As a contributor to Forbes, Top Tier Admissions CEO Dr. Elizabeth Doe Stone offers expert analysis on college admissions trends and the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education. Her work focuses on helping families approach the admissions process with clarity, calm, and intention—balancing the academic, emotional, and strategic challenges students face today. Read on for her perspective at the intersection of education, business leadership, and teen well-being.
The Real Work Before College Admissions: Raising Resilient Teens
“Long before senior year, students are already learning how to navigate pressure, setbacks, and identity. The admissions process simply brings those lessons into focus.”
April 21, 2026
Are First-Year Abroad Programs Reshaping College Admissions?
“As application numbers surge, colleges are expanding alternative entry points, often through study abroad and off-campus programs.”
April 9, 2026
When College Decisions Arrive, Parents Set The Emotional Tone
“As Ivy Day approaches, parents set the emotional tone. Experts weigh in on how steadiness helps students stay grounded and resilient amid college admissions stress.”
March 23, 2026
How Ambitious Girls Can Thrive Without Burning Out
“Gen Z girls are redefining ambition with curiosity and purpose. Here’s how that shift supports well-being and leads to stronger college outcomes.”
March 18, 2026
Applying To Selective Colleges? Earn Top Grades—Then Get A Hobby
“Hobbies that show curiosity, discipline, and intrinsic drive can set top students apart in selective college admissions.”
March 2, 2026
The New Education Luxury: Family Retreats To Think About College
“Families are turning to structured retreats that blend vacation, wellness and strategic reflection, reshaping how major education and legacy decisions are made.”
February 16, 2026
How Parents Can Better Prepare Their High School Boys For College
“Why timing, temperament, connection, and developmental realities—not intelligence—shape how boys experience high school and college readiness.”
January 27, 2026
Sustained Attention Is The New Ivy League Advantage
“Attention spans are shrinking in a scrolling culture. What art history, neuroscience, and college admissions reveal about rebuilding focus.”
January 6, 2026
3 Ways To Strengthen Your Ivy League Candidacy Over Winter Break
“Early admissions results signal another highly competitive year. Learn how students can use winter break strategically to stand out beyond grades and test scores.”
December 16, 2025
Don’t Call It A Setback: What To Know About College Deferrals
“A college deferral can feel destabilizing, but it’s not a final verdict. Use this pause to gain clarity, build resilience, and strengthen your regular-round strategy.”
December 9, 2025
When College Planning Becomes ‘Toxic Grit’
“How high-achieving parents turned college planning into a second job—and what it’s costing them.”
November 11, 2025
The Analog Edge: Why Showing Up Still Matters In College Admissions
“In an age of digital fluency, colleges are looking for something rarer: students who still know how to show up, serve others, and make a human impact.”
November 3, 2025
Wellness Culture Is Redefining The College Search
“The wellness movement has reshaped how parents think about balance and fulfillment—and many now seek colleges that reflect those same values for their children.”
October 27, 2025
Executive Women Are Burning Out—College Admissions Is Making It Worse
“When careers, caregiving, and college admissions converge, women leaders face a perfect storm of invisible labor and burnout.”
October 8, 2025
The Rise Of The Vibe School In College Admissions
“Discover the Top Vibe Schools of 2025—colleges where academics, campus culture, and social capital converge to shape prestige and opportunity.”
September 29, 2025
The Truth About College Rankings: What Families Need To Know
“College rankings can mislead. Learn how to use them wisely and find the right school for your child beyond prestige and numbers.”
September 23, 2025
A New College Admissions Mindset: Why Values Alignment Matters
“Families are reframing college admissions in 2025—prioritizing values like faith, fit, finances, and well-being over rankings and prestige.”
September 18, 2025
What Supplemental Essays Reveal: 5 Traits Colleges Value Most In 2025
“Supplemental essay prompts for 2025–26 reveal what top colleges are really looking for in college applicants: resilience, authenticity, and a sense of purpose.”
September 10, 2025
The New Status Symbol? A Humanities Education
“Elite families embrace the humanities as public universities cut programs, turning liberal arts into a new marker of privilege and cultural capital.”
September 2, 2025
What Teens Lose When AI Writes The College Essay
“More students are using ChatGPT to draft college essays, but at what cost? Experts warn it hinders critical thinking and leaves them unprepared for college writing.”
August 18, 2025
What Colleges Really Want In An Outstanding Application
Learn what colleges look for in applications, from academics to authenticity, and how to craft a compelling and well-rounded profile.
August 14, 2025
Back-To-School Season Is Go Time For Ivy League Hopefuls
How high school students can turn back-to-school season into a launchpad for Ivy League admissions with deeper interests, writing habits, and purpose.
August 11, 2025
How To Decode A College Website Like An Admissions Insider
A college website is polished for marketing, but behind the glossy pages are clues about academics, institutional priorities, and campus life. Learn how to spot them.
August 4, 2025
