So you've been waitlisted to your top college?  What should you do now?

First, know that a waitlist decision does not mean you're rejected.  In fact, it sometimes can be a matter of showing the school that you're actually interested in their program above all others.  After all, a big factor in college rankings is a school's yield rate, (the amount of students accepted who actually attend) so they can't accept all potentially qualified applicants.  

Top Test Prep can help you get off the waitlist so you're accepted….

Here are 5 simple things to do if you've been waitlisted to your top school:

(1) Don't panic.  The first thing you should realize is that there are many reasons you might have been waitlisted.  Perhaps the number of applcations this year was incredibly high, and the number of qualified applicants was also just as high.  A waitlist is NOT a rejection.  In fact, it sometimes can be quite to the contrary.  If you're waitlisted to only one college, concentrate 100% of your energy on getting into this college.  If you're waitlisted at more than one college, pick the one you're most interested in at this point.  Don't spread yourself too thin.  It's time to get focused.

(2) Contact another teacher/instructor to write you a supplemental recommendation.   What this means is that you should have one more recommendation written to highlight your skills and how you have contributed to your school.  This should be sent directly to the admissions office and should be something incredibly specific.   Don't send another fluffy "oh, he's so great letter…"  Instead, have them write a heartfelt letter demonstrating how you'd contribute to their school.  

(3) Take another SAT and/or ACT.  Though this is probably not something most students want to hear, you need to know that it does matter.  Though most top colleges let students know whether they're accepted in April, you will still have time to take another actual SAT or ACT exam.  Indeed, with the new "Score Choice" reporting of College Board, I would highly encourage you to take up to 2 or 3 SAT / ACT exams, respectively. 

(4) Write a genuine letter of interest.  This is a letter that comes from you and goes straight to the admissions office and/or Director of Admissions.  The letter should include something specific about their school that it so appealing to you.  If you write something broad and general such as, "wow, you've got a great history department…", I highly doubt they'll care.  Rather, consider writing a note about how you visited the college and were able to meet with a couple professors who inspired your interests in your potential majors.  If you haven't had the chance to visit the college – go visit!  You never know who you'll meet on your visit – perhaps an admissions officer who could influence the decision.

(5) Update the school on one or more major accomplishments.  Between the time you applied originally to a college, and now, there's likely (or hopefully) a couple things you've done in school that deserve serious praise.  No, I don't mean that you should tell the college you made the honor roll.  Instead, tell them you won the 1st prize in a major competition (clearly, only if you did).  Or talk about how you started a new club that so many students joined;  you can even talk about challenges you faced and things you've done to overcome adversity.  Whatever the accomplishments you tell the admissions office about… be honest, open, candid and as specific as possible. 

I hope these things help you better understand what you can do if you're waitlisted to your top school.   We can definitely help you on many fronts – whether through improving your scores or through college admissions counseling.  Just let us know if you need help!

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This article was written by College Admissions Expert, Ross Blankenship.  Blankenship is also the Founder and Chairman of Top Test Prep, which provides SAT, ACT prep, and college admissions counseling programs to help students get into their top schools.  Call (800) 501-7737 to learn more.

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Want to know how to dress for your college interview?

First impressions last. So dress well for your college interview! Don’t blow your chances of getting into your dream school because you don’t brush your hair or tuck your shirt in. If you show up in a Rush concert shirt or a Yankees baseball hat on backwards, you’re risking a lot. (Unless, by some extremely odd coincidence, the college admissions counselor loves Geddy Lee or Derek Jeter.) Be professional – a college interview is similar to a job interview. Dress well – and dress so that you won’t fall over due to a constricted waist!

Formally

This is a professional day. Your wardrobe choice should reflect that. A college interview can make the difference between acceptance and rejection. If done well, a positive interview might also land you on a scholarship award list. Nose rings, eyebrow rings – basically, anything but traditional earrings – should be pulled out or tucked in. No jeans. Find khakis or dress pants – ladies may wear dresses or skirts as long as they are an appropriate length. Wear a belt if your pants need it, and a tie if appropriate. Clothing without words is best, unless it’s your school’s name. If you normally wear heavy makeup, consider a lighter look for the day. Your personality will come through in the speaking part of the interview.

Comfortably

Comfort is essential for your interview. You might feel more dressed up than usual, but you want to wear clothes that you will feel somewhat natural in. Ladies – if you aren’t used to wearing high heels, don’t start now, especially if you plan to take a walking tour of campus. Your shoes should be formal, but not painful. If button-up shirts feel too tight or uncomfortable, consider a polo shirt. Formality should not mean misery, so try to find a happy medium. You may laugh – but if you wear tight clothes just because they look good, you might end up with a cramp mid-interview and have to force your smiles. You want to look as happy as possible. So make sure that while you dress formally, you dress naturally, too.

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This post is titled “How to Dress for Your College Interview.” It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep’s team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs, call (800) 501 – Prep

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Thinking about studying abroad in high school? Want to learn in a new place with a different culture? Or are you interested in English literature or drama and can see yourself in London for a semester? Whatever your reasons, studying abroad can help you immensely.

Studying abroad is a huge step – but the benefits are plentiful. Living and studying abroad during the academic year, or during the summer, can give you a hefty leg up on college applications and future internships and jobs. Here are just a few of the top reasons to study abroad in high school.

1. Learn a foreign language

The best way to learn a language is, by far, immersion. While classroom routine and commitment is necessary to keep your brain engaged with foreign languages, the fastest, most efficient way to increase your ability is to go to the place it is natively spoken. A foreign language will also help your college application stand out. How many high school students can say they speak Mandarin Chinese, Romanian, or Dutch?

2. Gain intercultural experience

Often learning about the “other” forces us learn more about ourselves. Stepping outside of our own world situations and everyday lives, we can better understand our own biases and perceptions of the world and our place and roles in it. Intercultural experience will also help us learn to work and live beside people even if we don’t understand them at first. Finding common solutions and learning to work difficulties out in an intercultural context can translate into vital career skills.

