Emerging Majors
January 18, 2012
Today, students often hear the following career advice: “follow your passion!” The thought behind this is that if you do what you love, your job won’t feel like “work.” And because you’re passionate about it, you won’t mind putting in all the required hours for possibly low pay.
If you are lucky enough to have discovered your passion during high school, then by all means think about how you can turn that passion into a career. For example, if you love to cook, consider all of the different ways cooking can become a profession: chef, restaurateur, personal chef, caterer, food critic; as you can see, the list goes on and on. Stepping back from your ultimate goal, your next step would be to consider what types of education you will need. For instance, if you want to be the chef/owner of a restaurant, in addition to cooking classes, you will need business and marketing skills as well as general accounting. So, for an undergraduate major, you probably will be interested in business. Although being a business major sounds worlds apart from being a chef, by employing this reasoning, you can see why it would stand you in very good stead.
If, however, you haven’t yet found your “passion,” you may be wondering how to begin selecting a major. You can work backwards, so to speak. Begin by selecting a job in a projected growing field and then choose your major based upon your career goal. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over one-half of the occupations with the fastest growth are in the medical field. This is not to say that you should be a doctor – many different occupations comprise this field, including biomedical engineers, home health aides, personal/home care aides, medical scientists, physician’s assistants, skin care specialists, biochemists and biophysicists, athletic trainers, physical therapist aides, dental hygienists, veterinary technologists and technicians, dental assistants, medical assistants, physical therapist assistants and veterinarians to name a few. Other careers that are projected to be in high demand in the coming years are network systems and data communications analysts, financial examiners, computer software engineers/applications, self-enrichment education teachers and compliance officers (except agriculture, construction, health and safety and transportation). Of course, nurses, auditors/bookkeepers/accountants and teachers always are in demand. For more information about growing industries, go to the Department of Labor’s website.
One word of caution about college majors, however. The most valuable asset that you derive from college is an ability to think, reason and research. These traits will serve you well no matter your chosen profession. In the podcast series “Ear on Careers,” many of the professionals interviewed tell the same story: their success in their career is unrelated to their college major. For example, a hospital president was an engineering major; a magazine publisher was a biology and math major; a lawyer was a psychology major; and a federal agent was a communications major, just to name a few. To listen to this podcast series, go to www.EarOnCareers.com.
New Year’s Resolutions for High School Seniors
January 11, 2012
It’s 2012 – have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? In this series of posts, we’re offering some resolutions for students in each year of high school. Feel free to adopt one or two!
Senior year in high school is exciting, and gone all too soon. Before this calendar year is through, you will have completed your first year of college! However, that’s a ways away, so let’s focus on the here and now. Here are some New Year’s Resolutions for high school Seniors to consider:
- Remind your parents about the FAFSA. Your parents should submit their FAFSA in as early January as possible in order to realize the best outcome. In this economy, everyone is looking for financial aid, so make sure your family is meeting with someone who specializes in financial aid, as your family accountant may not be your best resource. For more information about financial aid, check out this podcast.
- Decide which college you’ll be attending. By now, all of your college applications should have been submitted, or you’re submitting them tomorrow. The waiting game has begun! Soon, however, you will start to hear back from the colleges with their decisions about your applications. With any luck, you’ll have more than one college that accepts you! Once you hear back from all of your schools, weigh all of your acceptances carefully. Revisit the campuses, chat with college students about their experiences, and review the financial aid packages. As soon as you decide where you want to go, make sure to let the colleges know and write down important deadlines for course selections, financial requirements, dorm room survey dates and the like.
- Enjoy your Senior Prom. Even though you’ll be off to college in seven or eight months, take the time to enjoy this last year of high school! Go to the prom, enjoy the school play, hang out with your friends. Don’t forget to keep your grades up, though!
To read our New Year’s Resolutions for high school freshmen, click here. For Resolutions for high school sophomores, click here; and for high school juniors, click here. All you High School Seniors, what are your resolutions? How are you doing with them? We’d love to hear from you!
New Year’s Resolutions for High School Juniors
January 10, 2012
It’s 2012 – have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? In this series of posts, we’re offering some resolutions for students in each year of high school. Feel free to adopt one or two!
Junior year in high school is when college applications start to creep into your life. Well-organized students will take advantage of this year to get the college entrance exams out of the way and work on applications. Here are some New Year’s Resolutions for high school Juniors to consider:
- Take the SAT and/or ACT. We recommend that Juniors take each of the SAT and ACT once, and then re-take the one exam in which they scored higher. For example, you can take the SAT in March, ACT in April, and then retake whichever one you prefer again in either May or June. Don’t waste time or money, though. Make sure you register by the regular registration deadline, thereby avoiding late fees. And, prepare for each exam either with private tutoring, online, in-school or simply buy a study guide. There’s no reason for you to waste a morning taking an exam “blind” – be prepared and be successful!
- Create your college list and visit the campuses. Now is the time for you to refine your college list. Using your grades and GPA, plus an estimate of your SAT or ACT scores, start narrowing down the 4000+ institutions into a more manageable list. If possible, set up appointments for you to visit the campuses during your spring break. Keep notes for every campus so that you don’t get confused (it happens!). Check out this podcast for additional pointers for creating a college list. And if you feel you need more help than your guidance counselor is able to offer, don’t be afraid to reach out to independent college counselors.
- Get to know your guidance counselor and teachers with an eye toward recommendations. Your guidance counselor will be writing one of your letters of recommendation for your college applications, so if you don’t know him or her yet, now is the time to do so. Also, your other letters of recommendation will come from your teachers, so start thinking about whom you would like to ask. Work on your Academic Resume so that when the time comes at the beginning of the next school year, you’ll be able to hand them some information about yourself. For information about this type of resume, listen to our podcast.
- Work on your college applications over the summer. Once the summer starts, you should take advantage of the time without papers and tests to get your college applications in order. You’ll need to refine your college list to the 8-12 schools to which you’ll apply, and see if they participate in the Common Application. Work on your personal statement, or college application essay, early. The Common App has a 500 word maximum, and believe it or not, it takes quite a long time to write an effective essay under such restrictions! The Common App goes online in the beginning of August, but they post a preview of the application before the end of the school year, so check it out. Your goal should be to have all of your college applications DONE, with the exception of your recommendations and information needed from your guidance counselor, by the beginning of your Senior year.
To read our New Year’s Resolutions for high school freshmen, click here. For Resolutions for high school sophomores, click here. All you High School juniors, what are your resolutions? How are you doing with them? We’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned for more suggested New Year’s Resolutions for high school seniors!
