The most recent figures for early decision (binding) and early action (nonbinding) applications at top 25 institutions of higher learning, according to ratings from US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue, follow.

Early Decision Schools Early Applicants for Fall 2012 Percent Change in Applications Over 2012
Brown (RI) 2,904 5.48%
Columbia (NY) 3,088 -5.68%
Cornell (NY) 3,609 3.74%
Dartmouth (NH) 1,791 2.11%
Duke (NC) 2,716 23.06%
Emory (GA) 879 17.36%
Harvey Mudd (CA) 186 30.99%
Johns Hopkins (MD) 1,440 7.64%
Middlebury College (VT) 597 -8.85%
Northwestern (IL) 2,450 15.90%
Pomona (CA) 304 33.30%
University of Pennsylvania 4,526 0.98%

Early Action Schools
University of Chicago (ILL) 8,698 24.97%
Georgetown (DC) 6,750 1.40%
*Harvard (MA) 4,245 NA
MIT (MA) 6,102 NA
Notre Dame (IN) 5,590 5.47%
*Princeton (NJ) 3,547 NA
*Stanford (CA) 5,880 -0.83%
University of Virginia 11,417 NA
*Yale (CT) 4,310 -18.01%

NA means not applicable. School did not have early action policy previous year.
An asterisk * is placed next to schools which have restrictive single choice early action admissions policy where students can apply to regular admissions elsewhere, but not early decision or early action.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep which offers expert private tutoring and test preparations and will help you gain admission to your top schools. Call 800-501-PREP to learn more about the admissions program.

Tags: College Applications // View Comments

[This article discusses how to approach getting the best college recommendations]

College recommendations are an important part of your college application package. Recommendations can set you apart from other applicants and provide the admissions committee with personalized insights. How should you approach them?

1. Read the Fine Print
The number of letters required and the positions of those who are to write them can vary from one school to another. Some schools provide hard copies of the recommendations forms, while others encourage online recommendations.

2. Plan Ahead
Know your deadlines and give as much time as possible. At least three or four weeks prior to the application deadline would be preferable.

3. Ask, Don’t Assume
Ask recommenders whether they can write a strong recommendation on your behalf and meet the deadline.

4. Assist Your Recommenders with the Process
Provide recommenders with a copy of your transcript and an information sheet, known as a brag sheet, which lists your honors, and extra-curricular and community activities.

5. Simplify the Process

Supply recommenders with stamped envelopes addressed to the college admissions office if they are not doing them online.

6. Consider Your Future Major
Solicit recommendations from teachers in your future major.

7. Evaluate Who Can Help You Most
It may be a teacher in a course in which you excelled or where you struggled initially but then turned things around. A teacher in the latter course could testify to your perseverance.

8. Reconnect with Your Recommenders
A week prior to the deadline, get in touch with your recommenders to confirm that the letters have been mailed.

9. Confirm Receipt
Follow up with colleges to ensure that your application folder is complete. If the college recommendations are being submitted online, note your user name and password for each college.

10. Express Thanks to the Recommenders
Send a handwritten note to your recommenders once all materials are in and provide them with the results of your college applications.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep offers private tutoring and test prep to help students gain admission to top prep schools, colleges and grad schools. Call (800) 501-7737 to learn more.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

In the competitive world of college recruiting, colleges are increasingly supplementing the traditional printed recruitment mailer with emerging technologies. Five illustrations of this development follow and some discussion of new ways colleges are using social media as a way to recruit students to their campuses:

1. Quick Response Codes
Colleges are experimenting with posting Quick Response (QR) codes in recruitment mailers. A QR code is a barcode that sends users to a web address with the snap of a smart phone’s camera. Hamilton College in New York created an admissions poster with a giant QR code which leads visitors to a custom welcome page from the school. The poster resulted in 1,200 visits to the Hamilton web-site.

2. Video-Chats
During the academic year, Ohio Wesleyan hosts four or five video chats for students and their parents on topics ranging from admissions counselors discussing the application process to current students sharing their study abroad experiences. According to administrators, 220 of the 260 students who participated in a video chat last year applied to the university and 92 enrolled.

3. Facebook contests
To reach prospective students, Misericordia University in Pennsylvania offered university bookstore gift certificates as prizes to incoming freshmen who replaced their Facebook profile pictures with the university logo. About one-sixth of incoming Misericordia freshmen participated during the two week summer contest.

4. Tweeting Behind the Scenes
To add depth to the printed materials, Texas Tech used Twitter to cover a story included in the annual recruiting mailer on a student lab named by Popular Science as one of the country’s “Most Awesome College Labs.”

5. College Admissions/YouTube Video Series
The New School in New York City has created “Are You New School” recruiting videos featuring students discussing topics from the dating scene to life in the city.

While dynamic new technologies are being integrated into college recruitment, the admissions acceptance process still relies predominately on the traditional staples of GPA and standardized test scores. Top Test Prep is a private tutoring and admissions expert company that helps students get into top private schools, colleges and graduate schools.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; call TTP today at 1-800-501-7737 to learn more, or visit private tutoring and admissions experts.

Tags: Admissions Office, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

(Highlights of College Admissions Directors Survey)

A new survey of senior admissions officials at 472 nonprofit colleges and universities reveals an emphasis on finding full-paying students in a period of financial uncertainty. Selective results of the survey follow.

