7EDU

08/13/2026

🎓 Rising seniors: one college application task worth thinking about BEFORE school gets busy.

Who should write your recommendation letters?

It’s tempting to choose:

“My highest grade.”
“My hardest class.”
“My most impressive teacher.”

But that’s not always the best strategy.

Instead, ask:

Which teacher actually knows how I think?

Think about teachers who have seen you struggle, improve, ask good questions, help classmates, take initiative, or become genuinely excited about something.

Your transcript already shows your grades.

A recommendation should show the person behind them.

So this week’s application task is simple:

👉 Make a shortlist of potential recommenders.
👉 For each person, write down what they could uniquely say about you.

If you can’t think of anything beyond “I did well in the class,” that may not be your strongest choice.

You don’t need to request every letter today.

But having a thoughtful plan before senior year gets hectic can make a big difference later.

https://7edu.vip/go/fb

Answer five questions; Seven draws your roadmap and walks it with you — honest about where you stand. Free to start.

08/12/2026

If your child attends Harker, being a “strong student” may only be the starting point.

When so many students around you have rigorous courses, impressive activities, and ambitious college goals, families naturally start asking:

Where does my child actually stand?

At our next Silicon Valley Coffee Hour, we’re taking a closer look at the Harker experience and the college admissions questions families often struggle to answer.

☕ Decoding Harker

We’ll talk about:

🎓 How colleges may view Harker applicants
📊 What Harker’s college matriculation data can—and cannot—tell you
🧭 How to think about your student’s individual positioning
👀 Common blind spots we’ve seen while advising Harker families

The goal isn’t to compare students or chase a perfect formula.

It’s to help families understand the landscape so they can make thoughtful decisions about academics, activities, and college planning.

📅 Friday, August 21 | 6–7 PM
📍 10050 Bubb Rd, Suite 2, Cupertino

Seats are limited. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register.

If you know a Harker family who might find this conversation helpful, feel free to share.

https://7edu.org/r/znb

08/11/2026

🎤 What happens when we give high school students a stage—and actually listen?

This October, students will take the TEDxLeadways stage in Cupertino to share the ideas, experiences, and questions that matter to them.

This year’s theme is “Learning.”

And we’re not just talking about what happens in a classroom.

Expect fresh perspectives, personal stories, unexpected ideas, and probably a few moments that make the adults in the room think:

“I never looked at it that way.”

If you have a middle or high school student, this could also be a wonderful opportunity for them to see other young people confidently sharing their ideas on a TEDx stage.

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
⏰ 10 AM–12 PM PT
📍 20900 McClellan Rd, Building 2, Cupertino

🎟️ FREE admission — registration required.

Bring your student. Bring a friend. Bring your curiosity.

Come hear what the next generation has to say. 🎤

https://7edu.org/r/7AR

08/10/2026

🎓 Common App is open. You made your account. Now what?

Parents and rising seniors: you do NOT need to finish everything this week.

Instead, make this week’s goal:

Know exactly what you’re dealing with.

Before the school year gets busy, spend some time getting organized:

✅ Add your current college list to Common App
✅ Check each school’s deadlines
✅ Check SAT/ACT policies
✅ See how many recommendation letters are required
✅ Find each school’s supplemental essays
✅ Gather your transcript, activities, honors, and testing information

Every college can set its own requirements, so don’t assume that completing the main Common App means you’re done.

A little organization now can prevent a lot of October panic.

Your goal by the end of this week:

👉 You should be able to answer:

“What exactly do I need to submit for every college on my list?”

That’s it.

You don’t need to have everything written.

You just need to know what’s ahead.

We’ll share another step next Monday as we work through application season together. 🎓

https://7edu.vip/go/fb

Answer five questions; Seven draws your roadmap and walks it with you — honest about where you stand. Free to start.

08/06/2026

💡 What if you could watch tomorrow’s founders pitch their ideas today?

Join us for the Youth Business Venture Competition at Stanford University on August 15!

Students from around the world will present original business ideas to a panel of entrepreneurs and industry professionals, competing for cash prizes while receiving live feedback from experienced judges.

As an audience member, you’ll get to:
✨ Watch inspiring student startup pitches
🎤 Experience live judging and Q&A
🤝 Meet families, educators, and innovators
🚀 Support the next generation of entrepreneurs

Whether you’re a parent looking to inspire your child, an educator interested in entrepreneurship, or simply someone who loves innovative ideas, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

📅 August 15
📍 Stanford University

🎟️ Reserve your ticket here:
https://www.7edu.org/event/youth-business-venture-competition-45/register

Come cheer on these incredible young entrepreneurs—we can’t wait to welcome you!

08/05/2026

🎤 Have a story to tell? An idea worth sharing?

TEDxLeadways is looking for high school student speakers for our 2026 event!

