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Ep 18 :: Step 1 College Counseling :: Jayme Geeslin
50 Plays8 days ago
Today Megan is joined by a long time friend who is now a college admissions counselor. They discuss all things “college prep” as well as things like, “Does taking a gap year ruin your chances of getting into a good school?” It really is never too early to simply open the door to what the process looks like. Jayme Geeslin helps to de-mystify the whole ball of wax. This is helpful, no matter what season you’re in!
You can connect with Jayme on her website Step 1 College Counseling or her Instagram
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The Success by Keys of Moon
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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
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Transcript
Introduction to Megan and the Podcast
00:00:01
Speaker
Hi friends, welcome to Diggin' I'm your host, Megan. This is a place where we discuss the things that really matter in life. We cut through the surface to dive deeper. So pull up a chair, because here, we're Diggin' In.
00:00:18
Speaker
Welcome back to another episode of the Diggin' In podcast. I'm so glad that you're here. It's episode 18. It's crazy, we've almost got 20 episodes in under our belt, in our belt, under, I don't know.
00:00:31
Speaker
Glad you're here today as we continue on with the Mother's Day, Mother's Month, if you will, um theme of things and mothering well and just getting to the finish line with our kids.
Jayme Joins the Pod
00:00:42
Speaker
um You know, sometimes that finish line is a moving target. And, you know, I've got a teenager now. I'm sure when he's 30, I'll still be like trying to get that kid across the finish line.
00:00:53
Speaker
I'm just kidding. He's great. He's going to do wonderful in life. He's going to do well. Wow. I need another cup of coffee, folks. um I just wanted to hop on here and let you know where we're headed today. I've got a good friend on. um we went to high school together, and we actually were friends long before that. We went to elementary school together. But she will be talking about college and planning for college. Perhaps college isn't necessary necessarily something that's in your near future. This was a really helpful conversation. And honestly, i don't know why I haven't had it with her sooner.
00:01:26
Speaker
For me in particular with 14-year-old who's rounding out his freshman year of high school, um honestly, if you are in elementary school, it's never too late to start thinking about these things, not from a standpoint of you need to prep your kids for college in elementary school, but it's just good to have certain things on your radar. And if you're anything like me, you know, again, I just turned 40 this year. Things have changed drastically since I was applying for schools.
00:01:53
Speaker
And so Jamie really helps us navigate through that and kind of give some pointers and just really great advice with how to keep the whole process like a great experience, ah an enjoyable experience and not something that is going to um be kind of a fog or a heavy cloud over the home, but it should be an enjoyable, lighthearted and fun experience. So without further ado, this is my great friend Jamie helping us talk about navigating college and getting there.
00:02:22
Speaker
Let's jump in. All right. Welcome back to Digging in I am joined today by another very special guest, a good friend of mine, Jamie Kieslin. It's so funny. Every time I go to say your name, I want to say your maiden name because it just rolls so easily. I know. I actually missed it.
00:02:41
Speaker
Thank you. I do. We won't tell your husband. Yeah, we won't tell him that. Well, he – i will will make fun of it sometimes because – The boys, you know, like naturally will get nicknames at school already. And I'm like, y'all, I had the best nicknames when I was in high school and college because of my maiden name. And they're all just like, what? And I mean, I did. I had a wide variety because of Shepherd. You can do a lot with it.
00:03:07
Speaker
Oh, yeah, absolutely. Shepdog, Shepie, all kinds of things. Shep, Shepie, yeah, I mean, all the things. Yeah, yeah. All kinds of good things. Aw, so fun. So Jamie and I, just like Jessica, we all went to school together. She was part of that little foursome group that I was talking about that I always wanted to be a part a part of.
00:03:24
Speaker
and She and Jessica grew up in the same neighborhood and I always just wanted to sneak through the woods. But as a kid, it was like, where do I actually go? And I could, this could be like, I'm lost in the woods forever. so I never made it over. You were so, you know, and now it's funny that now that the high school is built over there, you can actually see the neighborhood.
00:03:43
Speaker
I know. you grew I mean, you literally were right there. Yeah. Right. When they were building it because they did so much clearing, I could see the back of your house. And I remember when we did our graduation party at your place, I remember being like, that's my neighborhood. That's where I couldn't through. I know. I know. I know. Now you could. I know. We missed it. Now I could. Missed a boat. Oh, well. ah Well, so we met in elementary school.
00:04:09
Speaker
I want to hear your earliest memory of us. Yes. um Yes. We met in elementary school. So my earliest memory of us meeting was in third grade.
00:04:22
Speaker
And there might have been, i was telling you like my memory, I feel like my memory is going, but in third grade, we all were the same class together. Finally. Like I think we all knew each other before then, but third grade, we all had the same teacher. and I remember, um,
00:04:40
Speaker
that you, I think it was at your house. You had, this
Jayme's Educational and Career Journey
00:04:44
Speaker
is not my first memory, but this just stands out to me from the year. You had every girl from that class spend the night at your house.
00:04:51
Speaker
Is that right? Do you remember that? I don't remember. Maybe, probably. i mean, I had a pool growing up, so maybe we- And we went to her house, Miss miss Purdue, which which was our teacher, and we went to her house.
00:05:05
Speaker
And so I think we stayed at your house, but maybe we, but I know we had like a sleepover with like all the girls in the class as like, we were all trying to like become friends and get along. But, um, I think after that is when like our friendship of like the four of us really took off. Yeah, for sure. i love it. So we had a great time in elementary school together, went to middle school. That's when we started cheering, which was so fun. But you and I actually danced together, which was a unique relationship.
00:05:32
Speaker
Yes. And we were at good old Ardell Stone for years and years. That was so fun. I remember going. I forgot about that. Isn't that funny? I know. There's so much.
00:05:43
Speaker
Yes. So I remember your dad would pick us up from middle school and he would take us to practice. Do you remember this? this. And we would stop by a convenience store and we could get a snack before going to...
00:05:57
Speaker
to, um, practice. And I remember going in there and just being so lost because I was like, okay, especially in middle school, you know, I'm now conscious of like my weight and my skin and, you know, like all the things that a young girl is thinking about.
