Join Estrela College Planning Consultant Alyson Campbell as she welcomes five representatives from English-speaking universities in Europe to provide insight into studying abroad. Whether it is for your entire collegiate career, a gap year, a single year, or a semester or less - studying in a foreign country is an invaluable experience. Participants will learn about the pros to studying abroad, some basic logistics, and get to know each of these institutions and what makes them unique. We can't wait to EXPLORE and share more!

PANELISTS:
Katey Foley, The American University of Paris
Nicole Wilhite, Franklin University Switzerland
Cait Hoffman, The American University of Rome
Tara Murphy, London Metropolitan University
Gabriela Mendez Madera, Middlesex University (London)

There will be a Q & A at the end. Students, parents, IECs and school counselors are encouraged to attend. A recording will be sent to all who register. We hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

In this month's STAR Paths Webinar we'll chat with Warren Blazy III, Senior Vice President with CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), a commercial real estate firm with more than 500 offices in over 100 countries. Warren has 20 years of experience in leveraged negotiations, financial analysis, market insights, real estate law, and advanced marketing and client relationships. Warren will share his journey to leadership in this industry, as well as tips for those considering a career in the real estate space. There will be a Q & A at the end. Students, parents, school counselors and IECs are welcome to attend! We hope you can join us!

*FUN FACT: CBRE has been named Fortune’s Most Admired Real Estate Company for 15 years in a row!

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Estrela Consulting is excited to be presenting Smart Money Moves for the College-Bound™ WEBINAR in partnership with our friends at Capstone Wealth Partners. Join nationally-recognized college planning expert, Joe Messinger, CFP®, ChFC, CLU, CCFC and Estrela Director of College Planning, Amber Gilsdorf, to become an informed consumer of higher education. In this action-packed presentation you will learn:

*How the FAFSA Simplification Act will impact families.
*How to find schools that will be the most generous with financial aid and scholarship money.
*Strategies available for high income families to get more free money for college.
*How to have the college money talk with kids.
*How to successfully appeal to colleges for more scholarship money.

A recording will be sent to all who register.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Join us for our next STAR Paths webinar where we'll be joined by Financial Planner, Adam D. Koós | CFP®, CMT®, CEPA. If you know a teen who is interested in a career in financial planning or entrepreneurship, this is for them! Adam will share more about his journey to becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and starting Libertas Wealth Management Group. There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Deposits are sent, orientations are scheduled and your newly-minted graduates are ready to launch. But are they, really? Many students arrive on campus with gaps in information that can easily be filled in prior to move-in day. Join Estrela President, Kristina Dooley and Elizabeth Pyle - President of College Success Plan, for this helpful webinar as they share a list of "What's Next?" tips for graduating seniors and their parents. What legal forms do you need to be sure you have in place before your child leaves the nest? What are some "must have" life skills students should have before stepping foot on campus? How about the essential dorm room items to begin thinking about purchasing over the summer? We have the answers to these and many more questions! There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us! * A recording will be sent to all who register!

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The transition to high school is an exciting time, and the choices your student makes early on can have a lasting impact on their college options. In this session, we’ll explore key factors that shape the college search process, from identifying academic and extracurricular interests to making informed decisions about course selection, summer experiences, and testing timelines. We’ll also discuss the importance of early financial planning and how to begin crafting a strong high school résumé. With the latest trends in college admissions in mind, we’ll provide actionable tips to set your student up for success—without overwhelming them. Join us to gain valuable insights and start high school with a plan!

*A recording will be sent to all who register and are unable to join us live.

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In the spirit of a "tradition unlike any other" join Alyson Campbell from Estrela Consulting during the week of the Masters as she highlights the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management program. Adam Savedra and Lexie Milford, two PGA professionals with extensive experience as program graduates, and various roles in the profession will share their insights. If you’re looking for opportunities to turn your love of golf into a college or career pathway, this webinar will surely be a hole-in-one! Students, parents, counselors, and golf enthusiasts are welcome to join us. A recording will be sent to all who register and are unable to attend the live event.

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Did you know that the most important factor impacting whether a student receives merit scholarships is the list of colleges that they apply to? During this webinar we will provide a clear, practical guide to incorporating merit scholarships into your college list-building strategy. We’ll debunk common myths, break down how merit aid works at public and private colleges (including highly selective institutions), and explore strategies to maximize your opportunities. Plus, we’ll cover key tips on outside scholarships and how to approach the process with a realistic and informed mindset.

