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First Impressions of Digital SAT

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This article by Susan Kehl was originally published at ScoreAtTheTop.com on May 31, 2023.

You’ve likely heard that College Board is shifting the SAT to a digital format, and the transition has already begun. But questions abound: When the digital SAT will be fully available? How have the first international tests fared? What will the change mean to future test-takers?

College Board touts the changes as ‘”student and educator friendly,” emphasizing that the digital SAT is “easier to take, easier to give, and more relevant.” When College Board initially test-piloted the digital SAT, 80% of students surveyed said they found it less stressful than the paper version, and 100% of educators reported that the digital SAT was a positive experience.

The SAT will be fully digital in the U.S. by 2024, while the PSAT will be administered digitally beginning in fall 2023. The SAT is already being administered digitally to international students.

Judi Robinovitz, a Certified Educational Planner specializing in educational counseling, says initial feedback has been encouraging.

“Transitioning from a paper-and-pencil test to a fully digital version has been a monumental undertaking for College Board, but several pilot sessions helped them work out the kinks and refine the process,” she said. ”A majority of test-pilot students – as well as international students who recently took the actual digital SAT – have said the test went smoothly.”
Changes and New Features

The digital SAT will still be scored on a 1600 scale, and will still be given in schools or official test centers with proctors supervising the process. It still tests students on the knowledge and proficiencies that measure college readiness and success. A few aspects of the test, however, will be changing – for the better.

While transitioning to a digital format, College Board considered input from educators and students to help streamline the test and make it more relevant. Among the changes and new features are these:

  • The digital test is shorter – lasting about two hours, compared to three for the traditional SAT.
  • Students will have more time per question.
  • Reading passages are shorter, with only one question per passage.
  • The digital SAT has two sections: Reading and writing, and math. There’s a 10-minute break between sections.
  • The digital SAT is multistage adaptive, which means the test adapts to provide each student questions appropriate to his or her test performance level.
  • Students will receive their scores in days rather than in weeks.
  • Calculators are permitted for the entire math section. Students can bring their own or use the Desmos graphing calculator that’s built into the digital testing application.
  • The digital SAT will be readily available, regardless of a student’s access to technology. Students can take the test using their own test-compatible laptops or tablets, or use a school-issued device. If necessary, College Board can provide a device on test day.
  • Students should arrive with their devices fully charged, but devices can be plugged in and charged if necessary. If computers must be restarted, students can pick up where they left off – all work will be saved, and students won’t lose test time.
  • The Bluebook testing app times each student individually, so students may start the test, take their breaks, and complete the test at slightly different times. The break isn’t mandatory – students can keep working if they prefer.
  • Students needing accommodations will find many accommodations built into the Bluebook app, such as a text magnifier to enlarge the font size.

In addition to the in-app Desmos calculator, the digital SAT offers several useful tools including:

  • Answer Eliminator: Similar to crossing out options with a pencil and paper, students can eliminate answers on-screen with the answer-eliminate feature.
  • ‘Mark for Review’ Flag: Allows students to ‘flag’ challenging questions, move on with the test, and easily revisit flagged questions later. Students can instantly see how many they’ve marked for review instead of having to flip through pages as with the paper version.
  • Timer: Students don’t have to watch the clock – an in-app timer shows a countdown of the time remaining to keep them on pace. Students can minimize or even hide the timer if it’s distracting.
  • Reference Sheet and Annotation Features: Students can use the reference sheet tool to access a list of common formulas for the math section, and can highlight any part of a question and leave notes throughout the test with the annotation tool.

How did the first Official International Digital SAT Go?

During a recent 2023 National Test Prep Association Summit, host Sonia Muthalia of Informed Decisions and Megan Stubbendeck of ArborBridge summarized feedback they received from students who took the first official international digital SAT, administered in March 2023. The general consensus is that the tests went smoothly, were efficiently administered, and students had a positive experience.

