The topic of today’s blog post is comparing a school’s reputation versus cost and majors – extremely important factors that go into making your college choices.

With nearly 6000 higher education institutions in the United States, college-bound seniors have quite a few choices of colleges and universities to sift through to pare down their choices to a (relatively) manageable number. Nobody wants to write a hundred different essays. Save that for your writing courses (kidding, but not really).

I can unequivocally say that the importance of your school’s reputation depends on many factors. While there is always a certain amount of pride being able to put down on your resume (insert Ivy League, Duke, Stanford, MIT…), the question is, is it worth it? Chances are that twenty or thirty years down the road, the college you went to will only matter to you. Your success at 40 won’t depend much on what college you went to – it’s up to your own ingenuity, ambition, hard work with a little luck sprinkled throughout (isn’t it always?). However, are bragging rights worth having student loans at 40? The average student today graduates with nearly $30,000 of undergraduate debt, and this can take decades to pay off.

Our goal is not to say whether an Ivy is better than a top ranked state school like UC-Berkeley – rather it’s to show you that with each you can accomplish great things and further that you absolutely should consider all three: cost, majors and reputation of a college.

What’s the difference between a private institution that costs upwards of $40,000 per year and a public one about 10-15 per year? Some of you live in states with phenomenal state schools that can compete with the very best Ivies or just a fraction of their cost – like Virginia, Texas, California, (begrudgingly) North Carolina and Michigan, to name a few. To those who live in those states, if you can get into those respective schools, then more power to you.

There are certain majors and fields where reputation matters more, though more applicable for graduate program reputation like PhDs, MBAs, JDs and MDs. And those exactly are the fields where reputation might come into play – business, law, and medicine. The graduate program you went to will be more important in getting that first job. However, that isn’t to say that where you go to college doesn’t matter – it’ll help you get into the dream graduate program (applications will never end). There are a number of things that come into play with your undergraduate “stepping stone” into good business, law or medical schools. Above all, you need to do well. Remember that if you go to one of the top tier schools, you’ll have pretty stiff competition – we’re talking about the top 1% of students from all over the country. Can you compete? A 4.0 and good ranking in your class is valuable no matter where you went. A mediocre 2.0 from an Ivy? How do you (or an employer, or graduate school) begin to interpret that? You always take the chance.

Ivy institutions and their brethren have resources. And generally speaking, lots of it. But while they have some of the nicest buildings and newest toys, that doesn’t mean YOU get to use them. Having a cast of Nobel Laureates on faculty sound great, but I guarantee you they didn’t get a Nobel based on their teaching ability. Fun (or sad) fact – many of them find teaching bothersome because it gets in the way of their ability to secure research grants and conduct the research that they are passionate about.

Go to the best school you feel confident that you can get good or preferably great, grades. Go on college visits, sit in on a class or two in your potential field of interest (seminars and big lectures). Preferably go during fall or spring semesters (the summers tend to be average representations at best) to see if you can hack it. See what student engagement is like, and whether you feel like you’d fit in.

We recommend you think about a school’s value on the whole – considering reputation alongside cost and majors. Hope that helps you when choosing a college.

****
Verne wrote this essay; he’s an admissions counselor and private tutor at Top Test Prep. For more information on getting into top schools, call (800) 501-7737 today.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Experts, College Counseling // View Comments

College Applications and Attendance Up As Value of College Degree Grows
Recently released findings from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shed light on the state of American higher education and the continued value of a college degree.

1. College Applications Have Increased
In 2010, 73 percent of colleges saw an increase in the number of applicants. Only 19 percent of schools reported a decrease in applicants.

2. Matriculation is Up
In 2009, a record 20.4 million students were enrolled in a post-secondary institution. This number is expected to reach 23 million by 2020.

3. Overall Acceptance Rates High, but Not At Competitive National Schools
While four-year schools accept 66 percent of applicants on average, this percentage drops to the low double and single digits at the most competitive institutions nationally.

4. Workers with College Degrees Earn Much More and Have Significantly Lower Unemployment Rates
A bachelor’s degree holder earns about $53, 976 annually on average, whereas a high school graduate averages less than $21,454 per year. Moreover, the unemployment rate for individuals with a bachelor’s degree was 5.4 percent in 2010, as opposed to 10.3 percent for those with only high school diplomas.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; To learn more about SAT private tutoring and ACT Private Tutoring, simply call 1-800-501-7737.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts // View Comments

As applications continue to climb for the most competitive colleges and acceptances sink to the single and low double digits, it is crucial that students and their families be conscious of trends which will impact upon their prospects. Four college admissions trends follow.

1. Challenging High School Courses Are a Must But in Moderation
While colleges look favorably at Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate courses, your stress should be on performance not quantity. Better to take two AP courses in a semester for which you have a passion and can earn high grades than four AP’s for which you will be over-extended with a commensurate decline in your performance.

2. Students Are Expected to Think Globally in Course Selection and In Their Experiences
In an era of growing international economic, political, and cultural ties, competitive colleges are looking for a cosmopolitan student body. Intense language study extending over a period of years, and if possible, an international exchange experience will enhance your credentials with prospective colleges.

3. Basic Quantitative Skills Are a Necessity
You need not be a math whiz, but you can’t escape the need to establish a foundation of solid quantitative courses. This applies to potential non-science majors as well as science majors. Quantitative skills as statistics and economics are in great demand in the work place as a whole and it all begins with those high school math courses.

4. Depth in Extra-Curricular Activities is Important
It is a good idea to sample a number of extra-curricular offerings as you begin high school. However, colleges will treat students positively who have displayed a commitment to a high school or community activity or two over a sustained period of time. The nature of that activity is less important than persistence and consequently achievement.

Conclusion
You can enhance your prospects of getting into colleges of your choice, but prudent planning is a pre-condition. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor & expert with Top Test Prep. To learn more about Top Test Prep’s admissions counseling and private tutoring experts, call 1(800) 501-Prep.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts // View Comments

Want a four year plan for getting into the best colleges? If you wait until your junior or senior years in high school to prepare for college, you’re behind the curve and the challenge of finding the right institution can be elusive. A four year plan for getting into college and maximizing your potential follows.

