Search Database

Support: College Planning

• Developmental: Twice Exceptional

  College Success for Students with Learning Disabilities

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) – Written by Cynthia G. Simpson, Ph.D. and Vicky G. Spencer, Ph.D., this book offers teens the confidence, strategies, and guidance they need to effectively choose a college, get prepared for university life, and make the most of their collegiate experience. Special sections also discuss ADHD and Asperger’s syndrome.

  Compensation strategies used by high-ability students with learning disabilities who succeed in college

  This article examines students who are gifted but also have learning disabilities. It focuses mainly on the college student, but emphasizes the importance of learning compensation strategies at an early age in order to overcome, to an extent, the learning disability that lies beneath. The article talks, in detail, about various compensation strategies that are successful for these individuals...strategies that were found in a study of successful college students who were both gifted and learning disabled. Authored by Sally Reis, Joan McGuire and Terry Neu.

  Helping 2e kids in the transition to college

  This article, written by Meredith G. Warshaw, was first printed in the July 2006 2e Newsletter and discusses how parents can help 2e students prepare for college life, including advocating for themselves.

  Preparing Your 2e Child for the Transition to College

  In this article, two professionals who help twice-exceptional students and their families make the transition to college provide numerous strategies.

  The college search process for GT/LD students
  

  This article walks students and parents through a process of how to select the best college matched to the individual student's needs, particularly if the student is twice exceptional. A table outlines the levels of support available in college.

• Educational Options: Acceleration

  A Story of Academic Acceleration and Success

  This article describes one student's successful experiences with acceleration.

• Educational Options: Early College

  Exclusive Interview with Jon Reider - College Admissions Expert

  Davidson Family Consultants compiled notes from a Q & A session with Jon Reider of San Francisco University High School. Some examples of the discussed topics are "Do you have any advice for homeschooling students or parents?", "What do colleges look for?", and "How might your suggest selecting a college or university?"

  Extremely young college graduates: Evidence of their success

  This article by Julian Stanley and Camilla Benbow focuses on individuals who graduated from college at an early age. It describes their success and shows evidence that early college is an excellent option for extremely able students. The authors also offer comparatives statistics for several universities.

  Gifted education: The road to honors programs at the college level

  This article by Dr. Joan Digby, discusses honors programs in depth. The discussion is meant to give the reader a good idea of the benefits of belonging to an honors program. The author also talks about what to look for when choosing a college or university.

  The College Visit

  This article provides gifted students advice on dual enrollment and the college search process.

  Thinking through early entrance to college

  This article by Paula Olszewski-Kubilius provides many of the questions that must be considered by a student and his/her parents before deciding on early college. The author provides information about the experiences early entrants have had with early college and the risks and benefits of taking this option as well as alternatives to early college. It also includes sections on who should consider early college entrance and alternatives to consider.

• Educational Options: Educational Planning

  Deferred, Waitlisted, Rejected, and Accepted- What does it all Mean?

  This article takes a look at the college application process.

  Getting the Most Out of College Visits

  This article provides insight on how students and their families can get the most out of visiting colleges.

  How Can I Help My Gifted Child Plan for College?

  This online brochure discusses early steps parents and their gifted children can take to prepare for college and to ensure that the college experience is positive.

  Planning Ahead for College: College Planning and Preparation - The High School Years

  This article provides year-by-year advice on how high school students can plan and prepare for the process of applying for college.

  Planning Ahead for College: Preparing for College in Middle School

  This article provides middle schoolers advice on laying the groundwork for future success in high school, college, and beyond by solidifying academic knowledge and skills, developing good study habits, exploring interests and more.

  What Colleges Look For in High School Students

  View 2020 findings of what college admission experts determine that colleges want to see in their applicants.

• Parenting: Parenting Strategies

  What most parents of gifted children wish they had known about college planning

  This article provides several suggestions on how parents can help students plan for college, as well as find colleges that offer the right fit.

• Parenting: Tips for Parents

  Tips For Parents: AP vs. IB - Which is best for my kid?

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Jay Mathews, who compares Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes in relation to gifted students.
  

  Tips for Parents: Career Choices and Paths

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Carol Bainbridge, in which she provides a number of strategies for gifted adolescents on choosing career paths.

  Tips for Parents: College Admissions for the Unconventional Student - Looking at both Brand-Name Colleges and Beyond

  This Tips for Parents article is from two seminars hosted by Dr. Jon Reider. He provides advice for parents of unconventional students looking at college entrance.

  Tips for Parents: College Essay Writing - Support Tips for Parents

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Deborah Claymon, who provides advice on the college application process.

  Tips for Parents: College Thinkin'

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Deborah Claymon about preparation for college. She walks the reader through the steps students should follow in order to ask the right questions, take the right tests, and apply to the right colleges!

