College Prep Workshop

The Event

Break-out session

Sign Up For Breakout Sessions

Date: Saturday, September 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Check-in Time: 12:45 p.m.
Location: University of Tampa, Martinez Sports Center, Sword & Shield Room
Address: 312 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606
Parking: Free parking in adjacent West Parking Garage
Cost: Free with RSVP

Presenters

Keynote Address: Obtaining Real Value from Education. Bob LeVine, J.D., Selective College Consulting

Breakout Speakers

  1. Strategies for Writing Effective Essays and Preparing for Dynamic College Interviews
    Bob LeVine, J.D., Selective College Consulting
    Mr. Levine uses his expertise based on 29 years of evaluating applicants for Harvard University to work with high-achieving students in Tampa to navigate the college admissions process at selective colleges.
  2. The College Search Process: Finding the Best Fit
    Debbie Pitcairn, Director of College Counseling, Academy at the Lakes
    Mrs. Pitcairn has expertise in working with students on choosing colleges that provide the best “fit” in terms of selectivity, location, academic environment, and financial factors. She also has expertise in helping students understand the differences between the “best fit” universities and the “brand name” universities.
  3. Why Strengths Matter in College and Career Planning
    Lisa Jacobson, M.A., Career Consultant and Executive Coach
    Mrs. Jacobson combines her professional training in positive psychology with coaching methods to help students develop greater self-awareness, clarify their strengths and abilities, and gain insights that will help them identify their best options for college majors, internships, and careers.
  4. Financial Aid 101: Exploring Options to Pay for College
    David Ramnarine, Financial Aid Officer at University of Tampa
    Mr. Ramnarine will share information about strategies to help families pay for college, and clarify the differences between merit-based financial aid, need-based financial aid, Bright Futures scholarships, federally funded financial aid programs, student loans, work-study programs, and grants.
  5. Higher Education in Florida: Navigating the Admissions Map
    Kiffani Irby, M.S. Educational Consultant
    Ms. Irby built her career working in the college admissions departments at FSU, the Univ. of Tampa, and most recently as the Associate Director of Outreach at USF. She will outline strategies for successfully navigating through admissions at both public and private Florida universities.
  6. Building Blocks for a Successful College Application: Tips for High School Students
    Athena Dicus, M.A. Guidance, Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Mrs. Dicus brings experience as a certified counselor with over ten years of direct experience in college admissions counseling for high school students, iincluding IB students. She has served as head of school counseling departments overseeing academic advising and college and career counseling for students. She will provide tips and strategies for students to incorporate interesting and meaningful activities throughout high school to strengthen the college application and enhance opportunities for admissions.
  7. How to Prepare for the ACT and the Redesigned SAT
    Stephanie Branham, M.A., Faculty, University of Tampa
    Ms. Branham has been teaching students math in the Tampa area for more than 6 years. She started her career in teaching as an SAT/ACT tutor and progressed to instructor of Mathematics at UT. Ms. Branham will be speaking about the SAT and ACT exams, including the New SAT format, and the best ways to prepare for these tests.