What Universities Look for in Personal Essays for Admission When it comes to applying to universities, the personal essay is one of the most CRITICAL components of your application. It is not all about the academics! A compelling personal essay can be the difference between acceptance and rejection-and it should be just that; Personal. The temptation to create an essay that sounds like a resume is common, but it is an opportunity to showcase individuality, values, and experiences. This opportunity is what creates an investment and connection between you and your school of choice. 6 KEY ELEMENTS TO A STANDOUT ESSAY Authenticity and Self-Reflection The foremost quality an admissions officer seeks in personal essays is AUTHENTICITY. They want to hear your genuine voice, your unique perspective, and your heartfelt stories. Reflect deeply on your experiences, the triumphs AND the challenges, and convey what you’ve learned from them. Authenticity demonstrates your ability to introspect and grow. Avoid clichés and overused phrases, and instead focus on sincere moments that truly shaped who you are. A Strong Opening and Honest Narrative First impressions matter, especially in personal essays. First, Stick with the Prompt! Those prompts are given for a reason. Starting with a hook is great, use an intriguing anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description but make sure it aligns with the prompt. As you develop your narrative, ensure it flows logically, leading the reader through your journey without losing focus. A stand out narrative can transform mundane experiences into pivotal moments, let the admissions committee into your world. Admission committees are reading MANY essays so use sensory details and emotional depth to help keep your readers engaged. Clarity of Purpose and Passion Your personal essay should clearly set out your goals and aspirations. Admissions want to understand your motivation for pursuing a particular field or attending a specific institution. Share your passions and how they have influenced your academic goals. Mention a mentor who inspired you or a specific experience that fueled your interest in a subject. Use vivid storytelling to highlight how these elements contribute to your vision. Resilience and Growth Mindset Universities not only appreciate stories of success but also those of adversity. Demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges can provide insight into your character and determination. Share times that you faced obstacles, whether in your personal life, academic pursuits, or extracurricular endeavors, and emphasize how you overcame them. Reflect on what those experiences taught you and how they propelled your growth. Admissions officers value candidates who possess a growth mindset and are willing to learn from setbacks. Connection to the University’s Values Research the universities you are applying to and identify their core values and missions. Your personal essay should reflect a connection between your values and those of the university. What draws you to this institution? How do its programs, culture, and community align with your goals? Pinpoint specific aspects of the university that resonate with you, whether it’s a professor whose work inspires you, a unique program that suits your interests, or a vibrant campus community that you wish to be a part of. This tailored approach demonstrates your enthusiasm and interest in the school. Insight into Your Character Ultimately, your personal essay should provide admissions officers with insight into who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Consider what you want them to know about you that isn’t evident in other parts of your application. Your values, experiences, and how you interact with the world around you ALL contribute to your identity. Whether through your relationships, volunteer work, or personal interests, share stories that highlight your character and how you contribute to your community. A holistic view of your personality can set you apart from other applicants! IN SHORT…. The personal essay is not merely a requirement in the college application process; it is an opportunity to show who you REALLY are. Again, they are not just looking for an applicant with a perfect GPA but a well-rounded individual who can add richness to their campus community, so emphasize authenticity, clarity of purpose, resilience, and connection to the university. AND DO NOT START THE NIGHT BEFORE! Take the time to write thoughtfully, reflect deeply, and showcase yourself. Your story is your greatest asset; let it shine through! And of course, we at Elite are here to help you.
Staying on top of University Admission changes is the key. As our schools are going through a new phase of education development due to societal changes, technological innovations, and global events, University Admissions are following suit. If you are looking towards the next step in the higher education journey, it is essential to understand and be prepared for what your dream schools are looking for. Test Optional Policies Increasing numbers of colleges and universities are adopting test-optional or test-blind admissions policies, meaning standardized tests (ie; SAT or ACT) are no longer mandatory for applicants. The idea is to create a more equitable and comprehensive evaluation process. Schools have begun focusing on other aspects, including high school GPA, recommendation letters, strong personal essays, and extracurricular activities, which provide a more complete view of a student’s capabilities and character. And though this is less pressure in terms of test taking, it also means that keeping a GPA up, things such as community service, and writing the perfect essay will need to be thought about well in advance. What does Holistic Admissions Mean? In line with the test-optional trend, there is a move towards holistic admissions processes. In other words, Institutions are seeking well-rounded candidates; diverse experiences, perspectives, and talents. This encourages students to showcase not only their academic achievements but their personal narratives, leadership roles, community service, and unique talents. Applicants are encouraged to write compelling and resonating personal stories, highlighting how their experiences shape their goals. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Universities are actively pursuing diverse student bodies and creating new measures for underrepresented groups to have more fair access. There are more initiatives designed to recruit students from marginalized backgrounds, and to support first-generation college students and those from lower socioeconomic brackets. DEI enriches the academic environment and fosters a sense of community that values varied perspectives and experiences. Technology in the Admissions Process With virtual campus tours, online info sessions, and remote interviews, students are finding new ways to interact with prospective colleges. Additionally, admissions offices are utilizing data analytics to refine recruitment strategies. Self-service admission portals enable students to track their applications in real-time, allowing for transparency and communication throughout the process. AI tools are becoming more prevalent, which help streamline application reviews and reduce the workload on admissions teams, so there is more time for personalized admissions decisions. Community College Pathways Because of economic pressures, community colleges are being viewed as a viable and strategic pathway to a four-year degree. There are more expanded partnerships between community colleges and universities, so students can seamlessly transfer with earned credits, and lower tuition costs. These pathways are more financially viable but also a great launching pad for students needing flexibility and support in academic achievments. A Global Campus As the world becomes more interconnected, there is a rising influx of international applicants. Universities are revising admissions strategies to accommodate a more global perspective, such as alternative assessment methods and support services for non-native English speakers. International students bring rich cultural diversity and broaden perspectives for the working future. Mental Health and Well-Being Recognizing the anxiety young people face, admissions offices are beginning to engage with the broader psychological aspects of the college experience, and many institutions are offering resources for emotional support during the stressful application period and throughout their University years. What Does This Mean for You and Your Student? For students contemplating their futures, staying informed about the trends is crucial. By preparing at early stages for the growing emphasis on holistic evaluations, students can navigate the somewhat overwhelming process with confidence. At Elite Tutoring we can help create a game plan to maintain commendable GPA’s, prepare for standardized tests, and write admissions essays armed with insights that can help make their applications stand out in an ever-competitive environment.
