Meet Jean Keller

How long have you been a college planning coach and how did you begin?

Since 2003, I’ve worked with hundreds of families solve the problems of finding the right fit for the student and the family — colleges that fit academically, socially and financially. I have been so fortunate to help so many parents give their children the college educations they need and deserve. The best part is that my parents aren’t wiping out their savings, doing “without” or sacrificing their retirements to pay for their student’s college education. They aren’t overpaying for that essential cornerstone of their child’s future success — a college education.

Teaching and mentoring young adults so that they can achieve their full potential really is my true calling in life. I’m a former teacher, having taught for over seven years at both the high school and college level.

I am repeatedly asked by students and parents alike questions like:

Just what are the colleges looking for from a student?
Why does one kid get in and another who “looks the same” on paper doesn’t?
Why weren’t my good grades and SAT scores enough?
How does the college think we can pay so much?
Why are we not getting any financial aid?

As a mother myself, I totally understand how parents feel about all of this and how frustrating it can be… I hear that confusion and frustration from families all the time. I know many of you can relate to that feeling.

Because of these questions, and my passion and desire to help students and parents find great schools that are a good fit academically, socially AND financially, I became a college admissions and financial aid expert. Right now, a great deal of control rests with the colleges and if you don’t know how the system works, it’s a lot harder for you to maintain some control over the process and succeed at the college game. And I want to put you back in control of the college process.

In addition to having been a teacher, I also spent several years as a former Senior Sales and Marketing manager for a national entertainment company. My background in both the business and education areas put me in a unique position to help families. Working with clients, I realized that when certain steps and strategies were implemented consistently, it produced repeatable and verifiable results –it’s all about getting Noticed in the admissions office, getting in at colleges right for them and getting money you need to help pay the bill.

You see the education-focused side of me understands the desire to be at a great school and to find the right fit. But the business person in me also realizes that an essential ingredient of that “right fit” has to be about the money. Giving your student a college education is essential to their future opportunities, but you shouldn’t overpay for that college education, either.

I created my Get Noticed, Get IN, Get Money College System as a direct result of working with my individual coaching clients, and now all of my solutions – from my home coaching solution, all the way to my top-tier individual coaching solutions are based on this system.

And the proof it works is in the pudding, so to speak. Following the principles of my system –this past year, to date, my individual coaching clients earned over 8.2 million dollars in scholarship and grant money – that’s free money that doesn’t have to be paid back – and what’s even better is that every single dollar of it came from the schools themselves. Not one dollar of it came from “private scholarships” from a company or community organization.

I have helped “my families” save an average of $15,574 per year.

At the end of four years, that’s $62,296 left in their pockets rather than the schools’!

What could you use that money you save on your child’s college education for?

Retirement? Investing? Future Weddings? Vacations?

Who are your clients, exactly?

My clients are families who are committed to providing the best foundation for future success possible. They are looking for the best schools and the best programs, at the best prices possible. They understand that there are a lot of decisions that affect everyone involved. They make the commitment of time and resources so that they can get the results they’re looking for.

While one student might be Ivy League material, the perfect fit for another might be a large public university or another private college. Finding the right fit for the student is always important. Of course, a college education is also likely to be one of the largest and most important investments a family will ever make. Having expert advice to help you get the best value for your educational dollars is priceless.

This is a defining moment in your child’s life, now is not the time to cut corners.

The parents involved in our individual coaching solutions are pretty busy dealing with work and running a family and all the things that come with that. They already have a pretty full plate. They value the time-savings that comes from knowing what to do, when to do it and having someone show them exactly how to do it.

The students involved in programs are good, solid students who come from both public and private schools. They know they want to go to college and they’re doing what they need to do to make it happen. As a result, they, like their parents, are typically pretty busy — keeping up with their studies, sports, volunteer work, clubs, making time for friends and family. Because they’re so busy, they find the thought of adding such a big, important project — perhaps THE most important project, the “college thing” — and still finding time for everything else pretty overwhelming.

Because both parents and students are so busy, they value knowing what to do, when to do it, and most importantly the time saved by having someone show them exactly how to do it (or, sometimes actually doing some of the work for them). I help my families get organized and provide them with a detailed, individualized plan so that they make informed decisions about the entire college process and avoid making mistakes that will cost their child opportunities at a particular college or result in college being more expensive than is absolutely necessary. They are more than willing to pay for a college education to ensure their child’s future, but they value a good deal, too. They’re looking for the best education at the best value possible.

