Programming for Students and Parents

Peter Van Buskirk's programs for students and parents are designed to teach participants how to think about the college planning process so they can make choices that will serve them well in finding and getting into the colleges that fit them best. By challenging assumptions and providing a contextual basis for understanding the college admission process, Peter gives students and their parents the insights and practical tools needed to get from where they are to where they want to be. His programs will inform, inspire and motivate students as they prepare to compete for admission to college.

The Admission Game® - Description/Outline
(a.k.a. Winning the College Admission Game)
The Admission Game is a popular, interactive, case study program for students and parents in which the audience is transformed into an admission committee. This signature program reveals the hidden agendas of colleges and provides insight into how decisions are made. Students benefit by learning to find the colleges that fit them best and by making good decisions. Motivational, informative, entertaining.
Two hours. Audience size: 50-500

The Choices We Make
Students often fail to recognize the impact of the choices they make on the opportunities that might otherwise come their way in life. This workshop focuses on the importance of making good choices in the classroom and in life—"what do you do when you don't have to do anything?" In particular, it examines myths about course selections and illustrates how the choices students make will have a bearing on the college options they might realize.
45-55 minutes. Audience size: 30-500

Dollars & Sense
Financing a college education has become an increasingly daunting task for most families. Prices continue to escalate and the process of securing assistance is increasingly complex. This program examines the financial aid process in lay terms and provides families with a conceptual understanding of who gets what money and why as well as tools for interpreting financial aid awards. (Financial planning strategies are not covered.) Informative, interactive.
60-90 minutes. Audience size: 50-250.

Gearing Up For College
“Gearing Up For College” is an interactive, student-centered program that focuses on helping young people find and get into colleges that fit them best. The following key elements to finding success in college planning are central to the conversation: Know Yourself, Make Good Decisions, Do What You Love and Love What You Do, Build Relationships with Colleges, and Sprint to the Finish.

Throughout the program, audience members will be introduced to elements of a good college fit, and strategies for gaining a competitive edge in selective admission scenarios. They will also be given tools that will help them assess the competitive landscape in order to find the most appropriate “playing fields.” The program promises to inform, motivate and inspire families as they become oriented to the college search and selection process.
45-55 minutes. Audience size: no limit.

Get the Most Out of Your Campus Visit
Examines the importance of the campus visit to both the student and the college and takes a look at how one might prepare to get the most out of the visit. Role play activity helps familiarize students with the dynamic of the admission interview. Informative, interactive.
60-80 minutes. Audience size: 20-35

Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
An engaging keynote program for high school students and parents that delivers a five-point plan for achieving educational goals. Special emphasis is placed on self-awareness, finding a good college fit and the consequences of decision-making throughout high school. Motivational, informative, interactive.
45-55 minutes. Audience size: no limit

"I Can!"
Engages younger students in a discussion of the possibilities that exist for them beyond high school and the factors that are important as they begin to think about college and their futures. Focuses on goal setting and developing an action plan for college. Motivational, interactive.
45 minutes. Audience size: 20-40

Next Step: College
Get ready, parents, for the next step--the actual first step your student will take into college life. Just when you think the hardest part of the college going process is behind you ("getting in"), you are braced by another set of logistics and emotions associated with helping your student take that step. This program takes a light-hearted look at the transitional issues associated with "letting go."
One Hour. Audience size: 30-500

Tell Your Story
When a student's performance is affected by factors that might not be easily recognized or understood, s/he has a story to tell. This session focuses on the need to make certain that irregularities in program and performance are explained on the application. Students are shown examples of irregularities and strategies for addressing them in their applications. Informative, interactive.
45-55 minutes. Audience size: 20-30

"We're Talking... But They're Not Listening"
Workshop for parents of college bound students that focuses on the challenges parents face as they try to urge their students along the right course of action in anticipation of applying to college. The program reveals strategies for facilitating self-awareness in students and helping them accept ownership for the process. Reflective, conversational.
One hour. Audience size: 15-30

Writing A Winning Essay
This workshop gets inside the daunting task of making a compelling personal statement to colleges. Examines the roles of the author and the audience in providing context for essay writing. Informative, interactive.
One hour. Audience size: 20-40.

"You're In! Now What?"
This session takes a look at the end of the process. It helps students (and parents) understand their options and provides advice with regard to choosing the colleges that fit best.
45-55 minutes. Audience size: 30-250

Author Chats/Book Signings
Winning the College Admission Game: Strategies for Parents and Students was released by Peterson's in April (2007) and is the subject of an ongoing promotional campaign. Author Peter Van Buskirk has been engaged by bookstores around the country to talk about the book, discuss hot-button issues in the college-going process and sign books for patrons. Informative, interactive with time allotted for a Q&A period.
Two hours.

To learn more about these opportunities or find out how you can collaborate with Peter to create programming to meet your constituent needs, contact him at Peter@TheAdmissionGame.com.