The SAT, has recently transitioned to a digital format, creating a significant shift in how students prepare for and experience this examination. The change is targeted to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the test, and to align more closely with contemporary educational practices and the needs of the modern learner. Understanding the Transition The College Board, (the organization behind the SAT), announced that the 2024 SAT’s will be in a digital format, with the goal of creating a more user-friendly, and secure testing environment. This transition was determined by feedback from educators, students, and colleges regarding the need for a more adaptable testing format. For better or for worse, as students are increasingly learning in digital environments— the SAT had to evolve to mirror these changes. The Advantages to the Digital SAT One of the most apparent changes is that the digital SAT will be a shorter test: it is now approximately two hours compared to the previous 3 hours. The traditional SAT was lengthy and sometimes caused fatigue, or focus issues among test-takers. So the new format is purportedly more focused allowing for more efficient assessments. However, it is important to note still covers the same core areas: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. A surprising feature of the digital SAT is that it will incorporate a “computer-adaptive” model, meaning that the difficulty of questions can adjust in real-time based on a student’s responses. So, if a student answers a question correctly, the next question will likely be more challenging, likewise, if a student gets a question wrong, the next one will be slightly easier. The idea is to provide a more personalized assessment of each student’s capabilities, while creating a more but accurate measurement of their particular knowledge and skills, creating a shorter test. However, it is important to note that students who get the easier second section won’t be able to get the highest score of 1600. The new digital format also allows for accessibility features, like screen magnification, text-to-speech, and the option for extended time so that students with disabilities will receive the support they need to perform their highest scores. Enhanced Security and Integrity The College Board has enforced measures to safeguard against cheating and ensure the authenticity of each test-taker’s work. Biometric checks and randomized question pools will help maintain the reliability of scores while providing a fair testing environment for all students. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE NEW FORMAT? Many resources will adapt to incorporate the digital format, practice tests and preparatory materials will be done on a computer so the student is comfortable with the technology. For the most part studying and preparing for the actual material remains the same with 2 noted difference. *Rather than nine long passages with multiple questions, students will read more than 50 short reading passages, with a single question each. *Students can use a built-in graphing calculator on the entire test rather than having separate calculator and non-calculator sections. HOW THE TEST IS ADMINISTERED The test can be taken on a school issued or personal device, however it cannot be taken at home or on a cell phone. If a student does not have a laptop College Board will administer if you state it at registration. Students must download and take the test in the College Board’s Bluebook app. It uses minimal bandwidth and can go offline without disrupting the test- if connection is lost the work should be saved and re-encrypted until the connection is restored.As students won’t necessarily have to travel to designated test centers, the SAT more accessible to a larger pool of test-takers. Check with your schools and College Board as to your options for location.*Students should get their results in a few days, rather than waiting weeks. In conclusion, this is a step towards greater educational equity. By moving toward a digital format, which can be more easily administered in diverse environments, the SAT can reach a broader range of students, including those in under-resourced areas. The digital format may lead to increased access to the test, as well as offering more adaptability for those who require accessibility features. And as always, Elite Tutoring has the tutors you need to help your student reach their SAT potential.
