Freshman Year Coach!

Each year millions of high school graduates head off to college.  As they arrive on campus, there is little familiarity with their surroundings and with the new environment which places them in complete charge of their educational and personal decisions.  Many college freshmen are more than capable of succeeding in college but fail to connect their college experience to their future careers, with over 50% dropping out before they graduate  The idea of a Freshmen Year Coach came to mind when I read an article in an educational journal that identified the freshmen year of college as the most critical year for overall collegiate success.  Instinctually, I already knew that.  However, what I find unfortunate is the lack of attention that freshmen get from colleges and universities across the country and the simple things that freshmen can do to increase the probability of their future college and career success.  With the number one reason to go to college being to secure a job upon graduation, the freshmen year can greatly impact the next three years of college as well as decades beyond their college experience.

"I just completed my freshmen year and was put on academic probation.  Then I met with you and now I'm getting all A's!  I'm also now involved in student clubs, I have new friends, and I found my passion!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!"

Jill, University at Buffalo Student 

The Freshmen Year Coach provides college freshmen OR older students needing guidance with, at a minimum, the following services each semester:

    The following list is delivered in both the Fall and Spring Semesters:

  • Weekly contacts through email directing students to engage in their education in a manner that is unmatched in the traditional collegiate environment (these contacts are customized and do not come from a database of recommendations)
  • Email updates for the student's parents
  • One, one-hour phone conference with parents each semester
  • Responds to email inquiries from the student
  • End of the semester phone meeting on "What's next?"

    • The following list is delivered in the Summer after the Freshmen Year:

  • Use the "What's next?" discussion to identify 3 things a student can do to become more competitive in their future career search
  • Respond to 10 email inquires from the student throughout the summer
  • Email updates to the parents two times in the summer

The above services are designed to focus on the student and to transition the college freshmen into a professional student capable of managing his or her own education.  In addition, by keeping parents in the "loop," the critical support network for students is on the same page and capable of more effectively supporting their student as he or she works toward their professional goals.  Finally, for a small investment, you can greatly increase your changes of graduating in 4 years and saving $100,000 to $150,000 in real and opportunity costs.  The fee for this service is $550.