
Wednesday, September 20th, 2023
4:00pm – 5:15pm PT | 7:00pm – 8:15pm ET
This event has passed, but you can still receive an email with a link to the recording and college resources by registering below.
The college admissions process can be a source of stress and anxiety for students and parents alike. This research-based workshop addresses many of the important questions we hear from families. What do college rankings really measure? Are students who attend more selective colleges better off later in life? What is “fit” and why does it matter? Participants will learn practical strategies to help reduce unnecessary pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support their student’s overall well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond.
A recording of the workshop will be sent to all registrants on September 21st.
If the cost of attending this workshop is a barrier for you or students you work with, please reach out about our financial assistance.
Who should attend
Parents, Students, Educators
Location
Virtual / Online
Price
$15 per person
Learning Objectives
- Learn research-based findings on the relationship between college selectivity and future outcomes, including learning, job satisfaction, and well-being.
- Explore practical strategies to embrace a healthier approach to the college admissions process.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the value and meaning of engagement in college and high school.
Presenters
Denise Pope, Ph.D.

Denise Pope, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education. She is the author of, “Doing School”: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students (Yale University Press, 2001), which was awarded Notable Book in Education by the American School Board Journal, 2001, and co-author of Overloaded and Underprepared: Strategies for Stronger Schools and Healthy, Successful Kids (Jossey-Bass, 2015). Dr. Pope lectures nationally on parenting techniques and pedagogical strategies to increase student health, engagement with learning, and integrity. She is a three-time recipient of the Stanford University School of Education Outstanding Teacher and Mentor Award and was honored with the 2012 Education Professor of the Year “Educators’ Voice Award” from the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. Prior to teaching at Stanford, Dr. Pope taught high school English in Fremont, CA and college composition and rhetoric courses at Santa Clara University. She lives in Los Altos, CA with her husband and three children.
Margaret Dunlap, M.A.

Margaret Dunlap, M.A., is a Senior School Design Partner. She oversees the operation of the School Program, providing coordination, resources, and management to Challenge Success schools on the West Coast. Additionally, she plans the bi-annual Challenge Success school conferences and supports coaches and school site teams to promote best practices and policy reform. She has extensive experience in professional development, supervision, evaluation, and intensive coaching for teacher leaders, coaches, and novice teachers. Margaret has held various roles in education leadership and program management within public and private education for over 20 years.
Gabrielle Dorsey, M.A.

Gabrielle Dorsey, M.A., is a University Advisor at the United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA), Dover Campus in Singapore; one of 18 UWC campuses around the world. She has spent her career supporting students, families, and organizations around the world in navigating the college admission process. Gabrielle started her career working in admissions for American University and Rice University, covering territories in Asia and many parts of the U.S. Before taking her work abroad just over a year ago, she worked in college counseling offices at high schools in Northern and Southern California, during which time, she also served on the board for the Association of College Counselors at Independent Schools (ACCIS).