Why A Child Should Consider A Tutoring Service

Why A Child Should Consider A Tutoring ServiceA tutoring service can be beneficial to a child in Plymouth, Maine. It is an affordable way to get your child into college. The time you spend with the tutor is priceless and it can help your child prepare for college admission tests.As your child starts school, he or she will probably be teased by classmates about their abilities to learn. You want your child to be able to learn. If your child is struggling in school, there is a tutor service that will help your child be prepared for college admission.First of all, it is more likely to be beneficial to your child to receive tutoring as soon as possible, rather than waiting until after they graduate from high school. It is not wise to wait until high school is complete. With a tutor, they can be sure your child has learned the necessary skills needed to excel in college.Plymouth tutors are experienced professionals who have made a living from tutoring students for many years. These tutors are very helpful to students in many ways. They know what is required of them as a student and how to put it into practice for their students.A tutor can be a valuable resource for your child's future, but only if your child is eager to start his or her education, and it is his or her time to learn. It is most important that your child feel that they can get the best out of their education. This will help them be successful in college, and for life.Some children may have trouble with certain types of tests. These tests can be confusing and difficult for them. They will be able to handle these challenges with the help of a professional tutor.Plymouth, Maine tutors provide the student with many opportunities to work on their academics. They help students apply themselves academically, when they do not feel confident in their ability to succeed. A tutor can help your child get prepared for all college entrance exams, including math, science, and English.If your child has never attende d a tutoring session before, or if your child is not comfortable talking to a tutor, you should consider your options for tutoring time in Plymouth, Maine. This option is usually the least expensive option available, and you should use it if you have the money. It is a great idea to spend a few minutes with a professional tutor.

Flyers For Tutoring Template - How to Create a Fantastic Teaching Resource

Flyers For Tutoring Template - How to Create a Fantastic Teaching ResourceIf you're thinking about creating flyers for tutoring, you're making a good decision. The right flyer for tutoring is very important. A well-written flyer can grab the attention of prospective students and raise the likelihood that they'll actually attend a teaching class or even tutor for the first time. It's never too early to get started with a flyer for tutoring template, however.First, make sure that your flyer is as concise as possible. Because many prospective students are searching on the internet, if you have to type a lot of information into search engines, it can make them lose interest. Also, try to avoid lengthy statements and features. If you leave the fluff out, it's much easier to give people a reason to visit your website. In other words, put the best points in your flyer for tutoring.Second, avoid using the keyword 'new students.' Many people don't use the phrase, so try to use it more sparing ly. Don't put up a flyer for tutoring on the fifth day of classes. In fact, if you're starting out, you'll be able to choose the best keyword to use early on. Even if you're new to teaching online, your flyer should be pretty precise. Even though you're less experienced, you can still keep things simple with one-sentence statements and details.Finally, it's important to learn about how to format your flyer for tutoring. Check out some tutoring templates, and see what kind of ideas are listed. There are websites that provide tutoring templates that can help you format your flyer for tutoring. If you're not sure what to do, check out some websites.Once you've chosen your flyer for tutoring template, you have a few other things to think about. You'll want to decide what subject you're going to cover, whether your flyer is for students or teachers, and where you're going to post it. These are all important details that you want to think about before you make any decisions. Once you have decided, you can then choose the best wording for your flyer for tutoring.Finally, do some research and find out how others have used their flyers for tutoring. In the internet age, you'll be able to find many resources for flyers for tutoring. Even if you're not looking for ideas, if you see something that interests you, you'll be able to find resources that will help you create the best flyer for tutoring.With a flyer for tutoring template, you're ready to promote your online tutoring business. Since the flyer is your main marketing tool, it can make or break your business.

