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.)

Emerging Majors

January 18, 2012

Today, students often hear the following career advice:  “follow your passion!”  The thought behind this is that if you do what you love, your job won’t feel like “work.”  And because you’re passionate about it, you won’t mind putting in all the required hours for possibly low pay.

If you are lucky enough to have discovered your passion during high school, then by all means think about how you can turn that passion into a career.  For example, if you love to cook, consider all of the different ways cooking can become a profession:  chef, restaurateur, personal chef, caterer, food critic; as you can see, the list goes on and on.  Stepping back from your ultimate goal, your next step would be to consider what types of education you will need.  For instance, if you want to be the chef/owner of a restaurant, in addition to cooking classes, you will need business and marketing skills as well as general accounting.  So, for an undergraduate major, you probably will be interested in business.  Although being a business major sounds worlds apart from being a chef, by employing this reasoning, you can see why it would stand you in very good stead.

If, however, you haven’t yet found your “passion,” you may be wondering how to begin selecting a major.  You can work backwards, so to speak.  Begin by selecting a job in a projected growing field and then choose your major based upon your career goal.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over one-half of the occupations with the fastest growth are in the medical field.  This is not to say that you should be a doctor – many different occupations comprise this field, including biomedical engineers, home health aides, personal/home care aides, medical scientists, physician’s assistants, skin care specialists, biochemists and biophysicists, athletic trainers, physical therapist aides, dental hygienists, veterinary technologists and technicians, dental assistants, medical assistants, physical therapist assistants and veterinarians to name a few.  Other careers that are projected to be in high demand in the coming years are network systems and data communications analysts, financial examiners, computer software engineers/applications, self-enrichment education teachers and compliance officers (except agriculture, construction, health and safety and transportation).  Of course, nurses, auditors/bookkeepers/accountants and teachers always are in demand.  For more information about growing industries, go to the Department of Labor’s website.

One word of caution about college majors, however.  The most valuable asset that you derive from college is an ability to think, reason and research.  These traits will serve you well no matter your chosen profession.  In the podcast series “Ear on Careers,” many of the professionals interviewed tell the same story:  their success in their career is unrelated to their college major.  For example, a hospital president was an engineering major; a magazine publisher was a biology and math major; a lawyer was a psychology major; and a federal agent was a communications major, just to name a few.  To listen to this podcast series, go to www.EarOnCareers.com.

 

Ear on Careers – Feuza Reis, Photographer

December 9, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Feuza Reis, who is a professional wedding and lifestyle photographer.

Feuza will capture you with her enthusiasm and energy, describing herself “Brazilian Born, Jersey Raised.”  She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and Portuguese (highest honors).  Prior to opening Feuza Reis Photography, Feuza worked for various companies in marketing, sales and management.

Listen as Feuza describes what she does as a professional photographer, noting that her time is devoted between her craft and the business of developing her business especially with social media.  She offers our listeners a glimpse into a “typical” day as a photographer.  Feuza also shares her favorite stories, gives insights into what surprises her the most in the field and offers wonderful tips for those listeners who want to become an entrepreneur in photography.

We hope this podcast gives you a wide-angle glimpse inside the lens of a professional photographer!

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.

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!

The Rise Of The Wait List (Part I)

October 25, 2011

Right now, many college seniors are in the middle of the process of applying to colleges.  Some will meet the November deadline looming for applicants going the “early action” or “early decision” route.  Others are gearing up for “regular way” applications, usually due in January.  Once the applications are submitted, high school seniors feel relief – no more SATs or ACTs or personal statements!  Once that euphoria wears off, however, the candidates eagerly await responses from the colleges to which they applied.

Some candidates will receive responses rather quickly, while other colleges will take longer to inform them of their decisions.  Either way, high school seniors expect either a “yes” or “no” response.  Then, their plan is to choose the one college into which they will matriculate among their acceptances (hopefully they have more than one!).  This is the ideal situation.

However, the ideal situation is becoming less commonplace with the “Rise of the Wait List.”  Nowadays, colleges are responding to applicants with “yes,” “no,” or, increasingly popular, “maybe.”  More and more applicants are being placed on the college’s Wait List, which is tantamount to being a “maybe.”

