News, Resources, & Musings
Beyond Media Hype into Common-Sense Application Numbers
Around this time of year, we often begin seeing “feel-good” stories on the news in the U.S. about high school seniors who applied to and were accepted to dozens of colleges. The media will often add information about the collective scholarship awards the student was...
Beyond Prestige into Best Fit: Why it Matters and How Our Students are Walking the Walk
In an era when manufactured prestige and exorbitant college costs drive families into confusion and panic, we work hard to demystify the college process and help students find their best fit colleges. What does best fit really mean? It means knowing yourself and...
On Important Moments of Growth and Reflection
This is the story of why this photo is powerful. (Posted with student’s permission.) Alayna started working with us as a high school junior. A high-achieving student, she was used to her 4.0 GPA. She was used to her leadership positions at school. She was used to her...
Passion Projects: Personalized Growth that Makes a Difference
“Passion project” is a term you’re likely to hear more and more these days– something you do as an extension of what you’re most passionate about that highlights your commitment to an issue, your leadership potential, your ingenuity, etc. Indeed, a passion project can...
Navigating Trauma and Tragedy in the College Process
It can be hard to wrap our minds around how quickly life can change, and how our best laid plans can unravel in front of us because of trauma, sickness, or even a bad decision. A parent dies, and the student’s grades, attitude, and mental health tank. A sibling gets...
So You’ve Been Deferred…Now What?!
Your dream school e-mails and directs you to your student portal. An admission decision awaits. Nervously, you navigate to the decision letter. Deferred. What does that even mean, anyway? And what should you do? First, the good news: being deferred isn’t the same...
Let’s Talk Brain Science!
Let’s talk brain science. Specifically, let’s talk frontal lobe, the brain’s executive function MVP and notorious nemesis for many teenagers. Each side of the brain has four lobes, including the frontal lobe, which is responsible for a ton of what it takes to be a...
What happens if you back out of an Early Decision offer?
As college application season enters full swing, families should be having serious conversations about what applicant pool their child plans to apply to. It matters to students’ admission chances and financial aid opportunities. First, let’s cover the four basic...
On Mental Health and Asking for Help
Life has brought unprecedented challenges and stressors over the past couple of years. Doctors report more patients than ever needing anti-depressants and anxiety medications, and patients often find the wait to see a counselor is months long. For teenagers going...