Whether you're a student, parent, or counselor, this session will help you navigate the complexities of merit aid and make smart choices if merit scholarships are an important factor in your college search. We hope you can join us! A recording will be shared with all who register.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Do you know a teen who has a passion for visual arts or graphic design? A student who has dreams of owning their own business? Then be sure to invite them to join Estrela Founder Kristina Dooley as she chats with Mike and Laura Kubinski from CLE Clothing Co.! During this fun conversation you'll hear more about Mike and Laura's entrepreneurial journey, and the lessons they've learned along the way. We might even get their predictions for what's next for our favorite Cleveland sports teams (Did someone say CAVS?!?). You won't want to miss it! There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us!

A recording will be sent to all who register but are unable to attend live.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Join Alyson Campbell from Estrela Consulting as she dives into the world of college esports with three major players in the field. We will review what esports is, its rise in popularity, how you can compete at the collegiate level, and MUCH more! There will be a Q & A at the end. A recording will be sent to all who register and are unable to attend the live session. Students, parents, school counselors, IECs and educators are welcome to attend. We hope you can join us!

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Students are offered various pathways for course rigor and college credit while in high school. How are these options viewed by college admissions offices? What if a student takes AP, but doesn’t report test scores? Do the answers vary by major? Are there times when AP is preferred over dual enrollment? Is there a "magic number" of AP courses? Join us for a panel discussion with recruitment leaders from a variety of institutions as we explore the nuances of AP courses, AP test scores, and Dual Enrollment in the admissions process. There will be a Q & A at the end. A recording link will be sent to all who register but are unable to attend the live session. Students, parents and school counselors/IECs/CBO staff are encouraged to join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Join Estrela team member Alyson Campbell as she gives you "tips from the top" from admission representatives of the nation's leading programs in the arts. She will dive into best practices when preparing to apply to film, music, and studio art programs. They'll cover the types of degrees or programs offered, and help you find what may be the best fit to take your love of your art to the next level. We are excited to welcome these admission representatives to our panel:

Priscilla Campos - Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
Josh Teaster - Oberlin College and Conservatory 
Eric Kaster - College for Creative Studies

Students, parents, educators, school counselors and IECs are welcome to join us! There will be a Q & A at the end. A recording will be sent to all who register and are unable to attend live. We hope you can join us!

Click HERE to Register

Join Estrela Founder Kristina Dooley and Dr. Julia Blanchette, Nurse Scientist of the Division of Endocrinology and a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at the Center for Diabetes and Obesity at University Hospitals for a discussion on pathways to careers in Nursing. Dr. Blanchette is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at CWRU in 2014 and her PhD in Nursing Science in 2019. Students, parents, school counselors and independent counselors are invited to join us for this engaging discussion! A Q & A will be held at the end.

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Join Estrela team member Alyson Campbell and VP of Business Development with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Monica Gustin, as we highlight careers in Sports Management. Monica has been instrumental in bringing large-scale sports opportunities to Cleveland such as the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, the 2021 NFL Draft, the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, and is currently in the throes of hosting the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four. She will share how she has climbed the ladder with hard work, perseverance, and taking advantage of opportunities which has helped her bring almost 115 sporting events to NE Ohio, and over $560 million in regional revenue. Monica is sure to knock it out of the park! Students, parents, counselors and educators are welcome to join us. There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Note: A recording will be sent to all who register to attend.

Join Estrela College Planning Consultants Amber Gilsdorf and Jamie Kirby as they chat with Saadia El Karfi from Lumiere and Maureen Lavin from Polygence to learn more about research opportunities for high school students. We will discuss the value of conducting research, types of research, and programs offered to students through their companies. Students, parents, school counselors, IECs and educators are welcome to attend! There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Note: A recording will be sent to all who register to attend.

Do you have a student who has considered a career as a Funeral Director? A curious teen with an interest in Mortuary Science? Then this webinar is for them! Join Estrela Founder Kristina Dooley and Funeral Director, Kevin Barnett, as they discuss pathways to careers in Mortuary Science. Barnett has assisted with funeral services for President George H.W. Bush, Senator John McCain, and the former Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs, Togo Dennis West Jr. This promises to be an interesting discussion! Students, parents, IECs and school counselors are encouraged to attend. There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Note: A recording will be sent to all who register to attend.

You've probably heard a lot of talk about admissions testing and the test-optional landscape post-COVID. With the option to apply without test scores, do students still need to take the SAT or ACT? Is it still important?

The Answer: Yes to both.

