New Identification Procedures for the SAT and ACT

May 1, 2012

We’re sure that most of you have heard about the big SAT cheating scandal on Long Island, where students paid someone to take their SAT tests for them.  In some cases, the student sitting for the test was male, but the person he was taking the test for was female!  Needless to say, when this was discovered, both the SAT and ACT had to take a long, hard look at their policies for admission to testing sites.  This post outlines what you now need to bring with you when you sit for either the SAT or ACT.  (For more information about the cheating scandal, click here.)

Be on the look-out, however, as new procedures are slated to be enacted in the fall.  These new procedures are expected to require that a photograph be sent in when you register for the test, which image must match your identification produced at the testing site.  (Click here for more info.)

SAT

For those taking the SAT, you must bring your Admission Ticket, at least two number 2 pencils and a soft eraser, an approved calculator and approved photo identification.  In addition, you may also want to bring a watch (without audible alarm), back-up batteries, a backpack and drinks or snacks (for the breaks).  On the other hand, do not bring scratch paper, books, study guides, your cell phone or MP3 player (or other electronic devices), highlighters, alarms, compass/ruler, etc. or a digital camera or other recording device.

With respect to the new Identification Policy, you must bring a photo ID that is issued either by a governmental organization or your current school, be original, valid and current.  The ID must have your full name exactly as it appears on your admission ticket, your photo and be in good condition.  For example, you may bring your Driver’s License or non-driver ID card, your school student ID card or your passport.  Forms of ID that are NOT acceptable are photocopies, expired, non-photo, credit card, birth certificate or social security card.  For more information, click here.)

ACT

For the ACT, the Identification procedures require that you bring a current/valid official photo id, or letter of identification issued by your school, a high school transcript with photo issued by your school or a notarized statement with your photo.  You cannot use your ACT admission ticket, birth certificate, credit/debit cards, employee ID card, social security card or web page with a photo, among other things.  For much a more detailed list of what forms of identification are acceptable for the ACT, click here.)

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!

What the Pre-Halloween Blizzard Taught Us

November 8, 2011

Here in West Orange, New Jersey, we are shocked to see a snowflake fall before Thanksgiving.  Any accumulating snow before Christmas is considered highly implausible.  After all, this is New Jersey – home of the Jersey Shore – and not Maine or Colorado!

Too bad no one told Mother Nature.  On October 29, 2011, the Saturday before Halloween, we were clobbered with at least 8 inches of heavy, wet snow.  Mind you, the week before, it was nearly 70 degrees outside, and the trees were just starting to turn.  This

“perfect storm” set the stage for an unprecedented Nor’easter in our “neck of the woods” (as Al Roker likes to say).

In West Orange and surrounding communities, thousands were without power for days.  Trees and tree limbs lined all of the streets, and even went through some roofs and cars.  Schools were closed through Wednesday.  Even Trick-or-Treat night was rescheduled!

Thankfully, while people were displaced, discomforted and/or delayed, no one was hurt here (that I’m aware of).  Residents relocated to area hotels with generators to keep warm, moved food from their refrigerators to neighbors’ with power, and relied on area Wi-Fi hotspots to connect to the internet.

Now that we are getting back to normal finally, what did we learn about this highly unanticipated and unwelcome snowfall in October?  Mind you, this all occurred right before the Early Action/Early Decision deadlines for most colleges!  Here is some of what we learned:

• Give yourself some time with the deadlines.  Try to be finished at least 1 week ahead – after all, you never know when a freak snowstorm will hit!
• Be organized.  In case you need to leave your home in a hurry, or just need to pack up to go to the library, it’s always easier to have all of your materials in one designated place.  If you’re preparing for the SAT or ACT, keep your registration ticket, pencils, calculator and study guides in one pile.  Creating your college list?  Another pile!
• Have back-ups! Your personal essay should be on at least two different computers, or the cloud.  If something should happen to your laptop, like your little sister spilling water on it, you don’t want to lose all of your hard work.
• Be flexible.  If a natural disaster happens, realize that it’s most important to make sure your family is safe.  As soon as you are able, contact the “powers that be” to see if anything can be rescheduled.  For example, last spring when New Jersey was suffering with flooding, the ACT was postponed for a couple of weeks.  Remember, if Mother Nature has impacted your ability to travel, many others are probably in the same boat and accommodations may be made.

What other tricks have you used to handle bad weather?  We’d love to hear from you!

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 15^th, 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!

Ear on Careers – Dr. Joshua Lachowicz, Veterinarian

October 17, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Dr. Joshua Lachowicz, who is a veterinarian who specializes in oncology.