What do do Freshman Year
-Enroll in rigorous courses. Generally, colleges recommend a minimum of four years of a foreign language, science, math, and history. Go beyond the call of duty and consider honors, and eventually advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course.
- Look into SAT Subject Tests shortly after you have finished a subject. Some colleges require them.
- Conduct an informal visit to a college to get a feel for college life.
-Make a commitment to an extra-curricular activity and community service. The depth of your commitment over a sustained period of time is looked upon more favorably by colleges than a laundry list of activities.
-Explore how scholarships work and what the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is.
- Consider a test preparation and college counseling firm. Top Test Prep offers tutoring with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools.

What to do Sophomore Year
-Think about when to take the practice SAT or ACT college entrance exams. The preliminary SAT, called the PSAT, is given in October and is combined with the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
- Start to explore what you might want to study in college.
- Bolster your transcript with strong grades and continue with your extra-curricular activities.

What to do Junior Year
-You should have a list of ten to 20 colleges that you would like to find out more about and to tour. On-line virtual tours will suffice for some, but plan selective college visits with your family.
- Request information packets from schools on your list.
- Communicate with students or alumni from schools which provoke your interest through friends, family members, or recruiter visits to your area.
-Schedule the SAT (October, November, December, January, March, May, or June) or ACT (September, October, December, February, April, and June)
-Keep a journal focused on what makes you distinctive to assist you with your application essay. Consider formulating a rough draft of the essay.
- Continue your research on financial aid including merit based and need based aid as well as accessing grants and loans

What to do Senior Year
-Make a master calendar to keep track of test dates, fees, and deadlines for Advanced Placement courses and retakes of the SAT and ACT.
- Flesh out your college essays.
- Follow-up on scholarships and complete the FAFSA form.
- Determine whether you will be applying to schools early decision (binding if you’re accepted) or early action (non-binding, but a preference).
– Even as you complete the items on your master calendar, don’t celebrate prematurely. Your grades still count and even poor second semester grades could convince a school to rescind their acceptance.

David Dickson is a college admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; David also help with the overall admissions expert team with private school, college and graduate admissions advice.

For more information on Top Test Prep, go to our Quick Contact and Request a Free Consultation. You can also call 1-800-501-7737.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Experts, College Counseling // View Comments

Researchers Kevin Carey and Eric Dillon from the think tank Education Sector have come up with a new way of measuring college success using a “borrowing to credential ratio” which sheds light on the dual problems of dropouts and debt. For each college they take US Department of Education data showing the total amount of money borrowed by undergraduates and divide that by the total number of degrees awarded.

The Problem with College Debt
The American education system is plagued by high levels of dropouts and debt. Only half of the students who start college get a degree within six years, and graduation levels at less-selective colleges often hover at 25 percent of less. In addition, student loan debt is at an all-time high with rapidly rising loan default rates. America is falling behind its international competitors in educating its populace and creating productive citizens.

Results
-Nationwide, the overall borrowing to credential ratio has increased sharply in recent years
-Certain sectors of the higher education industry-in particular, for-profit colleges- are racking up far more student debt per degree than others. For profit universities generated $43,383 in debt for every degree.
-State policies matter a great deal, with different public university systems achieving disparate results for students. The ratio of debt to degrees at public four year universities was $16,247.
-Among elite colleges and universities, some are faring well on their pledge to help low and middle-income students graduate without major financial burdens while others are riding a wave of student debt to fame and fortune. Private non-profit colleges and universities produced $21,827 in debt for every degree. Princeton was at the low end among elite private institutions with a borrowing to credential ratio of $2,385. In contrast, New York University’s ratio of borrowing to debt was $25,886.

Solutions to College Debt
States and colleges can direct their financial aid policies toward the neediest students. More attention to counseling and support for students who are at risk of dropping out is imperative. States who have managed student debt poorly like Iowa can learn from more successful states as Florida. Moreover, regulations like the “gainful employment” rules implemented by the Department of Education can curb the excesses of for-profit colleges that place students in financial jeopardy.

***
David Dickson is an admissions expert with Top Test Prep, which offers private tutoring and test preparation with admissions counselors who help you gain admission to your top schools. Call Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

A just released study by the Center for Education Statistics provides a profile of American college students. Selective results of the study entitled, “2008-09 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study” follow.
Majors Twenty-three percent of 2007-08 first time bachelor’s degree recipients majored in a business-related field; 16 percent in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; 16 percent in a social science; and 12 percent in the humanities.

Education After College
As of the 2009 interview date, 30 percent of 2007-08 first-time bachelor’s degree recipients had enrolled in another education program or had been accepted to a program and would enroll in the 2009-10 academic year following the interview date. Three percent had entered or were entering a program leading to another undergraduate certificate or degree, and the remainder had entered or were entering a graduate or first professional certificate or degree program.

Employment After College and Earnings
When interviewed about a year after completing their degree requirements, 84 percent of 2007-2008 first-time bachelor’s degree recipients were working; 9 percent were unemployed ( i.e. looking for work, but not working); and 7 percent were not in the labor force.
Among 2007-08 first-time bachelor’s degree recipients who were employed full-time, one quarter earned less than $27, 457 while another quarter earned more than $49,200 in 2009. The median earned income was $36,000.

Conclusion
Students who attend nationally competitive institutions of higher learning earn incomes beyond the median, and have the opportunity to enter highly ranked graduate and professional programs with a commensurate increase in opportunity and earning potential. Top Test Prep will assist you in gaining admission to your top schools – call today to learn more – (800) 501-Prep.

