Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Evelyn Starr's avatar

Cathy, there is no question you did the world much good in helping highly anxious high-achievers reduce their stress. Your decision not to continue tutoring SAT and ACT tests clearly comes with their best interests in mind. I LOVE that you are gently talking parents into letting kids skip the tests if they are applying to all test-optional schools.

The demise - or lessening importance - of standardized tests reaches beyond undergraduate education. To minimize stress and focus on her studies, my daughter decided during her fifth year at Northeastern to forgo the GREs and only apply to test-optional doctor of physical therapy (DPT) programs. The number of US test-optional DPT programs had grown from 21 to 70+ in just three years, and had no correlation to quality of program.

She is currently beginning her DPT at USC, ranked #4 on US News & World Report (if that holds any value in your mind). She gained admission to two #1 ranked schools as well. I hope her story may be helpful in your conversation with parents, though I realize this isn't the same as the SAT/ACT.

LOVE both the college essay and life coach for teens route for you! Your niche will still apply.

Expand full comment
Katrin Schumann's avatar

What a huge shift for you. You’ve been doing this for so long. Good luck with all the future holds!

Expand full comment
4 more comments...

No posts