What kind of personality do you work best with, and what is expected of your clients?

I work best with families who are committed to getting the best education for their students and will do whatever it takes to get the results they are after. They are open to different college possibilities and are fully engaged in the process. I especially enjoy action-oriented, outspoken students who have a sense of humor. Venting is fine, but I don’t do well when venting turns to whining. At that point, I turn to action and my ideal clients pick up and move forward. My ideal students and parents take a “no excuses” approach to their success.

I expect clients to be fully engaged in the coaching. That means keeping appointments, holding to action plans and moving forward toward the ultimate goals that fit with the family’s desires. Now of course, I do understand that things come up and you need time to catch your breath. Ideal clients take full responsibility for the goals they want to achieve – whether they’re career, educational, personal or all three.

Is there a type of family for whom coaching with you doesn’t work?

I’m very selective in who I work with and I cherry-pick my clients, choosing to (gently) turn away people who aren’t suited to my programs and won’t get the results they’re seeking. I don’t want to take those clients’ money or to spend our time without getting meaningful results.

My coaching solutions require consistent action and are NOT for those individuals who consistently make excuses for not getting their assignments done or challenging every aspect. If you want to whine and complain, rather than take back control and take action, my solutions aren’t for you.
I also can’t work with the student who hasn’t made the decision to actually go to college or who is saying they want to go but isn’t BEHAVING as if they want to go, in terms of their academics and activities.
The decision to go to college should already be made by the time you come to me. I can help the kid who knows she wants to go to college and is doing the right things in terms of grades, tests, activities, etc., but is unclear yet about what she wants to study at college.
I cannot convince a student who is unwilling to put in the effort to do better in school. I do not and cannot help parents “convince a student he or she needs to go to college.”
If you are a parent who insists on “taking over” the entire college process — including completing your student’s applications because “they’re too busy” — my individual coaching programs aren’t for you.

Parents, helping your student is one thing, but doing it all for them is not really helping them. If you truly believe that you must do this, then invest in my home coaching system to help you do that.
If you are one of these people, I gently and respectfully ask that you not call or schedule an appointment, and I hope you understand why. We’ll probably just not work well together and I wouldn’t want you to waste your time or money. Is that fair?

What exactly is the Get Noticed Get in Get Money College System and what does it include?

The Get NOTICED, Get IN, Get MONEY System is a three-phase, seven step approach to the college admissions and financial aid process. Sometimes we move back and forth among these phases based on your individual situation. (you can see me coaching this here)
A. CLARITY. This is the critical foundation that lays the groundwork and makes everything go so much easier. We examine where the student and the parents are each at in the college process — we need to know where you’re at so we can get you where you want to go!

Know Your Situation
Get Clarity On Your Goals
Make A Commitment

B. FOCUS. This is where we make sure that we are focusing time energy and money at the colleges that have what you want and need. Spending time and energy getting to know (and fall in love) with colleges that don’t have theprograms you want or the money you need is counter-productive and will cause disappointment all around. We also create a focused message, based on student’s work in phase one, to use at every opportunity with the colleges to help your child stand out from the hundreds if not thousands of applications sitting on the college admissions officer’s desk.

Target the right schools
Develop your plan of action for the schools

C. ACTION. This is where we implement your college game plan and complete all the necessary steps that get you the results you’re looking for.. it’s where we “close the deal” with the colleges. When you have a good plan and a focused message, the action phase really is smoother and easier!

Create a Strong Application
Jump Through All the Financial Aid “Hoops”

Does this really work? Can you really save us money?

Yes! In my experience, families who work with me, following the principles and steps outlined in our solutions, at the right schools, are rewarded with more money to help pay the bill. Having a plan will get you better results than trying to do this on your own. Of course, if you’re looking to save the most money possible, my Platinum “Maximum Results” coaching solution produces the best results.

Now, when you’re looking at the expense of college, I understand that it can be a bit overwhelming to think of spending money up front to save money later. My coaching families typically recoup their investment in my services — and still have money left over — with just ONE of the financial aid offers.