3. Learn about non-US perspectives of international issues

While learning to deal with intercultural experiences that might challenge your everyday rituals, you’ll also be confronted with your American-ness and new ideas about political issues. It may sound simple and like common sense – but if you decide to live in Israel, your awareness of Israeli issues will skyrocket. If you study in Brazil, you might start paying attention to US foreign policy toward Latin America. Increased global awareness can only be a boon for your college applications.

 4. Gain independence and confidence

It’s hard to live abroad! Even if you choose an idyllic mountainous town in Thailand and imagine elephant rides and cooking with a host family, once you are living the experience you’ll have new expectations. If you are in a place where no one speaks English, the first time you can ask where toothpaste is in a store might be a significant mark of achievement. If you travel with friends, the first time you figure out how to get across Rome completely by public transportation will give you a new found sense of independence. Returning to the US, you’ll find you’ve learned to take certain challenges for granted that classmates might not have had the chance to confront yet.

5. Academic enhancement

If you are learning Latin or Greek – why not go to Italy or Greece?! You will be surrounded by students interested in similar subjects, and challenged not only by textbooks and teachers, but by the context and connections you make to the local culture. Your foreign language skills will increase if you study abroad, but if you do well abroad and in a completely new context, colleges will see that you are academically talented and committed.

There are numerous exchange, summer, and academic year programs available – start searching for one that appeals to you!

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This article is titled, "Top 5 Reasons to Study Abroad in High School." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's Team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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Editors are crucial in the college application process – particularly for essays. A nightmare scenario is turning everything in, proudly looking over your work – and finding a glaring error or realizing that you had not discussed a certain illuminating point in an essay. Regret in that form is avoidable and easily prevented.

Even if you read, rewrite, reread, and continue that process ad nauseum, a second set of eyes and a new brain and perspective will help your writing immensely, and prevent sloppy errors on all parts of your application. An editor can help you look for mistakes, see potential for improvement, and be a solid second opinion. Finding the right one (or ones) can be tricky. To find a good editor for your college essay and admissions application, look for these five qualities.

1. Find a person who knows you well in and out of school

An efficient editor will verify that your college essay and application truly represent you, and represent you well. Preferably, your editor will know you in and out of the classroom so that they know all your unique qualities are presented to admissions counselors. If you ask a tutor or someone who might not know you as well to edit your work, consider talking with them about accomplishments in and out of school, college goals, and your expectations in a school. Then they'll have a better grasp of you and how well your writing reflects you.

2. Your editor must have a solid grasp of grammer, spelling, and essay construction

Spell check can be erroneous, missing mistakes in the confusion of homophones. And Microsoft Word won't understand if you break a rule to make a point or keep an essay's rhythm. A good editor will not only have a strong spelling and grammar base to catch any mechanical errors, an editor will also understand how writing can flow.

3. Work with someone who is comfortable critiquing your work - and whose criticism you can take

College essays can be quite personal. A parent or sibling is likely not the best choice for an editor, unless you are very comfortable giving and receving criticism from each other. Find an editor who can see the essay objectively, and with college admissions in mind. Make sure your editor is someone with whom you are comfortable communicating, too. If someone gives you feedback that demoralizes instead of encouraging you, this person might not be the ideal editor for you.

4. Ask a veteran or expert of the admissions process

If you have friends who have recently completed the admissions process and done well (and if you're comfortable with their criticism), these are great resources to help you edit your college essays. College counselors can be great assets, too, but only if they have enough time to help you well. Consider education experts as well – tutors, mentors, and admission coaches. They will definitely have the time, and will be enthusiastic to help eager students.

5. Combine forces – use a few editors

If you know a few different people with these different qualities, it's beneficial to have a few people read essays. Don't be afraid to ask – if someone can help you with grammatical technicality, but another person will be better at seeing how well your essays convey your strenths and personality, use both people! If they are willing and able, more eyes will help you. After your essays make the rounds, you'll have the final say anyway. Take advantage of extra help.

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This post is titled "How to Find an Editor for Your College Essays." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team.  

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

Top Test Prep also offers expert admissions counselors to help you work on your college applications and get into top colleges. To learn more about Top Test Prep’s admissions consultants and experts, call TTP today.

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By now, many students have heard from colleges or will hear within the next few weeks. These students are in the enviable position of having a "lameduck status" in their classrooms. Senior spring is no secret, and to a degree it should be enjoyed. But it is also a chance to take on new opportunities that will benefit you down the road.

Now, a necessary word of preemption. As many people will tell you, your college acceptance is not set in stone. It is conditional on continuing up a similar caliber of excellence. Furthermore, one should not see this as an opportunity to shirk on any commitments they have made prior to getting into school. That said, it is also an opportunity to relax from having to do the absolute best work and put your focus towards other endeavors. So with that, let me write about a few ways I think a student can best take advantage of this time.

1) Take It Easy
Yes, don't go and fail all your classes and drop out of your clubs. But do take advantage of the opportunity to relax a little bit. You're about to head off for another four years of hard work. Allowing yourself to ease up on your high standards "a tad" will allow you to recharge and enjoy the remaining days of high school. If you haven't yet signed up for your final classes, go ahead and take less than the maximum amount!

2) Take Risks
Senior spring also presents an opportunity to take some risks and try out something  that you may not excel at but could enjoy or learn from. If your school operates on a trimester or quarter system, you may have the opportunity to still sign up for classes. Think about taking a class outside your comfort zone, but that may interest you or benefit your career down the road. For example, these days, everyone can benefit from some knowledge of computer coding. Why not take one in high school now, rather than pay to do it later?  Or try an art class or creative writing class. Many people believe they have no creative ability; in fact, a little teaching often will go a long way.

3) Focus on your Extracurricular Activities
Now that you don't have to spend your time clawing away for every point on your tests, you can put in more time to your extracurricular activities. The times when someone can spend several months focused on what they care about most are few and far between. If you have been working with a club or charitable organization this is great time to take on an initiative that will have a lasting impact. If you do work in the arts outside of school, make a goal to accomplish something significant. That way, when you look back on this time in your life, you'll see that you didn't just spend it all trying to get in college, but you had other accomplishments you are proud of as well.