Dr. Josh received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a major in Biology.  He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary  Dr. Josh completed his internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Long Island Veterinary Specialists in Plainview, New York, and his residency at the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center in Norwalk, CT.  Dr. Josh is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (oncology specialty). He currently works with four-legged patients at BluePearl Veterinary Partners LLC, formerly NYC Veterinary Specialists.

Listen as Dr. Josh describes what he does as a Veterinary Oncologist, noting that caring for the human parents’ emotional needs is as important as treating the pet.  He offers our listeners a glimpse into a “typical” day as a vet.  He also shares his favorite stories, gives insights into what surprises him the most in the field and offers wonderful tips for those listeners who want to become a veterinarian.  We hope this podcast gives you a feel of what it is like to work in the very rewarding field of veterinary medicine!

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s premiere “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.”  This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

 

We welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

 

SAT and ACT Scores – Comparing Apples to Apples

October 10, 2011

At Top-Tier Tutoring, we always tell our new standardized test prep clients that they should take both the SAT and ACT once, and then retake the one on which they scored better.  They study primarily for the SAT, take it, study for the ACT and then take that exam.  Then they get their scores for both and ask us to interpret them – how to tell which one they did better on other than their gut feelings about which test they preferred.

At first glance, this seems to be a tricky proposition.  The SAT is based on a 2400 point scale, with 800 being the perfect score in each of the 3 sections (math, critical reading, writing).  The ACT, on the other hand, gives a composite score based on a 36 point scale, with 36 being the perfect score in each of the 5 sections (English, math, reading, science, writing).  So, unless you receive a 2400 or a 36, how do you translate the scores?

The answer is simple:  a Concordance Table.  OK, “concordance” is an SAT word, meaning “similarity or agreement between two or more things” (thank you, Encarta Dictionary).  If you google “concordance table” you will see numerous results.  The ACT has a handy one here.

So, for example, assume that Jane (not her real name) took both the SAT and ACT and scored 2080 and 28, respectively.  According to the Concordance Table, her ACT composite score is the equivalent of 1860-1910 on the SAT.  Therefore, she performed better on the SAT and, if she wants, will retake only that exam.

As another example, Jack (not his real name) also took both the SAT and ACT, scoring 1520 and 24, respectively.  The Concordance Table shows that his ACT composite score is equal to approximately 1620-1670 on the SAT.  He, clearly, scored higher on the ACT and will retake only that test.

We hope this post helps you to compare “apples to apples” between your SAT and ACT scores (and taught you a new vocab word in the process)!

ACT Results for 2011 Grads

September 27, 2011

In this 2^nd 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.

‘Tis The Summer Before College – 7 Tips To Get You Ready

June 16, 2011

 

Congratulations!  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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. 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!
7. 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 1^st 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.

Insider’s Peak Into The Cooper Union

March 16, 2011

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In this podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, interviews Top-Tier alum and The Cooper Union freshman Robert Brumer.

During the podcast, Rob shares what drew him to attend The Cooper Union among all of his college acceptances.  He gives a great overview of what life is like at The Cooper Union as a freshman, including the social life, lack of meal plan, the one dorm and the campus.  Located in the East Village of New York City, The Cooper Union consists of four buildings, including the dorm!

Listen as Rob describes his classes, his professors and his biggest surprises at The Cooper Union.  He offers great advice to students contemplating applying to his school, especially the importance of writing good essays.  One very unusual aspect of The Cooper Union is that you must declare your major when you are applying and submit a short essay about your choice.  For Rob, his major is in biomedical engineering, and he intends to continue his education in medical school.  Rob states that The Cooper Union is less about competition and more about community because of its size.

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 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!

2010-2011 SAT and ACT test dates and deadlines

July 29, 2010

The new school year is almost here, believe it or not!  And with the new school calendar comes the new schedule for the SATs and ACTs.

Check out our updated page for all of the important dates for these standardized tests:  when the test dates are, regular registration deadlines and late registration deadlines.  Make sure to secure your seat for your preferred date and time by signing up early!  Plus, why pay late fees?  Click here for our page of the 2010-2011 SAT and ACT test dates and deadlines.  Then, contact us to help you prepare!

Remember to become a fan on facebook or to  follow us on twitter to see our reminder tweets about all of the deadlines!

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.

The Benefits of Private Tutoring

June 16, 2010

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In this podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, tutor and college counselor with Top-Tier Tutoring, discusses the benefits that can be achieved in one-on-one tutoring.

During the podcast, Mike gives a historical overview of private tutoring as mainly for the affluent members of society.  In today’s world, many students are taking advantage of private tutoring as a way to either help understand topics taught in class, or to stimulate academic challenges, or to help achieving students score even higher on standardized tests ranging from the SAT to the ACT to AP exams.  Having a tutor is seen as a cool, status symbol.

