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<channel><title><![CDATA[LEONARD ANDREW CONSULTING - LAC Blog]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog]]></link><description><![CDATA[LAC Blog]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:30:15 -0700</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[How College Students Can Afford Education Without Debt]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/how-college-students-can-afford-education-without-debt]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/how-college-students-can-afford-education-without-debt#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:42:44 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/how-college-students-can-afford-education-without-debt</guid><description><![CDATA[guest post by Jenna Sherman of Parent-Leaders!College students aiming for an affordable college education are often caught in the student debt crisis: tuition keeps rising, families&rsquo; budgets stay tight, and graduation can start to feel like a financial setback. The core tension is simple, earning a degree is supposed to expand options, yet student debt can limit those options for years. Higher education financing is confusing on purpose, and that confusion leads many students to accept cos [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><em>guest post by Jenna Sherman of Parent-Leaders!</em><br /><br />College students aiming for an affordable college education are often caught in the student debt crisis: tuition keeps rising, families&rsquo; budgets stay tight, and graduation can start to feel like a financial setback. The core tension is simple, earning a degree is supposed to expand options, yet student debt can limit those options for years. Higher education financing is confusing on purpose, and that confusion leads many students to accept costs they don&rsquo;t truly control. With the right mindset and debt-free college strategies, college can stay academically meaningful and financially manageable.<br /><br /><strong>Quick Summary: Avoid College Debt</strong><br />&#9679;<span> </span>Choose an online degree to lower overall education costs while staying on track academically.<br />&#9679;<span> </span>Apply for scholarships and grants early to cover expenses without repayment obligations.<br />&#9679;<span> </span>Use work-study programs to earn steady income while balancing classes.<br />&#9679;<span> </span>Start a student side business to generate flexible cash for tuition and living costs.<br />&#9679;<span> </span>Reduce housing costs by choosing more affordable living arrangements and cutting related expenses.<br /><br /><strong>Understanding What Makes College Truly Affordable</strong><br />Getting college &ldquo;without debt&rdquo; is less about one clever hack and more about understanding the levers that change your total cost. The core idea is to manage tuition and living costs, capture as much aid as possible, avoid expensive borrowing, and plan across all four years so each decision supports the next.<br /><br />This matters because affordability is a systems problem, not a single bill. When <a href="https://www.strada.org/reports/cost-confusion-americans-misconceptions-of-college-costs" target="_blank">seventy-seven percent of Americans</a> say college is not affordable, it often reflects missed aid, unchecked costs, and loans that quietly compound. Prioritizing actions like<a href="https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa" target="_blank"> filing the FAFSA</a> protects you from paying &ldquo;sticker price&rdquo; out of panic.<br /><br />Think of it like packing for a long trip: you save money by choosing the right bag, planning outfits, and avoiding last-minute purchases. A cheaper semester means little if it triggers high-interest debt later. With the big picture clear, earning income through a student-friendly side business can fit more naturally.<br /><br /><strong>Build a Student Side Business That Pays and Stays Legit</strong><br />Once you know what &ldquo;affordable&rdquo; really means for your situation, earning money during school can become part of the plan, not just cutting costs. Starting a small business can give you a flexible income stream to put toward tuition, books, and fees, which can reduce how much you need to borrow. Just as important, it builds practical experience, client work, problem-solving, and real results you can point to on a resume while you&rsquo;re still in class. To keep it legitimate and manageable, an all-in-one platform like <a href="https://www.zenbusiness.com/" target="_blank">ZenBusiness </a>can help you form an LLC, stay on top of compliance, build a website, or handle finances.<br /><br /><strong>Follow This Debt-Free College Checklist: Aid, Work, and Savings</strong><br />Pick a few moves you can start this week, then stack them until your tuition, books, and living costs have &ldquo;owners&rdquo; (aid, income, or savings). The goal is simple: shrink the bill first, then cover the remainder with predictable, school-friendly income.<br /><br />1.<span> </span><em>Treat scholarships like a weekly pipeline</em>: Set a recurring 60&ndash;90 minute block to apply for 2&ndash;3 scholarships, and keep a simple tracker with deadlines, requirements, and submission status. Prioritize &ldquo;local and specific&rdquo; awards (community foundations, department scholarships, identity/major-based funds) because they often have smaller applicant pools. Reuse a core essay and tailor the opening paragraph and examples to each prompt so you can submit faster without sounding generic.<br /><br />2.