Trig Help - Trigonometry Online Tutoring - Math Tutors

Trig Help - Trigonometry Online Tutoring - Math Tutors Trigonometry is the branch of Mathematics which consists of the 6 main trigonometric functions, which are sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent of an angle. These trigonometric functions are used to write the trigonometric ratios, identities and different types of formulas based on the given angle. With the help of trigonometry, we can find the measure of the sides and angles of triangles and other geometric structures. These functions are also used to find the height of the buildings and also the distances from one location to another location. Example 1: Given sin() = 2/5 and cos() = 1/5. What is the value of tan() and cot()? Given: sin() = 2/5, cos() = 1/5 The formula of tan() is given as: tan() = sin()/ cos() This gives: tan() = (2/5)/ (1/5) - tan() = (2/5) * (5/1) = 2/1. Therefore, tan() = 2/1. Cotangent of the angle is also written as cot() is the reciprocal of tan(). This implies: cot() = 1/tan() Therefore, cot() = 1/ (2/1) = 1/2. Hence the value of cot() = 1/2 Example 2: In right triangle PQR, side PR is the hypotenuse. If given the measure of angle Ras 30 and the length of side PR is 12m, then what is the length of side PQ? Based on the question, here is the diagram. The trigonometric function, sin(R) = (opposite side)/ (hypotenuse) Therefore, sin(R) = PQ/PR This gives: sin(30)= PQ/ 12 - 1/2= PQ/ 12 This implies: PQ= 12 * 1/2 = 6 Therefore the measure of the side, PQ= 6m.

Are You Tone Deaf Scientists May Have Found the Cure...

Are You Tone Deaf Scientists May Have Found the Cure... Suzy S. Cant match pitch to save your life? Science may have found the cure or, at least some initial findings that could help adults learn new skills, including music and languages, later in life. Absolute pitch, the ability to identify and produce specific pitches without a reference point,  has long been studied by musicians, psychologists, and neuroscientists. Some people believe its something you have to be born with or, something that must be cultivated at an early age in order to stick, such as through  early life exposure and rigorous training in music. But now, preliminary research has shown that pitch-perfect comprehension may just be a neural tweak away. In one recent study, scientists used valproate, a chemical compound typically found in mood-stabilizing drugs, on subjects with no musical training, coached them on the basics of matching pitch, and then tested them on the material weeks later. As it turns out, these tone deaf subjects scored significantly higher on the tests than those who took a placebo.  Essentially, the drug re-created that critical period in brain development, allowing for new information to be absorbed just as easily as when the subjects were youngsters. Check out the NPR interview here  to find out more,  or read the research findings  from  Frontiers. Of course, this is just the beginning of a long road ahead. If youre looking for a quick fix for your next karaoke night, youre out of luck. While the findings may be interesting well stick with the traditional music training! Suzy S., TakeLessons staff member and blogger Are you looking for a private music teacher? Search our roster  of local and  online teachers to get started. Find Your Perfect Teacher You might also like Rockstar Rules: The Word Stevie Nicks Wants You to Stop Saying What Music Should You Listen to at Work? [Infographic] Infographic: From Vinyl to Vinyl in 50 Years Photo by JoshSemans

Skills of the Future 10 Skills Youll Need to Thrive in 2020 [Infographic] - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Skills of the Future 10 Skills You’ll Need to Thrive in 2020 [Infographic] - Introvert Whisperer Skills of the Future: 10 Skills You’ll Need to Thrive in 2020 [Infographic] We all know being the introvert in the workplace is hard enough. As technology rapidly advances, the work landscape also changes, which means we must keep up by investing in ourselves and learning the skills of the future that are most relevant to advance your career or help you shift to another oneâ€"if it comes to that. Even in a world where most business meetings are done through messaging apps and video conferences, having good, excellent communication skills and being able to collaborate effectively with others is still one of the skills that will be most in-demand in the future. And being an introvert professional isnt an exception. Even if youre an introvert, there are different tips you can practice to express your ideas and be able to collaborate with your team. Aside from being able to collaborate effectively with others, theres a whole set of skills that gives an introvert more chances of success in the workplace of the future. The infographic below lists other skills that would see a high demand in 2020 and beyond. If you want to have more chances of success in the future, then be sure to read on and assess your current skills to your goals.

