“You are always so honest.” So said Alan. “I appreciate that and can admit when I am wrong.” Alan is a successful guy. He lives in Madison, Connecticut. He has made a great salary through medical-surgical pharmaceutical sales. He did not attend a name brand college. This led him to tell his son – who […]
Read MoreWhy Career Planning Should Start Earlier for Connecticut Students Many parents were shaped by a very different economy. Even in a highly educated state such as Connecticut, those earlier assumptions still influence how families think about college and careers. As a result, the career conversation often begins far later than it should. What We See […]
Read MoreWhy SAT Preparation Should Start Early for Connecticut Students “Start training immediately!” Luke replied when I posed a hypothetical question. I described a scenario: imagine you must run a marathon in a few months. Completing it in a reasonable time is essential for your future. You have not begun training. You dislike running. You are […]
Read MoreThe Real Cost of Private College for Connecticut Shoreline Families Some private colleges now approach $300,000 for four years, including tuition, housing, and fees. Even in affluent shoreline communities, that number forces families to reassess assumptions about affordability. Why Most Shoreline Families Do Not Qualify for Need-Based Aid In my work with families in throughout […]
Read MoreThe Rise of “Character and Impact” as Admissions Differentiators Another defining trend is the increasing emphasis on authentic character, particularly demonstrated through consistent leadership, community engagement, and meaningful “impact.” This is a relatively new one. In my time providing college counseling, this has emerged only recently. Colleges—responding to concerns about fairness, AI-driven essays, and homogeneous […]
Read MoreThe Surge in “Test Score Reinstatement” at Selective Colleges One of the most significant shifts in the last two years is the quiet but unmistakable return of standardized testing at many competitive colleges. While test-optional policies remain, many schools—including MIT, Dartmouth, Georgetown, University of Georgia, and others—reported that applicants who submitted strong scores had significantly […]
Read MoreThe Rise of “Grade Inflation Awareness” in College Admissions Over the last several admissions cycles, colleges have become far more attentive to grade inflation when evaluating transcripts. Admissions officers understand that high schools vary widely in grading standards. As a result, they now look closely at: grade distribution at the high school percentage of students […]
Read MoreDaniel, a 17 year old from Valley Regional High School in Connecticut, had been immersed in Tik-Tok videos regarding college. He was resistant to going to college. His parents are from the new-but-flawed-good-parent-playbook of parent as a friend were deeply concerned but did not want to confront him. So it was my job as part […]
Read More“You are like an Uncle to Gus.” I used to be more like an older brother but I understood. I am the only other elder who guides Gus – and many others – outside their parents. We do not live in a village. I’m not sure if the tropes about town elders, which often included […]
Read MoreIf you have read any news about recent college graduates, you might get depressed. College- not so long ago- nearly guaranteed employment post-college. This is less true. But it still is true – wildly true – in comparison to not going to college. Those Tik-Tok influencers who claim otherwise are mostly attempting to validate their […]
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