New Year’s Resolutions for High School Sophomores
January 9, 2012
It’s 2012 – have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? In this series of posts, we’re offering some resolutions for students in each year of high school. Feel free to adopt one or two!
Sophomore year in high school is a great time! You don’t have to worry about taking college entrance exams just yet, or any of the other “college-type stuff,” so you can enjoy the year! Here are some New Year’s Resolutions for high school Sophomores to consider:
- Keep up your grades, and take SAT 2s. Grades and class ranks are important to college admissions officers, so make sure to keep studying and doing well in your classes. Also, keep an eye out for any SAT 2s that you might want to take (for more info about the SAT 2s, listen to this podcast).
- Get to know your guidance counselor. Your guidance counselor will be writing one of your letters of recommendation for your college applications, so now is the time to get to know him or her. Ask about summer internships that may be available from your high school. And make sure to attend any college application seminars that may be offered.
- Study for the PSAT over the summer. More than likely, you have already taken the PSAT a couple of months ago. You will be taking it again next October, when your scores will count toward the National Merit Scholarship. So, take advantage of the summer before your Junior year to start studying – either on your own with a PSAT study guide or with a tutor. And this prep time can be applied to the SAT test which you will be taking next year, so it’s time well spent!
- Start thinking about colleges that interest you, and visit them over the summer. Even though you haven’t taken your SAT or ACT yet, you can start researching colleges that have the major you are interested in. Start by compiling a list of school that pique your fancy, and then take some time over the summer to go visit the campuses. You’ll have a leg up on the junior year spring break college visiting frenzy!
To read our New Year’s Resolutions for high school freshmen, click here. High school sophomores, what are your resolutions? How are you doing with them? We’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned for more suggested New Year’s Resolutions for high school upperclassmen!
New Year’s Resolutions for High School Freshmen
January 8, 2012
It’s 2012 – have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? In this series of posts, we’re going to offer some resolutions for students in each year of high school. Feel free to adopt one or two! Good luck!
Freshman year in high school can be a pretty tricky time. You’re out of middle school (finally!) and now playing in the “big league”: high school! By now, though, you’ve had a bit of time to adjust to your new school – it’s physical layout, your teachers, your homework and all of the new friends you’ve met. Here are some New Year’s Resolutions for you to consider:
- Earn good grades! Start your high school career off correctly by doing your best academically. Competition for college is fierce, so give yourself a leg up by getting good grades right from the start. Even though college seems a long way off now, you’ll be applying before you know it! It’s harder to raise your grades in a year or two than it is to do well from the beginning.
- Join a club or sport. Getting involved in your high school’s extracurriculars will allow you to meet even more people and expand your interests. Like music? Join the band or glee club. Enjoy photography? Think newspaper or yearbook. Into wrestling, swimming or baseball? Try out for the teams. An added bonus is that colleges are looking for these types of activities.
- Plan a summer internship. Even though you are too young to get a paying job over the summer, you can volunteer to work with professionals in a career you might like to pursue. You won’t have to work 80-hour weeks – even just a few hours a week will give you a taste of the profession. It’s a great way to figure out if you truly want to follow in their footsteps.
- Read. While college entrance exams are still a few years off, one thing you can do to prepare for them is to read books. Both the SAT and ACT test your knowledge of vocabulary, critical reading and English, so why not broaden your vocabulary now? It’s more fun to read a good book than to try to memorize words off of flashcards!
- Sign up for the SAT 2s. If you are taking any AP or Honors courses, you might want to consider signing up for the SAT 2s. You definitely want to take these one-hour tests as soon as you get through the class in high school so that you don’t forget all the material! For some info about the SATs, listen to this podcast.
High school freshmen, what are your resolutions? How are you doing with them? We’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned for more New Year’s Resolutions for other high school years!
5 Tips to Get High School Juniors Ready For College
November 30, 2011
Even though you are not yet through the first half of your junior year in high school, college will be here before you know it! Ask your Senior friends who already have, or are finishing, applying to schools at this very moment. Bet they can’t believe they only have a few months left in high school!
NOW is the time to take stock and start preparing for college. As a Junior, here are 5 tips to help pave the way for your college application process:
(1) Take your SAT, SAT 2’s and/or ACT tests. Plan to have all of these tests completed by the end of this year. Start your prep course (online, in-person, or simply by yourself) this month, or no later than January. This way, you will have ample time to take your first SAT or ACT in the spring, and retake your better test (i.e., the one you scored higher on) in May or June. Your goal is not to have to spend any time in your Senior year taking these tests, as waiting for your results will only slow you down. For more information about the difference between the ACT and SAT, check out our podcast; for even more info about all of the tests, listen to this podcast; and for help comparing your SAT and ACT scores, read this post.
(2) Start working on your college list. In order to develop a college list, you will need to know your GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, your academic interests, the geographic location you want, and so much more. Even if you don’t have all this information at your fingertips right now, you can create a list of colleges that offer majors you are interested in, in locations of interest. Take the time now to start exploring college websites. Write down the colleges that interest you, and make arrangements to visit the campuses (if possible). Many families will high school Juniors will set aside Spring Break to tour the various schools of interest. In this competitive environment, it is more important than ever to take the time to visit campuses, so start planning now. For great info about how to create a college list, listen to our podcast.
(3) Keep your grades up. With college on your mind, now is the time to shine academically in high school. If your grades haven’t been stellar to date, apply yourself now and then write your personal statement about how you realized school is important and you rededicated yourself to your studies! Your goal is to put your best foot forward and show college admissions officers that you have what it takes to do well at their school. Also, all college applications require letters of recommendation, and doing well in a class is a sure way to be noticed by your teachers – who will remember you when they write your stellar recommendation letter!
(4) Make sure you are involved. One thing that college admissions officers love to see are extracurricular activities. Not a lot of them, just a few to which you are deeply committed. They don’t have to be offered by your high school either, as volunteer work or activities outside your school also are viewed very favorably. What isn’t smiled upon as much? Activities that all of a start in your senior year, as they obviously are being joined for application purposes! So, participate now and reap the benefits! For more tips about activities to join, listen to our podcast.
(5) Create an academic resume. In addition to your application, personal statement and other documents required for college admissions, we strongly urge our college counseling students to prepare an academic resume. This is like an employment resume, but lists your achievements in high school (or even prior). Time to toot your own horn! This document also will be handy to provide to your guidance counselor and teachers who will be providing you with letters of recommendation. To learn more about creating an academic resume, listen to our podcast.
What do you think about these tips? Have any others you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you!
