Webinars & Workshops

Getting into college is one thing—being ready to thrive once you’re there is something else entirely.

Join EdPro Collaborative on Monday, May 12th at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT / 6:00 PM MT / 5:00 PM PT for a FREE interactive webinar: “Let’s Talk College: Building Critical Skills Before Leaving Home.”

Hosted by Jodi L.G. Glou, President of Custom College Consulting, and featuring Andrea Malkin Brenner, Ph.D., a nationally recognized College Transition Educator and Author, this session will equip students and families with the real-world skills needed to navigate the shift from high school to college with confidence.

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Brenner will share practical, actionable insights on time management, independence, self-advocacy, and more. The session will also include a live Q&A to get your most pressing questions answered.

📌 Perfect for college-bound students and their families

 ✅ Free to attend

 ✅ Valuable takeaways

 ✅ Live, expert-led conversation

📲 Don’t miss out—register now and help your student take this important next step feeling confident and prepared.

 🔗https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/46Y8HlWMQUCWpPrRmgwQDw

Don’t miss this webinar where we explore the benefits of earning a degree abroad! 

Jody Bothe from College Counseling 4U and UK Educational Specialist Dr. Maggie Parke will introduce you to the world of UK higher education, where students can earn shorter, affordable, world-renowned degrees with a transparent application process. Dr. Parke, a US native who pursued her master’s and PhD in the UK, will cover academics, cost, student life, and what makes UK universities a fantastic option. And yes, there will be some stunning photos—and we can chat about Bake Off too! 

Custom College Consulting is a proud member of EdPro Collaborative, a network of independent educational consultants (IECs) dedicated to sharing knowledge, resources, and support while maintaining individualized practices. EdPro offers regular webinars, expert insights, and tailored guidance to help students find their best-fit colleges—whether in the US, UK, or beyond.

Are you looking for insider tips for planning college tours then don’t miss this recording of Edpro Collaborative’s “Make Every Campus Visit GRAND Webinar!” We loved sharing insights with Allison Grandits from Grand Fit Educational Consulting, who shared valuable strategies for making the most of your college visits.

Some topics included: 

• Pre-Visit Preparation
• Engaging Beyond the Tour
• Managing the Visit Schedule
• Empowering Your Student

Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your visit game, this webinar is packed with practical, actionable advice.

EdPro Collaborative hosted a free webinar: Decoding Financial Aid Award Letters: Understanding Your Offers & Next Steps. EdPro members Melissa Mieyr and Jennifer Hartman from InfoQuest College and Financial Solutions broke down the complexities of financial aid offers to help students and families make informed decisions.

Financial aid award letters vary in format, terminology, and costs, making them difficult to interpret. Understanding your aid package is key to maximizing opportunities and minimizing debt.

Topics Covered:

✅ How to read and interpret your financial aid award letter

✅ Understanding grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study

✅ Comparing offers from different colleges

✅ Next steps to maximize aid and minimize debt

Custom College Consulting is proud to be part of EdPro Collaborative, supporting students in their college journey! 

Thank you to everyone who joined Custom College Consulting and the entire Edpro Collaborative team last week at our special presentation, “Summer to Shine: Creative Strategies to Stand Out in College Admissions!”

We hope you found the webinar insightful and walked away with actionable strategies to make your summer a standout part of your college journey.

From internships to research projects and pre-college programs to community service and other unique ideas, this webinar was packed with valuable tips to help you stand out in the competitive college admissions process.

If you missed the live session—or want to revisit the valuable advice shared by the EdPro Collaborative team—you can access the recording below.

At EdPro Collaborative, we are committed to empowering students and families by sharing expert knowledge, resources, and diverse perspectives. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

EdPro Collaborative’s recent webinar, led by Jodi L.G. Glou, President of Custom College Consulting and HECA, and Alex Morris-Wood, Head of School at Franklin Academy and Co-Chair of Disabilities and Neurodiversity for NACAC, offered valuable guidance for supporting students who learn differently in their college planning journey.

Jodi, a specialist in working with students with diverse learning profiles like ADHD, dyslexia, and executive functioning challenges, teamed up with Alex, an expert in neurodivergent education, to deliver actionable strategies for navigating the college admissions process. Their insights aimed to empower students and break down barriers in higher education.

Missed the live session? Access the recording here and benefit from their expertise. Let’s continue fostering inclusion and paving the way for student success. Don’t forget to share the recording with others who may find it helpful!

Thank you for joining us for EdPro Collaborative's FREE webinar, “Scholarships Decoded: Myths, Misconceptions, and Must-Know Facts”! We hope you found the session with Allison Grandits informative and insightful.

If you missed any part of the presentation or would like to revisit the valuable information shared, we invite you to watch the recording at your convenience. You can access the webinar and unlock the secrets to maximizing your scholarship opportunities here.

Thank you to everyone who attended Edpro Collaborative’s webinar, From High School to College: Mastering the Athletic Recruiting Game! We hope you found it informative and helpful as you navigate the college athletic recruiting process. 

If you couldn’t make it or want to revisit the insights shared by our special guest, Sophia Basurto, the recording is now available. Watch it to learn valuable tips on building your athletic profile, reaching out to coaches, and preparing for showcases.

THANK YOU to everyone who joined EdPro Collaborative for this month’s webinar, “Understanding College Financial Aid.” Featuring EdPro members Melissa Mieyr and Jennifer Hartman from InfoQuest College and Financial Solutions. We were privileged to have such an engaged group attend that asked insightful questions.

If you missed the live webinar, you will definitely want to watch the recording to gain the valuable insights and strategies that were shared to help you make affordable educational choices.

Have you ever considered applying to one of the University of California schools? The UC system is a highly esteemed network of public universities in California, consisting of ten campuses renowned for their academic excellence, diverse research opportunities, and vibrant campus communities.

