JRA Educational Consulting Blog | Barbara Leventhal

Since the beginning of high school – maybe even earlier – you’ve had your eye on the prize: admission to a top university. You’ve jumped through all the hoops, worked hard, earned exceptional grades, demonstrated your intellectual curiosity, and participated in meaningful extracurricular activities, including community service. Indeed, all of that is important, but as Ivy League schools and other highly selective universities grapple with ways to differentiate and select students for admission, one increasingly important source of admissions information about you is the way you represent yourself in your application personal statement and supplemental essays. What will make your essay stand out from others? The answer: your ability to deeply reflect on experiences you express well in your writing.

Topics: Specialized Schools

In a recent post, we stressed the importance of writing an effective Why OUR College? essay, offered a step-by-step guide, and included a worksheet for you to record your research. Today, we’d like to do the same for the common Why This Major? Essay that asks an applicant to thoughtfully examine the reasons for a major selection at that particular university. These essays seem relatively straightforward, but can be deceptively challenging – they often force students to truly consider why they chose business, economics, engineering, or history as their intended course of study for the next four years. Obviously, you cannot write, “My mom and dad told me to pick this major!” With careful consideration – and due diligence in the form of research, of course! – you can write an exemplary essay about your planned major, even learning a little more about yourself along the way.

The pandemic brought many changes to our lives – and to US college admission practices. The latter are not going to shift back to the way they were pre-pandemic, and so I want to go over where you are right now – how these events will impact your teen’s college admission chances.

When you have a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), choosing a school that will meet their needs can be a daunting task. You’re likely already dealing with a full schedule of therapies and medical appointments, and now you feel the pressure of choosing an educational path that will best help your child succeed and face the challenges of life. Should you give public school or try or seek out a special school for autism? The options – or lack of options – can feel overwhelming, and many can be costly.

If your high school student has special educational needs because of a diagnosed learning difference, autism, ADHD, emotional issues, or other disabilities that make learning in a typical public school classroom setting challenging, there are options to consider. More and more, the number and variety of private specialized schools are growing, offering wider opportunities for children to learn in an environment that is more tailored to their needs.

So, what are specialized schools exactly? In this article, we’ll introduce you to three main types of specialized high schools to help you determine if exploring this educational path is appropriate for your child. You can also find more helpful information in our Guide to Specialized Schools: From Learning Challenges to Accelerated Learning which details the different kinds of specialized schools, the benefits they offer, and how to know if your child needs a specialized school.

You’ve done all the work – applications, endless essays, time-consuming testing – and now you’re finished! You’ve heard back from your prospective colleges, received many excellent offers of admission, and made your final decision. However, the journey to college isn’t completely over. Sure, you’re “in,” but before you head to campus this fall, take some time to consider what makes for a successful first year and beyond at your new home for the next four years.

Topics: College Admission, College Tips

Hitting “submit” for that final college application produces myriad feelings: a deep sense of relief that the process is done coupled with the anxiety of knowing that you now must wait for college decisions. Perhaps you’re simply exhausted and ready to catch up on your favorite Netflix series and spend Saturdays doing something other than writing essays or taking college entrance exams. Before you dismiss all further thoughts of college applications, however, consider these few critical tasks in order to stay on top of things as you await college decisions. Check out what to do after applying to college.

Topics: College Admission, College Application

You’ve done all the work – applications, endless essays, time-consuming testing – and now you’re finished! You’ve heard back from your prospective colleges, received many excellent offers of admission, and made your final decision. However, the college journey is hardly over. Sure, you’re “in,” but before you head to campus this fall, take some time to consider what makes the first and subsequent years successful at your new home.

Topics: Success Stories, College Tips