Here’s a summary of some of the general observations and opinions reported, as well as a few practical pointers and ‘takeaways’ for future test takers:

  • Smooth Sailing: Most students agreed that the test went smoothly and said they didn’t feel added stress or anxiety due to the digital format – even when minor issues arose. Overall, students reported feeling less stressed and more relaxed because the test was shorter than the paper version and they had more time per question. Take Away: The new format didn’t seem to add to student test anxiety during the initial digital SATs.
  • Small Glitches Weren’t Disruptive: Although a few of the surveyed students experienced minor connectivity issues or other slight glitches, they said issues were immediately resolved and did not affect their ability to take the test. Students who lost connectivity were able to quickly continue without losing time. Most importantly, when one student had an issue, it did not disrupt other students taking the test. Take Away: Don’t worry about tech issues – they will be resolved and won’t impact your test.
  • Hi-Tech Proctoring: Proctors have been extensively trained to assist students with the digital format, which the surveyed students said helped ease anxiety. Much of the proctoring process is also digital, so proctors can see the progress of each student including when they start when they take breaks, and when they complete the test. Take Away: Expert assistance is available – the proctors are ready, willing, and able to help.
  • The Mac is Back: In previous test pilot sessions, Mac computers weren’t compatible with the digital SAT. The issue has been resolved, and students are now able to use Mac computers. Take Away: If you have a Mac device, you can use it for the digital SAT – but it’s still a good idea to review College Board’s list of approved testing devices before test day to confirm that your device is compatible.
  • Familiar and Comfortable: Many students said they were pleased to find that the new digital SAT app felt similar to the online practice tests they’d taken through Kahn Academy and the Bluebook testing app, so it was an easy transition – most said they felt well prepared. Take Away: If you haven’t already, download Bluebook now and begin your digital SAT practice and preparation.
  • When it came to difficulty level, opinions were mixed. Some students reported that the digital SAT was comparable to the Bluebook test, while others thought the digital test was more difficult. But all students agreed that they had a positive testing experience. Take Away: Make sure you’re fully prepared for this transition to a digital format. Thorough preparation is key so that you’re ready and know what to expect.
  • Pace Yourself: Some students were surprised to discover that – due to the adaptive nature of the test – the questions in the second module were considerably more difficult than the first module, and it threw some students off on their pacing. Take Away: When taking the digital test, be prepared for the increased level of difficulty in the second module, and pace yourself accordingly (expect to spend more time answering questions in the second module than the first).
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Although the digital SAT has a built-in Desmos graphing calculator, many students said they used their own calculators instead because they felt more comfortable with their ‘trusted and reliable’ devices. Fatima, a student who provided feedback about her experience taking the digital SAT at a Bangladesh test center, used the built-in Desmos calculator and believes it saved her time and was crucial to her success during the exam. Take Away: Because using the in-app calculator can be a faster, more efficient way to find the solution, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the in-app tools – like Desmos – ahead of time so that using them is comfortable and second nature on test day. Most experts agree that it’s beneficial to use both Desmos and your own calculator during the test (depending on the problem/equation).
  • Some students, like Fatima, said they wished there had been additional Bluebook practice exams available to help prepare for and become comfortable with the digital SAT (currently there are only four practice exams in the Bluebook app). Take Away: Use the Bluebook practice exams wisely. Instead of taking all four consecutively, spread them out by using and learning from additional test prep methods like Kahn Academy, 1600.io (Fatima recommends the Math Orange Book!), and full-length practice tests. However, because there isn’t as much practice material available as with the paper-and-pencil format, it can be a challenge for students to properly prepare on their own. Working with a test-prep tutor or Independent Educational Consultant can help students learn useful test-taking strategies, and shortcuts, how to use the in-app tools, and how to efficiently navigate the digital SAT.

Rabinowitz says that although some may have initially been resistant to the idea of a digital SAT, the transition has been smooth and successful so far – and the digital version is here to stay. She believes that because the digital SAT is an entirely new platform, effective test prep is more important now than ever.

“Be sure to familiarize yourself with the functionality of the Bluebook testing app – learn how to navigate it and make use of its time-saving in-app tools,” she said. “Take full-length practice tests to acquaint yourself with the types of questions you’ll encounter on test day, and most of all – don’t let the new format intimidate you. Just remember to relax, be confident, and do your best.”

