College Planning College Planning

Philosophy
Students looking to pursue higher education have many options available to them. In providing guidance and support through this process, we hope to empower our students by helping them understand the value of careful planning, research, and self evaluation. The college admission process has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. Families are inundated with media attention around college rankings, brand-name recognition and increased competition. Our goal is to demystify the college admission game and help you navigate the maze of college options to find the best fit for your child. We encourage parents to stay actively involved and welcome regular feedback and consultation. We maintain regular contact with guidance counselors, administrators and admissions personnel and draw on the experience of other educational consultants with whom we enjoy close affiliation. As with all of our programs, it is our intention to provide a comprehensive approach to learning and self-discovery.

• in-depth interview to assess particular needs
• review of all academic records
• assistance with establishing educational and career goals
• exploration of alternative post-secondary opportunities such as, gap year, post-graduate year or work experience
• planning and instruction for college placement exams
• identification of appropriate colleges
• instruction in solid interviewing skills
• preparation for making the most out of the college visit
• review of applications and college essays
• on-going communication with parents and school personnel
• information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities
• review of teacher recommendations and other supplemental materials
• support with the athletic recruitment process

Assessment
We begin with an initial assessment. This includes an interview to we discuss interests, activities and accomplishments. We also review academic records and discuss long-term goals and objectives. Following the initial assessment is complete, we administer interest, career, personality and learning style inventories and interpret these tests with the student.

Research
Once the student has completed the assessment process we discuss academic majors and their relationship to careers. We help the student explore and research a variety of career paths. We provide students with the resources and skills to successfully research colleges and universities and determine a good "fit".

Planning for College Visits
The college selection process requires that the student visit and interview with a variety of schools. We help students establish a list of appropriate schools, advise them on sound interviewing techniques and suggest ways to get the most out of a college visit. We also discuss appropriate communication with admission professionals, coaches, professors and other college representatives and the importance of establishing relationships.

Applications, Essays, Etc.
Once a final selection of schools is determined, we offer guidance with applications, essays and portfolios. We prepare a time-line for completing applications and work with the student's guidance counselor in meeting the school's guidelines.

Additional Services
Group workshops are scheduled periodically that address issues related to college planning and career decision making. In the past, these have included topics on interviewing, the college visit, financial aid, research methods, college study skills and coping with college life.

We draw on a wide range of resources and experience in providing college planning. Our director, David S. Parker, has over 24 years of experience with working with adolescents and college students as a teacher, tutor, counselor and college Dean. As the director of Tutoring & Instructional Services, Inc., he coordinates a group of professional educators who work cooperatively in providing a wide range of academic support and enrichment programs.

	David S. Parker -   Dave Parker was born in Concord and attended elementary school at the Millville building that now houses Parker Academy. Passionate about helping kids and families, Dave finds great joy and satisfaction from helping people grow both personally, socially and academically. A perpetual student, he is often found pushing the envelope, going to conferences, traveling the world and visiting schools and programs for new ideas. Dave has been married to Liz, also his business partner, for over thirty years and has three children ages 26, 24 and 18. All of the Parker Family members are unique individuals who somehow managed to survive their father. Brent, his middle child, is the Physical Education Director at Parker Academy. His two daughters now reside in Colorado with the oldest, Danielle, being an Occupational Therapist and the youngest, Heather working and playing in the mountains. When not working, Dave enjoys basketball, fly fishing, and skiing. One of his favorite things to do is visit with close friends and share ideas and stories. A former restaurant worker he loves having groups of people for dinner or sharing a meal at a local bistro. Most recently he gave up golf after ten years and many double bogies to work on his flower gardens. He serves on a number of local boards and still believes he can make the world a better place. Graduate Studies: Tufts University, MA & S.U.N.Y., NY University of New Hampshire: B.S., Environmental Education Teacher/Naturalist, Society for the Protection of NH Forests Activities Director, Simon's Rock College, Great Barrington, MA Dean of Students, Bard College, NY Curriculum Director, Independent Educational Associates Director - Tutoring & Instructional Services, Inc. & Parker Academy
	Brennan Barnard -   Brennan has served as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, and college counselor at a variety of independent boarding and day schools throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England. He has also worked in residential life, student affairs, and admissions at the college level. He is currently the Director of College Counseling at The Derryfield School in Manchester and has been providing workshops and individualized college counseling through Tutoring & Instructional Services since 2004. He lives with his wife, Alisa, and two young children on the St. Paul's School campus where Alisa teaches humanities. The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT: Master's Studies in Education Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA: B.A., Psychology/Spanish College Counselor, St. Paul's School Advanced Studies Program Assistant Director of College Counseling, Westtown School, Westtown, PA Specialties: College and Private School Placement
	Duncan McNeish This school year Duncan McNeish begins his ninth year as College Counselor at Parker Academy; he holds a Bachelor's Degree from Norwich University, a M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Guidance & Counseling from Plymouth State College and has completed additional graduate level educational coursework at Kent State University. Before joining TAIS and Parker Academy, Duncan spent sixteen years as the Director of Guidance for The Gilford, NH School district. At PA he specializes in providing college admission and career planning, guidance and Career assessment to students. In addition to the eight cats he and his wife have now, they are looking forward to adopting a second Basset Hound this fall. Plymouth State College, Plymouth, NH: M.Ed, Administration/Guidance Kent State University, Kent, OH: Masters Studies in History Norwich University, Northfield, VT: B.A., History/English Guidance Director, Gilford Middle High School Specialties: College Planning
	Jaime Caryl-Klika -   Jaime spent eight years in university admissions prior to joining TAIS in August of 2007. She began her career at Gettysburg College and returned to her alma mater, Colgate University, for seven years as Senior Assistant Dean of Admission. While at Colgate, Jaime reviewed over 10,000 applications for admission and interviewed or addressed several thousand students each year. She also co-coordinated Colgate's application review process, served on the Admission & Aid committee, supervised admission officer domestic and international travel, directed all campus visit programs for prospective and admitted students, and coordinated the Alumni Memorial Scholars program, which recognizes the University's top 200 applicants. Jaime conducted several on and off-campus college counseling workshops each year. Most recently, Jaime had the privilege of working as one of two college counselors at the 2008 session of the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul's School. When she is not spending time with her little ones or working with college counseling clients, Jaime is active in the birth world as a labor doula, babywearing instructor, and childbirth educator. Jaime runs her own business, Petite Fleur Doulas, and is a member of DONA international, BirthRoots, Holistic Moms Network, La Leche League, and Attachment Parenting International. She is also Vice-Chair of the Board at her son's preschool, The Ralph Waldo Emerson School for Preschoolers. In her free time, Jaime enjoys political and social activism, running, yoga, exploring New England, and playing with her very bouncy Bernese Mountain Dog. Colgate University, Hamilton, NY: B.A. in History & Political Science Senior Asst. Dean of Admission, Colgate University Admission Counselor, Gettysburg College Birth Doula Specialties: College Placement