Admissions

Score a 36 on your ACT test? Wouldn't that be great? I can hear you thinking, "How am I going to do that?" Obviously you're going to have to start with some basic intelligence and some knowledge in Math, Science, English and Reading. But, I'm assuming you have a lot of that already, or can get some help from a competent tutor. You probably have more knowledge in those subjects than you give yourself credit for. So, in addition to applying your own natural capabilities, here are seven more ways to improve your ACT test score, and maybe even earn that top score of 36.

(1) Preparing for the test beforehand can be hard work, but is critical to help you score higher. If you go in blind without preparing, I guarantee you will get surprised by the unexpected. Get yourself a good ACT test prep book such as The Real ACT Prep Guide or from Barrons, Princeton, McGraw-Hills or get several.* Read the book(s) well and take the practice tests to see how you do on each of the four sections. This will help you know what kind of questions to expect in the actual test, and will tell you which section you need the most help with, if any. The test prep books also help you understand what kind of strategy you need to follow to score better on the real test. Take the practice tests under conditions that will be similar to those you will experience in the actual test (for example, on a Saturday morning in a quiet well lit room with no distractions like a TV or cell phone).

(2) Don't try to cram your review of the test prep book and your practice test taking into a few days. Spread it out over at least a month or even two, spending one to three hours per day on your test preparation. By giving yourself enough time, you'll absorb everything better and will be able to get help on any subjects you may not have quite mastered.

(3) When you take the practice tests, make sure you only allow yourself the amount of time you will actually have during the real test for each section. Use a stopwatch or alarm clock to make sure you stop after the allotted time. If you have trouble finishing in time, you should take another practice test forcing yourself to do one of two things; either mentally focus on speeding up answering each question, or set the timer for less time than the actual test will allow so you know you must answer questions faster. For example, if the test allows 30 minutes, set the timer for 20 minutes.

(4) Answer the questions in all sections of the practice test before you look at the answers in the back of the book. You have to practice relying on your own knowledge and thought process before relying on the book's answers. The answers at the back of the book are there just to check your answers and to show you which problems or sections you need to spend more time on. The ACT rewards you for correct answers and essentially doesn't penalize you for incorrect answers, so if you don't know the answer for sure, make an educated guess. Don't leave any question unanswered unless you completely run out of time.

(5) For the reading section, you should read the questions first and then read the text you are supposed to be answering the questions about. This seems to help many students tie in the questions to the context of the reading passages. It may help you to read the passage as if you were the author and you are reading what you just wrote. What would you have been thinking about if you just wrote the passage? What would you have been trying to say? What facts were you presenting? Then, answer the questions in the practice test for that passage.

(6) If you find a number of questions you can't answer correctly, or perhaps one of the four sections that gives you a significant problem, get some help from a qualified tutor who offers ACT test prep assistance. Don't assume that the actual test will be any easier than your practice tests. It won't be. If you need help, get it now before you take the real ACT test.

(7) On the day before the real test, get plenty of rest and good nights sleep. Have a healthy light breakfast in the morning and head off to the test well prepared. Make sure you have everything you need for the test including a calculator, pencils and your admissions ticket. Expect to be a bit nervous. It's natural. Expect to find at least a few questions that throw you a little. For those questions, take an educated guess at the answer by eliminating any answer that can't logically be correct and choosing the best of the remaining choices. Don't panic. With all your preparation, you will score better than you would have before the preparation. Maybe even that coveted 36. And, even if you don't like your score, you can take the test again and keep the best score. Good luck and here's to you scoring your best on the ACT.

If you are looking for a ACT tutor in Naperville, IL please visit us at http://www.naperville-tutoring.com/act-up.html Descriptions and a few tips of some of the ACT prep offerings are available for viewing on our ACT resource page.

© Joan Geyer Kaliher All rights reserved Permission granted to reprint with author, Joan Geyer Kaliher and website link http://www.naperville-tutoring.com provided.

Planning to get into college can be one of the toughest tasks a student has to make and can be the most stressful time in a teen's life. However, understanding the college application process can greatly help a student in his or her search for a bright college life.