Need help to prepare for the digital SAT? Score At The Top offers the most effective standardized test preparation available. Our test-prep programs were designed by our founder, Judi Robinovitz, who not only scored a perfect SAT score on the traditional SAT – but she also worked with Educational Testing Service (the world’s largest educational testing organization) for 23 years. Join us for free test simulations, private 1:1 tutoring sessions, small group PSAT and SAT workshops, and more.

This article by Susan Kehl was originally published at ScoreAtTheTop.com on May 31, 2023.

Brown’s Regular Decision Acceptance Rate Now 3.8%

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Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Brown University’s Regular Decision admission decisions will be posted on Thursday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. US Eastern Time, and, as in previous years, most students will not be thrilled by the decision they receive.

According to Logan Powell, Brown’s Dean of Admission, Brown received 51,302 applications for the Class of 2027, which represents a 1% increase over last year and makes the Class of 2027 applicant pool the largest in the university’s history. Brown will make 1,730 Regular Decision offers of admission to the incoming Class of 2027 in addition to the 879 Early Decision admission offers made in December. The overall acceptance rate for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle was 5%, the Regular Decision acceptance rate was 3.8%, and the Early Decision acceptance rate was 13%.

A total of 18% of accepted students represent the first generation in their family to attend college, and this year’s admitted students come from 90 countries, all 50 American states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The top countries represented outside the United States are China, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and South Korea.

Of the 4,192 applicants to the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), 74 students were admitted with a 2% acceptance rate. Of the 916 applicants to the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program, 20 students were admitted, also with a 2% acceptance rate.

If spaces in Brown’s entering class are available after the May 1 reply by date, Brown will make additional admission offers to students on its waitlist; yet, all spaces in the Program in Liberal Medical Education have been filled. The number of students admitted from the waitlist will depend on how many students accept Brown’s admission offers by May 1. In recent years, the number of waitlist spaces available in Brown’s incoming class has ranged from 15 to 120. Waitlist activity will conclude by mid-summer, and more information on the waitlist is available here.

Meanwhile, Brown will host two admitted student programs on campus for the Class of 2027. A Day on College Hill (ADOCH) will take place on April 14 and 21 for students who are able to visit Providence in person. Brown will also continue to support its admitted students with a variety of virtual programming that provides opportunities to explore, learn, ask questions and connect to Brown’s campus while showcasing Brown’s vibrant community.

Tulane’s acceptance rate is 13%. Only 34% are male.

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Tulane’s Gibson Hall

Tulane University has offered admission to roughly 4,000 students for its Class of 2027. The New Orleans-based university expects roughly 1,850 students to begin as freshmen in August. All decisions have now been released. Among applications submitted, only 13% were admitted.

“To save room for more first-generation college students and students who do not feel comfortable making a binding commitment so early, we reduced our Early Decision offers of admission this year and increased Early Action and Regular Decision offers.” shared Shawn Abbott, Tulane’s Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission.

While a 13% acceptance rate certainly sounds extreme, if one digs into the numbers, other stats are may be even more astonishing. For instance, of those accepted, roughly 34% reported their legal sex as male (actually up from 32% last year) and roughly 66% reported their legal sex as female. Nearly 5% identified as trans or non-binary.

Overall, fewer than 800 first-year applicants were offered admission via Early Decision and fewer than 400 via Early Decision II, while nearly 2,400 were offered admission via Early Action and over 400 via Regular Decision. This means Tulane extended roughly 400 additional non-binding offers of admission this year compared to the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Roughly 250 additional students were admitted for Spring 2024 with the opportunity to spend their first semester in Barcelona, London, Paris, or Rome.

As it relates to academic credentials, those students admitted on average had a 3.8 average GPA (up from 3.73 last year), a 1473 on the SAT, and/or nearly a 33 on the ACT.  Roughly 50% were admitted without test scores (up from 46% last year). At high schools that provided Tulane with class rank, more than 64% rank in the top 10% of their graduating class (up from 60%).