Listen as Mike offers insightful questions that you should ask any prospective tutor before making a hiring decision.  One of the most important questions to ask is the teaching methodology of the tutor, or the tutoring center, you are considering.  Specifically, you will want to know if the private tutoring is curriculum-based or is constructed around your child’s exact needs.  Simply because tutoring is going to be one-on-one does not necessarily mean that the sessions will be tailored to the student’s needs.

Mike provides you with great information when you are starting to search for a tutor.  The benefits of private, non-curriculum based tutoring, such as offered at Top-Tier Tutoring, are well documented and, in many cases, dramatic.  Of course, the tutor cannot do the student’s homework, but working together as a team, superior results can be achieved.

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.

What Is College Counseling?

June 2, 2010

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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.

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!

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New Service: College Counseling Over The Internet

May 13, 2010

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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!

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Ear on Careers – Joseph Mitzenmacher, Law Librarian

May 6, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Joseph Mitzenmacher, a Reference and Electronic Services Librarian at Loyola University Chicago School of Law in Chicago, Illinois, http://www.luc.edu/law_library/.

Joe holds both a B.A. in Economics and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Upon graduating from law school, he practiced law for a few years but did not find it to be as satisfying as he had hoped.  After doing some research, he found the related field of law librarian and obtained his Master’s Degree in Library Science from Dominican University.

In the podcast, Joe explains that a law librarian assumes an educational role by answering reference questions and teaching legal research classes.  He also acts as a liason with the faculty as well as with electronic service vendors.  Listen as Joe discusses a typical day for him in the library, shares his surprises in the field and offers a “war story” about hunting down a source for a King Henry VIII statute about coining money.  In addition, Joe provides excellent tips and recommendations for those listeners considering a very rewarding career as a law librarian.

We hope this podcast gives you insight into becoming a law librarian, a challenging field that combines a law degree with teaching and research in an academic field.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.”  This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback and ideas.  Please submit a comment below, send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Where Do I Go From Here?

April 21, 2010

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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.

Free Seminar Gives You The Complete College Planning Edge!

April 18, 2010

On May 4, 2010, Mike and Rhonda Rivera of Top-Tier Tutoring and A1 College Funding will present a free seminar, “Get the Complete College Planning Edge” at West Orange High School.

Parents and students in high school are welcome to come and learn insider tips and strategies to being accepted into the college of their dreams -  and how to pay for it!

The workshop will take place at West Orange High School, 51 Conforti Avenue in West Orange, NJ,  starting at 7 pm.  While the workshop is free, registration is a must – call 973.243.1212 to reserve your seat today!

Ear on Careers – Amy Gideon, Internet Professional

April 14, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers, we are pleased to welcome Amy Gideon, co-owner of Tag Online, Inc., based in Clifton, New Jersey.

Amy discusses how she didn’t really apply herself in high school and, as a result, attended Hofstra University for one year before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.  Knowing that she wanted to transfer, she worked diligently at Hofstra, achieving a 4.0 GPA.  At the University of Pennsylvania, Amy double majored in Decision Science (now called Information Science) and Finance.  It was at the University of Pennsylvania that she met her future husband and business partner at Tag Online, Andrew.  Both she and Andrew earned their Masters Degrees in Computer Science from New York University.

In the podcast, Amy discusses how she was involved with the internet well before it was available for mass consumption.  She also outlines her progression from programmer to sales and marketing at TAG Online.  In her current role, she also manages client and staff.  Listen as Amy shares her surprises in her industry as well as some potentially horrifying war stories.  Amy offers advice for those thinking about a career as an internet professional:  do what you love and learn it inside and out.

We hope this podcast provides you with food for thought if you are interested in a career as an internet professional – a truly dynamic and evolving field!

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s premiere career day podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.”  This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

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

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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

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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

College Prep Boot Camp – May 16, 2010

March 9, 2010

On Sunday, May 16, 2010, Top-Tier Tutoring is offering a one-day intensive, interactive workshop series that will give your high school junior a jump start on the college planning and application process, at College Prep Boot Camp.  For much more information about the weekend that will change your child’s future, click here!

Guidance Counselor Realities

February 24, 2010

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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.

Meet Meghan McGeehan, Spanish Tutor

February 9, 2010

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In this podcast, Mike Rivera introduces our listeners to Meghan McGeehan.  Meghan is a Spanish language arts tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, who has developed an affinity for Spain and its culture, and imparts her enthusiasm for all things Spanish on to her students.

Meghan holds a B.S. in Spanish and Criminal Justice from Penn State University.  She has her Master’s Degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Middlebury College.  Her studies have taken her to Sevilla and Madrid, and she has taught in Madrid for two years.  Meghan also is a Spanish teacher at Morristown-Beard High School in Morristown, NJ.