Application Strategy

Though there may be no exact rule or limit to the number of applications one should send, it is generally ideal to submit applications to 6 to 8 colleges or universities. It is also wise to come up with a final college list which has the following categories:

• Reach College. These are colleges that may pose application challenges but applying is worth a try. You may choose 1 to 2 schools for this group.
• Realistic/Probables. These are colleges that are close to what you are looking for and most likely have the chance of being accepted. You may choose 2 to 4 colleges or universities for this group.
• Safeties. You can choose 1 or 2 colleges that you think you are very confident with. At least you think you have a 90% to 100% chance of being accepted and that you know you can afford studying there. These

There are students who choose 2 or more for the reach and realistic groups and more for the safeties. However, if you are deciding from the safeties group, you should make sure that you are really happy to attend these colleges. Always take time to consider all your options. Make sure that at the end of the day, you are happy and contented on what you have decided.

Application Procedures

Once you have finalized your school list, you must now secure your applications and catalogs from those schools. It is very important that you have read and follow their application requirements and directions as stated in their information. You may ask to fill out forms and submit necessary documents to support your application. If you are confused and would need help, you can always visit your counselor to ask for advice. Remember, as a responsible student, you need to know the details applicable to each school that you are applying. Always check for admission requirements, deadlines and tests to be taken.

By Jane Ward, Want the # 1 secret to choosing the right college and major while saving up to $26,000 in the process? Get this and more in our free college exploration video. http://MyCollegeExploration.com

During the college application process for many senior students, the question arises: do colleges look at PSAT scores? However, many students and parents don't even know what the PSAT actually is, how the scores are used, and if they even HAVE a PSAT score!

In this article, we'll first clarify what the PSAT is, how the scores are used and attempt to answer the question that got you here in the first place: Do Colleges Look at PSAT Scores?

First let's explain what it is. The PSAT is an acronym for the "Preliminary SAT" test. So basically it's a test that is administered to high school Juniors (and sometimes Sophomores and Freshman) as a practice for the real SAT subject test that may or may not be taken by a student. Remember, the SAT is a form of college entrance exam/test and is sometimes required for admission. However, most schools across the country will require only the ACT test for admission.

The PSAT covers 3 different sections:

• Critical Reading Skills
• Math Problem Solving Skills
• Writing Skills

You will receive a score in each section that will be added up together to form your overall PSAT score.

So, how do you use the PSAT scores and what are they even for? Well, the test is developed to do a couple main things:

First, it measures your ability and give you an idea of what areas you need to brush up on before taking the actual SAT tests. And secondly, the PSAT is also associated with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and if a student does well enough on the test, he or she could qualify themselves as a National Merit Finalist which could have some scholarship money associated with it.

But don't get your hopes up yet. Only a very select group of students do well enough on the test to gain "finalist" status and then get awarded scholarship money. If you don't win a scholarship, just becoming "commended" or a finalist goes a long way with college admission and looks very good on your transcript.

So, do college look at PSAT scores. The answer to that is NO, absolutely not. When you apply to the college of your choice, you will be sending in an application, any recommendation letters or essays (if they ask for them) and an official high school transcript. The ONLY way they can see a PSAT score is if it's listed on your transcript. If it is, you can have it removed but 99% of high schools across the country do not list this score on an official transcript.

Once you take the actual SAT, those scores can be sent to the colleges, but again: If you don't want them sent you can have them removed from you transcript before applying for college admission.

By E. Thomas, College Admissions is different every single year, and it's getting harder and more competitive! Just making the slightest mistake in high school course selection, involvement or even on your application can make or break your chances of getting accepted to college. Taking an active role in your education NOW is the first step to a successful future! Stop by College Prep University to get your FREE report: Top 10 Reasons You WON'T Get Into College!

Time surely is changing. Before, college application only involves answering some straight-forward questions. Today, a lot of documents are being required and even writing essays!

If you need help in understanding the current college application process, here are some helpful tips that you may want to know:

• College/University. First, you need to find the right college or university to apply. You should consider your interest, your extracurricular activities and your strengths when deciding for the course and the school to attend to. You can check on various college and university websites to help you decide which school do you think suits you best.
• Application Form. When applying for several colleges and universities, make sure that you know which of them require a specific form and which ones allow you to just fill out a common application. It is also important to take note that when filling out application forms, take your time. Do not rush so that you do not make any errors. Remember, all the information being asked in the forms are important. So make sure they are complete and correct.
• Transcript of Records. Your high school transcripts are needed for the college applications. Request them early and send them directly to the college or university you are applying for.
• SAT Test Scores. Determine which schools require individual or composites SAT test scores.
• Recommendation Letters. Check also which schools need recommendation letters as part of the application requirements. Ask a trusted teacher or acquaintance to write these letters for you.
• Personal Essays. Start writing your personal essays in accordance with the schools' policies.
• Interviews. You may want to check out as well if the school you chose offers interviews. Interviews allow you to speak to an admission representative for more in depth information.
• Meet the Deadline. Always check the schools or universities' application deadlines. Make sure you submit all the necessary documents and requirements before this very important date.

