General Education Advice

I continue to be surprised by the sustained success of Motivate Your Son. This is not false modesty, nor is it a subtle form of self-promotion. The book was published in 2012, and yet it continues to sell—despite virtually no marketing in recent years. The reason, based on consistent reader feedback, is straightforward: The problem […]

“I’m terrible on the SATs,” said Emma, a junior at Choate Rosemary Hall. As is often the case, I reviewed her scores and explained a simple reality: scoring in the 92nd percentile nationally is not terrible—it is exceptional. This type of misperception is increasingly common among students from high-performing communities like East Lyme and Old […]

Across Connecticut, a surprising number of recent college graduates are underemployed or uncertain about their career direction. This is not what families expect. Connecticut is home to some of the strongest public and private schools in the country. Students from high-achieving suburban districts, combined with degrees from institutions like University of Connecticut and top-tier private […]

“We aren’t really sure how to evaluate grades anymore.” A college admissions official said this to me—quietly, off the record. It is not the first time I have heard it. In fact, it is a recurring theme in conversations with admissions professionals across highly selective colleges. The issue is straightforward: Grade inflation and weighted GPA […]

As always, all names and identifying details are changed to protect client confidentiality. Steve and Linda are thoughtful, well-intentioned parents from Old Lyme, Connecticut. I first met with them several years ago regarding their son Kyle as part of our college counseling work at The Learning Consultants, serving families across the Connecticut shoreline. Like many […]

WHAT AN IVY LEAGUE EDUCATION REALLY GETS YOU Economists have a new theory of why graduates of top colleges have so much career success. APRIL 4, 2026 From the Atlantic The quick summary: Peers matter enormously.  You might think that this is due to “connections.” Yes, but even more important, putting your children in an […]

I am going to be an influencer.”  So said Jillian, a student from Old Lyme, Connecticut, who attends Lyme-Old Lyme High School. Since I provide college-career counseling in the new world of work, I did not scoff at Jillian.  Instagram influencers exist.  Some Instagram influencers earn their living as influencers.   Some earn a bit […]

“This really is a huge decision.”  Alyssa, a student from East Lyme High School in East Lyme, Connecticut, noted as we were pondering her early decision choice.  Alyssa had the sensibility to know that choosing between Bowdoin, an excellent small liberal arts college in Maine, and Barnard, the Columbia-adjacent excellent college in New York City, […]

Michael and his parents walked in with clear nerves.  Th Michael was from Old Lyme had what many would consider an “ideal” student on paper:strong grades, solid SAT scores, respectful, and involved. But he had become withdrawn, at least to his parents. Every conversation about college felt loaded. His parents not only meant well but […]

Most parents today were raised in a very different economy. The implicit formula many of us absorbed growing up was simple: Do well in school → go to college → choose a major → a career will follow. For many decades, that formula worked reasonably well. But the world our children are entering is different. […]