We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lee Norwood. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lee below.

Alright, Lee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

COST OF COLLEGE, CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOLS, GRADE INFLATION, REALITY CHECK

The landscape of college admissions is in a constant state of flux, and it’s our responsibility to stay attuned to these ever-evolving trends and share our insights with the families we work with. The cost of higher education is undeniably on the rise, but there are strategic measures that can be taken to manage this financial burden effectively. Families should select colleges that align with a student’s goals and build a college list based on the academic, social, geographic and financial fit.

Using the net price calculator, FAFSA, and Merit scholarship information, will help families navigate the financial terrain.

This year, a concerning issue has come to the forefront more prominently than in the past – the learning gaps resulting from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Widespread grade inflation has led some students and parents to believe they are making greater academic progress than they actually are. It’s clear that many students are grappling with deficiencies in writing and some have turned to AI for essay assistance. While these AI-generated essays may sound polished, they often lack the essential personal touch that a college essay should convey- who are you? And the answer should sound like a 17 year old answer. The essay is a creative writing exercise, and many students find it a challenging endeavor.

Students face a deluge of information and distractions, with platforms like TikTok vying for their attention. This can lead to difficulties in real life communication. They may also be content to let their parents take the reins in the college application process- a really, really bad idea. This is a student-driven process and no level of outside expertise can motivate a student to check email, do the work, do the research and seek to understand what they actually want long-term.

Short-term vision often opens up long-term problems.

The test-optional movement has opened doors for students, but it has also led some to reach far beyond what may be their best-fit colleges. Many students are applying to highly selective schools where,
they would most likely face formidable challenges and potentially overwhelming experiences. AND they most likely not get in in because the rest of the application just does not match what a particular college is looking for. “NOS HURT” no matter who you are.

This trend, in conjunction with other stressors, could exacerbate the existing mental health crisis among college students. Some families and students are fixated on “BUMPER STICKER” schools, often without fully considering the implications of acceptance to (or denial from) such institutions.

Undoubtedly, college is a demanding and challenging journey. It’s evident that many students may not be as prepared as they should be for this academic and personal transition. While it may seem like I’ve adopted a jaded perspective, it’s grounded in the firsthand experiences of our team, which has worked with hundreds of students. The reality is that approximately one in three students transfers or leaves college within the first year. It’s our belief that more thorough planning and guidance on the front end could mitigate many of these issues, ensuring a smoother transition into the college experience.

How do you fix this? Be realistic. Listen to a professional.

The best schools are the best schools for YOUR STUDENT. Got College? We can help.

https://annapoliscollegeconsulting.com/a-balanced-college-list/

https://annapoliscollegeconsulting.com/top-trends-from-the-2023-admissions-cycle/

https://annapoliscollegeconsulting.com/5899-2/

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Bottom line? We lower stress in the college application process.

We save parent-teen relationships during this often highly exciting, confusing and constantly changing process.

Annapolis College Consulting offers top quality 1:1 concierge level college consulting services and has for over 13 successful years. Adriane, Austin and Lee are at the top of their field and 96% of our students get into their top 3 colleges. Families average $65,000 in merit aid offers and our Google reviews tell our story.

Now, we want to help more families and schools both here in the US and abroad.

Our new product is THE APPLICATION BLUEPRINT an online, virtual college consulting process that will provide assistance to more families at a price point that is a fraction of the cost of 1:1 college consulting. It’s a mix of DIY and structures guidance We now have an international reach and our international brand is led by Marcy Cowan who’s goal is to provide expat families with the guidance they need at a price that is affordable.

This platform offers a game plan, a workbook, a community, LIVE TRAININGS and Q&A.

The Application Blueprint is your partner in planning your teen’s Junior and Senior year, building a college list, understanding the process, and offering highly curated, fact-based information to more families. You can take a look at the program by joining the free Facebook Group @applicationblueprintgroup

We love what we do. We are high-tech and high-touch.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

First off, I spent 23 years as a pharmaceutical rep. I did not like it because I could not truly be myself. I’m not really an “inside the box” thinker and that industry was great for me as a single mom raising kids, but it never really fed my soul or fit my lifestyle.

