Issue:
Every college candidate has strengths and weaknesses to be considered when developing their college list or when making their college selection. Students with particular talents, whether athletic, artistic or others, have additional complexity to be considered. Students with learning differences have very specific areas to be supported in their college experience..
Solution:
Since 1981, Learning Associates has been engaged in testing, evaluation, consultation and advocacy for children, teenagers and adults who are working to achieve their educational goals. We are members of NACAC, NJACAC, and IECA, among other professional organizations. We understand all kinds of students and all sorts of learning styles.
Issue:
High School juniors and seniors with college aspirations are extremely busy in their academic, athletic, and artistic endeavors along with other extra-curricular activities. They also have a well-known need to be with peers. These real pressures make it difficult for students to make a transition to the college search and application process. When parents try to motivate the students to get started in this process, the relationships can become complicated.
Solution:
Learning Associates becomes an adjunct in the process. We add to the influence of the high school and the parents as a resource for the student and to the family. Learning Associates shows the student how to keep up with the demands of the college admissions process. If the student gets behind, Learning Associates gets the student back on track by direct intervention or by involving the parents, if necessary. If the application process plays into the relative weakness of the student, we work with the student to show how the impasse can be resolved.
Issue:
Every college aspirant must develop an appropriate college list. The challenge of developing a good list exists whether the student is aiming for the colleges whose admissions requirements are the most stringent or those that are more accessible. All students should be sure the colleges and universities they seek out have the right programs, resources, supports, and accommodations to increase the likelihood of their success. This is equally true for the gifted student and the more modest academic aspirant.
Solution:
Learning Associates researches the particulars of the target colleges as the list is developed. We show the student how to analyze the college resources against the student’s particular strengths and weaknesses in order to develop a list that is well suited to the individual. We check the published data against our own knowledge base and against survey results from prior clients of the office. We have experience in assessing a broad range of colleges - at the most selective and prestigious universities in the nation, as well as others whose outstanding offerings are less well known. Athletes must understand that when a coach wants a student to play on their team it does not necessarily mean the college or university is in a position to provide the academic resources necessary to help the student complete their education successfully. The responsibility to make that distinction lies with your child and you. Learning Associates provides the necessary help.
Issue:
Some students would better show their ability in the standardized testing which is widely used for college admissions with accommodations, if granted by the testing boards.
Solution:
Accommodations are frequently difficult to get but Learning Associates is experienced in the process. Our testing is particularly useful. If other professionals are needed to complete the process, we can make recommendations and referrals. We not only track application dates and testing dates, we track the timetables for submission of supporting documentation for accommodations and we press students and families to stay ahead of the curve on this process.
Issue:
The essays; getting them started and getting them finished.
Solution:
Many students have resources in their high schools to help them with their essays – and it is up to the parents to determine whether this is adequate. Learning Associates gets the process started early. We are single-mindedly focused on revealing the essential character of the student candidate in the student’s own authentic voice. For those who have excellent one-on-one support in high school, this is a supplemental aid. For others, our help is the answer.
Issue:
Getting timely and appropriate recommendations.
Solution:
We get the student focused on this very early to make sure the recommendations are available when they are needed.
Issue:
Addressing SAT and ACT preparation, and financial aid.
Solution:
We can advise the family on the appropriate choices among SAT or ACT courses. We can explain the nature of financial aid and we maintain resource lists for financial aid planning.
