267: How to Find the Right Fit (and Most Funds) for College with Dr. Pamela Ellis, The Education Doctor

Want to help your child get into their top choice college with $75,000 of scholarship money? Then pay attention Money Lover, because today we’re talking about what you need to know–and what you can do–to make that happen. Choosing and paying for the right college is something that has frustrated many parents for many years. Dr. Pamela Ellis has made it her mission to help families navigate the admissions process and get the financial support they need, which is why I invited her to join me on the podcast! Dr. Ellis is an award-winning author of the best-seller "What to Know Before They Go: College Edition," and the founder of Compass College Advisory. She and her team have helped over 30,000 families navigate college admissions, ensuring teens find the right fit without overspending. Dr. Ellis has a 95% success rate in getting students into their top-choice colleges, and secures an average of $75,000 in scholarships per student. In this conversation we talked about what led her to this line of work, how she supports families in the college application process, and the five elements of “fit” to consider when selecting a school. Buckle up for a conversation you will find educational and illuminating–because it covers more than just how to fund a 529. Here’s what you’ll learn in this week’s episode of Love, your Money: 02:27 How being a first generation high school and college graduate influenced Pamela’s education experience and led her to become “The Education Doctor” 04:35 How Pamela’s work supports teens and parents–and why she visited 500+ colleges to help her connect students with the right school for their needs 06:50 When families should begin strategizing for college applications, and activities that are helpful in the application process 08:43 The struggle of letting go when you’re a parent, how Pamela helps parents trust their children in the process, and why that’s so important 12:05 The sticker price of college, the average amount American families actually pay, and where the biggest scholarship dollars come from 13:39 The five factors of “fit” that helps Pamela match students with the best college–and increase their chances of admission 15:05 How social dynamics, recreational activities, and personal factors like diet influence the best college/student fit 16:37 How finding the “right” college fit impacts the amount of scholarship support you can access, and the best place to focus your energy, including the FAFSA and CSS Profile 19:48 A story from Dr. Ellis that will make you never doubt the support your student can get 23:25 A gift from Pamela: The College Confidence Blueprint, a step-by-step guide to support your teen in their college journey Show Notes To get access to the full show notes, including all the resources mentioned, visit: https://hendershottwealth.com/podcast/pamela-ellis-find-the-right-fit-for-college Follow Hilary on: LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Hendershott Wealth Management, LLC and Love, your Money do not make specific investment recommendations on Love, your Money or in any public media. Any specific mentions of funds or investments are strictly for illustrative purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice or acted upon by individual investors. The opinions expressed in this episode are those of Hilary Hendershott, CFP®, MBA.