The Vinik Hosid Group

Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigative reporter. Her new book, How to Start, began as a commencement address at Columbia, her alma mater, and grew into a deeply reported case for how young people can build a working life in a chaotic economy—not by chasing the major of the moment, but by harnessing a genuine societal need and taking worthy risks when everyone else craves stability.

Register here: https://jeffselingo.com/events/getting-started-college-grads-in-the-ai-era

AI has become unavoidable, so it will be crucial to train students to use it ethically and effectively. Check out these two cool new majors at the University of Maryland!

UMD to Launch 2 Bachelor’s Degrees to Explore… | Maryland Today New Majors Aim to Ethically Advance AI Tech, Prepare Students to Address Its Societal Impact

Today, we’re sharing the work of My Dorm Room, an incredible organization that helps DC-area college-bound students set up their dorm room on campus.

Inspired by Michelle Obama’s own recounting of some of the lesser discussed challenges of being a first generation or low-income student heading to college, My Dorm Room helps students create a comfortable second home once they arrive on campus, making the transition to college life that much easier. Its a tangible way to support students as they start their college journey.

We love the work they’re doing and encourage you all to support their work! Check out their website at www.mydormroom.org, or this Bethesda Magazine article at https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/05/my-dorm-room-nonprofit/ .

One of us met Bruce through a Craig’s List “help wanted” ad in 2011 (Laura), and one of us met him at birth (Annie), but we have both been shaped indelibly by his warmth, knowledge, and genuine commitment to seeing students for who they are and helping them identify and explore their educational pathways.

Bruce founded our college counseling practice in 2001, after many years as a beloved teacher and administrator at several independent schools, most notably Georgetown Day. He spent 25 years as an esteemed independent educational consultant, helping shape the local college counseling landscape and bringing to countless families a calm and effective approach to college admissions.

We recently celebrated Bruce’s retirement, but our years working with him continue to influence us in so many ways. We can’t imagine a time when we don’t regularly ask ourselves, “What would Bruce do?” And when we can’t come up with the answer ourselves, we hope he’ll still respond to our calls and texts in between hanging out with his wife Ginny and the grandkids, playing pickleball, delivering Meals on Wheels, and taking adult ed classes on obscure historical topics.

Congratulations on 50 incredible years in education, Bruce/Dad!

Annie and Laura spent three days last week driving back and forth to Baltimore for the IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association Annual Conference. We heard a lot about the responsible and ethical use of AI in admissions, and the current administration's impact on higher education. We talked to many college admissions reps and IEC colleagues. But most importantly, we met the Baltimore Orioles Bird!

We are so proud of Graham Hough Cornwell (our new essay coach) who has a New York Times byline today!! Also, we learned a LOT about the Kentucky Derby while driving through Texas with him earlier this month! 🏇🏆

Women are breaking barriers in horse racing’s Triple Crown. Is another about to fall? (Gift Article) In the wake of Cherie DeVaux's breakthrough Kentucky Derby win, women within the sport discuss the challenges of climbing to the top.

We are so proud of our Class of 2026! From small liberal arts colleges to big state schools, Midwestern towns to Manhattan, Engineering to English majors -- our seniors are headed off for some amazing experiences in the fall! 🎓🎉👨🏻‍🎓

We just got back from an epic, Texas-sized road trip to check out 7 different schools in the Lone Star State. Along the way, plenty of Tex-Mex, big skies, and, yes, even a few cowboy hats.

Here are all the schools we visited:

- Texas Christian University TCU Office of Admission
- Southern Methodist University SMU Undergraduate Admission
- Baylor University Baylor University Admissions
- Texas A&M Texas A&M University
- Southwestern University Southwestern University
- UT-Austin Be a Longhorn, University of Texas at Austin
- Rice University Rice University

(We also love Trinity University in San Antonio, which we have previously visited!)

We’ll post details from each school in the coming weeks, but it was wonderful to see 7 really interesting and dynamic colleges. Stay tuned for more! 🐂🤠🏫

“Cookie House” is not on the college visit bingo card of typical campus features! Our essay coach Graham, a Carleton alum, can vouch for these baked goods!

Other Colleges Have Frat Houses. This One Has a Cookie House. For decades, Carleton College in Minnesota has kept a place where students and others can come, bake and share. After a recent renovation, we checked in.