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September 9th Webinar at 6:00 pm CDT
Learning Differences and the Junior Year Crunch: Thriving Academically and Navigating College Admissions
Junior year is a pivotal—and often high-pressure—time for students. For those with learning differences, the academic load and college admissions process can bring added complexity. In this expert-led webinar, moderated by Lisa Bain Carlton, Founder and Senior College Coach at ESM Prep | College MatchPoint, parents will gain practical tools and guidance to help their students thrive during this critical phase.
You’ll hear strategies for supporting academic progress, managing executive function challenges, and preparing effectively for standardized testing—all while keeping your student’s unique learning needs at the center of the journey.
Featuring Expert Panelists:
- Elizabeth Hamblet – College LD specialist, speaker, and author
- Jed Applerouth – Founder of Applerouth Education, test prep expert
- Jenna Berk – Elite tutor and executive function coach
- Drew Heilpern – Summit Brand Ambassador
If you can’t attend live, register anyway and we’ll send you a recorded link.
DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE TO
College Readiness for Neurodiverse Students
Supporting a neurodivergent student through the college admissions process can feel overwhelming, but with proper planning and the right college fit, your teen can thrive in higher education. This guide helps you understand how to evaluate your teen's college readiness, navigate the transition from high school to college support systems, and find the best college environment for their unique learning needs.
We have a unique approach at ESM Prep College MatchPoint. It all begins and ends with our ultimate goal: for our students to thrive in their selected college.
The college application process can feel overwhelming, no matter how strong the student. But at ESM Prep College MatchPoint, we believe it should be organized, personal, and even fun, and we provide a framework that reduces the stress throughout the journey.
You might also be interested in these resources!
Thanksgiving is a season that invites families to pause, share a meal, and reflect on what matters most. Yet for many parents of high school juniors and seniors, it arrives in the middle of application deadlines and college list debates. Stress and uncertainty often crowd out the spirit of the holiday. That is why this is the perfect moment to remember the one admissions strategy families often forget. Gratitude.
This is the season when seniors are submitting applications and juniors are beginning to build their college lists. For many families, the spotlight falls on HYPSM—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT. These schools carry enormous prestige, and their single-digit admit rates make them feel like the ultimate prize. But when families place all their energy on this tiny group of colleges, they risk missing the bigger picture.
Parents cannot control which envelope arrives in the mailbox, but they can shape how their teen experiences the journey. Families have enormous influence on whether the admissions process builds character or drains it. Here are five practical ways you can focus on what truly matters.
For students who love the outdoors, sustainability, or agriculture, a college orchard can be much more than a pretty backdrop. Orchards serve as living classrooms, research hubs, and community resources where students study biodiversity, sustainable farming, and food systems in real time. They also connect campuses to their local regions, often donating produce to food banks or selling fruit to support community initiatives. These five U.S. colleges highlight how something as simple as an apple orchard can enrich education and campus life:
For students passionate about global affairs, human rights, and diplomacy, the United Nations can feel like the ultimate classroom. While many schools offer international relations programs, a select few in the United States stand out for their direct connections to the UN. These colleges and universities provide unique access to briefings, internships, and academic programs tied to the UN’s mission, giving undergraduates a front-row seat to international policy in action. Here are 5 U.S. colleges and universities with strong ties to the United Nations:
For some students, food is more than a quick bite between classes—it’s part of the college experience. From iconic local specialties to campus dining programs that emphasize sustainability and creativity, these colleges stand out for offering meals worth remembering. Whether you are drawn to global flavors, farm-to-table dining, or legendary local eats, these campuses give food lovers plenty to savor. Here are 8 colleges for hardcore foodies: