Jessie's Blog
QUOTABLE
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift
and the rational mind is a faithful servant.
We have created a society that honors
the servant and has forgotten the gift.
—Albert Einstein
EFC, CSS, FAFSA — Three Acronyms That Add Up
Last weekend, the FAFSA went live and Prior-Prior is here.Ok, but wait a minute--what do all of these CAPS stand for? EFC. CSS. FAFSA. These three acronyms add up--to what can be a sum greater than what you paid for your home and maybe your pop-up camper, as well. And, while my children will tell you that there are many topics I love to talk about, money and how much of it my husband and I are spending on educating our children is not one of them. Yet, Bertha (that rather larger financial elepha…
Focus on Normal! Not.
This holds a prominent place in our kitchen. I wouldn't want anyone to get any crazy ideas. In August, we attended a family reunion in Ocean City, New Jersey. To prove that we were all in the same place at one time, we took the group shots. I also managed to get a few of my nuclear family — that I didn't have to take! But some things remained the same: Aaron poked Mary. Mary squealed. My husband’s hand squeezed my shoulder, and I felt Bryn aiming to bolt. Through a quickly fading smile, I plead…
How Drinking with the Buddha Helped Me Survive This Year’s Back-To-School Churn
Image based on Lodro Rinzler's book and designed by Daniel Urban Brown of Lithographs.“Mom!!” rings from every corner of my small world. The couch, the top of the bunk bud, the bathroom, the kitchen table, and via Facetime and relentless texts.
The 10 year old: “We have two book reports. I thought we only had one book report, and I have only read fiction. I need to read a nonfiction. I like fiction. And my backpack is ripped. I found a new backpack on Amazon; would you look at it now?”
The 12 yea…
News Worth Sharing — Published in IECA Insights
IECA is 40! Forty years of dedication to helping students and families navigate educational paths. Ethically, soundly, and professionally. SNAP. I am grateful and honored to be a part of such a swell group of folks. In this issue of INSIGHTS you'll find an article I recently wrote on our culture of extremes — and how educational consultants work tirelessly to help students find a way to move forward. Because that is what doing this work is all about.
At the IECA Spring Conference in Boston, Dr.…
QUOTABLE — What would you do today if...
You weren't afraid of failure? Or, judgement, fatigue, worries...? What if it was just about your infinite and unfettered potential? Try that one on.
You need it. And so does our planet.
Links Worth Sharing — Lessons From the Olympics for Students Writing the Common App Essay
SOURCE: The Huffington Post"I just have to write ONE ESSAY, right?"
This is the question I hear from parents, from students, and just about anyone that hasn't been through the admissions process lately.
"Well, that's not usually the case," is my typical response before I go into the ACTUAL number of essays. This recent Huffington Post Blog by Stacey Brooks highlights lessons that the Olympics can offer to students as they wrestle with just what to write. Brooks takes on each of the prompts and of…
The ACT evolves: harder science and math
Founder Jed Applerouth of applerouth, a trusted test prep firm, recently posted this blog. SOURCE: applerouth.comApplerouth is a test prep firm with which many of our students have had success. Founder Jed Applerouth, recently posted this blog detailing how the SAT is not the only test to undergo recent and significant changes. In the May 2016 testing date the ACT was found to have upped the rigor on the science and math sections. If your student is preparing for the ACT they need study accordi…
FAQ's — Working with Jessie & CompassU
How can I help my child define a path to success?
The path to success for your student leads to the college that will provide them with the best academic and personal experience, all at a cost that makes financial sense. Jessie and her team at CompassU work with you and your student to find their best match.
What are some of the ways you can help my family navigate this process?
- Identification of Personality Traits and Potential Career Paths
- High School Course Selection
- Standardized Testing…
Modern Epidemic: The Comparison Flu, Is it Mucking With Your Teen?
Rushing here and there and clocking in 5+hrs/daily on our smartphones. Have you succumbed to the Comparison Flu? Arstist: Jon Han SOURCE: NY TimesDo you post, like, comment, tweet, retweet, forward, share, reply, reply all, or stream? If so, you may, from time to time, or more than time to time, suffer from a near epidemic in our modern existence: the Comparison Flu.
There may not be a vaccine, but don't worry. There are ways to interact with your beloved social media platforms and build up you…