Harry Sedgwick spent his last years in Old Lyme. A successful businessman but perhaps better known as the father of Kyra Sedgwick or for those who are keep tabs on “old money” families part of the Sedgwich clan that has been here since the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Through a friend, I got to know Harry […]
Read MoreCollege admissions officials, at least those from competitive colleges, are having great difficulty choosing whom to admit among the vast number of qualified candidates. While getting top grades is always critical for college admissions, school officials have told me that they have a difficult time deciphering whether a student with a A- average from […]
Read MoreOne of the biggest mistakes high school seniors in the college application process is waiting too long to begin their essays. Many students come to us having procrastinated until the nth hour. Despite parental cajoling and advice, they “wait” until the looming deadlines rear their ugly heads! This is clearly not the best approach! It’s […]
Read MoreDon’t get me wrong, I love sports. But the increasing focus for high schoolers on them is starting to precede the importance of academics in college admissions. I understand that as a parent you love to see your child succeed in the sport they compete in. However, I see more and more parents every year […]
Read MoreI glanced out my window before my first SAT class session of the fall season. It was to my surprise that I saw one of the new students, Greg, pick up our company sign that had fallen and put it back into place. He was not aware of my observance. He did it because he thought that […]
Read MoreAs we work feverishly with our seniors who are applying to college, one theme continually emerges: we should have started earlier. We can still help seniors finalize their college selection, particularly with early action/early decision choices and college essays. But many did not spend enough time during junior year sorting out what mattered to them. […]
Read MoreEssay writing on the SAT may be optional, but good writing skills aren’t! All students with college or career aspirations should develop their writing skills. Beyond the obvious advantages, knowing how to write well also helps us think better. This is why Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos insists that employees write out their ideas in narrative […]
Read MoreSummer is the perfect time for college-bound seniors to begin working on their application essays. For many, though, getting started is a major hurdle. Parents so often try to help, but even the best parental nudging can create added tension, as we hear regularly from our CT and NY families. The Learning Consultants has the […]
Read MoreIt’s too bad that there are so few alive from the Greatest Generation. Those folks endured The Great Depression and World War II. They embodied Nassim Taleb’s notion of anti-fragility. Some things are fragile, breaking when hit with a force. Some things are robust, staying intact when hit with the same force. And, some things […]
Read MoreWhile I am a perpetual optimist, experience has taught me to adapt my optimism to forces beyond my control. I will no longer drive during a snow storm. I will take precautions if forecasters suggest that hurricanes may hit and I will take seriously notions like the pandemic will stop colleges from opening in the […]
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