Tulane is also reporting that 41% of those accepted identify as students of color (up from 38% last year). An additional 11% are foreign nationals (up from 6% last year), not including U.S. citizens schooled abroad, 10% will be the first generation in their families to graduate from college (up from 7% last year), 11% are from Louisiana (up from 9% last year), and 7% are from New Orleans (up from 5%).

Roughly 4,000 students were offered a space on Tulane’s wait list, and Tulane expects that at least half of those 4,000 will see their interest in Tulane wane quickly and significantly as they rightfully get excited about alternate options. By May 1, Tulane predicts fewer than 2,000 students will be holding a space on its waitlist, and it is premature to predict how many will be admitted. In recent years, the number of students Tulane has been able to admit from its waitlist has ranged from zero to fifty.

AP vs. IBDP. Which is best for you?

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AP vs. IBDP

Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme are both challenging and rigorous options that high school students can choose to take to demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence and in order to potentially earn college credit for college or gain admission to selective colleges and universities. Yet, most high schools currently only offer one or the other, which is a shame.

AP

An AP course is a college-level course offered in many high schools in the United States and Canada and even some high schools in other countries too (often those that have an English-medium curriculum). AP courses are designed to be rigorous and challenging, with a curriculum that is equivalent to a college-level course. AP courses cover a range of subjects, including English, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and foreign languages.

At the end of an AP course, currently in May, students have the option to take an AP exam in that subject. The AP exam is administered by the College Board and assesses students’ knowledge and skills in the subject. AP exam scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. Many colleges and universities in the United States and around the world offer college credit, advanced placement, or both to students who score a 3 or higher on an AP exam. Yet, increasingly, a growing group of hyper-selective colleges do not award any college credit to AP exam scores of even 4 or 5.

Taking AP courses can provide a number of benefits for students. In addition to preparing them for college-level work and potentially earning them college credit, AP courses can demonstrate a student’s high school academic rigor and dedication to challenging themselves. They can also help students stand out in the college admissions process by showing their readiness for higher education.

IBDP

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (IBDP) is an internationally recognized, two-year educational program offered to students in their final two years of high school. The IBDP is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education that focuses on critical thinking, problem-solving, and global citizenship.

To earn an IB Diploma, students must complete six courses in various subjects, including language and literature, foreign languages, individuals and societies (such as history or economics), sciences, mathematics, and the arts. In addition, students must complete three core requirements: the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, which explores the nature of knowledge and different ways of knowing; the Extended Essay (EE), which is a research paper of up to 4,000 words; and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), which involves extracurricular activities and community service.

Assessment in the IB Diploma Programme is based on a combination of internal and external assessments. Internal assessments are conducted by teachers and include essays, projects, and oral presentations. External assessments include written exams, which are administered at the end of the two-year program, when a student is at the end of his or her senior (12th grade) year, and are graded externally by IB examiners. IB Diploma students can receive a maximum of 45 points: 7 points for each of the six subject areas and a maximum of 3 points for the core requirements. Students who earn at least 24 points and meet other requirements can earn an IB Certificate, even if they do not complete the full Diploma. Ivy League-level colleges and universities are most attracted to IB applicants who are predicted in the fall/winter of 12th grade (when students apply to college in the US) to earn at least 40 points total by the time they enroll as college freshmen.

One of the key features of the IB Diploma Programme is its focus on international-mindedness and global citizenship. The program aims to develop students’ awareness and understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and languages, and to prepare them to be active and responsible global citizens. The IB Diploma is recognized by colleges and universities around the world and can provide students with quite a competitive edge in the college admissions process.

Pros of AP Courses

Flexibility: AP courses allow students to pick and choose which subjects they want to study in-depth. They can take as many or as few AP courses as they wish, depending on their interests and goals.

Recognition: AP courses are widely recognized in the United States and around the world. Earning a high score on an AP exam can demonstrate mastery of a subject to college admissions officers and potential employers.

Cost-effective: The cost of taking an AP exam is much lower than the cost of taking an equivalent college course. This can help students save money on college tuition.

Cons of AP Courses

Limited scope: AP courses typically focus on the material covered in a single college course, which may not provide the same level of depth and breadth as an IB program.