  Tips for Parents: Creating Effective Transcripts

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Wes Beach, who discusses the college application process and how to create an effective transcript.

  Tips for Parents: Early College Entrance for Profoundly Gifted Students

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Dr. Jon Reider, director of college counseling at San Francisco University High School and former admissions officer at Stanford University. He shares tip for parents of profoundly gifted students considering early college entrance.

  Tips for Parents: Enrichment and Early Preparation for an Ivy League Future

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Jessica Fields, currently in her junior year at Princeton University. She is pre-med majoring in anthropology and creative writing as well as captain of the varsity fencing team. She discusses a number of ways to prepare your child for an Ivy League future.

  Tips for Parents: Is Boarding School a Good Consideration for my Gifted or 2E Student?

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Heidi Molbak. She addresses the many considerations a family will have when evaluating whether boarding school might be a good option for a gifted or 2e student.

  Tips for Parents: Making Decisions about Early Entrance to College

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Michelle Muratori, Ph.D. She touches upon factors that contribute and detract to early entrants’ success as well as options and alternatives to early college.

  Tips for Parents: Making Early College A Happy Experience for Everyone

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Rosanne Daryl Thomas. She addresses the challenge of Making Early College A Happy Experience for Everyone – the child, the family, and the academic institution. She covers strategies for introducing the ‘right amount’ of early college to your Young Scholar as well as important questions such as: What is the parent's responsibility? What can, and cannot be asked of the child? How do we balance maturity and the desire for independence?
  

  Tips for Parents: Navigating a Gap Year

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Holly Bull, who provides advice on the "gap year" process.

  Tips for Parents: SAT Writing Prep

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Carol Martin, who outlines the various steps to successfully complete the writing section of the SAT. Tips include how to properly prepare for alleviating the anxiety of test-taking for some students.

  Tips for Parents: Some Thoughts about College Admission

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Wes Beach, who provides advice on how students can prepare for the college admission process. Some ideas include: Focusing on personal qualities, nurturing personal traits and looking at "the fit, not the school."

• Social/Emotional: Gender Specific

  How Do We Encourage Gifted Girls to Pursue and Succeed in Science and Engineering?

  Despite having the raw ability to pursue careers in science and engineering, gifted girls often shy away from such careers. This article explores two explanations for this puzzling phenomenon.

• Support Materials: Book Reviews

  Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - A review of the book by authors Sally Springer and Marion Franck titled, Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College.

  College Planning for Gifted Students

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) – This is a review of Sandra L. Berger’s book College Planning for Gifted Students, which provides a step-by-step breakdown of the college planning process both within and outside of the educational setting.
  

  Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - This book by Loren Pope provides information on a number of colleges and the benefits for students at each.

  Early Entrance to College: A Guide to Success

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - A review of Dr. Michelle Muratori's book Early Entrance to College: A Guide to Success.

  Forging Paths: Beyond Traditional Schooling

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - This book takes a look at the stories of nine young people who took varying, nontraditional educational paths and succeeded in their chosen endeavors and vocations.

  Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - A review of Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger.

  The Best Kept Secrets for Winning Scholarships

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - Many useful tips are found in this review of Brenda Smith's book, The Best Kept Secrets for Winning Scholarships. This book is a must-read for those applying to any college or organization for financial aid.

  The Complete Guide to the Gap Year: The Best Things to Do Between High School and College

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - A review of The Complete Guide to the Gap Year: The Best Things to Do Between High School and College by Kristin M. White. According to Amazon.com, this is the go-to book for anyone considering a year to re-charge, to follow a passion, to become immersed in another culture, or to find their love of learning again. It includes everything a student, parent, or guidance counselor would want to know about the gap year; including what a gap year is, what it is not, and why it can have a positive impact on a young life.

  What High Schools Don’t Tell You (And other parents don’t want you to know)

  BOOK REVIEW (Davidson Institute) - A review of What High Schools Don’t Tell You (And other parents don’t want you to know) by Elizabeth Wissner-Gross. This book offers a step by step guide to the college admissions process.

• Talent Development: General Talent Development

  Evaluating Honors Programs in the College Search Process

  This article provides insight on the coursework, social supports and perks to look into when searching for a college fit.

  Gifted Students Have Special Concerns in the College Financial Aid Process

  This article examines a number of concerns pertinent to gifted students going through the financial aid process.

  When Seeking a Great College Fit, Gifted Students Have Additional Considerations

  This article takes a look at the many factors that go into the college search process for gifted students.

• Talent Development: Strategies & Tools

  Community Service Scholarships, Grants and Other Opportunities

  A listing of community service scholarships, grants and other opportunities for young people interested in making a difference.