00:06:12
Speaker
And I remember looking at like, okay, do I get a soda or do I get, you know, like you would get like those nature Valley, like a granola bar or fig Newtons, or there was something else. You wouldn't do the cheese crackers, I don't think. Oh, you would do peanut butter crackers. And I was always like, I mean, I could do that, but that's not going to fill me up. I mean, I might as well not even eat anything because I just...
00:06:35
Speaker
Yes. So the peanut butter crackers were not going to fill me. And I knew that much, but you were always so healthy. I was like, Jamie's just so healthy. I wish that I looked like her and I was healthy. Like she was, oh it's true. It's very true. You know, what's funny about that story is I actually don't really remember that, but my dad still like he'll pick up.
00:06:56
Speaker
um, miles and Carter, who are my niece and nephews who live near, near them, um, in Virginia. And like, he'll do the same thing. Like he'll pick them up, go take them to get a snack. So that is really funny. Like, I don't really remember that. Um, but I do love granola bars still. So yes, you do. We've always made good, healthy choices. Do you remember? Oh my goodness. Okay. So remember, talk about memories.
00:07:17
Speaker
It's not a first memory. This was in high school. Do you remember when it was your birthday and your mom made all these pumpkin pies? And I don't know where they went, but they went out and it was the four of us. We were at your house and I ate an entire pumpkin pie plus some to myself. Do you remember that?
00:07:31
Speaker
Kind of vaguely remember that, but that is so funny. That is pumpkin pie is delicious. I mean, why not? Oh, you and it was like a real pumpkin pie. It wasn't store-bought. Yeah.
00:07:44
Speaker
Oh, my mom. That is so funny. I do not. It is so funny what you, like what some people remember and others don't. I know. Oh, yeah. ah talk to my sister all the time about this type of stuff. And she'll be like, remember, did it? I'm like, no. Why do you remember that? Oh, yes.
00:07:57
Speaker
And then there will be other things that I remember. Her memory is much better than mine is, though. i She'll be like, yeah, I remember that. She's younger. Goodness. So much fun. So we cheered together through middle school, through high school, um graduated. You were our, you weren't our knight. You were homecoming queen.
00:08:17
Speaker
No, Sarah, remember Sarah was the homecoming queen. Yeah. Sarah was the queen. I was the class president. President. That's what it was. Yep. There you go. And then Micah was the knight, which, you know, so well-deserved. Totally. Yeah.
00:08:59
Speaker
You were everybody's a friend. like No, you weren't Megan. You were friends with everybody. Truly. I mean, really. but I really feel like everybody was friends with everybody. That's the, what I remember. And I don't know if other people, but like, I remember everyone was just kind of friends with everybody, which I really appreciate that. I don't think that's like that.
00:09:20
Speaker
you know Yeah. So we were like a class of just under 200, right? It was like one, it was actually one, because I had to know this for graduation. It was like i was about 130. Yeah. I'm like, I remember doing this and yeah, it was smaller than you would, maybe it was 120. It was like between 125, 135, somewhere around there. Cause when the high school split, both of the classes got smaller. Yeah.
00:09:42
Speaker
And that's a whole nother story for another day. That's not important right now, but yes, unfortunately we got split up, but we got to stay together. The four of us made it happen and it was awesome. yes So we graduated high school. We went our separate ways as far as college went. you went to Virginia tech, go Hokies. We grew up going, i think you're both your parents went to tech too, right?
00:10:02
Speaker
Just my dad. okay My mom went to Radford, so very close. Yes. Yeah. Nice. um And so you went there and then? So
Intro to College Admissions and Counseling
00:10:10
Speaker
i went i went to Virginia Tech for undergrad and- loved Like loved it, loved my, I mean, how can you not, but had a great experience and um was pretty involved on campus, which is really kind of how I got into the career I'm now in. But from that, I started after I graduated, I worked in admissions for a year. They hire, i don't know if they still do it, but back then they'll hire five graduating seniors to be their like main student. feet on the ground recruiters for the school. And I was like, this is amazing. This is what I loved my school. I want to tell everyone about it. I mean, yeah I don't even like to this day, I'm like, I don't even know how much money I made very little of whatever. it doesn't matter they
00:10:58
Speaker
But I just was so excited to do it. And so i did that for a year and it was just like a one year appointment, but that was really what led me to wanting to have my master's degree. Um, so I could continue working. in higher education. And so then, i applied to, tech for grad school and got in and had a great little, um, grad graduate school cohort class and did that for two years, um, before moving to Atlanta. So I was in Blacksburg for like seven years total.
00:11:28
Speaker
And you know, it just popped into my head. you were there when the shooting happened. Yes. Yeah. I was a junior. So I mean, the spring of our junior year and yeah, I mean, that was really like, I mean, it's life changing and forming when something like that happens. And I was on campus when it happened. I don't know how much you want me to go into but like I was on my, um, I was, so I was an orientation leader and for two years. And the second year I was what I was like the leader of the orientation leaders. And so like the first year I did it, I was just, you know, as my first year doing it. You just trained to be able to like facilitate groups, um, with your students, incoming students. But then the second year I was like a leader of the leaders. And so it was more of like a leadership role. So because of that, we had to, we had meetings once a week for the spring semester leading up to the summer.
00:12:25
Speaker
And that particular semester, our meetings just happened to be at 8 a.m. m because it was the only time we could do it. And i remember we were like at the end of our meeting and our boss, our supervisor, was the dean of students. And so someone had come in to get him.
00:12:39
Speaker
And he came back in and he just like, I mean, it was, we knew something was gone, like was wrong. And he was like, y'all need to go. You need to go get in your cars, go straight. Or if you walk, go straight back to your dorm.
00:12:52
Speaker
And, but he couldn't tell us anything else. I mean, you could just tell he was like trying to figure out his next, like what he was supposed to do. and so that's crazy that he was sending you out instead of sheltering in place.
00:13:05
Speaker
I mean, it was one of those things, too, where I feel like they didn't know. Like, I don't think that they I mean, at this time, because I think about that, too, and I never felt unsafe, and I never even felt like that was, like, the wrong thing to do or anything like that. But now, you know, we think, like, everything that's happened now. Sure. But back then, that was, like, one of the first ones. Yeah.