David Dickson is a college admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep provides private tutoring and expert admissions counseling for students applying to the best schools.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Data, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

A newly released federal report, “2008-09 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study,” confirms the wisdom of going straight into a private four year bachelor’s program immediately after completing high school. The report observes that bachelor’s degree recipients in 2007-08 who began their post-secondary studies at a community college took almost 20 percent longer to complete their degrees than those who started out at four year institutions, and those who began at four year private colleges finished faster than those at four-year public and for-profit institutions. Moreover, students who delayed entry into college by more than a year out of high school took almost 60 percent longer to complete their degrees than those who went directly to college.

Data on the median number of months to complete a bachelor’s degree follows.

Type of Student (time in months)
All Bachelor’s Recipients: 52
Delayed Entry into College: 80
Did Not Delay Entry: 51

First Institution (time in months)
Public 2-year: 63
Public 4-year: 52
Private 4-year: 45
For-Profit 4-year: 57

Institution Where Degree Earned
Public 4-year: 55
Private 4-year: 45
For-profit 4-year: 103

Major (time to complete in months)
Computer Sciences: 58
Engineering: 56
Biological/physical sciences, math: 45
General studies: 57
Social sciences: 45
Humanities: 45
Health Care: 57
Business: 53
Education: 54

Conclusion
While attending a four year college right out of high school is clearly in the interests of non-procrastinators, the strategy for finding your ideal institution is not as self-evident. Top Test Prep will assist you in finding that school and maximizing your chances of admission.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep which offers private tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain entry to your top choice prep schools, colleges and grad schools.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, Colleges // View Comments

The summer is an ideal time to get a head start on college application personal statements. Tips for writing a strong essay follow.

(1) Be Personal and Display Growth

Essay writers want to know about an interesting experience in your life, but they need to know what you did with that experience to change your life for the better. You must demonstrate how this experience affected you, what you gained, and how it helped you to mature. Show passion in your writing.

(2) Good Writing is Clear and Succinct

Don’t use difficult or unusual words and don’t be wordy or flowery. Moreover, longer is not better. Readers have many essays to read so don’t burden them with a lengthy essay when a five paragraph essay will work better.

(3) Watch Your Grammar (The Colleges Will)

Write in an active strong voice, not the passive voice. “I found the wet, dripping dog” vs “The dog was found.” Avoid unnecessary adverbs and adjectives and focus on clarity.

(4) Avoid Generalities and Be Specific

For example, if you are writing about a trip, do not give your itinerary. Focus on an interesting detail instead. The more specific you are, the more likely it is to be interesting and meaningful to the reader.

(5) Be Careful of Humor

Most attempts at humor fail because people think they are funny and rarely are.

(6) Topics to Avoid Writing About

Your religious beliefs unless applying to a religious college and your political beliefs. This doesn’t include working for a candidate. Also avoid writing about how great you are or anything that would make a reader embarrassed. In addition, don’t write about anything which reveals you to be a poor student or assert that the only reason you want to go to college is to make a lot of money.

(7) Have a Strong Writer Proof Read Your Essay

Don’t write your admissions essay in isolation. Have a strong writer such as a private counselor read it over for content, style, and grammar.

Conclusion
Remember that your essay must demonstrate that you can write and that you are a mature and interesting person that they would enjoy having at their school. It’s time to start brainstorming on that essay!

David Dickson is a college admissions counselor at Top Test Prep which offers tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools. Call (800) 501-7737 to learn more about college counseling programs for students.

Tags: admissions consultants, admissions essays, Admissions Experts // View Comments

How to Start Your College Search before applying to colleges…

It’s hot outside and you’re hanging out with friends, perhaps taking some courses and working before heading back to school in the fall. It is also a great time, however, to invest in your future and start the ball rolling on your college search. Whether you’re entering high school, a rising sophomore or junior, or even heading into your senior year, a few basic steps can get you headed in the right direction. Where do you start?

Step one: Make a College Wish List

Start off by brainstorming about what you want in a college. Questions you should address in include the following.

• What are my academic interests, strengths, and possible majors?
• What extra-curricular activities are important to me?
• What region and climate would I like to spend my college years in?
• What size school would I be comfortable with, and do I want an urban or small town environment?
• What cost can my family afford? A discussion with your parents about financial aid or loan needs is necessary at this point.

Step Two: Talk to Alumni of these colleges

Get feedback from relatives and family friends on their college experiences. What school did they attend and what did they like or not like about that institution? Note that this feedback is just part of the process because most colleges have changed dramatically since your parents and their friends graduated.

Step Three: Identify these colleges and gather information

Access into free services such as the College Board’s “Student Search Service” and “College Search” to identify schools which meet your academic and non-academic guidelines. US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue which lists schools by state and category is also worth ordering or picking up at a local book-store. Pay close attention to the school attributes featured in US News and World Report including acceptance standards, undergraduate academic reputation, and student retention rates. You need to get a sense of your admissions prospects and how undergraduates fare. You can then explore college web-sites and request information from college admissions offices.

Step Four: Narrow down college list and plan college visits

Once you have a grasp of what colleges are out there and what they offer you can start narrowing down your list to schools where you would be competitive in the application process and schools where you have a high probability of being admitted. Arrange visits with your family to as many of these schools as possible during your junior year or early in the fall of your senior year where you can get a feel for the setting and student life. This is an opportunity to set up an interview at schools which encourage it. Look into arranging visits to departments you are interested in where you can pose questions to faculty members or school representatives about class size and their success in placing students in graduate programs and jobs.

Conclusion

Summer is short and you need to recharge your batteries for the academic year ahead. It is also an ideal time to get a head start on a college search, which will play a crucial role in your future. This time could make getting into college, much easier for you.

*****

David Dickson is on the college admissions counseling team at Top Test Prep. Top Test Prep provides expert private tutoring and admissions experts for students applying to K-12, college and grad schools. Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Board // View Comments

Three Tips for Summer Test Prep Success…

Top Test Prep’s team hopes you’re staying cool in this summer heat. We’d like to share three tips with you to stay prepared this summer – for fall grades and academic success. Also, you’ll find our Specials for the Month of June.

Tip #1: Read one more book per week.