Top 10 Questions To Ask College Freshmen
November 22, 2011
With Thanksgiving just days away, many college freshmen are returning home for the first time since they started college. As a high school junior or senior, this is your chance to ask the questions that don’t seem to be answered in any college brochure or websites!
Here is a Top 10 List of questions you might want to answer your newly-minted college friends and family:
(10) How is college different from high school?
(9) Do you find your professors to be accessible during and after class?
(8) What surprises you most about college?
(7) Why did you apply to the college you are attending? Do you think that was a good reason?
(6) What is dorm life like?
(5) How is the food?
(4) What do you miss the most about home and/or high school?
(3) Was it difficult making new friends?
(2) What activities are you involved in at college?
And the #1 Question to ask college freshmen: What advice do you have for me as I start creating a college list and applying to colleges?
We hope this list gets you started in a conversation with your college friends and relatives that will enable you to apply to colleges with more confidence!
The Rise Of The Wait List (Part II)
October 31, 2011
In our previous post, we reviewed some startling statistics regarding colleges’ increasing use of Wait Lists and offered possible reasons for their increase. In this post, we are going to explore what happens to students who receive a “maybe.” To read Part I in this series, click here.
“Wait lists are becoming the Wild West of the admissions process,” said John Talmage, director of college counseling at St. Paul’s School in Maryland, who recently brought a resolution regarding Wait Lists before the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), as reported in Inside Higher Ed. “There are basically no rules there,” Mr. Talmage is reported as saying.
Exactly what is happening when students are placed on a Wait List? What prompted Mr. Talmage to bring the resolution to the NACAC? Inside Higher Ed reports that he said he was motivated to bring forward the resolution after an incident involving one of the students he counseled. The student was placed on the wait list at his first-choice college, and told in May that the university would no longer accept anyone from the wait list. Consequently, the student accepted an offer from another college – only to get a call from his first choice at 9:30 a.m. one day in June, telling him he had until noon that day to make a decision. Such impossibly short deadlines are not uncommon when a student is accepted off a Wait List.
In other cases, students are admitted off several wait lists in succession, losing enrollment deposits at each successive institution. Sometimes the stories involve institutions pumping up their yield numbers by placing a large number of students on wait lists and then only selecting students they know will enroll. Other times they revolve around need-blind institutions no longer ignoring need once they start accepting from the Wait List.
NACAC’s Assembly voted for a formal study, which will promulgate Best Practices. The results of the study are expected to be delivered in October 2012.
In the meantime, what is an applicant and family to do when a college says “maybe”? Mike Rivera, co-founder and college counselor here at Top-Tier, recommends the following:
- Decide Whether You Want To Remain On The Wait List. You have the option of declining to stay on the Wait List. If the school is not your #1 college, Mike recommends against staying on it. “If the college is not your first choice, take yourself out of the competition to allow a possible slot for a student for whom the college is their dream school,” he says.
- Go Over Your Notes – Or Revisit – The College(s) At Which You Were Accepted. Try to put your wait-listed college out of your mind, and take another look at the universities that said “yes” to you. Revisit the campus, talk with students, review the course offerings. You may be surprised that you no longer are interested in a school that thinks of you as a “maybe.”
- Review Deposit Guidelines. If you choose to stay on the wait list, make a back-up plan. Select a college that accepted you, at which you will be happy to attend, and review their deposit guidelines. If you change your mind and decide not to go there, what is their refund policy? How much tuition will be forfeited after a certain date? After all, college is a financial commitment too. If your family will lose $10,000 after June 15th, then decide that if you don’t hear back from your “maybe” school by that date, that you will remove yourself from the Wait List and end your torture.
- Put Your Best Foot Forward. If you decide to stay on the wait list, you should contact the Admissions Department to find out if and how high you are ranked on it. Also, find out if any conditions are attached, such as reduced financial aid or campus housing. Consider writing a letter to the Admissions Officer explaining why you are a good fit for the school, what courses are of interest to you, and outlining anything that may have occurred post-application (i.e., you received an award). Request an interview, which will give you the opportunity to shine in person.
- There’s Always The Transfer Option. Just because you decide that your “maybe” school isn’t right for you, that doesn’t mean that you cannot reapply after your freshman year in college, if you still want to go there. By declining a Wait List position, you are not closing the door on the college forever. However, be prepared that you may fall in love with your college and not look back!
What are your stories about being Wait Listed? How did you handle it? We’d love to hear from you!
The Rise Of The Wait List (Part I)
October 25, 2011
Right now, many college seniors are in the middle of the process of applying to colleges. Some will meet the November deadline looming for applicants going the “early action” or “early decision” route. Others are gearing up for “regular way” applications, usually due in January. Once the applications are submitted, high school seniors feel relief – no more SATs or ACTs or personal statements! Once that euphoria wears off, however, the candidates eagerly await responses from the colleges to which they applied.
Some candidates will receive responses rather quickly, while other colleges will take longer to inform them of their decisions. Either way, high school seniors expect either a “yes” or “no” response. Then, their plan is to choose the one college into which they will matriculate among their acceptances (hopefully they have more than one!). This is the ideal situation.
However, the ideal situation is becoming less commonplace with the “Rise of the Wait List.” Nowadays, colleges are responding to applicants with “yes,” “no,” or, increasingly popular, “maybe.” More and more applicants are being placed on the college’s Wait List, which is tantamount to being a “maybe.”
What does it mean to be Wait Listed? What are the rules of the Wait List? In this two-part blog post series, we’ll explore the current status of the ubiquitous Wait List, where it’s headed and how best to handle the “maybe.”
According to the 2011 “State of College Admission” report recently released by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 48% of colleges and universities surveyed used a wait list for fall 2010, up from 39 percent just the previous year. 42% of colleges reported that they placed more applicants on wait lists in 2010 than they did in 2009.
Of the colleges that use a Wait List, the NACAC study found that they place approximately 10% of their applicants into it, 56% of which decided to remain on it. On average, the incoming college freshman class of 2010 consisted of 28% of wait listed students, down from 34% for incoming college freshmen in 2009. The more selective colleges generally admitted just 11% off their wait lists.
Why the rise in colleges’ use of a Wait List? Presumably, mainly, it is as a result of the increased number of applications. Because high school seniors are applying to many more schools, it is becoming more difficult for college admissions officers to predict how many accepted students actually will enroll in the school (technically called the “yield”). For example, one student may apply to 10 colleges and get accepted into 6. Since the student can only attend one school, that means 5 colleges will be rejected by the student. That’s 5 slots that are now opened up at the rejected colleges! The average yield has declined steadily from 49% in 2001 to just 41% in 2010. (This phenomenon largely has been fueled by the colleges’ own marketing strategies – listen to our podcast entitled “Colleges’ Dirty Little Secret” for more information.)