00:13:27
Speaker
I mean, i just thought that was so far out of their minds to think someone was on campus, like hurting someone. Like, I think at that point it was just like someone has been hurt. We don't know, like, by who or if this is
Advice on College Preparation and Application
00:13:41
Speaker
going to, like, whatever. So I get in my car and I'm driving back.
00:13:45
Speaker
At the time I was living in my sorority house. And so I kind of had to, like, drive through campus to get there. And I saw police officers running on campus With like their guns. And I had never seen that before. Like never. I mean, obviously, we always know that police officers are armed, but sure, our college campus was so safe. And so I'd never, you know, felt and so the first incident was in a dorm.
00:14:12
Speaker
And that was the dorm I was passing when the police officer. So at that point, I think it had become like, okay, there's like an active shooter. So anyways, got to my dorm and then it was like immediately a lockdown. Like it was crazy. As soon as I got back to the house, it was like everything was on, was on lockdown.
00:14:31
Speaker
um And so, yeah, I mean, it was it was wild and it was a wild time. But, you know, it's funny, like, we all, I think a lot of people went home after that. And I remember getting home and just thinking, like, you know, I was happy to be home and, like, see my family and stuff. But then I was like, I just wanted to go back. Like, I just remember wanting to be with my friends and, like, just be together and be our community. And I think that that is kind of what happened from that was once everyone – you know, kind of got, went home, maybe went a separate ways little bit. Everyone kind of came back together, which was really sweet. But yeah, long story short, it was very, i mean, it really was transformative. And the craziest thing about it is
00:15:17
Speaker
My oldest son, his birthday is on that date. i don't know if you knew that. No. Yeah. So he was, his due date was April 15th, which also is funny because my husband's a CPA. So we thought that was funny. But he was actually born. We were like, what are the odds?
00:15:38
Speaker
And then, but he was actually born on April 16th. And so, wow i mean, he that day the whole day had really been, you know, such a sad, like a, you know, you're so proud know,
00:15:53
Speaker
be part of the school in the community always like in the people you know and the relationships but it's a sad day it is I mean it's a very and now the day for me personally is like such a day of like just joy and like just thankfulness and gratitude for um for him and for you know all of it so anyways it's it's sweet Yes.
00:16:17
Speaker
Those are those full circle moments. Adam and I always call them our Gilgal moments. It's in the Bible, you know, where Gilgal was a place that God said to erect these stones of remembrance. And it's like a full circle, you know, a place that was once not good, then turned around and he redeems things. So, yes, he is I always think about that, too, of how God redeems things.
00:16:41
Speaker
some of our saddest moments. And that happened to be one of mine that he, and he was born at 1251 AM. So, I mean, he, he could have been born 15 tax baby.
00:16:54
Speaker
He really hung on for for that midnight. Yeah. So anyways, Oh, that's awesome. So you did your two year grad program and then i think you already alluded to it. What was, where, where did your journey take you after that?
00:17:10
Speaker
So after um my program ended, and in between that too, I'll say too, because that's kind of part of my story. In the graduate program, one of our requirements is to go work at a different university just to get different experiences on a different campus.
00:17:28
Speaker
And for the summer in between my two years, I went to Auburn, which is how I met my husband. So I met Mike at Auburn. which really did change kind of the course of my life because that is really what led to the next phase of my life when when we met. And we were we were long distance. We were kind of friends for a while. There was no like dating or anything like that involved in the beginning. We just...
00:17:54
Speaker
We're friends and um like I immediately liked him when I met him. And, but we were friends and he lived in Auburn and I was in Blacksburg. But when we, when I came back to Blacksburg, we would continue to talk and I just, we enjoy talking to each other and it kind of led into more that kind of dating relationship. So when my grad program ended, obviously started job searching And, you know, at that time, we kind of knew we wanted to get like a little bit closer to each other. And so I started looking at positions that were in the South and just happened to get an awesome position in Atlanta, which was very close to him. I mean, he's from South of Atlanta.
00:18:37
Speaker
And I got to be an assistant director of admissions at Georgia Tech. And so that was really my first, I would say, like it was, it was my first post-grad position Working in admissions. I mean, amazing school and staff. Like I had the best bosses ever. I was so blessed. And especially being in a city where I knew literally no one. Right. And Atlanta was much...
00:19:05
Speaker
larger than and Blacksburg. And this is a God thing too that I love that my direct supervisor was a woman named Meredith who I just adored. But she was like from there. Like she was like the queen of Atlanta. So literally God put me in this position with this woman. It's because I was like, I don't know where to get a haircut. Like where do I go get my haircut? Where do I go to dinner? where And like she just knew – everything and, and was amazing in general too. so that was a huge blessing to be there. And that, um, for me, for what I do now was just really the foundation. Like I, in my opinion, to be working in some sort of college counseling, having that admissions experience where you're at the university, reading applications, reading essays, answering phone calls, working. I mean,
00:20:02
Speaker
literally all of that on the road recruiting, like, I just think that experience is so valuable. So it was, it was awesome. Absolutely. And that is a perfect segue to tell us what you're doing now. Yes. So after that, um i i went to the other side of the what we call in the in in the biz, we call it the other side of the desk, which is when you are working on the college counseling side. And so I moved from Georgia Tech to a private Christian school outside of Atlanta.
00:20:33
Speaker
And at this point, I was basically taking students, our senior class, junior and senior class, we had like 80, 75 to 85 students through the admissions process. So now I was on the other side of things, like basically educating, helping them, supporting them, guiding them of like, this is what we need to do now to prepare for these applications. So I did that. And again, that was something super valuable to my experience to have both sides of that. And
00:21:05
Speaker
So during that, I loved my job there. It was, i always told my, the principal there, like, this was my dream job because you're on, you're at a school, so you get the school schedule. You're, you know, had summers off and this school day went till three. So I, you know, i mean, it was just, it was a really nice position that I i enjoyed that flexibility But I had gotten married and then was pregnant a year later with our first. And my husband was already commuting down where we live now, so south of Atlanta.
