Category: College Admissions

The other day some famous people bought a $190 million house. Not being up-to-date on the California real estate market, I am in no position to suggest what homes might have been available in the $180 million range. And don’t even get me started on what kind of ramshackle dwelling

 Needing to be up at oh dark hundred the next morning, I improvidently began Ira Levin’s The Boys from Brazil, a mesmerizing thriller involving “creating” a certain type of child by mirroring his environmental and genetic makeup. No spoilers–the plot twists and turns like a racetrack–just this advice: if you’re

Kansas City won the Super Bowl last month. You probably already knew that. Whether you watched multiple replays of every down or just tuned in for a few commercials, it’s hard not to be aware. But there are people who don’t know who won. There are folks in this country

What are you reading that isn’t assigned? What is your favorite class? Who is your most inspiring teacher? What are your interests and passions outside of school? As you might imagine, the modal answer is, “I have never read a book that wasn’t assigned.” Which I certainly understand. I don’t

One of my old students has a passion for Duke University. Both his mother and his uncle were Duke University graduates. The student and his grandfather had watched Duke University basketball games, cheering for generations of talented players.  The student performed well academically in high school and applied to Duke

There’s a difference between enlisting in the arms services and being drafted; there’s a distinction between a march and a hike; there’s a terrible discrepancy between consent and not. There’s a divergence between how divorcing parents determine where the minor child attends third grade. Divorcing moms or dads or their

Admittedly I am a product of Miami public schools. Your expectations therefore of my cognitive capabilities cannot be too low. And did I mention it took me seven years to earn my developmental psychology master’s, typically a two-year degree? The other day someone told me that “gullible” is the only

Robin has a hot stock tip. Really hot! Can’t miss! Red hot! Unbelievable! Gonna go from one dollar a share to over a hundred dollars! Robin knows a guy who knows a guy! And this guy knows stocks! Practically insider trading! A sure thing! Robin’s life is about to change!

Most of my blogs are directed at loving parents; this essay is addressed to colleagues. Most of my posts contain actionable advice; this column has open questions. My repeated polemics—play Parcheesi with your kids; take your kids camping—will give way to queries for which I do not have straightforward guidance.