What does it mean to be Wait Listed?  What are the rules of the Wait List?  In this two-part blog post series, we’ll explore the current status of the ubiquitous Wait List, where it’s headed and how best to handle the “maybe.”

According to the 2011 “State of College Admission” report recently released by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 48% of colleges and universities surveyed used a wait list for fall 2010, up from 39 percent just the previous year.  42% of colleges reported that they placed more applicants on wait lists in 2010 than they did in 2009.

Of the colleges that use a Wait List, the NACAC study found that they place approximately 10% of their applicants into it, 56% of which decided to remain on it.  On average, the incoming college freshman class of 2010 consisted of 28% of wait listed students, down from 34% for incoming college freshmen in 2009.  The more selective colleges generally admitted just 11% off their wait lists.

Why the rise in colleges’ use of a Wait List?  Presumably, mainly, it is as a result of the increased number of applications.  Because high school seniors are applying to many more schools, it is becoming more difficult for college admissions officers to predict how many accepted students actually will enroll in the school (technically called the “yield”).  For example, one student may apply to 10 colleges and get accepted into 6.  Since the student can only attend one school, that means 5 colleges will be rejected by the student.  That’s 5 slots that are now opened up at the rejected colleges!  The average yield has declined steadily from 49% in 2001 to just 41% in 2010.  (This phenomenon largely has been fueled by the colleges’ own marketing strategies – listen to our podcast entitled “Colleges’ Dirty Little Secret” for more information.)

Therefore, colleges have to hedge their bets against the unpredictable yield.  In some cases, they have increased their use of early decision and early action policies.  (For information about these two practices, listen to Top-Tier’s podcast, “The Ins and Outs of Early Decision versus Early Action.”)     The Wait List is another tool available to colleges to help manage the admissions process.

In the next post, we’ll go over what happens when you are placed on a college’s Wait List (or several colleges’ wait lists), and what the NACAC is working on in response to this growing practice.

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)!

SAT and ACT – What do the 2011 Results Mean?

October 3, 2011

In recent blog posts, we gave information about the scores earned on both the SAT® and ACT® by the Graduating Class of 2011, nationwide and in New Jersey.  In this post, we are attempting to assimilate this data and offer instructive advice for students (and parents) who will be taking these tests in the future.  To read our post about the SAT scores, click here; for our post about the ACT results, click here.

From the recent results released by both the College Board (who administers the SAT) and the ACT, it is clear that nearly equal number of students are now sitting for both tests:  1.65 million students took the SAT, while 1.62 million took the ACT.  No data was reported as to how many students took both tests, which is commonly done.  In point of fact, at Top-Tier Tutoring, we recommend that a student take both tests and then retake the test on which s/he performed better.

What it comes down to is how well an individual student scores on the test as s/he wants to put the best foot forward to colleges.  Conversion tables easily can be found on Google in order to compare apples to apples.  It has been our experience that approximately 75% of our students score higher on the ACT when the conversion table is applied.  For example, Student A took the SAT receiving a total 1390 points, and that same Student A took the ACT, and received a composite score of 22 points.  According to the Conversion Table, Student A’s ACT score of is equivalent to 1530 points on the SAT.  Therefore, when Student A applies to colleges, only the ACT score will be submitted.

Clearly, New Jersey students are not availing themselves of the ACT.  According to the ACT report, only 19% of the Class of 2011 took the ACT here, versus 49% nationally.  Moreover, New Jersey’s rate of increase in test-takers was only 1.8% from 2010, versus 86.8% nationally.  Yet, New Jersey ranked #6 in the nation for its average composite score.  Why is the ACT lagging here in New Jersey?  Primarily it is because the parents of the students are unaware of the ACT, or believe it is not accepted or weighed equally with the ACT at all colleges.  This simply is untrue, and it is this thought process that actually is hindering NJ high schoolers today!  As stated above, the SAT and ACT scores are weighed equally by colleges, so it is very important for the student to be exposed to both and then take the one that better suits his or her test-taking abilities.  There simply is no room for bias against the ACT in the competitive college application world.