In this webinar, EdPro Collaborative members Laura Brennan and Liz Price will share the invaluable knowledge and insights they've gained from years of guiding students through the UC application process and closely monitoring UC admissions trends. They’ll explain the criteria UCs use to review applicants, offer tips for writing effective Personal Insight Questions, and answer your questions about applying to one of the largest and most prestigious university systems in the U.S.

EdPro Collaborative's mission is to foster a supportive community of Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) committed to sharing knowledge, resources, and diverse perspectives. What sets us apart is our dedication to maintaining individual practices while leveraging the collective wisdom of our network to provide tailored guidance and uncover hidden opportunities. From regular webinars on admissions trends to personalized support, we’re here to assist you every step of the way as you navigate the path to college!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the inaugural EdPro Collaborative webinar featuring the incredible Andrea Malkin Brenner, Ph. D., and moderated by Custom College Consulting President Jodi L.G. Glou! We were thrilled to see such an engaged audience eager to learn about "Let’s Talk College: Building Critical Skills Before Leaving Home." 

Andrea's wealth of experience spanning 25 years truly shone through as she shared invaluable insights and practical strategies for the college transition journey. Attendees left equipped with essential tools and a comprehensive list of critical life skills.

Your enthusiasm and participation made the event a tremendous success. Together, we explored invaluable insights on scholarship applications – from strategic timing and trusted resources to crafting compelling applications and avoiding scams.

Join Jodi Glou, President of Custom College Consulting, who will guide college-bound families through the often confusing financial aid process. This first of a three-part series will also highlight the changes coming to FAFSA and how it will affect you.

Now that you have submitted your Financial Aid forms, what should you do next? Part Two of Custom College Consulting’s three-part financial aid series focuses on important topics that will help to answer this question, including:   

• Reviewing & Interpreting Award Packages
• Calculating the Net Price for College
• Appeals
• So Much More!!!

If you missed “The Next Step in Dymystifying Financial Aid for College,” you can access a recording of it today.

It was a pleasure presenting at Wootton High School's November PTSA Meeting.

This webinar's topic, “Helping Underclassman Plan for College,”  included a Q&A session and discuss important subjects, including: 

* Enhancing the Student Profile

* Course Rigor

* Community Service

* Extracurriculars

* Part-time Jobs

* Foreign Language

* Summer Opportunities

* Pre-College Testing 

Thank you to Wootton High School’s faculty, staff, and PTSA for making last night’s college fair such a success. 

It was so wonderful to meet so many bright and talented young people. I am very appreciative for the opportunity to participate in such a valuable event. 

If you weren’t able to attend and you know a student who may need help with their college planning journey, you can contact me directly at jglou@custom-college.com.

Thank you Thomas S. Wootton High School PTSA for the opportunity to present "Beginning to Build Critical 'Adulting' Skills in High School" last week. 

I enjoyed engaging with so many parents alongside my colleague, Andrea Malkin Brenner, creator of Talking College Card Deck and Co-author of "How to College."  AMBrenner, LLC https://www.facebook.com/ambrennerllc/

If you are the parent of a high schooler with ADD or ADHD, selecting a college is mystifying.  You may wonder if you should begin with your local community college or if the goal of a traditional academic community is a possibility?

Join Allison Schaberg from the Fort Bend ADDA - Southern Region as she welcomes IEC and Owner of Custom College Consulting, Jodi Glou, who will demystify our thoughts about college applications for the family with a child with learning challenges.

If you are the parent of a high schooler it is NOT too early to help prepare them to thrive in college. Don't miss this informative webinar designed to provide you with the skills and steps necessary for this life-changing transition.

This 90-minute webinar includes:

• Age-appropriate conversations to have with your high school students before they leave for college
• Tips for teaching important life skills required of college-bound students including independent decision-making and budgeting time and money
• Lists for what 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students should master each year to succeed both inside and outside of the college classroom so that they learn gradually
• Practical advice to transition from parents of high school "adolescents" to parents of college "young adults"

This webinar was led by Andrea Malkin Brenner, PhD, former college professor and administrator and author of How To College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You're There), and Jodi L.G. Glou, M.A. former college professor and President of Custom College Consulting.

Learn How to Help Your High School Senior Transition to Life in College

About this Event

This webinar discussed how  parents of recent high school graduates could help them to thrive in college. This informative webinar provided skills and steps necessary for this life-changing transition inlcuding:

• Critical conversations to have before they head off to college
• Lists of what your first-year student really needs to know to succeed both inside and outside of the college classroom
• Tips for teaching important life skills required of college students including budgeting, asking for help, and resiliency
• Practical advice to transition from parents of high school "adolescents" to parents of college "young adults"

This webinar was conducted alongside Jed Applerouth of Applerouth Tutoring Serivces at the 2021 HECA Conference. It provided an overview of how the brain works, both for neurodiverse and neurotypical students. Participants gained insight into preparing neurodiverse students for the college application process. In addition, panelists will share testing-taking strategies, insights into trends in college admission and standardized testing, and tips on how to help students with learning differences develop executive functioning skills. The session also explored college “fit” for the neurodiverse population and how to communicate effectively with students and their families.

The transition from high school to college mystifies many students and their parents. In this workshop, co-presenters Jodi Glou of Custom College Consulting and Andrea Malkin Brenner, Author of How to College, provided information that IECs can implement in discussions with clients and their families. Attendees learned about areas including, but not limited to: 

•  Common first-year pitfalls 
• Defining the roles of parents, students, and the college itself
• Academic differences between high school and college
• Resilience after set-backs for the student
•  Learning to embrace the college "you"
• Adulting skills needed for college success