Survey Results from Admissions Directors:

(1) For many colleges, a top goal of admissions directors is recruiting more students who can pay more. The runner-up strategy was providing more aid for low and middle-income students.
(2) Among all sectors of higher education, there is a push to recruit additional out-of-state students (who at public institutions pay significantly more) and international students.
(3) At public doctoral institutions, the gap between admissions directors citing the recruitment of full-paying students as an admissions strategy and those who prioritized aid for low-income students was 47 percent to 40 percent. At public master’s institutions, the gap was 45 percent to 38 percent.
(4) The interest in full-pay students is so strong that 10 percent of four-year colleges report that the full-pay students they are admitting have lower grades and test scores than do other admitted applicants.

Conclusion
Maximizing your prospects for admission at America’s most competitive colleges is a multi-faceted process. 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 at Top Test Prep. For more information on Top Test Prep, give us a call at (800) 501-7737 or fill out our complete contact form today.

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

(Ten Recommendations for Writing a Strong College Admissions Essay)

The prospect of writing multiple college admissions essays may appear to be overwhelming. It can be managed effectively, however, with organization and deliberation. Recommendations which will assist you in writing strong admissions essays follow.

1. At the Start of the Process, Make a Chart of Required Essays
Being organized is crucial in the admissions process. Early in the process identify essay questions which are similar.

2. Read the Previous Examples/Essays of Successful Applicants to Individual Schools
If the schools you are applying to provide access to applicant essays, take advantage of it to extract lessons for your essays.

3. Create a Resume Focused on Your Academic and Non-Academic Accomplishments
Think about why your accomplishments are important and how they would assist you in contributing to individual institutions. Integrate these accomplishments selectively into your essays which should be tailored to those schools.

4. Formulate a List of Personal Attributes that You Want to Highlight in Your Essays
You no doubt have many great attributes – so explore which are the best, and let the admissions office know more through specific examples in your life.

5. Search for Inspiration in Your Daily Activities
Find things which are meaningful to you that are pertinent to your essays.

6. Be Authentic in Your Admissions Essays Speaking in Your Own Voice
It is usually self-evident if you are trying to be someone other than yourself as a student and person.

7. Start Off with the Smaller Essays Before You Proceed to the Longer Ones
Doing so will provide you with ideas for the comprehensive essays.

8. Recycling Parts of Essays is Legitimate but Make Sure You Address the Essay Questions Directly
Your college admission essay may have commonalities with other ones, but should be adjusted to the distinctions of the institution to which you are applying.

9. Keep Your Admissions Essays Brief and Close to the Minimum Word Count Delineated
A superior essay is shorter and to the point. Your admissions readers only have a short period of time before they move on to the next application so make the most of what you write. State in five words what you could have stated in ten words.

10. Find an Outside Editor to Offer Advice on Your Essays
Even the most experienced writers need good editors to provide feedback and perspective. Top Test Prep has some awesome college admissions counselors who can help you – give the team a call at (800) 501-Prep or contact us online.

Conclusion
Admissions Essay writing can even be enjoyable if you approach it methodically and with a basic understanding of the ingredients of essay preparation.
David Dickson is a counselor at Top Test Prep which offers private tutoring and expert test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions essays, Admissions Office, College Applications // View Comments

US News and World Report has just released its widely distributed annual listing of the top national universities and liberal arts colleges in the country. Its evaluative criteria include academic reputation, retention rates, faculty resources, selectivity, financial resources, graduation rates, and alumni giving rates. The top ten lists of colleges ranked is below:

The Top Ten National Universities
1. Harvard
1. Princeton
3. Yale
4. Columbia
5. California Institute of Technology
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5. Stanford
5. University of Chicago
5. University of Pennsylvania
10. Duke

The Top Ten National Liberal Arts Colleges
1. Williams
2. Amherst
3. Swarthmore
4. Pomona
5. Middlebury
6. Bowdoin
6. Carleton
6. Wellesley
9. Claremont McKenna
10. Haverford

Conclusion
Students from around the world now compete for admission to America’s best national institutions of learning. Top Test Prep offers private tutors and expert test preparation with admissions experts who help you improve your exam scores.
David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; Contact Top Test Prep today to learn more at (800) 501-7737.

Tags: Admissions Experts, College Applications, College Rankings, Colleges // View Comments

So, what are the standards for choosing students to gain admission? And how do the best colleges select applicants – what criteria is applied in the admissions process?

There are different college application admissions systems, but elite national institutions generally use the following criteria:

1. Grades and Rigor of Course Work (Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate)
This criterion is based on the courses students take over time and the grade trend. Good grades and challenging course work are looked upon favorably.

2. Standardized Test Scores (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject, and AP exam)
Some colleges use an average of the highest SAT scores, while others use the highest in a single setting, and still others use the best scores achieved by a student. Keep in mind that schools may note the number of times you took an exam, despite their denials.

3. Extra-Curricular Record (Brag Sheet)
The duration and level of involvement in activities inside and outside of school are significant. Highlight activities such as community service, employment, summer experiences, hobbies, and honors.

4. Teacher and Counselor Letters of Recommendation
Colleges assess the quality of these reports.

5. The Admissions Essays
This includes essays and short responses that students are responsible for. The essay which asks why a student has chosen to apply to a college is of particular importance.