Top 5 Student Cities for Learning German in Germany

Top 5 Student Cities for Learning German in Germany Where in Germany Should I Learn German? ChaptersThe Historic University town of Constance/KonstanzTübingenThe Historic Town of GöttingenThe Traditional Town of HeidelbergBonn, the 5th Excellent Student TownDo you want to go to university in Germany to learn German language? Are you ready to start studying in Germany as an international student?  Not sure which city is the best to study in?There are almost 2 million students and 320 graduate schools and universities in Germany. How can you possibly find the perfect city to learn about German culture and history while studying?Here are Superprof’s 5 best ranking student cities.  You have to learn German online or at home in the best possible conditions and higher education in Germany is one of the best reasons for living in Germany!When you think of student cities, you probably think of massive metropolises like Berlin and it’s cultural scene, Hamburg, or Munich and its many prestigious universities but you shouldn’t forget about some of the country’s other charmin g cities where you can also take a German language course at university.There are plenty of scholarships for gifted students and plenty of the best universities in Germany rate highly in the World University Rankings. However, don't worry if you're not funded since the tuition fees for almost every German language course is lower than what you'd pay in the British education system.You don't need to study German as your main subject, either. Whether you're focusing on natural science, social science, applied science, computer science or the humanities or studying a master's or a doctorate, you can always be learning German as an option or in evening classes. You can do courses in almost any subject at an interdisciplinary technical university in Deutschland.Furthermore, since Germany is in the European Union, you currently don't require a residence permit or a student visa to study there. However, there are certain admission requirements for both undergraduate and postgraduate course s including having a certain level of German.You can prove your language skills by taking an exam from the Goethe Institut that offers a good number of internationally recognised qualifications for anyone interested in international study in both private or public universities in Germany such as the TestDaF, Goethe-Zertifikat.In this article, we're showing you the top universities, not solely in terms of university ranking, the tuition fee, and the prospective, but also the town the uni is in. After all, there's little point in being enrolled at an international university if you don't like the town it's in very much. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Historic University town of Constance/KonstanzConstance/Konstanz is a small German university town on its namesake lake.It’s geographical location by Switzerland makes it an interesting place for students as they can easily visit the neighbouring country.Konstanz sits atop its namesake lake. (Source: Lum3n.com)Why is Konstanz so popular among European students?  Firstly, it’s geographical location. As we said, it’s right by Switzerland and offers a multitude of sporting and cultural activities and language courses.A University Blending Tradition and ModernismThe modern university is often listed among Germany’s 10 most prestigious universities. Check out a few German expressions to get you started in Konstanz!The professors call it “Little Ha rvard on the Lake” and its location is part of its charm. The idea of studying German in a small community with accessible professors on a multidisciplinary campus seems ideal for teaching.Isn’t German a really difficult language?The university’s hall is an extension of the German classrooms where everyone can chat over a coffee after handing in some work.In Konstanz, you'll want to study. (Source: startupstockphotos.com)An Undeniable Cultural AttractionFor any prospective student, Constance/Konstanz has an incredible infrastructure.For students wanting to get involved with the local culture, there are regularly cultural music and theatre events, film and jazz festivals, and literary readings, not to mention the many cafés and bars.Constance/Konstanz is the perfect destination for immersing yourself in German culture and boosting your German speaking skills.You should find out more about working in Germany and the the German attitude to work...TübingenTübingen might appear to be your typical German student town at first. However... there's so much to discover in this popular student town.Travelling Through TimeThe students in Tübingen love the medieval architecture in the old town, the castle, the steep stairs, narrow streets, and gabled houses and the peaceful safe haven they provide.  