Testing, Testing

As if applying to college isn’t taxing enough, the process seems to have been ratcheted up another notch. Ambitious high school students are no longer content with just one college admissions test. Many applicants to the nation’s most selective colleges and universities are taking both the ACT and the SAT.  http://nyti.ms/1dIwsMa

PSU Or NYU? Statistics, Psych Or Social Work?

It’s not hard for a student today to unwittingly take on a life-altering amount of debt. To help students make informed decisions about whether it’s worth paying a premium for a certain college or degree, here’s an online comparison of graduates’ income: www.payscale.com/college-salary-report-2014. Students can compare earnings for graduates of 1,058 colleges and universities as well as national median starting and midcareer salaries for 130 majors. Who knew: The starting salary in nursing beats business $54,100 to $41,400. More useful, the gap narrows midcareer: $70,200 to $70,000. 

Best Way To Raise Verbal Scores on SAT

Average scores on the nation's most widely used college entrance exams barely budged this year, raising new concerns that high school graduates will be unprepared to compete in a global marketplace.

The College Board says just 43% of SAT takers in the high school class of 2013 earned a score that indicates they will succeed in the first year of college. That percentage has remained virtually unchanged for at least five years. 

Part of the problem on the Verbal side is the fact that kids today do much of their reading for pleasure on computer screens. Nothing beats taking a book out from the library -- on a regular basis. Best are well written non-fiction and literary fiction. Worst are books that are poorly written and read from a sense of obligation, such as when a well-meaning relative gives a gift. 

So let's get reading, early and often, which will raise those Critical Reading and Writing scores, and school grades at the same time. For more information, please go to keyacademics.com.

Common Application Releases New Essay Prompts

     The new Common Application — which received some criticism a few months ago for removing the "topic of your choice" essay prompt -- has released five new essay prompts for the 2013-14 admissions season.

     Students who plan to use the Common App, a form that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities simultaneously, are advised to keep these essay prompts in mind. Savvy juni...ors know that the earlier a college applicant starts drafting his or her essay, the more prepared they are. 

     Here are the new essay prompts:

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

     The Common App will still be a stickler for essay lengths. However, the maximum has increased to 650 words. (The previous limit was 500 words.) The Web-only application will not accept essays with fewer than 250 words.

Mirror, Mirror - Radiolab

Mirror, Mirror - Radiolab
The person you see in the mirror is not how you appear to other people. Click on the photo of Lincoln....

Common Application Releases New Essay Prompts

     The new Common Application — which received some criticism a few months ago for removing the "topic of your choice" essay prompt -- has released five new essay prompts for the 2013-14 admissions season.
     Students who plan to use the Common App, a form that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities simultaneously, are advised to keep these essay prompts in mind. Savvy juniors know that the earlier a college applicant starts drafting his or her essay, the more prepared they are.
    Friend us on Facebook and read the new essay prompts. 

Math Skills In Children Attributed To Motivation And Study Techniques--Not IQ Score

Rather than keeping Junior's nose to the grindstone, it may be more helpful for parents or teachers to show him how math ties to real life (for instance, understanding that two $3 candy bars cost $6 rather than just memorizing times tables).
Read about it.

January marks the height of the Financial Aid season

    Once you identify a college that is a good fit for you, you should investigate your financial aid options. Each college has its own financial aid policies — guidelines for deciding who qualifies for aid, what type of aid is available, and similar questions.
    To be sure you understand what is available, check to see if the answers to these 12 questions appear on the college’s website or in their print materials. If not, schedule a phone meeting or an interview with a member of the financial aid staff if you’re going to be visiting the college. http://ow.ly/gGbNi

Fiscal Cliff Deal Impacts Financial Aid

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 will affect how students pay for college. Here are some provisions of the bill that will impact financial aid.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fiscal-Cliff-Deal-Impacts-Student-Financial-Aid.html?soid=1103470649934&aid=ovPnXVKCoE0