6. Extra-Credit Points
Additional factors in admission, though controversial, include legacy status, ability to pay, minority or first generation college status, and special gifts in athletics, music or another pursuit.

Conclusion
For the most selective elite schools nationally, strong grades and test scores may count for 70 percent of the admission decision. The other indicators may be used to distinguish between those who meet grade and test score standards. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is an expert admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; call Top Test Prep today (800) 501-Prep or visit us online at Private Tutoring and Test Prep Homepage.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions essays, Admissions Experts, College Applications // View Comments

Background to the Trend and How Families Can Take Advantage of It…

Students and families seeking an edge in the increasing competitive world of college admissions should take note of an emerging trend which has received little publicity. In response to diminishing support from financially strapped state legislatures, many of America’s top public universities have been steadily increasing their admission of higher tuition paying out-of-state students in recent years. Families with the financial wherewithal might consider applying to these institutions whose tuition are still lower than their private counterparts. Moreover, a sizable number of them also exercise rolling admissions policies where applications are reviewed as soon as they are submitted, increasing the odds of acceptance for early applicants.

Illustrations of the Admissions Trend

Elite public institutions across the country have been soliciting out-of-state students. In 2010, out-of- state students made up 20 percent of the University of California, Berkeley’s freshman class, up from five percent five years ago. Moreover, 39 percent of out-of-state applicants were accepted versus 24 percent of in-state applicants. Out-of-state students made up 40 percent of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor’s most recent freshman class, an increase of three percent from five years ago. The University of Virginia, Charlottesville’s percentage of out of state freshman increased to 33 percent from 30 percent the previous year. Notable increases in out-of-state students also included the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign where 27 percent of freshman had this status versus 19 percent five years ago and The University of Washington, Seattle with a comparable upswing over a three year period.

The Ten Public Universities with the Highest Proportion of Out of State Students
The following public universities have the highest percentage of out-of-state students.
***

University of Vermont, Burlington 66%
Indiana University, Bloomington 45%
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 40%
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 35%
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 35%
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 35%
University of Wisconsin, Madison 35%
Penn State University, University Park, PA 34%
University of Virginia, Charlottesville 33%
Auburn University, Montgomery, AL 33%

Conclusion:

Students and families interested in quality public universities should explore out-of-state institutions which are eager to both broaden their geographical base and enhance their financial status. Top Test Prep offers elite private tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools, whether private or public.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; call Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep.

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

In recent years, many colleges including the most competitive have been filling 30 to 70 percent of their freshman class through early decision or early action. Consequently, students who wait to apply during regular decision are competing with far more students for a smaller number of seats. Last year, the University of Pennsylvania filled about 50 percent of its freshman class through early decision whereas Johns Hopkins University and Williams took 40 percent of their freshman from the early round. Disparities between the prospects for acceptance of early decision applicants and regular decision applicants are often stark. Columbia University’s early decision acceptance rate for the class of 2015 was 20 percent versus six percent for regular decision applicants. Last year, Cornell accepted 35 percent of early decision applicants and 16 percent of those who applied through regular decision, while Brown’s figures were 20 percent in the early round and seven percent through regular decision.

Applying Early Decision
Students can only apply to one college early decision and if accepted they must attend. Deadlines generally fall in November and students are typically informed by the latter half of December of their application status.

Pros:
-Significantly higher acceptance rates
-Many early decision schools have sizeable need-based financial aid programs

Cons:
-You can’t change your mind
-You can’t compare college financial aid packages

Applying Early Decision II
It often falls a month or two after Early Decision I. In some cases if a student is rejected Early Decision I at one school and receives a letter of rejection, they may apply Early Decision II at a second school. Acceptance statistics are still unclear on this new practice.

Early Action and Priority Plans
Students can apply to several institutions under these rules, and have until spring to inform a college of their intentions. Deadlines in November or December are the norm and admissions decisions take a month or two.
Pros:
-Higher acceptance rates than regular admissions
-Families can exercise all of their financial aid options at a number of schools, and more favorable aid packages may be available earlier in the admissions process
-You aren’t compelled to attend

Cons:
-Lower acceptance percentages than early decision

Conclusion

Early decision and early action applications may enhance your admissions prospects and are worthy of exploration. Familiarize yourself with the admissions policies of every school to which you apply since they can vary. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep. To learn more about applying early or getting help with college admissions counseling, call (800) 501-Prep today.

Tags: Admissions Experts, College Applications, Early Decision Applications // View Comments

Ten Factors to Consider in Your College Search

High School juniors should be picking up their college search and seniors should be putting it into high gear. What should you be looking for? Important factors in your search follow for those applying to colleges.

Factors in Your College Search

1. Liberal Arts College or Research University: Do you want a liberal arts institution with a teaching mission or a research university which may offer more majors and course options? US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue offers this breakdown. It is important, however, to assess individual institutions since a growing number of research universities have honors colleges where teaching is a priority.

2. Region and Climate: This is worthy of attention, but keep in mind that some of the best institutions are in colder climates. You are applying to school for an education, not a locale for a spring vacation.

3. Type of Environment: Urban, small town, or rural.

4. Academic Profile of Freshman Class: Are their GPA’s and standardized test scores comparable to yours?

5. Composition of Student Body: Are you comfortable with the gender, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the school?