Do your homework, write your essays and submit them all in time. By following these simple college application tips, you are increasing your chances of being accepted into the school of your choice.

By Jane Ward, Want the # 1 secret to choosing the right college and major while saving up to $26,000 in the process? Get this and more in our free college exploration video. http://MyCollegeExploration.com

College News - College Board has reported record high college tuition prices while some schools face low SAT scores.

Attending college may be an even more difficult feat for young people now, with college tuition prices through the roof and SAT scores at some high schools dropping.

Mount Desert High School in Maine has failed to meet SAT standards, according to the Department of Education (DOE). The school has received notably low scores on the “critical reading” portion of the SAT exam for the last two years.

Between 2008 and 2009, Mount Desert’s special education class didn’t meet the state’s 10 percent improvement requirement in their reading scores. The low scores continued from 2009-2010, said Gossip Jackal.

Meanwhile, at four-year public universities, prices are rising. College Board reported this morning that average in-state tuition rose by 7.9 percent, or $555 to $7,605. At private non-profit colleges, tuition rose 4.5 percent, or $1,164 to $27, 293.

The DOE calls the Mount Desert a “continuous improvement priority school,” which mandates the school to develop and instate a plan to improve reading scores, said Jack Times.

Mount Desert is required to spend $1, 572 for reading development and to notify students’ parents about the school’s overall low SAT status. They are also required to advise parents to transfer students to a school with higher academic standards if they see fit. Many of the students with low scores are of low socioeconomic status.

On top of things, “Just when Americans need college the most, many are finding it increasingly difficult to afford,” said Molly Corbett Broad, president of the American Council on Education to Yahoo!.

By Marisa Amorasak

When students are looking to start applying to college, the question often arises: Do colleges look at Facebook? While there certainly is a "gray area" with regard to what colleges should or shouldn't be looking at, there are a few general rules that will protect you from getting yourself denied due to the content that your Facebook or MySpace profile contains.

But first, let's answer the question that got you on this page in the first place:

Do College Look at Facebook?

The short answer to that is, Yes. However, it would be unfair to say that ALL colleges look at Facebook or MySpace to gain an extra insight to an applicant. There are over 2000 colleges in the United States alone and many of them get over 25,000 applications each year! Yes, you read that right... 25,000! To say that a college that receives that many applications to review goes onto Facebook an looks at each student would be ridiculous.

However, each year more and more schools are taking a closer look at the students applying to their university as a measure of "quality control". So yes, it does happen at some schools. Social media outlets like Facebook provide an unfiltered, real life look at the potential student. If a college has access to that, WHY NOT use it?

Think about it: If you owned a business and had a potential employee that was underage drinking in half of their pictures on MySpace or Facebook, would you hire them? I didn't think so. The same goes for the colleges! They will think twice about admitting a student that is a risk of dropping out due to excessive partying etc. The reason for that is because it damages a college's reputation, so they are looking for as much of a "sure thing" as possible to help keep their ratings up. If not, they will lose thousands of tuition dollars from potential students who no longer want to apply to that school because of it's freshman dropout rate.

Ok, so do colleges look at Facebook? Yes, some of them do, but what can you do to protect yourself? For starters, take down those photos that you would consider questionable. A good rule of thumb is this: If you think it MIGHT be a little questionable, TAKE IT DOWN! It's better to be overly cautious rather than sorry because you got denied!

Also, there are certain privacy measures that you can take on Facebook that will allow only friends or certain people to view specific photos. While we recommend that you should just TAKE THEM DOWN altogether, if you must keep them then look into setting those pictures to "private".

Facebook and Myspace are just one aspect of your personal life that colleges could gain access to, and deny you based on the material found there. If you choose to remain on Facebook, please be careful of not only the photos you post, but also the things you say on your wall or other people's wall. Comments can seem innocent and fun, but colleges don't want to see anything inappropriate and WILL deny you based on that!

