How to Give Your Kid the Ultimate, Almost Unfair Edge in College Admissions...

Glen Head
Thursday, 9:35 a.m.

Dear fellow parent,

You might not like what I'm about to say, but you won't hear it from your guidance counselor.  Let’s put the skunk on the table. 

Getting into a top college is now a real-life version of ‘Survivor," but with more essays.

It’s not enough to have straight A’s. Or perfect test scores.

Or a well-rounded resume with three parts "leadership," a dollop of "passion project" (UGGH) and a sprinkle of community service.

Because guess what? So does everyone else.

✔ Acceptance rates are at historic lows
✔ Admissions officers reject thousands of applicants who “did everything right”
✔ Kids at every high school get deferred and waitlisted by “safety” schools that they and their guidance counselors thought were "slam dunks."

Meanwhile, you’re stuck wondering:

🚨 Is MY child doing enough?
🚨 Should we be playing the admissions game differently?  (It feels rigged!)
🚨 If we get this wrong, will it cost them their future?

It’s a bloodbath out there.  But sitting back and merely hoping for the best?

Highly NOT recommended.  Hope is not a strategy.

That’s why select, smart families—the ones who refuse to settle and want to give their children the best—work with Lockwood College Prep.

Because we don’t just help students beat the odds and “get in.” We help them WIN.  At life. 

However, our approach to college planning is different, and not right for everyone.  We're a small shop that works with a handful of motivated, "coachable" clients. 

We're choosier than you might think about whom we accept as clients, because we know from experience who is a good fit and who's not (Helicopter Parents, Snowplow Parents, actors named Lori or Felicity or anybody who would lie, bribe or photoshop their kids playing water polo in order to get into college.  Or the "un-fun" and Energy Vampires in general.)

How We Give Our Students an (Almost) Unfair Advantage in College Admissions

We’ve spent over 20 years perfecting The P4 System, our proprietary method that helps students:

✔ Craft a clear, strategic application that compels admissions committees at elite schools to say YES
✔ Stand out in a Sea of Sameness among thousands of other “perfect” candidates
✔ Get into top schools—with minimal chaos, drama or anxiety

Put another way, we help engineer applications so compelling that...

Admissions officers will want to put YOUR kid’s essay on THEIR fridge!

We're not in the business of assisting another “well-rounded,” National Honor Society student to get lost in the pile of applications.

Families sign on with us to ensure that their children become standout, too-good-to-ignore "Incomparable Applicants."

And for well-to-do families who don’t qualify for financial aid?

This isn't politically correct, but you might be surprised to learn that colleges allocate more money to upper-echelon earners, compared to low income families.

No, they're not taking any money away from lesser-resourced families -- it's part of their business model.  Our affluent clients regularly receive multiple five-figure merit scholarship awards.  Frequently, these offers are negotiable, too.

If you're a high income business owner, there are 153 provisions in the tax code that could help you unlock cash buried in your business, to use to pay for college instead of needlessly forking it over to the IRS.

No matter how you slice it, there's no reason to overpay for college.  Our motto:

You have to pay tuition, but you don’t need to leave a tip!

So yes—we help students get into top-tier schools, and families pay "wholesale" prices. But that’s actually not the most important part of our program.

The Self-Sabotaging, Catastrophic Mistake That Even Smart Families Make About College

Are you OK if I lay out a little harsh truth here? Most parents, guidance counselors (if you’ve met with yours yet) and 99% of college consultants focus on one thing only:

🏆 Getting into the most prestigious college possible.

So what's so wrong about that?

It depends. Here are a few potential problems that come to mind:

🚨 Far too many students graduate without a clue what to do next (which was easier to do back when you and I applied to college, but not in today's turbulent times)
🚨 Even Ivy League grads struggle to launch into the real world - - an increasing amount of employers are explicitly staying away from nepo babies and the coddled classes
🚨 Thousands of families fork over $300K+ on a degree at their kid’s Dream School—only to watch their kid move back home, jobless and aimless

Because this short-term, "Get into the best school possible and you'll just figure it out" plan  neglects the much more important, and complex, Long Game.

Getting into college is not the finish line. It’s the BEGINNING.

The real question is..

How do we make sure college actually pays off?

Don't get me wrong.  For the right student, getting Into an Ivy or other prestigious "Rear Window Sticker College" unlocks opportunities that can turn into lifetime advantages.

For many others, not so much.  Harvard isn't right for everyone.

How to Avoid the College Admissions Trap and Set Your Kid Up for Success

The first step in our P4 System is backward planning.  In other words, getting a College Return on College Investment.

When we start coaching a new student, we won't utter a word about the college list, applications, etc., for several days.  The initial part of our process is about something different, and more important:  Helping your child to discover...

✔ How they’re wired—so they don’t waste years switching majors two-three times and taking two extra years to graduate
✔ Which "best fit," high-satisfaction careers match their strengths and interests, so work feels like “play” -- and they can make a living
✔ How to choose a college that sets them up for REAL success, post-college.  It’s about the 40 years, not the four.

