Articles
We hope you enjoy our extensive blog on learning differences, college readiness and college admissions.
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World Language Learning for Neurodivergent Students
Thanks to Karyn A. Koven, Ed.D. and LanguageBird for this guest post! World language learning strengthens cognitive skills, builds cultural awareness, and enhances communication—benefits that are especially valuable for neurodivergent learners. It can also become a...
College Support Options for Autistic Students
Like their peers, many autistic students attend college. Of the 50,000 teens on the spectrum graduating from high school annually in the United States, at least a third of them pursue higher education (Shattuck, et al., 2012; Wei, et al., 2015). However, their...
Autism Disclosure and College
In my work helping autistic students apply to college, the question of disclosure comes up frequently. I think it’s important for people to become comfortable with their authentic selves, and I usually disclose my own autism to families early on to set an example....
Getting Into College Is the Easy Part
When helping students apply to college, I am deeply impressed by their persistence in writing and rewriting what sometimes seems like an endless stream of essays. Every fall we eagerly await that exciting news flash: You’re in! And then the real work begins. Yes,...
Autism/Neurodiversity/Disability Scholarships, Internships and More
Are you looking for a summer internship or college scholarship for someone who identifies as autistic, neurodivergent or having a disability? We've been collecting some exciting opportunities! Here's our regularly-updated list. Check back regularly for new...
Reviews and Praise for Top College Consultants
At Top College Consultants, we work closely with students and their parents as we guide them through the college admissions process. We're fortunate to work with many wonderful families around the world. Thank you for your kind reviews and referrals! From parents We...
6 Reasons to Consider a Gap Year
Choosing among the colleges they’ve been accepted to can be an exciting (and sometimes stressful) process for graduating seniors, but there’s still another big question to answer as well: should they start college right away or defer for a year? For many students,...
Should You Disclose a Disability When Applying to College?
Students with disabilities often wonder whether to discuss their diagnoses on college applications. It's a great question, and a very personal decision. In general, there's no reason to assume that disclosure will either help or hurt a student's chances of being...
7 Things Students with Disabilities Should Do When Starting College
Students with disabilities may have tremendous potential as well as exceptional needs. But to fulfill that potential in college, they need to be sufficiently prepared, because the transition from high school involves a huge increase in independence. Here are seven key...
3 Steps to Acing the “Why us?” Essay
3 Steps to Acing the “Why us?” Essay If you’ve started working on supplementary college essays, you may have seen prompts asking you to explain why you’re choosing to apply to that school. For example, Tufts University asks, “Which aspects of the Tufts undergraduate...
Discover Your Dream College at a Virtual Fair
Want to learn more about colleges? It's easy! Attend an upcoming virtual college fair from the comfort of your own home. Sign up at https://virtualcollegefairs.org/events.
New Event: Q&A with College Disability Services
Do you have questions about disability accommodations and services in college? If you missed this dynamic Q&A event with staff from three college disability centers, you can see the recording here.
Practical Tips for Working with Young Women On the Autism Spectrum
Autistic young women are gaining greater visibility--and with rising rates of diagnosis, independent educational consultants (IECs) are likely to encounter more students on the spectrum in their caseloads. However, much of what people know--or think they know--about...
Female Students With ADHD: How IECs Can Help
with Sharon Saline, Psy.D. Nia had been so excited to go to college. She’d been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD in eighth grade and received accommodations such as extra time on tests, preferential classroom seating and getting copies of teachers’ notes. An executive...
Students and Stress: Challenges and Solutions
Kate was a thriving high school junior before COVID hit, active in the French club and the tennis team. After the switch to remote instruction, she missed socializing and exercising with her friends. When the SAT was repeatedly canceled and in-person university tours...
9 Tips for International Students Applying to American Graduate Schools
The United States offers a wealth of opportunities for higher education, so it should be no surprise that it’s a popular destination for students from many other countries. But the world of graduate study is distinctive, and it pays to learn some of the subtleties of...
College Readiness and Transition for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Elena was looking forward to studying marine biology at a liberal arts college. Midway through her first semester she became overwhelmed by the social and academic demands, stopped attending class and moved back home in a state of depression. The only job she has held...
Coping with Coronavirus: What Students Need to Know
Current students–like most of us– have never experienced anything like the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools closing and events being cancelled, normal life has been greatly disrupted. High school closings means no athletics, clubs, proms or other social events. It’s a...