Owl Portal
Owl Portal

Wise Insights

The Fate of the SAT and ACT in California: Hanging in the Balance
The Fate of the SAT and ACT in California: Hanging in the Balance Posted

College entrance exams, namely the SAT and ACT, are back in the news. It’s been rapid fire over the last year. First was the Varsity Blues scandal (when wealthy parents were hiring tutors for their... Read more

Dispelling the Myth of Therapeutic Wilderness
Dispelling the Myth of Therapeutic Wilderness Why It Matters to the Epidemic of Struggling Teens & Young Adults Posted

Trade the coat and tie or business casual dress for fleece and Birkenstocks. Swap the iPhone and superficial networking for meaningful conversation and connection. Read more

Tips for those contemplating a college transfer
Tips for those contemplating a college transfer Posted

Here are a few pieces of advice if you think maybe the college you’re at isn’t a great fit: Read more

5 Mistakes Parents Make in Athletic Recruiting
5 Mistakes Parents Make in Athletic Recruiting Kim Chorosiewski, Ed.D., CSCS, CMAA Posted

So, how do you find out how good your child is at his/her sport? The only people who really know how good your child is are the coaches that are recruiting them! Rankings, ratings, stars and all the... Read more

The Virtues of Neuropsych Tests
The Virtues of Neuropsych Tests Posted

I recently met with a family whose 16-year-old daughter, Paige, was refusing to go to school. Her parents reported that Paige was a bright student with a history of strong school performance. Recently,... Read more

A History of Good Intentions . . .Or So We Thought ACT, SAT, Subject Tests . . . . . Test Optional, Test Flexible . . . HELP!
A History of Good Intentions . . .Or So We Thought ACT, SAT, Subject Tests . . . . . Test Optional, Test Flexible . . . HELP! Posted

The Evolution of College Entrance Examinations (Stewart, Johanek, 1996) Abstract Over the last 150 years, one of the hallmarks of American education has been the testing of increasingly large groups... Read more

Harvard Spared by the Feds – But Look Behind the Crimson Curtain
Harvard Spared by the Feds – But Look Behind the Crimson Curtain Posted

Despite accepting Asian American candidates at a lower rate than other applicants*, Harvard was spared this afternoon as a federal judge ruled the university does not discriminate against Asian Americans... Read more

The Changing Role of Early Decision in Admissions
The Changing Role of Early Decision in Admissions Posted

As the inimitable sage Beyonce once so fittingly warned, “if you like it then you better put a ring on it.” And in the smoky private poker lounge of the college admissions casino, where the stakes are... Read more

Don on Enrollment Management Trip
Don on Enrollment Management Trip Posted

Don McMillan is looking forward to moderating a panel aimed at private school admissions officers about the power of consortiums at the The Enrollment Management Association EMA/SSAT national conference... Read more

Getting to Know Bill Southwick
Getting to Know Bill Southwick Posted

We push off from the bank, quietly entering the current and settling in for a short journey. In the stern is a 14-year-old girl, eager and a bit nervous about demonstrating her canoeing skill for the... Read more