During your conversation, Mike would like to learn a little more about you and what specific questions or concerns you have about the college admissions process. He will ask you some questions about your academics and extracurricular experience. He will also want to learn more about your interests.

Before the call, please take a moment to complete the questions below:

If you would like to set up a free consultation to discuss how to get a serious edge in the admissions process, please complete the form on the right.

Sincerely,

Mike

During your freshman year we can help  you understand what lies ahead, help you learn about your interests and help you navigate some of the issues that will come your way.

This is a good time to start thinking about a Non Teenage Accomplishment or NTA. This is what will allow you to differentiate yourself from others through a life-changing experience. Our clients have start companies, run for public office and complete Ironman triathlons. It may sound hard, but it is entirely within reach.

To get started, use the form below to schedule an introductory consultation or ask any questions you want.

The main area of focus at this time will be coaching you towards a Non Teenage Accomplishment or NTA. This is what will allow you to differentiate yourself from others through a life-changing experience. Our clients have start companies, run for public office and complete Ironman triathlons. It may sound hard, but it is entirely within reach.

Other services include:

• Planning your academic strategy and get you on the right track to succeed.
• Get you started on your preparation for standardized tests.
• Help you get excited about the possibilities

To get started, use the form below to schedule an introductory consultation or ask any questions you want.

The main area of focus at this time will be coaching you towards a Non Teenage Accomplishment or NTA. This is what will allow you to differentiate yourself from others through a life-changing experience. Our clients have start companies, run for public office and complete Ironman triathlons. It may sound hard, but it is entirely within reach.

Other services include:

• Build your initial target list of colleges (aim high!).
• Guide you in your academic strategy to ensure you are getting the right grades in the right classes.
• Advise you with regard to the best test prep method

To get started, use the form below to schedule an introductory consultation or ask any questions you might have.

Services include:

• Help you position yourself for the best possible chances.
• Decode the essay questions so you know you are providing the best answer.
• Provide coaching for what to do and say during college interviews and visits.
• Build a support network that can help pave the way to the right college.
• Plan and execute some impressive activities that will separate you from the masses (time permitting).

To get started, use the form below to schedule an introductory consultation or ask any questions you might have.

Dear College Peas,

I’m very worried about my high school transcript. I did very well freshman and junior year but I completely destroyed my GPA sophmore year. I plan to make all A’s senior year. Is it true colleges focus more so on junior and senior year grades?

-Alex

Dear Alex,

Grades are important because they demonstrate your ability to handle academic work. Colleges don’t want students who can’t handle the work.

If you plotted your grades on a graph you want them to be consistently high, or consistently trending up after a low point early in your high school career. So, if you bombed sophomore year, make sure your grades increase a little each semester since then and make sure you have a strong ending which is first semester, senior year. Colleges will put more emphasis on your later grades than your earlier if they see an upward trend.

If your grades went up and down each semester a college will see you as inconsistent. If your grades trend down each semester they will think you can’t handle harder and harder work.

So, if you can’t keep straight A’s throughout high school just make sure you do a little better each semester.

-Mike

Dear College Peas,

I am filling out my common application and I am wondering whether or not I should fill out the ethnicity section.  I have read your book and I know that colleges want to increase diversity so as a white male with European descent would it just be better for me to not fill out this part since it is optional?

-Daniel

Dear Daniel,

Yes. Fill it out. College use this for a number of reasons including analysis of their applicant pool. I always emphasize that colleges want diversity and ethic diversity is one area that is important. If you are an ethnic minority this section could help. If you are not, don’t worry, it won’t hurt.

Sincerely,

Mike Moyer

Dear College Peas,

I was wondering if growing up in Europe counted as a NTA?

-Paige

Dear Paige,

No, growing up in Europe is not an NTA. However, it is does mean your perspective is different than that of an American and colleges love diversity. It’s not an NTA because there are other lots of other teenagers who live in Europe.

An NTA is a specific activity or accomplishment that you are doing or did. Living somewhere isn’t really an accomplishment that you had much to do with (I’m assuming it was your parents idea).

Sincerely,

Mike Moyer

Standing out in unique was means engaging in activities and accomplishing things that are unusual for students and showing the admissions team that you mean business.

At the core of our coaching services is coach for a Non-Teenager Accomplishment or NTA. An NTA is any accomplishment that is uncommon for other teenagers.

We help student figure out what they want to accomplish and then provide the tools, direction and ongoing support to do it.

Examples may include:

1. Starting their own business
2. Hosting a radio show
3. Writing a book
4. Creating a charity
5. Running an Ironman Triathlon

Once a student has achieved their NTA we help ensure they have a strategy for applying to college that will maximize their chances of getting noticed and getting in.

The Process

Students typically engage us during their sophomore or junior years. The earlier you start the better the results. During our initial consultation we discuss goals, academic history, interests and aptitudes. We will help come up with a few possible achievements worth pursuing. It may take a few meetings to hit the right one, the student will know it when they hear it.

NTA

With our guidance the student will embark on the challenge and set clear, achievable milestones along the way. If the student wants to start a business, for instance, we will help them create a business strategy, learn to make sales, understand production and basic finance (if necessary) and even create the right legal structure. Students and parents are often amazed at what can be done.

Academic Strategy

NTAs are important, but academics are too. We will work with the student to make sure they are creating an academic story that will resonate with the admissions staff. If the student needs tutoring we will help get them connected, if they need test prep we will help them find the right path.

Application Strategy

Applying to college is a team effort and we will make sure the student engages the right people at the right time. We will help them make the right connections and present themselves with maturity and confidence.

The college application essays are an important part of communicating the NTA. We will explain the purpose of various application essay questions, which questions to answer, which to avoid, and how to make a lasting impression.

Getting Started

Getting started is easy, just set-up an initial consultation to go over the student’s academic record and discuss general interests.