College Guidance Q & A

Larry receives numerous questions regarding college admissions from applicants and their families. Each week he will pick one question and share his response. Over the past two years, Larry has been asked how test optional policies will shape the admissions landscape.

Q: Given that colleges are going test optional, is it better to spend the time building up extracurriculars instead of preparing for the SAT?

A: I had a mentor who said that Time was the ultimate scarce commodity. Do you see the sense in that? If so, what you do with your time speaks to who you are. What you score on the SAT speaks to what you can score on the SAT.

But if “building up extracurriculars” was anything but an unfortunate choice of words, you are heading for failure. Just do what you are and do it as best you can.

If you have questions pertaining to college admissions or would like to learn more about our program, please contact Larry Blumenstyk at larry@learningassoc.com.

Mental Health Screening for Children

The U.S Preventative Task Force has announced their recommendation that all children age 8 and older should be screened for anxiety. In this article, New York Times reporter, Christina Caron, discusses the signs parents need to look for and the importance of early intervention. While some degree of anxiety is typical, parents are encouraged to speak to their child's pediatrician or another primary care clinician to help determine if there is evidence of an emerging problem. This panel of experts also recommends depression screenings for children age 12 and older.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/12/well/mind/children-anxiety-screening.html?referringSource=articleShare

College Guidance Weekly Q & A

Larry receives numerous questions regarding college admissions from applicants and their families. Each week he will pick one question and share his response.

Q: Can you use the same essays when reapplying to a school after a gap year?

A: If you are the same applicant after a gap year as you were before that experience, why would you expect a different outcome? You put the question as a possibility (“can”), but the more important question is one of utility (“should”). Can you - yes. Should you - no.

If you have questions pertaining to college admissions or would like to learn more about our program, please contact Larry Blumenstyk at larry@learningassoc.com.