to apply to multiple schools with one easy application…

• The best advocate you have to move your application through the admission process…

• A surefire way to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines or let any requirements fall through the cracks…

• And much, much, much more…

Can You REALLY Learn
This Stuff From A DVD?

    When I first put "College Admission. Simplified." out there for students and parents to watch, I was honestly nervous.

    I knew the information was fantastic and I'd done my homework, but what would people think?

    The responses I've gotten have been more than worth all the time and energy spent. Here are just a few of the pieces of feedback I’ve received:

"As a whole, it seems to re-inject some sanity in a process that has become all too often angst-ridden…It's very well done."—Raymond Brown, Dean of Admissions, Texas Christian University

“The DVD is informational and fast paced so the students will learn a lot without getting bored.  It’s perfect for today’s youth and will give them and their parents a head start on the journey to college.”—Leslie Gonzalez, Educational Services Manager, Big Brothers Big Sisters

“As a college student who has been through the application process, I would have really benefited from the advice and information in “College Admission: Simplified.”  It can be overwhelming to go into the application process alone, and this is a great informational video to help students get started.”—Caitlin Kenyon, Student, Pepperdine University

“High school students contemplating college will gain a wealth of information in this six-episode program…The episodes move at a brisk pace and engage viewers, who can watch this in segments.  Gives potential college students a solid start in the right direction.”—Booklist (Media Review Journal)

“The information University Drive discusses is imperative for any high school student considering a higher education. The material is clear and precise. Not only are the DVDs informative, they are professionally produced as well. I was surprised with the number of hip & creative graphics and transitions used.  It's very entertaining. And episode #6 gave some additional bonus tips I wished I had when I was in college! An A++ production!”—Jack Winch, Owner, DreamPost Productions

“The University Drive DVD is not only professionally produced but is fun, hip and fast moving.  High school students who I work with are able to get fully equipped for one of the most important times of their life while being entertained at the same time!  The college process is daunting for kids and parents alike and this DVD has become a valuable aid to the families I support through my organization.”—Clark Souers, President, Life Revolution

    My goal in producing this DVD was simply to make life better for you, whether you’re currently at a total loss when it comes to college admission or just want to get a head start on the college dream.

    If your child is currently a senior, this DVD will help you get things on track, so you don’t lose any more time.

    If your child is a sophomore or junior, now is the time to get started!  This DVD will get you pointed in the right direction, saving you tremendous time and stress down the line.

As a bonus, my DVD also includes a fun, informative video that helps students make the most of college once they get there.

You and your child will learn about:

• Keys to managing your time while in college

• How an “envelope system” can help with creating a college budget

• The ABCs of college social life

• 3 important things to keep in mind when decorating your dorm room

• 3 Steps to avoiding the dreaded “freshman 15”, with world-renowned fitness expert Chalene Johnson of TurboJam

And much, much more…

Let's Wrap This Up

    The information in this DVD will save you weeks of time, frustration, and wasted energy.  Many families go through the entire admission process without really knowing what they’re doing, and their college prospects usually suffer.  But it doesn't have to be this way.

    Is it guaranteed to get your child into Harvard?

    Of course not.

    But let me ask you this:

    What if it saved you a few hours of frantic online searches for helpful college admission guidance?  What if it saved you a few weeks, or months, of feeling stressed because the college admission process just doesn’t make sense to you?

    Or what if our tips on paying for college saved you a few thousand dollars over the course of four years?

    What would that be worth to you?

    Now ask yourself: What if there's even a chance this DVD could help your child gain admission to the college of his dreams?  Or that it will increase his chances of finding and getting into his “best fit” college by even a few percentage points?

    How much would that be worth to you?  A few hundred dollars?  A thousand?  More? For many people I know, it would be priceless. 

    Do want to even consider the chance that your child will be frustrated and heartbroken by this process?  Or do you want to TAKE CONTROL and learn what works – so you can make the most of your time and energy?

    I have one final thought to share with you.

    After studying behavior for many years, I know one thing: If you don't help your child take an intentional approach to the admission process now, what kind of approach will she take to important life processes in the future?  How will she handle the job search process when she graduates from college?

    Because I want as many families as possible to benefit from the insights contained in this DVD, I've decided to price it at just $29.95 (+ S&H).

Here's How It Works...

    When you click on the order button below, you'll go to my secure order page for your credit card information.  We’ll ship the DVD to you within a few days.  Or, if you prefer, you can purchase access to the same video series online, and begin streaming it on your computer within seconds.

    Your transaction is secure—using our secure server, your order information is transmitted using the latest SSL encryption technology to ensure complete and total privacy and security.

    The whole process takes just a few minutes and you’ll be on your way to a successful college admission campaign.

Don't Decide Now...
Watch "College Admission. Simplified."
RISK FREE For 7 Days

    I assure you that you'll be able to use the things you learn in my DVD to help your child get into college and simplify the process.

    This DVD may have the one exact piece of advice you need, but I want you to be absolutely sure about it, and that's why I'M GOING TO OFFER IT RISK FREE until you've had a chance to view it and see for yourself with your own eyes what it can do for you.

    Take 7 days to watch the DVD and start applying what you learn.

    If, after you've watched the DVD you decide it's not for you... or you didn't find any useful information in it for your situation, simply reply to the email confirmation you'll receive when you order your copy of the DVD, write "cancel" in your message, and I'll give you a full refund.

    If you'd like to keep the DVD, you don't need to do anything further.  Your credit card will automatically be billed - but you have a FULL 7 DAYS to use the materials.

    I truly want to help your child get into a great college and build a successful future.  

    Click this button to download “College Admission. Simplified.” for your 7-day RISK FREE trial:

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    Have you ever really thought about what your child’s future will be like?

    Will he gain admission to a college that excites and challenges him?

    Will she be so inspired by her college curriculum and programs that she can’t help but work hard and make the most of it?

    Will he “fit in” well at his college of choice, making connections with professors and building life-long relationships with classmates?

    Will she grow personally and intellectually, becoming the kind of person you know she can be?

    Will he graduate from college with all the tools he needs to launch a successful career and adult life?

    I want to see this all happen for you and your child. But it's up to you to take the next step.

    Click the button below, and get started with this information now.

    It's time for you to help your child make all her dreams come true.

    Just click this button below to get “College Admission. Simplified.” RISK FREE:

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   If you have any questions about this DVD package, just send an email to support@universitydrive.com.

     Wishing you the very best in college admissions and in life,

Shannon Meairs

P.S. Remember, you have a 100% satisfaction guarantee—if you're not happy, YOU DON'T PAY. This is truly a 100% RISK FREE offer.

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