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!
Ear on Careers – Jerry Frungillo, Caterer
March 3, 2010
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Jerry Frungillo, Caterer
In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Jerry Frungillo, co-owner of Frungillo Caterers, www.frungillo.com.
Frungillo Caterers is a family-owned business, started by Jerry’s parents in 1973. Knowing that he was going to go into the family business, Jerry opted for a business major as his undergraduate degree from William Paterson University. He feels that is formal education provided a solid background into running a business, which complemented his previous life experiences, and offered much insight as he grew the business. Under Jerry’s stewardship with his brother Robert, Frungillo Caterers has grown from a single catering location to four banquet halls plus off-premise catering capabilities.
Guidance Counselor Realities
February 24, 2010
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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.
Ear on Careers – Kevin Slavin, Hospital President
February 17, 2010
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Kevin Slavin, Hospital President
In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Kevin Slavin, the President and Chief Executive Officer of East Orange General Hospital, www.evh.org.
Like so many people we’ve interviewed for this Ear on Careers series, Kevin does not work in the field of his undergraduate major: engineering from Rutgers University. In the podcast, Kevin explains how he first became interested in healthcare administration during his initial job search. This interest led him to the University of Colorado, where he did his graduate studies. Kevin first worked as an orderly/nurses aid and saw the hospital organization from the ground up.
Ear on Careers – Ryan Dorchak, Restaurateur
February 12, 2010
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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Ryan Dorchak, third generation restaurateur at the Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell, New Jersey, www.cloverleaftavern.com.
Ryan Dorchak, Restaurateur
Ryan grew up at the Cloverleaf Tavern, originally founded as a “man’s bar” by his grandfather in 1933. Knowing that he would enter the family business, Ryan graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, with a degree in marketing and a minor in finance. Both his major and minor contribute to the continuing success of the Cloverleaf Tavern, as Ryan employs “4-walls marketing” and keeps an eye on the finances to increase the restaurant’s profits even in these uncertain times.
Listen as Ryan explains the delicate balancing act he oversees as a restaurateur. Believe it or not, restaurants have the number 1 failure rate in the United States. While the restaurant opens for lunch at 11 am, Ryan’s day begins at 7 am attending to staff operations, finances and marketing, allowing him to be on the floor during the lunch and dinner rush. 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!
Free Workshop Gives You the Complete College Edge!
January 30, 2010
On February 23, 2010, Mike and Rhonda Rivera of Top-Tier Tutoring are teaming up with A1 College Funding to give students and parents the Complete College Planning Edge!
This educational two-hour workshop will offer insights and insider tips on how to get into the college of your child’s dreams – AND how to pay for it. The workshop is free, but the information is invaluable! Registration required – call 973.243.1212 today to reserve your seat!
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.
Ear on Careers – T. Jens Feeley, Ph.D., NASA
January 11, 2010
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In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome T. Jens Feeley, Ph.D., who works at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA). Dr. Feeley is a Senior Policy Analyst in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), http://nasascience.nasa.gov/, where he is responsible for SMD’s advisory committees and history activities. In addition, he is the SMD Lead Policy Analyst for Planetary Science.
T. Jens Feeley, Ph.D., NASA
At the tender age of 6, Jens witnessed Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon, and his fate was sealed. Politics were always hotly debated in the Feeley household growing up. So, space exploration, politics and political science are truly in Jens’s blood.
Jens earned his B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University in New Jersey, followed by an M.A. in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Jens was awarded his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Washington. His publications span a broad range of topics, including space policy, earthquake policy, the history of science policy, and science communications. He is also the author of a congressional study on Foreign-Trade Zones. His dissertation research explored partisan politics in the modern Congress, and documented the limitations on partisan ambition that result from the governing responsibilities of the majority. In addition, Jens worked as an intern in the Pentagon’s Office of International Security Affairs and was selected as a Presidential Management Fellow (Class of 1987). He has received numerous merit awards, including the NASA Exceptional Performance Award.
Jens has spent 16 of the past 23 years of his life working at NASA. In his current position as a Senior Policy Analyst, Jens prepares senior managers and scientists at NASA on how to best handle issues, testimony and presentations. Jens truly enjoys blending his writing skills with science, making even the most complex scientific hypotheses and discoveries accessible to everyone.