00:21:40
Speaker
And so we knew, like, we probably were going to move down down south of the airport. And so I definitely was not going to commute to Smyrna, which is where the school was. And because it would be about a 45 minute to an hour commute.
Financial Planning for College
00:21:56
Speaker
And so anyway, so...
00:21:59
Speaker
I had to make that decision to to leave the school and move down and get, you know, prepared for the birth of Benjamin. And during this time, it was really Mike's, honestly, like we had at this time, so this was almost 10 years ago. And independent college counselors at the time, to me, felt like it was kind of a newish thing. And I had kind of heard people were doing it But it was like Mike was like, I really feel like this could be something like I think you could do that. And where we live, we have a really great school system. we have really good public schools.
00:22:34
Speaker
And what happens though with public schools, not all public schools, but typically they're going to have, they're going to be larger, have a lot of students and guidance counselors are, they have a ah big load of students, number of students, but then also they're doing social, emotional issues. They're doing registration for classes. They're doing so many other things other than just the college process. And when I was at,
00:23:00
Speaker
my high school Whitfield Academy, all I did was was college. Like that was it. That was my focus, which was a huge blessing. And so that's really what I wanted to do here was be able to help families independently,
00:23:14
Speaker
through the process, guiding them, supporting them. i mean, basically everything I've done, but just do it as my own business here. And once Ben was born and i was home with him, it was like the more i was the i was home with him, the more like, I don't know how I could leave him right now and go back to work full time. And so that really played a part into it. That was a huge, because I've always struggled with that, with like the working process. and being home at the same time. And I know probably every mother struggles with that. And and i went, I mean, I would apply to positions that popped up and I would do interviews and then
00:23:56
Speaker
I was like, what am I like? How would I do that? Like, it just never really made sense. And this kind of position really allowed me to do both. wi It allowed me to have my own schedule and be flexible, but still be home. And as the boys have grown, it's really, i mean, it's ebbed and flowed from year to year of how much business I could take on. But it it really, as they have gotten older and in school now, it's really opened up. So I am able to help more and more students. And so that's what I do now is basically help families from a to Z through the admissions process,
Final Thoughts and Counseling Contact Information
00:24:34
Speaker
starting in freshman year or sophomore year, junior year, through the time that they submit their applications.
00:24:41
Speaker
So just being able to be home and be able to do both at the same time was really just the best thing for our family, honestly, at the time. And it's, it's grown over the years as the boys have gone back to school. And I've had more time because, you know, year to year when they were really little, it was hard to do a lot. And so as they have gotten older, that has gotten easier and I've been able to work more and, and all that. So, um, so yeah, so that's what I'm doing now. And I've been doing it for nine years. Um, eight or nine years
00:25:15
Speaker
And yeah, and I love it. It's, and it, and it works with our family, which I'm just, I'm so grateful for. i love that. And I love, I didn't know that piece of the story that it was Mike that had the initial, like, Hey, I think you could do this. That's so cool. He was a huge, yeah, he was like, like he well, he is, he,
00:25:38
Speaker
is very business minded because of what he does. Like it's, you know, he's in business with his dad and his twin brother and they have a whole awful few offices now, but he like, that was immediately what he saw. And I'm very much like, I've always, I enjoy working on a team and being like an employee and like, I just love coming to work and like doing whatever I need to do. and I was like, Oh, so this like, and that is a different challenge. so It is up to me now. Like it's me doing it right and it's not just me working for somebody else. Um, but he was very much like the support behind it. Like he built my website. Um, like he knew, I mean, he knew how to like, you got to get an LLC and you got get licensed. Like all those things that I would never know to do was really, um,
00:26:24
Speaker
from him, which is, which is fun. That's so cool. Yeah. I love that. And your biggest cheerleader that you're sleeping with. That's awesome Yes. Yes. Yeah. It's important. Okay. Well, let's talk a little bit then about college prep and getting kids, you know, yes ready to launch and out the door successfully. Sometimes that looks like college. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it could be a technical school. Sometimes it's going straight into the workforce, all of those good things. um So with that having been said, one question, jen that I would ask immediately is if someone were to want to take a gap year and figure that out, are they doomed then from trying to get into four-year college after that gap year?
00:27:07
Speaker
No, that's a great question. And no, they are not doomed. And, you know, I wonder if there's research and if that has grown in popularity, I would have to go and look. But um I do think that there are, there is a ah group of students who have experiences or things that they want to do or just need a year off of school before they start. And that is totally fine. And a phrase I use a lot in this with my families and in this process is every school does everything different, which can make it hard to kind of keep up with. But a gap year, I do think schools ah can be pretty similar where you're going to basically still apply to the school
00:27:50
Speaker
that you or schools that you would like to go to. And you basically request a gap year, which will be like a defer for a year. And as long as you're doing an experience that is enriching, whether that's you're working, um and it could be working for finances. you know, you need resources before you start school, which is like a huge responsibility. It could be you have an opportunity to go travel with some kind of program and do an internship. That could be a really great valid reason.
00:28:23
Speaker
um Any kind of experience that this student is wanting to have, there's paid experiences, different things. that is usually going to be approved by the school. So it is, it's up to the school, but yes, I think that if a student really values that and that's something that they want, don't let, don't think that, I think that's the biggest message too, is like everybody's avenue is going to be different. Everybody's route to college is going to be different. So don't let that stop you. If you're feeling that, then there are ways that we can, we can,
00:28:56
Speaker
Work that out so you can still go to school, but still have that year of experience before you start. And I will say usually um it's a year that students will take off. So I think once it gets past a year or two years, then it might be more of like a transfer process. But, you know, if it's just a year experience, then yeah, that's fine.
00:29:15
Speaker
Cool. That's awesome. So then what about when they're still in high school and let's say they already are college minded and they want to, they might not necessarily necessarily know exactly what school they want to go to or even what program of study or even what area of study, but they know they want to go to college for sure. What is more helpful? um First, describe to us the difference between like AP classes and dual enrollment. And then also, is it necessary to have AP or dual enrollment classes to get into a good school? And then also, how does like honors classes fit into that versus, you know, is it better to get a B in an honors class or an A in an academic class?