As we have said before, the SAT and ACT are standardized college admissions exams, utilized by colleges as one way to determine whether to accept an applicant.  However, the methodology and philosophy behind each exam is markedly different.  As a brief overview, the SAT is based upon an IQ Test, and is designed to challenge a student’s thought process.  The ACT is an achievement test, and seeks to identify what the student has learned.   Traditionally, the SAT was widely recognized on the East and West Coasts, while the ACT was taken by more Midwest students.  Nowadays, however, both tests are accepted equally at all colleges and universities.  For more information about the differences between the two tests, listen to our podcast.

Colleges’ “Dirty Little Secret”

September 29, 2011

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In this podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, shares a dirty little secret of colleges:  they are businesses too!

During the podcast, Mike explores the many good things that the model of college as a business means.  Shareholders, whether private investors or taxpayers, as well as alumni donors, want to know how the college budget (which includes tuition) is being spent.  With an eye on the bottom line, colleges create line items for expenses such as hiring and attracting top-notch professors, offering cutting edge curriculum, developing new courses, funding research and the like.  These are necessary in order for the business of a college to continue and thrive.

Listen as Mike also casts an eye on the other side of what running colleges as a business requires.  He exposes the growing popularity of marketing by colleges, and the dirty little secrets of which high schoolers and their parents may be unaware.  The podcast sheds light on marketing at every level – from unsolicited brochures to “qualified” students who feel as if they are “guaranteed” admission, to increasing reliance on the ubiquitous wait list, and on-campus hosted elaborate events.  The curious result of high school valedictorians not being accepted at fine institutions is also discussed.

Mike discusses how the knowledge of these practices can help the college applicant and family.  Knowledge is power, and this podcast arms to-be college students and their families with facts and figures that usually are kept hidden under the rug.

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

ACT Results for 2011 Grads

September 27, 2011

In this 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.

‘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.

Ear on Careers – Michael Lang, Registered Nurse

May 27, 2011

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Michael J. Lang, RN, MSN, who is a Registered Nurse in oncology.

Mike’s path to nursing is not direct at all.  In fact, he spent 12 years as a probation officer before pursuing his dreams in the medical profession and going to nursing school!  A long-time volunteer EMT, Mike decided to become a nurse and pursued his online Master’s of Nursing Education degree from Walden University, after earning his Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Bergen Community College in New Jersey.  He previously had earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York, and currently teaches nursing at Bergen Community College.

Listen as Mike describes what he does as a Registered Nurse, caring for patients by doing monitoring and assessments, giving medications and drawing blood.  He offers our listeners a glimpse into his typical day in the oncology department, stressing the somewhat surprising requirements of customer service and social skills on top of his medical know-how.  He also shares his favorite stories, gives insights into what surprises him the most in the field and offers tips for those listeners who want to become an R.N.  We hope this podcast gives you a glimpse into the very rewarding and challenging calling of being a nurse.

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.

 

Ear on Careers – Kimberly Manis, Senior Supervisory Analyst

January 28, 2011

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Kimberly Manis, a Senior Supervisory Analyst with a financial services firm in New York City.

Kim graduated from the University of New Orleans in Louisiana with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, and a minor in Biology.  After working for ten years for an educational company, Kim decided it was time for a change so she earned her Masters in Business Administration from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Kim soon found herself working on Wall Street first as an Editor, and then as a Supervisory Analyst in an Equity Research Department.  In her current position, she is a Senior Supervisory Analyst.  Kim is responsible for producing and editing reports, prepared by Research Analysts, concerning individual companies and broad-based sectors.  In addition to making sure that the reports are clear to investors, she also reviews financial models and ensures compliance with all of the legal and regulatory rules governing the financial services industry.  The two licensing routes to becoming a Supervisory Analyst are (1) the Series 16, OR (2) Series 7, 24, 63 and 87 (Kim has these licenses).  Click here to go to an informational blog about being a “SA.”

Listen as Kim describes a “typical day” for her, which starts at 4 am.  She shares a “war story” that really illustrates the need for a “thick skin” in her line of work.  In addition, Kim offers tips for those listeners who want to follow in her footsteps, as well as what surprises her the most about her profession.  We hope this podcast gives you some insights into how you can be a part of the exhilarating and unpredictable world of Wall Street:  “Booyah!”

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.

Insider’s Peak into the University of Delaware

January 20, 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 University of Delaware freshman Kyle Friedman.

