Sessions & Speakers

College Fair 25 Wisconsin & Minnesota Colleges

• University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
• University of Wisconsin - Madison
• University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
• University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
• University of Wisconsin – Platteville
• University of Wisconsin – Parkside
• University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
• University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
• Marquette University
• Cardinal Stritch University
• Marian University
• Lawrence University
• Viterbo University
• Vanderbilt University
• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• Milwaukee Area Technical College
• Northland College
• St. Norbert College
• Lakeland College
• Edgewood College
• Alverno College
• Ripon College
• Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Mt. Mary College
• ITT Technical Institute-Germantown

This is the final list of colleges that will be in attendance.

Opening Session College Essay Writing

Presented by: Gia P. Euler - Admission Counselor and African American Recruiter, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Latrice Harris-Collins - Admissions Counselor/Multicultural Outreach, Marquette University

Tips and secrets for writing strong application essays and submitting applications that will get you noticed. Learn how to make your college application and essay a strong representation of all your best qualities and achievements.

Session IA and IIIE ACT Prep + Study - Stress = Academic Success

Presented by: Sid Truckenbrod, President, ACT Prep Plus

The high school junior year is very important in preparation for college. Students and parents want to know: Why do some students score high on the ACT college entrance test and others crash? This session will address the 8 components of success for scoring high on the ACT test ranging from how to take the test, subject knowledge in each tested academic area, and stress reducers. Sid has helped students prepare for ACT for over 20 years.

Sid Truckenbrod is the President of Act Prep Plus, a company that conducts classes and provides private tutoring for students planning to take the ACT, PSAT, or SAT.

Sid retired in 2005, after 39 years in education working as a math teacher, Principal, and Director of Human Resources for the School District of Menomonee Falls. He now spends his time teaching ACT prep classes at a number of high schools in Southeastern Wisconsin and doing private tutoring.

He first noticed the advantage of prepping students for college entrance test in the 1980’s when he worked with a girl who improved from a 28 to 32 on the ACT. "She went from a scholarship of $1000/year to $5000/year because of that score. She correctly calculated that she made $ 16000 for 12 hours work!", Sid said. He also tutored a talented football player with reading problems who improved from an 11 to a 15. That score enabled him to receive a Division I football scholarship,graduate from college, and go on to pro ball.

He sees greater pressure to score high on the ACT and SAT for admission and scholarships. "I love to help students improve. They see measureable results when they work hard to prepare for the tests."

Session IB Public, Private, or Technical - What is the Right Fit for You?

Presented by: Wendy Wink - Wisconsin Association for Independant Colleges and Universities; Jenny Wagner, Moraine Park Technical College; Katie Christenson - Univeristy of Wisconsin HELP

Do you prefer public or private, large or small, or maybe a technical school is for you. These are all choices you have to make when considering college. An expert panel will discuss the distinct differences between public, private and technical schools.

Session IC and IID Social Media, You & Your College Search

Presented by: Dan Hamrin - Admissions Counselor: Marquette University; College students - various schools

In this session we will review the ways prospective students may engage with universities and their current students through social media. Along with discussing how social media can help a student during the college search we will also cover rules students should follow when interacting with colleges online.

Session ID and IIB Scholarships 101! Jumpstart to Success

Presented by: Kim Stezala, The Scholarship Lady℠

Are you wondering if you are scholarship material? Do you want a competitive edge as you apply for private scholarships? This introductory session delivers street smart advice on how to approach the scholarship process like a pro. Families will get the facts, learn the best scholarship tactics and review the six most common mistakes. Bring your burning questions and The Scholarship Lady will answer them! Students at every grade level will gain a competitive edge as they head back they head back to school with a jumpstart toward scholarship success. Note: We will focus on non-athletic scholarships.

Kimberly Stezala, The Scholarship Lady℠, has devoted nearly fifteen years to helping students achieve their educational goals. She was founder of Wisconsin’s first online scholarship search engine and director of a precollege program. Her professional experiences have granted her an insiders view of the scholarship world and her goal is to connect the people who have the money with the people who need the money.

Ms. Stezala shares her straightforward and savvy advice as owner and blogger at www.scholarshipstreet.com and author of Scholarships 101: The Real-World Guide to Getting Cash for College. She has been a guest speaker at the National Scholarship Providers Association, the National College Access Network and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Most recently, she appeared on Fox 6 Wakeup News and WTMJ-4’s Morning Blend talk show.

Beyond scholarships, she is the President of Stezala Consulting, LLC, a company that helps education, community and charitable organizations to create, improve and expand their programs.

Session IE How to Get Financial Aid to Work for You

Presented by: Brad Baldridge, CFP®, Baldridge College Solutions, LLC

This session will go beyond the basics and provide useful information on the financial aid process and how it all works! We will discuss:

• Sources of Financial Aid
• When & how to apply for aid
• Strategies to get the maximum amount of aid
• Best practices when filling out the FAFSA
• What you should and should NOT do before applying for aid
• Why parents of juniors and sophomores need to plan ahead

Brad Baldridge is a College Funding Consultant that specializes in providing customized planning using the latest tax reduction, cash flow and academic strategies to reduce a family’s college expenses. He is a uniquely trained specialist in late stage college funding planning when families no longer have time to save. Brad’s proprietary planning process has the potential to save a family tens of thousands of dollars per child over four years.

