I have always tried to encourage my children to think about how they're different/unique in their own way, rather than get bogged down on how they can "be better, smarter, (fill in your favorite xxxx-er) than their classmates, whether that be in academics or extracurricular activities. For example, my sophomore son loves the humanities, but most of his friends, and most of the academic focus at his high school seems to be on STEM courses and STEM-related clubs such as robotics.‍

Dr. Grigas' module on "How to Create a Student Brand" gave me the knowledge and tools I need as a parent to help my son value his unique strengths/perspective and BEGIN the process of discovering his "brand". It is not easy to help a 16-year-old teen think about his values, figure out his strengths, come up with a positioning statement, etc, but being a marketing professional myself, I found Dr. Grigas' approach to applying marketing principles and concepts to the college application process very eye-opening. I will continue to work on the exercises, and when the time is right, will share them with him as well.

Meanwhile, I did share with my son my take on his brand identity, and he was excited by it... and that started us on a conversation about his goals for college, his anxieties about venturing out on his own, etc. which I think was probably the biggest benefit of the course. It created a great bonding opportunity between me and my son.

For fellow parents looking for ways to help their student stand out from the thousands of applicants in a crazy competitive, unpredictable admissions process, I recommend this course - it allows us to take a breather and just look at the child we already have standing in front of us (rather than forcing him/her to become someone else to get into their dream college).

I was unsure how to guide my son through the college application process and help him explore his passions. The thought of filling out applications and showcasing his accomplishments seemed daunting and anxiety-inducing for him. However, after completing all the modules in the program, our perspective has completely transformed.

The content was educational, eye-opening, and perfectly paced. The length of each chapter was just right, keeping my son engaged and attentive. The program not only provided a clear path for him to follow but also encouraged him to explore his interests deeply. Hearing the examples and accomplishments of other students inspired him to view the application process as a living template, a project he can continually work on and be proud of throughout his high school years.

The program has given my son the confidence to delve into his passions, such as the summer 'math & codes & ciphers' course he is currently taking from JHU. Dr. Grigas' advice to explore these interests further and potentially turn them into a breakthrough achievement has been invaluable. We are incredibly grateful for the guidance provided by this program and the positive impact it has had on our approach to the college application process. It has transformed a once daunting task into an exciting opportunity for growth and self-discovery.

I thought our last Zoom meeting about the student brand was informative and engaging. I appreciated the care you took in answering each student's questions.

I'm currently completing the [Student Brand Module] and want to commend your clear explanation of each student brand aspect. I now understand that the student brand isn't about reducing yourself to a few traits—it's making sure AOs see you as you want to be seen.

Once I viewed more of the videos and worksheets, the CAA methodology made much more sense. It's not about feeding into the college machine, but about approaching the system in a realistic manner.

Thank you for your time and understanding. I'm glad I continued with CAA.

I used to struggle to effectively convey the concepts from Dr. Grigas book to my daughter, Gargi, as she prepared to enter high school. The academy has been invaluable in bridging this gap and empowering Gargi to become self-sufficient and knowledgeable about the college admissions process.

The length of the material is perfect for capturing attention and ensuring retention. Gargi has learned and benefited from each video on student branding and strategic edge. Her biggest takeaway was the importance of ensuring a cohesive application, which cannot be achieved if you start working on it late.

The academy has provided a solid foundation, but Gargi has expressed a desire for personalized guidance and feedback, particularly in lessons such as finding her passion. With her list of extracurricular activities, understanding how her application will be perceived if she continues on her current path would be beneficial.

The opportunity to learn from Dr. Grigas and be a part of this transformative journey has been invaluable, and we look forward to the next steps in this process.

Before discovering Dr. Grigas' Admissions Academy, I found it challenging to convey the importance of early preparation and strategic thinking to my child, who will be entering 9th grade this fall. The Academy has provided a roadmap for pursuing in-depth interests and achieving breakthrough accomplishments, which can be intimidating, but the content is very interesting and full of novel concepts.

The themes and principles are backed up with real-life examples and careful explanations, all very clearly put forth! The Admissions Academy has provided a solid foundation for my child to start thinking strategically about his future, and I look forward to continuing to work with him using the valuable insights and tools provided by Dr. Grigas.