The recent ban on legacy admissions in California has sent ripples through the academic world, sparking discussions and igniting hope for a fairer and more equitable future in higher education. It's a move that holds the promise of leveling the playing field for all students, and if it goes national, the implications could be even more profound.

Legacy admission policies have long been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that they perpetuate privilege and inequality. According to recent reports, approximately 12% of students admitted to highly selective colleges are considered "legacy" students, meaning they have a family member who previously attended the institution. This percentage can vary from college to college, but elite private universities often see a significantly higher proportion of legacy students admitted. Why have colleges continued this practice? Some have to do with fostering a community, but most have to do with finances. The recent move from California is a progressive one, but also an indication that most elite private colleges are not suffering financially: The average endowment for the top 15 National Universities with the largest endowments is nearly $21.8 billion.

As the new US News and World Report rankings were just released this week, the pressure to trust college rankings for your child's education is natural. You want the best for their future. There are also significant social consequences of these rankings when it comes to how your child’s alma mater may be viewed down the line. I won’t lie that I am happy that Bowdoin College has risen in the rankings over the years, but does that change the quality of the education that I received when I went there? Of course not. These rankings are tricky. Though they can’t be ignored, let’s view them for what they are: imperfectly calculated social tools. They contribute to the reputations of schools in society: how they rank in our collective conscience. That matters for reasons that don’t need explaining by me. But other things matter as well, like the actual experience of attending these colleges. Therefore, it’s vital to understand the limitations of rankings by for-profit institutions in providing a complete picture when making crucial decisions.

Studies, like the one by Vanderbilt University and NORC at the University of Chicago, highlight flaws in the methodologies and data quality of these rankings. U.S. News & World Report's frequent changes in methodology add to the confusion, making it challenging to fully trust the Best Colleges rankings.

Dear Parents,

As a new mom, I have become a bit obsessed with brain development in my 8-month-old. Like everyone who has children, I am amazed by the changes I see in him week to week—sometimes day to day. I feel so lucky to have access to information that helps me support his cognitive growth. It’s the first time I’ve focused in this way on a baby, but I have been thinking and studying what goes on in the teenage brain for some time. You would too if you were trying to tackle learning challenges in teenagers for your whole career!

I thought I’d share with you what I’ve learned and some helpful tips on how you can support healthy brain development in your own teenagers—just like you did when they were babies.

The Science:

During the teenage years, just like in the toddler years, the brain experiences a phase of profound synaptic pruning, a process in which unnecessary neural connections are eliminated, allowing the brain to operate more efficiently. From ages 13-18, they are actually losing one percent of gray matter every year. This restructuring enhances cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and problem-solving, paving the way for academic success and personal growth. You may see your child go through stages of anxiety and come out of it having shed some uncertainty. After this period, they may develop personal systems for organization and step into clarity and purpose. I’ve seen this pattern again again. Dr. Seigel, whose work I whole-heartedly recommend, suggests that this is the time for “specializing”: when teens figure out what they like, what they are good at and become passionate in those areas. This behavior is all linked to this pruning.

Dear Juniors and Seniors,

As you embark on your final two years of high school, the college application process looms ever closer. One crucial aspect that can significantly impact your opportunities is securing strong academic letters of reference. Thinking about potential letter-writers is not only essential for seniors but also for juniors who are beginning to shape their college applications.

Junior Year: Laying the Foundation for Success

Juniors, now is the ideal time to start thinking about your future and the importance of academic letters of reference. As you embark on your penultimate year of high school, consider the following:

Junior Year Teachers:

At the start of this school year, establish strong relationships with your Junior year teachers. These educators will have the advantage of knowing you during a critical academic year, when you will likely be challenging yourself with advanced coursework and demonstrating your capabilities. These are also the teachers that admissions officers prefer to see on an application. Bonus points if the teacher you select also happens to teach the subject in which you’d like to major or do a related major in college.