This year’s theme is:

✨ “Learning”

Learning doesn’t just happen in school.

It happens through challenges.
Through curiosity.
Through mistakes.
Through people we meet.
Through moments that change us.

If your child has an experience, idea, or perspective they’d love to share, this could be an unforgettable opportunity to take the TEDx stage.

No matter whether they’re passionate about science, entrepreneurship, education, mental health, technology, the arts, or personal growth—we’re looking for authentic voices that can inspire others.

📅 Event Date: October 10, 2026
📍 Cupertino, CA

🎤 Speaker applications are open now.
⏰ Application deadline: July 31

We’re also recruiting student volunteers interested in leadership, event planning, and working behind the scenes to make TEDxLeadways happen.

Know a student who would be a great fit?

Tag them or share this opportunity!

https://www.7edu.vip/resources/tedxleadways2026speaker
https://www.7edu.org/event/tedxleadways-2026-43/register

TEDxLeadways 2026, scheduled for October 10, 2026, invites students to apply for the opportunity to share their ideas on a prestigious TEDx stage. This program is designed for students eager to inspire others, enhance public speaking skills, and contribute meaningful insights to their school communi...

08/04/2026

♟️ Registration is now open for the 2026 Silicon Valley ICEA Chess Tournament!

Whether your child is an experienced tournament player or just getting started, this event is designed to encourage strategic thinking, sportsmanship, and confidence in a welcoming competitive environment.

Tournament Details
📅 Saturday, August 29
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 20900 McClellan Rd, Cupertino

Players can compete in:
• Open
• U1200
• U600
• Rising Stars

🏆 Trophies will be awarded to the Top 3 players in each section, and Rising Stars & unrated players will receive participation medals.

We’re also looking for student volunteers interested in:
✅ Event Operations
✅ Player Check-In
✅ Leadership Experience
✅ Team Collaboration

Whether you’re joining as a player or volunteer, we’d love to have you as part of this exciting community event.

📲 Scan the QR codes on the flyer to register.

Please feel free to share with families who may be interested!

https://7edu.vip/go/fb

06/30/2026

Calling all high school students — and yes, this is your sign. 🎤✨

TEDxLeadways 2026 is now looking for Speakers and Volunteers for this year’s theme:

Learning in the Age of AI

Have an idea you care about?
Something you’ve been thinking about, questioning, building, or wanting to say out loud?
This could be your chance to take the stage.

Not into public speaking? Totally fine.
We’re also looking for volunteers to help make the event happen behind the scenes. From supporting the team to helping the day run smoothly, volunteers are a huge part of what makes TEDx possible.

Why join?

Speakers:
Share your voice, your idea, and your perspective with a real audience.

Volunteers:
Be part of something inspiring, meaningful, and way more exciting than an average school activity.

📅 Event Date: October 10, 2026
📍 Rolling applications now open
⏳ Limited positions available
✅ Open until filled

Whether you want to speak, lead, help organize, or just be part of something bigger, we’d love to see students step up and get involved.

Scan the QR code to apply.
Questions? Call 408-216-9109

https://7edu.vip/go/fb

06/29/2026

Recommendation letters are often treated as a small detail in college applications —— until students realize they are not.

One of the most common mistakes students make is waiting too long to think about recommendation letters.
A strong recommendation is not just about asking a teacher who “likes you.”

It is about asking someone who knows your work well, has seen how you think, and can describe you in a specific and meaningful way.
That is why timing matters.

Students should not wait until deadlines are close. The best recommendation letters usually come from teachers who are asked early, given enough time, and provided with the right context.
Just as important, students should think carefully about who they ask.

The strongest letters do more than confirm that a student earned good grades.

They help admissions officers understand how a student shows up in a classroom, how they engage, and what kind of presence they bring.
In a competitive application process, that kind of detail matters more than students often realize.

https://7edu.vip/go/fb

Answer five questions; Seven draws your roadmap and walks it with you — honest about where you stand. Free to start.

06/26/2026

One of the biggest mistakes students make in application season is starting the personal statement too late.

Many students think the essay can wait until the rest of the application feels more settled.

In reality, the personal statement usually takes longer than expected — not because it has to be dramatic or overly polished, but because good writing requires time to reflect.

A strong essay is rarely built in one sitting.
It takes time to figure out:
What story is actually worth telling?
What does this essay reveal beyond the resume?
Does it sound thoughtful, personal, and real?

The first draft is usually not the hardest part.
The harder part is writing something that feels honest, clear, and meaningful — and then revising it enough to make it strong.

Students who start early tend to write better essays not because they are better writers, but because they give themselves enough time to think.

And in college applications, that difference shows.

Answer five questions; Seven draws your roadmap and walks it with you — honest about where you stand. Free to start.