How to get into the best colleges in America, with Shirag Shemmassian

10/13/20 • 53 min

#52: The competition for admissions to the most elite colleges in America (think Ivy League, US News top 10) is fiercer than ever.

That’s because top colleges provide the best academic opportunities. Resources. Career opportunities. Pathways to elite grad schools. Student and alumni communities (where you’ll forge lifelong connections, friendships, potentially even meet your spouse). Not to mention, you’ll have a powerful brand associated with you for life.

How can students and parents without special connections distinguish themselves amidst a sea of qualified applicants?

This week, I chat again with my friend Shirag Shemmassian, a college admissions expert who has coached thousands of students to successful admission at elite colleges, about the mindsets and accomplishments you really need to win admission to the most elite colleges.

We discuss:

Biggest myths and misconceptions when it comes to getting into elite colleges
What elite college admissions committees are looking for, and how to differentiate yourself
What level/degree of accomplishment you need to get in
What students (and parents) can do well ahead of the application year to distinguish themselves, and how far in advance to do it
How lower / middle income / rural / etc students with access to fewer opportunities can still differentiate themselves compellingly
Why your “message” and the way you deliver it is just as important as your actual accomplishments
The mindset students should have when writing their college essays
How to pick an essay topic and write it compellingly (even if you’re not a great writer)
Who should write your recommendation letters, and how to build genuine relationships with recommenders that blossom into great letters
The qualities that make a stand-out recommendation letter

Check it out here:

https://hackyourwealth.com/college-admissions

Did you attend (or send your kid to) an elite college? What do you think principally contributed to your / their admissions success? What would you have done differently if you could do it over? Let me know by leaving a comment when you’re done.
NOTE: Apologies in advance we had some audio problems in the second half of the interview, so some parts may sound choppy. However, all key points should still be clear. I’ve also cleaned up the transcript (at the link above) to fill in missing words / phrases, so check that out if you’re struggling to understand any key points.
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Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom.

#52: The competition for admissions to the most elite colleges in America (think Ivy League, US News top 10) is fiercer than ever.

How can students and parents without special connections distinguish themselves amidst a sea of qualified applicants?

We discuss:

Biggest myths and misconceptions when it comes to getting into elite colleges
What elite college admissions committees are looking for, and how to differentiate yourself
What level/degree of accomplishment you need to get in
What students (and parents) can do well ahead of the application year to distinguish themselves, and how far in advance to do it
How lower / middle income / rural / etc students with access to fewer opportunities can still differentiate themselves compellingly
Why your “message” and the way you deliver it is just as important as your actual accomplishments
The mindset students should have when writing their college essays
How to pick an essay topic and write it compellingly (even if you’re not a great writer)
Who should write your recommendation letters, and how to build genuine relationships with recommenders that blossom into great letters
The qualities that make a stand-out recommendation letter

Check it out here:

https://hackyourwealth.com/college-admissions

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes!

Apple Podcasts

I need your help, please leave a listener review :)

If you liked this episode, would you please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts? It’d mean the world to me and your review also helps others find my podcast, too!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom.

Previous Episode

Estate planning basics: wills, trusts, power of attorney, and probate

#51: Despite the pain (and cost) that not having an estate plan will cause your heirs, fully two-thirds of Americans don’t even have so much as a will if they got hit by a bus.

There are many reasons why people fail to create an estate plan. None are good.

So for this week’s podcast, I invited Spiro Verras, a Florida estate planning attorney, to share key things you need to know about creating a proper estate plan.

We discuss:

Elements of a good estate plan
How probate works step by step, how long it takes, and how much it costs
At what point in your life you should write a will
Differences between wills and trusts
Legal formalities of wills and trusts
How wills and trusts change the probate process
What DIY-ers need to know before drafting their own estate planning docs
Special considerations for real estate investors, family business owners, professional service practice owners, and high net-worth individuals

Check it out here:

https://hackyourwealth.com/estate-planning-basics

Do you have a will or trust? What about a medical directive or power of attorney agreement? Have you ever been through the probate process? What was it like for you? Let me know by leaving a comment!

Don't miss an episode, hit that subscribe button...

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes!

I need your help, please leave a listener review :)

If you liked this episode, would you please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts? It’d mean the world to me and your review also helps others find my podcast, too!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom.

Next Episode

College financial aid tips and strategies, with Ann Garcia

#53: No matter how you cut it, the cost of college these days is pretty crushing.

And getting into your top choice college is well and good and all, but it doesn’t matter much unless you can afford to attend!

How can parents and families afford college (potentially for multiple kids) without ravaging their retirement savings?

This week, I invited my friend Ann Garcia, aka the “College Financial Lady,” back to the podcast to explain the intricacies of how college financial aid works. She shares insights and wisdom on how to plan for the cost of college, the different types of aid available, and strategies for maximizing financial aid.

We discuss:

A big picture framework thinking about college financial aid
The overall financial aid process, timeline, and key dates
The role each type of aid (need-based, merit, government, and college aid) plays in a family’s financial aid strategy
How FAFSA works, the 4 buckets of money that must be reported, what money can be excluded
What federal EFC is, how it’s calculated, and how it’s used
What the CSS Profile is, key differences vs. FAFSA, and what money must be reported on it
How CSS Profile schools calculate EFC and differences vs. FAFSA methodology
When it might be useful to leverage a grandparent-funded 529 plan + tradeoffs
Student loan options and key types of loans available to students
Tips for negotiating / appealing your financial aid package
Financial strategies related to the “prior-prior” year once January of sophomore year arrives
Financial strategies in the years BEFORE your child applies for college financial aid to maximize aid

Check it out here:

https://hackyourwealth.com/college-financial-aid

Has your child (or children) attended college with financial aid? What surprised you about the financial aid process? What do you wish you had known that you know now? What other questions do you have about financial aid? Let me know by leaving a comment when you’re done.

Don't miss an episode, hit that subscribe button...

If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes!

I need your help, please leave a listener review :)

If you liked this episode, would you please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts? It’d mean the world to me and your review also helps others find my podcast, too!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Intro/Outro: Old Bossa by Twin Musicom.