<span> </span><em>Max out work-study job opportunities early</em>: After you file your aid forms, ask your financial aid office how to be considered for Federal Work-Study and where jobs are posted. Apply in the first 2&ndash;3 weeks of the term, when the best on-campus roles get filled, and target positions that build skills you can later monetize (lab assistant, tutoring center, IT help desk, office admin). Evidence suggests FWS participation is associated with a 3 percentage-point increase in the likelihood of <a href="https://www.educationnext.org/federal-work-study-past-prime-or-ripe-for-renewal/" target="_blank">completing a bachelor&rsquo;s degree within six years</a>, which is a strong reminder that the &ldquo;right&rdquo; hours can support both income and graduation.<br /><br />3.<span> </span><em>Choose side gig ideas that match your class schedule (and keep them legit)</em>: Build from the side-business basics: pick an offer you can deliver in 3&ndash;5 hours/week, set a clear scope, and use a simple intake process so requests don&rsquo;t interrupt study time. Good student-friendly examples include tutoring 1&ndash;2 subjects, resume proofreading, basic social media scheduling for a local shop, or weekend event staffing. Track every dollar in and out from day one, clean records make taxes and any future business setup far easier.<br /><br />4.<span> </span><em>Use off-campus housing savings without &ldquo;accidental lifestyle inflation&rdquo;</em>: Compare dorm costs to sharing an apartment and include utilities, commuting, and groceries so you&rsquo;re not surprised later. If you move off campus, lock in a housing cap (for example, &ldquo;rent + utilities under 30&ndash;35% of monthly income&rdquo;) and choose roommates with similar budgets and study habits. Put any monthly savings on autopilot toward next term&rsquo;s tuition installment before it disappears into eating out or extra subscriptions.<br /><br />5.<span> </span><em>Capture in-state tuition advantages and regional exchanges</em>: If you&rsquo;re near a border or willing to relocate, compare public universities where you can qualify for in-state tuition sooner, or apply to regional tuition-reduction programs. Education data shows <a href="https://educationdata.org/average-in-state-vs-out-of-state-tuition" target="_blank">students saved</a> substantial tuition dollars in a recent academic year through these kinds of pricing advantages. Build your school list around &ldquo;net price after discounts,&rdquo; not the sticker price.<br /><br />6.<span> </span><em>Cut book costs with used textbook rentals and smart timing</em>: Before buying anything, check whether the syllabus allows older editions, PDFs from the library, or shared resources through your department. When you do need the book, compare used purchases, used textbook rentals, and bookstore buyback terms, then order as soon as you have your class schedule. If an access code is required, price that separately, sometimes the cheapest &ldquo;bundle&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t actually the cheapest.<br /><br /><strong>Common Questions About Paying for College, Debt-Free</strong><br />Q: What are some practical ways to reduce living expenses while balancing school responsibilities?<br />A: Start with the biggest fixed costs: share housing, cap transportation, and set a weekly grocery plan built around repeat meals. Replace &ldquo;convenience spending&rdquo; with systems, like a batch-cook night and a no-subscription audit once a month. Even small habits reduce financial pressure because they make your baseline cheaper every week.<br />Q: How can I manage my time effectively to handle both work and study without feeling overwhelmed?<br />A: Pick one predictable work block schedule and protect two focused study windows, even if they are short. Use a weekly reset to list deadlines, shifts, and commute time, then commit to your top three tasks per day. If your energy dips, reduce hours before you sacrifice sleep, since burnout often costs more than it earns.<br />Q: What strategies can help me avoid the stress of accumulating debt during my education journey?<br />A: Treat loans as a last resort by building a &ldquo;gap plan&rdquo; each term: confirmed aid plus expected income plus savings, then only enroll in what that covers. Track spending weekly so surprises do not turn into panic borrowing. Having a clear number turns anxiety into a sequence of decisions.<br />Q: How can I find and take advantage of financial aid opportunities like scholarships and grants?<br />A: Apply broadly, but prioritize local, major-based, and department awards where competition can be smaller. Keep a simple tracker, reuse one core essay, and ask advisors for programs students overlook. Consistency matters more than perfection.<br /><br /><strong>Choose Three Debt-Free College Funding Moves and Begin Now</strong><br />College costs can feel like a deadline with a price tag, and it&rsquo;s easy to assume loans are the only realistic bridge. The path to debt-free education goals is a mindset of college funding empowerment: practical financial planning, simple budgeting habits, and steady income choices that fit your situation. When those pieces stay consistent, long term college affordability shifts from a hope to a plan, and student motivation for budgeting gets easier because progress is visible. Debt-free college is built through small, repeatable money decisions, not one big breakthrough. Pick your next three moves this week, one planning step, one budget habit, and one income action, and put them on your calendar. That follow-through protects your future options and builds financial resilience long after graduation.</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Congrats to Our High School Seniors]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/congrats-to-our-high-school-seniors]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/congrats-to-our-high-school-seniors#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2026 17:14:31 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/congrats-to-our-high-school-seniors</guid><description><![CDATA[So happy for our students and student-athletes who are admitted and committed to their college homes!I'm proud of them and their work to get to this point, both excelling in the classroom and in their game.In the fall, students will be heading to:Cal Poly SLOChapmanCollege of CharlestonEmbry RiddleEmoryFlorida AtlanticGeorge WashingtonHoly CrossIthacaMaryland (2)MITOhio StateRochesterRutgersSacred HeartSDSUTufts (2)UVMIt is an honor to support each of them; they have all earned their way to the  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">So happy for our students and student-athletes who are admitted and committed to their college homes!