SAT ACT Test Prep

Dare I say it, Connecticut students from around here are not exactly diverse. As such, they need stronger numbers than Aleutians from Alaska.  I choose Aleutians (more commonly referred to as Eskimos) so that I do not offend.  I also add that I grew up in the New York area.  I’m first generation on one […]

Northeastern snobbery alert… You and your children are likely consumed with college admissions in relation to your neighbors. But we are in a nationally competitive environment and, for that reason, you should be very happy that we have a test to use to compare our students with those across the country. What madness am I […]

I am often asked by parents: “when should my child begin prep for the SAT or ACT?” While all circumstances are different, summer before junior year is usually ideal.  Here’s why: Junior year for most students in our top Connecticut schools is tough.  Really tough. The combination of AP and/or honors classes, bigger responsibilities in […]

“THANK YOU!!!’ The volume was actually higher than all caps can convey.  Sean’s dad bellowed as he breathlessly explained that Sean, a senior at Guilford High School, had been awarded a $24,000 per year scholarship at the college of his choice. Sean remembered my conversation with him the year before. “You told me that taking […]

“It just leads to a fight or a blank stare.”  Renee, a mother with a sophomore son from Guilford High School said when she called to set up a college counseling session.  She called in late spring.  It didn’t make that much sense to meet at that point – from my view – because her […]

I have gone from the idealistic educator who was a bit self-conscious in promoting the benefits of SAT prep to someone who realizes the foolishness of not advocating the benefits. The hesitation in the past stemmed from a combination of worry about being self-serving (still there) and my own liberal arts education purist disposition. My […]

Talking to kids about college is almost as fun as talking about going to the dentist. The college process is a bit mystifying to students.  They do not fully understand how significant leaving home is in terms of their life story.  Going to college is the most common child to adult transition for suburban America. […]

Research on the importance of the SAT  Here is the headline: Myths abound about standardized tests, but the research is clear: They provide an invaluable measure of how students are likely to perform in college and beyond I used to be far more self-conscious about the obvious self-interest in my urging clients to take SAT […]

As Connecticut high school years end in the next couple of weeks, parents – particularly those in high school and about to enter college admissions season – call to ask many things but the number one question is usually “when should I begin SAT Prep?” If you have received generic advice on this question or […]

Merit v. Financial Aid The good news is that if you live in Connecticut you probably make a lot more money than others.  The national median household income is around $51,000.  Connecticut’s household median income is around $70,000.  In towns such as Branford, Guilford, Madison, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Essex and East Lyme, the median […]