Therefore, colleges have to hedge their bets against the unpredictable yield. In some cases, they have increased their use of early decision and early action policies. (For information about these two practices, listen to Top-Tier’s podcast, “The Ins and Outs of Early Decision versus Early Action.”) The Wait List is another tool available to colleges to help manage the admissions process.
In the next post, we’ll go over what happens when you are placed on a college’s Wait List (or several colleges’ wait lists), and what the NACAC is working on in response to this growing practice.
College Application Highlight Videos
October 12, 2011
Are you a solid high school athlete? Are you competitive in a non-school sponsored sport? Do you have a talent that you wish you could share with college admissions officers? If you answered “yes” to any one of these questions, then a “Highlight Video” may be perfect for you!
A Highlight Video can take many different forms, depending upon exactly what you want the colleges to see. If you want to submit it to college scouts for a sport such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming, etc., then you want to include your outstanding moments on the field/court/pool as well as clippings in local papers, stats and any trophies you have won. If you are part of a competitive dance troupe or cheerleading squad, you should include clips from competitions highlighting your participation – maybe a solo. Perhaps you are not going to college to become a concert pianist so no audition is required, but want admissions officers to appreciate your talent, so you can showcase your skill in a video. Still photographs can be incorporated into the video to show your achievements by way of headlines. Truly, the sky is the limit!
Highlight Videos should be no longer than 5 minutes long, as coaches/scouts/admissions officers are pressed for time. So, make sure every clip that is included shows you in your best light and that you are easily visible in it. Depending on what you are highlighting, you may also want to include a full-length game video in case the coach wants to see you in action for longer. Your video also must include all of your contact details, as you don’t want to leave a college guessing about who you are!
Top-Tier now offers a “Highlight Video” package option as part of our college counseling services. We can compile your video clips from games, tournaments, exhibitions, recitals, performances, etc., incorporate an introduction by you to the college admissions officers, and produce a professional-quality video for your applications. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212 for more information and to schedule an appointment!
If the Common App essay is limited to 500 words and a picture is worth 1000 words, how much more is a video worth?
Private School College Education at Public School Rates
October 5, 2011
Three distinct phases exist in the world of college applications. First, taking the SAT or ACT. Second, filling out college applications. Third, submitting the FAFSA for financial aid. Then comes the hoping, dreaming, anxiety, stress while awaiting the colleges’ decisions. Denials, while bitterly disappointing, are swift. Acceptances, on the other hand, come in two-steps: the actual college acceptance and then the financial aid package. Many decisions about where to enroll hang in the balance of the latter.
In one brilliant move, Seton Hall University has removed a majority of the financial burden aspect of college acceptances for highly qualified applicants. In an unprecedented decision, Seton Hall is offering nearly a two-third discount off its tuition to members of the Class of 2012. The over $21,000 discount makes this private school education comparable in price to the public Rutgers University for New Jersey residents, and much cheaper than Rutgers for non-New Jersey residents.
Recognizing the current tough economic times, Seton Hall’s President, Dr. Gabriel Esteban, states: “This initiative reflects Seton Hall’s commitment to serving our community and putting a high quality, personalized education within reach of more students and their families. In this way we make a first-class, private Catholic college experience as affordable and accessible to students as a public university, with the added benefits of smaller classes, close mentoring faculty relationships and a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio.”
The fine print? The discounted tuition will be available to applicants who either have a minimum of a 27 ACT composite score or a combined 1200 on the SAT (Critical Reading + Math), with not less than 550 on either SAT section. In addition, the applicant must be in the top 10% of his/her high school class. Applications must be received by Seton Hall by its December 15, 2011 Early Action deadline; however, no special application need be filed – if you meet the qualifications, you’re automatically eligible for the discounted tuition! In addition, still file your FAFSA, as you could qualify for financial aid. This tuition rate will apply for all four years of schooling.
Seton Hall also has some other terms and conditions that must be met in order to qualify for the discounted tuition. For much more information, click here to go to the website.
If you’re looking for help with the college application process, Top-Tier can help you! Just send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
SAT and ACT – What do the 2011 Results Mean?
October 3, 2011
In recent blog posts, we gave information about the scores earned on both the SAT® and ACT® by the Graduating Class of 2011, nationwide and in New Jersey. In this post, we are attempting to assimilate this data and offer instructive advice for students (and parents) who will be taking these tests in the future. To read our post about the SAT scores, click here; for our post about the ACT results, click here.
From the recent results released by both the College Board (who administers the SAT) and the ACT, it is clear that nearly equal number of students are now sitting for both tests: 1.65 million students took the SAT, while 1.62 million took the ACT. No data was reported as to how many students took both tests, which is commonly done. In point of fact, at Top-Tier Tutoring, we recommend that a student take both tests and then retake the test on which s/he performed better.
What it comes down to is how well an individual student scores on the test as s/he wants to put the best foot forward to colleges. Conversion tables easily can be found on Google in order to compare apples to apples. It has been our experience that approximately 75% of our students score higher on the ACT when the conversion table is applied. For example, Student A took the SAT receiving a total 1390 points, and that same Student A took the ACT, and received a composite score of 22 points. According to the Conversion Table, Student A’s ACT score of is equivalent to 1530 points on the SAT. Therefore, when Student A applies to colleges, only the ACT score will be submitted.
Clearly, New Jersey students are not availing themselves of the ACT. According to the ACT report, only 19% of the Class of 2011 took the ACT here, versus 49% nationally. Moreover, New Jersey’s rate of increase in test-takers was only 1.8% from 2010, versus 86.8% nationally. Yet, New Jersey ranked #6 in the nation for its average composite score. Why is the ACT lagging here in New Jersey? Primarily it is because the parents of the students are unaware of the ACT, or believe it is not accepted or weighed equally with the ACT at all colleges. This simply is untrue, and it is this thought process that actually is hindering NJ high schoolers today! As stated above, the SAT and ACT scores are weighed equally by colleges, so it is very important for the student to be exposed to both and then take the one that better suits his or her test-taking abilities. There simply is no room for bias against the ACT in the competitive college application world.
As we have said before, the SAT and ACT are standardized college admissions exams, utilized by colleges as one way to determine whether to accept an applicant. However, the methodology and philosophy behind each exam is markedly different. As a brief overview, the SAT is based upon an IQ Test, and is designed to challenge a student’s thought process. The ACT is an achievement test, and seeks to identify what the student has learned. Traditionally, the SAT was widely recognized on the East and West Coasts, while the ACT was taken by more Midwest students. Nowadays, however, both tests are accepted equally at all colleges and universities. For more information about the differences between the two tests, listen to our podcast.