When you go to Tübingen, it’s like you’ve travelled through time.Tübingen's medieval centre is alive with local merchants and students congregating giving the town it’s distinctive way of life.The small shops, cafés, wine cellars, restaurants, and bars teem with students in Tübingen. It’s the perfect place to wander around or to just relax in a square while you discover German on your iPad or smartphone.A Renowned UniversityWith nearly 29,000 students living in Tübingen, there’s always something interesting happening. You’re bound to learn a few interesting German expressions from them!Tübingen is one of Germany’s oldest university towns. The unive rsity itself was founded in the second half of the 15th century and has been known as a home to teaching natural sciences, medicine, and philosophy ever since.Some big names have studied at Tübingen: the astronomer Kepler, the former Pope Benedict XVI, and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard who was the Nobel Prize winner for physiology and medicine for her work on embryonic development. SönkeGerman Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClaudiaGerman Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SefaGerman Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HilaryGerman Teacher 5.00 (16) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LisaGerman Teacher 5.00 (8) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChrisGerman Teacher 5.00 (19) £39/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors WendyGerman Teacher 5.00 (2) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HowardGerman Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Histor ic Town of GöttingenThe town is in Lower Saxony, 100km south of Hannover, is home to 130,000 people and 30,000 students. Göttingen is one of the country’s largest student towns.A Fantastic Town for StudentsWith all its cheap clubs, cafés, bars, and restaurants, this town is built for students.There is also plenty of student accommodation in Göttingen since regular accommodation can be very pricey.  While the prices aren’t that expensive in comparison to some places in London, they can be too high for most students.The bus network is great and the town is well connected.A Public University Dedicated to ResearchThis is why the university in Göttingen is so popular.  In fact, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen is renowned for its work in the field of mathematics.Research has always been an important part of the university and the diversity of the subjects covered in terms of human sciences and its high-quality infrastructure have made it a popular place for students wanting to study in Germany.Of the 30,000 students at the university, 11% are foreign (particularly from China, Poland, and Turkey).There are plenty of different disciplines being taught including: life sciences, human sciences, biology, psychology, environmental sciences, forestry, geography, physics, IT, law, economic sciences, and theology.Is it one of the best German universities? Check out our list.The Traditional Town of HeidelbergYou’re probably not going to be partying every day in this town but that doesn’t mean you won’t find friendly students from all over the world.A Town where Life is GoodMost people spend their time in the old town between Bismarckplatz and the Church of the Holy Spirit.The historic centre of the old town with its bars, café, theatre, cinemas, and cultural festivals is great for wandering around and learning about German culture.  It’s the kind of place you won’t want to leave...A University that Students LoveHeidelberg University is one of Germanyâ €™s oldest universities but the students also love it.  In addition to degrees and doctorates, there are several different ways to learn.Heidelberg mixes tradition and modernity. (Source: Roman Kraft)There are plenty of extracurricular activities at Heidelberg: politics, culture, sport, choir, orchestra, German courses, discussion.It’s theatre group has become rather cult over the years where only non-native speakers of German can perform.Bonn, the 5th Excellent Student TownThe Festive Town of BonnA student town has to be a place where life’s good complete with plenty of “extracurricular” activities and a university that provides a high quality of teaching.Bonn makes the grade and that’s why its one of Germany’s top 5 Student Towns.It’s a living museum with its Princes Electors of Cologne residence which was visited by tonnes of famous people including the composer Beethoven.The former capital of West Germany, Bonn, teems with history, monuments, and museums for German culture.It’s also famous for its festive side and student lifestyle complete with affordable bars and nightclubs.The student residences even have their own bars and regularly put on events that all students, including Erasmus students, will love.A Varied UniversityIf you ask somebody in Bonn where the university is, it’s likely they’ll say “it depends”.Why? The 200-year-old university isn't really like that.  It’s made up of 350 building across the city including 2 castles, museums, hospitals, and villas.Hitting the books is a pleasure in Bonn. (Source: pixabay.com)Wouldn’t you like to study not just in a building but across the city?  You’ll no longer feel like you’re having German lessons, you’ll feel like you’re discovering German history and culture while travelling around and discovering it.  This is something you can only get in Bonn.In addition to these top student towns, Superprof also recommends thinking about studying German degree courses in Berlin, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Bremen, and Stuttgart too! Learn about the German work mentality if you're staying in Germany.You can find German lessons in most cities on Superprof!German lessons London.