What has surprised Jens the most about working at NASA? His ability to interact with literally the smartest people in the world, who can break down extremely intricate concepts so that he is able to communicate them effectively to Congress and other interested parties. He enjoys learning about science and technology, two things that change on practically a daily basis at NASA. In addition, Jens derives satisfaction from the culture of interaction between people and ideas at NASA.
If you are considering a career at NASA, Jens recommends “preparing to be the best.” Such preparation should include internships that are available at such websites as http://university.gsfc.nasa.gov/programs/ (for NASA internships (paid & unpaid)) and http://www.studentjobs.gov/ (for summer jobs/student jobs – Government wide).
We hope that Jens’s story will inspire you to consider a career at NASA, even if you do not want to be a rocket scientist!
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.
Guest Blogger – Allison from Verona
January 7, 2010
In this post, we’ve asked Allison, a client here at Top-Tier Tutoring, to answer a few questions that many people ask us. A big thank you goes out to Allison for agreeing to be our “guest blogger.” We hope you find this information helpful!
How did Top-Tier Tutoring help you to prepare for the SAT and ACT? ALLISON: Top-Tier provided great practice to get me used to, and ready for, the SAT and ACT. I received practice specific to my needs to strengthen my test-taking abilities.
What surprised you the most about the tutoring you received at Top-Tier Tutoring? ALLISON: It was a relaxed atmosphere where I wasn’t pressured, and wasn’t afraid to make mistakes. I felt comfortable, so I was more receptive to new techniques.
What advice would you give to students getting ready to take the SAT and/or ACT? ALLISON: RELAX! It’s only one test, and it’s not the end of the world! It can be mastered, and is nothing to be afraid of.
Allison’s SAT math score improved 50 points with the help of Top-Tier Tutoring. She has been accepted into the University of Pittsburgh and Rutgers University, and is awaiting further acceptances before making her decision as to which college she will attend.
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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Steven Janett, Real Estate Broker
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.
Ear on Careers – James Nachbaur, Federal Agent
November 24, 2009
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In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome James Nachbaur, a federal agent with the Department of Homeland Security, www.dhs.gov. Due to the nature of James’s position, this podcast focuses more on federal law enforcement in general, rather than James’s specific job duties.
James Nachbaur, Federal Agent
James was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and graduated from Passaic County Community College (“PCCC”) and William Paterson University. After graduating with a degree in Communications in 1995, James entered the financial industry, where he worked until after the attacks of September 11th. He, like many, decided that he wanted to make a difference in the world and – after a brief time as the owner of an Applegate Farms franchise – was accepted into the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) in 2006. James was drawn to the DHS because of its opportunities to transfer within the department and thereby gain experience with a variety of different agencies.
James notes that PCCC was a great experience because the value was extremely high, he had great professors, and it allowed him to gain the maturity needed to continue for a four-year degree. At PCCC he majored in Criminal Justice but does not recommend that major for anyone considering a career in law enforcement because the Academy will teach you everything you need to know.
Ear on Careers – Cindy Salvo, Attorney
October 30, 2009
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Cindy Salvo, Attorney
In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Cindy Salvo, a civil litigation attorney and founder of The Salvo Law Firm in Fairfield, New Jersey, www.salvolawfirm.com.
Cindy’s path to becoming an attorney was anything but straight. After several detours, she obtained both an undergraduate and graduate degree in psychology, and founded the Miss American Petite Pageant. While running the Pageant, she had a lawyer on retainer to assist her with various legal issues. Seeing the value of the attorney’s skill, Cindy went to law school in order to better run her Pageant business. However, after spending her summer between her second and third years at law school with a large New York City law firm, she decided that the legal profession was right for her, and closed down the Pageant shortly thereafter.
Cindy does not regret her previous educational and life experiences, as they have shaped the type of lawyer that she is. Her psychology degree taught her compassion, while her experience as a businesswoman brought her understanding for clients. Her advice to aspiring lawyers is to study really hard and make sure your first year law school grades are very good. She finds being an attorney to be very rewarding and she very much enjoys the field, especially when she obtains a good result for her clients.
We hope that Cindy’s story will inspire you to consider a career in the law. If you like to write, argue and think on your feet, the law may be a perfect fit for you!
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.
Guest Blogger Erica from West Orange
October 25, 2009
In this post, we’ve asked a client of Top-Tier Tutoring, Erica, to answer a few questions that many people ask us. A big thank you goes out to Erica for agreeing to be our “guest blogger.” We hope you find this information helpful!