Then, and ONLY then, do we map out a college admissions strategy that makes sense.

Because it’s not about just getting in -- it’s about getting in, then GETTING OUT, and GETTING SET UP for a career and successful life they actually love.

Our job is to help your kid launch, using the best fit college as a means to an end, meaning...

✔ No Six Year Plan

✔No graduating with a useless degree. 

 ✔No outlay of $300K plus only to lead to a career of making unpronounceable coffee drinks or rolling burritos

This is how smart families pull off the seemingly impossible and win the College Game.

✔ Click here to book a strategy session
✔ You will discover how we can help map out a personalized plan to get your child into the right school AND set them up for a lucrative, fulfilling career.
✔ If it’s a fit, we’ll build a clear, winning strategy to make sure college is a smart investment, not just an expensive four-year detour.

Because in the end, this isn’t just about where your kid goes to college.

It’s about where they END UP, afterward.

Let's chat!

Andy Lockwood
Lockwood College Prep
516-882-5464

P.S. Most families spend more time planning a vacation than mapping out the next 40 years of their child's life. 

Be the exception. Book your College Strategy Session today.

My son is going to a top college on monies he received totally from Andy's involvement.  He looked me in the eye and told me...'I get my clients five times the amount of their investment.  HE WASN'T KIDDING!!!  Best money I ever spent.

Scott Sanders, Long Beach, NY

I needed someone to bounce ideas off of for the essays, it was great to have you.  I knew my English teachers could not help me.  Thank you!

- Julia Petrini, Brown University

I don't know where to begin. Our financial aid packages are just now starting to come in and each one is better than the next.  Just today Boston University gave is $40,000.  Rob and I had no idea how were were possibly going to afford to send our girls to college.  Thanks to your knowledge of filing and the FAFSA and CSS form, and your strategic positioning of our finances, we're now comfortable in knowing we are getting the most out of the system and will be able to put our girls through college.  Thank you Andy!  You made this process so easy and, dare I say, downright fun...you helped us afford our kids' dream schools.  Thank goodness you know all the loopholes.

Very truly yours,

Stephanie and Rob Salzbank, Port Washington, NY

 Dear Andy

I finally have a moment to thank you for all your help this year.  I know that my circumstances are unusual.  You pushed me outside of my comfort zone in order to financially benefit.  And it worked!  If you weren't beside me cheering me on, I would not have had the courage to approach the financial aid department at Syracuse - twice!  You have been great throughout this experience.  

Thanks again,

Diane, Business Owner

Dear Andy,

I wanted to thank you for all the help you have given me regarding my son Robert's financial planning for college.

You were an enormous help when I had problems with the FAFSA and eventually the appeal to SUNY Albany.

Your professionalism and patience is what makes you and your business so successful.

I am going to recommend you to all my friends so they can put their mind at ease and not have to worry about undertaking this daunting process alone!

Sincerely,

Sabrina Ferrara, Hauppauge, NY

 Andy Lockwood and Staff

Dear Mr. Lockwood,

I would like to thank Andy and his staff, and provide affirmation that Andy’s program works and is proven to be successful.  Entering into our journey regarding how we will possibly be able to fund an annual expense of $30K plus is an overwhelming mental experience.  The typical family needs guidance and direction from a qualified individual and Andy is the person to do just that.  Andy provided mental relief and was able to provide a strategy when completing the necessary details for the FAFSA.  Andy provided clear cut direction based on his knowledge and awareness of financial aid available to most families regardless of financial status.  Andy personally engagement in the process regarding the submission of the documents to the educational institutions of choice and provided an estimate of financial aid so there that there was an expectation, which allows for a family to plan accordingly.  Due to Andy’s experience and knowledge regarding available financial aid, the process of developing a plan to support my son’s financial needs for his college education was actual a pleasant experience and not one of hardship and despair.

Once again thanks, Andy to you and your staff and the continued support in making this process a rewarding experience.

We have recommended your firm to a number of our family friends and we are grateful that we were able to have the opportunity to work closely with you on this very important milestone in my son’s next step in life.

Most Sincerely

Sean Cunningham, Belleville, NJ

 Andy,

We want to thank you and Pearl for all your hard work handling our daughter’s financial aid forms and advising us on the issues surrounding college admission.  You simplified an often complex process and took a huge load off of our shoulders.  While we should have listened to your advice regarding early decision, we were pleased with the increase in financial aid afforded to us.  We look forward to your counsel in the years ahead for all three of our college bound children. It’s great working with you both.

Jeanne & Gary Lofgren, Westbury, NY

Andy on Fox Business News with Neil Cavuto

Andy featured as an expert (not a suspect)  in the film "Operation Varsity Blues -- The College Admissions Scandal"

Andy On NBC re:  Columbia University's college rank scandal

Pearl on CBS News

Pearl and Andy's radio show on Long Island Business News

The Weston High School PTO hosted Andy for an extremely informative and entertaining seminar on the best-kept secrets of securing the ideal financial aid package.