6. Attrition and Four Year Graduation Rates: Stronger institutions will retain a high percentage of their student body beyond the freshman year, and the vast majority of their students will finish in four years. This important statistic is chronicled in US News and World Report’s “Best Colleges” issue and provides insights into institutional support services and the quality of the student body.

7. Class Sizes in Your Possible Areas of Study: It is important that you go beyond institutional averages in class size since there may be departmental variations. Contact the departments of possible majors as you narrow down your search. Ask about class size in required courses.

8. Institutional Financial Aid Options

9. The Types of Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities are Available on Campus

10. Post Graduation Placements in Professional/Graduate Schools and Jobs: Make an inquiry with the Career Counseling and Placement Office about the percentage of students who enter quality higher degree programs and jobs. It is legitimate to ask about the types of jobs and salaries of graduates.

Conclusion

It is in your interest to go well beyond a virtual college search and to visit campuses where you can talk to students, staff, and preferably professors in your possible majors. Arrange for class-room visits and drop by the cafeteria and campus hangouts to get a feel for the institution. Set up interviews where they are recommended. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who can assist you in gaining admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; for more information on Top Test Prep, call (800) 501-Prep today.

Tags: College Applications, College Counseling, The Common App // View Comments

High School Junior Year College Application To-Do List

As the academic year approaches, it’s time for rising juniors to start thinking about their college application to-do list. A list of steps to be taken follows.

Throughout your junior year:
-Find a test preparation and college advising service such as Top Test Prep to begin early prep.
-Keep your grades high and your courses as challenging as possible.
-Get information packets from the colleges you’re considering through their web-sites or admissions departments.
-Look into scholarships with your counselor, and at online sites like Fastweb.
-Attend college fairs, financial aid workshops, and career days at your high school and in your region.
-Start college visits over the duration of the year.

Fall of Junior Year (checklist)
-Meet with your advisor to make sure that you’re meeting graduation requirements and that your classes will assist you with the colleges you are considering.
-Register for and take the PSAT.
-Schedule dates to take the SAT(collegeboard.com) and ACT(actstudent.org) at least once this year.
-Look into financial aid programs.

Winter
-Review your PSAT results with your testing preparation service and your advisor.
-Register for the SAT, ACT, and SAT II tests. If you are applying Early Decision and want to take them a second time, arrange to take the SAT and ACT again in June.
-Think about what classes, volunteer work, programs, and camps you want to take or attend in the summer.

Spring
-Compile writing samples and put together portfolios for the colleges and scholarships you are interested in.
-Take AP courses for AP classes you have completed.
- See your advisor for an NCAA clearinghouse form if you want to play sports in college.
-Look for a summer job related to your intended college major.

Conclusion
Applying for college is a major task, but with these tips you’ll go far. Top Test prep can assist you by providing private tutors and test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.
David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep. Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more about Top Test Prep’s programs.

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Applications // View Comments

The online service College Prowler conducts student surveys on a wide variety of topics including college and university facilities, atmosphere, overall experience, and perceptions of campus men and women. Its most recent survey results for student views of academics on their campuses are listed below. It uses a seven point scale with a seven being the highest score.

Here are the rankings/ratings for smartest professors, most flexible curricula, and best college courses:

Smartest Professors
1. Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 7.0
2. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 6.92
3. Rice University, Houston, TX 6.91
4. Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois 6.91
5. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 6.88
6. Duke University, Durham, NC 6.88
7. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 6.88
8. Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 6.88
9. York College Pennsylvania, York, PA 6.86
10. Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 6.88

Most Flexible Curriculums

1. Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY 7.0
2. Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 6.83
3. Pitzer College, Claremont, CA 6.71
4. Yale University, New Haven, CT 6.67
5. Smith College, Northampton, MA 6.53
6. Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 6.50
7. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 6.45
8. Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA 6.43
9. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 6.38

Best Courses Overall/Variety
1. Yale University, New Haven, CT 6.89
2. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 6.75
3. Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 6.64
4. Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA 6.63
5. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 6.62
6. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 6.57
7. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 6.56
8. Stanford University, Stanford, CA 6.53
9. Penn State, University Park, PA 6.51
10. Hamilton College, Clinton, NY 6.50

Conclusion:

Proactive students and their families should go beyond student survey results and conduct research on schools of interest by going to their web-sites and acquiring a copy of US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue to compare them. Moreover, contact departments in possible majors to ask about class size, the percentage of teachers who are tenured and tenure-track, and placements in graduate schools and jobs. Campus visits are also highly recommended where questions can be posed to students and staff. Experienced private college counseling services can help you make sense of the application process and maximize your chances of finding the right school.

David Dickson is an 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.

Tags: College Applications, College Rankings, Colleges // View Comments

The summer is a good time to acquire work experience, take a course or two, and chill out. You can do this, however, and still get a head start on your college applications. What steps can you take to be ready for fall and the college application season?

(1) Narrow Your Colleges of Interest List

You shouldn’t spread yourself too thin as you explore colleges. Limit yourself to around ten to twelve schools for additional research. Consider size, region, academic strengths, attrition and graduation rates, and extra-curricular opportunities as you winnow down the list. Moreover, examine admissions standards including GPA and median test scores to determine your prospects for being accepted. This information can be found in US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue.