Standardized testing is a staple in educational systems, which serves as a key metric for assessing students’ knowledge and skills. While these assessments can create significant anxiety for many students, understanding how to tackle them effectively can empower you to achieve your best performance. Though it is early in the school year planning in advance is key. Here are the top tips to help plan effectively and efficiently with as little stress as possible. Understanding the Landscape of Standardized Testing It’s essential to understand the purpose and format of standardized tests. Typically designed to measure proficiency in subjects like math, reading, and writing, these tests often vary in structure, ranging from multiple-choice questions to essays and oral examinations. Familiarizing yourself with the specific tests you will take—such as SAT, ACT, or state assessments—will provide a solid foundation on which to build your preparation strategy. Start Early: Build a Preparation Timeline Preparation for standardized testing should not start in the eleventh-hour . Start planning months in advance, creating a timeline that breaks down your study tasks into manageable segments. Begin by taking a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. This initial assessment will help inform your study schedule, allowing you to allocate more time to the areas where you need improvement while still practicing your stronger subjects. Create a Study Plan: Structured and Flexible A structured study plan is like a roadmap, guiding you through your preparations with a blend of consistency and adaptability. Aim to incorporate various study methods, such as reviewing course materials, using online resources, and practicing with sample questions. However, allow for flexibility within this framework—life can be unpredictable, and it’s fine to adjust your schedule as needed. Consider setting specific weekly goals and tracking your progress to maintain motivation Practice Makes Perfect! One of the most effective ways to approach standardized tests is through targeted practice. Utilize official practice tests available through the test’s governing body—such as College Board or ACT. Simulating actual test conditions by timing yourself and minimizing distractions will help familiarize you with both the format and the time constraints, reducing anxiety on test day. Review your answers thoroughly, especially the incorrect ones, to understand your mistakes and improve over time. Practice Test-Taking Strategies Being knowledgeable in your subjects is important, but mastering test-taking strategies can make a significant difference in your performance. Familiarize yourself with techniques such as: **Elimination Method**: For multiple-choice questions, eliminate the answers you know are incorrect to increase the odds when guessing. **Time Management**: Keep a close eye on the clock. Allocate a specific amount of time per question and use practice tests to build your pacing skills. **Question Approach**: Read all instructions carefully and approach each question with a strategic mindset. Sometimes, the answer can be inferred from context or other questions. Mindfulness and Stress-Relief Techniques Standardized tests create stress and anxiety in even the brightest of students. Mental preparation is just as important as academic readiness. Include mindfulness techniques; deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga. These practices can instill a sense of calm and focus, helping you maintain a positive outlook as you approach the test. Additionally, ensure you are sleeping and eating well to sustain the extra work being done. Collaborative Learning Forming study groups or partnering with classmates creates a dynamic learning environment. Sharing insights and different problem-solving methods helps deepen your understanding of complex topics. Plus, discussing potential test questions and strategies with peers can ease the anxiety that often comes with solo studying. This can actually put a little fun into the learning. Seek Guidance from Educators! Your teachers and tutors have invaluable experience with standardized tests and can provide tailored advice and support. Don’t hesitate to ask us for clarification on topics you find challenging or for recommendations on additional resources. We are also able to offer insights into the types of questions that frequently appear on these assessments, which gives you a great deal of insight in your preparation. Test Day Preparation: As the day gets closer, shift your prep from studying content to preparing yourself mentally and physically for the exam. Be sure you have all necessary materials ready, ie; ID, admission ticket, pencils, and calculator. Get a good night’s sleep before the test and eat a healthy breakfast. Arriving at the test center early can help reduce anxiety by allowing you to familiarize to the environment. Dealing with standardized testing is about developing resilience, honing test-taking skills, and understanding how you approach and handle the process. A well rounded strategy is going to help you plan not just for the test at hand, but help you with future goals and experiences outside of school.
Record Rates of Absent Students Currently, the largest problem facing schools right now is Chronic Absenteeism. According to statistics from 2018 to 2023, the rate of absences almost doubled from 15% to 26%. Obviously, this a Post Epidemic problem that is multi-faceted and complex, but the outcome leads to learning setbacks that negatively affect you and your child. Chronic Absenteeism vs. Truancy? Because of pandemic closures, kids were learning online and in-person attendance may feel less necessary, or there may be greater confusion in terms of absentee rules. It is important to note that Chronic absenteeism is when students miss at least 10% of the school year. Truancy usually refers to unexcused absences, whereas Chronic Absence is broader and encompasses ALL absences a student may have-excused or not. These absences can lead to suspension and or expulsion so be sure to know what your school’s policy entails. Reasons for Absence Though some absences are students that are legitimately physically sick, research is finding there are a variety of reasons why children have school avoidance. 5% of students have school-related anxiety which may be linked to problems with other children, academic struggles, failure fears, and personality conflicts with a teacher. A study linked children with ADHD, autism and developmental delays as being twice as likely to be absent, and there is an ever increasing struggle with mental health issues such as depression/anxiety. All of these things can lead to a feeling of disconnection, boredom and lack of motivation adding to your child’s avoidance of school. Chronic Absence has a Negative Effect Though these are genuine emotional struggles, one should not underestimate the negative impact of chronic absences. Aside from being at a higher risk of not learning to read, falling behind, and eventually dropping out of school, the student misses out on other important provisions made by a school setting such as counseling services, important socialization skills, and ensuring daytime meals. So, what can you do when your child is resistant to going to school? TIPS to Help a Child Who Doesn’t Want to Go to School First and foremost discuss with your child why they don’t want to go to school. There may be underlying emotional reasons, maybe the students concerns need to be acknowledged and resolved with a solution based conversation. Maybe some of the reasons will require communication with the school staff, teachers, school counselor and or health professionals. You can advocate for your child while standing firm on the necessity of going to school. Don’t keep your child home unless they are actually sick. The general rule is keep your child home if there is a fever greater than 101 degrees F, an infectious illness, vomiting and or diarrhea. Be mindful that often stomachaches and headaches are based in anxiety. If they do stay home without the above physical symptoms, consider not allowing special treatment such as extra screen time. If they have other chronic health issues like epilepsy, diabetes, or asthma your school nurse can help create an IEP (individualized education program) or 504 plan. Sleep and Morning Prep reduce anxiety. Work towards ensuring your child is getting the required amount of sleep-this will reduce much of that morning fight which leads to resistance. It helps the morning go smoother if the night before clothes are picked, and lunches and bags are prepped and ready to go. It is also helpful to develop a ‘get to school strategy’ in case of bus, car or work problems that may cause challenges in getting your child to school. Help your child find extra curricular school based interests that they enjoy. Having something to look forward to in the school day, like band or robotics, gives them a common aim with fellow classmates, this bond forms necessary friendships and a sense of self. And finally, what your child may be craving is a individualized attention. One on one help can serve to get them caught up and feel confident in their academic endeavors, and provide a mentor who can help them with motivational plans and structured feedback. To help your child with all they need to stay motivated, positive and academically on track, please feel free to reach out to an Elite Tutor. We are here, we care, and we are equipped to help you.