Welcome back, parents and students! With school back in session, it's time to prepare a study space that maximizes your child's potential. Homework is not just an assignment; it's a valuable opportunity for synthesis and academic growth. By creating a focused study environment and implementing a consistent routine, your child can extract the most out of their study time. In this blog post, we will explore the top components of an impactful routine and a quality study space. Additionally, we will address potential distractions, including those that parents can inadvertently contribute to.

Section 1: Components of a High-Impact Routine

1. Define a Consistent Study Schedule:

Establishing a set time each day for studying helps your child develop a disciplined approach to their academic responsibilities. Consistency allows for better time management, reduces procrastination, and ensures that valuable learning opportunities are not missed.

Exploring the link between dopamine and academic performance, especially in students with ADHD, is crucial for supporting their educational journey. Research suggests that dopamine levels differ in individuals with ADHD compared to those without, potentially impacting attention and motivation. Further research is needed to establish dopamine as a direct cause of ADHD, yet its role in cognitive function is undeniable and relevant for all students seeking academic success.

But why does dopamine matter? Research from NIH indicates that when someone with lower dopamine levels receives a boost, it can change the way they weigh the costs and benefits in their mind, making them more focused on the potential rewards rather than the challenges. As a result, this heightened focus on the rewards can make them more willing to tackle difficult tasks, providing them with that extra spark of motivation. This is the mindset students need above all else: a greater willingness to take on challenging tasks.

Navigating the college admissions process can be overwhelming for many families due to the abundance of books available on the topic. As part of preparing my curriculum for the Fall, I surveyed Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) to compile a comprehensive list of recommended college planning books based on their insights. Here are the top recommendations to help you make informed decisions about the college admissions process:

Winner:

Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions by Jeffrey Selingo, September 2020. This book offers an in-depth look at the college admissions process, drawing on the author's experience inside three different admissions offices. It provides valuable insights into the complex factors influencing admission decisions, making it an excellent resource for students and parents.

Runner-Up:

It’s the time of year when rising seniors are starting to think about college application essays. Many, if not all, feel blocked at some point. That’s why we’ve compiled our top tips to get over the hump and start writing. These tips have helped literally hundreds of kids in the past. Let us know if any work for you!

1. Read sample college essays online or from books to see how others have approached their essays. Remind yourself that these writers likely started with imperfect drafts, just like yours. This is a great resource: 50 Successful Harvard Application Essays

2. Read great writing. Really great writing can inspire you to write. Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry all work -- you just have to like the writing. Do you have a favorite author? Start there. If not, try any of these: The 10 Best Essay Collections of the Decade

3. Talk it out: Discuss your ideas with a friend, family member, or even a pet. As soon as it starts to get interesting, get out a notebook.

Two days ago, the CEO of the ACT, Janet Godwin, announced that starting in April 2025, the ACT will no longer require the science section and will shorten the English and reading sections by a total of 44 questions, resulting in a test that is one hour shorter than it was previously. These changes obviously come as a direct response to a more substantial change by the SAT earlier this year, in an attempt to stay competitive and relevant. But what do these changes mean for students and how could they affect test-taking strategy?

Timing

The ACT is known as a more straightforward test than the SAT, with its difficulty lying in its timing. Students generally have to move at an uncomfortably fast pace to answer all the questions, particularly on the math section. Will eliminating 44 questions fix this problem? Since the questions being removed do not affect the math section, and the test will also run an hour shorter, this does not seem like a significant change.

When it comes to making the best decision for your child's college admissions, it's essential to consider a variety of factors. Public schools can offer distinct advantages in this regard, particularly when it comes to class rank and the competitive landscape.

In many public schools, students are ranked based on their grade point average or class percentile. Class rank plays a crucial role in college admissions as it provides context for a student's academic achievements compared to their peers. Attending a public school with a strong academic reputation can potentially result in a higher class rank compared to attending a highly competitive private school with rigorous academic standards. This can benefit college applications by showcasing your child's relative standing within their academic environment.

