Prestige TV has given us a new metaphor for education: Surf Dracula. The idea comes from a viral critique of shows that delay their own premise—spending entire seasons on backstory before ever letting the main characte...

In its first year, AP Precalculus drew over 184,000 students — the largest launch in AP history — and reached learners often left out of advanced math. It’s opening doors for first-generation, Black, Hispanic, rural, and later-starting stude...

The language of therapy is everywhere — from TikTok feeds to hallway conversations. Young people are learning to name their feelings and advocate for themselves like never before. But with that new vocabulary comes a risk: overgeneralizing, ...

Recommendation letters can make or break a college or scholarship application, yet many fall flat simply because the recommender doesn’t have enough detail to work with. That’s where a brag sheet comes in.In this episode, ASMSA Ex...

The debate over admissions at selective public high schools has never been more urgent. With cases like Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia and Stuyvesant High School in New York drawing national attention, the question remains: how...

The first month of school is when excitement gives way to routine, and for gifted students that often brings a mix of confidence, pressure, and hidden struggles. In this episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice reflects on why n...

For the first time in years, the Ivy League admissions cycle may actually feel a little less brutal. Shifts in international enrollment, standardized testing, and demographics are reshaping the landscape — and the Class of 2026 could be in a...

The beginning of a school year can feel overwhelming — new classes, higher expectations, and the pressure to be perfectly prepared. But waiting to “feel ready” only delays growth. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why rea...

What if gifted students aren’t thriving—but simply surviving? In a culture where busyness is worn like a badge of honor, many high-achieving students are burning out before they even get started.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alde...

Clarity doesn’t always arrive with a lightning bolt—it tends to whisper, revealing itself slowly through moments, conversations, and reflection. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how seasons of transition challenge our de...

The school year may start with bells and routines, but what it really signals is a new transition—for students, teachers, and entire institutions.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how each academic year is les...

Think Vanderbilt is your backup plan? Think again. As selective colleges outside the Ivy League become even harder to get into, the admissions game is shifting in unexpected ways. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how sch...

Leadership might be like managing a bank account you didn't even know you had—and every tough decision comes with a withdrawal. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the concept of leadership as a declining balance, explainin...

Why do students rave about AP Calculus but groan through AP Italian? It turns out, the reasons go deeper than just tough exams or tricky homework. A recent Education Week article, drawing on new data from The College Board, reve...

What if doing it “worst” is actually the smartest move you can make? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how perfectionism holds so many gifted students back from ever taking the first step. Drawing inspiration from the Wri...

Perfectionism can be both a gift and a challenge, especially for gifted students. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores insights from Katherine Morgan Schafler’s The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, delving i...

Don’t let your dream college pass you by! ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why selective schools sometimes reject outstanding candidates, how factors like your location and academic rigor come into play, and how you...

What does a Disneyland pass have to do with teacher retention? More than you might think. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how Shonda Rhimes’ headline-making departure from ABC over a seemingly trivial perk reveals deepe...

A pay raise can catch attention—but it takes more than a bigger paycheck to keep teachers in the classroom. As Arkansas wrestles with teacher retention,

Students are turning the tables—and handing out the grades this time. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the findings of the

Just when you thought it was safe to hit “submit” and move on… the merit aid emails came back.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the surprising late-spring scholarship surge from Syracuse University and what it sign...

Even the most elite campuses need a little nonsense now and then—just ask the MIT pirates. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how whimsical traditions like MIT’s Pirate Certificate create lasting campus culture, build comm...

What happens when achievement becomes an identity—and success turns into something we can’t stop chasing?  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the idea of “success addiction” as framed by Arthur C. Brooks in The At...

The ACT is getting a major makeover in 2025—but is shorter really sweeter when it comes to standardized testing? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the significant changes rolling out for the ACT exam, breaking down the st...

It’s tempting for school leaders to keep one eye on public approval, especially when every decision seems to spark strong opinions. But true leadership, like conducting an orchestra, means focusing on the people and work right in front of yo...