All You Need to Know about the Russian Empire

All You Need to Know about the Russian Empire Russian History until the 1917 Revolution. ChaptersWhen was the Russian Empire, and how Big was it?The Origins of the Russian EmpireThe Great Emperors of RussiaImperial Russia’s Political SystemThe Decline of the Russian EmpireConclusion.Have you ever wondered what was happening in Russia before that famous Bolshevik revolution in 1917? Have you ever heard of Catherine the Great â€" or even Peter the Great â€" and wondered why they were so great? Maybe you are unsure about how exactly Russia got quite so large.In this piece, we focus on the Russian Empire and we’ll answer any questions you may have about what was history’s third-largest empire (after the British Empire and Genghis Khan’s). So, whether you are studying for the AQA A Level in Tsarist Russia, or if you are just intrigued by the topic, we’ll take you through everything from the Russian Empire's early origins to its political system and great fall.extended Russia to the Pacific Ocean by conquering Siberia. The moment of the 1721 imperial announcement fol lowed Russia’s victory over the Swedish Empire in what is known as the Great Northern War, in which Russia gained control of the Baltic. At this point, Estonia and Livonia (a province of Sweden) also became Russian. Further expansions into Siberia and into Persia shortly followed.From Tsar to EmperorBut then why did the state change from a tsardom to an empire? Whilst the Romanov family â€" including Michael of Russia â€" had all been successful monarchs, to name yourself an Emperor was essentially to say that you were better than a king. And, for Peter the Great, who was generally in thrall to European traditions and wanted Russia to catch up, this was obviously quite important. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chantell eHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Great Emperors of RussiaPeter the Great (1682-1725)As you can probably tell by his name, Peter I has always been quite an important monarch for the Russians. He is credited with changing many of the ways in which the country operated at the time.He founded and built St. Petersburg, the city that became the capital until 1917, and relocated the government there from Moscow. He is credited with turning the Russian army into a modern machine, taking inspiration from western Europe.This modernising zeal is said to have been inspired by his Grand Embassy through Europe, in which he traveled across the continent in disguise. He was very impressed by the industry, politics, and military of western Europe and believe d Russia to be very backward.As a result, he enforced modern dress in Russia (including a tax on beards) and, in 1700, changed the Russian calendar to the Julian Calendar.Peter the Great founded the Russian Empire in 1721.Catherine the Great (1762-1796)Another ‘great’ Russian, Catherine was an admirer of Peter and continued his process of modernising Russia. Under Catherine, there was something of a golden age in Russia, with what has become known as the Russian Enlightenment, a flourishing of art and culture.Catherine very enthusiastically supported the conquest of Alaska, and during her reign ‘Russian America’ developed. At the same time, she freed aristocrats from military service and extended control over Poland.In 1767, she established a Grand Commission in Moscow, which functioned something like a parliament and was made up of 652 members of different classes â€" from officials to burghers â€" and of various provinces. Its role was to establish the wishes of the people and frame a new constitution.Alexander II (1855-1881)By the reign of Alexander II, the Russian empire had left its golden age and was passing through the period of social discontent and unrest that led to the revolutionary movements that ultimately brought about communism.However, Alexander himself was an enthusiastic reformer. In 1861, he famously liberated the peasantry from bondage, abolished corporal punishment, and