Tag: junior year

Is My Source Credible?

Posted by: admin on May 12th, 2020

One of the most important aspects of developing a research paper is finding credible sources. Sources provide the evidence that you will use to build—and defend—your thesis. With so much information available online, it’s more important than ever to determine that you’re using only credible sources. But how can you tell if a source is […]

I’m Going into STEM. Why Do I Need to Learn to Write?

Posted by: admin on May 6th, 2020

A scientist I worked with once said, “If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an equation is worth a thousand pictures.” Those of you laughing right now are probably STEM students. You know, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics. You dream big dreams of curing cancer AND the flu. Perhaps you’re already testing machine learning […]

How to Write a Conclusion

Posted by: admin on May 6th, 2020

Conclusions can be the hardest part of an essay to write. Your conclusion should sum up the most important pieces of your essay without simply repeating what you’ve already said. While you generally don’t want to introduce new information in your conclusion, the best conclusions will also put your arguments into a larger context and […]

How do I add more analysis to my paper?

Posted by: admin on May 6th, 2020

One of the most common pieces of feedback that my students get from their teachers is that they need to add more analysis to their papers. But how can you tell if your paper is analytical enough? In this post, we’ll look at how you can revise your paper to add more analysis to your […]

What Matters to You: Exploring Passions and Pastimes

Posted by: admin on April 28th, 2020

There has been a great deal of loss during these recent weeks, and we are all looking for silver linings.   As I contemplate possible silver linings for PrepMatters students, I look for opportunities that could offer greater strength and insight regarding learning.  I see, even in the midst of these difficult days, that there is […]

College Admissions During the Coronavirus Pandemic: The Paradox of Grace in College Admissions

Posted by: admin on April 16th, 2020

Katy Dunn and Jeff Knox have served hundreds of students as independent educational consultants in the Washington, DC area and thousands more in other capacities. Their combined experience in education includes high school administration, classroom teaching, college admissions, and college access. In just the last three weeks, the two of us have interacted with nearly […]

The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Posted by: admin on April 7th, 2020

Keeping up with the changes to your student’s education right now isn’t easy. As I’m writing this and as you’re reading this, school districts and states are extending school cancellations, the College Board and the ACT are delaying more tests, and colleges are announcing temporary test-optional policies. It’s a fast-moving train that’s set my head […]

What to Do When You’ve Been Waitlisted

Posted by: admin on March 18th, 2020

Winter, such as it was, is ending. We have leapt forward and are staring at the prospect of a new spring. Along with the budding flowers and the inconsistent weather, school admissions decisions have also arrived. Hopefully, several schools have extended a letter of acceptance. You probably also received at least one notice that you […]

Spring: The Season for …. AP Exams and SAT Subject Tests?

Posted by: admin on March 16th, 2020

UPDATE! All SAT Subject Tests are now a thing of the past. See more info here. Ah, spring! You’re finally creeping out from under winter’s midterms and semester projects, ready to embrace the growing season of a new year. As such, you’ll want to turn your attention to some of the excitement spring has to […]

Reading: Putting the FUN in Fundamental

Posted by: admin on March 11th, 2020

It might now seem like a long way off, but in just a couple of years, you’re going to start thinking about applying to college. Part of that, of course, is taking the SAT or ACT, and you’re undoubtedly going to be doing focused test-prep to get ready. The breakdown of each test is pretty […]