Mom Behind the Curtain

every mom wants to be an all-powerful wizard

How the college admissions scandal affects the rest of us

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I’m still following the college admissions scandal. I can’t look away. Not because I’m interested in the personal tragedies of the celebrity families of Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman, but because of what it reveals about the college admission and selection process. You might be thinking (or hoping) that the college admissions scandal has no affect on your child, but it does. And it doesn’t just affect those students planning on applying to elite colleges. The college admission practices of elite schools affect just about every child in school – every child in America.

You might be thinking (or hoping) that the college admissions scandal has no affect on your child, but it reveals a process that affects every child. - Main Building on the University of Texas at Austin campus

Main Building (or The Tower) on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin against a cloudy sky. This clock tower was completed in 1937 and is a main focal point of the campus.

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What are you willing to do to get into your dream college?

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Georgetown University - one of the universities connected to college admissions fraud. How far would you go to get into your dream college?How far are you willing to go to get into your dream college? What would you do for your kids to get them into their dream college? Pretty far, is the answer for parents charged in a nation-wide federal probe that was exposed yesterday. What does it mean for you?…

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An alternative to the SAT and ACT?

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Did you know there may soon be a viable alternative to the SAT and ACT?

A Test Worth Teaching To? How a College Dropout Plans to Replace the SAT and ACT

The benefits of Imbellus’ Test as an alternative to the SAT and ACT

You won’t be able to teach to the test

I think this test, Imbellus, is an interesting alternative, because it tests creativity and problem solving. Unlike the headline suggests, schools might not be able to teaching to it. If they design it well, I think you’ll be able to practice, but I don’t think you will be able to “teach to the test.” It might also mean that it will be harder to coach to the test as well.

Testing creativity will encourage healthy sleep habits, not over-scheduling

Another benefit? Since it requires creativity, it will actually discourage over-scheduling. How? Because as I’ve been reading in Why We Sleep, adequate sleep is necessary for creativity.

Possible limits to Imbellus’ Test

One big possible flaw?
It has been proven that time limits and stress reduce problem solving ability.
Of course, as anyone who had watched Apollo 13 know, sometimes it is important to be able to solve problems creatively while under stress!

So it’s a good idea to practice under stress.

Ideally, Imbellus would be an alternative, not a replacement

As much as I detest teaching to the test, and think AP classes are destroying education, I would like to see this be a complement – another option – to the SAT, ACT, and grades.
There should be many paths, both separate and overlapping, to college.

How much do AP classes really benefit you in college?

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Do AP classes really benefit you in college?

Ask any student and they’ll tell you that AP classes have more homework than on-level classes. But is the amount of homework worth it?…

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How many AP classes should you take? Do the math!

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How many AP classes should you take? To get into an Ivy? A good college? Let's analyze the answer - take as many AP classes as you can. Let's do the math!How many AP classes should you take? You want to get into a “good” college, right? So you look for advice on how many AP classes you should take. You find the same advice everywhere. Take as many AP classes as you can handle! But how many AP classes is that, really? Let’s take that advice and analyze what they’re saying. Let’s do the math! (And it’s not AP Calculus. It’s basic arithmetic.)…

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A college application essay that shines is your golden ticket! Or is it?

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Our oldest was just starting the college application process two years ago…. when I broke my wrist. With surgery, I was completely out of commission and my husband had a lot on his plate. Our son was pretty much on his own with his college applications. I couldn’t figure out why he was so worked up about writing his college application essay.

Do you really need to agonize over your essay for your college application essay? I keep telling my kids it's not as big a deal as they think. I explain why in this article. Writing the essay is hard enough as it is. Don't make it harder with misinformation. How to find the real tips in the articles of hype and fear.

I knew he didn’t like writing (he’s a computer guy). But his level of anxiety seemed out of proportion to me. Even with great test scores, he was terrified that a less than stellar college application essay would blow his chances of getting into the college he wanted. He was afraid his essay would rip up his golden ticket….

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How to write your best college essay

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I’ve pulled together 9 fantastic resources to help you write your best college application essay! A step-by-step guide for writing your college essays, resources to help you learn how to highlight your talents and accomplishments, do’s and don’ts of writing a college essay, and successful college essay examples.How to write a college essay. My daughter and her friends are so worried about writing their college application essays! Don't be! Get tips, ideas, and successful examples in this article. There are also links to more helpful articles, books, and free resources.

 

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How to choose a college that’s right for you

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It can be hard to put together a list of schools when you’re trying to decide where to go to college. Here are some tips from a college admissions expert to broaden your search, save you money, and lower your college debt. All important things to keep in mind when you choose a college that’s right for you.

It can be hard to put together a list of schools when you're trying to decide where to go to college. Here are some tips from a college admissions expert to broaden your search, save you money, and lower your college debt. All important things to keep in mind when you choose a college that's right for you.

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The best college search advice – it’s a journey

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Has the college search got you tied in knots of anxiety? Is your senior worried about what college they’ll get into? Do they think their life is going to be “ruined” if they don’t get into their first choice university? Are they worried about getting into a “good” college? Then this advice from college admissions counselor Jim Jump is for them. It’s so healthy to think of the college search as a process of learning, instead of a competition. The college admissions process is a journey, not a destination.

Is your child stressed out about what college they'll get into? Are they worried about getting into a "good" college? Do they think their life is going to be "ruined" if they don't get into their first choice university? Then this advice from a top college admissions counselor is for them! To get into the best college, the the right mindset is even more important than organization and checklists. The college admissions process is a journey, not a destination.

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Top expert advice for applying to college

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Applying to college can be a long and confusing process. Use the advice of these five experts on college admissions to guide you and help you stay organized and focused.

Applying to college - Applying to college can be a long and confusing process. Advice from 5 experts on college admissions will guide you, organize your college application process, and help you stay focused.5 experts give you their top advice for applying to college

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