Category: School Admissions

Admission Cycle 2020: Waitlists

Posted by: admin on May 13th, 2020

Hello, Seniors: First, I want to say congratulations for your creativity, keen focus, kinetic flexibility, and social dexterity. You have demonstrated that you are college ready. You are definitely groundbreakers and history-makers because the activity of choosing a college under the current circumstances is not easy. Even the timing of decisions is variable. Some of […]

Making the Final School Choice

Posted by: admin on May 12th, 2020

By Jeff Knox and John Jones This is it. Your student has been working towards this very thing. They have taken tests, written essays, completed applications, interviewed with admissions, and visited school campuses—with your help, of course. The schools have sorted hundreds of applications and made their decisions. Your child has been accepted to some […]

How to Write a Conclusion

Posted by: admin on May 6th, 2020

Conclusions can be the hardest part of an essay to write. Your conclusion should sum up the most important pieces of your essay without simply repeating what you’ve already said. While you generally don’t want to introduce new information in your conclusion, the best conclusions will also put your arguments into a larger context and […]

You, Only More So: Junior Year Extracurriculars During COVID-19

Posted by: admin on April 30th, 2020

These are strange times, but staying at home doesn’t mean becoming a recluse. Contact your friends and get creative!  Juniors, here’s a bit of advice as you find yourself finishing out the academic year online. Remote connections are the way to go these days, but distance learning and social distancing shouldn’t get you to the […]

Research + Reflection = A Good College Fit

Posted by: admin on March 11th, 2020

Originally published March 11, 2020 When developing your list of potential colleges, there is a particular back-and-forth that can guide you to finding the very best fit for you. Whether you hit college campuses on foot during spring break or begin your investigation online, keep in mind that this motion involves two strokes: research and […]

6 Common Questions About High School Admissions Testing

Posted by: admin on January 23rd, 2020

Recently, one of our most experienced SSAT tutors, Kate Kula, sat down with Katy Dunn, Director of Educational Planning, to discuss the most common questions they hear about private high school testing. Here’s the highlights of their conversation, with Kate interviewing Katy: 1. Should I submit the highest overall SSAT percentile score or the highest […]

Cracking the Private School Admissions Code

Posted by: admin on November 21st, 2019

Even in a typical year, the private school admissions process is a daunting one. And like with everything else in 2020, it feels even more confusing this year. As you look forward to the spring of 2021 and think about how to get started on this journey, here is a quick round-up of what we […]

What Role Do Scores Play in High School Admissions?

Posted by: admin on November 7th, 2019

As fall takes a firm position in our lives and the winter holidays loom on the horizon, our students are visiting schools (in person or remotely) and preparing for the next round of standardized tests. Clearly, we want our students to maximize their scores and to give themselves as many options as possible. We want […]

High School Admissions Research: 6 Tips for Families

Posted by: admin on October 24th, 2019

In the fall of eighth grade, students are taking on some of their most challenging courses to date, enjoying the last year of middle school, and preparing to enter their high school career. In the midst of all this, it is important for parents to make time to help students familiarize themselves with potential landing […]

Responsibility in High School Admissions

Posted by: admin on September 5th, 2019

Many families with eighth grade students are well into the process of looking at potential secondary schools for their children. Although parents naturally want to do everything possible to ensure successful entry into the right school, it is important to recognize the opportunities presented during this process to shift agency and responsibility to children. Engaging […]