Does your child struggle with reading comprehension? If so, know that your child is not the only one, in fact schools are struggling with literacy rates on a whole-this is why there is a current reading reform happening throughout our schools. 40 years of research, show there are ways of teaching literacy beyond phonics that are more effective in helping your young reader grasp the full meaning of any given text earlier and easier. What is the Science of Reading? In short, after years of research, it is an evidenced way of teaching students to read. The focus is developing both word recognition AND fluency of expression so that the understanding of the text is the main goal. The Main Principals: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension The brain of a child needs to first know the different sounds of spoken language, then connect the sounds to written letters, then blend those sounds for words-this is called decoding. In other words, reading does not come naturally! Students need to have decoding AND strong language comprehension skills to achieve reading comprehension. The structured approach of Reading Science has an overall scope and a sequence that builds on itself so that students are not feeling as though they don’t understand something that hasn’t been introduced to them yet. This structured approach helps ALL students including those with learning differences such as dyslexia. Currently many students are still learning under the balanced literary approach. Though this may work for many, the focus still tends to be on the Phonics and is developed in more macro-learning. The Science of Reading is structured within micro-learning, leaving less readers behind, especially in terms of comprehension. WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN THE CLASSROOM? Rather than “at the right level” reading groups, there will be a use of varied, complex text for all the students. Student should be able to hear multiple reads of the same text, first modeled by the teacher. To develop fluency, there should be partnering with students and teachers engaging in conversations centered on the language of the text, the structure of what’s written, the meaning of the text and the possible deeper meanings. In it’s essence, it is a more hands on approach that starts developing critical thinking, and engages all aspects of language. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ENSURE LITERACY FOR YOUR CHILD? Elite Tutoring can provide tutors who will be able to help you, and your child take a structured approach to literacy.
Welcome back to school! We are back to a new year of school. As we move forward, this year brings us changes and trends that may be confusing or hard to keep up with. Having an overview of some of these exciting new terms and methods will help you and your child make smoother transitions, and understand the goals of the educators using these methods. Microlearning: Long lectures that do not get revisited may overload students with the amount of information they can take in. This also requires students to have the skills to go back over that information on their own-which is not always manageable. Microlearning is a way of teaching bite-sized content (approx 3-5 min) with focused learning outcomes. Done in repetition, this way of learning allows the student to process new concepts, and gives space for the material to sink in. This has generated positive outcomes in terms of retention. Neuroeducation: Neuroeducation looks at what happens in the brain when a student learns, which in turn shows how to best stimulate the brain in education. Neuroeducation facilitates changes in the brain, like creating new neural connections. These connections transfer into new cognitive/learning structures-also known as brain plasticity-which helps with memory recall and the absorption of new data. Neuroeducation links learning with emotions and personal experience, creating hands on and group learning. It uses personal anecdotes to contextualize and motivate. It has shown that creative and game based activities spark curiosity, social interaction and a faster learning process. This creativity also reduces tension and improves focus. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): After COVID-19, and the realization that schools are facing high absentee numbers, it became apparent that student mental health needed to be prioritized. School’s are now looking at an increased emphasis on the need for social-emotional learning. This is to support students’ well-being. SEL programs are centered on developing skills like resilience, self-awareness, interpersonal competence and empathy. Schools are recognizing that Emotional intelligence is an important factor in academic success. This is a trend that is projected to keep growing, and will help see a decrease in bullying, anxiety/stress, and absenteeism. Technology Hybrid/Blended Learning Again, the Pandemic has changed the way we see education. Covid led to integrating technology into the classroom and schools are finding new ways to continue hybrid learning as well as technology blended models. The face-to-face instruction of online elements, allows for more flexibility as well as more individualized lessons, especially for students who may have diverse needs. There is now a focus on AI augmented reality, and virtual reality. This is not students playing video games but rather being used for an immersive educational experience. Simulations can be used for recreations (history), virtual field trips, and to show complex concepts in new ways. This creates an applied learning experience which enhances critical thinking and creativity. Digital literacy, such as coding, is being taught at the earliest levels to develop what will be a greater part of their future lived experiences. Some of these Ideas may seem foreign to your personal school experience, but these changing educational models are being developed to best serve the academic and emotional well being of your child. If you feel you would like more information or help in any of these areas, please reach out to our Elite team.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a part of our everyday lives, for better or for worse. AI in schools can create personalized learning experiences and offer help in grading. However, students are discovering that programs like ChatGpt or GPT-4 can do their homework. These programs, designed to sound human, can answer homework questions and write essays. This leads to plagiarism, reduced critical thinking skills and the necessary research for a proper education. TOP 3 WAYS TO RECOGNIZE AI WORK: You know your child best! The work will not be written in the TONE of your child. AI does not use a personal writing style, so your child’s sense of humor, irony, rhythm of speech, or personal stories, will be missing. The wording may sound a bit advanced or stilted. Trust your gut, if you think it does not sound like your child it probably is not. Is the grammar just a bit TOO perfect? Most students are not working at a perfect level. This could be a giveaway if you find no grammar or spelling mistakes. * However, AI may not follow MLA standards taught in school, and your child may forget to change the format. This will be a pretty good clue. Finally, if your child’s grades have improved, but you have not noticed extra time being put into the work or that they are working with a tutor, you may want to find out why. This may feel invasive, of course you trust your child, but because AI is so common your child may not realize that using it for homework is cheating. Teachers have many students, so they are not always able to tell when a student is using AI to do homework. Certain schools, however, have begun to use tools such as AI text classifiers. They are able to weed out AI work, and if a student is caught using AI to write an essay, it comes with the penalty of plagiarism. HOW YOU CAN HELP: Talk to your child about the importance of Independent thought. AI denies your child the gift of creativity and learning how to think critically. These skills will need to follow them into adult life. Not doing the necessary research also misses out on so much knowledge and problem-solving. Explain that ChatGPT and other such programs are responding with previously embedded information. It is not information that has been fact-checked and, therefore, may be incorrect. This is not a research tool Talk to them about academic integrity. Inform them that not using their own work is plagiarism and cheating. Let them know the repercussions of being caught. Finally, explain that schools and teachers are becoming more savvy about detecting work done by ChatGPT. If they are not using an AI text classifier, the teachers are much more aware of what to look out for.
