Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/267325
MARCH 2014 | BRAVAMAGAZINE.COM 23 most of their time providing other student services. Department of Education statis- tics show Wisconsin is on trend with 400 students for every one counselor. "Families need help making sound decisions, from building the right list of prospective colleges and visiting cam- puses, to ACT and SAT preparation, and assembling a compelling application package," says Tom Kleese, an indepen- dent college planner. Kleese's Madison company, OnCampus College Planning, is one of the newest ways in the Midwest to receive guidance through the process, yet Kleese calls it commonplace on the East and West Coasts. "It's all about being creative to make the most of AP credit and to take advantage of programs like dual enrollment. And then it's about maximizing the number of col- lege credits a student takes each semester to make sure their time to a degree is four years, or even less," says Kleese. Professional planners tackle what used to fall primarily on high school counsel- ors' shoulders. And Kleese believes in- dependent counselors also add a valuable neutral perspective on the process. "It can no longer be about the college your child is in love with, or where their friends are going, or even where you went to school. I manage those expectations by providing the tools to answer two main questions: Why is your child going to college, and who is going to pay for what and when?" says Kleese. Clients run a range of all pre-college grades with the youngest in middle school, but Kleese recommends active engagement with any counselor by the child's sophomore year in high school. nŀ ISGIVESUSTIMETOǠGUREOUTTHˬT 'why' and 'who,'" explains Kleese. "And we can keep tabs on all of the testing and ˬPPLICˬTIONSˬLONGWITHǠGURINGOUTTHE best option and environment for getting THEULTIMˬTEINBENEǠTSˬNDVˬLUEo REALISTIC PLANNING With two currently college-bound children, the Wilkins family understands the reality of planning for any post-high school education. And they're using what they've learned to ensure their daugh- ter Hallie, a 6th grader, is ready for the process. "We're saving even more, we've cut back on expenses, and are doing more re- search," says the children's mother, Lisa. It's some real life, good advice. For a list of seminars and top college planning tips, visit BRAVAmagazine.com. (608) 829-7777 WWWLEMKEFACIALSURGERYCOM s WWW3KIN#ARENET *OHN 1 (AMMONS $R 3UITE s -ADISON Wrinkles Disappear WITH ONE TREATMENT follow us on facebook Look older, tired or unhappy even though you feel youthful inside? Maybe it's time to replenish volume and stimulate collagen production with Radiesse Volumizing Filler! $100 OFF Radiesse Volumizing Filler Treatment! Offer Ends March 31! Think Spring! Let Willy Street Co-op help with your gardening needs. Potting soil, Seed Saver seeds, fertilizers, locally made compost & local seed-starter mix. Willy West: 6825 University Ave., -IDDLETON s ( 608 ) 284-7800 Willy East: 1221 Williamson St., -ADISON s ( 608 ) 251-6776 oPEN AMnPM DAILY s WWWWILLYSTReet.coop Join for as little as $10 for the first year, or a one-time payment of $58.