Although I don’t have a crystal ball or magic wand and cannot guarantee a specific amount of financial aid, I can proudly say that since I started doing this, following the principles outlined in my coaching solutions, my individual coaching clients have consistently received, on average, $15,574 per year and 74% higher than if they were to do it on their own. At the end of four years, that’s a savings of $62,296!
Just think of what you could do if that money were left in your pocket!

Can I talk with some of your clients or former clients to see what it’s like to work with you?

I protect the privacy of my clients. However, if you check out the “Results” page of the website, you’ll see plenty of testimonials from clients who are raving fans and have chosen to tell the world about their results! Please feel free to look through these testimonials and if you still would like to connect with someone, we’ll be happy to connect you with one of these clients who have agreed to the sharing of their results.

How will we work together and what does the program entail?

After you get involved, depending on what solution you choose, you receive one-on-one attention through scheduled telephone calls for both students and parents, plus “on demand” calls and email. You’ll receive resources, to-do lists and assessments, all designed to support you in developing your strategic college plan. I will then assist you in implementing your plan, helping you locate schools, investigate them, communicate with them, etc. We’ll create strategies and systems that will keep you moving forward, find the best ways to overcome any obstacles you encounter and keep you on trac toward the goals you identify.

How long do you work with clients?

The average amount of time I work with families is 18 to 24 months. It simply takes that long to accomplish all you need to get NOTICED in the admissions office, get IN at the colleges right for you and get MONEY to help pay the college bill. Of course, if you’re not realizing you need help until late in your junior year or even at the beginning of senior year when you’re in “application season” — don’t worry! My programs work no matter where you are in the process.
When we work together, we’re looking at the whole picture. We’ll get you organized and lay out a personalized strategy for creating real options, not just a list of schools. To get the best results, you really do need to focus on the entire college-bound process. Not just the admissions or just the financial aid side.

I am continually adding to my knowledge — visiting colleges, investigating college admissions trends, keeping up with all of the financial aid rules.
I know the atmosphere, admissions philosophies and historical financial aid trends of various colleges. I put all of this knowledge to work for you. I never stop learning about the colleges and what they want — I’m always learning it so you don’t have to.

What’s the coaching investment?

You have four solutions for individual coaching, depending on the speed with which you want to move forward and the amount of time you have available, and your budget: Platinum “Maximum Results”, Gold “College Essentials”, Silver FAFSA-Only PLUS and One Day Admissions Intensive. Each solution (other than the One Day Intensive) lasts until August 31st of the student’s senior year. The reason for this is so that the family has me as a resource for any questions that may come up when it comes to getting everything ready for the student’s freshman year of college.

It’s important that you are comfortable with the coaching investment. For just that reason, I have different options available ranging from “do-it-yourself” to the expertly done for you. I use to offer just individual coaching, and that worked well and my Platinum “Maximum Results” Solution is still, by far the best option in terms of getting the results you want and is my most popular solution. It is always, hands down the best if you’re serious about giving your child the best chances to win in life.

That said, I understand that sometimes you can’t always do what you want, so I created other programs at different price points to fit every budget.
If you’re really busy, individual coaching is the way to go so you can be assured you’ve done the best job for your child. If budget is a serious consideration, I have options where I can guide you or you can do it yourself. Either way, I advise you not to do this on your own. There are too many things you don’t know about the process. Does that make sense?

So, what do the different individual coaching solutions look like?

Platinum “Maximum Results” Program

If you’re busy or feeling overwhelmed, not sure where to start or even simply want to avoid the college process becoming a struggle within the family, the Platinum “Maximum Results” Solution is right for you. We’re with you every step of the way through to the day your child enters freshman year and beyond, if you so choose. We work with both the student and the parents to create and implement a comprehensive college game plan that incorporates strategies for both the college admissions office and the financial aid aspect of the process.

With both students and parents busy with so much already on their plate and looking to maximize their opportunities in the admissions and aid offices,it’s no surprise that 90% of the families we work with are involved with our Platinum “Maximum Results” Solution. We’re invested in helping you create and achieve not only options and goals for your college success, but for your success beyond college as well.

Quite simply, this is the solution for finding great colleges for your student and your wallet while allowing you to spend less time, money and effort to get this all done quickly and easily so you can still have fun senior year. You’ll be certain you’re focusing on exactly what needs to be done so you spend your valuable time on simply getting the job done right.

