A Slice with 'Dice

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 com…

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 nationa…

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 Dire…

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 lands…

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 Dir…

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.  AS…

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 …

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 h…

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 Dir…

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 leader…

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…

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 …

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…

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 …

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 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, the latest report from the University of Arkan…

Students are turning the tables—and handing out the grades this time. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the findings of the 2025 Report Card: Student Perspective on U.S. Schools, a na…

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 Syr…

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 cre…

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 …