“You don’t know what you don’t know.”
I hear that a lot when talking to families. I’ll admit, I feel that myself when navigating my own kids’ plans, too. At every stage, whether managing nap schedules, potty training, elementary school placement or summer camp choices—only to flash forward to resume development and course selection come middle school—each decision has implications for the next. And yet… how are we to know what we’re even aiming for?
Success, however we define it, is the culmination of lots of small decisions, most of which, by the time our children reach Junior year of high school, have already been made. More and more, I see parents, especially those with older children who have already been through the college process, recognize that investing the time to make wise choices earlier (like in 8th or 9th grade), can lay a strong foundation for later.
Course selection matters as early as 9th grade
And the habits, study skills, and decisions solidified in 7th and 8th grade can affect what’s accessible to your child at the start of high school. Similarly, strategic exposure to academic enrichment or other areas of personal interest over early high school summers can make a world of difference when mapping the four-year trajectory toward college.
Very few decisions at this stage are final. (Have you ever met a teenager who doesn’t change their mind?) But early guidance can help younger students develop good habits and gain a perspective that will serve them well as they prepare to enter high school.
Build a foundation of trust early
Building a foundation of trust between a student and their College Advisor is a cornerstone of LogicPrep’s approach. It’s also a stress-reducer for parents. An Advisor who knows the student’s story and has a complete view of their coursework and extracurricular activities is uniquely qualified to recommend programs for social and academic enrichment that meet your child’s interests.
For example, when the parent of a junior called to ask which academic summer program they should enroll their 8th grader in, the Advisor questioned whether an academic program was really the best choice at all. “Does your child want to be in school this summer?” she asked. This led to a conversation about other types of summer programs. The family ultimately chose a local volunteer opportunity coupled with a week-long archeology enrichment program.
“How’s a Rich Kid Supposed to Get Into College These Days?”
New York Magazine recently published a cover story with this title and the subtitle “How College Consultants Invent Perfect Ivy League Applicants.” NY Mag’s editors chose the sensational headline to capitalize on parents’ fears about college admissions.
Caitlin Moscatello uses her interview with Christopher Rim, founder of Command Education (the very name should be a warning), as a through line in her novella-length piece. Rim “promises that he will give kids a road map to getting into one of their top-choice colleges.” But when a parent berated him for not getting his kid into his school of choice, Rim’s response was, “You didn’t listen to us. You didn’t do what we told you to do and that’s why your child didn’t get into that school.”
At LogicPrep, we have a family-centric approach that empowers our students to maximize their potential, tell their stories and make their own choices. We offer a framework for thoughtful, intentional decision-making that feels organic and personal.
Let’s examine some other claims from the article:
TRUE or FALSE?
#1: You can create a “perfect Ivy League applicant.”
FALSE. There is no algorithm or “master plan” that can guarantee admission to a particular school. There are too many variables to predict what the admissions committee is looking for at a particular school in any particular year. What you can control are the choices you make, and they should be strategic—but also authentic.
A “too perfect” candidate can also be a red flag to the admissions committee. Moscatello quotes Mark Dunn, an admissions director at Yale, who said, “An application can also seem overly engineered in a way that makes us question what motivated a student to pursue the commitments they’ve included with their activities list, or simply why they are presenting themselves in a way that seems like what they think an admissions committee wants.” [Emphasis added]
#2: There is one golden path to a happy life (through the ivy league).
FALSE. Don’t equate prestige with success. Each child’s journey is different, and what might be a great college fit for one student (or sibling) might not be for another. Equally important is that children understand—and hear from their parents—that their worth is not defined solely by their college acceptances.
#3: Integrity and values matter.
TRUE. LogicPrep, like the vast majority of independent educational consultants, comprises experienced professionals, many of whom are former admissions officers, acting in your child’s best interests.
With our tailored, integrated curriculum for younger students (starting as early as 8th grade), LogicPrep keeps the bigger picture in mind. The goal is not just to gain admission to the schools of their choice, it’s to empower students to use the college process as an experience to grow into capable, confident, and curious adults who can handle the challenges they will inevitably face in college and beyond.
Lauren, our Director of College Advising, and I are happy to provide more details or answer any questions you might have about our pre-application philosophy and curriculum as you continue to navigate all the knowns and unknowns ahead.