Some Tips For Finding a Tutor For Your Child in 8th Grade

Some Tips For Finding a Tutor For Your Child in 8th GradeThere are a number of different things to look for when looking for a tutor for your child in 8th grade. While some tutors are extremely good at what they do, others may not even be qualified.As such, it is crucial that you make sure that the tutor you choose is one that is qualified. Make sure to talk to the counselor at your child's school and make sure that they have a list of qualified tutors. Once you find a list of qualified tutors in your area, you can begin looking for a tutor for your child.The first thing you want to make sure you do is to make sure the tutor is qualified. There are several ways to do this. Talk to the counselor and see if they have the person they think is qualified or they can recommend someone. The counselor at your child's school should be able to help you make sure you have the best tutor for your child.You should also make sure that the tutor is licensed and has the proper credentials. The couns elor at your child's school should be able to give you this information. Make sure to ask them for the credentials so that you know that they are qualified.Now that you know the qualifications of the tutor, you can begin to look for the tutor by looking for certain qualities in them. Ask a lot of questions so that you can get a feel for the tutor. This way, you will know if they are going to be a good fit for your child or not.It is also a good idea to make sure that the tutor is available. You want to make sure that the tutor is available during the time when your child needs him. If a tutor does not show up for a meeting because he is not planning on being there, you can besure that your child is not going to be getting the most out of the tutoring experience. This means that you may have to pay for this time instead of getting it for free.It is also a good idea to get to know the tutor before you start the tutoring process. This way, you can get a feel for how they approach the w ork. This will help you to make sure that you get a quality service from the tutor. You should be able to tell if the tutor has a flair for creativity and that they can bring the work to life.The final thing to make sure you look for when looking for a tutor is that they have the right attitude for the job. You want to make sure that the tutor is friendly and willing to learn. You also want to make sure that the tutor is someone that your child will enjoy having in his or her life.

Introduction to Rosetta Stone English Learning

Introduction to Rosetta Stone English LearningRosetta Stone English Learning is an interactive software which will help you learn the English language by using several different approaches and strategies. This software has been developed by Rosetta Stone, a corporation which provides more than a thousand education modules to children and adults alike.The Rosetta Stone English Learning software is meant for all ages, with varying levels of experience. It should be able to help you be able to speak and comprehend more English words and sentences. However, it has been made by combining all of the best known English language learning software programs into one single application.For a beginner, it is possible to use Rosetta Stone English Learning with the English Beginner's Learning software, which is created specifically for people who are just beginning to learn English. It is simple enough to use and best of all, it has been designed so that you do not need to be a native English spea ker to benefit from this software.Rosetta Stone English Learning is also ideal for those who would like to improve their knowledge and skills in speaking and writing in English. The language is such a versatile one, and some of the best grammatical structure can be learned even without the use of native English. There are many other languages, which are extremely similar to English, and have in common certain grammatical patterns as well.Since so many different languages are spoken throughout the world, it is becoming increasingly common for people to learn English as a second language. This means that English is being used as a second language more often, so the ability to speak English fluently is now an asset that can be exploited for business and professional purposes. Rosetta Stone has given learners an advantage by making the software that is used so easy to use.You do not have to be a native English speaker to benefit from this software, but it does mean that you will have to be good at grammar. You also need to be able to grasp the concepts of sentence construction, tense, and tense endings. While there are many learning tools that you can use, one that will allow you to get the most out of these and most other tools is Rosetta Stone English Learning.Even though it is meant for new learners of English, it is easy to use and is a great deal more affordable than some of the other English learning software programs. All in all, it should prove to be one of the most effective and helpful English learning tools that you can find.

