Demonstrated interest—actions you take that help a college gauge how much you want to enroll—is on the rise. More colleges are tracking and assigning value to how much love you show them. As a prospective student, you can show love in a number of ways, and for some colleges, one of the most effective is […]
We are in the heart of the fall testing season for both the SSAT and ISEE. Additionally, students are already preparing for the HSPT in late November and early December. I took this opportunity to spend a few moments with Jeff Knox, our own secondary school placement specialist. Here are his answers to some of […]
Most high schools produce a regular student newspaper. They can come out monthly, quarterly, or once a semester. At some schools, it’s an after-school activity, while at others, newspaper can be taken as an elective. If you have deep, esoteric interests, working with other students can help you connect your ideas to what your peers […]
December! The rush of the fall is almost completely behind us. Aside from all of the practices, games, classes, and assignments, your student has also completed the gauntlet of applying to secondary school. You have watched your child attend shadow days, complete applications, endure test prep classes, and take at least one official test. More […]
Your high school years represent more than just classes and homework. Just as important as earning your best grades is reflecting on the kind of person you are now and the kind of person you are becoming. We’ve all seen movie and television tropes about high school: the math nerd, the cocky jock, the mean […]
For the first several months of eighth grade, a large amount of your time was devoted to planning for secondary school – getting to and from tutoring sessions, working on getting good grades, taking practice tests, visiting schools, completing applications and writing samples, taking actual tests, interviewing. Finally, you’ve crossed the application finish line and […]
You know you want to go to college, but you’re not really sure who “you” are yet. One way to launch your undergraduate years with purpose and determination is taking a gap year before college! The idea behind a gap year is all about personal growth—challenging yourself to better understand your values, your goals, and […]
In a few short, well actually, not-so-short months, eighth grade will be behind you, and you will have a full summer ahead of you. Should you binge-watch your favorite shows? Sleep until noon every day? Engage fully in the art of hanging out? While there is some benefit to changing your routine during the summer […]
One way to launch your undergraduate career with purpose and determination is this: take a gap year! Recent studies show that deferring entrance into college for one year in order to learn outside the classroom and engage the world can have very positive effects on a person. Leadership programs enhance life skills, new language skills […]
The New Year brings a cold snap – and a chance to evaluate our priorities, set our intentions, develop healthier habits, and approach our lives with greater mindfulness and grace. With new habits, we create new living spaces for ourselves, both inside and out. In our book, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of […]