Gold “College Essentials” Program

If you are looking for an added “level of insurance”, wanting to reduce all of the stress when it comes to investigating and applying to college, and looking to eliminate simple mistakes or miss anything important that could make the difference when it comes to getting in at the colleges you want to attend the most, then my Gold College Essentials is the solution for you.

This is your solution if you want to eliminate the stress, avoid costly mistakes and cut the time it takes to get this done in half – allowing you to get it all done and still have fun senior year

Silver “FAFSA-Only PLUS” Program

If your concern isn’t as much about the getting “in” but you just want someone to help with the confusing financial aid paperwork and eliminate the stress surrounding the financial aid paperwork, then the Silver “FAFSA-Only Plus” Solution is for you. A recent study found that 10 hours is the average amount of time it takes to complete a FAFSA. You have better things to do with your time so for those of you who don’t want to deal with the “headache” of dealing with the FAFSA, this is the solution for you.

One Day, One-on-One Admissions Intensive

If you’re saying to yourself, “we need to get this done as quickly as possible” the One Day Admissions Intensive is the solution for you. Maybe you’ve waited and now you’re behind and need to get things going as fast as possible. OR, perhaps because of all of your other commitments you just don’t feel you can be involved in a longer-term program – you want to just focus and knock out as much as possible in one day. Whatever the reason, our One Day Admissions Intensive is your solution. If you want to move forward as quickly as possible and if you are committed to implementing the plans we develop during your day together, you are an ideal candidate for the One-Day Intensive. Together and in person, we’ll do in ONE day what would take you 6 to 12 months or more to do on your own.

So, how are you different from other college advisors, such as the ones at the schools?

One of the key differences flows from my 7 step “Get NOTICED, Get IN, Get MONEY College System™.” Unlike most college counselors – and even a lot of families who “do it themselves”, I focus on both college admissions AND financial aid as part of an integrated plan. Focusing only on financial aid or only on the college search and application process will have you leaving money on the table.

Expert Advice = Maximum Results

I work with the entire family – I work with the student when it comes to finding colleges, cutting through the marketing glitz, identifying strengths, possible careers, etc. I also work with the parents, by knowing the rules of financial aid and how they work, to ensure they give their child the college education they need while keeping as much of their hard-earned money in their pockets as possible.

Unlike other guidance/college counselors I am proactive with my students and their families. I don’t schedule students’ classes; I don’t have to deal with students who are having “issues” at school. I don’t have to do lunch duty or administer standardized testing or handle over 900 students because I’m responsible for more than one grade.
I am not waiting for you to come to me to tell me what you need help with. I’m guiding you step-by-step through the process and providing the immediate feedback that’s needed to get it all done and put your best foot forward with the schools. I’m not simply “telling” you WHAT to do, I’m also SHOWING you how to do this.

I’m invested in and committed to your college success. I don’t wait for you to have a question, I help you formulate the questions!

I’m solely accountable to the families who hire me. An important distinction from say a financial planner or accountant who claims to do “college planning” is that, on the financial side, I suggest strategies based on my knowledge of the rules of financial aid and what affects the financial aid formulas; but, I do not “sell” my parents any financial vehicles such as annuities or insurance policies, or specific investment vehicles.

My parents are armed with the information but not “forced” to adopt it or pressured to buy investments they may or may not need in order to implement the strategies. They are then free to work with whomever they wish to help implement the suggestions – or even to decide that they don’t want to pursue the strategy, if that’s what they wish.

Bottom line, I help my families save time and money. My students have gotten into a full array of schools – the ivies included. The difference is that my families made informed decisions about colleges based on the right fit for the student academically and socially and the right fit for the family from a financial standpoint.

Okay, I know which solution I want, how do we get started?

Congratulations! Your decision speaks volumes about your commitment. The fact that you’re ready to move ahead tells me that you have the drive and determination to be successful in our work together.
So, let’s arrange a time to talk! You, your student and I will spend some time getting aquainted and I’ll learn more about your goals to confirm the program you’ve selected is well-suited to your needs. Simply email me at coach@jeankeller.com or call 410-715-2116. to arrange our appointment to review the solution you’ve chosen to make sure it’s the right fit for your situation and get you started. I’m honored that you’d like to work with me and I can’t wait to “meet” you!