No matter what you do, remember to still treat school in a serious manner. Above all, though, enjoy the time, and get ready for the next stage in your life.

This post is titled, "What To Do With Your Senior Spring?." It was written by Jon B., a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

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There's much debate in the college admissions community about whether students accepted to colleges can negotiate their financial aid award.  First off, congratulations on even being able to consider such a task.  Now…let me be clear:  you absolutely can negotiate your financial aid awards.  Anyone who tells you something to the contrary is wrong.  Many college counselors discourage doing so often because they don't want to risk their reputation.  But the reality is… it's your family's financial investment and not theirs to consider.

Knowing now that you can negotiate financial aid, here are 5 useful steps to help you receive more financial aid than you had expected:

(1) Make sure your FAFSA is accurate.  As these last two or three years have been financially difficult on families of all income brackets, you want to include as much detail about the profit or loss and/or financial harship your family has faced.  Particularly relevant are details such as money withdrawn from IRA and 401k accounts to pay for your education.  Your expected family contribution (EFC) can be significantly reduced by accurate and honest information about loss of income.  This is incredibly crucial to maximize the amount of financial aid you receive.  If you realized that the EFC is higher than it should be, you can amend the FAFSA if it was incorrect on the date in which you submitted the FAFSA form.  Be accurate though first to prevent any errors on the FAFSA form.

(2) Contact the school's financial aid office when you receive your award.  The emphasis here is on contacting the school financial aid office, and not the admissions office.  Often times students and parents (more often) think they can magically contact the admissions office and say "I deserve more money because I'm so great…".  This doesn't work.  You should negotiate directly with the financial aid office, by showing things such as amendments to the FAFSA form, honest hardships, and other information that could be particularly important for them to know such as an accident or incident that happened between the time you filed the FAFSA form in, until the time you received your acceptance.  Financial aid offices are run by human beings who will help you at all costs.  Know that a school's overall ranking (US News) can be affected by how many students actually attend once they're accepted (the Admissions Yield Rate).

(3) If the above two steps failed to add more money to your financial aid package, then you should contact the admissions office and let them know the following…relevant information such as the fact you're deciding between their college and a comparable college.  If you tell them you're deciding between their college (Ivy League) and a low-ranked State University, there's no chance that they'll add money to your award. Be smart about the schools you compare them with – they're smart enough to not care and/or not be fooled.  If you meet resistance on this front, you can try the next step…

(4) Re-take the SAT and/or ACT.  Improved scores on the SAT and ACT can improve your chances of receiving scholarships and financial aid.  Although the Ivy League doesn't per se offer college scholarships, they will take your scores into consideration when deciding on "need-based" grants.  If your score simply fits within that school's median SAT and ACT range, then you're unlikely to receive much aid.  Consider re-taking  the tests and update the school's admissions office with a letter indicating (your hopefully improved scores) and why you re-took these tests.  Further, with higher SAT and ACT scores, you now might be considered for scholarships at your top school.

(5) If none of the above steps work, consider applying for more individual scholarships at that college.  This could be your last hope for attending the school of your dreams, assuming your financial aid negotiation was unsuccessful.  Individual scholarship are usually named in honor of a school alumni – and often you might fit the category for a qualified applicant.  

These five steps could help you receive more financial aid in the form of both need-based and scholarships.  You absolutely can negotiate financial aid awards, but please be smart about it and know that there are several steps involved to make it happen.

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This article was written by educational expert and college counselor, Ross Blankenship.  Ross Blankenship is the Founder and Chairman of Top Test Prep.  For more information on Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501-7737.

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Accepted at your top choice school but feeling hesitant? Nervous about jumping straight into an academic track? Afraid of possible burnout after an intense high school experience? Feeling a little wanderlust?

It’s not uncommon to feel a little hesitation, or feel overworked after four years of hard academic, extracurricular, and test prep work. If you have gained admission into your top college, but are thinking a year of real-life experience might give you time to reflect and gain perspective on your goals, go for it! Many undergraduate institutions actually encourage taking a gap year – as long as it is for a productive reason – and many schools say those students come back and are more prepared mentally and more focused for their studies than they would otherwise have been.

Before you take the leap – take these five steps.

1. Check with the institution on their policy

Columbia and many other schools accept deferred enrollment – MIT and Harvard actually encourage admitted students to take a gap year! But Berkeley does not and instead requires students to reapply if they decide not to enroll in their intended semester. Verify your own institution’s deferment policy before taking the leap.

2. Check with the financial aid department

Besides checking in with admissions, check the financial aid department. If you have received a scholarship, will deferment force you to give it up? Or – if you defer, perhaps you can reapply for scholarships you did not receive. If your main reason for deferment is to work for a year, how will that affect your financial aid package?

3. Consider your main gap year options

If your institution’s admissions policy allows deferment, and you’ve determined financial aid is fine, make sure you have a few solid reasons to defer! Work, travel, military service, internships and religious service are all great reasons to take a gap year. Make sure you have some sort of work or travel plans lined up. The more specific you can be in your letter to admissions, the more supportive the institution will be.

4. Step back and take a bird’s eye view

Try to zoom out and picture where you are in life on a continuum. After the pressure to do well in high school, test well, and get into college, you might feel worn and as if time has compacted and raced by. But you’re probably still in the first two decades of your life. That’s young! You have time, stepping back to see that might help you decide whether or not you are in a place to take a gap year or not.

5. Send in your deferment decision

If you have checked the previous four steps, you are ready to make the commitment. Again, check your institution’s specific deferment policy. Generally, the enrollment deposit is required, and a letter to admissions explaining your reasons for taking a gap year. Make sure you receive confirmation – and then, you are ready to go!

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This post is titled “How to Defer Admission and Take a Gap Year.” It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep’s team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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Last week I talked a little bit about how I thought average class size was an overvalued statistic. But this week I'd like to talk a little bit about two underused statistics: graduation rate and freshman retention rate.

LIke most students, when I was choosing a college the last thing I cared to think about was either the first-year retention rate or the graduation rate. I knew where I wanted to go and I knew that I would be happy there. However, after matriculating, I began to see how these numbers can reflect a school.