(2) Contact Departments in Possible Majors

The savvy applicant will move beyond conventional criteria for evaluating schools and contact departments in possible majors. Prioritize teaching by asking about class size and the percentage of classes using full-time tenured and tenure-track professors. Pose questions on placement rates in jobs and graduate schools.

(3) Visit College Campuses and Arrange Interviews

Once your school year starts there will be limitations on how many colleges you can visit. Use the summer to jump-start this process and try to arrange an interview. This is crucial at small schools which are often more inclined to accept students who display an interest beyond an application. Find out if there are professors with whom you can meet. Talk to students while clarifying whether they attend school during the regular academic year. Ask about student support services such as writing and tutoring services and the career services office.

(4) Identify Application Requirements for Colleges of Interest

Look into essay topics, test requirements, recommendations, and submission deadlines of your priority schools and record them on a spread sheet.

(5) Outline a Personal Statement That You Can Incorporate into Applications and Create a Resume

Your personal statement will be tailored to individual schools, but as a preliminary step deliberate on your academic and non-academic strengths and what makes you distinctive. Think about how these traits have been exhibited in your academic work and non-academic activities. In addition, formulate a one page resume highlighting your accomplishments inside and outside of class.

(6) Examine Financial Aid Options

With your parents, investigate federal, state and local, and college based sources of financial aid. The more selective colleges are often costlier than others, but usually provide more financial assistance.

(7) Arrange For Letters of Recommendation

Contact teachers concerning recommendations. Provide them with your resume and indicate that submission details will follow.

Conclusion
Preparing for your college applications is an investment into your future. The payoff is no less than more opportunities and a better life.
***

David Dickson is an admissions counselor at Top Test Prep which offers private tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools. Call Top Test Prep at (800) 501-Prep to learn more about how you can improve your college applications.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions essays, Admissions Experts, Admissions Office, College Applications // View Comments

What Are Accelerated/Undergraduate Programs?

Student interest in accelerated programs which offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees has increased exponentially in recent years. Spurred on by rising tuitions and pressures to establish academic specialties right off the bat, these programs often reduce the degree completion period by a year. At Drexel University in Philadelphia, a BS or BA/JD law degree, a BS/MS degree in bio-medical engineering, or a BS/MS degree in communication with normal course loads can take five years instead of six. Accelerated degree programs are proliferating around the country. Such institutions as the University of Michigan, George Mason University in Virginia, Colorado State College, and Western New England College in Massachusetts have them. The programs can sometimes require a stronger high school academic record than normal ones. A few guidelines to consider prior to entering these programs follow.

Ask if You Are Ready for the Rigor and Focus

While the monetary advantages of accelerated degree programs are clear, they can be highly demanding risking early burnout. A healthy mix of academic and extra-curricular activities often makes for satisfying and successful undergraduate experiences. Moreover, undergraduates often change their majors. Accelerated programs don’t preclude this, but make the logistics of doing so more challenging.

Verify the Academic Quality of the School Sponsoring the Program

Academically weak and “for profit” schools have joined strong institutions in launching accelerated programs. Your academic experience will be better and your prospects for landing a post-graduation job much greater if you use academic criteria in choosing your school. As delineated in US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue, explore academic reputation, admissions standards, student retention, and class size at the institution.
Examine the Program Itself

The quality of programs can vary within institutions. Find out about the strength of the program and its graduate division through comparative ratings from US News and World Report and elsewhere. Make an inquiry into the percentage of full-time tenured and tenure track faculty teaching in the program, and post-graduation job placement. Since you are putting all of your academic eggs into this basket, consider contacting places of future employment (business, law, or medical, for instance) to discover how they regard the program.

Conclusion

Accelerated academic programs are not for the faint of heart. However, if you are ready and they meet high academic and placement standards, go for it!
________

David Dickson is a writer for Top Test Prep. He’s on the college admissions counseling team and helps with Top Test Prep’s academic advising. For more information on Top Test Prep’s programs, simply call (800) 501-Prep.

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

With the newest version of the Common Application or “Common App” for 2011-2012, comes several major changes. We’ll discuss these updates below…

The biggest changes to the Common App include the following:

Common App “Demographics Section”
(1) A new section on “Language Proficiency”, p. 1 of Common App.
(2) Household “marital status” of “Civil Union/Domestic” Partners

Common App “Education Section”

(3) College & Universities section adding “including online” and
(4) A question of whether students were issued a transcript for this work

Common App “Extracurricular Section”

(5) Fewer activities are listed. In the previous version of the common application there were 12 spots open for students, now there are 10.

Common App “Writing Section”

(6) No word limit on the “Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities…”
(7) A new range between 250-500 words on a “topic of your choice”
(8) A prompt asking to “attach a separate sheet if you wish to provide details of circumstances…”

Common App “Midyear Report”

(9) New privacy information related to Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act “FERPA”
(10) Questions about updates and new evaluation of the applicant.

__________

Ross’ Commentary: the most notable updates to the common application include the Demographics Section, Extracurricular Section and Writing Section. If you’re a student applying to colleges, you must be aware of the updates.

