Over ten years ago, I worked with a really high-achieving student who was so terrified of doing something that colleges would not reward him for, every college admissions question he asked began with: Is it bad to… Will it hurt my chances if… Would they like it more if I… If the scenarios he had […]
Read More >Do you have the discipline for more sleep?
Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL commander and the author of Extreme Ownership: How the U.S. Navy SEALS Lead to Win. While he is no longer on active duty, he still wakes up early (4:30 a.m.!) every day because he believes that 1) discipline is one of the most important traits for success, and 2) […]
Read More >Embrace the good; manage around the rest
Some families worry too much about perceived deficiencies or weaknesses of their high school. Our school doesn’t have AP chemistry. The counselors have too many kids. We’ve had three different basketball coaches since my freshman year. Those concerns might well be legitimate. But you should know that colleges do not punish applicants for school environments […]
Read More >What’s your problem?
Application panic often sets in for senior families about this time of year. Deadlines are looming, and some families decide it’s time to reach out to someone who can help—a high school counselor or a paid private counselor. If you’re considering enlisting a professional’s help to get to the application finish line, one of the […]
Read More >More games to be played
“We just have to take it one game at a time.” That’s the professional athlete’s PR-coached answer when asked about their team’s prospects early in the season. When the entire season is in front of you, it seems farfetched to talk about winning the Super Bowl. The path to glory, the one that lets you […]
Read More >Five things that don’t impress colleges
I’ve often written that while the most successful college applicants took their college planning seriously, they didn’t measure every decision in high school against the yardstick of what will look good to colleges. Certain things like challenging classes and good grades are always appreciated, but there is no magic formula for the entirety of your […]
Read More >State-of-the-nation for college applications
Mid-October is when admissions anxiety really ramps up for many seniors and their parents. Deadlines are coming. Pressure is mounting. And with every parental inquiry (“Have you finished your Common App essay?”), many students are reluctant to give a full report of their (lack of) progress. I’d like to offer some insights for both parents […]
Read More >Imagined minimums and community service
Most admissions officers I’ve met are nice people who enjoy talking to potential applicants when they have the opportunity. But one particular question can really get under their skin: “How many hours of community service do I need?” I understand why the question can annoy them. It reduces philanthropy to nothing more than a perceived admissions […]
Read More >Book recommendations
I’ve got ten book recommendations for high school students: The Cross Country Runner’s Guide to Summer Training without the Burnout Host a First Class Homecoming Dance on a Shoestring Budget Twelve Authentic French Dishes You Can Serve Cold at your French Club Meetings Surviving High School: Wise Seniors’ Tips for New Freshmen Build and Launch […]
Read More >How would you rate?
Imagine your teacher were rating you on only two categories and had to pick a point on a spectrum between “Strongly agree” and “Strongly disagree.” How would you stack up in these two areas: “Performing well in my class.” “Pleasure to have in my class.” A couple things to consider in no particular order: They […]
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