Test Prep Score NYC

For high schoolers, making productive use of the summer break is an important factor in college admissions. Colleges like to see that students have used this time to explore and deepen their passions, as well as contribute to their wider communities. Structured summer programs are one effective way to make sure your student is putting their best foot forward. (For other ideas, check out our webinar on summer programs.) Applications are now open for the vast majority of summer programs, and […]

As we head into what is likely to be a competitive admissions cycle, it will be doubly important for students to think carefully and strategically when choosing which colleges to apply to. In this post, we delve into the best ways to research schools, figure out whether a school is a good fit, build a strategic college list, demonstrate your interest, and connect with schools before applying. Let’s dive in! 1. College Research Tips What’s the best […]

After all of the hard work you put into your Common App, essay, and supplements, it’s easy for the college interview to feel like an afterthought. And it’s true that, traditionally, the interview was among the less important aspects of your college application. But in 2020, with many students’ school transcripts and SAT/ACT testing disrupted, the interview has taken on a new importance in the college admissions process. Below, we dive into the most important things to know as you prepare […]

We all know that extracurricular activities play an important role in college admissions. For one, a strong activities list can help you stand out in a competitive field. Moreover, how you choose to spend your time outside of class gives admissions officers a sense of who you are as a person: What do you enjoy? What do you care about? Are you the right fit for this particular school? So how do you create a compelling extracurricular profile? Below, we talk about the five key elements that you […]

Although many students are daunted by college essays, we think they are one of the most enjoyable parts of the application process. And, this year, they are also among the most important. With transcripts and test scores disrupted for many students, admissions officers are leaning even more heavily than usual on college essays to identify who will earn a coveted spot on the “admitted” list. Below, we dive into five of the most important factors to consider as you write your Common App and […]

T here’s no way to sugarcoat it: testing can be stressful. It forces us to take a hard look at our abilities and limitations. The prep requires committed, long-term work. The possibility that we won’t succeed can produce all kinds of anxieties. Learning to manage these factors is a crucial (but often overlooked) aspect of test prep. Doing so is important not only for maintaining mental health. It also determines the score we ultimately achieve, because our emotions and our wider […]

O ver time, the College Board and the college admissions officers have made their approach to the SAT Test more flexible. In an effort to allow students to show themselves off at their best, the College Board and college admissions officers have allowed them to highlight their best efforts on the SAT Test. This began with the College Board’s re-introduction of score choice in 2008, whereby students could elect to send or withhold their SAT Test score after seeing the results. This […]

Y ou wouldn’t show up on game day without putting in some practice, or walk onstage without any rehearsal. Test taking is no different. As well as learning the content, successful standardized test-takers practice improving their focus, endurance, and confidence in a testing environment. In our experience, mock tests are the single most useful technique for developing your test-taking skills—whether you’re preparing for the SHSAT, SAT, ACT, LSAT, or indeed any standardized test. […]

T he single more important thing you can do on the day before the NYS Bar Exam is to try and rest up. Check into your hotel, or if you are staying with friends or in your own home, treat it as if it were a hotel. Try to shut out the rest of the world as much as possible. If Bar preparation can be seen as a marathon, the sprint you will have to take in this final mile is often the most taxing both mentally and physically. Right before the exam, try not to study. If you did what you were […]

I n two previous posts, we started explaining the topics you shouldn’t write about in your college essay. There are many pitfalls in the essay-writing process—some of which you perhaps wouldn’t expect. Read on for three final topics to avoid as you begin crafting your own personal statement. People Who Have Inspired You Many college applicants write about someone who has influenced them, perhaps a relative, or a teacher, or someone they met through a community service program […]