Review of the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry

Review of the European Journal of Inorganic ChemistryThe European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry is a highly regarded journal published by Springer. As you might expect, its pages are packed with cutting-edge content on all aspects of inorganic chemistry.Among the outstanding features of this publication are three excellent authors, and a superb editorial team. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry carries articles and reviews by two active and well-known figures in the field. The latter are Dr. Wolfgang Goeldi and Dr. Ferenc Lengyel.Goeldi is a Nobel Prize winning chemist who led the research which lead to the discovery of the element lead. He is currently Director of the Max Planck Institute for Inorganic Chemistry in Stuttgart, Germany. Lengyel has been part of the academic community for more than forty years.Goeldi is the author of several books. In this particular article, he focuses on the chemistry of gold and its many uses.Goeldi goes into detail on the chemistry of gold an d also shares some details about his discovery of the element and its properties. Goeldi has been a very active part of the field since his time as a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania.His description of the chemistry of gold, including examples of gold molecules, as well as sections on such subjects as boron and platinum, represent a detailed and fascinating insight into the subject. It should be an interesting read for those interested in the chemistry of gold and other related topics.The German based Goeldi is a former member of the elite Wissenschaftskolleg Group. These organizations are recognized as being of high level of quality. It is fair to say that this publication is one of the best in its category.

Should I Major in Journalism

Should I Major in Journalism Inquiring minds want to know what is it like to major in journalism? Well, if youve got one of those particularly inquisitive minds, this area of study would probably fit you perfectly. A field where the sole purpose is to learn about new things and share them with the world, students who are naturally curious and determined to get answers to open questions should be more than ready to take this on. Certain challenges come along with it, however. Obstacles regarding boundaries and knowing when to keep reaching and when to recognize limits are explored. Depending on the area of journalism you want to go into, various skills concerning writing and/or broadcasting are covered as well. Is this a world you can handle? Skills Needed: Journalists basically need to be unafraid. Hounding sources to get stories completed, especially when those sources dont want to speak to you, is a huge effort that demands persistence on a whole new level. Students who wish to study journalism must be prepared to go to extreme lengths for answers and never get nervous and if you do get nervous, you need the strength to push it aside and keep moving anyway. All of this may make journalism seem like an exhausting and dangerous marathon, but there are some calm aspects of it, too. Youll have to do your fair share of research to thoroughly comprehend the background behind stories before you tackle them. Your classes will give you endless opportunities to prove your attentive research skills, bravery, and genuine curiosity. You may also want to check out these tips on things to focus on as a journalism major. Lessons Learned: Being a journalism major will teach you how to spot a really good story. Reporters are not always assigned pieces in fact, they are more often asked to pitch their own. Coming up with a solid pitch is a tactic that takes time to understand. Journalism classes will help you discover what you should be looking for on a regular basis and what separates an incredibly intriguing story idea from a mundane one. You want to find ideas that people will want to read/hear about, not ideas that will just get you by for another week. Majoring in journalism also means you will learn how to structure stories. There is a method to hooking your audience in and then keeping them engaged, plotting the right amount of quotes and facts at the right times. Moreover, a very specific type of writing is used - not the typical style you use in English essays or learn through formal writing tutoring. Finally, you will learn interviewing skills how to come up with the best questions that will get the best answers out of people, how to deal with people who dont want to talk at all, how to land great interviews in the first place, etc. Together, all of these lessons will go hand-in-hand and eventually show you what being a journalist is all about. Post-Grad Opportunities: It has never been the best-paying market, but there are certainly several positions out there. Many of them arent glamorous, and often your first journalism job out of college will not be at all glamorous, but it will be something. Signing up to be a reporter means you will, in fact, be reporting. You could do stories for a small business journal, website articles for a T.V. station, advertorials for a magazine what most aspiring journalists end up doing to get started is freelance writing. This can get you the opportunity to be published in a variety of places the catch is, you will get paid little to nothing. Yet, thats the main road to kicking off a journalism career. Its all about getting your byline out there and eventually getting picked up by the right publication. If you are hoping to be a T.V. reporter, start searching for tiny markets. Random stations you probably never have heard of will be more likely to take on someone like you who is fresh out of school and has never officially been on T.V. before. Just make sure you have taped some good reels of your broadcasting skills so you can show them what youre made of. The journalism field, like many other fields, is about working your way up. Impress the right person, however, and you may get pushed up the promotional ladder quicker than you thought. You may also want to check out this post on thejournalism career experiences of a Northwestern University Alumnusto get an idea of what a major in journalism can do for your career.