Brad lectures extensively, conducting numerous workshops each year on college funding. Past workshop sponsors include the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Wisconsin School Counselor Association, Wisconsin Education Association Council, Wisconsin Association of College Admission Counseling, the Milwaukee Bar Association and community park and recreation departments.

Brad is a registered representative of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., Inc. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and a member of the local and national chapters of the Financial Planning Association. Brad received his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin Platteville in 1990.

www.BaldridgeCollegeSolutions.com

Registered Representative, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Baldridge Wealth Management and Baldridge College Solutions are affiliated. Cambridge and the Baldridge companies are not affiliated.

Session IF Where to Begin? Steps to a Successful Career and College Choice

Presented by: Bonnie Weiland Hare - IECA Consultant, Hare Career & College Consulting

"Where do I begin?" The career and college decision process is very encompassing. This session will focus on the "step by step" process that will help students make these important decisions. Students will be receiving handouts that will help them develop timelines, track community and volunteer activities and a booklet on how to get good grades in college. In addition, assessment instruments to assist students in evaluating their interests, learning styles and personality type will be shared.

Bonnie Weiland Hare is President of HARE Career and College Consulting and a member of the Independent Education Consultants Association. As a consultant, Bonnie works with high school students and families in the career and college decision process. Bonnie provides a full-range of services that guide a student through career assessment, college listings, college application completion and scholarships. You are invited to visit our website at: www.hareconsulting.com for complete services.

Session IIA Beyond Financial Aid! More Great Strategies to Reduce Your College Costs!

Presented by: Brad Baldridge, CFP®, Baldridge College Solutions, LLC

This session offers many tips and techniques that may save you thousands of dollars even if your family does not qualify for need-based financial aid. You will learn:

• How to use tax planning so the IRS can help pay for your college expenses
• How to reduce your out-of-pocket college expenses
• Great strategies to use in your freshman, sophomore and junior years
• How to maximize the aid from the colleges
• How to effectively use Edvest and other 529 plans
• How to attend a private college for less than the cost of a public

Brad Baldridge is a College Funding Consultant that specializes in providing customized planning using the latest tax reduction, cash flow and academic strategies to reduce a family’s college expenses. He is a uniquely trained specialist in late stage college funding planning – planning when families no longer have time to save. Brad’s proprietary planning process has the potential to save a family tens of thousands of dollars per child over four years.

Brad lectures extensively, conducting numerous workshops each year on college funding. Past workshop sponsors include the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Wisconsin School Counselor Association, Wisconsin Education Association Council, Wisconsin Association of College Admission Counseling, the Milwaukee Bar Association and community park and recreation departments.

Brad is a registered representative of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., Inc. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and a member of the local and national chapters of the Financial Planning Association. Brad received his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin Platteville in 1990.

www.BaldridgeCollegeSolutions.com

Registered Representative, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Baldridge Wealth Management and Baldridge College Solutions are affiliated. Cambridge and the Baldridge companies are not affiliated.

Session IIC and IIIB Learning How to Apply for Financial Aid

Presented by: Kari Gribble - Director of Financial Aid, Edgewood College

This program will start at the beginning and show you the basics of what financial aid is and how to apply for it. No matter what you think you know about aid, this session will teach you how to make it work for you. Topics will include:

• The financial aid application process
• The federal grant and loan programs
• How to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Session IIE Interest Inventory

Presented by: TBA - TBA

Session IIF What Every Parent Needs to Know About Getting Their Kid Into College

Presented by: Chandar Robertson - College Access Advisor, Great Lakes Higher Education

• Explains what parents can do to help their children prepare for college at every grade level.
• Topics include setting expectations, preparing academically, researching and applying to colleges and financial aid.

Session IIIC College Application "Tip" Factors

Presented by: Bonnie Weiland Hare - IECA Consultant, Hare Career & College Consulting

Students and parents often wonder, "What do colleges look for in a college application?" "Why are some students with the same background denied admission?" This session will focus on the "TIP" factors, those things that can "tip" an application for acceptance.

Bonnie Weiland Hare is President of HARE Career and College Consulting and a member of the Independent Education Consultants Association. As a consultant, Bonnie works with high school students and families in the career and college decision process. Bonnie provides a full-range of services that guide a student through career assessment, college listings, college application completion and scholarships. You are invited to visit our website at: www.hareconsulting.com for complete services.

Session IIID Freshman Year & Beyond: What to expect during college (everything you want to know, but are afraid to ask!)

Presented by: Students from local colleges, universities & technical schools

A panel of real college students will talk about the mysterious world of college. The classes, the studying, the ways to get involved, and even the ability to study in another country!

Session IIIF Plan Ahead to Get Ahead --- Starting Now!

Presented by: Robin Jasinski - School Counselor, West Bend East High School; Carla Olle - College Counselor, Brookfield Academy

College preparation starts long belong you visit a school or fill out an application. Learn how to prepare yourself for college while still in High School!