Colleges’ “Dirty Little Secret”
September 29, 2011
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, shares a dirty little secret of colleges: they are businesses too!
During the podcast, Mike explores the many good things that the model of college as a business means. Shareholders, whether private investors or taxpayers, as well as alumni donors, want to know how the college budget (which includes tuition) is being spent. With an eye on the bottom line, colleges create line items for expenses such as hiring and attracting top-notch professors, offering cutting edge curriculum, developing new courses, funding research and the like. These are necessary in order for the business of a college to continue and thrive.
Listen as Mike also casts an eye on the other side of what running colleges as a business requires. He exposes the growing popularity of marketing by colleges, and the dirty little secrets of which high schoolers and their parents may be unaware. The podcast sheds light on marketing at every level – from unsolicited brochures to “qualified” students who feel as if they are “guaranteed” admission, to increasing reliance on the ubiquitous wait list, and on-campus hosted elaborate events. The curious result of high school valedictorians not being accepted at fine institutions is also discussed.
Mike discusses how the knowledge of these practices can help the college applicant and family. Knowledge is power, and this podcast arms to-be college students and their families with facts and figures that usually are kept hidden under the rug.
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
ACT Results for 2011 Grads
September 27, 2011
In this 2nd part of our series about the results of the ACT® and SAT®, we’re focusing on the ACT results for the Graduating Class of 2011. If you are looking for information about the SAT, click here for our previous post.
Nationally, 1.62 million students – 49% of graduates – took the ACT in 2011, which is an increase from the nearly 1.6 million students who sat for the ACT in 2010 (47% of graduates). The national average composite score for the ACT in 2011 was 21.1 (out of a perfect 36). The ACT has four main sections: English, Math, Reading and Science. The breakdown for each of these sections was 20.6, 21.1, 21.3 and 20.9, respectively, for 2011. These scores represent and overall increase in the ACT scores over the 2010 results, for which the national average was 21; the section averages were English 20.5, Math 21, Reading 21.3 and Science 20.9.
How do New Jersey students compare? Well, only 19% of graduates took the test in 2011 (up from 17% in 2010). But, the results are impressive: the NJ average composite score was 23.2, over 2 points above the national average! NJ students scored better than the national average in every section too: English – 23.1, Math 23.7, Reading 23.3 and Science 22.4. New Jersey ranked #6 in the nation for average composite score, trailing only Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Maine (in that order). These results are that same as the New Jersey 2010 ranking and scores, with the only changes being a 0.1 point increase in each of the Math and Reading section in 2011. Of note, from 2007–2011, the number of ACT test-taking graduates has increased by 86.8% nationally, while the number of graduates taking the ACT in New Jersey has increased by 1.8% only.
The ACT was the first to introduce a “benchmark score” in 2006 (adopted by the SAT this year). According to the ACT, the “benchmark score” is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses, which include the four subjects tested on the ACT: English Composition, Algebra, Social Science and Biology. The ACT states that “[t]he scores were empirically derived based on the actual performance of students in college.” The benchmark scores are 18 for English, 22 for Math, 21 for Reading and 24 for Science. 25% of test-takers nationally meet all 4 subjects benchmark scores; on average, 37% of New Jersey students met the composite benchmark and exceeded the subject benchmark scores for all but Science.
Click here for much more information about the ACT.
SAT Results for 2011 Grads
September 21, 2011
Both the College Board, which sponsors the SAT®, and the ACT® recently released data about the scores for the high school graduating class from 2011. In this 2-part blog series, we will go inside these reports for national results, as well as those for the State of New Jersey.
The first part of this series will focus on the SAT entrance exam. Nationally, nearly 1.65 million students in the high school graduating class of 2011 took the SAT, up from 1.6 million for the class of 2010. The 2011 national average score for the SAT was 497 in Critical Reading, 514 in Math and 489 in Writing, for a total of 1500 points (each section has a maximum score of 800). The national scores dipped six points overall, as the 2010 average scores were 500, 515 and 491, respectively.
Here in New Jersey, the average student scored an aggregate of 1508, eight points higher than the national average. The New Jersey graduating class of 2011 earned an average score of 495 in Critical Reading (the same as last year), 516 in Math (an increase of two points) and 497 in Writing (the same as last year). For 2011 graduates, 78% of New Jersey students (86,515) sat for the SAT, which represents an increase of 800 students over 2010.
This year, the College Board introduced the “SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmark.” The College Board indicates that if a student earned a combined score of 1550, s/he has a 65 percent probability of achieving a B- grade point average or better in the freshman year of college. 43% of test-takers meet this new SAT Benchmark, which was developed in order to help schools, districts, and states evaluate whether more students are graduating from their high schools college-ready from one year to the next. Unfortunately, the average New Jersey high school senior scored 42 points below this SAT Benchmark.
Click here for more information about the New Jersey SAT results. Our next blog post will go over these results for the ACT.
Common App Preview Now Available
July 18, 2011
The Common Application (“Common App”) will go online on August 1st. Until that time, you can check out the application in “preview” mode by clicking here.
The Common App is an undergraduate college admission application that students utilize to apply to any of the member institutions located within the United States. It serves to promote college admissions through the use of both subjective criteria (e.g., essays and recommendations) and objective criteria ( e.g., GPA and standardized exam scores). Simply put, the Common App streamlines the college application process for students choosing to apply to its member colleges.
In addition to the main essay (see our post, Common Application Essay Limits Word Count, for information about the new 500 word limitation), member colleges may require additional supplements for items not already requested on the Common App. These typically represent questions that would not be considered “common” for all institutions, such as “Did your parent attend our university?” and the like. Additional essays and questions may also be required by member colleges, with the following caveats:
- Supplement questions may not re-ask questions already asked on the Common App (except identifying information like name, address, date of birth, etc.), and
- Supplement questions may not ask questions that violate the National Association for College Admission Couseling’s Statement of Principles and Good Practice (such as “please rank order your college choices”).
As of August 1, 2011, the Common Application website will list 463 colleges and universities as members, including 62 public institutions. You can go online and sign up, returning to fill in information as often as you like until you are ready to submit it to any of the member colleges.
Have a question for us about the Common App? Contact us at info@top-tiertutoring.com, or call us at 973.243.1212.