5 Ways to Help Your High School Student with Test Anxiety

5 Ways to Help Your High School Student with Test Anxiety With all of the assignments, exams, events, and extracurricular activities that are a part of high school, its natural for students to experience stress from time to time. Some of this stress can serve as a motivator, giving students the extra kick they need to complete an assignment on time or to power through a study session. But other types of anxiety can be harmfulone type in particular is test anxiety. Test anxiety is among the most common types of anxiety experienced by high school students. Ways to help your high school student with test anxiety include introducing him or her to coping tools, and encouraging good habits. Looking for ways to help your student, but not sure where to start? Keep reading to learn five ways to help your high school student with test anxiety: 1. Help your high school student with test anxiety by reassuring him or her that he or she is not alone According to the American Test Anxieties Association, 16-20% of high school students experience a high level of test anxiety. The association notes that another 18% suffer from moderately high test anxiety. It can put high school students at ease to know that their test anxiety is shared by many of their peers. [RELATED: 4 Ways Parents Can Help High School Students Succeed] 2. Help your high school student with test anxiety by introducing him or her to coping tools Students can partially reduce their test anxiety by learning to address it. Students who routinely experience test anxiety can master breathing exercises, meditation, and other relaxation techniques that can help them calm themselves before an exam. If you have questions about how to teach these techniques, speak to your students high school guidance counselor or psychologist. There are also many smartphone apps that encourage relaxation. Review these apps with your student, and discuss with him or her how to best use them. [RELATED: High School Parent-Teacher Conferences: What to Ask] 3. Help your high school student with test anxiety by ensuring he or she has studied For some students, a major source of test anxiety is not appropriately preparing for an exam. Your student can work to prevent test anxiety by ensuring he or she has sufficiently studied for any exams. Encourage strong study habits, and remind your student how important preparation is when it comes to test performance. If your student is having difficulty forming a study routine, he or she may benefit from more structured study time. Two possible solutions are: Study groups Tutoring. Speak with your student to determine which of these he or she feels would be most beneficial. 4. Help your high school student with test anxiety by praising good results and good habits A little praise can often go a long way. Praise your student when he or she is studying or has done well on a test. This type of support can be a great confidence booster that builds up over time. [RELATED: 3 Ways Students Can Benefit From Journaling] 5. Help your high school student with test anxiety by reminding him or her that exam results arent everything Tests may make up a large part of your high school students grades. However, its important to remind your student that tests arent everything. Getting good marks on exams is important, but so is in-class participation and homework completion. Lowering the stakes of testsjust a littlecan be relaxing for some individuals. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Private Tutoring Does it Guarantee Long-Term Academic Success