The demographics section clearly indicates a policy shift towards making the application more “diverse.” Whether you agree or disagree with the update of “Civil/Union Domestic” Partners status, it does reflect a growing trend amongst college administrators to make note of a student’s background. Although it’s very unlikely to change the status of most applicants, it does suggest a potentially new kind of Affirmative Action in the college application process. Also, by adding a “language” component in the Demographics section – you’re seeing a trend that again points to college admissions offices trying to be more inclusive.

Regarding the Extracurricular Section – As I’ve said many times before, students should focus on fewer extracurriculars because college admissions officers are want to see fewer, but more substantive activities on your common app. This common app update reflects this sentiment. And keep this in mind as you’re selecting your own extracurricular activities; less is always better.

Regarding the Writing Section – Wow. This is a big update. Many students ask Top Test Prep all the time – “how long should my personal statement be…?” Well, now you actually have an answer. There’s absolutely no reason that one’s common application essay should be more than 500 words. Again, less is better – focus on writing a common application that reflects who you are, in less words.

What do these changes to the Common App mean for you as you’re applying to colleges?

They reflect two goals: (1) bringing diversity to the common application through the demographics section (Language + Marital Status) components, and (2) making the admissions offices have to sort through less information with a briefer writing section. With these changes, you should know that the college admissions process is rapidly evolving – both in a political and structural way.

If you have any questions about the college admissions process, definitely give us a ring – our phones have been ringing non-stop since the common app was released. Also, see below for an actual view of the common app!
__________

This article was written by college admissions expert, Ross Blankenship. For more information on Top Test Prep‘s programs call (800) 501-Prep.

_____

Newest Common Application (2011-2012) | Comments by TopTestPrep.com

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consulting, College Applications, The Common App // View Comments

As college commencements end across the country and we head into those sultry summer months, it’s important to note admissions trends and the best strategy for getting into your top choice college. The admissions market is tough for competitive colleges, but families who plan prudently can increase their odds of gaining admission to the best schools.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TRENDS

1. 2011 Was the Most Difficult Year on Record for Getting into College.

Even as the absolute number of students of college age begins a gradual decline, applications reached a new high in 2011. It is not unusual for students to now apply to 10, 20, or even 30 colleges. Bulging domestic American applicant pools have been bolstered by a surge of international applicants. Institutions as diverse as Brown, Michigan State, and William and Mary recorded increases of 10 percent, 13 percent, and 23 percent in international applications respectfully. Not surprisingly acceptance rates at the Ivies continue to plunge with Columbia accepting 6.9 percent and Harvard 6.2 percent of applicants in 2011. The daunting odds of getting into the most elite national universities have convinced many families to submit applications to the best state schools, and elite liberal arts colleges as Williams, Amherst, and Swarthmore with commensurate increases in high quality applicants.

2. College waiting lists are expanding more than ever.

Admissions wait lists are expanding rapidly at many institutions, but applicants beware. At some institutions, the wait lists are used to appease legacy families, and high schools with which they have a close relationship. Few students from these lists make it into the freshman class. In 2010, Colby College in Maine, a top twenty-five US News and World Report national liberal arts school, placed 934 on the wait list and only took 21. Moreover, Johns Hopkins University, a national university power-house admitted a grand total of 1 student from its wait list of 3,667 students, and the University of Vermont accepted 218 of the 3,456 students relegated to the wait list.

3. Southern and urban universities are becoming more popular destinations.

Southern or mild climate destinations as Emory (Atlanta), Wake Forest (North Carolina), Vanderbilt (Tennessee), and the University of Southern California have become popular schools for students who want to bask in the sun. Cold weather urban universities as Boston University and Fordham in New York City have also witnessed a surge in applications contributing to a more competitive admissions process.

FIVE STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING THE ADMISSIONS ODDS AND GETTING ACCEPTED

As admissions odds for the most elite institutions increasingly resemble the lottery sometimes, what is the concerned family to do? A few basic initiatives beginning early in a student’s high school career will help increase your chances.

Step One: Starting in 9th grade with a focus on achieving a high GPA, students should take selective Advanced Placement and honors courses (or enroll in an IB Program if your school permits). It is also important to display a sustained multi-year commitment to a few extracurricular activities in which students can exhibit leadership.

Step Two: Draw up a list of colleges to research and visit no later than December of a student’s junior year when PSAT scores are available.

Step Three: Get some test prep and begin planning for either or both – the SAT and ACT exams. Contact Top Test Prep to learn more about how you can prepare for these exams.

Step Four: Visit at least 5 colleges in the spring of a student’s junior year and include back-up schools in the itinerary.

Step Five: Finalize the college list and complete any visits by October of the senior year. This will also provide you with the option of applying early decision (binding admissions) or early admissions (non-binding) to a favored institution, thereby increasing your admissions odds. The University of Virginia, Harvard, and Princeton will be reinstituting an early admissions program in the fall of 2011 rejoining the club of competitive institutions who use this strategem to attract their strongest candidates. If a student’s standardized test scores are not stellar, keep in mind that over 830 schools no longer require the submission of SAT’s and ACT’s. They include Wake Forest, a highly regarded national university, as well as Middlebury and Bowdoin, numbers 4 and 6 respectfully among national liberal arts college in the US News 2011 rankings.

