Benefit from the Mistakes of a Harvard Graduate

Paul J. Kim, Esq.Managing Director

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Today’s Objectives

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•Learn from a Harvard graduate’s mistakes

•Re-consider your approach to college admissions

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Thank you for your time. Allow me to introduce myself….

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim

I’m a 1st generation immigrant who benefited from the sacrifices of his parents

Professional Career Highlights• International Management Consulting – Bain & Company• Wall Street Finance – JP Morgan• Corporate Strategy & Marketing – Fortune 500

Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies• Licensed Attorney, State of New Jersey

Academics• Stuyvesant High School (NYC)• Harvard University (AB with Honors)• Columbia Business School (MBA)• Rutgers Law School (JD)

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Over the years, I have learned how college, graduate school and job applicants are evaluated

Admissions Interviewer• Harvard University – 15 yrs.• Columbia Business School – 10 yrs.

Corporate Hiring Experience• Bain & Company – college students• Johnson & Johnson – MBA students; industry hires• Wyeth – MBA students; industry hires

Resume Coach• Columbia Business School – selected to guide 1st Year

MBA students with building their resumes

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim

I have advised students and their parents based on this knowledge

Seminar Speaker & Advisor•University Groups – Princeton, Rutgers•Korean Consulate of New York City•Parent Associations and Students – High

Schools in NYC and Suburban Atlanta•Church and Other Organizations in NY, NJ, PA,

WA

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim

I’ve written a book about my what I’ve learned over the years

• Published in 2003; 264 pages;

ISBN: 978-1410790927

• Available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

• Key Topics CoveredPreparing for college admissionsTransforming college into a

foundation for one’s future careerDeveloping a rewarding career

after college

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim8

www.CrimsonSherpa.com

(347) 688-8295

Specialties:• Admissions Strategies• Personal Essays• Admissions Interviews• Resumes

I have been an admissions consultant serving clients since 1990

Students:• 8th graders – 12th graders

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Along the way, I’ve made many mistakes. Let’s discuss a few, shall

we?

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Mistake #1: Thinking that a great academic record and a diverse set of extracurriculars were enough to get

into a top college

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim11

The goal of every admissions committees is to bring in students who:

You have to differentiate yourself and address these 4 critical issues

• Have the potential to be an alum who makes the school look good

Marketing 101: Know Your Customer

• Can contribute meaningfully to the school community

• Are willing to matriculate if accepted

• Have the ability to do the work

© 2011 Paul J. Kim12

Admissions Screening Process

Because there are so many applicants with strong grades, factors such as the following become even more important during the evaluation process.

• Campus Visits

• Essays

• Extracurricular Activities

• Interviews

• Recommendations

© 2011 Paul J. Kim13

Admitted students had differentiation

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Mistake #2: Focusing so much on getting into Harvard that I did not know

what to do once I got there

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Choose Your College Wisely

Would you wear a Brooks Brothers suit even if it didn’t fit you, just so that you could wear fancy name-brand attire?

Source: www.strangenotes.com, www.jupiterimages.com, www.policeyouth.com (1/1/08)

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Choosing a College is Like Choosing a Supermarket

Go to the one that has the right ingredients for what you want to create.

Source: Company Websites

© 2011 Paul J. Kim17

I got into my dream school.NOW WHAT?

Critical Issues:•Choosing classes / selecting a major•Knowing which summer internships / term-time jobs and activities to pursue•Writing a cover letter, resume•Preparing for job interviews•Deciding on graduate schools•Evaluating future career paths?

Getting into a competitive college is important, but it is more critical to use the opportunity to

prepare effectively for life after college

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Consider this:

Not all Ivy Leaguers are successful, and not all successful people are Ivy Leaguers.

Choose the school that’s right for you!

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Mistake #3: Not realizing the importance of social skills

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim

The Importance of Social Skills

Regardless of your chosen profession, over time, your social skills become more and more important.

Technical Skills

Social Skills

Con

trib

uti

on

to S

ucc

ess

DEVELOP THEM NOW

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Developing Your Social Skills

Get involved with social skill-developing extracurricular activities at school and in your community. Organizations – newspaper, yearbook,

student businesses, student government Teams – athletic teams, academic teams Cultural Groups – even if you aren’t of a

certain ethnic background, you can still join

Interest Groups – Christian club, book clubs

Volunteer Groups – Big siblings, tutoring programs

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Social Skills = Influence

Influence = having people partner with you so that you can achieve your goals

Social skills enable you to know: What to say How to say it When to say it Who to say it to

Become a Person of Influence

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Mistake #4: Forgetting to stay positive

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim24

I did not have a perfect track record

Rejected by numerous:

• Employment Opportunities

• Business Schools

• Law Schools

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

Consider This

Successful people are not those who've never fallen.

They are those who have the courage and strength to GET

BACK UP each time they fall.

© 2011 Paul J. Kim

I have learned a lot from my mistakes.

I make sure that my clients benefit from these lessons that I’ve learned over the

years.

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© 2011 Paul J. Kim27

Crimson Sherpa is a different type of college admissions consulting service

Like other companies, we serve clients with:• Admissions strategies for 8th – 12th graders• College applications guidance• Personal essay assistance• Admissions interview preparations

But, we also provide FREE mentorship• Before College: life coaching, “bridge” between parents and students• During College: academics, extracurriculars, summer plans, grad

school plans, career planning• After College: career management

Crimson Sherpa’s Goal: a LONG-TERM relationship focused on your child’s success

© 2011 Paul J. Kim28Source: www.facebook.com/CrimsonSherpa

Annie* / Duke University / Wash. Univ. in St. Louis Med. School“Paul is more than just a mentor. He is a true friend. Paul guided me through the tough college admissions process and brought out the best in me. He inspired me to become more like the person he envisioned for my future.”

Student Testimonials

Thomas** / George Washington University“I’ve been dreaming of getting into my college since sophomore year and you made it really happen for me. I think all the times we have talked, you only complimented me and made my confidence go up. Every time we met and had dinner, you also told me a lot about life in general rather than just colleges. I think this was one of the most important times of my life because it gave me a lot of ideas about life.”

** Long-term client since 12th grade

* Long-term client since 11th grade

© 2011 Paul J. Kim29

Parent Testimonial

Parent / 11th Grader / Atlanta, GA“Paul has been providing guidance to my daughter for the past 2 years, since she was a freshman. As she entered high school, we were very concerned about the road ahead – college admissions, selecting a major, future career paths, etc. We feel so fortunate that we met Paul. He provided such insightful and knowledgeable advice regarding all of our concerns that my daughter and I are now very confident about her future.

Paul provides strategic guidance on what classes to select, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, etc. He also guides my daughter in a way that makes her feel at ease. As a result, I’ve seen a significant improvement in her outlook on college admissions since she first began working with Paul.

As my daughter approaches her critical junior year, we are confident that with Paul’s guidance and mentorship, she will have another successful year as she prepares for college admissions.”

© 2011 Paul J. Kim30

Crimson Sherpa clients have had solid results since 1990

Colleges Include• Amherst• Boston College• Columbia• Cornell• Dartmouth• Duke• Emory• George Washington• Georgetown• Northwestern• Notre Dame

• Princeton• Rutgers• Swarthmore• U Michigan• UNC• U Penn• U Virginia• Vanderbilt• West Point• Yale

© 2011 Paul J. Kim31

We would be honored to have you as a client!

www.CrimsonSherpa.com

(347) 688-8295