SUMMER READING CHALLENGES AND WRITING COMPETITIONS We are at that summer midway point. Which also means finding new ways to keep your child engaged and active in their minds. There are many summer camps out there, but there are also plenty of resources at your finger tips. Summer reading and writing prevents learning loss while maintaining a sense of play and imagination. As it may be difficult to be self-motivated without deadlines or a social group, I have included some wonderful online Reading Challenges and Writing Competitions for your child to enter. After an exhaustive search, I have compiled some of the best and recent (2024) sources that will link you directly to the challenge and competition sites. Of course any of our tutors can help guide your child through any of the summer reading and writing challenges they choose, or we can personalize a plan for them. ******* READING CHALLENGES: Scholastic offers a summer challenge for children ages 3-13. There are 10 downloadable badges for goal completions as well as book lists according to age. https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/reading-challenges-kids.html PBS Kids for Parents Summer Adventure has reading charts, and activity ideas It also has math activities and out door adventure ideas. https://www.pbs.org/parents/summer The New York Times challenge has students read any 2024 article published in their paper and kids can write in, or even video their response. They publicly list the winners-The New York Times! The National Education Society has an amazing source of information to help you raise your readers. Amongst many, their list of summer reading challenges includes Barnes and Noble summer reading program where you can receive a free book, and Pizza Hut’s ‘Camp Book It’. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/get-serious-about-summer-reading Don’t forget to check your local libraries, many have summer reading challenges of their own! ******** WRITING COMPETITIONS: Writing competitions deliver a fun angle to writing. They deliver prompts, deadlines, the feeling of being linked into other’s writing and do you need an extra motivator?! Many come attached with cash prizes! We Are Teachers is a personal favorite site offering some of the best writing competitions for students up to age 18. https://www.weareteachers.com/student-writing-contests/ The National Youth Foundation is geared towards diversity and empowerment and has 4 competitions: “I Matter” poetry and art, Amazing Women’s Edition, Youth Writing Workshop and Student Book Scholars Contest. The site also offers a library of the past winners works to read. A very positive site! https://www.nationalyouthfoundation.org/our-programs If you love the idea of having your child published you can go to Young Writers USA. https://www.youngwritersusa.com/contests And two other helpful sites with informative lists of competitions: Aralia -Top 9 Writing Competitions: New Pages: https://www.newpages.com/young-writers-guide/young-writers-guide-to-contests/#July
Did you know that 84% of Americans will celebrate the 4th of July and that 150 million hot dogs will be eaten?! The 4th of July is not just a day of BBQ’s, Beaches and Books with a BANG, but a day to spend quality time with friends and family. So to help you and your family get into the Spirit of 1776, we’ve put together some fun facts so you can show off your Independence Day smarts with our Stars and Stripes Trivia. A little warm up. Did you know… America actually declared independence on July 2, 1776 . That was the day delegates from the Thirteen Colonies met (The Second Continental Congress) to approve a resolution for independence from Britian……that’s right, the Declaration of Independence. It was officially approved on the 4th. 2 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence became President, and in a strange twist of fun fact history, Thomas Jefferson, 82 and John Adams, 90 both passed away on July 4th, 1826 within five hours of each other on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. STARS AND STRIPES TRIVIA (answers at the bottom of page) 1. How many people signed the Declaration of Independence? 2. What year were fireworks first used to celebrate Independence Day? 3.How much money do Americans spend on fireworks every year? 4. How many stars and stripes does the US flag have? 5. Who designed the 50 star flag? 6. In Philadelphia, Pa. The Liberty Bell is rung how many times on the 4th of July? 7. Can you name the Thirteen Colonies? 8. What is the USA’s national animal? 9. **Bonus Question: Guess which company just got on the 2024 Best Service list on Newsweek? We did! (Cue Fireworks!) So If you need help with some of that American History or helping your Summer Scholars with their Independent learning, Flag up an award winning company. We are here and look forward to hearing from you! ANSWER KEY 1) 56 2)1777 – the very first year the 4th of July was celebrated. 3) Americans spend more than 1 billion on fireworks each year! 4) 50 stars for States and 13 stripes for Colonies. 5) Though there are contending stories on who designed the original flag, the 50 stars (changed for Hawaii and Alaska) was designed by 16 year old Robert G. Heft of Ohio, as a history class assignment…for which he got a B-. Don’t worry when his design was accepted by the White House his grade was changed to an A! 6) 13 times-One ring for each Colony 7)Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. 8) American bison. The bald eagle is the national bird.