Reading one more book per week can keep your mind charged and ready for the fall season. Additionally, we’ve seen that students in our programs who read one book per week (outside of class) do much better on their exams. Every major standardized exam has a reading and writing section. Pick any topic and keep adding books to your library. You’ll learn so much and could become an expert amongst your peers.

Tip #2: Start a peer study group.

Studying with others and setting serious goals with your peers can absolutely improve your grades and test scores. If you’re preparing for an exam this summer, set some goals with your buddies and study together.

Tip #3: Take 15 minutes every day to share what you’re learning with your mom, dad, brothers or sisters!

Parents have been through tests before from the SAT/ACT all the way through the LSAT, MCAT, GRE and more. Your parents are fantastic resources to share your learning experiences with. Take 15 minutes a day to sit down and tell your parents about what you’re learning. Believe me, my father has been an absolutely fantastic source of knowledge and I always strive to learn from his example.

I hope these tips help you in preparing this summer, and we’d love to be part of your test prep and academic success.

************* *************** *************

Top Test Prep’s June 2011 Specials of the Month:

*In-Home Tutoring
Get 3 hours Free with any new signup. Choose your program and call (800) 501-Prep to get signed up.

*Online Tutoring
Get a Free HD Flip Camera with a 25 or 40 hour new signup ($125 value)
Contact Top Test Prep to learn more…or call us today at (800) 501-Prep.

Top Test Prep‘s team looks forward to helping your family this summer!

Tags: ACT Prep, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, SAT Prep // View Comments

How to Create A College Brag Sheet

What Is a College Brag Sheet?

Brag sheets are a student’s resume and are designed to assist teachers in writing recommendations and to accompany college applications. A brag sheet can help you gain admission to some of the best colleges in the country. It’s your chance to highlight all of the great things you’ve accomplished in high school, and what you’re likely to do once you matriculate at top schools.

There are a few types of admission brag sheets:

Activity based brag sheets focus on a student’s performance in areas such as extracurricular activities, employment, community service, honors, and awards. In narrative brag sheets students or parents respond to questions intended to provide insights into what makes students tick. For instance, what are a student’s proudest accomplishments or do you want to explain special student circumstances? Hybrid brag sheets combine a description of student activities with narrative oriented questions.

Overall Tips for Creating Your Brag Sheets

1. Find out if your high school or the colleges to which you are applying have a preferred brag sheet format with details on the information you are to provide. The school’s website may have this information. Adjust your brag sheet accordingly.

2. Focus on quality and brevity over quantity. A laundry list of non-prioritized activities or long answers to narrative questions will confuse readers. Your brag sheet should be about a page long and should highlight the activities in which you have excelled and the qualities which best capture your character. Ask yourself what sets you apart from others.

3. Start in chronological order with your most recent activities or awards and work backwards.

4. Detail what years you have been involved in each activity and specific time commitments. You can refer to hours per week or weeks per year in your explanation.

5. Point out what you have contributed to an activity and any leadership positions you have held. If you were the chief organizer of a high school dance to raise money for leukemia patients, emphasize that fact.

6. Review your brag sheet for consistency and clarity. Don’t say “I” in one area and “we” in another. Use active verbs such as “created,” “designed,” and “coordinated.”

7. Think about how what you write will be interpreted by the recommender and by the admissions office. It should distinguish you from other students and illuminate your strengths. It should also take into account the mission of the school to which you are applying as delineated on its website. If a college stresses community service, make this a prominent aspect of your brag sheet.
_____

This article about “How to Write a College Admissions Brag Sheet” should help students as they prepare to apply to colleges. It was written by David Dickson, who is on the the College Admissions Counseling team for Top Test Prep. For more information on Top Test Prep’s private tutoring and admissions counseling programs, simply call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Applications // View Comments

You’re a high school student or a parent thinking about college options. Naturally, institutions with strong students and professors, classes where students count, and a staff, which goes the extra mile to retain them are appealing. Lifestyle is also important, however, and battling snowdrifts and months of freezing weather isn’t where you want to put your energy. You’ve heard about UCLA and the University of Southern California (USC), but you’re searching for additional high quality American college options in sunny or temperate locations. This piece is intended to assist you in this selection process. Schools found in warm or temperate climates, without the high national visibility which often comes from major Division I sports conferences, have been chosen. Four of our liberal arts colleges are found in Claremont, California, thirty miles from downtown Los Angeles. This is not an aberration since clusters of strong national institutions can also be found in less temperate regions as the Boston and Philadelphia areas, among others. Criteria for identifying quality schools are followed by an identification of schools that you can explore. Concluding comments then follow.

Criteria for High Quality Colleges:

The institutions highlighted in this work are all in the top 25 of US News and Report’s 2011 rankings of the best national universities and liberal arts colleges. They receive at least a 75 on a scale of 100 for undergraduate academic reputation as delineated by presidents, provosts, and deans of admissions at peer institutions as well as selective public high school counselors. Moreover, the schools retain at least 90 percent of their freshman, have fewer than twenty students in at least 50 percent of their classes, and draw at least 69 percent of their freshman from the top 10 percent of their high school graduating classes.

Strong National Universities

• California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (http://www.caltech.edu): The almost two to one ratio of men to women in this school, which excels in engineering and the sciences, could be particularly appealing to science oriented women. The annual New-Years day ritual, the Tournament of Roses parade, takes place in this sunny locale.

• Rice University, Houston (http://www.rice.edu): This multicultural institution with a minority population of 40 percent is generous in its financial aid packages. In 2010, 41 percent of undergraduates received financial aid with the average package exceeding $25,000.

• Emory University, Atlanta ( http://www.emory.edu) This top twenty-five university retains 95 percent of its freshman. Its suburban setting in the economically dynamic Atlanta metropolitan area is an asset for undergraduates interested in creating job networks.