In the fast-paced world of student life, finding balance and avoiding burnout can be a challenge. However, this struggle can be overcome by adopting the wisdom of basketball players and their art of resting on the court. Insights from LeBron James, one of basketball's greatest players, shed light on how strategic rest can contribute to better performance, both on the court and in the classroom.

LeBron James, known for his dominance in the game of basketball, has taken his performance to new heights by perfecting the art of resting while playing. He believes that growing, maturing, and understanding how to play smarter are key factors in achieving sustained success. This applies to students as well, who can benefit from pacing themselves and incorporating moments of rest into their academic routine.

As a long-time in-person tutor who met with students in their homes, I’ve had a front-row seat to all sorts of parent-child dynamics: extremely involved parents and completely independent kids, and everywhere in between. Every single parent wanted the best for their kids, so it was pretty hard to figure out what level of involvement that was. There is a good reason for this: you get pushback either way.

Occasionally, parents were involved too much, and it hampered a student's ability to self-manage. In these cases, the parents became the executive functioning process for the child, instead of the child developing those processes themselves. Perhaps an equal number of times, parents were under-involved, trusting their kids to schedule every meeting and take care of the entire college application process themselves. It always struck me as incredibly hard to know the right thing to do. I’ve become particularly interested in this question since having my own son last December. If I’m not careful, with my background in education, I could become extremely involved, and maybe that’s not a good thing. But wouldn’t it also be helpful to guide him using what I know about education and the developing brain?

Over the past weekend, Stanford announced its decision to join a series of elite universities—including Harvard, Brown, Yale, Dartmouth, and MIT—that have chosen to reinstate the requirement of standardized tests for admission. Their stated reason echoes that of other schools, citing a recent study that suggests standardized test scores are more predictive of academic success at Ivy Plus colleges than high school grades.

You can access the results of the January 2024 study, conducted by the research group Opportunity Insights, here: Opportunity Insights Study.

The information presented is compelling for highly competitive colleges, which have a prerogative to select students who will excel within their rigorous curriculum.

What implications does this have for high school students, however? Short answer: they’re not great.

As a young teacher, I led a 6th-grade skills class called English Workshop, designed to bolster the reading and writing skills of students who were struggling in those areas. These were smart kids, at an elite and academically rigorous school, and many would go on to attend the top universities in the world. But in sixth grade, compared to their peers, they needed extra help. One thing I did know going in was that writing, in particular, is emotional. The act of writing is brave, and putting words on the page, even if the subject is as mundane as a book report, often feels incredibly vulnerable. Many of the students in this class landed there because their home was not a place where English was spoken as a first language, so they were at a temporary disadvantage when it came to the background information they could draw from.

They needed help. Still, they didn’t like being there; it separated them from the other kids and meant they had to hold back on taking a second language. Additionally, though I was 30 years old, I looked and dressed as if I were graduating high school that spring. Every day for the first two years, another teacher would ask for my elevator pass. It’s no surprise that first class, that first semester, gave me quite a bit of grief. I caught on eventually: rules and structure helped them thrive. I did not need to be their friend. I could loosen up halfway through the year, and we would have a wonderful time and learn, to boot. But those first few months were a series of lessons, many due to one student.

As the academic year comes to a close, it's the perfect time to transition from textbooks to enriching summer reads. Our tutors have curated a list of eight timeless yet lesser-known classic novels and seven contemporary non-fiction books to engage high school students' minds during the summer break.

Here are the eight timeless but lesser-known classics that we recommend:

1) The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: A thrilling adventure story set during the French Revolution, featuring a mysterious hero known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel.

2) The Awakening by Kate Chopin: A feminist novel that explores the inner turmoil of a woman who desires more from life than her prescribed societal role.

3) The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton: A critique of the stifling social expectations and obligations of elite New York society in the 1870s.