For many students, graduation is a rite of passage. It is an experience akin to prom, or getting married— something you’re supposed to do. But there’s another subset of this population. That is the one that focuses on creating generational change. That is to say, first generation graduates. This expression refers to individuals that are the first in their families to graduate. Whether it be from high school or college, there is something meaningful about changing what had come in the past. There is something beautiful about this change. What are the statistical differences? Some say once you get in, you’re set. But that is not entirely true. For first generation college students, there are statistics that suggest getting to the point of graduation is the hardest part! A 2016 study found that about 60% of college students 6 years after entering college did not obtain their secondary degree. The same study found that students who are first generation tend to use necessary offered resources like financial aid more, however resources that focused on well being, like counseling, were used less. This indicates that first gen students may not be clued into the opportunities to support a healthy lifestyle with coping mechanisms in college. Beautiful positive facts First generation students may experience unique challenges that are difficult to hear about. However, the experience is poignant for that fact alone. Some key points to remember for first generation college students includes increasing support for this demographic. 73% of colleges and universities have a formal definition of this cohort. This means institutional recognition of the unique struggles for first generation students. This results in experiences such as experience-based cohorts that share resources through shared identity. Further, this leaves space for programmatic efforts that tackle the same issues as mentioned above— mental and social health. Overall, the percentage, some ⅓- ½ of all college students today are first generation, and their experiences increasingly significant and recognized.
It’s May! Are you feeling like, “Change is overwhelming me.. How do I handle it?” Welcome to the season where school ends, and summertime looms. Standardized exams are impending; final exams, and assignments are being disbursed. Therefore, for many, there’s a lot that changes in this time, so it can be important to think about how to handle changes. Find humor in changes. Actually, there are a lot of biological benefits to finding the sweet, funny spot in changes. Those lovely endorphins are released and we are able to do affiliative bonding, or strengthen social bonds, with others surrounding us. This helps us cope. Find the meaning in the fear. It’s easy to fear new changes like going to a new grade. Or getting a certain grade in a class. But if you take some time to think about why you might be feeling the way you do— relating it to a desire to perform well, or please others, or be a good student— you might be able to reduce the pressure on yourself. As such, you might be able to think of other ways you can fulfill these identity roles. Does being a good student just mean getting good grades? Or does it mean that you tried your best to study? Fearing change is a sign from our emotions that something is up, and deserves to be looked into. Thinking about why we have fear helps us reduce it. Plan ways to take change in stride. If you are overwhelmed by the thought of change, you can act in ways to mitigate that feeling of being overwhelmed. Make small plans to keep a sphere of control. Additionally, ask for help and advice from people in your life that have been through the same situation before. Lastly, try to find organization in your schedule so that you can handle changes like a new school year or a new entire school, one step at a time.
FOCUS- is an increasingly valuable and scarce resource. Despite being a “self-generated” behavior, there are many variables that impact the focus that an individual may have. Before getting into the tactical details, we first must understand what tasks look like in our minds. Our brains must use “task sets” in order to focus. What does this mean and look like? Well, in simple terms, our brain simplifies what it means to have a set of knowledge and skills to complete a task. We make mental assessments of the needed amount of knowledge to complete a task, versus the knowledge we have. Then, we analyze the needed amount of skill and compare it to our own. Based on these quick calculations, we then decide how much effort a task will require. Finally, we base our approach to handling a task by this calculation— will we be able to get it done with our skills and knowledge? In order to harness this knowledge for productive good, we should consider making space and time for tasks. In computer science there is a rule called the 90/90 rule. This rule cheekily suggests that it takes 90% of the effort to get 90% of work completed. Then another 90% of effort to finish the 10% of the task. Ultimately meaning there’s always more work than anticipated! We will always require more time for big tasks. Making time in your calendar to focus is very important to consider. You want to be sure of your own ability to gather resources and relevant information to make the most of your brain!!
Studying nowadays seems nearly impossible. With all that’s going on in the world, there doesn’t seem to be an opportunity for good mental rest and reset that we all really need. Sometimes, it can even be harder to focus! Some studies even suggest that having too many distractions can even affect our senses! When our minds are focused on one or multiple tasks, less mental energy can be focused on more acute senses like smell, taste, and hearing. That’s why sometimes you can’t hear a parent calling when you’re playing video games or reading a book. So, what are some great science backed ways to make sure you’re focused? You might hate to hear it, but reducing phone use is a great way to start off being less distracted. Some studies suggest that the average person looks at their phone once every 12 minutes. That’s a lot of mental distraction! Charge your phone outside of your room. Make the screen black and white to reduce addiction. Delete applications off your phone. All of these strategies will give you a better experience with your mind. Clear your setting of distracting words. Before embarking on a long study or focus period, try to clear your mind by writing down any anxious thoughts. Write in a journal before. Or, if you want to listen to music while focusing, make sure it doesn’t have any words that could also be distracting and reduce your ability to focus. Exercise. How will exercise help you focus? While this may not be an “in the moment” trick, it certainly is a long term habit that will make focusing easier. Exercise is known to boost dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels which all affect focus and attention. But! A twist to the exercise is always good for you adage is to exercise at the study table. How do you do this? Get a standing desk. Or change up the chair you use to sit and study. Read notes while pacing. All of these gets the blood pumping and can help improve concentration. Take a break! This is another potentially counter intuitive one, but sometimes, your brain just needs a little reset to be able to get back into the concentration game!