00:29:58
Speaker
Talk about that a little bit. Yes. Those are, yes, great questions and ones that I get often. So the first thing, and if I forget anything, Megan, just chime in. But the first thing I'll say that is so important for parents and students to understand is you are only compared to within your context of your high school. And so whatever school the student is going to and whatever the school offers is what we want the student to take advantage of. So you may go to a school where there isn't,
00:30:28
Speaker
any AP classes. Maybe there's just honors classes and that's the highest level and the student will choose to take all honors classes. Okay, well they're taking the most rigorous course load they can because they're taking all honors.
00:30:43
Speaker
um It could be that there's only a few AP courses because they don't want students to overload. And so you may take an AP class one class junior year and you may take two senior year and you've kind of maxed out the amount that is offered.
00:30:58
Speaker
that's great too. So um those two situations can definitely happen. So that's the biggest thing to drive home is just think about what is offered at your high school. And I'll say now, I i mean, and my opinion, i think the APs have gotten a little out of control. I feel like there is a lot that is offered now at most high schools, public high schools,
00:31:22
Speaker
And I think there is a pressure for students to take all of them because that's what they are, quote unquote, supposed to be doing to get into the most selective schools, which they're not wrong because this the most selective schools that we have are going to want to see the most rigorous schedules. And so if ah if a high school offers 12 APs, then that means a student might be taking two sophomore year, four junior year,
00:31:51
Speaker
five. scene And that is a lot, a lot of, I mean, highly advanced courses. My husband always laughs. He's like, well, then why go to college and taking could save a lot of life all the classes in high school?
00:32:03
Speaker
And he's not wrong. And so that is the tricky part. But I would say when I'm working with students, we really try to find that balance. Like if it is a student that is able to handle all of those AP courses and be successful and still be able to have a life and do their leadership roles and all the things outside, then then okay. But if you are a student that is not going to be able to balance that, then we're probably going to scale it back and maybe do one or two AP courses and a mix of honors courses. So you're still having rigor, but you're not totally, totally maxing out everything. I don't, I never want anybody to,
00:32:43
Speaker
go through the high school experience so miserable, so stressed out, so overwhelmed just to get into whatever that dream school is that they think they're supposed to go to. to me, that's just not the point of the process. And I really try to help balance that. And where dual enrollment comes in is it can kind of depend on the school in the area. Like I will have students who take dual enrollment classes because maybe their high school doesn't offer a certain class that they want to take, but it's offered dual enrollment. So they'll, so they'll kind of sprinkle those in. And then sometimes I have students that choose to take more dual enrollment classes than APs. And the thing I'll say about that is typically from an admission standpoint, AP is going to be like the standard, like the top standard, like the most rigorous classes are going to be those AP courses offered at your school. And we do want you to take advantage of school of classes offered in your school first.
00:33:41
Speaker
But if there are classes that are not offered, like I was talking to a student the other day and they wanted to continue with Spanish and their high school didn't offer, think, I can't remember Spanish for AP Spanish. And so they were looking to go do dual enrollment. And so again, that's totally acceptable. That's totally fine. And so they are still viewed, dual enrollment is still viewed as challenging rigorous classes, obviously, because it's a college course. So just keep that in mind. But I would say just make sure that when you're working with someone, someone's like helping you kind of through this, like just keep the perspective of you still want to be able to enjoy your experience. you still You want to have the rigor and have the the classes that are challenging you. But again, to your question, like if you're getting like C's and struggling in it, then we're probably not taking the right level. We probably need to come down.
00:34:38
Speaker
come down the level. I really like for out then, I mean, I get this question all the time. Like, should I get an A, um, in an honors class or like a B and AP class? And that all the, we all laugh because we, we all say, well, we want you to get an A and an AP course.
00:34:56
Speaker
Um, and because we do like, if you're taking a challenging, we want you to be successful in it. Um, and so those are the kinds of questions that things that I work with my with my students. Like if you enjoy the, if you genuinely enjoy the class and you're learning a lot, you love the teacher and you happen to be getting a B, that's fine. Stay in it. Like you, you know, keep working at it, like keep studying hard. But if you're enjoying it, great. If you are miserable and you are just like hanging on and you're like stressed out all the time, then I'm going to say, we probably need to drop. Like this is just not worth it. yeah And so again, it's kind of balancing too with like,
00:35:34
Speaker
how the student is feeling and their needs and all of that. Um, so when you say it's hard and it's complicated. Yeah. When you say drop, is that like they started into an AP class or dual enrollment class or whatever? And they're like, Oh, this is just too much. And you're saying drop before grades reflect. Is that kind of like the trick?
00:35:53
Speaker
Yes. So like typically there will be, and it's quick, but there's like that drop ad period at the the beginning of each semester. And so students kind of have a little bit of time to see if, and again, this will be different at every high school when the time is, but see like, okay, am I liking it? Am I doing well? And they have that period of time where if this is not going well, they can, they can drop it and move, it you know, maybe to an honors class or a different class altogether during that time with no penalty No penalty. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Cool. Yeah. Very interesting. And then, so as far as like your, don't know, is it your college resume, your application, I suppose, um, you were talking about having a good balance. So taking, obviously, if you're going to be pursuing a college career, then you're not just going there for fun, ideally. Yeah. Um, so you want things that are going to look good on that application.
00:36:54
Speaker
As far as what I'm getting at is what's the balance of extracurricular volunteerism, leadership you talked about earlier, you know, what about those types of things to colleges look for? And again, knowing that every college is different and there are a million colleges out there. What is the balance there? What are some things that they look for?
00:37:15
Speaker
Yes. so I love to use the example of like a big puzzle and all of the, there's pieces of your application that fit into a puzzle. And so there are a few pieces that matter more, which I'll talk about. And then we have some other pieces that kind of fit in there too. And so I i say that to use an example, to show families, like it's usually not going to just be like one thing. There's going to be different things that make up the whole piece of you. And the puzzle is you. The whole, the puzzle is you and your story and who you are as a student academically, but also who you are outside, like your character and what you're involved with and what you love to do. And all of those kinds of things come together with the leadership roles and what you're doing outside and your essay.