To some degree these numbers correlate to the quality of the school. But even among seemingly similar schools, they can vary by us much as 10%. The trouble, however, is understanding what they mean.

At some schools it is a reflection of the difficulty of the academics. For example, Reed College has a retention and graduation rate lower than other schools in its echelon. However, it also has notoriously strenous academics. While this is certainly not the sole reason students leave, it seems safe to say many leave because the difficult academics are not what they want.

At other schools it can reflect the student culture. Schools with more nontraditional students often see students leave for a variety of reasons. They may decide college is not for them, their motivation may push them towards other ventures, or they may take several years off. While this can help explain relatively low rates, make sure that you ask yourself how this might reflect the student body you will be around for four years.

Most worryingly, it can reflect dissatisfaction with the school. If a school has traditional academics and a more traditional student body, but it has a retention and graduation rate below its sister schools, that can be a cause for concern. Call up people you know who go to the school or ask on a campus visit if people know students that have dropped out or transferred. Press them to see if they know the circumstances. Certainly many students will have left for personal reasons, but often times their dissatisfaction can be illuminating.

Remember, the students that left the school probably came in just as excited as you will be. Finding out why they left is just as important as knowing why everyone else stayed.

This post is titled, "Underused Statistics: Graduation and Freshman Retention Rates." It was written by Jon B., a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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The most recent SAT Exam and its Reality TV Essay Prompt

Ok, so we've had some of our Top Test Prep students inform us that the most recent SAT exam discussed the benefits/harms of reality TV shows.  Yes, I just said it.  An actual SAT exam discussed something as ridiculous as reality television shows such as those in which contestants lose weight or are filmed in their daily life – being absurd as they are. 

With the plethora of essay topics – in fact billions of possible essay prompts – it's intriguing that the SAT / College Board writers would choose something like this.  Why would the College Board do this?  Well, perhaps the College Board is trying to make itself more relevant.  Perhaps the College Board and SAT writers are attempting to get more students to take its exam, over its rival ACT exam counterpart.  Whatever the case might be, we're perplexed by the decision and think that students are better served writing about essay topics that will continue to be relevant five years from now – and not fade into oblivion as this prompt no doubt will….

Here's the SAT Essay Prompt on the most recent SAT Exam:

"Reality television programs, which feature real people engaged in real activities rather than professional actors performing scripted scenes, are increasingly popular. These shows depict ordinary people competing in everything from singing and dancing to losing weight, or just living their everyday lives. Most people believe that the reality these shows portray is authentic, but they are being misled. How authentic can these shows be when producers design challenges for the participants and then editors alter filmed scenes?

Do people benefit from forms of entertainment that show so-called reality, or are such forms of entertainment harmful?"

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This blog post was writtten by Chairman of Top Test Prep, and education expert Ross Blankenship.

For more information, call (800) 501-7737 or go to TopTestPrep.com.

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Top Test Prep Reviews

For a review of Top Test Prep’s programs, check out the image below of a student Top Test Prep was able to successfully improve her scores and get into 8 of her top 10 colleges. We’re proud to continue working with so many students each year as they gain admission to some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges.

For more information on Top Test Prep’s private tutoring or admissions counseling, call (800) 501-7737.

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For many, knowing now what the application process is like comes with a little nostalgia – shoulda, coulda, woulda…. That wisdom and advice is worthwhile and useful. What would you have done differently? What do you wish you had done during the college admissions process?

Here are 5 things many students wish they had done or considered during their college admissions process.

 1. Find your best fit

It’s true! Finding your best fit is top of the list. If Top School X is amazing, has incredible professors, a great alumni network, a beautiful campus, and a kind of hollow, empty feeling – maybe you should follow up on that last intuition. Balancing your logical strategy with who you are is incredibly important for positioning yourself for future success. Listen to all those thoughts, and consider colleges where you can see yourself fitting in as a student and alumnus.

2. Find a great editor

Your essays are imperative. Find a person who can be an objective editor for you, someone whom you won’t take offense to if there is criticism. A great editor might be a friend, a teacher or supervisor. It should be someone who knows you really well. An editor will be able to ensure a true sense of who you are comes off the pages for admission counselors.

3. Maintain strong SAT/ACT score and grades

Scores and grades are integral parts to your application – so keep them strong! You SAT/ACT scores indicate your testing abilities, and overall knowledge in certain subjects. The scores are essential for your application not only because they are required, but because they can balance questions about your grades (or vice versa – grades balancing test scores). If you achieve well in both areas, you’ve increased your chances of being accepted to extremely competitive schools greatly. Keep it up.

4. Ask about the price tag

Many students falter at the numbers on a school’s tuition fee. Costs have risen, and there is fair reason to be concerned and vigilant. But when searching for schools, look at schools for how they fit you – not how much they cost. Some of the most seemingly expensive schools offer the best financial aid packages. Discarding a potentially great fit because of what the cost appears to be will be an extreme disadvantage.

5. Visit the campus

A visit can provide the most valuable information for you – the feel of a school, the resources, the relationships between administration and students, the way classes are taught. If it is at all possible to, visit the schools you apply to. While many schools might be able to provide the essentials, and a high standard, how well you fit the academic atmosphere and local culture will largely determine your future direction. Take the time to visit campus. If you can’t, contact the school or a department through email or letter correspondence.

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This article is titled, “5 Things You Can Do Differently During Your College Admissions” It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep’s team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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The college discussions boards are sounding off over an SAT essay prompt last Saturday. Even the New York Times takes a moment to cover the issue. At hand, was an essay prompt asking students to discuss reality television.

Many students who had spent months away from television to study history, english, and literature, preparing themselves in all sorts of scholarly ways, were taken aback by the question. How were they supposed to answer a question about reality television when they don't even watch television?

This seems like a good chance to chime in on what you do if you get a prompt asking you to discuss something you don't know about. Whether it is about pop culture or an adage from an ancient philosopher, you need to be ready to tackle it- even if you have no clue about the topic.