Weston is home to a high income parent population and most walked away not just pleased but astonished that they could, in fact, qualify for financial aid!

The PTO received terrific feedback and we are looking forward to having Andy back next year  -- kudos to Andy for a job well done!

Lisa Bigelow

Vice President, Weston (Connecticut) High School PTO

 My library page told me her dad attended and said you were very good, better than the guy that had come here last year, {local business man).  I also just got off the phone with a parent that called and thanked me for running your program.  She said she and the other parents got a lot of good information and that you were a wonderful speaker and very animated.  I told her I would make an effort to have you come back in the spring!

High marks indeed!

Thank you again!

Linda Meglio

Young Adult Librarian, Greenlawn Public Library

 ...My daughter's long and incongruent "wish list" quickly evolved into ten schools -three in-state and seven out of state , two back ups," the core choices and one stretch school. She was confident and focused as she plunged into the applications. With your guidance, she wrote some terrific essays and completed all ten on time. While all of this was going on you magically expedited the FAFSA and other financial paperwork to all the schools taking that burden and administrative nightmare off our shoulders.

The proof of your program was she was accepted at seven Top 100 schools four of which were out of state, waitlisted at two out of states and was only declined at the "stretch" school, Georgetown. As it turned out, the first school to reply was the one she finally chose but that was only decided once we had all the offers in hand. Every single school made very generous scholarship offers and we ended up choosing a Top 30 school that offered 95% of the total cost of attendance, 70% of which was free money!

We look forward to the next 4 years and our next child knowing that we have the College Planners on our team. Thanks again, Andy and Pete - it has been a pleasure working with you.

Regards,

Tom Browne, Weston, Florida

 Hello Andy,

How are you doing? I have some good news!!! U Miami's Office of Financial aid finally revised Farley’s fafsa and financial aid package and gave us more money. I went from receiving 4,600 to receiving 13,730 and they also sent 4,000 back to my sallie mae loan. I’m so happy!! Thank you soo much!!!

Filberta LeTang, Miami, Florida

 Thank you for your guidance during this process.  You and Pearl made it very easy.

Alan Karul, Plainview, New York

Thanks again for all your help - whenever I have a chance to speak to friends who have children with college ahead  I recommend your services.

Regards,

Frank Brecher, Commack, New York

 David was accepted at his first-choice school and we did indeed receive a very generous aid award, with no student loans required first year.

Thanks for your advice and for the information we received through your counseling, your book and the various online resources.

John Rivior, Huntington Station, New York

 Hi Andy:

Two things that I have learned over the years:

1.    Hiring a specialist to assist you in navigating stuff you are not an expert in (you are a specialist as am I.  I am coming to you for your expertise in the arena of colleges  - you do that every day, you are an expert.  Companies come to me to place their catastrophic risks- where I am an expert).  I apply this in my business and personal life.
2.    Referral Business is my lifeline.  If I do a good job for one guy he tells someone else.  My best new business sources are from referrals and people who  have done business with me in the past. So yes, if you do a good job for me I will brag to my friends about it.

I will admit that I was a little skeptical at first but awfully glad that we engaged your services I know that we have a ways to go but the first blush looks really great. [EDITOR'S NOTE:  Kelly received an $96,000 scholarship offer from one of her two top choice schools.]

I sincerely appreciate you engaging Kelly, I wanted her to be the one to take the lead and responsibility for her own destiny. Having her accountable to someone else besides her Mom (and Dad) was a motivating factor. She was happy to have completed her essay over the summer and gotten an early leg up on the application process. Some of her friends have not even completed essays yet never mind applying to colleges.

Have a great Thanksgiving you and Pearl and the kids!

Theresa Lally, Syosset, New York

 We used Andy for the applications and essays. The whole thing was overwhelming, don't try this on your own!  We will be back with our younger daughter.

- Joe Iannone, Owner, Avellino's Pizzeria

Garden City, NY

 Nicole is at her dream school, got her Presidential Scholarship - $25K! Thank you for all your help.  I always recommend you to my friends. You and your team played a great role during that painful process.  Thank god it's over lol!

- Elina Kazakevich, Staten Island NY

 Thank you for all your help throughout the entire challenging process, esp. with the applications and essays!

-Victorien Jakobsen, Vassar College

Thank you Andy & Pearl for all the "stress" RELIEF you provided in our college process planning. Thanks to Pearl our financial documents were submitted in a timely fashion. Andy's amazing way of talking with us kept us on track in every aspect. This process could've been a nightmare. With Lockwood College Prep, it has been a pleasure. Receiving the acceptances to Colleges has been wonderful!

-Diana Hadjiyane, Wantagh, NY