00:38:05
Speaker
So typically the the academics and your SAT, ACT score are going to be Two of the most important things for sure. Like those are the big academic pieces that they're going to see immediately. Like what high school you go to, the classes that are offered at the high school, and what of those classes are you taking advantage of.
00:38:24
Speaker
And how those kind of classes fit into what major you're thinking of if you have kind of a major in mind. And then the SAT and ACT score. And then those other pieces are going to be what you mentioned, which are the other leadership roles that the student has and who they are outside of this.
00:38:43
Speaker
You know, when you're going through an application, it's. It's very, i mean, it's a lot of numbers and grades. It's a piece of paper. It's piece of paper. And so when you get to the, when you get to the activity section, you're like, oh, like this person's pretty cool. Like they have all these different things that they're doing. And you really, for me at least, really start to paint a picture of who this person is in your mind.
00:39:05
Speaker
And then I feel like the essay really just helps with that even more. But yes, I mean, there are 10 slots on 10 spaces on the common application to put various activities. And I tell students like, this is where you don't want to be modest. This is really when you want to think of all the things that you do. And this can be, it doesn't have to be just thing. Yes. Brag on yourself. And like, it doesn't just have to be,
00:39:33
Speaker
what you're doing in your school. I mean, this can be things that you're doing in your church. It can be a job that you're doing. Like I'm i'm thinking of Noah, cause I know you've said he cuts grass and does like, like things like that, where he's doing things on his own, making his own business, like stuff like that is great. So anytime, basically I explained it to students, anything that's taking time outside of school, that's like taking you basically away from academics is things that you want to put on there.
00:40:00
Speaker
And then, so those are the, like, the pieces. And then i would say, too, instead of just listing, you know, 10 things that you've kind of done a little bit, like, really the depth is really, I think, what admission counselors are wanting. They want to know that a student cares about something, um is putting time and effort into something. And you see that by how long they have been involved with those. That's kind of how evidence is shown. Yeah.
00:40:30
Speaker
So not just like throwing all these variety of things, but like, okay, yeah of this variety of things, is there anything that you actually like really dig into? Yeah. Yes. Dig into, and then like, you know, you maybe were in a club or organization for a year and then the next year you were a leadership role. And then the next year you were the, pre I know. So like if it's going in depth and advancing, then of course that's going to show that you care about it. So definitely that. And then the essay is really the piece where
00:41:01
Speaker
I tell students, the advice I give to students is write about something that I haven't already learned about you in your application. And that can be hard because a lot of students want to write about an activity because, I mean, their activities are like, that's my sports or a job I've done or an experience and things like that. And so I really try to get students to think of what else can i learn about you right now? Because you only have...
00:41:27
Speaker
You know, a pretty short amount of time for this admission counselor. Yeah. So like, what else can we give them for them to know who you are? And that's really like when I review an essay a student at the end of it, I'm like, did I get to know you better?
00:41:42
Speaker
Did I learn something new about you? Do I have more of a picture of you in my mind? Like all of those things are the things that I ask about myself and are for them. And then if I don't, I'm going to go back and say, I think we need, we got, we got to work on this. You know, you need to add some more of you into it. And that's ah a time to, again, don't be modest. Like this is, don't write about A grandmother, you know, or a close relative. Like, I want to hear about you and who you are, not about somebody else. And that can be hard for high school students, ah you know. so But those are the pieces that kind of make up the whole puzzle and make up the application and who the student is and their story.
00:42:21
Speaker
Yeah, that's awesome. So you clearly you're talking about, you know, coaching a student and this and that and the other. So people hire you to help them with their student to walk alongside the process. So I talked to a mutual friend of ours couple weeks ago and she was like, oh yeah, girl, I had to call Jamie because I could just not even handle that. Yeah. She was yeah like, we were butting heads. And, you know, there's already plenty of things. These kids are growing up and then there's parenting and it's like, I know everything. No, I, yeah it can be really tumultuous. And so you come alongside and your actual title is a college admissions counselor. And you quite literally very much fulfill that last part of counseling and really mediating between parent and student as well. So talk a little bit about that, that part of it.
00:43:13
Speaker
It is funny. I do. Yes. And you know, it's every family that I work with is different. so Um, but there are definitely situations where I can feel tension between the student and the parent. And this is a generalization.
00:43:32
Speaker
Um, but usually it's a mom and the son. And, and I don't know why, because I have boys and I'm like, Oh no, but Um, and that's a, just like, that's not every time, but just, it's not every time like there, but it, it, a lot of times is. And so, yes, I mean, if the the process is, and mean, it's innately stressful, it's overwhelming. Um, if it's, if it's a firstborn child, the parents haven't gone through it yet. They are, they are nervous. The student, I don't really know if the student is nervous, but the parents are nervous and
00:44:06
Speaker
i think Probably the parents being nervous, making the student nervous. and Making the student nervous. They just don't want to, they don't want to miss anything. And so they really do come to me like, we just need guidance. We need help. We don't want to miss um a deadline and you know, so-and-so just needs a direction. So quite literally I do come in as like the middle party. which does seem to work well because I think sometimes high school students do need a different voice other than their parents to basically, I might be saying the exact same thing. And all the parents out there are nodding right now because you know this, like I might be saying the exact same thing that you're saying, right but because it's not from you, they're going to listen to me. And so parents are like, that's fine.
00:44:50
Speaker
You know, just do what you need to do. But um that is kind of what happens with this is I'm able to kind of come in there and be that middle party and, Really, you know, we, and I not to tell parents this, like, I'm always available to parents.
00:45:05
Speaker
I mean, whenever they need me, call me, email me. But once the student really gets into that junior year, it does become more of like me and the student. And we're the ones meeting and because this is their process and they're the ones that are going to be submitting these applications and writing the essays and,
00:45:24
Speaker
you know, eventually going off by themselves, like they're not going to be with their mom and dad. And so I really try to make that transition with the student in that junior year and kind of have the parent let go a little bit and let the student really take the lead. And I do believe it should be very student led.