Private Tutoring Does it Guarantee Long-Term Academic Success Hiring Personal Tutors for Private Tuition: Is it the Best Way to Succeed? ChaptersSo Can It Actually Guarantee Academic Success?Every day more and more people are choosing to start private tuition. This is for all sorts of reasons, from learning a new skill to passing an exam at school.However, there are many people that are considering paying for home or online tutoring, but are unsure as to whether it’s worth taking the plunge. Factors like price, time and travel can all impact people’s choices, leaving them sitting on the fence.With the right kind of tutoring, and a real motivation to learn, there is no reason why private tuition shouldn’t be a long-term solution. If both parties can put in the time and effort, you will be on your way to academic success.Tutoring can help students thrive at school and prepare for exams. Source: VisualhuntIf, for example, you receive tutoring for your upcoming maths GCSE exam, you can use your personal tutoring to a massive advantage, and you will most likely come out with a much better grade than if you had no tut oring whatsoever.In the same way, having personal lessons in French in the run up to your A-Level oral exam will prepare you in a way that you can't really find in the classroom, because teachers simply can't provide the one-to-one attention that a private tutor can.But exams are often short-term issues. Once they're over, students might decide that that's enough, and they can go ahead and forget everything now!In this respect, tutoring as a long-term solution and a guarantee of success for the future relies heavily on how much time a student is willing to put in, and how long they can afford to pay for.It does very much depend on student motivation as to whether private tutorials can be a long-term success. If a student is willing to learn, and perhaps change their attitude to certain subjects or alleviate a mental block, then home tutoring is a recipe for great accomplishments.But we can’t ignore the issue of money. Tutoring is a very competitive market and can get quite costly â€" especially if you want an experienced and skilled teacher. It’s up to you to decide if it’s worth paying for and investing in your education.Long-term success is ideal when students plan to carry a subject forward to post-16 study or to university. Tutoring at earlier ages can therefore ignite the confidence and open-mindedness needed to continue with study and achieve success in the future.It is your tutor's job to provide private tuition to a standard that will not only get you through your courses and exams, but also to inspire a new interest, or cultivate a skill.You might be bogged down with your biology homework, or trying to get your head around history â€" if your tutor can encourage interest and excitement towards a subject that you find challenging, this will help to maintain these feelings on a long-term basis, and will allow for success in the future too.It is becoming more and more common for parents to hire private tutors for their children â€" sometimes for mu ltiple subjects too. So we can see that people are willing to put the money in and invest in their child’s education, now more than ever before.This says quite a lot about the national education system in the UK. The demand for tutors UK is at an all-time high, and students are becoming more aware that they have potential that is not always being fulfilled in the classroom.It is only natural, then, that parents and students are seeking home tuition in order to fill in the gaps that national education doesn’t seem to be tending to. It could be as simple as a child falling behind in maths and struggling to catch up again, or just a general lack of support in a tricky subject.The classroom can be a challenging atmosphere for many students. Source: VisualhuntWith classrooms becoming more heavily populated, and teachers having more to manage in their job roles, it's nearly impossible for each child to receive the individual care and attention they need in order to get the best grades possible.This is exactly why school children, particularly of secondary school age, are struggling to keep up if they fall behind, and feel they need extra help outside of school in order to thrive, and sometimes just to tread water.For some people, tutoring is a short-term solution to simply pass an exam or complete a piece of coursework. But for many, it is about cultivating skills and building up knowledge that will have long-term, positive effects.Students ideally need a long-term solution to their academic struggles, and with subjects they find particularly challenging. For many pupils of younger ages, these are subjects that they have to continue with for a few more years, so the goal of private tutoring is usually not just a short-term fix, but an investment in a student's future.Be sure to think about your child's safety when employing a tutor for home tuition or online tutoring. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Tor iSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.0 0 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSo Can It Actually Guarantee Academic Success?There’s no sure-fire way to guarantee success in study or exams. But it is easy to see how much private tutoring can benefit a student’s results when the right amount of time and effort is put in.There are many things a private tutor can provide that can’t be offered by the national education system, and that will improve a student’s academic progress, such as:One-on-one attention and supportImproving a student’s attitude towards a challenging subjectImproving confidence and self-esteemCreating a relaxed and positive learning environmentEncouraging the student to ask questions and speak upIndividualised preparation for exams and applicati onsSo as you can see, there are so many perks and benefits to having a private tutor, whether it’s online via video chat or in person.Expensive as home tutors can be, it’s something that does need to be considered when the national education system isn’t doing enough for the individual student’s needs. Only the few can afford private education, so there are many students struggling in the state system who need more personalised help.Private tuition, though pricey, can offer some of the perks of private education at a fraction of the cost - something to consider for your child’s education in the long-term.Students don’t all learn the same way. When a state school classroom has on average 30 children in it, it’s impossible for each child to get the attention and personalised teaching that they need to succeed.For this reason alone, paying for home tutoring means your child can receive the teaching they need at the pace that works best for them. This is the foundation for building up a great knowledge and academic confidence which will continue to develop over time.There are so many situations where private tutoring is beneficial to a student’s education. For starters, it’s a great way of helping shy children open up and become more confident with their school work. They might be falling behind in class because they are outshone by other students, or because they are too scared to speak up.The most notable recent growth in the private tutoring industry is in primary education. Parents seem to be recognising where their children are struggling at school, and are actively investing in the future of their education by getting extra help early on.One to one tuition can therefore help students with their confidence and self-esteem on a long-term basis, so it’s often worth investing in â€" especially at an early age - to combat nerves and anxiety towards school and the classroom environment.For students that are already doing well at school, private tutoring can ensure that the student is prepared for their exams and fine-tune the smaller details that could mean the difference between the upper grade boundaries.For students applying for entrance exams or for university, tutoring can be a worthwhile investment for their further education and academic career, which many students and parents feel is worth spending the money on as it will have a big pay-off later on in life.Tutoring from a younger age can improve understanding and confidence. Source: VisualhuntIf you are looking to learn a new language, or need to improve one you’re already studying, then one-on-one tutoring is really worth considering. Having private teaching from a native speaker who can give you the right attention and support is not easy to find in a group or class - so tutoring can be the best value for your money!Make sure you are opting for private tutoring for the right reasons. Cramming in an hour or two with a tutor right before an exam is probably not going to help you succeed, and certainly won’t guarantee you any long-term solutions.If you are going to invest in a private tutor, it’s worth making it as regular as possible to really get the most out of this opportunity. A monthly meeting will not be enough â€" you should aim for weekly sessions if you can, and fortnightly at a push. CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tu tors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors

Online Quadratic Graph Tutors

Online Quadratic Graph Tutors Quadratic equation graphs help analyze many equations and solve many questions. Quadratic means square. The equation which has the highest degree for the variable as two is called a quadratic equation.The general form of a quadratic equation is ax2 + b x + c = 0. Here x is the unknown variable and a. b. c are the constants. The sign of the variable a decides if the graph of the quadratic equation is upward or downward. The quadratic equation needs to be solved to graph it. Example 1: Graph the quadratic equation x2 + 6x + 9. Solution: Given here is the quadratic equation x2 + 6x + 9. The first step is to solve for the quadratic equation. The equation can be written as x2 + 3x + 3x + 9 Now factoring the common terms gives x(x + 3) + 3(x + 3) = 0. Hence (x + 3) (x + 3) = 0 Therefor x = 3 is the solution. The graph of the quadratic equations is given below. Example 2: Graph the quadratic equation x2 + 7 x + 10. Solution: Given here is the quadratic equation x2 + 7x + 10. The first step is to solve for the quadratic equation. The equation can be written as x2 + 5x + 2x + 10 Now factoring the common terms gives x(x + 2) + 5(x + 2) = 0. Hence (x + 5) (x + 2) = 0 Therefor x = -5, - 2 are the solutions. The graph of the quadratic equations is given below.