During the podcast, Kyle shares why he chose to attend the University of Delaware among all of his college acceptances.  (Hint:  his campus visit was pivotal!)  Kyle is very candid with his assessment of the dorms, the food and the course requirements.

Listen as Kyle describes his classes, his professors and his biggest surprises at the University of Delaware.  He offers great advice to students contemplating applying to his school, and for ways to balance a social life with the rigors of academics.  The biggest compliment Kyle can give is that he really loves his school and misses it when he’s away!

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 – Ellen Goldman, Certified Wellness Coach

January 5, 2011

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Ellen Goldman, M.Ed., founder and certified wellness coach with EnerGcoaching, LLC, based in Livingston, New Jersey. 

Ellen has been in the health and fitness industry for 30 years.  She earned her B.S. in Physical Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and her Masters of Education in Adaptive Physical Education from the University of Georgia.  In addition, Ellen has taken post-graduate classes in exercise physiology from Queens College.  Originally, Ellen started her fitness career at a New York City fitness center; she later moved to New Jersey and became a certified personal trainer with her own business.  In 2007, she became a Certified Wellness Coach, which is her primary focus today.  In her role as a Wellness Coach, she connects people’s hearts and heads in order to help them realize their ability to self-motivate and improve their health and wellness.

Listen as Ellen describes exactly what she does as a Wellness Coach, and describes the difference between her profession and that of a therapist.  Acknowledging a “typical day” does not exist, she offers our listeners a “typical week” in trying to achieve life/work balance in her own life and for her clients.  She shares some “war stories,” surprises in the field and offers tips for those listeners who want become a wellness coach, including the new college degree and an upcoming Masters Degree in wellness coaching.  We hope this podcast opens your eyes to the new and incredibly satisfying career path to wellness coaching.

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.

Ear on Careers – Ashley Bryan, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator

December 1, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are extremely pleased to welcome Ashley Bryan, an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator.  He is a “lion” of the New York Public Library, a multiple winner of the Coretta Scott King award and a recipient of the Laura Ingalls Wilder medal.  Click here to go to Ashley’s amazon.com page and check out his many great works.

Ashley is a child of the Great Depression who was born in Harlem to Antiguan immigrant parents and grew up in the Bronx.  He attended The Cooper Union Art School until he was drafted into World War II.  After the War, he completed his studies at The Cooper Union and went on to study philosophy at Columbia University.  Named a Fulbright Scholar, and thanks to the GI Bill, he was able to study art in France and Germany.  Ashley then taught at Queens College in New York and served as the Chair of the Art Department at Dartmouth College, until he retired as a professor emeritus of art and visual studies.  Ashley’s intellect and talent allowed him to excel in a time when the color barrier was nearly insurmountable; as he discusses in the podcast, he “never stopped, even though he was colored.”  A modern-day renaissance man, his “post-retirement” career as a children’s book author and illustrator, mainly of African-American stories, also encompasses windows made from sea glass, spoken-word poetry, painting and speaking at conferences, conventions and to children the world over.

Listen as Ashley describes a “typical day” for him, or rather his own philosophy of the way he lives:  traveling to conferences all over the world, painting, working in his book projects and walking on the beach near his home looking for new ways to use what has been discarded.  He shares the ways in which college opened up the world of possibilities of adventure and exploration, and allowed him to touch lives of those around the globe.  In addition, Ashley offers tips for those listeners who want to become a children’s book author and illustrator.  In his own distinctive voice, Ashley will lift your spirits and give you the gift of sharing in his passion of storytelling, as well as encourage you to follow your heart and love what you do.

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.

Check out our College Pennant Wall!

November 24, 2010

At Top-Tier Tutoring, we love to celebrate our clients’ successes.  The Class of 2014 is now in college – our first graduating class! – and we are extremely proud of their achievements.

In order to recognize our students’ choices of colleges, we have obtained pennants from each of their post-high school selections.  Feel free to stop by to see the “Wall of Pennants”!

As of right now, the schools represented are the following:

• Rutgers – Allison & Lauren
• Muhlenberg – Amanda
• Northeastern – Becca
• Villanova – Colin
• Montclair State – Erica
• Gettysburg – Katie
• University of Delaware – Kyle
• Essex County College – Lisa
• NYU – Matt
• The Cooper Union – Rob

We look forward to growing our “Wall of Pennants” throughout the years!  Congratulations to all Top-Tier students with their college careers!!

