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March 2010 |
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March 2010 |
Expert Advice: College Questions
by Marcia Moor, Educational Consultant
I think the biggest concern of high school juniors today is that the college process seems so daunting. Yet once we break down the various components and agree to take small, smart steps, things begin to seem manageable. Yes, there are many phases to making this transition: researching and visiting schools to craft the list, making decisions about testing and test prep, writing the Common Application and supplements, while still trying to have a successful academic and social end of high school!
Sometimes I just begin the search with students by encouraging them to ask questions- in any random order- about bits n’ pieces of the process. Here are some of the most common questions initially asked. I hope you will find them helpful.
1) “Why is it a good idea to take practice SATs?” Organizations, such as Summit, offer free practice tests which allow you to get a feel for the experience of taking a long standardized exam. Just getting used to the experience can sometimes improve scores. Also, the information you will receive on your specific profile will make any test prep you select more personalized and effective.
2) “If I am a junior and I visit schools over February or March, should I try and get an interview?” Admission Offices are very busy worrying about the seniors who have applied during this time. Instead of interviewing, this is a good time to schedule information sessions and tours—unless the school is very far from home and you can arrange a special circumstance.
3) “What factors should I be considering when I start to craft my college list?” In certain areas of the country, students are wedded to trying to put only “name-brand” schools on the list. Yet with 3000 private colleges and universities in the country, there are lots of unknown options for everyone. Think about the kind of culture that would make you happy, considering such factors as the type of learning and social environment that works for you. Look for specific offerings—whether academic or outside of the classroom—that you would like to pursue. Be realistic in terms of the profile that you are presenting to schools and what it is you truly want.
4) “What kind of summer experiences should I try and put together?” Many students think they need to go on far-away and exotic trips either for service reasons or to study. Colleges, however, are looking for someone who is authentic and is genuinely following a pursuit for personal or practical reasons. Thus, someone who loves kids and the water and is teaching swimming at a local pool or someone painting houses to save money for college is very appealing to an admissions officer.
5) “What should I consider when thinking of the topic for the long essay on the Common Application?” The long essay needs to give us a slice of who you really are, on the inside. Whether you choose a person of influence, an event that affected you, or a personal belief or passion, prepare to be reflective and open.
6) “Is
it necessary to worry about SAT Subject Tests?” Only certain schools require
the SAT Subject Tests. You can obtain this list online. Some high schools
recommend trying a Subject Test at the end of tenth grade, to get a feel for
what these subject tests are like.
7) “Do I have to worry about early
decision vs. regular admission right away?” Absolutely not! There is actually a
fair amount of flexibility now in schools which accept early action
applications, EDII plans, or have rolling admission. Don’t worry about these
types of decisions until the time comes. Pacing the flow of decisions will make
the process a lot more manageable.
8) “Should my family work with a consultant?” This is a very private decision. Some of your answers will be based on the size of your high school and how much individual attention you might desire. Other factors such as wanting someone else to guide you, wanting a personal cheerleader, or wanting someone else to help with organization may also come into play.
Transitioning from high school to college is a real rite of passage. It need not be overwhelming and stressful. Trust your instincts, don’t hesitate to ask questions, and remember how many opportunities there are out there—more than one will be right for you!
About Marcia: Marcia Moor is an experienced educational consultant, with extensive experience in Admission and Placement. Marcia advises parents regarding a wide range of educational concerns. Specialties include supporting students through the many phases of both independent high school and college searches. For more information, visit her website at http://www.mooreducation.com. She can be reached at marcia@mooreducation.com or in her Wellesley office at 781-235-1707.
You probably already know that there are countless games and tools on your phone that can keep you entertained, but did you know there are also apps that can help you study? It’s true! While some apps are free, others require a payment. If you have an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Droid, these apps give new meaning to the term ”smart” in smartphone. Most applications available on one phone will have a similar application available on a different phone.
Here are a select few apps that can help students gear up for standardized tests and improve academic performance:
- USA Today on
Droid – Start your day by reading the news and improve your reading
comprehension. USA Today is a great
way to ease yourself into this daily task. There are headlines, a daily
poll, plus sports scores to keep you engaged. You’ll be ready to move on
to the The New York Times and Wall Street Journal in no time!
- Do you think your phone is
the most prodigious invention of our time? Perhaps you might, if you
already know what “prodigious” means. If not, use the quick and easy
reference on your BlackBerry that connects to Dictionary.com.
You can find terms you’re unfamiliar with or even look up synonyms to
words to improve the quality of your writing.
- If you’re already scoring well on the verbal sections of the SAT or ACT, but are still struggling with the math portion, try out Math Trainer on your BlackBerry. While it’s no substitute for going to class, this feature gives you on the go training in simple math concepts. Especially helpful for those taking the standardized tests is the “timed” option where you can see how long it takes you to complete a particular problem.
Timing can often be a
concern for students taking the standardized tests. That is why Summit
recommends our students take multiple practice tests to not only
familiarize themselves with content and structure, but to get a handle on
the time constraints of the standardized tests. If you can’t get to a
proctored event in your community, take a practice test at home using this
handy feature from iPhone. Timer
Utility 3.5.4 allows you to set multiple alarms and stopwatches so
that you can focus on taking the test and not on the clock.- Keeping up academically is
equally if not more important than scoring well on the standardized tests.