CONCLUSIONS

Competition is no longer limited to America’s shores and college admission is no exception to this long-term development. Fatalists would throw up their hands in despair. Proactive families, however, will relish the opportunity and take the concrete steps to ensure that the next generation of students is prepared for a fast moving and dynamic international environment in which a quality college education will be at a premium.
________

David Dickson is on the college admissions counseling team for Top Test Prep.

Top Test Prep offers private tutor programs and test prep for students applying to top schools. For more information, call (800) 501-7737.

Tags: Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Applications, The Waitlist // View Comments

So, maybe you’re struggling to create a college admissions essay that will knock the socks off the admissions offices. Doubts grow as you ponder how you can come up with an original insight or an idea separating you from the pack. It’s now time to formulate a game plan for a college essay that will set off bulbs in the heads of staff members and place you on the path to acceptance. In pursuit of this goal, advice will be offered on how to start your college essay, and ways to structure your personal statement in a way that offers the admissions offices insight into your life. This will be followed by examples of essay prompts and closing remarks.

How to Start Your Admissions Essay

1. Go to the admissions website – or Common App – and find materials of the school to which you are applying. This is the absolute first step. Write down your favorite topics and begin to brainstorm.

2. Look inward and identify your strengths and best qualities. You may be determined or creative or empathetic. Identify the strengths that you want to convey to the admissions committee. Ask what differentiates you from most applicants, and how you can make this clear in a personal statement.

3. Incorporate your strengths into the essay. For instance, convey a story about a time or experience when you displayed these strengths. Produce alternative beginnings and conclusions as you work on the essay. Remember: the clearer your examples are, the better your essay will be viewed.

How to Structure Your Essay

The essay is designed to demonstrate that you can convey your thoughts in an organized and persuasive fashion. To facilitate this, the essay should have the following components.

1. An introduction with a central idea expressing the intention of the essay and supporting ideas that will be used to refine the main point.

2. A body with a few paragraphs, each of which would have a supporting idea. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence articulating its principal point. Stay within the stated page limits. Admissions essays are generally brief. Brevity beats verbosity!

3. A conclusion summarizing the essay, and reiterating the central idea and supporting ideas. A strong writer should look over the essay to check for coherence and to check whether you made a compelling case for gaining admission.

4. Consider having a peer review the admissions essay to get their feedback. You can also get admissions essay help from Top Test Prep’s programs.

Five essay prompts to get you thinking…

College admissions essay topics should be personal since you are selling yourself and why you are a good fit for that institution. Illustrations of possible topics include the following:

-Describe a significant interest or experience that has special meaning for you.
-Does any specific attribute, quality, or skill distinguish you from everyone else? How did you develop this attribute?
- What is your approach to life? Reveal your life philosophy.
-What is a major achievement in your life? Who and what assisted you in reaching your aim?
- Explain which of the negative features you possess you’d like to get rid of and which of the positive features you’d like to promote and enhance.

It’s time to find a quiet place and start deliberating on your admissions essays.
_____________
David Dickson is on the college admissions counseling team for Top Test Prep. Top Test Prep offers private tutor programs and admissions counseling to help students gain admission to prep schools, colleges and graduate schools. Call to learn more: (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Counselor, admissions essays, Admissions Office, College Applications // 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

Internships, jobs, camp, test prep courses, a few trips to the beach or mountains… and essay writing! Yes, summer vacation is on its way. Juniors, this is the perfect time to begin drafting college admission essays. Preparing your essays now will help you substantially in the fall when admissions crunch time comes. How can you best utilize time in the summer to write college essays? Here are a few tips:

1. Give yourself a short break

Seems like a simple idea – to rest during vacation. But sometimes it’s hard to sit back and take a break when you know there is a surfeit of work to complete. Give your brain and energy time to rejuvenate after an arduous year. Allot a certain amount of time to rest after spring semester. When the rest period is up, you can begin work – and you’ll have more energy to put into it.

2. Use the entire writing process

Putting a pencil to paper, or fingers to a keyboard, is part of the end of the writing process. Even for simple writing assignments, you can begin clicking out phrases only after considering different ideas, ruminating, and planning. For your college essay, spend time in the foundation part of the writing process. Brainstorm, question yourself, jot down quick phrases and ideas. Spend time thinking and putting ideas together before you sit down to write. Don’t worry about paragraph order or specific sentences in the beginning. Let ideas emerge naturally.

3. Cultivate ideas – read good books

It’s true: we are what we eat. Set your standards high and feed your brain with good books, articles, and literature. Almost any genre will do, if well written. If you read only models of essays, you risk mimicking them instead of creating your own. There are general structures to follow, but you want your ideas to stand out. Reading well written material with intricate descriptions, a clear voice, and interesting storylines will help you with your own writing.

4. Keep it to yourself

Use the summer as your own writing time. Remember – this is your essay. The essay is a unique part of your college application where you can come through with a voice and personality. Wait until the fall to have a friend or teacher look it over. There will be plenty of time to edit, especially if you start the writing process now.

Best of luck. Happy writing!

___________________________________________________

This post is titled, “Summertime = Essaytime.” It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep’s admissions counseling team.

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

Tags: admissions essays, College Applications, College Counseling // 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

Language flashcards for two-year-olds may seem crazy, but test-taking is an essential skill for a student´s entire academic life. Learning how to take standardized tests will help students at every grade level, but the SAT is the pinnacle and highest stakes test for most students. So how early should students prepare for the SAT?