Reliance on exams: AP courses rely heavily on a single exam at the end of the year to determine a student’s score and eligibility for college credit. This can be stressful for students who struggle with test-taking.

Lack of cohesiveness: Because students can choose which AP courses to take, there may not be as much cohesiveness between courses or a unified curriculum.

Pros of the IB Diploma Programme

Holistic education: The IB Diploma Programme emphasizes a well-rounded education, including language acquisition, community service, and a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

International recognition: The IB Diploma Programme is recognized and respected by universities around the world. It can provide an advantage to students who want to attend college outside of the United States.

Preparation for college: The rigorous nature of the IB Diploma Programme can prepare students for the challenges of college coursework and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

Cons of the IB Diploma Programme

Cost: The cost of the IB Diploma Programme can be higher than the cost of taking AP courses, which can be a barrier for some students.

Heavy workload: The IB Diploma Programme can be very demanding, with a heavy workload and a requirement to complete a range of assessments and coursework.

Limited subject choices: The IB Diploma Programme requires students to take a specific set of courses in order to earn the diploma, which may not align with their interests or career goals.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to pursue AP courses or the IB Diploma Programme will depend on a student’s individual goals, interests, and strengths. Both programs offer benefits and challenges, and students should consider their personal needs and preferences when making a decision.

My School Only Offers One of these Curricula

The decision to offer only AP courses or only the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) can depend on a variety of factors, such as the resources and priorities of the school, the interests of the student body, and the educational goals of the school or school district.

One reason why some schools offer only AP courses is that the AP program has been around longer and is more established in the United States. In addition, the AP program is more flexible in terms of course offerings, allowing schools to choose which courses they want to offer based on the interests and needs of their students.

On the other hand, some schools choose to offer only the IBDP because they believe it provides a more comprehensive and holistic education. The IBDP requires students to complete coursework in multiple subject areas and to engage in the core requirements, which emphasize critical thinking, global awareness, and community service. Schools that prioritize these goals may choose to offer only the IBDP, as it aligns more closely with their educational philosophy.

Ultimately, the decision to offer only AP courses or only the IBDP depends on the priorities and resources of the school and the school district, as well as the educational goals and interests of the student body. Some schools may also choose to offer both AP and IBDP options to provide students with a choice and to cater to different learning styles and interests. Sadly, this is relatively rare, and even if the student prefers one curricula or the other, usually the student has no choice in the matter unless he or she is willing or able to change high schools.

Do Colleges Prefer One or the Other?

American colleges do not necessarily prefer AP over IBDP or vice versa. Both AP and IBDP are rigorous academic programs that demonstrate a student’s preparedness for college-level work, and both can be viewed positively by college admissions officers.

When evaluating students for admission, colleges typically consider a range of factors beyond just academic performance, including extracurricular activities, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores (such as the SAT or ACT). Therefore, it is difficult to say that one program is preferred over the other in the college admissions process.

It is worth noting, however, that colleges and universities have different policies when it comes to awarding college credit for AP and IBDP courses. While many institutions award credit for high scores on AP exams, some may require higher scores on IBDP exams or may only offer credit for specific courses within the IBDP curriculum. Yet, I’ve also had students of mine who enter college with sophomore standing and an impressive scholarship as a result of earning 40 or more points at the end of the IBDP, and that is a far rarer occurrence for AP students, as it’s harder to take ten or more APs by the time of graduation and score well enough on them that the student will be to get them all accepted for credit at college and thus catapult a student to sophomore standing upon matriculating to college. This is a function of the exact courses on offer at the student’s high school as much as the a la carte nature of the AP curriculum. IBDP is very much like staying at an all-inclusive resort in comparison. Yet, in so doing, many students don’t have the energy to pursue extracurricular activities as much as they could or should to round out their overall college applications.

In general, it is important for students to research the specific policies of the colleges and universities they are interested in attending, as well as to consider which program may be the best fit for their academic interests and goals. Ultimately, both AP and IBDP can be valuable for students seeking a rigorous and challenging academic experience.

Are there other ways to earn college credit before graduating from high school?