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">I'm proud of them and their work to get to this point, both excelling in the classroom and in their game.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">In the fall, students will be heading to:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Cal Poly SLO</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Chapman</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">College of Charleston</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Embry Riddle</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Emory</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Florida Atlantic</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">George Washington</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Holy Cross</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Ithaca</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Maryland (2)</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">MIT</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Ohio State</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Rochester</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Rutgers</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Sacred Heart</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">SDSU</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Tufts (2)</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">UVM</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">It is an honor to support each of them; they have all earned their way to the place they call home and they have very bright futures ahead of them!</span><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Amazing Testimonial]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/an-amazing-testimonial]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/an-amazing-testimonial#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 15:41:56 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/an-amazing-testimonial</guid><description><![CDATA[Received this incredible review from a parent recently!Dear Chad,I am not sure how to fashion the telling of your four-plus years of support and expert advice into this short letter.You miraculously found a way to be, at once, counselor, friend, mentor and the ultimate professional.It has been a rewarding experience to work with you on two academic cycles (prep school and college). You guided Leah through a complex journey as she learned about her choices, analyzed them, completed applications a [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font color="#2a2a2a">Received this incredible review from a parent recently!<br /><br />Dear Chad,<br /><br />I am not sure how to fashion the telling of your four-plus years of support and expert advice into this short letter.<br />You miraculously found a way to be, at once, counselor, friend, mentor and the ultimate professional.<br /><br />It has been a rewarding experience to work with you on two academic cycles (prep school and college). You guided Leah through a complex journey as she learned about her choices, analyzed them, completed applications and, in both cases, gained admission to one of her top-choice schools including substantial financial scholarships that permitted her to take full advantage of those acceptances.<br /><br />Leah is a determined and highly focused student who, indeed, worked tirelessly toward her goals. She was able to maximize that dedication because your Herculean support, encouragement and expertise stood constantly ready to help her navigate the stress and anxiety inherent in the process.<br /><br />We were blessed to have you, in your words, on &laquo; team Leah &raquo;.<br /><br />With infinite gratitude and best regards,<br /><br />Marsha R.</font><br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[National Student-Athlete Day (and Post-UCLA Victory)]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/national-student-athlete-day-and-post-ucla-victory]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/national-student-athlete-day-and-post-ucla-victory#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:54:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/national-student-athlete-day-and-post-ucla-victory</guid><description><![CDATA[Success as a student-athlete isn&rsquo;t just about talent.It&rsquo;s about discipline on the days you&rsquo;re tired.It&rsquo;s about focus when distractions are everywhere.It&rsquo;s about showing up (again and again and again!) when no one is watching.You&rsquo;ll thank yourself for not giving up.Student-athletes don&rsquo;t just build strength on the field, court or ice:they build resilience, leadership, and the ability to rise under pressure.Those lessons last far beyond the game. And one o [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph">Success as a student-athlete isn&rsquo;t just about talent.<br /><br />It&rsquo;s about discipline on the days you&rsquo;re tired.<br />It&rsquo;s about focus when distractions are everywhere.<br />It&rsquo;s about showing up (again and again and again!) when no one is watching.<br /><br />You&rsquo;ll thank yourself for not giving up.<br /><br />Student-athletes don&rsquo;t just build strength on the field, court or ice:<br />they build resilience, leadership, and the ability to rise under pressure.