A Slice with 'Dice

For the first time in years, the Ivy League admissions cycle may actually feel a little less brutal. Shifts in international enrollment, standardized testing, and demographics are reshaping the landscape — and the Class of 2026 could be in a better position than recent applicants.

ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why this year’s high school seniors might face slightly improved odds:

• International enrollment is projected to decline due to visa restrictions, leaving more seats for domestic students.
  
  
• Six of eight Ivies (and most top-25 universities) have reinstated SAT/ACT requirements, shrinking the applicant pool and giving strong test-takers a clearer edge.
  
  
• The “enrollment cliff” from declining birth rates after the 2008 recession means fewer high school graduates nationwide, leading to smaller applicant pools and higher admit rates.
  
  

While acceptance rates remain low, early data suggests a turning point: applications are leveling off, some Ivy admit rates ticked upward, and schools are even expanding class sizes. For seniors and families, that means the timing may be better than it has been in a long time to take their best shot.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

The beginning of a school year can feel overwhelming — new classes, higher expectations, and the pressure to be perfectly prepared. But waiting to “feel ready” only delays growth. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why readiness is not about certainty or perfection but about choosing to step forward, even when doubts remain.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

What if gifted students aren’t thriving—but simply surviving? In a culture where busyness is worn like a badge of honor, many high-achieving students are burning out before they even get started.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the pervasive influence of grind culture on gifted students, how it distorts their sense of self-worth, disconnects them from the present moment, and ultimately robs them of the full value of their educational experience. Drawing from candid conversations with school counselors and educators, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how we define success—and what it means to truly thrive in high school and beyond.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

Clarity doesn’t always arrive with a lightning bolt—it tends to whisper, revealing itself slowly through moments, conversations, and reflection. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how seasons of transition challenge our desire for quick answers and immediate resolution. In this episode, he reflects on why clarity is less about arriving at a final answer and more about trusting the gradual process of discovery. Through the lens of personal insight and professional dialogue, Corey unpacks the idea that we don’t find clarity alone—and often, we don’t even realize we’ve found it until we look back.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

The school year may start with bells and routines, but what it really signals is a new transition—for students, teachers, and entire institutions.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how each academic year is less a continuation and more a transformation, drawing on insights from Bruce Feiler’s Life Is in the Transitions to reflect on change as both inevitable and essential. As schools across Arkansas and the nation open their doors, Alderdice challenges educators and leaders to embrace the messy, nonlinear nature of growth and see the beginning of school not as a return to normal—but as an invitation to become something new.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

Think Vanderbilt is your backup plan? Think again. As selective colleges outside the Ivy League become even harder to get into, the admissions game is shifting in unexpected ways. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how schools like Rice, WashU, Emory, and Northwestern—often called the “New Ivies”—have turned the idea of a safety school on its head. In this episode, you'll learn why traditional application strategies no longer guarantee success, why perfect students sometimes get rejected, and how admissions officers are casting a play, not grading a test. Seniors starting their college journey won’t want to miss this timely reality check on what it really takes to stand out in today’s ultra-competitive landscape.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

Leadership might be like managing a bank account you didn't even know you had—and every tough decision comes with a withdrawal. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the concept of leadership as a declining balance, explaining how trust and goodwill gradually erode with difficult decisions, even amid meaningful successes. He discusses practical ways leaders can strategically manage their "goodwill account," emphasizing intentional decision-making, clear communication, coalition-building, pacing change wisely, and recognizing when it's time to pass the baton. Ultimately, leadership isn't just about how long your goodwill lasts—it's about investing it thoughtfully to leave behind a legacy of lasting impact.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

Why do students rave about AP Calculus but groan through AP Italian? It turns out, the reasons go deeper than just tough exams or tricky homework. A recent Education Week article, drawing on new data from The College Board, reveals which AP courses students find most and least satisfying—and why their experiences vary so widely.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores what makes some AP classes resonate while others fall flat, how the College Board is planning to address these gaps with new project-based learning in language courses, and why it’s so important for students to choose AP challenges that align with their interests and aspirations.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

What if doing it “worst” is actually the smartest move you can make? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how perfectionism holds so many gifted students back from ever taking the first step. Drawing inspiration from the Wright Brothers—who technically built the worst airplane in the world simply because they were the first—Corey unpacks why getting something down on paper, however rough, is the true spark of progress. This episode is a reminder that history doesn’t remember the people who waited to get it perfect; it remembers those who were brave enough to go first.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.

Perfectionism can be both a gift and a challenge, especially for gifted students. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores insights from Katherine Morgan Schafler’s The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, delving into how perfectionism manifests in five distinct ways. The episode unpacks how these types of perfectionism connect to the experiences of gifted students and the unique challenges they face. It concludes with actionable advice for parents and educators to help gifted learners embrace imperfection and thrive both academically and emotionally.

For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.

You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.