How to Get into THAT School

How to Get Into THAT School (2nd Edition)

A Complete, Student-Friendly Guide to Selective Admissions — Written by a 25+ Year Educator, Gifted Specialist, and Parent Coach

How to Get Into THAT School (2nd Edition) is the most clear, practical, student-focused roadmap available for families navigating selective admissions programs like TJHSST (Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology) and other competitive magnet, AAP, and STEM schools across the country.

Written by Lisa Conselatore, M.Ed., M.A., a licensed educator with over 25 years of teaching experience in the U.S. and abroad, this guide blends professional insight with encouragement, humor, and real-world examples students can actually understand and use. Lisa’s background includes:

• 25+ years as a teacher of advanced learners

• Extensive work in gifted education, literacy development, and academic coaching

• Leadership roles including summer school principal

• A professional teaching license and two master’s degrees (Education + Supervision & Leadership)

• Years of experience supporting students applying to TJHSST and other advanced academic programs as well as sitting on admissions committees.

This edition speaks directly to students, helping them understand what selective programs & their entrance exams REALLY look for: curiosity, initiative, resilience, critical thinking, authentic interests, and the ability to communicate clearly about their learning journey.

Parents will gain clarity on how to support their child without stress, pressure, or last-minute cramming.

What’s Inside This Guide

• ✔ What selective STEM and magnet programs truly value on their entrance exams

• ✔ The essential habits and mindsets students should build long before the application

• ✔ A breakdown of the admissions process—explained in plain, friendly language

• ✔ Strategies for writing stronger Student Portrait Sheet responses

• ✔ Approaches to leadership, collaboration, and authentic academic challenge

• ✔ Sample prompts and planning strategies

• ✔ Advice from a veteran educator who has guided hundreds of high-ability students

This book is not about test-prep shortcuts or memorizing perfect answers.
It’s about helping kids become stronger candidates, deeper thinkers, and more confident applicants — the qualities that selective schools value most.

Full length, 165 page Guide for Students & Parents

GetReadyEd Press 2025