Last fall, the College Board started to offer a new test designed to prepare eighth graders for the format and test-style of the PSAT and SAT. Called ReadiStep, the test is meant to help middle school students and schools evaluate and plan – ultimately for the SAT and for the college admissions process.

Should students start preparing in middle school – or earlier – for the SAT?

1. Test-taking skills translate into overall study skills

Starting at a young age in test-preparation has the potential to help students with their academic skills in and out of the classroom. Building a strong foundation and acclimating to test-taking pressure can help students in future tests. Check with teachers to learn about the standardized tests your student will take in school. At a young age, fostering creativity will contribute to a strong intellectual base later. If the school has standardized tests already, those tests may be sufficient. 

2. Use the SSAT and PSAT

For middle and beginning high school school students, there are already standardized tests many students take before the SAT. Students applying to private high schools often take the SSAT, and most high schoolers take the PSAT. Use these two tests to practice for the SAT. The SSAT and PSAT are particularly good tests for this kind of practice because they are high-stakes but less pressure than the SAT. The ReadiStep test may be another option for students in middle school who do not take the SSAT.

3. Consider taking a summer program

During the school year – especially at the middle and beginning high school level – students need to focus on their classroom academic work. Nothing can replace a strong GPA and competitive class schedule. Testing is absolutely essential, but useless if strong grades are lacking. Summer programs like those here at Top Test Prep provide students time to focus on test preparation without losing sight of their academic year goals. Students in summer programs will also be surrounded by like-minded, motivated peers.

4. Prevent burnout

Cited by premier universities, including the Ivy League, burnout happens to many incoming students who have had extremely intense high school years. College admission is tougher than ever, but when considering when a student should start preparing for the SAT, make sure you're not building in a stress time-bomb. Pressure is important, but so is sustainability.
 

______________________________________________________________

This post is titled, "How Early Should You Prepare for the SAT?" It was written by Marta Casey, a writer on Top Test Prep's team.

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

Tags: College Applications, College Counseling, SAT Prep // 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

The following article provides information on the US News and World Report Rankings, more specifically "teaching quality"….

The criteria used in college application decisions vary. Status, size, location, fields of study, cost, and social life are considered. Too often, the most important college mission, teaching, is overlooked or misunderstood. Strong teaching is a pre-condition for picking up the skills necessary for the job market and graduate/professional studies. Teaching quality has diminished nationally as cost-cutting proliferates and faculty research obligations escalate. Strong teaching is not in the eyes of the beholder, however. Students and parents should take into account the following factors as a package, and not in isolation from one another, when they evaluate teaching.  With the exception of number six, they can be found in US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” edition.

1.  The Undergraduate Academic Reputation of an Institution

This US News and World Report peer assessment index measuring a school’s academic reputation solicits the opinions of presidents, provosts, and deans of admission. For national universities and national liberal arts colleges, public school counselors are also surveyed. There are more specific indicators of teaching quality, however.

2.  Whether a School is Financially Sound

    A strong institutional financial foundation doesn’t guarantee strong teaching, but it is necessary for it. Schools cannot hire and retain strong full-time tenure track and tenured faculty without financial resources.  Class size can also be influenced by financial status, though this is a trickier issue as I will soon explain. Fiscal strength often correlates to US News and World Report ratings. A school’s “financial resources rank” is worthy of scrutiny. “Average alumni giving rates” included in the ratings provide a picture of the financial health of small national liberal arts colleges who depend more in alumni loyalty than their research university counterparts. For research universities, grants and investments are often their bread and butter.

3. Class Size

   Smaller classes facilitate more individualized faculty attention.  In larger classes, students can fall through the cracks and in research universities they are often evaluated and even taught by teaching assistants barely older than themselves. Take US News and World Report “student/faculty ratios” with a grain of salt since at research universities there can be non-teaching faculty. The “percentage of classes under 20 students and over 50 students” can be revealing, however.

4. Percentage of Faculty Who Are Full-Time  

   Many have heard stories of indifferent full-time faculty. Nonetheless, a school’s commitment to undergraduates is, in part, reflected in this US News and World Report category. Part-time faculty can be less accountable to institutions and students than those who are full-time.

5. The Percentage of Freshmen in Top 10% of High School Class and the Acceptance Rate

   Classes will be better if your peers are stronger. Lectures and discussions can be more sophisticated and interaction both inside and outside of class more rewarding.

6. The Quality of Teaching in the Student’s Areas of Academic Interest 

   Even when an institution’s overall academic reputation is respectable and other dimensions of teaching quality are positive, there can be departmental variations. The proactive student and family will visit a school, identify departmental faculty representatives, and pose questions on class size and full-time faculty percentages as well as offerings and services. If an institution highlights an individual professor on your visit, he/she should not be considered representative. Moreover, if  a department is unresponsive to your inquiries, it’s time to move on.

   Teaching skills are as crucial to your undergraduate experience as medical skills are to a patient. You can make it the focus of your undergraduate search!

 David Dickson

_____

For more information on college admissions counseling, or if you're a parent who needs help with your son or daughter college applications, call Top Test Prep at (800) 501-7737.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications, College Rankings // View Comments

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!

_______________________________________________________

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.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications // View Comments

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.

_________________________________________________________

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.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications // View Comments