Join Estrela College Planning Consultant Jamie Kirby as she shares suggested standardized testing timelines, considerations regarding test-optional plans, and general testing tips for sophomores and juniors. Parents, students, school counselors and IECs are invited to join us! There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can attend!

Click Here to Register

Join Estrela Founder Kristina Dooley and retired FBI agent, Cynthia Deitle, for this month's Star Paths webinar on pathways to careers in law enforcement and special intelligence. In addition to her work in the FBI, Cynthia is an attorney, author, and professor with over 25 years of experience as a leader in civil rights advocacy. She currently works at Meta as the Director of Associate General Counsel - Civil Rights.

You won't want to miss this interesting conversation! Students, parents, counselors and educators are welcome to join us. There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us!

*A recording of this webinar will be shared with all who register and are unable to attend live.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Join Estrela team members Alyson Campbell & Amber Gilsdorf as they highlight programs that are committed to post-secondary success for students with learning differences. Many students require different levels of support to be successful in college. This webinar will focus on what to look for when seeking support for your student. Joining us will be Travis Brown from Bowling Green State University’s FLY program and Leann DiAndreth-Elkins representing Muskingum University’s PLUS program. Both schools offer programs specializing in additional academic support services for students with learning differences.

Parents, students, school counselors, IECs and educators are encouraged to attend. There will be a Q & A at the end. This session will be recorded and shared with all who register but are unable to attend live. We hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

If you are thinking about including highly selective colleges on your list, it's important to understand just what they're looking for, who is considered a "competitive" applicant, and how you can assess if these schools are right for you.

We are thrilled to be hosting an expert panel of admission professionals who will share their expertise during a discussion of the topics above and more. Our guests include:

-Rick Clark, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission at Georgia Tech
-Maria Elena Ornelas, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Vanderbilt University
-Sam Prouty, Executive Director of Admissions at Middlebury College

Students, parents, school counselors, independent counselors and educators are encouraged to join us for this informative discussion. A Q & A will be included so please come with any burning questions you may have! This session WILL be recorded for those who are unable to attend.

Click HERE to Register

Join Estrela Founder Kristina Dooley and stars of the stage Jodi Dominick and Colleen Longshaw Jackson for a fun, 30-minute conversation about pathways to a career in professional theater and musical theater! Students, parents, teachers, school counselors and independent counselors are welcome to attend. There will be a Q & A at the end. We hope you can join us!

Click HERE to Register

About Our Guests:

Colleen Longshaw Jackson

Colleen Longshaw Jackson is a Cleveland, Ohio native who holds an MFA in acting from Kent State University. She is currently the director of community partnerships and programming at Cleveland Play House and a Music Theatre Instructor at Baldwin Wallace University. At Cleveland Play House, Jackson was part of the team to develop and implement the CARE program (Compassionate Arts Remaking Education).

Jackson became a member of the Actor's Equity Association in 2003 and continues to work as a professional actress. Her credits include: Kiss me, Kate (National Tour); The Groove Factory (New York Music Theatre Festival); Hairspray (Northshore Music Theatre and Porthouse Theatre); The Full Monty (Northshore Music Theatre); Piano Lesson (Cleveland Play House); Sister Act (Porthouse Theatre and Karamu Theatre); Starmites (Porthouse Theatre); Made in America (Dobama Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theatre); The Color Purple (Karamu Theatre); Caroline, or Change (Karamu Theatre); South Pacific (Porthouse Theatre); Dreamgirls (Cain Park); Once on This Island (Porthouse Theatre); Big River (Porthouse Theatre); Avenue X (Cain Park); Godspell (Cain Park and Porthouse Theatre); Aida (The Beck Center); The Buddy Holly Story (Carousel Dinner Theater); Twelfth Night (Ohio Shakespeare Festival).

Jodi Dominick

Jodi Dominick is a professional actress and singer whose career spans over 20 years.She has worked in theater, film, commercials, print and voiceover. She attended Baldwin Wallace University where she studied Music Theater.

Jodi is a current resident company member of The Great Lakes Theater and Idaho Shakespeare Festival where she has performed in dozens of productions ranging from Musicals to Shakespeare. This year marks her 15th season. Other Theater credits include The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, New World Stages and The Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles. She is a recipient of a Broadway World Award for her performance as The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd at Great Lakes Theater. Jodi also enjoys teaching theater and serves as a teaching artist at Playhouse Square for the Dazzle Awards in Cleveland, OH. She has also taught theater at her alma mater (Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music). She was inducted into the Euclid High School Hall of Fame for her career achievements. Jodi is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA.