E59: What makes Dr. Claudia Batichon with Think Protege a good neighbor?  

For many families, navigating the college application process feels like wandering through a maze blindfolded. The landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade, leaving parents feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to help their children secure their educational futures. This is precisely the gap that Dr. Claudia Batichon's Think Protege aims to fill – providing affordable, accessible guidance for students from all backgrounds.

Dr. Batichon brings impressive credentials to her role as an independent educational consultant. With experience as an NCAA compliance administrator who helped over 100 athletes secure scholarships, a background in both K-12 and higher education teaching, and personal triumph as a first-generation college student, she understands the system from multiple angles. Her approach focuses on alleviating stress for parents while maximizing scholarship opportunities for students. Unlike many consultants charging $10,000-$20,000 for similar services, Think Protege makes this guidance financially accessible to families in the middle-income bracket who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

The college preparation process begins much earlier than most families realize. Dr. Batichon emphasizes that waiting until senior year puts students at a significant disadvantage. Her own daughter, who recently went viral for securing $1.8 million in scholarships and acceptances to nearly every school she applied to, began visiting college campuses in ninth grade. This early start allowed her to make informed decisions rather than choosing institutions blindly. For current students, Dr. Batichon recommends a structured timeline – juniors should focus on requesting recommendation letters and identifying potential schools, while summer presents the perfect opportunity to draft essays before the hectic senior year begins.

One significant misconception in college admissions is the belief that test-optional policies have made standardized testing irrelevant. Dr. Batichon notes that many institutions are reverting to testing requirements after discovering that grade inflation across different school systems made it difficult to evaluate students fairly. More importantly for budget-conscious families, merit scholarships – the financial aid that doesn't require repayment – are still predominantly awarded based on a combination of GPA and test scores. Understanding which schools offer substantial renewable scholarships for specific academic profiles can result in tens of thousands of dollars in savings over a four-year degree.

Beyond traditional four-year universities, Think Protege recognizes that different paths work for different students. Dr. Batichon recently expanded her services to support students considering gap years, community colleges, or trade schools. She emphasizes that career paths like ultrasound or X-ray technicians can lead to comfortable salaries of $70,000-$80,000 after just two years of education. The goal isn't to push every student toward prestigious universities but to help each one find their best path forward – whether that leads to an Ivy League campus, community college, or vocational training program.

Dr. Batichon's personal journey adds depth and authenticity to her work. As a Haitian immigrant whose parents worked as a housekeeper and security guard, she became the first in her family to graduate high school in America and attend college. Despite becoming a mother during her junior year of college, she completed her bachelor's degree on time, immediately pursued a master's degree, and eventually earned her doctorate. Her message resonates powerfully: with the right support system, there's always a way forward, regardless of the obstacles. This lived experience shapes her approach to helping students from all backgrounds navigate their educational journeys with confidence and clarity.

To learn more about Think Protege go to: 

https://thinkprotege.com/

Think Protege

(305) 726-4892