Colleges That Change Lives Event

Lea Naiz • Aug 11, 2015

There are College Fairs and then there is the

Colleges That Change Lives Event

I’m thrilled to announce that once again, Denver has been chosen as one of only twenty stops CTCL is making in 2015! This intimate and enlightening event is on August 25, 2015, at 7:00 pm at the Denver Convention Center , Rooms 600 and 700, 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202.

For details go to: http://www.ctcl.org/events/denver15 ( pre-registration is not required).

This is really, really big news to me because I have dedicated the last 4 years of my life to making sure that each and every one of my uniquely wonderful students, matriculates to the most uniquely wonderful college or university! I am such a firm believer in the colleges that are featured by this non-profit, charitable organization, that I eagerly give a copy of the book to each one of my new students. Frequently, this book introduces them (and their parents), often for the first time, to colleges they have likely never heard of. Every one of the schools on this list offers opportunities for transformative growth and learning; indeed an opportunity to help the student find their bold, authentic self ! Let me just say, if I had the chance to re-do my undergrad work, I’d choose one of these bad boys.

Here’s a brief description of CTCL:

“CTCL is dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. Namely, we work to educate families that the criteria used by most college bound students and their counselors, such as name and prestige, do not acknowledge the importance of understanding an individual student’s needs and how they “fit” with the mission and identity of an individual college community.

Equally, CTCL works to dispel publicly held myths about college choice—particularly the notion that college choices are severely limited to today’s high school students—by hosting information sessions nationwide and coordinating outreach efforts with high school counselors and college counseling agencies alike.”

And here are the Participating Colleges:


Agnes Scott College

Guilford College

New College of Florida

Allegheny College

Hampshire College

Ohio Wesleyan University

Antioch College

Hendrix College

Reed College

Austin College

Hillsdale College

Rhodes College

Beloit College

Hiram College

Southwestern University

Birmingham-Southern College

Hope College

St. John's College

Centre College

Juniata College

Saint Mary's College [CA]

Clark University

Kalamazoo College

St. Olaf College

Cornell College

Knox College

University of Puget Sound

Denison University

Lawrence University

Wabash College

Earlham College

Lynchburg College

Wheaton College [IL]

Eckerd College

Marlboro College

Whitman College

The Evergreen State College

McDaniel College

Willamette University

Goucher College

Millsaps College

Wooster, College of



Of course, October brings us the enormous Fall Colorado College Fair, hosted by the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC). Here, you’ll find reps from a quaint 275 or so schools to chat with. Put it on your calendar, review the attending schools and GO! This highly attended and informational event will take place at the Denver Mart Expo Building, 451 E. 58th Avenue, Denver, CO 80216, 303/292-6278 or 800/289-6278. F air Hours: Sunday, October 11, 2015 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information and to register, go to: http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/FallNCF/Pages/Denver.aspx


Are you determined to attain a Performing Arts degree? Note another unique opportunity to learn about Performing Arts schools. The Denver Performing and Visual Arts Fair, is on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Infinity Park Event Center​, ​4400 E. Kentucky Avenue, Glendale, CO 80246


For more details, go to: http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/PVA-College-Fairs/Pages/Denver.aspx

Seriously, this is your shot to meet the reps of the schools you may be interested in. When you go, dress appropriately, put on a big ‘ol smile, firmly shake the reps’ hand and look them in the eye. Give them a glimpse of your fabulousness and engage them. Ask a question or two (and not one that the answer can easily be found on their web site). Trust me, schools track all potential student interactions and are able to look back and weigh your interest in them. The more demonstrated interest you show in them, the more they will likely show in you!

And remember, this is not the time to have Mom or Dad speak for you! They shall patiently wait in the wings. This is your journey and future; CLAIM IT.

St Olaf College, Northfield, MN

  • Tuition: $41,700

  • Students: 3,125 (44% male / 56% female)

  • Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1

  • Founded: 1874

University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA

  • Tuition: $43,428

  • Students: 2,541 (43% male / 57% female)

  • Student-Faculty Ratio: 12:1

  • Founded: 1888

Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA

  • Tuition: $38,630

  • Students: 1625 (45% male / 55% female)

  • Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1

  • Founded: 1876

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