T3: How would you describe the differences between the SAT and ACT?
ERICA: I felt the ACT test was a more straight-forward test, even though there are more questions and less time given for the actual test versus the SAT. The ACT test is based on what you have learned in the past 3 yrs. etc. of high school and the SAT is a more complex type of test which I felt very intimidated when taking the SAT.
T3: How did Top-Tier Tutoring help you to prepare for these standardized tests?
ERICA: Top-Tier Tutoring (Mike) helped me gain much more confidence and improve my skills for test taking. Also a lot of direction and practice was given to me in each area math, English etc., with concentration on each area separately. Mike tackled each area one at-a-time with me. Along with the review sessions all which helped me improve my scores.
T3: What recommendations would you give students who are going to take the SAT or ACT?
ERICA: I recommend that you keep reviewing and take the practice section tests along with timing yourself so it’s not a real surprise when you actually take the real test.
Erica’s ACT scores improved 4 points with the assistance of Top-Tier Tutoring. She currently is applying to colleges and looking forward to the next phase of her education.
Ear on Careers – Sarah Ober, Accountant
October 15, 2009
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Sarah Ober, Accountant
In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Sarah Ober, an accountant with Tobia & Hillyer in Fairfield, New Jersey, www.tobiahillyer.com.
Sarah’s path to becoming an accountant is not at all what you would imagine. She never even took one accounting class in college! She graduated from Seton Hall with a degree in International Relations and a minor in business, and planned to work at the World Bank. A requirement before applying there, however, was having experience in the working world. It so happened that Sarah was hired by the accounting firm of Tobia & Hillyer as an Office Manager, and simply fell in love with tax returns!
Sarah has now worked at Tobia & Hillyer for seven years, and has earned two Master’s Degrees in Tax. In her position, she reviews bookkeeping and tax returns for small companies and individuals and says that there is no typical day. In fact, during tax season, Sarah logs 12 hour days, 7 days a week, and loves every minute of it. Sarah is very proud of her recent IRS win in tax court, as she is an enrolled agent with the IRS and was able to secure a sizeable victory for her client who had lost all receipts in a fire. She credits her win to her knowledge of tax law and her people skills, obviously an unstoppable combination.
Sarah offers the following advice for aspiring accountants – take advantage of any internships offered at your college. She also suggests taking accounting classes and learning how to multitask. We hope that Sarah’s story will inspire you to consider a career in accounting, a complex field that challenges you to provide answers to clients in all types of situations.
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.
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
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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 – Marlene Waldock, Communications Specialist
September 11, 2009
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Marlene Waldock, Communications Specialist
In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome Marlene Waldock, a communications specialist based out of Verona, New Jersey, www.becausewearewomen.com. Among other things, Marlene is the founder of 1st Impression Communications and of Because We Are Women, a teen counselor at the Rothman Institute and the immediate past president of the North Essex Chamber of Commerce.
Marlene received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Adolescent Psychology, with the goal of helping teens transition to young adults. However, early in her working life, she went into sales and eventually became a Regional Training Consultant. In the mid-1990’s, Marlene turned to communications and public speaking Throughout her career, Marlene has constantly doing public speaking in front of groups, either while training or as a television host on NJ Channel 12. In-between, she obtained a management degree from Georgia State.
Ear on Careers – Bernard O’Rourke, College Professor
August 26, 2009
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Bernard O'Rourke, College Professor
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.
Ear on Careers – J.P. Hamel, Publisher
July 29, 2009
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J.P. Hamel
In this episode of “Ear on Careers”, we are pleased to welcome J.P. Hamel, the publisher of The Essex Fells Magazine. J.P. grew up in Rahway, New Jersey, and attended Albright College in Pennsylvania. In college, J.P. majored in biology and math, intending to enter the biotech/research field. However, his first job took him into the marketing and recruiting field and in January 2009 – the same time that Top-Tier Tutoring was launched! – J.P. started his franchise business with N2 Publishing, www.n2pub.com.
Publishing, according to J.P., requires him to coordinate material for the monthly publication. He is always seeking relevant and creative content of interest to the readership. In addition, a publisher functions in a business development capacity, as advertising provides necessary funding. Accordingly, J.P. has to both find advertisers and maintain good relationships with them.