00:45:41
Speaker
And most of my students are very good at that. I mean, I've had a few where I've really had to kind of like you know, pry them apart. But most of the time they do a very, I mean, a very good job with it, but because it's this, when they go to school, i mean, a, this is their decision. And when they go to school, they're going to be on their own and independent. And so for me, I look at this process is really that first step into that independence. Like they should be doing this by themselves, in my opinion, with me, with people who help and support and guidance, but, or guide them. But, um,
00:46:16
Speaker
And I see the most, I would say the most successful families I see that go through this process and not, and I don't mean successful and they're getting into all their schools. I mean, successful in the sense that they have peace in their home. The kids are able to stay kind of like level headed. There's not a whole lot of tension is, is really when the parents let go a little bit and let the students take it. And that is hard to do. Um,
00:46:44
Speaker
But I do find just it just feels more peaceful between every party when the parents are able to let go a little bit and let the student take charge. Yeah, I love that. That was so important. Everything that you just said about that, it really has to be student led at that point and them taking over them being the one to lead and take leadership of it. And at the same time, it's also in that process requiring the parents to let go of it because, you know, to your point, like they're going to be the ones on campus going to these classes and waking themselves up. you know I'm not there to you know, wake up, honey, brush your teeth. It's time for class. Like they're doing it. And so if you've been the one pushing this huge snowball uphill the whole way, and then you leave it, it's going to tumble down. if it's not, if they're not prepared to kind of do their own thing. So as far as thinking about college, when is a good time to start really thinking, planning, exploring all of that? Mm-hmm.
00:47:42
Speaker
I mean, i mean, the earlier the better. mean, I'm trying to like, I would say like start thinking, dreaming, talking freshman year.
00:47:53
Speaker
the the the There doesn't have to be a whole lot done then, but just, you know, just start having conversations. Like I love when families will tell me, and I tell this to families all the time. If you are on a road trip or if a student has a camp or you guys are like out somewhere And you pass a college or university that like, oh, maybe you think like this would be a good time.
00:48:16
Speaker
And you stop there and the student just like, that's a great first seed to plant introduction into the process of like, we're just going walk around and just kind of see. And I think even at like freshman year, that's, that's great. And then, yeah but I would say like the focus for freshman and sophomore year for sure is academics. There doesn't have to be a whole lot of college education.
00:48:40
Speaker
hawk wrapped up into those years, junior years when things ramp up. But I would say and freshman and sophomore year should just be those conversations, exploring a little bit, you know, very, very light, airy conversations, no stress. Keep it up here Yes. Keep everything light, but just, but, you know, introducing sort certain things. But I will say one thing I will say.
00:49:05
Speaker
about your question that i think is important for parents to know is one conversation I would have early. And again, this can be, this doesn't have to be freshman year. Maybe like as y'all start getting a little bit more into the conversations, maybe like end of sophomore year, have the finances conversation early with your student.
00:49:26
Speaker
Because what happened what I have seen happen is, is Parents maybe don't have that conversation early of like, okay, this is what we have to to pay for college.
00:49:38
Speaker
And so that might mean our student is just going to be able to go somewhere in state. And so if they would like, you know, down the road, if they decide they want to go somewhere out of state, then like they're kind of going to have to find...
00:49:54
Speaker
that difference. Or it could be, you know, a conversation of we can pay for where literally wherever you want to go. Or it could be a conversation of like, we can pay for most public schools, but like the private institutions are going to be, you know, and, and again, this is a conversation that is a little murky because you you don't know yet, like what financial aid you're going to get. You don't know about scholarships and that all can change.
00:50:19
Speaker
But yeah, I would say in general, like having an idea of what you are kind of thinking, what you're planning is really going to be the most honest and loving conversation you can have with a student because what you this is what you don't want to happen.
00:50:35
Speaker
You don't want your student to have this school in their mind that may have a pretty large sticker price and y'all don't talk about it and you don't have the conversation. and then let's say y'all go visit this school. And then the student falls in love with the school and they go visit it and you and you're, maybe the parents are thinking, well, they're never going to get in. We're not gonna have to worry about it. And then they get in.
00:51:00
Speaker
And then they're in and now you are looking at this price like how are we going to handle this? And so then that can lead to a lot of heartbreak on a student of like. So I would just say that's one thing that over the years I think that can be just a really good communication conversation to have at the beginning of like.
00:51:23
Speaker
And I and i like think about that with my kids. It's like if they said they wanted to go somewhere, like I don't want to tell them no. And I don't think that's what I'm trying to say. i think it's more of just having the open conversation of what tuition, like what this looks like, what tuition costs. You know, there's going to be scholarship opportunities. There's going to be financial aid that comes into play too. But we just want to keep options open. And so even as a parent, if you're just saying that, like,
00:51:51
Speaker
you know we're gonna And that's part of my job too is coming in and having that student create a very well-balanced list. And a well-balanced college list is going to be schools that have different levels of selectivity but also different prices of schools because there were yeah we can apply to all private schools and we can't apply to all schools out of state. Like I always have my students apply to in-state schools as an option because I want them financially – When they get all the school decisions back, I want them to have every financial kind of offer that covers, you know, all the bases. And so hat usually having an in-state option is what is going to be usually most financially available.
00:52:34
Speaker
probably feasible. And so not always depending on scholarships for out-of-state schools, but anyways, just having kind of covering the bases, all that. So having that open communication early, i think is a really great conversation to have. So that's one piece I would say. And that goes in all aspects of life. Open communication is always best.
00:52:56
Speaker
No, it's true. And I would say keep that open. Yes. Yes, keep the communication open. And, you know, a lot of high school students may not want to talk a whole lot about colleges with their parents all of the time.
00:53:11
Speaker
But I do think that they absorb, you know, they feel like they may not be listening. But I do think that they absorb more than you think. And I think, and I've had so many amazing mature students who have said, like,
00:53:27
Speaker
you know, i have four other siblings, like this school was just not going to be a great fit. And I'm man, like, that is so wise of you to, you know, to think that. So you you know, you just never know.
