As I tell students entering junior year, you are not going to start playing violin now and while your grades are still really important, you have two years of grades that will be part of your cumulative GPA. What is the one thing that you can do change your college admissions’ chances? A few years […]

My friend’s wife – who is a very nice woman – in explaining her daughter’s test-taking anxiety  “We don’t want to stress her out…” she explained.  So we’ll just let her take the SAT without test prep. Connecticut has mandated that all high school students had to take the SAT as part of graduation requirements.  My friend’s […]

All Connecticut public school students have to take the SAT as part of graduation requirements.  The SAT will be important for many students to (1) gain admission to colleges of their choice (2) pay for their college and (3) their self-esteem. I sometimes present the students the following:   You are my student.  I have run […]

My wife received her Phd from the University of Connecticut’s Nursing School.  During her graduate studies, she was an adjuct professor. For students interested in nursing, UCONN is fantastic because it is not only a great nursing school but it might be the best value for students who hope to work in one of Connecticut’s many […]

Despite what seems to be pervasive anxiety that plagues our youth – and parents – in relation to college admissions, students today have it far easier than in the past. Back in our day, students took the SAT – no more than twice – all scores counted (no score choice), no super-scoring, and no other test.  […]

“I’m not terrified of the GRE – can you believe it?” Marissa wrote in an e-mail seeking help for graduate school. I first worked with Marissa when she was an SAT student in my Madison class. She was terrified of big tests. She had created a story that she was terrible at tests based on hearing […]

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 […]