J.P. says that no one type of major is required to enter the publishing field. His degree in math and biology provided him with a solid foundation, as the scientific/analytic approach he learned in college enables him offer his publication to advertisers as a logical business decision. J.P. notes that his career in sales also has benefitted him tremendously in his role as publisher, especially when dealing with business development. We hope that J.P.’s story will inspire you to consider a career in the publishing industry, an exciting field that brings much needed information to the people!
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.
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.
Ear on Careers – Pat Nocito, Banker
June 11, 2009
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Pat Nocito, Banker
We are very excited to bring to you our first episode in what is hoped to be a very long series of podcasts: “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”!
For our first episode, we are pleased to welcome Pat Nocito, a Vice President and Branch Manager at Capital One Bank in West Caldwell, New Jersey. Pat’s route to banking was certainly anything but direct but, in hindsight, his undergraduate degree in psychology (with a minor in finance) prepared him well for the tasks he faces daily. He explains that banking is not just crunching numbers, but really is all about people – connecting businesses to other businesses to develop relationships, and enhance everyone’s bottom line. A “typical” day for Pat consists of multitasking; dealing with the finance side of the business as well as the various people, from bosses and mentors to staff and business and consumer clients. For those considering entering the field of banking, Pat recommends becoming a teller, taking advantage of local college programs as well as applying for paid internships.
Pat stresses the importance of his college education. College taught him life lessons, brought him out of his shell and expanded his horizons, all of which serve him well as a banker. A native of Vineland, New Jersey, Pat attended St. Joseph’s University in Pennsylvania on a full scholarship. We hope that Pat’s story will inspire you to consider a career in the banking industry, as it’s not just about making deposits anymore!
We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212
Meet Math & Science Tutor Jeff Wojcik
June 2, 2009
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In the second podcast for Top-Tier Tutoring, Mike Rivera introduces our listeners to Jeff Wojcik. Jeff is a math and science tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, who makes these sometimes intimidating subjects understandable, approachable and dare we say it – enjoyable!
Jeff holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Secondary Education from the University of Scranton. While there, he also was enrolled in
pre-med courses. At the present time, he is going for two masters degrees – one in Mathematics from Montclair State University and another in Administration and Curriculum from the University of Scranton. Jeff is a math teacher at Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls, NJ. Ironically, Jeff says that it was tutoring that got him into teaching!
During the podcast, Jeff explains his philosophy about tutoring, and how he makes students feel “safe” with the subject matter, which leads to their success. We were skeptical at first of how such a math whiz could really connect with students (or anyone for that matter!), but once you listen to this podcast, we’re confident that you will agree that our skepticism was unfounded.
We welcome your feedback. Send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212
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
Top Tier Tutoring Podcast Show #1
May 21, 2009
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In the debut of its podcast, Mike and Rhonda Rivera, co-founders of Top-Tier Tutoring, a tutoring and college counseling center located in West Orange, New Jersey, introduce you to themselves and their school’s philosophy and offerings. Mike and Rhonda discuss their approach to tutoring and college counseling as focusing on the individual student. Top-Tier Tutoring only offers one-on-one tutoring, and assigns 1 tutor to be with the student for their entire package. Diagnostic tests, in addition to old exams, are administered to each student that inform the tutor/counselor about how the student best receives and processes information so that the tutor can adjust his or her style accordingly. Top-Tier Tutoring truly is a boutique tutoring and college counseling center.
During July and August, Mike discusses how Top-Tier Tutoring is challenging all students to Seize the Summer by enrolling in its College Prep Boot Camp. This series of 8, 1-hour workshops will address a variety of topics related to college planning, such as selecting the right schools, creating your academic resume and writing your essays and short answers. One lucky listener to the Top-Tier Tutoring Podcast will be selected at random to win free admission into the College Prep Boot Camp (a $300 value). To enter this contest, please send an email to info@top-tiertutoring.com with “Free Boot Camp” in the subject line.
Mike has been a tutor and college counselor for over 3 ½ years as well as in the financial industry for over 16 ½ years. Mike holds a BA from Seton Hall University, an MA from Kean University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law. He applies humor and a dose of reality into his tutoring sessions, to help his students see the big picture. Rhonda, who does sales and marketing for Top-Tier Tutoring, earned her BA from Bucknell University and a JD from New York Law School. Both have seen the value of education as providing a firm foundation in today’s changing world.