‘Tis The Summer Before College – 7 Tips To Get You Ready
June 16, 2011
Congratulation
s! You just received your high school diploma! It’s time to celebrate! For many recent grads, this is exactly how you should be feeling right now. Soak it in and enjoy your accomplishment!
By the time the calendar turns to July, however, you should be starting to prepare for your next milestone: being a College Freshman. Time to become physically, mentally and emotionally ready to go from being a high school senior to starting over at a new school, in possibly a new state, with new people all around. Feel overwhelmed? Here are seven tips to help you get ready for this exciting time:
- Get a check-up. Most colleges require a physical before enrolling, so take care of this requirement. Ask your doctor if you should be taking any vitamins or other medicines while you’re away at college. Make sure you stock up on them, or at least have a prescription to be filled while you’re on campus. While you’re at it, get checked by your family dentist and eye doctor too! One other item: find out what your health insurance coverage is, and put the membership card(s) in your wallet.
- Buy some new clothes. Nothing makes you feel more confident than showing up for class in a new outfit. Check out your wardrobe and purchase new items at your favorite stores – which may not be located in your college town.
- Go on facebook and “meet” your new roommate. Most colleges will let you know sooner rather than later who your freshman roommate is going to be. Go online and meet them well in advance of move in day! This way, you’ll feel more confident and hopefully already have a friend on campus, even if you’re the only one from your high school attending that college.
- Think ahead about your dorm room. Scope out comforters, sheets, pillows and lamps. Absolutely can’t live without that shaving cream or shampoo? Prefer a certain notebook, pen or highlighter? Is your computer “college ready”? Try to think ahead and purchase all the necessities that you want to have with you on campus. After all, mom and dad won’t be there to give you the comforts of home.
- Money, money, money. This one may take some pre-planning. You need to consider how you are going to be financially fit while away from your regular ATM machine. Check to see if your bank has a branch on or near your campus. If not, see what banks do and be prepared to open up an account there when you arrive. Talk with your parents about getting a credit or debit card, and find out your spending limits. Set up a budget. You are going to be venturing forth as an independent young adult, so you need to get your financial house in order!
- Fill out the forms. Your college will be sending you a lot of forms to fill out, including your course selections. Take your time with these, but do return them on time. Also, when you’re looking over all of this material, mark down the date for orientation – when your real adventure begins!
- Do your homework. Yes, some college courses assign homework before class even starts! If you’re one of these lucky students, be sure to arrive on campus with all of your work completed!
We hope these tips will enable you to feel confident as you leave high school behind, and begin your exciting journey in college!
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Common Application Essay Limits Word Count
June 5, 2011
The College Board (“the Board”) has determined to reinstate a prior word limit on the Common Application (“Common App”) essay, after several years of experimenting with having no upper limit. Beginning on August 1st of 2011 (the opening of the Common App window), the maximum word count will be changed to 500. The 250 word minimum remains unchanged.
The impetus for this change appears to have arisen as a result of complaints coming from college admissions officers. As a consequence of lengthy, rambling and unfocussed essays that were submitted, Common App member colleges and universities have repeatedly pressed the Board to reconsider capping the length of the Common App essay. Therefore, as if the college application process is not already stressful enough, students must now face the added challenge of having to distinguish themselves from their peers through a more restricted platform with which to express their thoughts.
Undoubtedly, many students will hail this decision as lightening their college application burden. However, such a view is imprudent in that it stems from a dearth of guidance and a regrettably common lack of aptitude in developing composition creatively, coherently and concisely among high school students. High schoolers cheering the limitation are, perhaps, the very ones requiring the most flexibility. Without the cap, those students maintaining written competency would generally be capable of communicating effectively and succinctly, making a maximum word count irrelevant. On the other hand, applicants whose areas of strength reside more within the realms of math, science or the arts, might be hard-pressed to adequately convey a flavor of who they are by using the medium of writing.
This change to the Common App essay is notable, given that our society is moving toward shorter forms of communication. For example, microblogging sites such as Twitter only allow 140 characters per tweet, or approximately 28 words. To put this new requirement in common parlance, college applicants may be able to include the equivalent of 23 tweets in their Common App essay.
Ultimately, this discussion is an academic one, as a decision has been made that appears unopen for debate. All 2011 applicants must prepare to submit thoughtful essays, where every word is carefully weighed and considered, owing to the constraint of brevity that is now being imposed upon them. One cannot help but wonder what outcome may have ensued, had the Board submitted this anticipated adjustment directly to the public (e.g., counselors, teachers, parents, students, etc.), as a proposal for consideration, even a mere 2 or 3 years prior to actually instituting the change. At the risk of sounding naïve, is it too farfetched to believe that an announced, upcoming reduction in word count might possibly have prompted at least some faculties to increase their emphases on writing skills preemptively? Alas, we’ll never know.
Working closely with a college applicant on his or her Common App essay, college counselors must ensure that it pithily provides a snapshot of the student’s individuality to admissions officers. This blog post comprises 500 words.
Check out our College Pennant Wall!
November 24, 2010
Top-Tier's Class of 2014 (not pictured: The Cooper Union)
At Top-Tier Tutoring, we love to celebrate our clients’ successes. The Class of 2014 is now in college – our first graduating class! – and we are extremely proud of their achievements.
In order to recognize our students’ choices of colleges, we have obtained pennants from each of their post-high school selections. Feel free to stop by to see the “Wall of Pennants”!
As of right now, the schools represented are the following:
- Rutgers – Allison & Lauren
- Muhlenberg – Amanda
- Northeastern – Becca
- Villanova – Colin
- Montclair State – Erica
- Gettysburg – Katie
- University of Delaware – Kyle
- Essex County College – Lisa
- NYU – Matt
- The Cooper Union – Rob
We look forward to growing our “Wall of Pennants” throughout the years! Congratulations to all Top-Tier students with their college careers!!
We welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Tips for Campus Visits
November 17, 2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, offers tips and advice for parents and students when going to visit college campuses.
During the podcast, Mike first recommends that you go on the internet and do some “virtual tours” of the colleges in which you are interested. While virtual tours cannot replace actually visiting the campus, they are a good place to start trying to narrow down your college list.
Listen as Mike gives advice about when to visit campuses (hint: during class sessions is the best time). After you have made up your itinerary, your next step should be contacting the college admissions offices and scheduling tours and your attendance at any information sessions offered. Mike explains that some colleges take note of who takes their tours, which may play a role in the admissions process. If available, during your campus visit is also a great time for your college interview, so be sure to ask about this opportunity when arranging your tour.