Top 4 Reasons to Attend a Big School

Top 4 Reasons to Attend a Big School One-size-fits-all: not a phrase to describe college student bodies. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to the size of the school they plan on attending. It is one of the pivotal factors to the college decision. There are a lot of assumptions made about what a small school does for you and what a big school has to offer differently and of course, let us not forget about the medium-sized school. However, even if you decide on a student body that is somewhere in between small and large, its numbers and culture are most likely going to make it lean more in the direction of one category or the other. Both small and large schools have very defined cultures that are shaped due to their respective sizes and every student should be fully aware of what those cultures are before making a decision. Here is some great information on large schools vs. small schools that you may want to check out. As discussed before in regards to small schools, there is a clear difference between liking the idea of a certain type of school and actually liking the school itself. Rather than just taking obvious concepts and blowing them out of proportion to fit the dream school you are picturing, you should identify a few specific things about yourself that will help indicate what type of school you are ready for. If you already went through that list in reference to small schools and figured out that it isnt the path for you, try out the evaluation for big schools. You might find that this is the kind of college experience you are not only looking for, but pretty naturally prepared for. You may want to check out these reasons to attend a small schoolas well. A large school is more than just huge crowds and a well-known reputation. Find out if you would fit the mold of this of eclectic atmosphere by determining if the following descriptions apply to you. You Like to Try New Things: Academically, socially, culturally if you enjoy expanding your horizons, a big campus will suit you well. A bigger school means more opportunity and more space to showcase those opportunities. Large events will be held throughout campus more frequently with interesting educational presentations, visiting concerts and comedy tours by big names, club and job fairs, and various social/mingling events. Additionally, being on a big campus means you have the chance to explore a wider span of ethnic restaurants, unique entertainment venues, and other intriguing establishments in the extensive downtown area. Moreover, you will have more classes to choose from in your field of study as well as a lot more options when it comes to study resources and other creative ways of exploring that academic path youre on. A larger faculty to reach out to doesnt hurt either. You Love Meeting New People: Although most students enjoy this and it is certainly something you can carry through at a smaller school, a big campus is just a little more appropriate for those who really enjoy it. Making new acquaintances is a bit more exciting at a large school because there are just so many people to meet. More importantly, you can pretty much be guaranteed that there will always be more new people for you to come across even after the meeting the core of your class during that first year. Joining more clubs and attending more events will certainly make this more likely, but the comforting thing about being at a large school is that you have that easy chance of meeting new people every single day just by walking to class. You will constantly have the opportunity to make new connections without even trying. You Get Bored Easily: Although similar to liking to try new things, this is in reference to someone who just hates feeling restricted to one place or one path. Small schools tend to offer you one, simple world to be a part of, which can be great. However, if you like to mix it up once in awhile and feel you need to escape certain areas of campus every now and then, youre going to feel more at ease at a big school. When its so easy to check out a different spot of campus or learn about a new student organization, youll never feel at a loss for direction. Many smaller schools leave you feeling like youve seen it all after your first year a larger school will keep you guessing. Youre Passionate About Sporting Events: Many students choose to go to a big school because they are huge fans of its football team. Perhaps they grew up watching them or have always had their hearts set on attending a school in that particular conference. Medium to large schools are more often going to be the ones with a popular football team, giving them an attractive edge in some students eyes over the quintessential small school. Even if the large school does not have a football team, however, its sports teams that are considered to be major are going to have quite the exciting following. Small schools certainly show pride and buzzing support for their teams as well, but the electrifying atmosphere of giant stadiums, tailgates, and towns decked out in those school colors exhibit something truly special and different. A college decision should not made on sports alone, but if you are in fact a sports fanatic and love showing outward spirit for your team, you are bound to enjoy thos e perks of a large school. Anything that makes you more passionate about your school and happy to be there is certainly a positive factor to think about. The majority of appeal in a big school lies in the seemingly endless number of options. A student who simply wants more and gets excited by the idea of being a part of something huge would likely be very happy on such a campus. And remember large schools are not just for extroverted, outgoing people. Shy students can be just as happy in this environment as long as they are ready for those sometimes overwhelming elements that set it apart. Make your decision accordingly and enjoy the search! You may also want to check out these tips on how to prepare for the college searchas well!