By E. Thomas, www.collegeprepu.com
We've covered just ONE aspect that can get a student denied admission when applying to college. College Admissions is different every single year, and it's getting harder and more competitive! Stop by College Prep University to get your FREE report: Top 10 Reasons You WON'T Get Into College! 

Typically, students fill out college applications with varying degrees of confidence that they will be accepted into those colleges, particularly when they apply to more rigid private colleges. Most students work through the boxes, fill in the information, cross their fingers, say a prayer, and drop the form in the mail or click submit online. However, much of the angst and fear can be removed if students pay attention to these four specific areas that private schools review thoroughly, and usually in this order.

1. SAT and/or ACT Scores - This is the first "stop" on the college application trail for private colleges. This set of scores allows colleges to look at a consistent evaluation tool for judging the academic possibilities of future students. Most private colleges will have minimum scores that are non-negotiable. Be sure that you have taken these tests several times in order to gain the best possible scores, and invest in yourself by taking a prep course that focuses on teaching you how to take these tests. There is an art and skill to it!

2. Grades and Course Weight - Admissions offices will then evaluate the courses that you've taken against the difficulty of them. For instance, they will want to see if you have Honors or AP courses, whether or not you have taken higher-level math and science courses, etc. The more rigorous your schedule has been in high school, the better your evaluation will be, if you have also done well in these courses. Showing great potential on your SAT exam, but failing your English course will only demonstrate your wasted potential. Be sure that you are consistently striving to live into your full academic potential.

3. Ranking - This allows private colleges to evaluate your overall progress as compared to those around you. Combined with SAT and ACT scores, as well as your grades, this will speak not only to your abilities, but to the rigor of the school you've been attending for high school. Some smaller schools do not rank, and if you are homeschooled for instance, this factor will be eliminated completely, but if you have a class rank provided by your counselor's office, private schools will want to know it. The higher your grades are as compared to your classmates, the higher your ranking will be.

4. Extracurricular Activities - Private colleges pride themselves on the richness and depth of their "full program." That means that they will have many opportunities to be involved outside of their classrooms. Therefore, it's only natural that they will want to see that you have an interest in other things besides your core classes. You should spend time outside of high school working in extracurricular areas that develop this side of your skills. The catch is, however, that they will be looking at the other items first, so your extracurricular activities, while important, should never outweigh your academic focus.

Keeping these four things in mind will serve you well throughout high school if you are planning to attend a private school for college. State schools will look primarily at the first three items, but private schools, or highly competitive state schools, will add in the fourth element to their review of your candidacy. The most strategic approach is to consider these four components throughout your high school years, packaging yourself as a well-rounded student, and plan for multiple options upon graduation.

By Camille Rodriquez, nationalhomeschoolacademy.com

There is a saying the more the merrier. Although it applies to friends, it definitely won't apply to college applications. Ironically, many students do send out a lot of applications rising up to around 20 or 30 in number. As shocking as it is, it is best to keep the application at 8 the most. There isn't a magic number for college applications but 5-8 are highly recommended. Here are the reasons why college application should be around that much:

· Applications are quite expensive. Most applications are around $35. Multiply it by 20, it is around $700. That is already the price of an iPad and an iPhone.

· Applications should be followed-up. If a student keeps 20 applications, that also means he/she has to follow-up all of them. Conflicts in schedule and stress are a sure occurrence. Unless, the student's application is online like that of Devry University which is quite easy to check.

· A slot for another student who really wants to join a certain school gets taken. Aside from the additional work a student is putting him/herself into, they might be also taking away opportunities for others.

Remember that in colleges quality is better than quantity. At the end of the day, a student can only join one college anyway. If the student is confused about this major of a decision, it is best to consult a school counselor or college advisor to shed some light. Some colleges have college advisers who can assist students with the courses like Devry University Chicago. Another thing, a student could do is to make a list regarding the schools that he/she is confident in passing, the ones wherein he/she is 75% confident in passing and 25% confident is passing. Work from that table and make a wise and pragmatic decision from there.

