This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lindsay Tanne Howe, 37, who is based in Connecticut. She is the founder and CEO of LogicPrep, a global college advisory firm serving ultra-high-net-worth families. Business Insider has verified her educational background. This piece has been edited for length and clarity.
A big misconception about college admissions is that getting into a top school comes down to a single magical turning point. In reality, it works like compound interest, where every small decision builds on the last.
Admissions success is built more on how your kids spend their average Tuesday than on any one score, grade, or breakthrough moment.
Over the past 19 years, I’ve shared these kinds of insights with ultrawealthy families and their children, but I think any parent can benefit from the advice we give our clients.
I went from Harvard freshman to college admissions advisor
I founded LogicPrep in 2007 while I was a freshman at Harvard. I’d successfully navigated the admissions process myself and, with the hubris of a teenager, thought it was my turn to help others.
What started as a summer job has become a global college advisory firm serving ultrawealthy families. Our advisors are all former admissions officers who have evaluated thousands of applications, while our essay coaches are professional writers who help students bring their stories to life on the page.
In our work, we don’t assume a preordained definition of success. We’re not Ivy or bust. It’s about helping each child become the most self-actualized, deeply engaged version of themselves. Here are five ways the ultrawealthy parents I work with help make that happen.
1. Create habits that build curiosity
The children of wealthy parents often travel and overhear conversations about work, giving them natural exposure to experiences that spark questions. For all parents, though, it’s important to create the habits and mindsets that cultivate curiosity from an early age.
In my family, we do that by listening to podcasts in the car and discussing interesting articles over dinner. We also take our children’s interests seriously.
If your child expresses an interest, take them to the library, find a relevant book, and follow that thread.
2. All work, not just a ‘fancy’ internship, is a good opportunity to build skills
We see many ultrawealthy families tap into their networks early on to create shadowing opportunities for their children. It’s a great way to give kids exposure to different careers.
Students, however, shouldn’t be discouraged if they don’t have access to a “fancy” internship. Colleges take context seriously, and students should not be disadvantaged by a lack of access to higher-level opportunities.
All work is good exposure and an opportunity to develop interpersonal skills, resilience, and responsibility. Some of the best college essays I’ve read have been about caddying on a golf course or waitressing at a restaurant.
3. Plan early
One advantage wealthy families have is that they know to seek advice from a qualified advisor early on in the admissions process. But thoughtful, proactive planning, which is a clear advantage in the admissions process, isn’t exclusive to those with means. You just have to know when to start.
The right time to start planning is the tail end of middle school or early high school. That doesn’t mean asking an eighth grader to start SAT prep. It means thinking about the classes they’re taking and where those could lead, and encouraging them to try different activities.
It can also be as simple as visiting a college campus while you’re on a trip to make the college application experience feel more tangible.
4. Help your kids find their voice
Wealthy families tend to acknowledge and reward their children’s authentic voices. In my experience, they really see them as emerging young adults with something to say. They invite their children into conversations with adults and ask them not just where they want to go to college, but what kind of life they want to build. That helps instil a belief in their voice.
As a parent, you want to help your child become the narrator of their own life. Ask questions like, “What’s the best thing that happened this week?” or “What’s your intention for the summer?”
5. Finally, focus on building an ‘interesting life,’ not an ‘impressive application’
I really push back against the instinct to build an impressive application. I encourage students to build a genuinely interesting life.
There’s no perfect applicant or magic formula for college admissions. Simply encourage your child to pursue what genuinely interests them. Do they like marine biology? Take them to the aquarium and encourage them to apply for volunteer opportunities or internships there.
The goal isn’t to create the perfect applicant. It’s to encourage your child, take them seriously, and to help them become the most genuine, engaged, deeply authentic version of themselves.
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