Holistic Approaches Marketing often suggests that academic institutions value quantitative assessments such as GPA and standardized exam scores. These are considered predictors for success in students. But, applicants widely understand that holistic forms of evaluation are valid for candidates in applications. So, how can we account for these differences? What should universities consider when it comes to performance in school and how we can accept students? Essay Content Can Indicate SES In a Stanford study of 60,000 undergraduate applications to the University of Southern California, content written in the personal statements/ essays of applicants were better predictors of socioeconomic status and influence than SAT scores. That might seem obvious. The SAT has recently gone under fire for being a predictor of wealth, more so than a predictor of competence. The study further demonstrated that essays with more content on “human nature” and “seeking answers” tended to be written by applicants with higher reported SES statuses. In contrast, essays with more content about “time management” and family relationships tended to be written by students with lower SES statuses. This correlation shows that certain essay topics may be the framework for recruiting students from a range of backgrounds. Some colleges and universities have begun to account for this impact and consider it in assessing college applications. A Personal Approach to Success A metaanalysis of research papers studied the relationship between socioeconomic status and success in college. They summarized some remarkable learnings. For example, research suggests the importance of social support in success for Latino students such as believing in one’s ability to perform in college. More specifically, believing in one’s capacity as a learner, being excited about learning, and feeling cared about as a student and a person. Many papers suggest that historically underrepresented students, or those from low SES, encounter challenges when they get to college. These make it difficult for them to take advantage of their school’s resources for learning and personal development. This challenge begins when applying for colleges, as students self-select in and out of opportunities they may not feel adequate for, even though their holistic applications may suggest otherwise. How College Can Influence Your Future The topic of socioeconomic status and how it influences applications is very important. SES impacts beyond college itself. Over the course of an individual college graduate’s lifetime, some studies suggest, they will make 1 million dollars more than an individual who has not graduated from college.
Distilling your whole identity in one short statement is certainly a herculean task. How can you get to all the depths of who you are and what makes you worth admissions to a college or program in so many words? Writing a personal statement isn’t easy, but there are ways to break down the complexities of the process and of your own story to help you craft the best personal statement. In this blog, we will break down the process in several parts. Know Thyself Don’t be afraid to take some time to write in some diaries. Reflect on your achievements, and on your worst days. Reflect on the subjects you love, the people you love, and the experiences you love. A personal statement should be reflective of what the title suggests, PERSONAL. Being able to express a clear version of who you are into your writing means you can have the ability to make yourself irreplaceable to the admissions committee. How much can you share in your personal statements? As long as it feels relevant and honest, feel free to make your essay personal. Know About the School/ Program Don’t tell the admissions committee what you think they want to hear, because that can often come off as trite and cheesy. You want to make sure you’re as specific as possible when making applications. Ask yourself, how can I contribute to this school? Is there a particular program the school offers that your experiences would relate to? Use the language, the titles of professors, and all the specific details you know about the program and school in your statement. This helps admissions connect your story with theirs. Add Spunk Are you someone that likes to make jokes? Do you get teased for being grammar obsessed? Or do you like poetry? Rhyming? Arguing? This is what you want to sprinkle into your essay. Add elements of flavor and spunk, or even uniquely well-written language and grammar, into your writing, and you’ll add one more detail that makes you memorable. Draft While surely you will craft a spirited, engaging personal statement by following those tips above, the most useful tip will be to ensure you write not, not two, but multiple drafts. Have a select number of individuals that you love in your life read through the personal statement and address if they feel it’s the most reflective of who you are. Ask them to check for grammatical errors and flow. But, make sure you feel it’s most reflective of who you are and the story you want to tell. Multiple drafts will help you in this process.
The end of February marks the time to start thinking about those AP exams, and other major exams like the SATs in general. In this month’s blog post, let’s check out strategies to effectively calendar and create a study schedule that works for you! Here are 4 considerations. Don’t just study It’s important to create a schedule that accounts for your humanity. Make sure to include times you’ve designated for fun and for rest. Block these times regularly in your calendar. Study challenging concepts at the right time You don’t have to get up at 6AM in the morning every morning to do well on your exams. While you’re organizing your study schedule, make sure you are accounting for YOUR best work hours. If you’re an early bird, or a night owl, be sure to acknowledge your unique best hours. Not all study time needs to be long Got a 30 minute ride to hang out with friends? Waiting for dinner to cook? Use these spare moments to review your flashcards and give your brain a quick rehash of concepts that are easy to forget. Take a practice exam Whether it be for a final, an AP exam, the SATs, GRE, or other standardized test, make sure to go through a practice test at least ONCE to get all the first time exam jitters out. You may not be able to replicate the entire experience, but you WILL be able to have a better understanding of and familiarity with the exam’s logistics and format. Now that these broad considerations are in, it’s time to organize your calendar. There are 3 important steps. Calendar your exam date Add in a treat for the day after, and some last minute flashcards for the day before. The week of, make sure you’re getting a combination of rest and review. Plan out your monthly goals After taking a diagnostic test, add in monthly goals to get a sense of how far you are from your goal score. Take at least one diagnostic test during each month so you can measure your progress. Figure out the hours per week you want to study. Once you have a sense of how many hours you can put in, you can see how much time you will need per day and when you can study more complex material you’re struggling with, given timeslots that are longer. As you can read, there is a lot of strategy and planning that comes with organizing your study schedule. The biggest advice? Make sure you can stick to it!