The first thing you should do is avoid complaining. Rather than take to the message boards all upset, tell yourself that you can marshal your smarts to talk about whatever it is asking you to discuss. The big thing to remember is that the essay section is not measuring your knowledge of arcane details and unusual examples. It is testing your ability to write. This means that all you have to do is write a simple structured essay that answers the question.

The biggest mistake you can make is trying to do too much. Even if it is a subject you are not comfortable with, you will still probably have some opinion on what it is asking you. Even if you never watch reality television, you still probably have some feelings about whether it is a positive or negative part of the world. Once you've identified your opinion, ask yourself why you feel the way you do: what experience or set of knowledge brings you to your viewpoint? Don't worry if it's the best example, or if it answers the prompt precisely. What's more important than the ideas is that you clearly express those ideas. Rather than fret over whether you make the most compelling argument, worry about whether you have a clear introductory paragraph, whether your examples are concisely explained, and wether you have  a simple concluding paragraph summing it up.

So don't get all worked up if you don't have something brilliant to say. It's much more important that whatever you say, you do so simply and clearly.

This post is titled, "What To Do With Unfamiliar Essay Prompts" It was written by Jon B., a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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March madness means more than hoops and tournaments – it’s also the time of year when colleges release their admission decisions to applicants. Waiting can be a difficult hiatus, but nothing can surpass the anticipation of colleges’ actual decisions.  So what do you do when you are waitlisted?

Your hopes, expectations – they are all in an envelope. What do you do when you are neither fully accepted nor rejected? It’s a liminal space, being on the waitlist. But it’s not a completely passive one. Here are 5 ways to deal with being waitlisted at your top choice.

1. Research the college

Revisit your reasons for wanting to attend your top-choice school, and scrutinize how well the school fits you. A college will only meet your expectations and be a dream school if it fits the kind of student you are and the kind of work you plan to do. If you are waitlisted at choice A, but after a little more reading and research realize choice B – where you’ve been accepted – would fit you as well or better as choice A, you might want to think about where you’d like to attend college. Another point to research is – of course – your chances of acceptance as a waitlisted candidate. If you think waiting it out will be fruitless, make the mental decision to move on and commit to a different institution.

2. Contact the school briefly.

If the college is still your top choice, in a succinct, polite letter, let the college know you still plan to attend if offered admission. In this letter, brevity is key. It is important to let the admissions office know you are still excited about the school, but you must do so in a professional manner. If there are significant changes to your application it is ok to include that information. Anything else could be construed as pushy and annoying. When second-semester grades and awards come out, you can include that information in a follow-up to your application.

3. Keep your grades up – and stay involved

Maintaining grades is essential if you are waitlisted. You are not only holding steady, but if you perform exceptionally, you will stand out amongst those who might experience a lackadaisical whim of senioritis. Extracurricular activities are imperative. You might have the grades to get in – but perhaps admission counselors weren’t sure about how you tied in out-of-classroom work into your life. If you are already doing well and active, keep going! Losing ground will only hurt if you do get a chance at admission. And if you are continuously working hard, other rewards might come in the form of scholarships and grants.

4. Do not bribe the school – or the admissions counselors

Bribery can only hurt you. Offering a bribe will undermine your academic profile and reputation. Enough said.

5. Be patient, and make your own decision

It may be tempting to send your admissions counselor constant updates on your academic progress or extracurricular involvement. You might have tons of questions flooding in as the time to make a decision approaches and you are still on the waitlist. Just wait. If you've sent in a letter, updated grades and performance, and the college is aware of your intentions, try to compartmentalize the feeling of urgency. If you inundate an admissions office, you might come off as desperate rather than eager.

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This post is titled, "What To Do When You Are Waitlisted." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team. To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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Even if you feel that you've done enough test prep that you are a Jedi Test Master, here are a few ways to best prepare your mind and body in the days leading up to the test.

A Good Night's Sleep–Two Nights Before:
Everyone will tell you how important it is to get a full night's sleep before your test date. But you should also be sure to get a good night's sleep two nights before your test date. It is very possible that you will not sleep as well as you want the night before your test. No matter how confident you are, it is normal to be slightly nervous . You may find yourself struggling past your planned bedtime to fall asleep. If you get less than  eight or nine hours of sleep the night before the test, but you had a full night's sleep two nights previous, you will at least have some "stored up" rest for your body to run on. You won't feel refreshed, but some light aerobics will get your brain in gear.

Confidence:
Even if you have been scoring great on all your practice tests, when you walk into the test center you may feel overwhelmed and begin to doubt yourself. You may see all the other students and think about how well they are going to do. Or you may see the test booklets and get scared about all the unknown questions awaiting you. All these thoughts are normal. But it is important to be ready for them and realize they are silly. Repeat over and over, "I am going to do great on this test." If you keep telling yourself this, you won't have time to fill your head with other, scary thoughts.

House Chores:
Your parents will love this. In the days leading up to your test, go out of your way to do house chores. Clean your room, take the dog for long walks, help your family with errands. Menial work is very good for the brain as it gives you a chance to engage in an activity while giving your analytic skills a chance to relax. Not only will it allow your brain a break from all the studying, it will give you small feelings of accomplishments and make you feel good about yourself.

Stimulants:
If you're a regular coffee or energy drink user, watch out. On one hand, these substances are addictive. If you drink coffee every morning, it would be a mistake to forego a cup the morning of your test date. However, it is also important to remember that the test environment will amp you up. This is your body's normal "fight or flight" response. This combined with sugar or caffeine may be enough to impair your judgment. If you need caffeine, try to keep it to as little an amount as possible.

These are just a few ways to physically and mentally prepare for your test. The most important thing is to stay relaxed in the days leading up to the test. Don't stay up and play video games the night before, but stick to your normal routine. And finally, don't cram! Read a book you enjoy, hang out with your family, and get some rest.

This post is titled, "Getting Ready For Your Test Date!" It was written by Jon B., a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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Does Volunteering Help with College Admissions?

You’re taking challenging classes, studying for the SAT, and your lacrosse season is going well. You’re looking at different colleges and beginning to collect a list of admission requirements. You are in Model U.N. and keep busy with a few extracurricular projects throughout the year – but something seems to be missing.