Strong National Liberal Arts Colleges

• Pomona College, Claremont, California (www.pomona.edu): Tied for number six among national liberal arts colleges by US News and World Report, Pomona is the highest ranked warm weather school in this category. Two thirds of this esteemed institution’s students are in classes with fewer than twenty students and 92 percent of its students come from the top tenth of their high school classes.

• Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina (http://www.davidson.edu): A top ten liberal arts school, Davidson has a proud academic tradition extending back to 1837. It is particularly strong in the social sciences and humanities and offers intimate classes with almost three quarters enrolling under twenty students.

• Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California (http://www.claremontmckenna.edu): Founded in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Claremont McKenna with its number eleven US News ranking has established itself as a premier national liberal arts school. It receives a highly respectable rating of 83 in the undergraduate academic reputation index.

• Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California (http://hmc.edu): With a student body of less than 800, this college offers high powered academics in intimate class-room settings. Its students, 94 percent of who come from the top 10 percent of their high school classes, are predominately drawn to engineering, computer science, and the physical sciences.

• Scripps College, Claremont, California (http://www.scrippscol.edu) An all-female school, Scripps is an ideal setting for students seeking individualized attention in a supportive environment. Over 80 percent of its classes have under twenty students. The social sciences and humanities are particularly popular.

Concluding thoughts…

Getting a first rate education in an institution devoted to undergraduate studies doesn’t have to translate into cold winter walks to classes. Year around sun bathing may not be the norm at all of our warm and temperate high quality institutions, but students won’t have to leave their shorts and T-shirts at home.

David Dickson is on the college admissions counseling team for Top Test Prep. For more information on Top Test Prep’s private tutoring and test prep programs, call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor // View Comments

Talking to students informally about the rationale behind their college choices, one gets a wide array of answers including finances, academics, and climate. The University of California, Los Angeles’s Higher Education Research Institute has conducted a comprehensive survey of college freshmen for the past forty years which poses this question, among others, to students. The most recent survey conducted in the fall of 2010 incorporated 271, 441 freshmen from 393 institutions of higher learning. Results from this survey and a couple of lessons follow.

College Admissions Survey Results:

In the fall of 2010, 62.1 percent of student respondents to the UCLA survey agreed that “the current economic situation affected my college choice” somewhat or strongly. In the midst of the recent recession, according to the Chronicle of Education, one in six college bound students had to change their college plans. The academic reputation of an institution was cited by 62 percent of students in the UCLA survey as a major consideration in their college deliberations. It is unclear how students arrive at this judgment, particularly in light of the fact that only 16.7 percent of freshmen identified rankings in national magazines as a factor in their matriculation decisions. A belief that their chosen college would lead to good jobs was mentioned by 53.3 percent of freshmen, and financial assistance was identified as pivotal by 45.5 percent of students. Campus visits influenced the decisions of 41.8 percent of students, and the cost of attending college was treated as salient by 41 percent of them. A college’s reputation for social life influenced 39.5 percent of students, size was delineated by 38.7 percent of respondents, and the school’s proficiency in getting students into graduate and professional programs was identified by 32.2 percent of freshmen. Additional factors cited by students didn’t register beyond the teens in terms of support.

Lessons Learned:

A few lessons relate to the survey results.

First, academic reputation should be considered by students and their families as they evaluate their college options, but it is not in the eyes of the beholder. It largely corresponds to the academic rankings for national universities and liberal arts schools in US News and World Report’s (USNWR) annual “Best Colleges” issue. There is a strong relationship between an institution’s relative position in the national hierarchy and the resources available for financial assistance. Moreover, higher ranked schools generally do a better job than their lower ranked counterparts in placing students following graduation in jobs or desirable professional and graduate schools.

Second, students and their families are legitimately concerned about the availability of financial aid and college costs. Nonetheless, for a productive student experience they should also be conscious of faculty resources which affect class size and college financial resources that affect average spending per student on instruction and services. Both of these indicators of college quality can be found in USNWR.

Finally, the quality of programs within schools can vary and therefore students and their families are advised to visit campuses and set up appointments with departmental representatives of programs in which they are interested. Questions about class size, and post graduation job and graduate school placements can (and should) be raised at those meetings.

Overall…

In this era of media reality shows, students display an understanding of contemporary American realities in their college deliberations. They are largely choosing their colleges for the right reasons, but can maximize their chances for success by tweaking the factors they take into account.

______________

David Dickson is a college admissions counselor for Top Test Prep. This article discusses factors in how students select a college for matriculation.

To learn more about Top Test Prep’s admissions counseling and test prep programs, call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts // View Comments

In this article, we discuss when it’s better to apply early decision vs. early action to colleges, and some things for you to consider when applying…

What is Early Decision?

Recent buzz about the advantages of applying early decision as opposed to regular decision has created confusion among students and their families. They are interested in maximizing their chances of getting into a strong college, but are reticent about limiting their college choices.
Early decision applications for college are often due in early to mid-November of a student’s senior year. In fact, during this time, you must agree that you will apply early decision to only one institution. Admissions decisions will be made by mid-December enabling the completion of regular applications due in January or February, if necessary. If accepted, it is a binding decision unless financial aid is inadequate. If so, the institution can withdraw their offer of admission and you cannot apply again that academic year. The following observations are designed to assist students and parents wrestling with this issue.

1. The Early Decision Acceptance Rate is Considerably Higher than the Regular Decision Rates

Statistical evidence is clear that applying early decision increases one’s prospects of getting into strong institutions if your grades, exam scores, and extracurricular activities are up to par for that respective college. For example: Ivy League -Columbia University accepts 19.6 percent of early decision applicants and nine percent of regular decision applicants. Amherst College, which is rated second among national liberal arts institutions in the 2011 edition of US News and World Report’s Best Colleges, accepts 36.56 percent of applicants for early decision and 16 percent of regular decision applicants. This pattern generally holds at strong institutions. The applicant pool at these institutions is highly competitive, but you can improve your odds of admission through early decision.