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

Tips for Campus Visits

November 17, 2010

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In this podcast, Mike Rivera, co-founder, college counselor and tutor with Top-Tier Tutoring, offers tips and advice for parents and students when going to visit college campuses.

During the podcast, Mike first recommends that you go on the internet and do some “virtual tours” of the colleges in which you are interested.  While virtual tours cannot replace actually visiting the campus, they are a good place to start trying to narrow down your college list.

Listen as Mike gives advice about when to visit campuses (hint:  during class sessions is the best time).  After you have made up your itinerary, your next step should be contacting the college admissions offices and scheduling tours and your attendance at any information sessions offered.  Mike explains that some colleges take note of who takes their tours, which may play a role in the admissions process.  If available, during your campus visit is also a great time for your college interview, so be sure to ask about this opportunity when arranging your tour.

Mike provides excellent tips about what you should do while on campus, including eating in the cafeteria, as this food will be replacing your mom’s cooking for four years!  Very importantly, take good notes and photos, as you will be referring back to these after all of your acceptances are in.  Happy touring!

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

Ear on Careers – Dr. Rose Frasco, Optometrist

September 16, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Dr. Rose Frasco, an optometrist with the Liva Eye Center in Paramus, New Jersey.  Dr. Frasco has been named one of the “Top Optometrists in America” by the Consumer Research Council of America.

In the seventh grade, Dr. Frasco was introduced to eye care when her grandmother needed cataract surgery.  Her interest in the field deepened throughout high school, after which she worked with an optician and an optometrist.  She attended Siena College in Albany, knowing that she wanted to become an optometrist.  However, life took an unexpected turn in the form of a car accident during college.  In order to graduate with her class, she changed her major to English, with a biology minor.  After attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey to take prerequisite classes for optometry school, Dr. Frasco attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  There, she achieved Highest Clinical Honors, Honors in Pediactrics and was awarded the Conforma Contact Lens Award of Excellence, and graduated with a Doctorate of Optometry degree in 2001.  Dr. Frasco’s optometric internships/residency were completed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware and at Seidenberg Protzko Eye Associates, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins Medical Center.

Listen as Dr. Frasco describes a “typical day” for her:  seeing 30-40 patients with different vision/eye issues.  She shares a “war story” that demonstrates her dedication to her patients, in which she was able to place a temporary bandage contact lens in a 4-year-old girl’s eye after being hit by a dog – so that she was able perfectly to perform her duties as a flower girl the next day!  In addition, Dr. Frasco explains the differences among opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists, offers tips for those listeners who want to go into the field of optometry as well as what surprises her the most about her chosen field.  We hope this podcast gives you eye-opening information into the very rewarding field of optometry!

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.

Ear on Careers – Gwyn Novak, Personal Chef

August 23, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Gwyn Novak, founder and personal chef with No Thyme To Cook, based in Prince Frederick, Maryland, (443) 624-5048.

Gwyn came to her profession as a personal chef via a very indirect route.  Her mother was a home economics teacher in high school, and always was trying to instill an appreciation for cooking in Gwyn – to no avail.  She went to Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History, thinking that she wanted to become a museum curator.  Toward that end, Gwyn went on to graduate school to pursue a Master’s Degree.  However, along the way, she began cooking as a way to relax and soon discovered her true passion:  food.  She then graduated from Baltimore International Culinary College with a degree in professional cooking, intending to become a food journalist.  Life had other plans, and in the podcast Gwyn describes how she discovered her niche as a personal chef.

Listen as Gwyn describes a “typical day” for her, cooking in the morning and working with clients in the afternoon, with some business issues thrown in.  She shares some “war stories” including when she had to sneak out the back as her client took credit for the amazing food.  In addition, Gwyn offers tips for those listeners who want to be their own form of Iron Chef, cautioning that cooking is part of what she does, but she is also a business owner.  We hope this podcast offers you some food for thought about becoming a personal chef!

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.

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!

Ear on Careers – Dr. Christopher Duddy, Dentist

July 7, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Dr. Christopher Duddy, a dentist with his own private practice in his hometown of Towaco, New Jersey.  Working in a town with so many familiar faces, Dr. Duddy often finds himself donating his services to local people who are in need.  In 2010, he was distinguished with the Award for Top Dentist in America by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.