This nagging – or pull – is the first step in choosing a volunteer activity. If you don’t have that nagging feeling or a pull – it’s ok. You can have an amazing resume and application package without a volunteer activity (really). For those of you with the pull, here is a little advice on how to pick a volunteer activity.

1. Sincerity – You Want to Volunteer!

It is true! The first reason to volunteer is because you want to. If something doesn’t fit you and you have no personal desire to participate, a volunteer activity will come off as insincere and false to admission counselors. Insincerity is not only dishonest to yourself, it is also detrimental to an application. The first step in choosing a volunteer activity is to have the proclivity and interest to do such work.

2. Connect Schoolwork to Real Issues

What issues surround your proposed volunteering venture? If you are doing Meals-on-Wheels, societal issues of the elderly, retirement, living alone, and class will probably emerge. If you are working with a cancer organization, current research and funding issues might surface. One wonderful thing about starting any new activity is that it will lead you to a new place. But try to project, first, what issues a volunteering gig might lead to. Those issues will connect to your academic life and show admission counselors you are not only a stellar student, but someone who can connect studying to action.

3. Network and Make Connections

Not only will volunteering connect your interests to larger societal issues, you will also be connecting to a new group of people. Networking within these new groups is absolutely essential. If you volunteer with a state representative’s office, you will be working inside the political system of your state – and keeping those connections throughout high school and college might later lead to a job. If you decide to volunteer at a hospice, you might health workers who can advise you later. Keep an open mind – and keep your connections.

If these three reasons ring true for you in volunteering – go for it! But notice that a top reason was not "to make your application stand out." Volunteer work will, of course, stand out. And you could, of course, put yourself through a year of volunteer work somewhere even if you are disinterested in the actual activity. You might even pull it off. But volunteering – as in any activity – will make your application unique only if you are committed and follow through. Admission counselors will notice, and appreciate the gumption and honesty.

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This post is titled "Top 3 Reasons To Volunteer." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team. To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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The newest law school rankings completed by law firm recruiters was just released by US News and World Report.  Many of the biggest surprises include Harvard taking over its rival Yale Law for the first time, and Wash U in St. Louis taking a spot in the top 20 – somewhat of a surprise as far as many Wash U Law grads would say.  Quick shout to E.J.A for the heads up on the rankings.

Here are the law firm recruiter rankings, respectively:

Average Reputation Score (5.0=highest)

Note as U.S News Reports… "[The} News survey, which was sent last fall to 750 hiring partners and recruiters at law firms who made the 2010 Best Law Firms rankings produced jointly by U.S. News and the publication Best Lawyers."

For more information on LSAT prep or law school admissions counseling, contact Top Test Prep at (800) 501-Prep.

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How do college admissions officers use social networks like Google, Facebook, LinkedIn? Do you have a Facebook or LinkedIn account? Have you checked those accounts today? What if a friend posted a silly comment or hacked into your account as joke and changed your information – just to be funny? Or what if you’ve been tagged in someone’s photo and it shows a side you’d rather not let anyone see…?

The past two weeks, we’ve looked at issues surrounding students and the internet. An ubiquitous and seemingly benign tool, the internet gives us access to millions of websites and presents countless opportunities to network and connect with different people. It’s general knowledge that companies check potential employees’ online personas. Guess what? Admissions counselors are online, too.

Admission counselors at many schools have admitted that they check online profiles of students before interviews, and during the admission process. In the case of two comparable students, online profiles might be checked to see which applicant’s online profile matches their application materials most.

It’s not all bad news for students though. If you use Twitter or Facebook or have an open blog, use the publicity to your advantage! On Facebook, you can “like” the colleges you are applying to. If admissions counselors are checking your profiles, make sure your profile matches your application materials – favorite books, music, groups, activities, etc. If you put down “sleeping” as a favorite activity, you might want to edit that.

You also have the option of changing your privacy settings for almost any online presence you have. Remember – the default setting for most websites, blogs, and social networking sites is “public,” which means you are searchable in Google and Bing. Once you turn your privacy settings to “private,” it might take a week for the result to disappear from the search engine, but in the meantime the link will be inaccessible.

If you aren’t sure how much of a public profile you have – search yourself now. You can also go to information tracking websites like Spokeo to see what information about you is available to the public online. You’re not being narcissistic; you’re being safe.

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This post is titled, “Students And The Internet Part 3: College Admissions.” It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep’s team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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Here and there over the next few weeks, I want to take a look at some statistics that I feel are overvalued by prospective students, as well as a few statistics that are undervalued. The first one that comes to mind is student-teacher ratio (or average class-size).

Over the last twenty years the trend has been for colleges to increasingly laud the classroom experience. Big research universities want students to know that they will not just be stuck in 500-person lecture halls and working with TAs. Small colleges will tell you about intimate classroom environments where students get to know their professors, not to mention the professor's spouse, kids, and dog.

I know that when I was applying to college a small classroom that encouraged discussion and where I would get to know my professor was on the top of my list. So I looked no further than the student/teacher ratio. I believe this was misguided.

First of all, large classes are not as terrible as they sound. Would you rather be in a 100-person class with an exciting teacher, or a 25-person class with a boring teacher? Both classes will most likely be lecture-based, so there is little difference besides the number of questions you might get to ask. Routinely, the classes that everyone at my college said "you have to take!" were large lectures.

Furthermore, small discussion-based classes, while touted by the schools marketing materials, rarely lived up to expectations. While the best classes all have a discussion component, it is frustrating being in a class that is driven solely by discussion every day. For me at least, I'd rather listen to a teacher that knows what he's talking about than another student that thinks he knows he is talking about.

This is not to say you should go to a school where you'll be another number and never meet your professor. On the contrary, what is really important is professor interaction. Sadly, this is not as easy to quantify as the number of students divided by the number of professors. Do the research to find out what the relationship is like between students and professors. Where I went to college, if students brought their professors in to the campus bar on Thursdays, they all drank for free. Opportunities like this allowed us to forge bonds outside the classroom. Even more important is finding out about the culture of office hours. Do all professor's have office hours? Or is it just a TA? Are they usually helpful, or are they dismissive?