2. Early Decision is Not for Those Ambivalent about an Institution

If you’re not sold on the academic and non-academic dimensions of an institution, early decision is not for you. Uncertainty about the wisdom of your decision is not a good psychological state as you head into a challenging freshman year. You don’t want to apply early decision unless you’re 100% committed to attending that school.

3. If you are uncertain about apply early decision, early action is a non-binding option for you

If you are not fully committed to attending an institution, consider early action. With this option you can commit to a college on the spot or wait until the spring while applying to other institutions . Early action, however, is less common than early decision at the strongest national colleges and universities.

4. If you are considering early decision or early action, you need a head start on exams, interviews and the college application.

If you are considering early decision or early action, students are advised to jump start their exam, interview, and application schedule. Standardized tests, college visits, and interviews should take place in their junior year. Early decision applications should be completed by September of a student’s senior year. November is a common due date for early decision and early action applications, but follow the deadlines of the institution in which you are interested.

Deliberation and research are pre-conditions for the successful college search. Early decision applications are not for the faint-hearted and must be pursued in keeping with the guidelines of your target institution.
________________

This article was written by David Dickson. David is a college admissions counselor with Top Test Prep. For more information on Top Test Prep‘s programs call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

How to select your APs/IBs and Honors Courses in High School…(and how many you should take)

Recent studies including one conducted by the Department of Education have challenged the value of advanced high school courses. The lines of attack have varied somewhat, but the bottom line is that they don’t carry much “bang for the buck.” Despite a tripling of enrollments in rigorously labeled courses over the last two decades, national standardized test scores in math and reading have not improved. Scores on the Advanced Placement exams on a scale of 1-5 have seen a steady rise in low scores of 1 and 2 over the last decade. Skepticism has been expressed by educational experts and parents alike about the rigor of these courses and their value. As opposed to giving up and accepting a diluted curriculum, students and their parents would be wise to consider the following guidelines when choosing college preparatory courses in high school.

Here are some things to consider when deciding on AP/IB and advanced courses in high school:

1. Don’t focus on the course title itself. Move beyond the label of a course and clarify whether a course is part of a formal Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) program. These programs are standardized by national and international organizations outside of your school and their content is reviewed periodically by subject specialists. A fancy title does not necessarily translate into a rigorous course.

2. Find out the quality of the instructor. Talk to strong students who have studied with a teacher to get their impressions of the course and to find out how they fared on the AP or IB exams. Contact your school or school district to see if statistics are compiled on how students in your school fared on these tests. You can sometimes trace these results to individual instructors.

3. Speak directly with the instructor about how they teach the course. College students sometimes approach their teachers ahead of time to ask about class content and their teaching methods. There is no reason why this can’t be done by high school students during breaks and after school or by parents during non-teaching periods. If the instructor declines a discussion, it is a sign that you should consider an alternative course.

4. Focus on quality, not quantity, in selecting your high school courses. Colleges will not reward you more for taking four AP courses in a semester as opposed to two or three that you perform well in. Don’t focus on numbers alone, but on the quality of the learning experience.

5. Colleges may not accept AP or IB courses, but you should still take them. Colleges vary on whether they will reward student credits for AP or IB courses. Elite private and public institutions may have different standards for awarding college credit for AP courses and may require significantly higher test scores. For example, some state universities will award college credit for an AP score of 3 while another institution would require a 4 or even a 5. There are also differences in which courses receive college credit. Science and math courses in particular may not earn college credit even with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP examination. Don’t expect to shorten your college career through AP courses since they may not fit specific requirements. The students focus therefore should not be on accumulating college credits, but on expanding their knowledge base and critical thinking skills. This into itself is the best preparation for college.

Overall, all advanced and honors courses are not alike. The inquisitive student and parent, however, can construct a curriculum which serves as a solid foundation for college and beyond.

_______

David Dickson is an admissions counselor for Top Test Prep, and also a graduate of both Bowdoin College and Harvard University, respectively. Call to learn more about Top Test Prep’s program at (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor // View Comments

How to Compare Research Universities vs. Small Liberal Arts Colleges:  A guide for applicants

   You’re a student or a parent weighing the merits of applying to small liberal arts colleges or larger research universities. A campus visit is crucial as you narrow down your application list. If watching Division I football or finding a campus you can stroll across in a few minutes isn’t your main concern, you should consider the following factors.

1.  Size of Classes

   The amount of individual attention you receive is influenced by class size. Research universities often have honors programs which may include intimate classes. Liberal arts colleges may have popular majors favored by those with pre-med or pre-law aspirations. Their classes may have more students than the published institutional student/faculty ratio would indicate. Talk to departmental representatives and find out how many classes have enrollments under twenty and over fifty. In addition, make an inquiry about the percentage of full-time faculty, and at research universities about the role of teaching assistants. If teaching assistants are widely used, ask yourself if you are comfortable being evaluated or taught by another young person. For instance, at Carnegie Mellon, a well regarded research university, 62% of classes have less than twenty students and 11% surpass fifty students according to US News and World Report’s 2011 “Best Colleges” edition. At Swarthmore, a strong liberal arts college, 78% of classes have less than twenty students and 2% of them have over fifty students. The overall institutional percentages at these institutions are enticing, but parents and students should make inquiries with departmental representatives to see how they do in terms of class size and full time faculty.

2.   Available Majors

   Large research universities generally have more listed majors than small liberal arts colleges.  Contact the Admissions office or Dean’s office about whether the institution provides options for students to create multi-disciplinary majors or pursue joint studies with other schools, a growing trend at liberal arts institutions.

3.  Research Exposure

   Professors who can effectively bring research into the classroom are an asset to the school. Find out from departmental representatives to what extent you are exposed to full or associate professors in the class-room.  Keep in mind that faculty at both research universities and elite liberal arts colleges are researchers.

4. Student Support Programs

   Most of us can use academic and career planning support as undergraduates and possibly personal counseling. Explore these crucial elements of a school’s support network. Moreover, examine student graduation retention rates in US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue as an indicator of the effectiveness of a school’s support network.

