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Category: College Planning

April 25, 2026

Do You Have the Right Private Schools — and the Right Plan to Get In?

Applying to private school? Your list matters more than you think. Every family who walks into our office has a list. Sometimes it lives in a Google Doc. Sometimes it’s a mental note built up over years — names whispered at birthday parties, mentioned by a neighbor, pulled from a ranking found at one in the morning on a Tuesday. The list almost always looks reasonable. It has the schools everyone talks about, maybe a slightly safer option or two, and a sense of momentum behind it.
By mary

April 25, 2026

Ep. #85 – Be Evolved: Do You Have the Right Private Schools on Your List?

Applying to private school? Your list matters more than you think. In this episode, Becky Reback guides listeners through one of the most overlooked yet critical parts of the school admissions process: building the right school list. Rather than relying on reputation, rankings, or outside opinions, she emphasizes the importance of creating a thoughtful, strategic list rooted in a child’s unique needs, learning style, and family values.
By mary

April 21, 2026

How to Choose an Education Consultant: What Families in NY, NJ, and Connecticut Need to Know

When it comes to choosing an education consultant, families have lots of options. Here are the differences and what questions to ask before hiring an education professional.
By mary

April 16, 2026

Everyday Play That Builds Real Skills for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Toddlers and preschoolers learn best from play and everyday routine. Here are some simple activities you can do together at home.
By Julia Calantone

April 3, 2026

Ep. #84 – Be Evolved: Spring Tours That Actually Matter: Finding the Right School Fit

In this episode of Be Evolved, School Placement Advisor Sophie Roberts shares a powerful and practical guide to navigating private school spring tours, from nursery through high school, with clarity and intention.
By mary

March 18, 2026

Don’t wait until senior year to start the college application process: a year-by-year guide for families

The college application process can be overwhelming. But with a strong framework to prepare, your student can tackle all five parts of the application step-by-step, year-by-year. These resources show you how!
By mary

March 16, 2026

How Spring School Tours Help You Assess Private School Fit Before Applying

Spring school tours and open houses are important initial steps in assessing whether a private school could be the right fit for your family. Spring tours offer an opportunity to start to get a feel for the school while signaling your genuine interest.
By Sophie Roberts

March 7, 2026

How to Walk Into Parent-Teacher Conferences Prepared, and Walk Out With Real Insight

Parent-Teacher conferences are a unique opportunity to partner in your child’s education journey. Here are questions to ask to gain more insight this time around.
By becky

March 6, 2026

The One College Application Move Juniors Should Make Before Summer: Drafting Your Personal Statement

Here are 6 reasons juniors should draft their college application personal statement before summer.
By sarah.bergin

March 3, 2026

Celebrating Our 2026 Independent School Admissions Results

This year, Evolved’s team helped submit 234 independent school applications. We have a lot to celebrate!
By mary

March 2, 2026

Ep. #83 – Be Evolved: Senior Year – Execution & Decision-Making

Exclusively for families with Seniors in High School, we break down the complete roadmap to college admissions, including the five core components colleges evaluate: transcript, extracurriculars, testing, writing, and recommendations — along with the five developmental phases families move through from early planning to college readiness.
By mary

March 2, 2026

Ep. #82 – Be Evolved: Junior Year – Turning Strategy into Action

Exclusively for families with Juniors in High School, we break down the complete roadmap to college admissions, including the five core components colleges evaluate: transcript, extracurriculars, testing, writing, and recommendations — along with the five developmental phases families move through from early planning to college readiness.
By mary

March 2, 2026

Ep. #81 – Be Evolved: Sophomore Year – Getting Strategic

Exclusively for families with Sophomores in High School, we break down the complete roadmap to college admissions, including the five core components colleges evaluate: transcript, extracurriculars, testing, writing, and recommendations — along with the five developmental phases families move through from early planning to college readiness.
By mary

March 2, 2026

Ep. #80 – Be Evolved: Freshman Year: Building the Foundation

Exclusively for families with Freshmen in High School, we break down the complete roadmap to college admissions, including the five core components colleges evaluate: transcript, extracurriculars, testing, writing, and recommendations — along with the five developmental phases families move through from early planning to college readiness.
By mary

March 2, 2026

Ep. #79 – Be Evolved: The Complete College Admissions Roadmap

In this foundational episode of Be Evolved, we break down the complete roadmap to college admissions — including the five core components colleges evaluate (transcript, extracurriculars, testing, writing, and recommendations) and the five phases families move through from early planning to college readiness.
By mary

February 27, 2026

3 Ways to Get Your Child’s Providers Working Together

If your child has multiple providers — teachers, therapists, tutors, specialists — you may sometimes feel like everyone is working hard… but not necessarily together.
By mary

February 24, 2026

New Jersey Independent School Admissions – Getting Started

Independent school admissions in New Jersey asks families to put in the time, pay attention to important dates, and complete a compelling application. Here’s a primer on the process in New Jersey.
By Julia Calantone

February 13, 2026

School Admissions: Managing the Process and Your Emotions

School Admissions in NY means from August to October, parents have a lot of new to-dos. This webinar walks you through the timeline, tasks, and tools you need for a low-stress start to school admissions for your family.
By mary

February 13, 2026

The college test prep trap: Why more hours don’t equal better outcomes

Learn about early decision trends for the Class of 2029 and get expert recommendations to help Class of 2030 students plan for success.
By mary

February 2, 2026

Ep. #78 – Plan, Don’t Panic: The 6–8 Month Blueprint for ISEE + SHSAT Success

In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the nuances of preparing for the ISEE and SSAT exams, crucial for prestigious school admissions. Discover effective strategies, from understanding test formats to mastering test-taking techniques.
By mary