BEHAVIORAL TRUTHSof Confident College Applicants

Alistair Grant, HighGround EducationBruce Reed, Compass Education Group

Philosophy

Language

Culture

Discovering and Creating Alignment

Process

Problems

People

Philosophical Hierarchy

Displacement Language

• Familiar• Anxiety• Tension• Obligation• Judgment• Facts• Anonymity• Comfort• Applicant

Default

• Depth• Joy• Poise• Choice• Curiosity• Truths• Creating Advocacy• Unexplored• Author

Empowering

Seeing oneself as an author

Successful Behavioral Truths are Revealed

Assume Control

Embrace Accountability

Create Advocacy

Demonstrate Vision

Order of Operations

WHO (are you?) WHO (do you want to become?) (do you want to join?)

WHY (do you want to go to college?)WHAT (would you like to do while you are there?)

WHEN (do you want to/ when should you go to college?)

WHERE (do your answers point you?)

Successful Behavioral Truths

Students…Approach the process with curiosity, the birthplace of

successful behavioral truths Show up with the right attitudeAcknowledge what the college process demands of them Invest fully in the process and in themselvesTake ownership of the processHumanize the process and personalize it Focus on what is actionable by building strong

relationships with teachers, coaches, parents and peersCreate advocacy by building those relationships

Successful Behavioral Truths

Students…Create a high school narrative that allows them to enter

the process with a posture of confidenceUnderstand that proper preparedness will always reveal

itself during the processMaintain realistic expectations about where they are likely

to gain admissionRealize their responsibility is not to “find” the perfect

college, but rather a community where they can “create” the very experience they envision

Realize that they are not a passenger; they are driving the bus, not getting on and expecting to be taken somewhere

Detrimental Behavioral Truths

Students…Compare themselves to other people navigating the

process Focus on the noise that this process can generate Focus on the outcome, not the processReact to the media hypeHold onto unrealistic expectationsChange themselves to become who they think the college

wants them to beRealize that a lack of preparedness will always reveal itselfWrite a high school narrative that does not allow them to

enter the process with a posture of confidence

Creating Culture

Positive Alignment and a Shared Mindset

People, Problems, Process

Preparation, Reflection, and Accountability

Postures of Confidence and Control

Correct Order of Operations