When looking at your prospective schools, think about what you really want in your classroom experience. Student-teacher ratio will give you some knowledge of what to expect, but it is far from the whole story.

This post is titled, "Overhyped Statistic 1: Student-Teacher Ratio" It was written by Jon B., a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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On Monday, we looked at a list of the top twenty schools with historically low acceptance rates. Remember what we saw? Two things were the conspicuous absence of public universities and the absence of many top private institutions like Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, and Tufts. Keeping an open mind is important in the college application and admission process – as we’ve discussed previously on the Top Test Prep blog, ratings and lists are useful but knowing how they are constructed is essential. So what can we learn from looking at institutions with historically low acceptance rates?

First – Academic Competitiveness

Low acceptance rates mean colleges can be selective about who comes to their school. With a large applicant pool, admission counselors can admit students who are motivated, productive, and likely to succeed in a challenging learning environment. Not only is gaining admission into these schools competitive, the work and intellectual foundation will be, too. Whether or not this means you will be in the best learning environment for your style of learning is up to you to decide.

Second – Respected Reputation

Competition starts somewhere, and for competitive schools with low acceptance rates, this is largely built from their reputation. Reputation can take years to establish and promote. In the academic world, good advertising is not enough – the product (the graduates) must show results and success in careers and future academic endeavors. Successful graduates – in and of themselves – promote and give their institution credibility.

Reputation is not everything – many schools outside of top 20 or top 100 lists, turn out astute scholars and CEO executives– but reputation does carry weight both in academic and professional worlds.

Third – Wide Popularity

If a school is academically competitive and has a respected reputation, it might still have a high acceptance rate. In those cases, colleges generally have a more self-selected type of student body. One of the driving forces in creating low acceptance rates is the large number of applicants (who flock to these schools because of their competiveness and reputation). With a large group of applicants and a limited amount of spots for the incoming class, acceptance rates are driven down – as we've seen happen this year. Wide popularity and name recognition are important parts of increasing the number of applicants.

The factors that create low acceptance rates are all interconnected. A competitive program without an established reputation – or a solid reputation in specialty circles, but not widespread popularity – will not create low acceptance rates. These schools with low acceptance rates tend to be famous, name-branded ones, which is also important. That does not mean students should rule out a college if its acceptance rates are higher than 20%. Low acceptance rates are one way to view schools. If you are a student who thrives in a rigorous academic environment and expects college not only to produce a solid academic foundation, but a strong alumni network and recognition on your resume and transcript – colleges with low acceptance rates might be your kind of school.

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This post is titled, "What Do Low Acceptance Rates Show?" It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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Yikes! When looking over the admissions statistics for top schools in the previous post, it seems so easy to say, "What chance do I really have?" For example, Harvard takes in over 30,000 applications for just over 2,000 spots- a rate of 6.9%!

Certainly, it is no longer the 1950s where all you needed was some good test scores, a neatly written essay, and maybe a connection or two. As we all know, it now takes the best grades, best scores, and best extracurriculars. And even then, that's not enough.

One hears scare stories all the time. I once heard an admissions officer at a top school say that when it came down to making the final decisions, they took the folders for each application in question and put them at the top of the stairs. The folders that slid to the bottom of the stairs first were in.

Now that story may have  been hyperbole. But it gets to the point. How do you really decide between two 4.0 students with perfect SATs and excellent extracurriculars? Most likely, a large portion of the 30,000 applications Harvard accepts are not up to par. But even if one fifth of the applications are of students that are up to the school's standards, the admissions committee still needs to find a way to whittle down 6,000 students to 2,000 students.

There's a more optimistic way of looking at these numbers. If you're one of those students whose folder didn't slide fast enough, you're not alone. You'll join these students at a top school, just maybe not the top of the top. There are too many qualified students in the world for the available spots, so that pool is overflowing into the schools that are just one notch lower. Not only has this increased the reputation of these schools, but it also means that, just like Harvard or Stanford, these schools are filled with the brightest and hardest-working students in the world.

So yes, unfortunately, doing the best is no longer a guarantee of admissions. But, only by doing as good as you can- on your grades, standardized tests, and everything else you take on, not to mention the application itself- you will at least stand a chance. Every school you apply to increases your chances. And if you don't get in, don't kick yourself over what you think you did wrong. Almost certainly it was the luck of the draw. Where ever you end up, that same drive will allow you to succeed in college. Ultimately, that is far more important to your future success than what school you get into.

This post is titled, "Thinking About The Schools With The Lowest Acceptance Rates." It was written by Jon B., a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

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Year after year, lists ranking schools come out and everyone dithers to pick apart the ranking criteria. That said, knowing the process of how different lists rank schools is important – you might agree or disagree with the ranking methods and find your own way to prioritize schools. But one list that is historically sound and purely numbers-based is this: the top 20 schools with lowest acceptance rates.

Every year a new list comes out of colleges with the lowest acceptance rates. But overall, the list contains the usual suspects. Here is a list of the top twenty colleges with the lowest acceptance rates historically. (Note: The acceptance rates are the average rates of these institutions, not the rates from this year, which have declined, overall.)

1. Harvard – 7 %
2. Yale – 8 %
3. Stanford – 8%
4. U.S. Naval Academy – 10 %
5. Columbia – 10%
6. Princeton – 10 %
7. M.I.T. – 11%
8. Brown – 11%
9. Dartmouth – 11 %
10. U.S. Military Academy – 15%
11. California Institute of Technology – 15%
12. Amherst College – 16%
13. Pomona – 16%
14. Claremont McKenna – 16%
15. U.S. Air Force Academy – 17%
16. Swarthmore – 17 %
17. U Penn – 18 %
18. Duke – 19%
19. Washington and Lee University – 19%
20. Cornell – 19%

What do you see from this list? It’s short – only 20 schools – and might not have colleges you would expect to see, like Bowdoin, Wellesley, Middlebury, Berkeley, Rice, or the universities of Michigan and Virginia. In the past few years, other institutions have been breaking through the top 20 schools. Consider that when you rank schools in your own head or read other lists.

