The State of College Admissions: A Fireside Chat with the Experts

The State of College Admissions: A Fireside Chat with the Experts

Parents, guardians, students, educators working with students, and college admissions enthusiasts are invited to listen to this Fireside Chat on the ever-evolving landscape of College Admissions. Hear from the experts and discover the latest insights on key topics that shape the college admissions process: * Essays & artificial intelligence (AI) * Test scores & test optional score submissions * Affirmative action and a candid discussion on diversity and equity in college admissions * Grades, grade inflation, recalculating grade point averages, and understanding the significance of academic performance in the application process * How schools with and without AP courses are viewed * The importance of recommendations, interviews, and extra-curricular activities * How the recent political landscape affects admissions

Be Unapologetically Impatient - A Conversation with Dr. Chris Cipriano

Wolcott College Prep’s Tyree Institute welcomed Dr. Christina Cipriano—author, researcher, and director of the Education Collaboratory at Yale University—for an evening that challenged the audience to rethink patience, justice, and the systems that shape learning. Dr. Cipriano, joined in conversation by Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl, the NoVo Foundation Endowed Chair of Social Emotional Learning at UIC, shared insights from her new book, Be Unapologetically Impatient. Drawing from her research in learning science and her lived experiences as a parent and advocate, she urged educators and families to reject the notion that “this is just the way things are” and instead act with purpose and empathy to create meaningful change. Throughout her talk, Dr. Cipriano blended scholarship with storytelling—illustrating how emotional intelligence and gratitude can interrupt systemic inequities in education, healthcare, and beyond. She reflected on her own journey navigating schools and medical systems with her children, showing how curiosity, compassion, and courage can transform frustration into advocacy. Dr. Schonert-Reichl praised Cipriano’s rare ability to connect rigorous academic research with real-world humanity, calling her “one of those rare people who moves seamlessly between scholarship and fierce advocacy.” The evening concluded with a book signing and conversation among faculty, families, and community members about how to bring Cipriano’s message to life at Wolcott and beyond. Dr. Cipriano’s call to action was clear: “We don’t have to wait for systems to change to do better for our children. We can begin today—one conversation, one choice, one act of empathy at a time.”