<br /><br />Those lessons last far beyond the game. And one of the best lessons? A gem of a reminder was just dropped after yesterday's Women's Basketball Championship Game:<br /><br />"Your talent is your floor, your character is your ceiling" - UCLA Women's Basketball Head&nbsp;Coach, Cori Close<br /><br />Talent determines your minimum level of success, but character determines how high you can ultimately achieve. It highlights that longevity and success depend on integrity.<br /><br />Today we celebrate the commitment, sacrifice, mindset and the character it takes to balance academics, athletics and life!<br />&#8203;<br />To every student-athlete:<br />Keep going. It&rsquo;s worth it!</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[National Signing Day]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/national-signing-day]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/national-signing-day#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:59:58 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/national-signing-day</guid><description><![CDATA[Today is National Signing Day!This is one of the most important milestones in the college recruiting process, when student-athletes can officially commit to play sports at the collegiate level; it is the culmination of years of training, dedication, travel, sweat, some tears and the support of parents, coaches and mentors. February 4th is significant in a set of sports, namely: football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track and volleyball.**and yes, there is an early signing day in Dece [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Today is National Signing Day!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">This is one of the most important milestones in the college recruiting process, when student-athletes can officially commit to play sports at the collegiate level; it is the culmination of years of training, dedication, travel, sweat, some tears and the support of parents, coaches and mentors.</span><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)"> </span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">February 4th is significant in a set of sports, namely: football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track and volleyball.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">**and yes, there is an early signing day in December, but this is the 'traditional' date on the calendar. It's a perfect opportunity for those athletes who:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- were still being recruited later in the cycle</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- needed more time to decide, to review with family</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- had coaching changes affect their process (looking at you football!)</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- are committing to smaller programs</span><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)"> </span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- are signing after stellar senior seasons</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Historically, student-athletes would sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI), but the NCAA has begun phasing out the NLI program, moving toward a financial aid agreement model starting with the 2025&ndash;26 cycle.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">The day is one of both celebration and 'leveling up', representing:</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- A major academic and athletic transition</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- A commitment to a college home</span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- A financial decision</span><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)"> </span><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">- A new chapter in life</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Congratulations to all of the student-athletes who are signing today! I am so very proud of all of my athletes who have signed (either today or in the days/weeks leading up this).</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Onward and upward, the future is very bright! Keep grinding.<br /><br />Questions on your own path? How to get recruited? <a href="mailto:chad@leonardandrew.com">Contact us today.</a></span><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[2025 Year in Review]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/2025-year-in-review]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/2025-year-in-review#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2025 23:51:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/2025-year-in-review</guid><description><![CDATA[Reflecting on another incredible year -- my 12th supporting student-athletes and their families -- and I'm so proud of my students, their effort and their dreams achieved....looking forward to next year, to guiding a new roster of students as well as a new chapter of LAC's history.        [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">Reflecting on another incredible year -- my 12th supporting student-athletes and their families -- and I'm so proud of my students, their effort and their dreams achieved.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">...looking forward to next year, to guiding a new roster of students as well as a new chapter of LAC's history.</span></div>  <div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.leonardandrew.com/uploads/2/5/7/7/25774263/copy-of-copy-of-copy-of-copy-of-copy-of-copy-of-lac-cv-heart1-instagram-post-45-5_orig.png" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Addition to our Services: Academic Assets for Relocation]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/an-addition-to-our-services-academic-assets-for-relocation]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/an-addition-to-our-services-academic-assets-for-relocation#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:38:14 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/an-addition-to-our-services-academic-assets-for-relocation</guid><description><![CDATA[       Moving your family domestically? An organization bringing in employees - and their families - from outside of the US?