I’m not sure I’m ready. Is there any way to sample your work at a low cost to see whether it’s right for my student and our family?

Well, you can always sign up for my weekly email newsletter, “The College Oracle” which is absolutely free! I also encourage you to participate in any of the free workshops I host — via telephone conference call, or LIVE at various locations throughout the Baltimore/DC Metro area – or listen to the Finding Cash For College CD – it was recorded during one of my live workshops! Even though it’s free, trust me there’s a LOT of great information given at the event that can help you get started.

Another GREAT way to sample without a huge investment is to join my Get NOTICED, Get IN, Get MONEY College System Bootcamp.

This solution is ideal for families who realize that Individual Coaching isn’t right for them — perhaps because of time and/or budget constraints, or because they want to “try before they buy”. Over the course of 8 weeks, you’ll get “how to” coaching audios delivered directly to you. It’s me guiding you step-by-step through the Get NOTICED, Get IN, Get MONEY College System. You’ll receive worksheets to help you accomplish the tasks. To make sure you get answers to questions that come up as you work through the system, you also have two 15 minute laser coaching sessions with me where you come with your questions and I provide the answers you need!

If you’re interested in the Bootcamp, simply email my team at coach@jeankeller.com and they’ll answer your questions and help you get involved with that solution.

And of course there’s always my Get NOTICED, Get IN, Get MONEY College System Home Study Solution. It gives you the most important things to do to figure this all out easily and then set up a simple to follow plan so you consistently work towards your college goals. It’s all step-by-step, not a big mismash of things. So, you do step one of the system, and when you’re done with that, start step two, and so on. You get over FIVE hours of audio classes from coaching sessions I’ve done with students as well as all the information, tools, worksheets, templates, and examples handed to you on a silver platter. Easy. You can get it at http://www.GetNOTICEDGetINGetMONEYSystem.com

We see the value you provide but we just can’t see spending money now if I have to spend so much on college itself …

Well, I can sympathize and understand that feeling. But, let me ask you something, if you don’t get help with the whole process, at the end of the day, how will you be sure that you aren’t making a mistake that costs your child the opportunity to get into a college right for them or spending more than is absolutely necessary?

If your student chooses a school that doesn’t offer you the money you need or is more expensive than you planned for, who will pay the difference? You or your student?

If you have other children and you make mistakes with your oldest that have you spending more for college than you planned for, are you prepared to limit or restrict your younger children’s choices because you’re paying too much?

What if you could have been spending $3,000 or 5,000 per year less? (that adds up to $9,000-20,000 in savings) How will you be certain that your student won’t end up selecting a college you really can’t afford?
I know it can be overwhelming when you think about the upfront investment. BUT if finding every dollar possible to pay for college is important to you, can you really afford not to make the investment? How will you afford the college bill when it arrives and it’s way more than you feel you can pay?

I help my families avoid the mistakes that can cost you the opportunities at a particular college or end up making college more expensive. BUT, it’s a proactive service. If you come to me AFTER you’ve made these mistakes, I won’t be able to help you. If I don’t believe I can get great results for you and your student, I will tell you that, too.

Many of my families recover their investment when I identify money saving strategies that lower the amount the colleges will expect them to pay towards their student’s education. For the few families for whom we can’t identify immediate savings, those families happily report they more than recoup their investment with just ONE of the financial aid awards their student receives.

When that happens, the coaching more than pays for itself!

But, even after taking all of that into consideration, if you still feel it’s more than you can handle, my Get NOTICED, Get IN, Get MONEY College System Bootcamp or Home Study System is the perfect solution. It can provide you the step-by-step structure that can position you for more money. If your car breaks down and you can’t afford a mechanic, it doesn’t solve the problem that your car still needs to be fixed, does it? So, do you just pop open the hood and start fiddling, or is it wise to spend a couple of bucks on a manual to help you fix the problem?

Okay, I’m ready to do this for myself and my student but I have a couple of additional questions? Can I call you?

Sure! Simply email me at coach@jeankeller.com or call 410-715-2116. My client relations manager will be happy to answer any questions you may have and if she can’t answer, she’ll arrange a time for us to talk and I’ll walk you through all of the options so you can make the right decision for you and your family. I’m honored you’d like to work with me, and I can’t wait to “meet” you!