In traditional systems of education, students learn established information from textbooks and are assessed on their mastery of this content through exams, essays, and reports. Hands-on experimentation and project-based learning, when it exists, serve only to illustrate foundational concepts in pre-existing knowledge. Authentic research—that is, the creation of new knowledge through the scientific method—is typically reserved for graduate students. The Pioneer Research Program turns this system on its head, allowing high school students to conduct original research in a variety of research areas and concentrations. Rather than memorizing what other researchers have discovered, Pioneer scholars venture into the unknown to create new knowledge. This idea of “learning the unknown” is a valuable academic experience that many find increases motivation and engagement. 

Seeking the answers to problems that have not yet been solved is an exciting challenge. Ranjani (India, computer scienc...more

The College Consultant Network (CCN) is the first knowledge-sharing platform and social media network dedicated exclusively to independent education consultants whose primary activities include helping high school students and their families select a college, school or other program that is a “best fit” for the student. 

On the CCN, consultants can showcase their knowledge and expertise or interact directly with students and / or their families. The CNN also provides an interactive directory of helpful ancillary resources for students and / or consultants.  

The CCN is powered by Brainsy Inc. and was originally incubated in partnership with the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) but now operates collaboratively on a non-exclusive basis with any independent education association.  The long-term vision for the CCN is that it will be owned and operated by all members of the community that contribute to its growth and success. 
 
Students and their famil...more

 
Rich educational opportunities support student learning and development at college according to the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) at Indiana University for Postsecondary Research. NSSE suggests that students ask colleges the following questions to learn about the college’s rich educational opportunities:

“How many courses include community-based service-learning projects?
What types of honors courses, learning communities, and other distinctive programs are offered?
How many students get practical, real-world experience through internships or off-campus field experiences?
How many students study in other countries?
What co-curricular activities are most common (performing arts, athletics, fraternities and sororities, guest speakers, etc.)?”

Here are examples of rich educational opportunities at colleges and universities:

• 91 percent complete internships (American University).
• All students study abroad (Goucher College).
• More than seventy courses combine academics with

As things are moving quickly in the world of college admissions, we’re hearing a lot about colleges deciding to go test-optional, even if it’s just a temporary move.  What do colleges mean when they say they are test-optional, and who benefits from a test-optional admission process?

Why do colleges go test-optional?
Colleges decide to go test-optional for different reasons.  There are studies showing different data about what the SAT and ACT actually indicate, whether or not they correlate to students’ ability to succeed in college.  Additionally, some studies indicate that the tests discriminate against different types of students.   You may believe the tests show intelligence, and that a higher score means you’re smarter than someone who has a lower score, but that’s not necessarily how colleges interpret test scores.

When colleges announce a new test-optional policy, they may be attempting to level the playing field, to attract more students who don’t necessarily ...more

In between running to pick up your kids from what could have been their final day at school in person for the semester and dashing to the supermarket to grab the last package of TP, you might have a few questions about how coronavirus will impact your child’s college application process.

Hopefully this post will provide some answers.  Feel free to contact us if you have questions specific to your child’s college admission process.

Class of 2020

You’re probably right in the throes of receiving your college admission decisions.  Congrats!  A handful of colleges are still reviewing application files; most colleges have reviewed files remotely for years and can easily transition back to remote file review as they make their final admission decisions.  You’ll get your decisions soon!

However, if you didn’t visit all of the colleges to which you applied, and were planning to visit during spring break, you may find yourself in the strange position of having to make a decis...more

Happy to present our '3 College Admission Tips for Parents' webinar

As an Independent Education Consultant, my demographic is teens. Fortunately, I love and appreciate this age and often, my faith in humanity is literally restored by a one-hour college planning session with a high school student. Occasionally, I joke that they have a heavy burden of correcting many mistakes that my generation has made. I reassure them that I’m joking, even though I’m not, really.

Teenagers are a fascinating lot and I know from my work, as well as my personal life (my children are 25, 21 and 18), communicating with them can be a little tricky, if not downright exasperating. If I had a nickel for every time I nagged at my children, I’d have a ton of nickels. My logic stems from this: if they would just do as I say the first time, there would be no need to ask (nag) again. This factoid will make zero sense to them until they become parents.

I’m also keenly aware of the plight and suffering that can befall college freshmen. It’s not enough to be intellectually colleg...more