“It’s not just his grades that improved.  His whole attitude since working with you has shifted upward.”  Rachel, a mom from Old Saybrook, noted. Her son Max, a bright but distracted 1oth grader, had become obstinate lately about the need to do anything more than the bare minimum at school. Max didn’t really need a […]

I laughed recently when someone called me a sage.  Isn’t that for old people? Oh…ha! But the parent noted that her son would come home noticeably more peaceful after meeting with me.  I have heard similar remarks when clients meet with other team members, notably Jean Card, Dr. Matthew Simpson and Dr. Kristina Knobelsdorff. We […]

I knew Jake in high school when he attended Lyme-Old Lyme. Solid GPA in a rigorous academic environment Challenging courses, including honors and AP classes Participation in extracurricular activities Responsible, well-liked, and capable Like many students from Lyme-Old Lyme, he was well-prepared academically and earned admission to a strong college.  His parents were sensible, well-educated, […]

College admissions decisions are back. One more year of top SAT scorers gaining college admission to schools of their choice and big scholarships. One more year of our college counseling students who chose test-optional to be surprised that their “top GPAs and great extracurricular activities” did not lead to either. Let me start with disheartening […]

I was recently giving a presentation at a local Shoreline, CT high school. I asked – would it matter that much if you didn’t close 4th grade strong? Rhetorical question.  I kept going  5th grade, 6th grade.  And then I asked about 11th grade.  They all understood.  It matters a lot. For high school students, […]

There was a time—not long ago—when raising a young adult followed a relatively stable script. My work in running The Learning Consultants was a luxury for most parents because the general path was known. Work hard in school.Get into a good college.Graduate.Find a job.Build a life. Parents did not need to be experts in navigating […]

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 […]