promoted university education.This Emperor was killed by assassination, after previous attempts, by revolutionary socialists.Imperial Russia’s Political SystemAbsolute MonarchyThe political system of the Russian Empire was ‘absolute monarchy’ â€" a system in which there were no institutional limitations on royal power. The system was highly autocratic, as evidenced by Peter’s forcible removal of people’s beards.However, the issue for the monarchy was that there was never really any effective means to wield power over its people across the great length of t he empire. Local officials were often unreliable and isolated communities and peoples rarely felt the force of the law.Government ReformAs we have seen, however, the monarchs tried to implement many reforms to liberalise the country, often under the inspiration of western European enlightenment thinkers such as Rousseau and Voltaire.After the 1905 Revolution â€" which was itself the result of the social agitation in which the assassinations played a part â€" the Duma was established, an elected body that had the power to make laws. This was the first time such a thing had existed, whilst the same revolution established a party system and granted citizens rights including the rights to assembly, free speech, and conscience.Whilst the monarch still had significant power â€" including the power of veto â€" the achievements of the Revolution brought about the conditions that would eventually lead to his demise.Religion and EthnicityConsidering the size of the Russian Empire, the people over which it ruled were hugely multi-ethnic and gave loyalty to many different religions. However, the official religion was Russian orthodox: the emperor had to be orthodox, whilst the Holy Governing Synod was a representative function of the church in government.But this body was the result of Peter the Great’s distrust of the church, which he kept under a tight leash by appointing all bishops. Catherine, too, did not think very highly of the church, rather using much of the money earned by their lands to fund her wars.Under Catherine’s reign, Jews were considered foreigners and did not have the same freedoms as Orthodox Russian citizens. She also tried to maintain control of the Muslim population, who, in Russia, were traditionally nomadic. In her reign, towns were built specifically for Muslims to keep them from moving around the empire.The Decline of the Russian EmpireWith the increasing political unrest within the Empire, the rule of law and the monarch’s position was s everely tested â€" by strikes, assassinations, demonstrations, terrorism, and ultimately, the 1905 revolution.The Duma created the conditions for political differences to flourish and it symbolised the growing role of the people and opposition towards the monarch. It would seem that the Emperor, Nicholas II, knew that he did not have the control that he once did, and his repression was heavy handed, with huge increases in death penalties.Revolution and WarRussia entered World War I in defence of the Serbs, with whom they had an alliance. They ultimately fought with the British and French against the Germans, Austrians, and Ottoman Empire. Throughout much of the imperial period, Russia had fraught relations with the Ottomans, whose own empire was on Russia’s doorstep. However, the First World War didn’t go well for either of these powers, as they both collapsed â€" literally ceasing to exist.In 1917, Russia experienced a rerun of the 1905 revolution â€" however, this time, led by the Bolsheviks, it was successful in overthrowing the monarchy. Its war campaign collapsed and the country plunged into a civil war between the supporters of the revolution and the supporters of the monarchy.As we know, the Bolsheviks won, and declared a republic that brought the Empire to an end.Lenin's revolution ended the Russian Empire in 1917.Conclusion.If you want to know more about empires in general, or about the Qing Dynasty or the Roman Empire in particular, we have many other articles on these topics.