&nbsp;LAC is proud to be expanding our suite of services, now acting as an academic asset for relocation! We are working to plug what we see as a massive hole in the industry.When families move, or are relocated for work, the education of the little ones should be paramount. Our team is there to help parents understand schools, make sense of options and help the student (an [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.leonardandrew.com/uploads/2/5/7/7/25774263/published/pexels-mart-production-7414950.jpg?1761935971" alt="Picture" style="width:463;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">Moving your family domestically? An organization bringing in employees - and their families - from outside of the US?&nbsp;<br /><br />LAC is proud to be expanding our suite of services, now acting as an academic asset for relocation! We are working to plug what we see as a massive hole in the industry.<br /><br />When families move, or are relocated for work, the education of the little ones should be paramount. Our team is there to help parents understand schools, make sense of options and help the student (and families) optimize their process in finding the right fit.&nbsp; We're there every step of the way, bringing comfort and happiness to an otherwise chaotic time.<br /><br />LAC works with students and their families across the country to find their school of best fit, so that they can optimize their experience and goals.&nbsp; Our work is geared towards their version of success in the future -- academically, athletically, and socially.&nbsp;<br /><br />We started in 2013 by helping high school students find their college of best fit, then we helped place high schoolers and now we've started working to help families understand - and be successful - with placements K through college. Our team has worked in over 30 states and have dealt with all school types (public, private, independent, boarding) as well as all different types of learners and ability levels.<br /><br />When working with families that are relocating, the schools and education systems are often top-of-mind &ndash; the family may know the job they&rsquo;ve accepted or been placed in or have an understanding of the neighborhood they are moving to, but they want to know everything they can about the school where their child will be.&nbsp; They take comfort in knowing that their daughter or son will be comfortable.<br /><br />LAC knows that this is the cornerstone of the family&rsquo;s transition into their new community. We take the time and effort to make sure that a student is placed in the ideal school, reviewing all options available, discussing and communicating with administrators and admissions teams.<br /><br />We conduct a needs analysis for the student and family and, if possible, we look engage with them early and often &ndash; our goal is to work as an extension of the family, advocating for them in the absolute best way possible.<br /><br />We then research, evaluate, and identify potential schools and programs. We&rsquo;ll review best options, discuss and deliver pertinent information, assess curriculum and grading systems, and organize school visits and interviews.<br /><br />When a final list of potential schools is determined, we then guide students and families through the application process as well as the registration and enrollment processes. We provide assistance on application essays, and guide families through all components of the application process utilizing best practices.<br /><br />We place a number of students each year at schools where they are able to grow and succeed, and we maintain that connection with the student and family even after the student enters the school. Our goal is to make sure that the student is comfortable and content &ndash; from Day 1 to Day 100 and beyond &ndash; and with that, we look to guide a student as if she or he were one of our own.<br /><br />Leonard Andrew Consulting looks forward to supporting students and families on this journey, working to ensure that they road is not only headed in the right direction, but is as smooth as possible.<br />&#8203;<br />If this service would be of any help to you, your employees or your clients now or in the future, please do not hesitate to let us know! We'd love to do everything we could to support you, these individuals and their employers.<br></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ace Your Official Visits]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/ace-your-official-visits]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/ace-your-official-visits#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:42:31 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/ace-your-official-visits</guid><description><![CDATA[       Recruited student-athletes are now heading off on official visits (with some exceptions, these typically start in Augusts and go for the next number of weeks) -- these visits are a key element of the recruiting process for many programs, especially in the fall when school is back in session.Official visits allow prospective student-athletes to experience campus life firsthand, meet with coaches and current players, sit in on a class, and get a feel for the overall culture of the program w [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.leonardandrew.com/uploads/2/5/7/7/25774263/just-drafted-baseball-instagram-post-1_orig.png" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">Recruited student-athletes are now heading off on official visits (with some exceptions, these typically start in Augusts and go for the next number of weeks) -- these visits are a key element of the recruiting process for many programs, especially in the fall when school is back in session.