ActionComplete on the
Droid allows you to keep track of all the other events you having going
on. Organize your tasks and assignments or even set up
reminders, like “study for English test at 4pm”, and be the master of your
schedule.
- When you sit down to study for an English test, you may be tempted to use flashcards, a great tool for remembering terms and definitions. The iPhone can help you save a tree with their version of this tried and true learning tool. Flashcard Touch allows you to choose from millions of pre-made cards or you can create them yourself. With a tap of your finger, you can view only definitions, only terms, or both. To shuffle the deck, simply shake the phone. Apple is offering this app for free in the month of March, so download this app today!
- With all the hard work you’re putting in, timing tests, making flashcards, and practicing math concepts, you deserve some time for a game or two. Soduku Lite, available on BlackBerry, can relieve boredom while keeping your brain alert. An extremely popular game with all age levels, this app allows users to determine the difficulty level that suits him or her best.
The advent of educational apps has opened up a whole world of potential for students to study on the go. With countless options for users of all ages and ability to find the right fit on his or her phone, it’s still important to keep in mind that the pencil and paper mode of learning is still very much the way of the world. All the standardized tests use this method, so remember that while the above are great supplements to studying, they shouldn’t replace already effective methods!
"Summit is the very best educational service in this tri-metropolitan area. All of the tutors are most helpful, and my son's experience was very positive on many levels-skill performance score was raised, behavioral strategies were developed that could move my son to a higher success level, and the availability was without compromise. Many thanks from not only a concerned parent but a retired educator/curriculum specialist." -Ronnie J., Summit Parent
Get to Know Summit:
Tim Breeze-Thorndike
Every month we shine the spotlight on one of our
expert One-on-One, In-Home Tutors or Classroom Program Teachers. This month we
spoke with Massachusetts area tutor Tim Breeze-Thorndike. Tim is a long-time Summit tutor, and families find him "just perfect."
How long have you been with Summit?
I started tutoring with Summit in the fall of 2003, so 6 and a half years now.
What do you do outside of Summit?
I currently work as an editor for a small company in Worcester that does educational publishing. Mostly I work on math books and test items.
Which subjects do you tutor?
I tutor both math and verbal for the SAT, ACT, and SSAT, and anything that has to do with math from calculus to the SAT Subject Tests.
What kind of tutor are you?
I try to figure out where the student is and what they are looking to get out of our time together. Once I have an idea of what that is I work to get students the most bang for their tutoring buck, by focusing on those things that will most help them to get where they want to be. In the meantime I try to make the sessions fun for the student, and try to make them laugh, even if they’re laughing at how bad my jokes are.
What was your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject was probably Social Studies. I took some Political Science classes in college, and even when I was little I loved the atlas and books on the US Presidents.
Where did you go to college and what was your major?
Miami University in Oxford, OH. I received my degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education.
If you could have dinner with any celebrity, living or dead, who would it be and why?
The recently deceased Howard Zinn (A People's History of the United States) is someone I really would have liked to have had a conversation with. His questioning of the general thinking about the way things have come to be is something that I wish I could do better. He dared to tell the difficult truths about the oppression of minorities by the ruling people and helped to change the way many think about the history of our nation.
What do you love most about tutoring for Summit?
Summit allows me to help out as many students as I can fit into my schedule, and the students that I get the opportunity to work with are motivated to learn and improve themselves.
What is your greatest Summit tutoring success story?
It is hard to pick out a single success story among the dozens of students that I have worked with over the last several years, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be one of my younger students. He was a very eager learner and seemed to really look forward to our meetings on Saturday mornings. He sucked up new vocabulary words like a sponge, and he scored in the top percentage on all parts of his exam.
What advice do you have for any families considering tutoring?
The motivated student is the one that makes the best progress in any tutoring situation. The student who understands his or her own weaknesses is the one that can best address those weaknesses and see significant improvements.
What have you learned from your students?
A good attitude and a lot of practice can make you successful in many different contexts. I have worked with students who are very impressive young people that excel not only in the classroom, but also in all of their various extracurricular activities.
Tim has helped countless students maximize their scoring potential, but he is only one of our expert tutors. Call us today at 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) to speak with a Program Director to learn more about our One-on-One, In-Home Tutoring in your area.
FREE Practice Tests
Summit
Practice Tests offer students a great opportunity to take a standardized test
under simulated proctored and timed conditions. These practice tests are a free
service we offer as part of Summit's commitment to helping students maximize
their test preparation. Students will receive a diagnostic analysis of their
results in the mail.
New England Region
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: Brandeis University
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: Brandeis University or Hingham High School
Mid-Atlantic Region
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: George Mason University or Summit Office: Bethesda
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: George Mason University
Test Offered: SAT Extended Time*
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Summit Office: Bethesda
*Online registration is not available for this test. Please call 1-800MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) to register.
Space is limited, so make sure to register soon!
Call 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) or click here to
register.
SAT Word of the Month
emulate: (v) to try to equal by imitating---Related Words: mimic, model, reflect
March 2010, VOL. 8, ED. 3
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