Yes! Remember, both of these curricula are purporting to offer college level coursework to high school students. Yet, many high school students have the ability to enroll in dual or concurrent enrollment college courses at or with a local community or four-year college when they are still in high school. A third way to begin earning college credit in high school is to simply start taking college courses online or in person and earn passing grades in them (the higher the better). Many colleges both within your state and in other states will accept such credits – at least to fulfill general education requirements – to count towards your eventual four-year undergraduate degree. Yet, some very selective colleges still may not. So, do your research when deciding where to apply and ultimately enroll if coming into college with college credits is important to you.

If your main goal is to prove that you can take and do well in college level coursework in order to impress and therefore get into selective colleges, then a robust roster of AP courses (and scores), the full IBDP (and strong predictions + final scores), or a good number of community college credits (with strong grades on your associated college transcript) will all get the job done for you. As you can now tell, there are many roads to arriving at the same destination, and no single curriculum has a monopoly on either knowledge, truth, or getting you in to your dream college.

Most and Least Popular Common App Essay Prompts

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Success in the college admissions process often comes down to one word: differentiation. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense to think long and hard about what Common App essay prompt you respond to in order to share the story you want to share in a manner that frames your experience in the most memorable and unique manner possible. In the video below you’ll learn which Common App essay prompts are most popular and least popular right down to the exact percentage of applicants responding to each prompt, which will help you determine the prompt you want to respond to when completing your Common Application essay.

To learn more about what I deem to be the best and worst Common App Essay prompts and why, watch my longer and more in-depth video here.

5 Smart Summer Tips for Wise Rising Seniors

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It’s summertime, which means that many rising high school seniors are pondering the best way to spend a couple of months away from schoolwork.

For some answers, we turn to college admissions expert and college application coach Craig Meister – on location on the beach – for five important oceanside advice videos for rising high school seniors to ensure that they make the best personal choices for how to make the most of summer break.

1. Best Summer College Application Completion Advice

 

2. Summer Job vs. Summer Internship

 

3. Pre College Programs vs. Local Options

 

4. Is Summer SAT or ACT Prep a Smart Use of Time?

 

5. Don’t Forget to…

Craig is a college admissions coach and founder of CollegeMeister. He previously held university admissions and high school college and career counseling positions in Baltimore, West Palm Beach, and Rio de Janeiro.

Dear 12th Grader: Don’t Blow Your Ivy Chances Now

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So many high school seniors are still in real contention for an Ivy League acceptance in the first few weeks of twelfth grade. Then, something happens that takes most of these smart and well-intentioned young people out of the running entirely.

Don’t let this happen to you! Watch the video below to find out what you must do to give yourself the best shot of closing the deal with the Ivy League or similarly selective college of your dreams during the first few weeks of senior year.

The advice in the above video is particularly relevant to students who have not made major mistakes in 9th grade, 10th grade, or 11th grade.

Sadly, many high school students make major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.

Dear 11th Grader: Don’t Screw Up Your Ivy League Chances Now

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One decision you make in eleventh grade, your third year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

If you don’t make time to focus on this one endeavor during your junior year, you won’t be meeting your college admissions potential. In the process you will be kissing Ivy League colleges and similarly selective American colleges and universities goodbye – particularly if this misstep is coupled with similarly destructive mistakes in 9th grade, 10th grade, or 12th grade.

Yet, in an ideal scenario, you won’t be making any major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.

Dear 10th Grader: Don’t Become An Ivy League Reject!

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One decision you make in tenth grade, your second year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

Make sure to make time for the major pursuit described in the video below during your sophomore year because if you don’t, your chances of getting into highly selective colleges or universities in two years will nosedive – especially if coupled with similarly destructive mistakes in 9th grade, 11th grade, or 12th grade.

Yet, in an ideal scenario, you won’t be making any major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.

Dear 9th Grader: Don’t get rejected from the Ivy League so soon!

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One major decision that you make in ninth grade, your first year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

If you can avoid making this one big mistake (described in the video below) in your first year in high school you will salvage your chances of getting into a highly selective college or university later on – as long as you don’t make similarly destructive mistakes in 10th grade, 11th grade, or 12th grade.

Yet, in an ideal scenario, you won’t be making any major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.