Ironically, Dr. Duddy was scared of the dentist as a child.  Perhaps as a way to overcome that fear, he decided while in high school that he wanted to become a dentist.  Dr. Duddy graduated from Farleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry.  He went on to graduate from the prestigious dental program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  Dr. Duddy takes great pride in his ability to make people smile better, and without pain.

Listen as Dr. Duddy describes a “typical day” for him practicing general dentistry, meaning that every day brings the unexpected.  He shares a Valentine’s Day war story that involves a friend, wisdom teeth, his wife and a Broadway show!  In addition, Dr. Duddy offers tips for those listeners who want to go into the field of dentistry.  We hope this podcast gives you information that you can sink your teeth into about becoming a dentist!

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.

Ear on Careers – Mary Dann-McNamee, Wedding Planner

June 23, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Mary Dann-McNamee, founder of Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators located in Manhattan Beach, California.  Mary is one of the most sought-after event coordinators in Southern California, as well as on-air talent for the Style Network’s “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” and “Married  Away,” and the WE Network’s “Platinum Weddings.”  She also is a published author and contributor to many prestigious wedding magazines.

Mary graduated from Fullerton College in California, a two year junior college, with an Associate in Arts degree in Visual Merchandising.  She went on to study at California State University, Chico (commonly called Chico State), and majored in business administration.  Mary worked as a waitress in order to put herself through both Fullerton College and Chico State.  After working in the hospitality industry and starting her wedding planning business, Mary went to graduate school at Antioch University in Marina del Rey, CA, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.

In the podcast, Mary explains her path to becoming a wedding planner, which began at the tender age of 5 when she wanted to make something special for her guests!  Mary’s first stop after college was at the Ritz Carlton, where she made wonderful contacts and learned about the wedding business from the perspective of the venue.  She started Mary Dann Wedding & Party Coordinators in 1991, with weddings being her specialty.  In order to be able to give the tools for emotional support to her brides, Mary became a licensed marriage therapist.  She feels that college prepared her well for being an entrepreneur, as she learned skills in multitasking and finance, as well as gained her independence.

Listen as Mary describes a “typical day” for her, balancing her family and work lives.  She shares a war story from her early days as a wedding planner, and another one captured on the television show “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?”  In addition, Mary expresses her surprises in the field and offers tips for budding wedding planners.  We hope this very informative podcast gives you insight into the exciting and fun – but also challenging and stressful – career as a wedding planner.

Mary’s book, “Wedding Wisdom” is available at www.amazon.com.  If you prefer to receive your hardcover book autographed by Mary, go to www.marydann.com/book.

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.

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.

Ear on Careers – Marketing and PR Professional, Abe Kasbo

June 9, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Abe Kasbo, founder and CEO of the integrated marketing and public relations firm Verasoni Worldwide located in Fairfield, New Jersey.  Verasoni delivers meaningful strategies and campaigns across traditional and new media for its clients located in the United States, Canada and the Middle East.

Abe was born in Syria and emigrated to the United States at the age of 10.  He holds both a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in English, as well as a Masters in Public Administration (health care track), from Seton Hall University in New Jersey.  Abe decided upon his undergraduate major because he was always interested in political discourse to understand why things work as they do in a society.  An undergraduate professor guided him to his post-graduate area of study.  Notably, Abe worked full-time on Wall Street while attending graduate school full-time.

In the podcast, Abe explains his circuitous path to the founding of Verasoni, which included stops at Wall Street, teaching, a technology firm and the marketing departments at a couple of hospitals.  Essentially self-taught in marketing and PR, he approaches each project both as a professional and a student in order to become the best client advocate.  His experience has given him a perspective on how a business ought to communicate with its customers, and Abe builds campaigns based on business objectives.

Listen as Abe describes a “typical day” for him as a marketing and PR professional.  He shares a hair-raising war story about how he turned “get the Hell out!” into a positive experience.  In addition, Abe expresses his surprises in the field and offers tips for those contemplating following in his footsteps, including how his formal education has been brought to bear on his current vocation.  We hope this very informative podcast gives you insight into the dynamic field of marketing and public relations, and perhaps sets you upon a new course for your career.

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.

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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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.