When it comes to college admissions, you may have come across the term "intellectual vitality." This is one of the key signifiers by which college admissions officers measure applicants. But what exactly does it mean, and how can you convey it on your application? Intellectual vitality goes beyond mere academic excellence. It is about demonstrating a genuine passion for learning, curiosity, and an eagerness to delve deeper into your areas of interest. In this blog post, we'll explore what intellectual vitality means in the context of college admissions and provide practical tips on how to showcase it effectively on your application.

Understanding Intellectual Vitality in College Admissions

Intellectual vitality is a prized quality that colleges and universities seek in their applicants. It signifies your willingness to go beyond the classroom, to explore ideas, and to engage with the world of knowledge in a meaningful way. Admissions officers are looking for students who exhibit intellectual curiosity, who seek out challenges, and who are eager to contribute to the academic community.

Why Acting As If You Know Your Post-College Plans Makes You a More Compelling Applicant

It may sound a bit crazy to act as if you know exactly what you want to do with your life after college. After all, college is a time of exploration, growth, and discovery. It's natural for your plans and aspirations to evolve over time. However, there are some important reasons why presenting a clear vision for your post-college life on your college applications can make you a more compelling applicant. Here's why:

Demonstrates Focus and Commitment: Acting as if you know your post-college plans showcases your ability to set goals and work towards them. It reflects a level of focus and commitment that admissions officers value in prospective students. Presenting a clear vision demonstrates that you have taken the time to reflect on your interests, skills, and passions and have set meaningful objectives for your future.

In the complex landscape of college admissions, the question of when a college interview is necessary can often perplex applicants. While not all colleges require interviews, some institutions consider them an integral part of the application process. Understanding when a college interview is necessary and how to effectively prepare for it can greatly enhance an applicant's chances of leaving a lasting impression.

When is a College Interview Necessary?

Requirement by the College: Some colleges mandate interviews as part of their admissions process. In such cases, failing to participate in the interview can negatively impact the application. (Note: when a policy states “recommended,” schools really mean “required” — that is, if you have the resources to visit the school or can meet with a local alumna.) It's imperative to thoroughly review the application requirements of each college to determine whether an interview is necessary. Here is a list of the interview policies for Ivies and other highly selective colleges.

In the highly competitive world of college admissions, families are constantly searching for ways to enhance their child's profile. In summertime, this may mean travel, internships, or additional schooling, but it is important not to overlook the impact of a simple summer job. Even (or perhaps especially) for students who do not "need" to work, the decision to take on basic or menial jobs like waiting tables, scooping ice cream, or working for a moving company can impress college admissions officers. In this post, we will delve into the reasons why summer jobs are highly regarded in college applications.

Demonstrating Initiative and Drive:

When a student who doesn't necessitate employment chooses to work, it reflects their initiative, drive, and dedication to personal growth. College admissions officers appreciate the proactive step towards independence and the pursuit of valuable experiences. By voluntarily seeking work opportunities, students show maturity, ambition, and a willingness to engage with the world outside their academic pursuits. These characteristics align with what colleges seek in their applicants.

Our former student got into his top choice schools, including MIT, after working with us on this essay.

Seeing it soar, feeling the burst of air, and hearing the whirring motors, I stood in amazement as my project flew for the first time. After weeks of design and research, my quadcopter was finally flying in the hallway outside of my New York City apartment. All the components were working together: the gyroscope and accelerometer constantly calibrating the speed of the motors, balancing the machine. With my engineering partner, I have a goal of programming the quadcopter to be fully autonomous. Using a compact Linux computer, the Raspberry Pi, the robot has enough processing power to analyze its surroundings using an onboard camera. In addition, it has an ultrasonic sensor to find its distance from the ground, by measuring the time for sound to reflect from the floor back to the robot. To this day, we are constantly improving our program and design. Soon, the robot will be able to navigate around the room and identify objects.