<br /><br />Official visits allow prospective student-athletes to experience campus life firsthand, meet with coaches and current players, sit in on a class, and get a feel for the overall culture of the program while getting a deeper understanding of the community and atmosphere.<br /><br />If you have a student-athlete that has questions on the Official Visit - and wants to ace their opportunity - just shoot us a message and we'll get started ASAP! There can be a nervous excitement that builds with this experience and the process as a whole - I work with student-athletes so that they are more excited and less nervous (building confidence and understanding so that there is less anxiety and stress).<br /><br /><a href="mailto:chad@leonardandrew.com">Start here, win the recruiting game.</a><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The NIL Strikes Again (Hockey Edition)]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/the-nil-strikes-again-hockey-edition]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/the-nil-strikes-again-hockey-edition#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 20:53:36 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/the-nil-strikes-again-hockey-edition</guid><description><![CDATA[       Earlier this month projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, Gavin McKenna, officially announced his commitment to Penn State University Men&rsquo;s Hockey for the 2025-26 season.In hockey, you typically don&rsquo;t have to play in college any time before entering the pro ranks &mdash; you could play Juniors, in Europe. This commitment, however, marks a major shift in college hockey recruiting, with NIL deals beginning to play a crucial role.This decision reflects the growing tr [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="https://www.leonardandrew.com/uploads/2/5/7/7/25774263/penn-pic_orig.jpg" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">Earlier this month projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, Gavin McKenna, officially announced his commitment to Penn State University Men&rsquo;s Hockey for the 2025-26 season.<br /><br />In hockey, you typically don&rsquo;t have to play in college any time before entering the pro ranks &mdash; you could play Juniors, in Europe. This commitment, however, marks a major shift in college hockey recruiting, with NIL deals beginning to play a crucial role.<br /><br />This decision reflects the growing trend of CHL (Canadian Hockey League) players opting for the NCAA... in large part due to NIL opportunities (why play for development and experience alone when you can do that while playing for money?)<br />It&rsquo;s not just football, basketball, revenue generating sports that are getting players - and programs - to rethink their process and their path with NIL. *though this is very much a &lsquo;football school&rsquo;.<br /><br />Gavin has reportedly secured a $700,000 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, the richest NIL package in college hockey history (and one that significantly exceeds Michigan State&rsquo;s offer of $300,000... and at a more traditionally renown hockey program).<br /><br />NIL changes are just getting started - quicker than I thought they&rsquo;d really shake up hockey, but here we are!<br /><br /><a href="mailto:chad@leonardandrew.com">Want to review anything NIL-related? Questions about recruiting or your college prep process? Don't hesitate to reach out!</a></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[A New Era in College Sports]]></title><link><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/a-new-era-in-college-sports]]></link><comments><![CDATA[https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/a-new-era-in-college-sports#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 22:16:31 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.leonardandrew.com/lac-blog/a-new-era-in-college-sports</guid><description><![CDATA[A new era began this month.The concept of NIL in college sports became a reality on&nbsp;July 1, 2021 (when the NCAA first implemented their interim policy which allowed student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness).July 1, 2025 - four years later - NCAA amateurism is out. Direct athlete compensation (through revenue sharing, allowing athletes to finally get a cut of the billions of dollars in broadcast revenue they generate) and the College Sports Commission (to oversee implem [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">A new era began this month.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">The concept of NIL in college sports became a reality on&nbsp;July 1, 2021 (when the NCAA first implemented their interim policy which allowed student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness).</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">July 1, 2025 - four years later - NCAA amateurism is out. Direct athlete compensation (through revenue sharing, allowing athletes to finally get a cut of the billions of dollars in broadcast revenue they generate) and the College Sports Commission (to oversee implementation and enforcement of the settlement) have entered the game.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">College sports and the NCAA have changed dramatically in four years... these next four years will up-end the entire 'student-athlete' ecosystem.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9)">The dust has certainly not settled in this dawning of a new era (and it still might cloud things for a time)... but in the meantime, we're excited to see how teams, athletes and families positively handle this transition.<br /><br /><a href="mailto:chad@leonardandrew.com">Questions on how to navigate this new frontier? Get started by contacting us.</a></span><br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>