In an attempt to get warm and dry out from the Seattle winter, I spent a couple days touring San Diego schools. The first things a student should know about San Diego is, the sunshine is amazing and the beach is near. Students at each school were quick to remind me that you can study hard all week and still have a great time at the beach with friends on the weekend. In addition, the overall feel of each San Diego campus I visited is… laid back and relaxed. Read more
One of Four in Washington State
It’s official. I have passed the national Certified Educational Planner exam, the last step in obtaining the CEP credential. There are now four CEPs in Washington State and fewer than two hundred and fifty certified college admissions counselors in the country.
Certification is granted to those consultants and counselors who meet stringent application requirements including a Master’s degree or higher, specialized training, significant professional experience, and involvement in professional activities and organizations. Certification also includes a board-certified examination, covering both institutional and professional knowledge; a list of professional references; a pledge to adhere to stringent ethical practices; ongoing professional development and documented tours of over fifty colleges.
Portlandia – The Land of Many Colleges
I just returned from the fine state of Oregon, where I sat for the National Certified Educational Planner exam in Portland. This exam was the last step to become one of only 200 college consultants in the United States who have been certified by the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners. Read more
Nashville…has both kinds of music!
I just returned from a few days touring schools in Nashville: Vanderbilt, Tennessee State, Belmont and Lipscomb. A few things you immediately notice as you arrive in Music Town USA are: both kinds of music – Country and Western – are played incessantly, air conditioning is a religion, and Nashvillians are very polite. While most schools were just finishing classes and finals were well under way, this provided a fantastic opportunity to talk with decompressing students and gather their best recommendations for the most important college things: best libraries to study, programs of note, realities of financial aid and as always… where to find great ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Vanderbilt and Belmont represent two very beautiful campuses and students will quickly tell you that the schools are “bubbles” in a city. Students don’t have to leave campus but can easily head downtown, which is only a bus and a walk away. And if you are headed off campus, make sure to stop at Jeni’s Ice Cream — Buttermint Chocolate Fleck. That flavor alone should be considered a national treasure.
Nirvana found in Santa Clara
I just got back from sunny – and green – California after touring Santa Clara University, San Jose State University, Carnage Mellon – at NASA Ames, and Singularity University. While each of these schools is steeped in unique opportunities, I may have found Nirvana. College Cuisine Nirvana…
For those who have come to understand my somewhat unorthodox approach to school visits (read as: talk/listen to any student in earshot, visit professors and admissions reps, walk the campus… and find gelato, good gelato) my search for the ultimate campus food provider may have come to an end. Just off the Santa Clara campus is Mission City Creamery. While they have amazing and unique ice cream (Honey Lavender, Caramelized Banana!) produced from milk selflessly provided by local cows at Strauss Creamery, that’s not what set a radically new gastronomic high bar. They also have extraordinary grilled cheese sandwiches. Yes, one-stop shopping. Ice Cream and Grilled Cheese under one roof.
Be prepared for the line out the door and don’t forget to take a walk all the way around the beautiful Santa Clara campus. You will need it!
Chicago Universities and Food Trucks!
A recent trip to Chicago at the end of 2016 provided a wealth of information about three schools: University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, and DePaul University. I also found out who has the best food trucks! In a word, Porky Fries.
There is a new trend at some universities – supplementing food services with food trucks on campus. The University of Chicago takes this to an admirable level. Fifteen food trucks, representing every type of food you can imagine were represented between two locations on campus. I decided to take one for the team and try… two. If you tour the University of Chicago campus during lunch, you should try Lucy’s “Porky Fries” – smoked, pulled pork on hand cut fries with BBQ sauce on the side, next to sweet hot peppers. A short walk and then a nap should follow immediately.