Summer Research Programs for High School Students
Participating in a summer research program is one of the best ways for high school students to learn foundational research skills, including collecting data, analyzing, and giving presentations. In addition, these programs provide opportunities available at only a few high schools, and students can work on projects led by experienced researchers and faculty. Benefits of [...]
Data Science Summer Programs for High School Students
Data science has become one of the most rapidly growing and in-demand fields in recent years, and it’s no wonder why. The ability to analyze and understand information is increasingly valuable to businesses. As a result, more students consider data science as a potential career path. Why is Data Science Growing in Popularity Our connected [...]
Fail Early and Often – Early Failures Are a Predictor of Future Success
This time of year, the admissions decisions are coming in hot—and they often aren’t the decisions we’d for which we had hoped. As parents, it’s painful to watch our kids experience disappointment and frustration, and for the kids, well, it’s just straight-up painful. Now, we all know that no matter where your student ends up, [...]
The Perfect Storm
Dr. Lisa Rouff explores the increase in teen mental health problems that could be caused by a combination of increased social isolation, increased social media use, and lack of sleep If one thing is clear from the data that has emerged during and since the pandemic, it’s that the kids are not alright. Mental health [...]
Requesting Letters of Recommendation for College Applications
There are many components to the college application process, from college visits to test scores, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. Most selective colleges will ask for at least one letter of recommendation other than your high school counselor. Below are guidelines to help you maximize the impact these letters can have on your college [...]
The Difference Between Holistic College Admissions and Admissions by the Numbers
One of the most common questions we get from parents and students is what colleges are looking for in an applicant. It depends because colleges are different, and their admissions processes are different. There are two ways colleges will evaluate an application: through a holistic review or a more straightforward method, which we’ll refer to [...]
The Effect of COVID on the Teen Brain
Dr. Lisa Rouff explores a new study that finds teens’ brains aged faster than normal during the pandemic, and not in a good way. As a psychologist, I’ve always tried to remember that feelings and thoughts have an actual physical mechanism that produces them. Although our thoughts and feelings seem abstract, they are the result [...]
Building a College List: Factors to Consider
Building a college list is the start of determining if a school is a suitable match for you. Creating the list requires research, research, and more research. You may already be thinking of many of the factors below, but probably not all. Use this list as you move through your due diligence in building your [...]
College Admissions Interview – Common Questions
Five things can ultimately make or break an interview: Your research and preparation for the interview. Whether you are genuinely interested in the college and if you’re able to convey this well. The caliber of questions you ask the interviewer. If you adhere to basic interview etiquette like smiling, making eye contact, and contributing to [...]
Tools for Help with ADHD
Dr. Lisa Rouff shares trends in improving academic functioning for students with ADHD. Students with ADD often struggle to efficiently complete homework and study for exams due to their difficulty concentrating on the material. This can cause a great deal of stress for both the student and their parents. In addition to the usual recommendations [...]
How Many Colleges Should You Apply To?
The bad news is that no magic number works for every applicant. The good news is that there are guidelines to follow as you create your college list. Like playing the stock market, diversification is critical. Each college list should have schools from the following categories. What Types of Schools to Include Longshot Schools These schools [...]
Parents, Perfection, and College Admissions
Anxiety over college admissions doesn’t only affect the students but parents as well. Dr. Lisa Rouff shares her experience and reminds us that while the stakes are high, they aren’t as high as our anxiety leads us to believe. Last week I attended an event at my daughter’s high school in which parents were able [...]
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