These are strange times, but staying at home doesn’t mean becoming a recluse. Remote connections are the way to go these days, but social distancing shouldn’t get you to the point where you become distant to your friends. Stay close to them, especially during challenging times such as these. Contact them and get creative! This […]
Giving yourself time to edit your paper is the single most important step you can take to improve your grade. It’s also the step that students are the most likely to skip. I get it. Revising your paper takes time and planning. And, let’s be honest, with everything you’re juggling, you might feel lucky if […]
Let’s not mess around: we’ve all had writer’s block and sometimes need help. It doesn’t mean that we’re special or broken or misunderstood geniuses or fools. Our muses are not at the bottom of a Netflix binge or a pot of coffee or a box of crackers. Working with our writer’s block is a learnable […]
ACT English Overview I often tell students I’m working with that the ACT and the SAT are bad tests. Why? I’ve been working with them for over 15 years and still can’t tell you what they really measure. It’s certainly not “intelligence” or IQ, there’s little correlation between test scores and grades, and test scores […]
ACT Science Overview Before discussing how to tackle science strategy, I want to note a few things about what skills the ACT science section tests. I’ll often introduce the science section as a “science” section, with a tongue-in-cheek eye roll and obvious air quotes. On the whole, it does not test whether we remember topics […]
College applications are work, plain and simple, no doubt about it. You’ve got to fill in the form details on top of writing all those essays and getting letters of recommendation. You have to manage deadlines and document your activities. Almost all students are aware of these requirements, but what often gets overlooked — whether […]
Senior Year is nearly here, and you are feeling ready! You’ve spent time researching colleges, building a balanced list, and imagining brilliant essay ideas. It is time to move your college process from the theoretical to the actual. It is time … for APPLICATIONS. (For information on the 2021-2022 application cycle and the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
(Originally published August 12, 2019) How one of America’s bravest voices teaches us to nail the dreaded personal statement “I’m a believer in the power of knowledge and the ferocity of beauty, so from my point of view, your life is already artful – waiting, just waiting, for you to make it art,” Toni Morrison, […]
Practice testing is an essential part of your prep for a standardized test. When taking a practice SAT, ACT, or other standardized exam, you’ll get the opportunity to answer former or approximate test questions in a simulated testing environment. The feedback you will receive and the stamina you will build by sitting for practice tests […]
Spring has sprung, and all you want to do is to go enjoy the sunshine, explore the outdoors (apart from those pesky allergies), and relax after a long winter and a longer school year. But spring also means that AP exams are approaching quickly. Maybe you’re taking your first AP class, or maybe you’re wondering […]