Ask an Admissions Expert Drusilla Dee Blackman

Ask an Admissions Expert Drusilla Dee Blackman Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Drusilla Dee Blackman has had a long and varied career in the field of college admissions. She is the former Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid for Columbia University, as well as the former Dean of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard Universitys School of Arts and Sciences. She has a B.S. from Brown University and an M.A. in psychology from Yale. She is the founder of The Ivy Dean. How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Dee: It is never too early to begin. We advise our students to begin the process at least two or three months prior to their first deadline. This provides them with sufficient time to research colleges, brainstorm ideas, and have each section of their applications reviewed by multiple individualsparticularly the essays. The key is to never procrastinate, as colleges will notice. Students should plan to submit their applications at least two weeks before the deadline. Then, if any unexpected challenges arise, or if any requirements were missed, students have a few weeks to make changes and fix mistakes. What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Dee: Often, selective colleges make their final decisions based on a students essays, as many qualified students have similar grades and test scores. To pick a terrific topic, the student should start by asking, How am I different from my classmates? By searching for differences in his or her background, experiences, current activities, and future interests, the student can discover unique topic ideas. Then, the student should meet with his or her guidance counselor to discuss the list of ideas. A counselor works with dozens (if not hundreds) of college-bound students each year, and he or she will be able to offer advice on which topic is the most unique and noteworthy. Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Dee: In my opinion, topics never get boring. Rather, it is the presentation style. While Dean of Admissions at Columbia University, I read thousands of essays that all sounded the same. Many students directly answer the question and fail to creatively include details that distinguish them from other students. Successful essays are those that are introspective. After the student selects a topic for the essay, he or she should then focus on answering three questions related to the topic: Where have I been? Who am I now? And what do I hope to accomplish in the future? This develops an insightful, compelling story. As every students personal story is different, this approach ensures that the essay is interestingregardless of the topic. What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Dee: Being vague. Students often lack depth in their essays and materials. For any application, students only have a few hundred words to stand out, and it is important to make every word count. For example, merely stating that you were the president of an organization, completed volunteer work, or participated in a sport is not enough information. Colleges want to know about the context surrounding each experience. Why did you participate in the experience? What did you learn? Did the experience impact your way of thinking? What did you accomplish? The scenarios are endless, but as long as the student answers this series of questions for each statement, the student has the best chance of standing out. What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Dee: Each college has a unique process, but there are a few basic similarities. First, colleges check if a student can handle their academic rigor. If a student surpasses the colleges threshold for grades and test scores, then the admissions officers want to learn how he or she will contribute to their student body. This information is found within a students essays, letters of recommendation, activity and honor lists, and short-response answers, which display how a student differs from others in the applicant pool. Often, two or more admissions officers review each application. Once a majority opinion is made, the application will go to a committee for a final decision. As you can see, almost the entirety of the process is subjective; it is important to seek assistance from a teacher, counselor, or independent firm to extensively review each component of your application. Any detail may make a difference in the committees final decision. What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Dee: Fit. Regardless of the specific questions, all admissions offices are (actually) seeking the answer to only one question: Is the student a good fit for our college? To properly answer this question, students must extensively research the college to learn about its curriculum focus, values, campus culture, and opportunities. Then, the student should convey how he or she will contribute to the colleges unique characteristics. How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Dee: When possible, students should visit colleges to experience the campus and speak with staff, faculty, and students. College is an expensive investment, and nothing surpasses a first-hand experience to determine your fit. However, visiting a college is not always possible. For the colleges a student cannot visit, he or she should review their website, read student newspapers, and research the college from various sources to learn about the college from different perspectives. A students happiness at a college is an important determinant of academic performance and future success. Students should look past ranking, prestige, and social pressures to find colleges of genuine interest to them. In most cases, a student will naturally gravitate toward some colleges over others. Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Dee: Often, students spend a significant amount of time debating between these application types. However, in many ways, the different applications are artificial, and solely used to spread the flow of applications. Students should view them the same way. We recommend that students first finalize their college lists. We then tell students to list each college as a reach, target, or safety school. Once organized, students should then apply to at least one college from each category for the early round and spread the rest outcompleting at least one application a weekuntil the regular decision round. This results in a nice, relaxed pace throughout the process. Students should only apply to a binding option if they know with 100% certainty they would attend the college upon acceptance and want to find out their decision earlier. If not, this type of application has no other advantages. How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Dee: Grades and test scores are very important for students to get their foot in the door. As mentioned earlier, these quantitative factors are used primarily as a baseline to determine which students can handle the colleges academic rigor. Then, the essays and other sections are used to make the final decision. Many students believe that there is a formula that consists of ones grades and test scores to determine admission, and this is simply not true. Each year, students with perfect test scores and GPAs get denied. Strong, well-written essays and supplemental materials frequently carry more weight in the process. What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Dee: The importance of these letters is regularly overlooked. Unfortunately, many letters are useless to an admissions committee, as they are vague and lack details. To avoid this, students should carefully select the teachers who write their letters, and you should not pick a teacher solely due to a high grade in his or her class. Colleges want to learn specific details about how a student contributed to the class (to assess how the student will contribute to their campuses). Therefore, students should select teachers who can write about their specific in-class projects, presentations, papers, and other classwork. Then, the student should provide the teacher (either by email, in a letter, or in person) details regarding these in-class accomplishments to remind the teacher. This provides helpful content for the teacher to use in his or her letter. The student should take a similar approach for guidance counselors, except this summary should include a mixture of accomplishments over the students entire four years of high school, including academic highlights, prestigious extracurricular involvements, and noteworthy community contributions. Colleges look to the counselors letter to determine how well a student can balance academic and extracurricular work, while also contributing to the campus as a whole. Visit The Ivy Dean for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Senior Year College Checklist