Ask an Admissions Expert Drusilla Dee Blackman

Ask an Admissions Expert Drusilla Dee Blackman Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Drusilla Dee Blackman has had a long and varied career in the field of college admissions. She is the former Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid for Columbia University, as well as the former Dean of Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard Universitys School of Arts and Sciences. She has a B.S. from Brown University and an M.A. in psychology from Yale. She is the founder of The Ivy Dean. How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Dee: It is never too early to begin. We advise our students to begin the process at least two or three months prior to their first deadline. This provides them with sufficient time to research colleges, brainstorm ideas, and have each section of their applications reviewed by multiple individualsparticularly the essays. The key is to never procrastinate, as colleges will notice. Students should plan to submit their applications at least two weeks before the deadline. Then, if any unexpected challenges arise, or if any requirements were missed, students have a few weeks to make changes and fix mistakes. What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Dee: Often, selective colleges make their final decisions based on a students essays, as many qualified students have similar grades and test scores. To pick a terrific topic, the student should start by asking, How am I different from my classmates? By searching for differences in his or her background, experiences, current activities, and future interests, the student can discover unique topic ideas. Then, the student should meet with his or her guidance counselor to discuss the list of ideas. A counselor works with dozens (if not hundreds) of college-bound students each year, and he or she will be able to offer advice on which topic is the most unique and noteworthy. Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Dee: In my opinion, topics never get boring. Rather, it is the presentation style. While Dean of Admissions at Columbia University, I read thousands of essays that all sounded the same. Many students directly answer the question and fail to creatively include details that distinguish them from other students. Successful essays are those that are introspective. After the student selects a topic for the essay, he or she should then focus on answering three questions related to the topic: Where have I been? Who am I now? And what do I hope to accomplish in the future? This develops an insightful, compelling story. As every students personal story is different, this approach ensures that the essay is interestingregardless of the topic. What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Dee: Being vague. Students often lack depth in their essays and materials. For any application, students only have a few hundred words to stand out, and it is important to make every word count. For example, merely stating that you were the president of an organization, completed volunteer work, or participated in a sport is not enough information. Colleges want to know about the context surrounding each experience. Why did you participate in the experience? What did you learn? Did the experience impact your way of thinking? What did you accomplish? The scenarios are endless, but as long as the student answers this series of questions for each statement, the student has the best chance of standing out. What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Dee: Each college has a unique process, but there are a few basic similarities. First, colleges check if a student can handle their academic rigor. If a student surpasses the colleges threshold for grades and test scores, then the admissions officers want to learn how he or she will contribute to their student body. This information is found within a students essays, letters of recommendation, activity and honor lists, and short-response answers, which display how a student differs from others in the applicant pool. Often, two or more admissions officers review each application. Once a majority opinion is made, the application will go to a committee for a final decision. As you can see, almost the entirety of the process is subjective; it is important to seek assistance from a teacher, counselor, or independent firm to extensively review each component of your application. Any detail may make a difference in the committees final decision. What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Dee: Fit. Regardless of the specific questions, all admissions offices are (actually) seeking the answer to only one question: Is the student a good fit for our college? To properly answer this question, students must extensively research the college to learn about its curriculum focus, values, campus culture, and opportunities. Then, the student should convey how he or she will contribute to the colleges unique characteristics. How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Dee: When possible, students should visit colleges to experience the campus and speak with staff, faculty, and students. College is an expensive investment, and nothing surpasses a first-hand experience to determine your fit. However, visiting a college is not always possible. For the colleges a student cannot visit, he or she should review their website, read student newspapers, and research the college from various sources to learn about the college from different perspectives. A students happiness at a college is an important determinant of academic performance and future success. Students should look past ranking, prestige, and social pressures to find colleges of genuine interest to them. In most cases, a student will naturally gravitate toward some colleges over others. Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Dee: Often, students spend a significant amount of time debating between these application types. However, in many ways, the different applications are artificial, and solely used to spread the flow of applications. Students should view them the same way. We recommend that students first finalize their college lists. We then tell students to list each college as a reach, target, or safety school. Once organized, students should then apply to at least one college from each category for the early round and spread the rest outcompleting at least one application a weekuntil the regular decision round. This results in a nice, relaxed pace throughout the process. Students should only apply to a binding option if they know with 100% certainty they would attend the college upon acceptance and want to find out their decision earlier. If not, this type of application has no other advantages. How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Dee: Grades and test scores are very important for students to get their foot in the door. As mentioned earlier, these quantitative factors are used primarily as a baseline to determine which students can handle the colleges academic rigor. Then, the essays and other sections are used to make the final decision. Many students believe that there is a formula that consists of ones grades and test scores to determine admission, and this is simply not true. Each year, students with perfect test scores and GPAs get denied. Strong, well-written essays and supplemental materials frequently carry more weight in the process. What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Dee: The importance of these letters is regularly overlooked. Unfortunately, many letters are useless to an admissions committee, as they are vague and lack details. To avoid this, students should carefully select the teachers who write their letters, and you should not pick a teacher solely due to a high grade in his or her class. Colleges want to learn specific details about how a student contributed to the class (to assess how the student will contribute to their campuses). Therefore, students should select teachers who can write about their specific in-class projects, presentations, papers, and other classwork. Then, the student should provide the teacher (either by email, in a letter, or in person) details regarding these in-class accomplishments to remind the teacher. This provides helpful content for the teacher to use in his or her letter. The student should take a similar approach for guidance counselors, except this summary should include a mixture of accomplishments over the students entire four years of high school, including academic highlights, prestigious extracurricular involvements, and noteworthy community contributions. Colleges look to the counselors letter to determine how well a student can balance academic and extracurricular work, while also contributing to the campus as a whole. Visit The Ivy Dean for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.