00:53:39
Speaker
Sure. Yeah. Yep. Open communication. And I know for our family, it's having the conversation ongoing again in all aspects of life, just having little conversations ongoing because those like, okay, we're going to sit down Saturday morning and talk about college. It's on the calendar. That can be like done, done, done. So overwhelming, especially for a kid like mine who is so creatively minded and wants to be moving sitting down and having a conversation that he knows is going be long. He's already checked out before we're even sitting there. You know what I mean? So, so wise, very good point. so're watching all
00:54:15
Speaker
yeah Yeah, for sure. So what is, we'll end it with this question. What is one thing or a couple of things? What's something that parents, guardians, grandparents that are going through this process with their kid, what is something that they can do that would be helpful in this process?
00:54:32
Speaker
So, i mean, a couple of things we've already said, i would, communication so big, so huge. um Stay, stay cool and breezy as long as you can.
00:54:44
Speaker
I mean, that's, I mean, truly like, and I'm telling, I'm telling that to myself too, like stay as calm as you can, especially at the beginning when there's not, you know, a whole lot of the college things going on. um i would say too, early on, just the biggest thing for the student is just to focus on school.
00:55:06
Speaker
And if you're, if you are supportive in that of their academics and whatever their sports or whatever they're doing outside of school, that is going to be huge.
00:55:16
Speaker
Um, as you get into the process, I would say, um, being that supportive and listening ear rather than the, um,
00:55:29
Speaker
you know, telling them they need to be doing something or, and that's where, that's where someone like me can come in to kind of help. Like, then they, the parents can tell me like, this is what I really need them to do, but really kind of staying away from that micromanaging role um ah as you get into the process, because when,
00:55:49
Speaker
parents I think hold on too tightly is when I see the students really check out and just not enjoy the process. And you know what I would love? And this sounds kind of...
00:56:03
Speaker
It sounds kind of hokey, but I would love for this process to be a family connector. Like I think sometimes it pulls, it causes tension.
00:56:13
Speaker
And, you know, when I think about this with my own kids, I'm like, man, this is going to be the last year i have with them in my house. And yeah do I want this last year to be a year that is like joyful and peaceful And yes, it's going to, I mean, there's no way around getting them around the moments of it's going to be a little bit stressful. It's going to, you're going to have those moments, but right in general, if we can keep that last year of them, um, with this around this process, as much as we can being calming and supportive and loving and joy-filled and peaceful, then I think that will make the process a lot more enjoyable for them. And I want, like, when families go off and go visit these schools, like, it should be fun. Like, I think it's so fun to go to, like, a new city and go to a campus. And, like, it should be fun. And I want families to be able to experience that together rather than the, like,
00:57:11
Speaker
I just like I have to go here because my mom said i had to and like, you know, all of that. And of course, it's going to depend on the child. But I really would love for it to be kind of a connection point for families through the process.
00:57:25
Speaker
And then I would say, um i would say pray a lot throughout the whole process. I mean, one thing that I think about a lot with families and students is honestly, I think the most loving answer sometimes that we can get from God is a closed door. And if there, it can be hard to have a door closed, especially in this process.
00:57:49
Speaker
I do think colleges, not all the time, but sometimes I do think if colleges know pretty quickly that this is not going to be a right fit, they do try to close that door upfront so students can move on.
00:58:02
Speaker
So think that's helpful. It is. And it is because it's helpful because they need to move on. And so I think, you know, praying for those the doors that need to be closed for those to be closed and um for the doors to stay open that need to stay open. And, but I would say too, just praying for your students heart throughout the experience of staying open and Because, you know, sometimes students will have one place or one school that they just have their hearts set on. And I really try to, I don't, i I, from the beginning, I'm like, we're going to cast a wide net because it's a very subjective process. And it is, and even more so today. And there's a lot of things that go into it. And so very much keeping an open mind throughout this process and helping the student to kind of make sure that they are staying open throughout the process and parents too. You know, sometimes parents will get like, oh, they have to go to a school and um we don't want that. We want, we want everyone's minds and hearts to stay open through the process, but pray and then pray for, I mean, everything to come. I mean, who they're going to meet,
00:59:14
Speaker
their first day of orientation, their roommate, who their friends are going to be, who they're going to sit next to in class. I mean, all of these things that happen very quickly, safety protection, all of the things, I mean, just pray over everything throughout the whole process. And just for peace to be in your home through this, because I hope it is. And I want, that's what, that's my goal as a counselor with my families is to take the stress out of it and bring peace and unity throughout the process and make it as least, um, you at least complicated as I can for the families.
00:59:51
Speaker
Yeah, totally. I love that you ended on that note of prayer because that is so vitally important. And that's something that you can start doing today. If you haven't already, i do. I already pray for the boys yeah and they're not necessarily like where they're going to go, but just like all the future things that are coming, you know,
01:00:08
Speaker
Absolutely. For sure. i love it. All right. So Jamie Gieselin with step one, college counseling. If you are in that process, you need help, you just need someone to talk to I'm sure Jamie will be more than willing. would love to connect with you and just kind of see, you know, maybe her services are needed or maybe it's just, Oh, we had a quick question and actually this is what you're struggling with and they'll be on their merry way. But how would they connect with you if they wanted to?
01:00:36
Speaker
Yes. So I have a website and so it's step one college counseling.com and you can basically send me a message on my website. It's very easy. And i have an Instagram page where I have Instagram and Facebook, but I would say I'm most active on Instagram and that's where I really try to post resources. So, um, and you can connect with me there too, but like, I really try to give like,
01:00:59
Speaker
little pieces of advice and wisdom and things that are, um that I'm dealing with my, with my families. I'm like, Oh, I want to share this with everybody. you know, I have a page there and it's just at step one CC.
01:01:11
Speaker
Awesome. We will link all that in the show notes and people can find you. Thank you so much. This was so fun. you. We'll have to have you back on. Maybe we can do like a high school girls reunion the podcast. Oh my goodness. That would be hilarious. Yes. That could fun. Anyway, we'll get it working, but thank you so much. This was awesome. Thanks for listening and we hope to see you next week when you come back. Have a good one.