What else can you observe? Besides military academies, these are all private colleges. If we were to separate the list into public and private universities, there would be other names up there – Wisconsin, UCLA, and the College of William and Mary, for example. Those are great institutions, too.

When the official admission rates come out for the class entering college in fall 2011, we'll take another look at this list. Next week, we'll also be looking at early decision rates.

This post is titled, "Colleges With The Lowest Acceptance Rates." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep's programs, call (800) 501 – Prep.

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Last week we discussed the issue of internet addiction. It is a real disorder that psychologists now recognize – and college students are especially susceptible to it. Today we will cover two related issues: signs of the problem, and how to get help.

In the technologically-based age we live in, this may seem exaggerated or extraneous. But more and more high achieving college students are finding themselves in dire academic situations due to internet time and fragmented concentration and work. Next week we’ll discuss the internet from the perspective of admission counselors. For today – back to the signs and ways to recovery.

Main Signs of Internet Addiction Disorder

1. You remember more about the latest news on Yahoo! or Google than your list of economic terms or Spanish words.
2. You have corresponded with professors, but only through e-mail and have not used office hours to meet them.
3. You know the latest posts on facebook, but haven’t seen those people for a day or two.
4. You have linked your bank account to online gaming, auctions, or gambling sites and it affects your financial balance.
5. If a feeling of loneliness or homesickness hits, your first reaction is to go online.

Those are not, in themselves, extreme behaviors. But try taking away the internet for 24 -48 hours. How much work do you complete before trying to click open a window and check different websites? How does your mood change? Do you feel compelled to know what is going on online? Those compulsive behaviors end up chipping away at real-time – time that can be used studying, reading, hanging out with roommates and real friends. The consequences creep up… a missed extracurricular, a hard time concentrating without “checking in,” crammed studying, missing a friend’s reaction to a break-up or acceptance into a program. The impact, as we’ve seen, is real.

Finding Help

As in any addiction, the first step is acknowledging the situation and being self-aware. And then, once someone has decided for him or herself that it is a real problem, the best step is to check with a counselor, friend, or parent. Searching online and Googling the question would, obviously, increase the issue. While some countries have formally recognized Internet Addiction Disorder, the USA is still in nascent stages of doing so. However, a few private companies have cropped up to help those with the disorder. One program in the D.C. area, reSTART, involves the entire family throughout the process, and also has programs tailored to 12-17 year-olds.

The problem of internet addiction is a relatively new phenomenon, but it is affecting youth and students most of all. Knowing that it IAD is real and that the consequences can affect school and academic thinking is crucial for those embarking on higher intellectual pursuits. Next week, we’ll talk about college admissions counselors’ views of the internet, and what students who are applying to schools should know.

This article is titled, “Students and the Internet Part 2: Signs and Recovery.” It was written by Marta Casey, a writer at Top Test Prep’s team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs, call (800) 501-Prep.

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You should still prepare for the exam even if the SAT is not required at your top school…here's why:

It used to be thought that SAT scores were the best way to determine an individual's potential for collegiate success. While that is a view still held by many, a growing amount of research has shown that high school success can be an equally good metric for predicting one's college success. 

The Huffington Post has put together a slideshow of fifteen top colleges that allow applicants to not submit SAT scores. The list includes schools such as NYU, Bowdoin, Bates, and Middlebury.

So if you're struggling with the SAT, or just fearful of standardized tests, should you focus your college search on these schools? For many reasons that would be a mistake. For one, many of these schools still require either the ACT or a selection of standardized subject tests as a replacement for the SAT. If you are going to put the effort in to master these tests, then one can take that same energy and put it towards getting a high SAT score.

Furthermore, one should not let a school's admissions process determine where they want to spend their college career. Even if you feel that your SAT score is not representative of your true intelligence, there are many schools that still require it and believe in its usefulness. While the schools that do not take SATs may offer you a better chance of admission, your focus should be on schools you want to go to, not schools you feel you have a better shot of getting accepted.

More significantly, people often believe they are going to do worse on the SAT than they actually do. Often, one needs to just get to know the test, and to become comfortable with its particular idiosyncrasies, in order to score well. A test prep program will not raise your innate intelligence. However, it will teach you how to focus your intelligence in new ways that will allow you to succeed.

Just because certain schools allow you to avoid taking the test, you should not jump at that opportunity. By enrolling in a Top Test Prep program you can significantly improve your SAT score to the point where you will want to show it off on your application!

This article is titled, "Is the SAT Not Required At Your Top School? Master It Anyway!." It was written by Jon B, a writer at Top Test Prep’s team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs, call (800) 501-Prep.

Read more: http://toptestprep.com/blog/#ixzz1FZIvHhv7

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Last week Princeton and Harvard each announced the return of their early admissions programs. Early admission has not been an option at either school since 2006, when the institutions decided to cancel their programs at the same time.

Princeton and Harvard stopped offering early admission with the hope that it would allow students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds apply. The institutions also expressed expectations that other colleges would follow suit; however, only the University of Virginia did, and only for a brief time. Last year the UVA began to offer its early admission program again.

In its daily newspaper, Princeton said that instead of reinstating a binding early decision option, which was offered from 1996 to 2006, it will offer a “single-choice early action option.” That will give students who are offered early admission the option of waiting to reply until the spring, and to learn about financial aid options.

"We have carefully reviewed our single admission program every year, and we have been very pleased with how it has worked,” Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman said in a University press release that was quoted in the Daily Princetonian. “But in eliminating our early program four years ago, we hoped other colleges and universities would do the same and they haven’t."

In the Harvard Crimson, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Michael D. Smith is quoted from a statement saying that trends have shown that "underrepresented minority students, were choosing programs with an early-action option, and therefore were missing out on the opportunity to consider Harvard."

For students planning to apply to Princeton or Harvard – it means that the option of early admission has returned, and this time, without a binding enrollment agreement. Now, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford offer non-binding, single-choice early action programs.

This article is titled, "Early Admission to Return to Princeton and Harvard." It was written by Marta Casey, a writer at Top Test Prep’s team.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs, call (800) 501-Prep.
 

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