I needed to find a career that fit the notion that “if you do what you love…you will never work a day in your life.” After a year of working weekends and evenings with my mentor in the Independent College Consulting world, I left pharma for a much more impactful and fulfilling career. I purchased Annapolis College Consulting at the beginning of COVID.

YIKES!

Transitioning from an in-person to an online format posed significant challenges for numerous businesses, but our journey was a distinct one. The paradigm shift towards Zoom interactions with students became the cornerstone of our remarkable growth. However, it was by no means a seamless transition; it required the establishment of robust processes.

Our first strategic move was the integration of CounselMore, our customer platform. The “Summary” feature, warmly received by parents, is a vital component of this our process. It not only provides clarity regarding what comes next but also assures parents that their student is not only reminded but remains on track and on schedule.

Our families now enjoy access to a dedicated Student Portal. This portal empowers them to review and update their college preparation progress, in tandem with our scheduled meetings. Of particular note is our software’s unique college search function, which aids families in researching schools, programs, and expected outcomes.

Come August, when college applications open, our process transitions seamlessly to the Application Tracker. This intuitive tool simplifies and streamlines the rapid college application process, offering a clear overview of the requirements for each college.

We consider information sharing to be integral to the success of a college application process. Post-implementation of this software, Lee and Adriane diligently formulated a comprehensive process to guide our clients in achieving important milestones and staying on track.

Next, we implemented more options for our families, opening up the ESSAY CORNER, offering a Comprehensive Plus program which includes test prep and a customized research project and the SUPER SENIOR packages for last-minute seniors to get the help they need.

Our latest strategic move has been unveiling our Business Growth Accelerator platform which is re-launching the APPLICATION BLUEPRINT. This is an accessible, online educational platform offered at a nominal cost, allowing us to assist more families and expand our reach and influence both in the US and overseas.

Notably, our team has grown over the past four years, with the addition of consultants in various locations, including Maine, Europe, Maryland, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.

How did you build your audience on social media?

“Authentic Growth: Building Our Social Media Presence”

In the age of social media, the term “organic growth” is often tossed around, but for us, it’s a reflection of our commitment to delivering valuable content. At 55 years old, I finally discovered my true calling, and my journey is a candid and unfiltered story we openly share in everything we do.

Motivated by the wisdom of Gary Vaynerchuk in 2018, I embarked on a mission to provide our audience with top-tier content. My approach involves carefully curating the most reliable information and presenting it in a way that is both informative and engaging, enabling our audience to digest it with ease.

Our social media journey began with Facebook and our website, and it has since expanded to encompass platforms like Instagram, where we adopt a somewhat grittier tone, YouTube, LinkedIn (not a fan) and TikTok. Notably, we have consciously avoided Snapchat, as we believe it’s essential to provide a platform where younger audiences can flourish without being overshadowed by adults. Teens usually exit platforms when the “adults” show up.

A pivotal aspect of our strategy involves active participation in groups that align with our target audience: parents of college-bound teenagers. Within these communities, I aim to contribute knowledge that can benefit everyone, all without employing a hard-sell approach. Instead, the focus is on offering assistance, with the understanding that individuals will approach us when they are ready.

Here’s a piece of advice: be yourself on social media. People attract like-minded people.

People naturally gravitate toward individuals they know, like, and trust. If our approach doesn’t resonate with you, that’s perfectly fine, as there are plenty of other voices out there to connect with.

As an added bonus, we speak the language of teenagers, given our roles as parents of college-bound students. With the unique perspective of a Marine Mom, I also recognize that the traditional college path isn’t necessarily the right fit for everyone. Our journey is one marked by authenticity, and it’s a reflection of the diverse experiences that have brought us to where we are today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annapoliscollegeconsulting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapcollegeconsulting
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annapoliscollegeconsulting
• Linkedin: @leenorwood
• Youtube: @annapoliscollegeconsulting
• Other: Check out our APPLICATION BLUEPRINT-for Parents of College-Bound Teens Facebook @applicationblueprintgroup Website: https://www.annapoliscollegeconsulting.com/application-blueprint/

Image Credits
Photo Cred: Judie Isham, Alicia Blake and Lee Norwood