Month: March 2019

The Week of the SSAT/ISEE

Posted by: admin on March 19th, 2019

The week of the test… Prioritize sleep. The #1 test-week “to do” is a straightforward one: get plenty of sleep! Research has proven time and time again that a lack of sleep raises the level of the stress hormone cortisol, impairs cognitive functioning, and even negatively impacts our physical health. Still, too many students with […]

University of Chicago Goes Test-Optional, Most Selective College To Do So

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

If there were such a thing as a Lady Gaga-type rock star in the world of college admissions, it’d be the admissions office at University of Chicago. In my estimation, it must be one of the most well-funded undergraduate admissions offices in the country, with the marketing prowess of Apple, and the school has never […]

Too Many Chefs: A Simple Kitchen Tip for the College Essay

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

“I’ll have my mom, my dad, my guidance counselor, my English teacher, my tutor, my sister at Princeton, and my uncle who is a chemistry professor look at my essay.” I heard this from a former student a couple years back as we worked on her college application. The upside of all this? She had […]

Transitioning from High School to College

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

At her parents’ urging, Catherine Peterson began looking at colleges in her sophomore year, beginning with a visit to Bates College during the family’s summer vacation in Maine. Catherine’s parents knew that Bates had a strong academic reputation – and a solid swim team, which was also important to Catherine. That was the start. As […]

Unexpected Results: Test Scores Can Uncover a Learning Disability

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

Standardized tests have few virtues but not all are vices. One positive is that the tests serve as a tool for flagging a possible learning disability. How so? I’ve often asked my friend and partner-in-scribe , psychologist Dr. Bill Stixrud: “How does a teacher/tutor know when to refer a student for an evaluation and possible […]

The Last Ride On SSATs & ISEEs

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

December can be a busy month, a special time of year full of significant holidays and traditions. One of the less celebrated aspects of December is that it usually marks the end of the high school admissions testing period. December Test Dates For students taking a December SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT, it is often the […]

Three Ways to Academically Recover from March Madness

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

If you are a junior, this is where it gets real (or, arguably, really tough). APs, SATs, exams. Oh my! With the madness of March behind us, what do April and May hold in store for you? For some students, there may be too many things on their schedules although, for others, perhaps not enough. […]

The Truth About Prepping for the SAT or ACT

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

By Ned Johnson & Aaron Golumbfskie Here are nine truths to keep in mind when prepping for the SAT or ACT. The most important factor in college admissions is your transcript. Unfortunately, the next most important factor is your standardized test scores, but never let test prep get in the way of acing school! Success […]

Understanding Your PSAT Score Report

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

You’ve likely pushed hard to get the most out of your PSAT results, to get those high numbers you’ve dreamed of seeing on your score report. The numbers at the top do tell a lot, but they aren’t the whole story. As you look over your PSAT scores, try not to focus too much on […]

Top 10 Answers to Annoying Holiday Questions about College

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

10. “Thanks Grandma, writing a personal note to the university president would be very helpful.” 9. “After applying to all of the schools on my list, I realize I actually want to go to clown school.” 8. “Oh look, the menorah caught the curtain on fire.” 7. “When you applied to school, men wore pleated pants […]