General Education Advice

SAT Scores and Merit aid I used to be far more self-conscious about suggesting test prep.  Highly mindful about appearing self-serving and, perhaps due to a Catholic upbringing, guilty about appearing to seek financial reward.  I still have my hang-ups about appearing self-serving but I  am no longer as bashful about money because there is […]

Premise 1: Connecticut suburban schools are stronger than most schools in most states. Premise 2: The SAT (and ACT) is a national test. Premise 3: Those in the top 10% of schools such a Guilford High School, Daniel Hand High, Lyme-Old Lyme High School, East Lyme High School, Old Saybrook High School, Valley Regional High […]

The current college admissions testing reality is far more student friendly than in the past. Choice of Test:  All colleges will take the SAT or the ACT.  In my estimation, the differences in scoring well on one and not the other have always been overstated but psychology the ability to choose makes a big difference. […]

A local Connecticut high school revealed eligibility for National Honor Society: anyone with a 90 average and above could apply.  That seems sensible.  90 is the beginning of A range.  A- and A students should be eligible for the NHS.  Back in the 1980s-1990s, A students were top students, perhaps the top 10-15% of the […]

“Whenever I want to talk about college or the future, my son either blows me off or tells me don’t worry about it.” A mother said last year in relation to her high school junior at Guilford High School. After he attended our SAT seminar, he was eager to talk with his parents about college.  […]

During our SAT-ACT classes in Old Saybrook and Madison, I lead with motivational lectures related to college. For many high school juniors, this is the start of the emotional realization that they will be moving away from home soon. I emphasize “emotional” because shifting people from inaction to action requires appeals at the heart level. […]

If you are a Connecticut public school student, taking the SAT will be part of graduation requirements.  As such it is inevitable that you will take the SAT.  You may as well do the best you can based on the additional reasons listed below  Whatever nonsense you may have heard about the SAT not being […]

“It used to be that if you graduated from a decent college with decent grades, you were nearly guaranteed a decent job.” This is a standard line I give when speaking on the changing work world.  I can’t recall any of my high school or college friends who faced prolonged unemployment after college graduation.  Even […]

There are all sorts of problems with our educational process and its relation to college transition.  One problem that is rarely cited is how most everyone has been programmed that change happens to them rather than by them.  Consider how change occurs in school.  4th grade over.  Time for 5th grade and all the massive […]

Since Thursday, my in box and phone has been blowing up with messages from parents related to their children’s SAT results. The happiest calls are from those who took our SAT-ACT Mastery Seminars or had individual SAT Prep with The Learning Consultants’ tutors prior to April.  Most students exceeded expectations and are both delighted and […]