"Don't be well-rounded, be well-lopsided"

That advice comes from Steve Goodman, who works with students AND parents as a college admissions consultant. (Steve's the guy in the picture; he spoke at a bookstore because, well, he co-authored a book called "College Admissions Together." Read more about it on U Sphere's site. Click here.

Steve held a session yesterday (Sunday, April 27) in Winnetka, Illinois. It's one of Chicago's North Shore suburbs and the audience was a great cross-section of parents who are new to this college search game, parents who have gone through it already, counselors, and innocent bystanders. (And me.)

The question posed: are colleges looking for the well-rounded STUDENT or the well-rounded CLASS.

"You should be well-lopsided as a student. Find that thing you do well and do it often."

The upshot here is this: if you are the best badminton player ever, hone that skill at the expense of trying to join every club just for the sake of your admissions resume.

What about essays?

Well, they are read at most selective schools. But not all. And not at all of the not-too-selective schools.

Are you sensing it's a crazy process? Guys like Steve -- and of course some of the other admissions consultants out there, but not all of them -- can add some sense and sensibility to this crazy admissions game.

Great event, great to hear the advice up close, and thanks to Steve for letting U Sphere tag along.

The start of something bigger: the 529 Sphere Directory

Hey all,

When asked to comment about the "how do you pay for college" question, it's a lot more complex than you'd think.

But, for those with young kids -- increasingly, the web stats tell us, for U Sphere visitors -- the 529 plan is the way to go. Tax-advantaged investment programs that are like 401(k)s used to be: still new, mysterious, not widely understood, etc.

HOWEVER...

We've begun the process of making a little sense of all this on one of our sites:

www.529sphere.com/directory

Take a look and we'd love to hear what you think.

We'll be hanging out in Winnetka, IL in a couple weeks...

This one's more for the parents in the crowd:

You are invited to a discussion at Book Stall:

THE TOP 100 COLLEGES: HOW YOUR FAMILY CAN PEACEFULLY PREPARE

Sunday, April 27, 2008
11:30 a.m.

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
811 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-8880


Educational consultant and author Steve Goodman will talk about the college search in the context of your child’s passage to adulthood and will answer questions about preparations for the top 100 colleges and universities. Dave Van de Walle, president of USphere, will moderate the program.

The Chicago Tribune cited Steve's book, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TOGETHER: IT TAKES A FAMILY (Capital Books, $17.95), a few weeks ago.

Come join us!