5. Extracurricular Opportunities  

   All work and no play doesn’t make for happy or successful students. Look into extra-curricular activities, which have expanded at undergraduate institutions. If your interests are in musical performance or acting, however, ask whether non-majors can participate.

   Research universities and liberal arts colleges each have their own merits.  Appearances can be deceiving, however, when you initially assess class size, teaching, majors, research exposure, student support, and extra-curricular activities. It is imperative that students and families take the time to visit the institutions and separate fact from fiction by asking the hard questions.

______________

David Dickson wrote this article for Top Test Prep.  He is completing his certificate program in college counseling with UCLA's graduate programs.

For more information about Top Test Prep's college admissions counseling programs, or test prep and tutoring, call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Experts, College Applications, Colleges // View Comments

Here’s our latest video on “How to Get into the Best Schools” with Top Test Prep’s private tutoring and admissions counseling programs.

Top Test Prep helps hundreds of families each year get into top private schools, colleges and grad schools, with admissions and test preparation.

For more information, call (800) 501-Prep or visit Top Test Prep today.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, Admissions Experts, Graduate Schools, private tutoring // View Comments

Top Test Prep is proud to announce a new set of free college admissions seminars for parents.

If you’d like to attend these college admissions seminars on the following topics:

• Tuesday, January 25, 6 – 7 pm:

“How to Improve Your Child’s SAT and ACT scores”

• Wednesday, February 16, 6 – 7 pm:

“10 Secrets to Getting College Scholarships”

• Monday, March 7, 6 – 7 pm:

“What Parents Can Expect in College Admissions”

_________________________

Parents, complete the following sign up form:

Register here for College Admissions Seminars (Workshop)
*The admissions seminars will be held by education expert and admissions expert, Ross Blankenship.  Ross Blankenship’s profile can be found here on Top Test Prep’s Team page.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, College Counseling // View Comments

Early Decision and Early Action | College Admissions Information on Ivy League Schools:

Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Penn and Yale

Brown University

• Regular Application Deadline, January 1
• Regular Admission Decisions sent in April
• Yes, Early Decision Accepted (send application by November 1)
• Average Acceptance Rate, 15%
• Early Decision Acceptance Rate, 22%

Columbia University

• Regular Application Deadline, January 2
• Regular Admission Decisions sent in April
• Yes, Early Decision Accepted (send application by November 1)
• Average Acceptance Rate, 10%
• Early Decision Acceptance Rate, 23%

Cornell University

• Regular Application Deadline, January 2
• Regular Admission Decisions sent in April
• Yes, Early Decision Accepted (send application by November 1)
• Average Acceptance Rate, 18%
• Early Decision Acceptance Rate, 30%

Dartmouth College

• Regular Application Deadline, January 1
• Regular Admission Decisions sent in April
• Yes, Early Decision Accepted (send application by November 1)
• Average Acceptance Rate, 15%
• Early Decision Acceptance Rate, 25%

Harvard University

• Application Deadline, January 1
• Admission Decisions sent in April
• No Early Decision or Early Action accepted
• Average Acceptance Rate <10%

Princeton University

• Application Deadline, January 1
• Admission Decisions sent in late March or early April
• No Early Decision or Early Action accepted
• Average Acceptance Rate <10%

University of Pennsylvania (Penn)

• Application Deadline, January 1
• Admission Decisions sent in April
• Yes, Early Decision Accepted (send application by November 1)
• Average Acceptance Rate <15%
• Early Decision Acceptance Rate, 35%

Yale University

• Application Deadline, January 1
• Admission Decisions sent in April
• Yes, Early Action Accepted (send application by November 1)
• Average Acceptance Rate <10%
• Single School Early Action Acceptance Rate, ~18%

__________

For more information on our Ivy League Admissions Counseling, call us at (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, Admissions Data, Admissions Experts, Early Decision Applications // View Comments

Here’s some information on how to get into top colleges and universities. Top Test Prep‘s admissions experts can help you if you’re applying to college and need college admissions counseling.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

Here’s some information on how to get into top colleges. This video explains how one student got into his top college after applying with Top Test Prep’s help.

Top Test Prep’s team helps students with their SAT prep, ACT prep and admissions counseling programs. Call (800) 501-Prep for more information on our college admissions programs.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, College Applications // View Comments

Here’s our new tutoring and admissions expert, overview video. We hope our family, friends and fans enjoy!

Tags: ACT Prep, admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, SAT Prep // View Comments

“How to Select the Best Private School”

Written by Education Expert, Ross Blankenship
Founder of Top Test Prep

With a faltering public education system, plagued by lowered budgets and a host of other issues, many parents are turning to prep schools and private schools to get their children a solid education that prepares them for college and beyond.

A prep school is usually a private school and many times they are boarding schools as well. If you are one of those who choose the route of college prep for their children, rather than leaving them to the realm of a failing school system, choosing the right school is the key to your child’s future.

In this guide, we’ll use the words Prep Schools and Private Schools interchangeably, as most prep schools are private schools and vice versa.

With that, we have put together this guide of the top 10 considerations when choosing a prep school. It is not necessarily that any private school won’t provide a better academic experience for your child, most private schools far surpass their public counterparts; moreover it’s that choosing the right school will help your child through college and beyond. Students and parents should be ultra-selective when choosing these schools.

10 CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING A PRIVATE SCHOOL

When choosing a prep school you should visit every school that you have on your list. As you visit each school you should answer the following questions.

1. Does the location work for your family? Obviously you want to send your child to a school that is located conveniently for your family. You wouldn’t want to send them to a boarding school across the country, for example, if you weren’t prepared to pay for flights home a few times each year.

2. Does your child agree with the choice of schools? You child should be involved in the choice of schools. Failing to involve your son or daughter may mean lower grades when they are resentful for being there in the first place.

3. What are your child’s future plans? Many students don’t know what they plan to do beyond high school, for those that do however, that possible future can help you to choose a school that will fit well with their future educational requirements.

