Navigating the College Admissions Process

An experts' panel plus workshops for parents and teens

The college admissions landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. With many more outstanding students competing, no longer is the "well-rounded" student assured their top choice. Testing has also changed, with new test choices and changes in the SAT and ACT, while college costs spiral into the stratosphere. How can families best help their children get into the college of their dreams, making the right fit for the student – and family finances?

The Cornell Club is proud to present a special program for alumni and their families featuring a stellar panel of experts in the college admissions process who will demystify these issues and tasks for students and their parents. Panelists will also respond to individual questions from the audience during a Q&A session following.

Our panel's goal is to give you concrete suggestions – as well as thought-provoking ideas – that will help your teens achieve smart, timely college prep and make all-around wise college choices. This is a terrific opportunity to get answers to your questions from a range of top advisors in college prep and admissions.

Attendees are invited to tailor the day to suit their schedules and interests with a panel discussion followed by lunch and two optional workshops:

• "Getting a Handle on the SAT and ACT" Presentation and Q&A led by Karen Berlin Ishii
• "Tips and Pitfalls in the Common Application" led by Andrea van Niekerk

9:30-10:00am: Registration and coffee/light breakfast
10:00-12:00noon: Panel presentation
12:00noon: Lunch Buffet
12:30-1:30pm: Workshop: Getting a Handle on the SAT and ACT
1:30-2:30pm: Workshop: Tips and Pitfalls in the Common Application

Participants include:

Andrea van Niekerk is a College Admissions Consultant with College Goals. Andrea was formerly Associate Director of Admission at Brown University for many years and also served as academic advisor to freshman and sophomore students. 

Laura Clark is long time director of college counseling at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. She previously worked at Princeton University, in admissions for four years and teaching freshman writing in the English department.