Senior Year College Checklist This is it: the culmination of high school! If your teen graduates next spring and intends to go to college, theres a lot for your teen to do this school year (in addition to keeping up those grades, of course). Heres a checklist to keep you and your teen on track: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You and your teen should complete this form as soon as possible after October 1. Check with the colleges to which your teen is applying to confirm their college financial aid deadlines. Review the Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR will arrive via email within a couple of weeks of submitting the FAFSA. This is what colleges your teen listed on the FAFSA use to determine eligibility for financial aid. Its essential that you make any necessary corrections to the information on this report as quickly as possible on the FAFSA website. Explore an SAT or ACT prep class. If your teen is intent on improving that SAT or ACT score, Huntington can help. Check out our SAT prep and ACT prep programs for students who seek to improve on one or more SAT/ACT sections or raise their overall score. While the above tasks involve both you and your teen, here are several to-dos that are your teens responsibility: Visit the guidance counselor. Theres so much to keep track of during senior year. The guidance counseling office is a great resource for information. Encourage your teen to stop by early in the school year to ensure your family is on track with all college-related tasks. Register for the SAT or ACT one final time. If your teen wants to raise a score, fall is the best opportunity to do so before college deadlines come up. The February ACT exam is a last-chance option as well, depending on colleges application deadlines (the SAT isnt offered in January or February). Register for all required tests. Those include the SAT, ACT, Subject Tests and Advanced Placement exams. Narrow the list of colleges. Your teen should decide on the top colleges on his or her list and collect all important information, such as application deadlines, application requirements (e.g. letters of recommendation or admissions essays) and scholarship/financial aid deadlines. Request any letters of recommendation. Colleges that require such letters will expect them with your teens application package, so it is important for your teen to make such requests of teachers/counselors as early in the school year as possible. Work on the essay. If a college requires it, your teen should give the admissions essay sufficient time and attention. Its best to have a teacher review and edit the essay before it goes into the application package. Start completing all applications in the fall. Early decision/early action deadlines can be as soon as November 1. Regular application deadlines tend to vary, but could also come as soon as January. Assemble a list of all scholarship possibilities and start applying. Many scholarship deadlines fall between October and March, so by mid-fall semester, your teen should begin submitting those applications. Read our blog post on how to tackle the scholarship search. Review acceptances and make a decision. Together, you and your teen should review and compare financial aid packages when they arrive in the late winter/early spring and discuss what college is the best fit from a financial perspective. Then, your teen must make his or her decision based on the factors of most importance (those might include location, field of study and cost) and notify his or her college of choice. Need help getting your teen prepared for the SAT/ACT, SAT Subject or Advanced Placement exams? Want to help your teen finish high school with a strong report card? Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn more about our learning and exam prep programs.