4. Does the educational program fit your needs? Many prep schools have a specific educational focus. What is that focus, and does it fit with what you want for your child? You don’t want to send your child to an art-specific school for example, if they intend to work in science in the future.

5. How does the school rate compared to similar schools? A simple Google search for prep school rankings will turn up hundreds of pages devoted to comparing the academic achievements of all of the different prep schools across the country. Top Test Prep provides an annual ranking of the best prep schools in the country. You can contact Top Test Prep to find out more (see contact below).

6. What values does the school instill? Many prep schools are focused on one set of moral, ethical, or religious values. Do those values fit you and your family?

7. Does the academy assist students in learning the moral and ethical requirements of the school? If the school has a specific focus, do they work to teach their values to their students? For example, does the catholic academy make time to teach Catholicism?

8. What are the rules for contacting your child? If the school has rules about contacting home, be sure that those rules fit with you and your child. A school that only allows weekly phone calls, for example, won’t work well if you plan to talk to your child every night.

9. How much does the school cost? Although it shouldn’t be the only consideration, obviously cost is a factor. If you can’t afford the school, do they offer scholarships or financial aid?

10. What other activities does the school offer? You also want to look at the extracurricular activities that the school offers. Do their sports, work, and other programs fit with your child’s passions and interests?

A prep school can help your child to get the best education possible. By simply taking the time to consider which school to choose carefully, you will be helping your child to create the best future possible as they move into college and then beyond their school years. However, just as private schools are selective in their admissions processes, from test prep and full-length applications- as a parent you too should be just as selective in your selection of the best private school.

Ross Blankenship is an education expert and the Founder of Top Test Prep. As an admissions expert, he helps families and students get into top private schools, colleges and graduate schools.

For more information on private school admissions counseling or for help with SSAT Prep, HSPT Prep or ISEE Prep, contact Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, Education Expert, Prep Schools // View Comments

Here’s some good advice on how to write the best scholarship essay…

We’ve told you to take your scholarship essays seriously. So where and how do you begin? Here are some helpful questions to get you started:

What attributes do you wish to convey?

- In order to answer this question, you should at the very least read a description of the award. Is the award intended to honor a certain person, and how is he or she described? This will give you an idea of the criteria on which your character will be judged.

- What are the main interests or goals of the organization offering the scholarship? How might you be expected to help achieve these goals? Present yourself as someone compatible with the organization’s mission.

- Create a list of attributes you wish to emphasize in your scholarship essay. Remember: in addition to self-confidence, humility is a very attractive trait!

- If you have questions regarding the scholarship, you can always call the organization. Committees want to help students create strong applications.

Do you need to do some research, or is the question more personal?

- Outside research can enrich your writing and strengthen its impact. You may be required to do research in order to answer the question – if, for example, you need to evaluate a policy and take a stance for or against it. If the question is personal, outside research may still be helpful for placing your circumstances in context. Maybe you want to explain just how crucial the lab research you’re conducting is to our understanding of the habits of howler monkeys.

Do you come across as human?

- If so, good! It’s alright – even beneficial – to reveal shortcomings, as long as you have some insight into them and can demonstrate that you’ll give a challenge everything you’ve got. Have a friend read your essay, and see what kind of picture of you it paints.

- Use specific details and examples to convey desired attributes. Don’t just say you work hard. Describe the steps you take to succeed, and how you manage to balance work with other demands.

• Examine your examples. How can you make them even more specific, and therefore more compelling? Remember that your readers have never met you or anyone in your life (probably). In order for your character to stand out, people need specifics, just as they do when reading a novel or a biography.

Lastly, get feedback.

Top Test Prep offers admissions counseling that can help you hone your scholarship essays and grab an organization’s attention.

This article is on how to write scholarship essays. For more information on scholarship essays for applications, go to TopTestPrep.com.

Tags: admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, admissions essays, Colleges, Graduate Schools, Scholarships // View Comments

Some tips on getting scholarship money to fund your education…

1. Start researching now.

Don’t assume you’re ineligible for a scholarship without thoroughly researching what’s out there. Use the internet, see where your friends are applying, buy a scholarship guide at a bookstore, and ask your college counselor for suggestions. There are scholarships for everything, from tall brunette women to musical prodigies. Through diligent searching, you’ll discover you’re a candidate for more than a few.

2. Increase your chances.

If you start researching scholarships early, you may still have time in your educational career to become a good candidate. A scholarship might require that you’ve completed a certain project or spent time on an extracurricular interest by the application deadline. If you know in advance which scholarships interest you, you can work these things into your free time or your classes.

Another way to increase your odds of receiving scholarship money is to apply for scholarships with specific candidate criteria, scholarships for which fewer people will be applying.

3. Consider schools that offer academic scholarships to attract students like you.

Review the schools’ websites to see what kinds of recruitment scholarships they offer. Schools will invest in high-caliber students in order to boost their rankings. Additionally, schools may use scholarship money to attract students from different geographical areas, students who can contribute to the school’s ethnic and cultural diversity, and students who are involved in less popular areas of study. Check to see whether these schools require supplemental materials or separate applications from students interested in scholarship money.

4. Take applications seriously.

Be sure to do everything a scholarship application asks of you. Approach your potential patrons with humility: they’re considering giving you money, after all. The application itself – and how well you’ve managed to follow the directions – will influence your eligibility.

5. Write a killer scholarship essay.

Approach scholarship essays with the same seriousness of purpose (and attendant anxiety) you reserve for admissions essays. Remember that the people bestowing scholarship money are interested in you as an individual. They want to sponsor candidates that they can easily picture profiting in specific ways from the education they’ll be helping to fund.

Top Test Prep offers admissions counseling that can help you manage your search for scholarships and financial aid.

This article is on getting scholarship money for colleges. To get help from college admissions experts, go to TopTestPrep.com.

Ross Blankenship, Chairman of Top Test Prep and education expert on scholarships, college admissions and test prep, wrote this article.  Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consultants, admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, College Applications, Scholarships // View Comments