Mike provides excellent tips about what you should do while on campus, including eating in the cafeteria, as this food will be replacing your mom’s cooking for four years! Very importantly, take good notes and photos, as you will be referring back to these after all of your acceptances are in. Happy touring!
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Strategies for Student Success
August 4, 2010
Mike and Rhonda Rivera, co-founders of Top-Tier Tutoring, are featured in “Navigating College Admissions” – a guide put together by StudentAdvisor.com. The article (which is on pages 20-21) offers 10 strategies for high school students to apply with an eye toward college admissions. Tips include start early, volunteer, take challenging courses and don’t shortchange the essays. Click here to go to this online guide.
Common App Online TODAY!
August 1, 2010
Attention all high school Seniors “to be” – the Common Application (a/k/a the Common App) is now online and ready for you! Anyone who is going to be applying to college for admission in the Fall or Spring 2011 should go to the Common App site and start working on the forms.
While application deadlines are months away, now is the time to get a head start on the forms. After all, high school hasn’t started up yet, so there’s no time like the present!
If you need help creating a school list, finding a topic for your college essay, drafting your academic resume, preparing for college interviews or anything else related to the college application process, feel free to contact us. We offer college counseling to students in our West Orange, NJ center — or to anyone over the internet via Skype. We’d love to help you achieve your dreams!
Don’t procrastinate – start working on the Common App today!
Common Application Goes Online August 1, 2010
July 1, 2010
The Common Application (commonly called the “Common App”) is going to be available to students applying to colleges starting on August 1, 2010. This is one full month later than usual so that secondary schools that close in June can use the Online School Forms System to submit their Final Reports through mid-July, according to the Common App’s website.
We highly recommend that students go to the Common App website and use the “preview” tool to review all that the Common App entails. Starting this year, the Common App has (1) a combined Activities and Work section, (2) a new Academics section with revised self-reporting testing instructions, and (3) online submission of NACAC fee waiver for students with limited financial resources and who also meet the National Association for College Admissions Counseling’s requirements for application waivers.
The Common Application membership association provides common, standardized first-year and transfer application forms for use at any member institution. Today, nearly 400 institutions are members in the association, which represents the full range of higher education institutions in the United States, including public and private institutions of every size and selectivity. With the press of a single button, you can submit your application to many colleges and universities. To see a list of all the member institutions, click here.
Many of our clients use a combination of the Common App and individual schools’ applications when applying to college. In addition, specific schools may have their own supplements that are required to be submitted in order for your application to be complete. You must pay special attention to all of the application requirements for each of your schools.
We welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
What Is College Counseling?
June 2, 2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, discusses what is, exactly, college counseling – and what it is not.
Mike Rivera, college counselor, with student
You probably have heard the term “college counseling” bandied about in several different contexts. During this podcast, Mike discusses what is encompassed by this term – guiding high school students through the college application process, understanding the student’s interests, goals and ambitions, recommending classes, extracurricular activities and volunteer work, crafting a college list, counseling about the required essays, obtaining recommendations, coordinating college visits, preparing for the college interview – the list goes on and on! College counseling also includes managing expectations and setting reasonable goals, both for the student and the parents. The best part of college counseling, Mike admits, is celebrating acceptances.
During the podcast, Mike does offer a word of caution. No college counselor can offer a guarantee of admission to a particular college or university. Please keep this fact in mind when looking for a qualified college counselor!
New Service: College Counseling Over The Internet
May 13, 2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this
podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, introduces our listeners to a new service being offered: College Counseling over the internet! Now, students who are not geographically located near our center in West Orange, NJ, will have access to the same outstanding college counseling as those living nearby!
Listen as Mike explains the logistics of how the service will work. Using Skype, the popular web-telecommunication free software made popular by Oprah Winfrey, Top-Tier Tutoring’s college counselors will be able to work directly with your son or daughter. Students will receive the same guidance, only instead of being across the table, your child will be looking at his or her counselor live via webcam. Of course, you can feel free to sit in on the session as well!
Where Do I Go From Here?
April 21, 2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, the very enormous task of creating a college list is tackled by Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor at Top-Tier Tutoring.
When faced 
with answering the question about where they are going to apply to college, many high school sophomores and juniors feel at a loss. The process of creating a comprehensive and appropriate list can be daunting. Crafting a list based upon name recognition or where friends are attending will not yield the best results for the individual student. The podcast takes aim at this topic and offers concrete guidelines to help you on your quest.
Mike first asks you to look inward. What are your general areas of interest? Do you want to be close to home? Are you interested in a city or a rural setting? How important are job placement and internships to you? Mike identifies many more factors in the podcast. Mike’s advice: take a self-assessment before jumping into books, the web and college fairs!
Once you have a master list, so to speak, now it’s time to refine it. In order to narrow your list down to the 8 to 12 colleges to which you will actually apply, you should look for reach, match and safety schools, with the highest number being in the “match” category. Then, time and budget permitting, try to visit each of these campuses and take great notes – you may need them to help you decide among your acceptances!
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
A Reply To Recent Article About College Prep Advisors
April 7, 2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Mike Rivera recording this podcast
In this podcast, Mike Rivera – co-founder, tutor and college counselor with Top-Tier Tutoring – responds to a recent article published on SmartMoney.com, which has been picked up and disseminated on the web in various forms. The article, entitled “10 Things College-Prep Advisors Won’t Tell You” identifies ten allegedly deceptive practices of the college counseling industry. To read the full article, click here.
In his rebuttal, Mike debunks each of the ten topics brought up in the article. For example, in responding to the “your high school guidance counselor can do this for free” argument, he references the study by Dr. Patricia McDonough that determined a high school student will spend approximately 38 minutes per year with his or her guidance counselor for college advising. Click here to read Dr. McDonough’s comprehensive study. He also points to the recent Public Agenda report, “Can I Get A Little Advice Here?” This report finds that six in ten young adults who had gone on to further education gave their high school counseling poor grades for college advice. To go to the Public Agenda report, click here. Clearly, you get what you pay for.
This podcast is not a rant, but rather a thoughtful reply to a superficial article. Mike points out when the article is correct, but wants our listeners to understand the limitations of the guidance department – and those of independent counselors as well.
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Extracurricular Activities Admissions Officers Love
March 24, 2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike Rivera offers some insights into what admissions officers look for in the college applicant’s extracurricular activities column. In short, quality triumphs over quantity every time.