By Katrina Bianca N Cruz, ezinearticles.com

Tags: columbia university | cornell university | ivy league | princeton university | stanford university | yale university

Today's competition is growing rapidly for attending the prestigious universities of America. There are over 2.5 million students applying to colleges and universities each and every year. This number is expected to rise, as young adults in their 20s and 30s are going back to college more and more each year. There are around 20 to 25,000 valedictorians chosen by high schools each year. That number alone is enough to fill over 10 Ivy League colleges.

If you are serious about attending a procedures University, you will want to start learning the requirements as early as ninth-grade, possibly even earlier if you can. They are directories that can tell you all the information you need to know about different colleges all over the United States. Some information you will need to consider is the location, admission requirements, majors offered, the cost of tuition, and the amount of students that are accepted compared to those that have applied. This will give you a realistic approach to what you need to do to prepare for college.

Some of the top colleges and Ivy League schools around the United States are Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Brown, Columbia, MIT, Washington and Lee, and Cornell University. Harvard has an estimated 17 to 20,000 applicants per year, with only around 2100 accepted. This puts your chance at getting into Harvard around one out of nine. This is not a very high number, which is why you should choose a handful of universities or Ivy League schools that you want to attend.

Princeton has an estimated 15,000 students applying each year, with around 2000 accept it. This give you around day 14 to 15% chance of getting admitted to this school. Stanford has an estimated 16,000 students that apply each year, with an acceptance of around 2900. This gives you a one in five chance of getting admitted. Many of the students that are applying to top universities around the United States have very good applications and resumes, but still get turned down. This is why you must make sure you have at least 5 to 10 colleges and universities on your list to apply to. Do not get discouraged if you do not get admitted to the school of your choice. There are many great universities out there to attend and if you work hard in high school, you will get in to a good school.

People aspire to learn and educate themselves in all stages of life with many looking to earn a degree or deciding to continue their education. However, being able to afford studying for a qualification from a reputable institution is not always easy or even possible for everyone.

This is where scholarships fill the need. Scholarships are designed to help people who meet certain criteria to attend college or university and work towards their degree. It is important though to realize that scholarships are not available to everyone and you need to know how to find the right scholarships and avoid those that are fraudulent.

Let's start with a basic fact - there is no such thing as a guaranteed scholarship. As more people have searched for scholarships to pursue their education, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of seemingly genuine, but essentially fraudulent, schemes that you need to avoid. By using these following tips you will understand how to find the right scholarships by identifying and avoiding scholarship schemes that are not what they appear to be:

"Last Date to Apply" or "No date to reply"

Scholarships schemes or bulletin boards that highlight that the last date to apply is within the next day or two but do not inform the date by when the results will be declared should be treated with extreme caution. This partial disclosure will often be accompanied by a request for you to pay a nominal application fee and will never inform the level of scholarship that an applicant could win.

Personal Security and Credit Information

There may be occasions when a letter or email will be received by a prospective or an existing student informing them that they have been short-listed for a scholarship or grant. In these cases, the letter or email will also state that further processing of the scholarship or grant can be guaranteed only when you send personal details such as your bank account number, statement of account, social security details, etc. As scholarships require pre-work from the applicant any request for personal information up front is a sure give away that this is a scam and should be avoided.

Branding

Envelopes and seals of the agency that is offering you information about their scholarship programs carry authentic sounding names like "Federal", "National", "fund", "State", etc. and these will also be branded with convincing logos and stationery. Whilst the first impressions created can be persuasive and the information provided might seem genuine it will almost certainly state that to claim your scholarship you need to first pay an advance cheque for taxes. Avoid such demands altogether as you will never hear from them again after you've paid up.

Addresses and mail boxes

Check the addresses on all unsolicited mail. Are they genuine? Is this a registered company? Are they operating from valid commercial districts? In case of emails, check to see if the address given is real - it probably won't be. More often than not these schemes request that you send either money or information, or both, to win a scholarship, which would never be the case.

If you are in any doubt about the authenticity of a scholarship offer, be aware that a scholarship has to be applied for and asked for. There are certain conditions and guidelines for granting a scholarship and more often than not scholarships are awarded on grounds of merit. You should therefore be prepared to write an essay and complete other academic information that they request, but only after you have initiated contact with them.

Scholarships are meant for genuine hard working students who need financial assistance to pursue their qualifications. Once you know how to avoid fraudulent scholarship schemes you will be in a much better position to find the right scholarships that are available to help you with your studies.