The latest batch of college rankings has us thinking: about our perception of the value of college, about how individual colleges are evolving, and about what really makes a school “good.”
The Value of an Early Start to College Advising
“You don’t know what you don’t know.” Success, however we define it, is the culmination of lots of small decisions, most of which, by the time our children reach Junior year of high school, have already been made. More and more, I see parents, especially those with older children who have already been through the college process, recognize that investing the time to make wise choices earlier (like in 8th or 9th grade), can lay a strong foundation for later.
College Applications: A Playbook for Parents
Is It Really the Hardest It's Ever Been to Get into College?
When you just look at the numbers — these numbers, or any numbers really (over 120,000 applicants to NYU! Northeastern accepted 6.7% of students! Apps to Yale increased 50% since 2020!) — it’s so easy to lose sight of the individual stories, victories, and disappointments that define this process, and the fact that opportunity is always right around the corner if you’re open to it.
The Demise of "Best College" Rankings
How to Support Your Child's Mental Health During the College Application Process
Federal data illustrates the toll the pandemic has taken on students’ mental health, but the issue of parental involvement—always a source of tension between parents and students in the college process—has also intensified. As a parent, what can you do to support your child during this stressful but exciting time in their life?
The Value of Testing in a Test-Optional World
An article published in The Hill last week reports that the share of applicants who are submitting test scores has plunged, with fewer than half of Early applicants this fall submitting SAT or ACT scores. Yet, the Wall Street Journal reports that more students than ever are taking the optional SAT and ACT in an effort to stand out in a crowded field. Why is this happening—and what does it mean for your application?
Family Stories, Resilience, and Gratitude
This Thanksgiving, I've been thinking about how this holiday offers a great opportunity for intergenerational storytelling. Research shows the type of family stories you tell, and how you tell them, can have a big impact on your children’s self-esteem and academic skills.
Finding the Goldilocks School
It’s autumn in New York and parents are stressing about the same themes they do every year: “I have to find the right kindergarten, middle school, high school, or college for my child"—as if that choice will impact the child for the rest of their lives… but is there even a "right" choice to be made?