Mike discusses that an admissions officer seeks to round out the college class with students who will make a meaningful contribution. Consequently, high school students who exhibit leadership and dedication – and therefore good time management skills – are looked upon favorably. In addition, meaningful participation in activities outside of school such as community, church or travel, are similarly viewed with favor. Read more
About Rolling Admissions
March 10, 2010
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In this podcast, Mike Rivera discusses the topic of “Rolling Admissions.” This term means that the college imposes no strict deadline for application submission; applicants will be accepted so long as space is available within the freshman class. While a minority of colleges follow Rolling Admissions, colleges that do offer Rolling Admissions generally will make a decision regarding a candidate within a couple of weeks after receiving the application.
Mike’s advice for students contemplating applying to a Rolling Admissions college? Don’t wait! Given these economic times and the fact that more people than ever are applying to colleges, all universities are more selective than ever. The earlier you apply, the better your chances will be for being accepted. In addition, scholarship opportunities, financial aid offers and housing are more readily available the earlier you apply and are accepted. Read more
Guidance Counselor Realities
February 24, 2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Is 38 Minutes Enough?
In this podcast, Mike Rivera poses the question: “Is 38 minutes enough?” This question derives from a study by Dr. Patricia McDonough that found that an average student will spend only 38 minutes per year with his or her high school guidance counselor discussing college counseling and/or career counseling.
Now, this fact is through no fault of the high school guidance counselors themselves. It is based upon the realities of numbers. While the American School Counselor Association recommends 1 guidance counselor per 100 students, the national average is 1:315 (or much more) in public high schools and 1:241 in private schools.
During the podcast, Mike offers questions for parents to ask the high school office regarding this issue. He also recommends seeking external college counseling to best position the high school student for success in college and beyond.
Source: Sanders, B. (2008, January 18). Parents – Guidance at School May Not be Enough. Retrieved January 18, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Parents---Guidance-at-School-May-Not-be-Enough&id=935539
As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Your ACADEMIC Resume
October 27, 2009
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike Rivera discusses a unique way students can stand out in the college admissions process: providing an academic resume. Make sure to listen to the podcast for a special offer just for our listeners!
In this twist on the traditional job resume, your academic resume markets you to colleges. It focuses on your strengths and shows how you will make the most out of what the university has to offer. Your academic resume lists your interests and identifies what you intend to do after college.
Also, do not shy away from your weaknesses; your academic resume is your opportunity to show how you are working to rectify a possible perceived flaw. For example, if you have a low GPA or SAT/ACT scores, indicate that you are taking summer courses or tutoring to improve your results. Have historically few volunteer experiences? Create a solution by listing a new volunteer position you have just begun.
We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Tips on Writing an Effective College Application Essay
October 7, 2009
So, you’re sitting down before a blank computer screen, trying to figure out what to write for your college application essay. You’ve already written what seems to be hundreds of essays for your high school teachers, but this one is different. You’re not summarizing a book, or commenting on a news event – you’re trying to write the most persuasive essay about yourself possible; one that will make you stand out, get noticed and hopefully accepted by the college of your choice!
In an effort to try to help you write an effective college application essay, we’ve compiled the following tips: Read more
The Ins and Outs of Early Decision versus Early Action
September 26, 2009
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike Rivera discusses the somewhat complicated early college application processes. Mike first discusses who should consider applying to colleges early – mainly, those students who are confident that they know where they want to spend the next four years gaining higher education. He then outlines the benefits, such as 25%-50% of acceptances come from this pool, as well as the early November deadlines imposed. He cautions from the outset that each school maintains their own peculiar process and requirements, so be sure to check the college’s application for college-specific details. Read more
ACT versus SAT – What’s Best For You?
August 23, 2009
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike Rivera takes you on a tour of the two major standardized tests looked at by college admissions officers: the ACT and the SAT. He traces the origins of both exams, and the varying skills they are meant to test.
The SAT is designed to test a student’s test taking skills and innate ability, as it was designed based upon the IQ test. It runs three hours and forty-five minutes, has 140 questions and tests critical readying, writing and math. The perfect score is 2400; 1/4 point is deducted for each incorrect answer.
On the other hand, the ACT tests scholastic achievement, and it was designed based upon the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. The ACT is three hours and twenty-five minutes long, has 215 questions and tests math, English, reading, science and writing. The perfect score is a 36. No points are deducted for a wrong answer.
Both the SAT and the ACT are accepted at virtually every college. Starting with the class of 2010, the SAT joins the ACT in allowing you to select which scores (entire test) to send to the colleges. The bottom line: take practice exams for both exams to determine with which test you’re most comfortable. Then, study for that one, and get the best score possible!
We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
Ways to Stand Out in a (College Admissions) Crowd
July 21, 2009
College Admissions. These two words strike fear in many students’ hearts, as they only think about grade point average and
standardized test scores. There’s nothing wrong with focusing on these components, as they do play a very significant role in the college application process. However, colleges are much more expansive in their review of an applicant’s submission, as they seek students who demonstrate more than simply classroom success. Admittedly, a student’s academic grades and mix of courses will be the most important factors admissions officers will consider; nevertheless, it’s also very important that students endeavor to excel in areas outside of the classroom.
What types of activities catch an admissions officer’s eye? A whole range of things! Students should become involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, volunteer organizations and part-time jobs. In addition, strive to take on leadership roles within your chosen activities. Don’t feel stymied by a seeming lack of opportunities, either. For instance, if a club that interests you doesn’t currently exist at your school (e.g., fencing), take the initiative and start the club yourself. Being the founder of a particular club really enhances your academic resume by demonstrating your leadership and initiative. Read more
Common Application Goes Online July 1st
June 26, 2009
The window for the Common Application (the “Common App”) will be opening on July 1st. What is the Common App, you ask? It is an undergraduate college admission application that students utilize to apply to any of the member institutions located within the United States. It serves to promote college admissions through the use of both subjective criteria (e.g., essays and recommendations) and objective criteria ( e.g., GPA and standardized exam scores). Simply put, the Common App streamlines the college application process for students choosing to apply to its member colleges.
College Applicants on Social Networking Sites Beware, They “Know What You Did Last Summer.”
May 21, 2009
Students should proceed with caution on social networking sites.
High-school students have enough on their minds with regard to course selection, GPA and exam scores, to name a few. Now another concern adds a challenging dimension to the college application process. Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites can potentially derail a student’s aspirations about getting into the college of their choice.
A recent survey found that approximately 10% of admissions officers routinely review the social-networking pages of their student applicants. More than a third of those that used the online information indicated that what they saw “negatively affected” their views of the applicant – a significantly higher percentage than those that indicated their views were improved, according to the survey by education company Kaplan, a unit of Washington Post Co. With the explosion of social networking sites, it is reasonable to assume that more and more admissions officers will add their review to the entrance checklist. Read more