Read more

March 30 – Free Workshop Offers the Complete College Planning Edge!

January 30, 2010

On March 30, 2010, Mike and Rhonda Rivera of Top-Tier Tutoring and A1 College Funding will present a free workshop, “Get the Complete College Planning Edge” at Verona High School.

Parents and students in high school are welcome to come and learn insider tips and strategies to being accepted into the college of their dreams -  and how to pay for it!

The workshop will take place at Verona High School, 151 Fairview Avenue in Verona, NJ,  starting at 7 pm.  While the workshop is free, registration is a must – call 973.243.1212 to reserve your seat today!

Is the PSAT really the best indicator of SAT scores?

January 30, 2010

The Preliminary SAT (“PSAT”), was created to serve as a practice test for the SAT Reasoning Test.  Many argue that performance on the PSAT is, generally, a good indicator of how students will achieve on the SAT.  As indicators go, it is certainly satisfactory.  However, in our experience, college applicants, and their parents, are looking for something more than merely “satisfactory.”  They seek a solid indication of what the student is likely to achieve on the actual SAT exam.  Be forewarned:  adding a “0” to the PSAT scores and assuming that your SAT scores automatically will be at those levels, without study or preparation, is a dangerous assumption.

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Year in Review: 2009

December 30, 2009

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In this podcast, Mike and Rhonda Rivera discuss the successes and challenges they faced at Top-Tier Tutoring over the past year, its first in operation. From starting a business from scratch, getting known in the community, to wonderful success stories, the co-founders of Top-Tier Tutoring share their ups and downs with their listeners. Listen to the podcast to see how far the company has come in one year, and what the new year has in store!

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Ear on Careers – Steven Janett, Real Estate Broker

December 21, 2009

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Steven Janett, a real estate broker. Steve currently is the Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Prudential New Jersey Properties, www.prudentialnewjersey.com. Steve has won many awards, including “REALTOR of the Year” from both the New Jersey Association of Realtors and the West Essex Board of Realtors.

Steve graduated from Stockton State College, with a major in business and minors in finance and real estate. His late father had started a real estate office in 1954 and, after graduating, Steve soon joined the family business. He really enjoys the fact that real estate is not a 9 to 5 business, but rather is very flexible according to the client’s needs. Steve started as a sales representative in his father’s office, became a broker within two years and sales manager three years later. Today, in his role as Senior Vice President and Regional Manager, Steve oversees many offices in the Prudential New Jersey real estate corporate structure. He supports managers and sales people in their efforts to provide the best real estate experience for their clients.

When asked about the biggest surprises in real estate, Steve noted the legal complexities involved with riders and inspections. His advice to aspiring real estate specialists is to get a solid educational background, join a good broker that has a training program and to remember that real estate is all about relationship building. Steve notes the impact that technology is having on real estate agents and how real estate is marketed and sold. Even in this economy, the second half of 2009 has been a great time in real estate for Steve!

We hope that Steve’s story will inspire you to consider a career in real estate, a challenging field that combines relationship building, legal knowledge and technology with the possibility of great rewards.

Top-Tier Tutoring is very excited to bring you the web’s first “career day” podcast series – what we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more.

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

Your ACADEMIC Resume

October 27, 2009

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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

 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

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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

Ear on Careers – Bernard O’Rourke, College Professor

August 26, 2009

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Bernard O’Rourke, an associate College Professor in International Business at Caldwell College in Caldwell, New Jersey. Caldwell College can be found on the web at www.caldwell.edu.

Bernie hails from Ireland, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees. After college, Bernie was sent by the Irish Government Development Office to the United States to promote inward investment to Ireland. While here, he met his wife, got his M.B.A. at Fordham University and held positions within various corporations.

In this podcast, Bernie discusses the different types of professorships. He shares his love of college campus life with our listeners, finding his role as Professor never tedious. Bernie genuinely enjoys teaching (and learning from) his students, and is extremely fulfilled in his chosen occupation.

His tip for aspiring college professors? Secure the best credentials by way of degrees. Experience counts, but credentials are key. We hope that Bernie’s story will inspire you to consider a career in academia!

We are very excited to bring to you another episode in the series we call “Ear on Careers.” This series of podcasts is designed to introduce our listeners to successful leaders in a variety of different fields, including business, industry, medicine, the arts, and so much more. Consider this your podcast “career day”!

We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.

ACT versus SAT – What’s Best For You?

August 23, 2009

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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.

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.

Read more

College Applicants on Social Networking Sites Beware, They “Know What You Did Last Summer.”

May 21, 2009

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

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