Are you a parent who is about to tread into the world of college admissions? If so, Lizette Paredes, founder and educational consultant with Empowered Access LLC, is ready to lead the way.
On Monday, Feb. 3, at 5pm, Paredes will be hosting a workshop in the Fireside Community Room at the Scotts Valley Library to share practical advice and answer questions to help families feel more confident and prepared for the journey ahead.
“My goal is for parents to see this as an exciting time, not a stressful and overwhelming experience,” Paredes said. “We’ll be covering topics, such as understanding higher education options, building a balanced college list, different deadlines to be aware of, and how to prepare for and approach the application process with confidence. And for parents specifically, how to support your children through this process as they take important steps toward independence.”
This free workshop comes from a shared vision between Santa Cruz Public Libraries and Paredes to “provide local families with the tools they need to navigate the college admissions process.”
“After initially reaching out to the libraries, I learned they were already interested in offering resources to teens and parents, which perfectly aligned with my expertise. It’s a great collaboration, and I’m excited to offer these workshops as part of the library’s efforts to serve the community,” said Paredes, who added that there is no RSVP required to attend.
The goal, she said, is to think of college as a launching pad for a student’s future, not a final destination.
According to Paredes, over 1,500 colleges in the United States accept more than 50% of applicants, so she believes the focus should be on finding the best fit for each student rather than chasing rankings. When a student finds a school that aligns with their strengths and interests, they’re more likely to thrive, she said.
This workshop will help attendees understand that there are many options beyond the typical brand-name schools.
“It’s about expanding horizons and focusing on what works for the student, not just the prestige of a particular institution. That said, we will still cover what it takes to get into highly selective institutions, including how students can best position themselves,” Parades said. “We’ll use college Common Data Sets to understand admissions criteria and give students a sense of how they might fare as applicants. The goal is to approach the process thoughtfully and strategically, ensuring that every student has the information they need to make informed choices.”