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.

Ear on Careers – Corinna Sager, Film Director/Producer

March 31, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers, we are pleased to welcome Corrina Sager, founder and president of, as well as film director and producer with, Lifestyle International Production Service, Inc. (“Lifestyle”), based in Montclair, New Jersey, www.lifestyleintl.com.  Lifestyle assists corporations, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, TV/film productions and marketing agencies with their communication projects to and from the United States.

Corinna was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the Villa Pierrefeu near Montreux, Switzerland and at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.  She earned a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (“BFA”) in Theater and Communications from the University of Miami.  She feels that her BFA prepared her well for the corporate world because it gave her a broad education in areas of study like communications, English literature, etc.  She also received a great introduction to the theater by building sets and creating costumes; she learned how to make it “magic.”

In the podcast, Corinna explains the different roles that a producer and a director perform for a project.  Listen as Corinna discusses her surprises in the field, including how new technology impacts production and the importance of continuing to learn.  Being from Europe, Corinna is multilingual, and she stresses the importance of being able to communicate with people around the world, and to have an insight into their culture.  Nominated for an Academy Award® for her role as a producer of the documentary “Ferry Tales,” Corinna shares her exciting Oscar-night stories with our listeners.  Finally, Corinna offers tips to aspiring directors and producers:  the business is very difficult to break in to, so volunteer and learn by doing, in addition to getting a broad education at a college that expands your horizons.

Corinna has won Film Festival Awards in both the United States and internationally for her PR video “Container Shipping – A Revolution for World Trade” and her documentary “Women – Our Century” which toured the United States with Billy Jean King and Star Jones.  In addition to the Academy Award® nominated “Ferry Tales,” she served as Executive Producer for “Vertical Traveler,” seen on PBS and the Franco/German TV channel, Arte.  Corinna also is President of the Media-Communication Association-International, and is listed in the Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals.

We hope this podcast gives you insight into becoming a film director and/or producer, and offers alternative routes than simply television or movies for you to consider.

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.

Ear on Careers – Dr. Marco Ferrucci, Chiropractor

March 17, 2010

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In this episode of “Ear on Careers,” we are pleased to welcome Dr. Marco Ferrucci, the founding chiropractor at The Chiropractic Source in Caldwell, New Jersey, www.thechiropracticsource.com.

Dr. Ferrucci attended William Paterson University, and graduated with a degree in exercise physiology.  During undergrad, he was able to obtain a chiropractic internship, which cemented his desire to practice this healing art.  He then went to Life University in Georgia to obtain his chiropractic degree, which was a 3 ½ year course of study.

In the podcast, Dr. Ferrucci explains why a chiropractor looks at your spinal alignment, and how this practice is proactive rather than reactive.  Listen as he discusses his biggest surprise in working as a chiropractor as it relates to health care coverage.  Listen as Dr. Ferrucci offers advice to students considering embarking upon the field of chiropractic medicine.  Dr. Ferrucci also shares his most transformative patient, who literally walked into his office using a cane and left it on her own power!

We hope this podcast gives you insight into becoming a chiropractor, a relatively new field of medicine that teaches how to live a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle through natural, preventative health care.

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.

About Rolling Admissions

March 10, 2010

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In this podcast, Mike Rivera discusses the topic of “Rolling Admissions.”  This term means that the college imposes no strict deadline for application submission; applicants will be accepted so long as space is available within the freshman class.  While a minority of colleges follow Rolling Admissions, colleges that do offer Rolling Admissions generally will make a decision regarding a candidate within a couple of weeks after receiving the application.

Mike’s advice for students contemplating applying to a Rolling Admissions college?  Don’t wait!  Given these economic times and the fact that more people than ever are applying to colleges, all universities are more selective than ever.  The earlier you apply, the better your chances will be for being accepted.  In addition, scholarship opportunities, financial aid offers and housing are more readily available the earlier you apply and are accepted. Read more

Ear on Careers – Jerry Frungillo, Caterer

March 3, 2010

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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.

Read more

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.

Ear on Careers – Kevin Slavin, Hospital President

February 17, 2010

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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.

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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 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

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!

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.

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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.

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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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 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 11^th. 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.

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Ear on Careers – Cindy Salvo, Attorney

October 30, 2009

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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.

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