There’s a lot going on in the world of education right now, and we are learning not only new content, but new ways to show our learning. So, February marks the time to prepare for these new formats of exams. Some of these exams are formatted in a way such that they are hybrid or online. How are this year’s exams different? Let’s start with AP exams. For some popular college credit receiving exams like AP Biology or AP Calculus, it appears the exam will retain much of its pre-Covid structure. Most AP exams will still be in person with paper and pencil, in May. The exam will be administered for many students at the same time, at their specific schools of attendance. Testing centers which host many students taking exams are also prevalent. For a comprehensive look at the policies and guidelines of these standard format exams — which remain standard from many years past, click here. Still however, the pandemic is a factor in exam administration. For AP exams like AP English literature and AP World History, there will be a selection of exams hosted still in school, but online in a digital format. The key takeaways to understand for how these exams will operate differently are: The school must have applied in fall of 2021 to administer the exam online The exam will still be taken at the school in a proctored setting Students will be able to go back and forth online with questions Schools may be able to provide Windows, Mac, Chromebooks or even Ipads for the exam Digital and paper exams will be taken in different locations within the school For graduate degrees, the online format is also variable. The GRE is a good example to understand. A grueling 3 hours and 45 minutes, this exam is known to be tough even prior to the pandemic. With the shifts in learning, the GRE averages 1.5 million test takers with a mean score of around 150 out of 170 for the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections. The exam is entirely administered online. Here are some of the considerations for GRE for adult learners of this time: You can edit your answers and preview sections There is a built-in calculator function You can mark/ review answers on the digital format You can take the exam at home or at a testing facility At home testing is available 24/7 and proctored by an online human proctor. To read more about these exams, click here. With all of these exam changes, it will be interesting to see how students this year fair with online test scores! Seems like a good time to goal-set, and get help tutoring if you need it!
As the next semester begins, we see a current spike in COVID-19 cases. Masks are increasingly necessary and a part of our day-to-day living. So, just like making a strategy for attaining goals, industrious students and teachers familiarize themselves with the CDC guidelines on masking up. However, these guidelines change regularly. Masking as a Part of Culture The changes are so frequent that in true internet-of-things, Generation Z style, memes on the CDC proliferate— joking about all the possibilities of what “the CDC says.” But jokes aside, scientists are creating their content related to masking. For example, novel research looks at how wearing a mask might be related to different levels of emotional awareness. What Science Suggests Scientists who focus on visually impaired individuals studied a sample of 119 individuals. The study focused on the tone of voice, body language, and other emotional indicators. According to this study, the younger the tested individual, the higher the rate of inaccuracy between reading emotions. Children 3-5 years old had the most severe disadvantage in discerning emotions with mask wearers. Such inability led to facial misinterpretation and resulted in some behavior that could be considered inappropriately aggressive. However, for those who were older and grew up with a sense of emotional awareness more acute based on years of practice without a mask, this inability to read emotions correctly was not as dramatic. Younger children “faced,” if you will, all the consequences. It Would Be Best To Mask Up Anyways… While this study may not entirely prove that wearing a mask makes you meaner, it suggests causation between mask-wearing and emotional intelligence. But, perhaps the question is moot. It seems mask-wearing will be a way in congested settings like schools for the foreseeable future. Regardless of how a mask affects emotional development, we are sure that it positively impacts our health. That certainty means you should probably mask up anyways.
It’s a year! After a year of reflecting, dreaming, and expressing gratitude to teachers in the Covid 19 Pandemic, we’ve come to an impasse on making the most of our pandemic lives. So what’s the next step? Meeting goals doesn’t just come with designing your life. It comes with a strategic, brain-aware way to approach accomplishment. Challenging Yourself Neuroscientists have been interested in goal setting and how to challenge the experience mentally. Students making academic goals can also learn something from neuroscience. The neuroscience community suggests that even HAVING goals is helpful to direct the way our brain forms connections and thoughts. More goals = more connections. A new framework suggests that making changes in behavior requires a shift in two axes: level of skill, knowledge, the ability needed for action; and status of motivation. An example of this behavior on the high ends of motivation and level of skill and familiarity is navigating a new city for the first time. This action is HIGH on both axes because it shows an exciting challenge necessary to undergo if one is traveling. There is motivation and dexterity. Considering Executive Function So, how would you use this new framework? Well, thinking about the brain’s executive function (how various parts of our brains work together to complete a task that requires attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and planning) provides insight. Executive function rests on taking novel experiences and information and responding to them to normalize a response. This activity is referred to as “habit formation.” Suppose the brain is a limited resource with constant energetic needs. In that case, executive function is also limited in its ability to perform tasks and choose which ones are the most important to standardize and form a habit. What does this suggest? Practice! Practice makes more than perfect. Perhaps another obvious solution, but a plenty important one. Using our brains to actively work on a goal and doing it over and over simply by quantity is a neuroscientifically suggested method of achieving your goals.
