The ACT Writing Section Is Changing Reasons for Changing: Colleges complain that students can’t write in a sophisticated manner, so the ACT Writing section is being redesigned to more accurately assess writing skills. With these changes, colleges will have access to new information about a student’s strengths, allowing students to demonstrate their “analytical writing ability” through their scores in the 4 domains. Changes: Prompts are longer, more complex and focus on “contemporary issues” rather than school-themed…
Planning on studying abroad in college? Most likely, you’re brimming with questions about the best time to travel abroad and the duration of these programs. With the availability of options for students, you can make the most of your experience by tailoring your study abroad to fit your needs. Finding the most suitable program for your time commitments isn’t always easy, but be realistic about your long term education goals to make sure you stay…
If you’re a high school senior, consider the growing trend of taking a gap year before committing yourself to college. Taking a year off between high school and college has many benefits for self-discovery and personal growth. You’ll find yourself more refreshed and focused on education after taking a gap year to discover your interests. Especially if you’re unsure which major you would like to pursue, a gap year will help you define your academic…
College can be daunting if you’ve signed up for a full-time course load and are also working a part-time job on the side. Avoid the stress and frustration of juggling all of your responsibilities by organizing your time wisely. Here are a few tips for successfully managing your college workload. Avoid time conflicts by using a planner. By creating an organized schedule for the semester, you can develop a practical routine that you can actually…
Get a jump start on establishing your career by applying for summer internships in your field of choice. While most student internships are based on college credit, there’s been a growing number of companies offering paid internship positions. The most valuable compensation, however, are the professional skills and real-life work experience you will acquire. Since college internships typically run a few months during the summer, maximize your time by taking advantage of the following opportunities: Developing…
Beginning next Spring, there will be new changes to the 2016 SAT exam for students to be aware of. Components for the redesigned SAT will include a new evidenced-based Writing and Language Test, along with a Reading Test. The Math Test has also been streamlined to focus on fewer subject areas. To test college readiness, more emphasis will be placed on the student’s reasoning skills and knowledge. Use of modern language commonly encountered in college…
Letter of recommendation: How To Ask For It Writing a college letter of recommendation requires considerable effort. Don’t just blurt out a request to a supervisor or instructor you see walking down the hallway. Choose your letter of recommendation writers carefully, and plan out your timing and approach. Most importantly, don’t procrastinate. Ask someone who knows you well When deciding on whom to ask, don’t simply think of those classes in which you have done…
Students can strengthen college applications by exploring a couple of activities and sticking with them through high school — and they will develop skills and interests that may last a lifetime. Selecting extracurricular activities helps to strengthen a student’s high school experience. 1. Choose depth over breadth. Admission officers are more likely to consider an applicant who is deeply and passionately committed to a specific activity, rather than one who is superficially involved in multiple…
It may be only 500 words, but the admissions essay portion of a college application can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection. How you write your personal essay shows the admissions committee why you are different from everybody else. It provides information about you that test scores, grades, and extracurricular pursuits just cannot. You can use the essay to describe a favorite activity, to tell a story about yourself, or even a story about…
Some colleges require an interview as part of the admissions process but most do not. It is still important for you to visit the college at which you may spend four years of your life. The visit and/or interview may help you in your selection of a college or to verify your choice of a school. Interviews can follow several formats. It can be designed to share information or to evaluate you as a candidate…
