Blog
How I Saved a Student 20+ Hours of Work with a 5 Minute Phone Call
There are a lot of misconceptions and misinformation out there about college applications and the SAT/ACT. I hear a lot of “I read this on the internet” or “My neighbor told me a story about her friend’s daughter” and on it goes. The misinformation spreads like a game...
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Writer’s Block? 11 Journal Topics to Brainstorm the College Essay
I have never considered myself much of a creative writer. The “right” words just never seemed to come to me. However, I’ve always loved the visual arts—drawing and painting in particular. In every art class, the most challenging assignment was always the...
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Is That a Good SAT or ACT Score?
When the SAT or ACT scores come out, the first question we hear is “is that a good SAT or ACT score?” This is a tough question to answer because “good” is very relative. Before I answer that question for a parent or student, I always ask to what schools is the student...
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How Many Times Can I Take the SAT? (and Other FAQ’s)
Now is the time of year that we're getting a lot of questions from students and parents on the SAT and ACT. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. How many times can I take the SAT or ACT? There is no maximum number of times that a student...
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Eliminate Negative Self Talk
The expression is you are what you eat, but I would say you are what you think holds as much truth. The idea of mindfulness and the power of thought have been everywhere lately—see here, here, and here. One of the things that I hear students doing as we work through...
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10 Years of Tri-Ed
It’s hard to believe that today marks a decade since I first started Tri-Ed Tutoring! Thinking back to the year I started Tri-Ed Tutoring, 2006, feels like a lifetime ago. I had just finished my Masters in Teaching and was deciding what to do with the rest of my life....
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5 Minutes Remaining…What Now?
For most students, the challenge of the ACT is time management more than the content of the questions. It’s a fast-paced test and difficult to address all of the questions in the allotted time. Try using a few of these tips on your next ACT: Focus on answering...
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Regroup for More Success and Less Stress This School Year
As winter drags on and first semester is behind us, it’s easy to lose that motivation that you started the year with. It’s around this time that we start to see a breakdown in the homework routine leading to overwhelmed students that are struggling to catch back up or...
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Part 2, Class of 2017: Should I Take The Current or Redesigned SAT?
In Part 1, Should I Take The Current or Redesigned SAT, we provided helpful tips to understand the difference between the current and redesigned SAT as well as ACT test to benefit the Class of 2017. Part 2 will detail "pros" and "cons" to support your decision on...
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Class of 2017: Should I Take The Current or Redesigned SAT?
This is one of the most common questions that we are getting from parents of students in the class of 2017. During junior year, the SAT will be changing in March. As of now, most colleges and universities are planning to accept either the current or the redesigned...
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Should I Apply to College Early Action, Early Decision, or Regular Admissions?
There is a lot of talk about college applications right now. The questions I'm hearing most often are "what is the difference between early action and early decision?" and "should I apply early?". Before we talk about whether you should apply early, let's be clear...
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Should I Submit SAT scores, ACT scores, Both or Neither?
We have talked about the differences between the SAT and ACT. More recently, we also talked about when to take the SAT or ACT. Another common question that we are asked by students and parents is whether colleges prefer one test over the other. Do I need to take the...
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When Should I Prepare for and Take the SAT or ACT? Part II
In the last blog, we talked about questions to consider when planning your SAT and ACT test dates and preparation for those tests during junior and senior year. You can check out those questions here. Now that you know what to consider, it's time to put that...
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When Should I Prepare For and Take the SAT or ACT? Part I
One common question that I talk with students and parents about is regarding the schedule of tests and test prep for the ACT or SAT. There are many factors to consider and it can vary based on the student’s starting scores and goal score. Below are some things to...
read moreBack to School—Avoiding the Homework Battle
It’s that time of year again—the weather is starting to cool down, the first leaves are beginning to change colors, and our news feeds are filled with smiling children toting backpacks for the first time. While this seems like a beautiful scene, it often quickly...
read moreSAT II: Subject Tests—What Are They and Do You Need to Take Them?
Another question that we are frequently asked is “What are the SAT II’s and do I need to take them?”. The SAT II’s are content based tests. They are each one hour long and are multiple choice. Students can choose from a variety of subjects including literature,...
read moreShould I Take the ACT or SAT?
One of the questions we are asked most frequently is “should I take the ACT”? I always tell juniors that they should try both the SAT and the ACT. Even if you do not take an official test, you should at least take a practice test of each to get an idea of the...
read moreComparing the Costs: Public vs. Private
I find all too often parents tend to focus on the sticker price of college tuition instead of the actual true total out of pocket cost of college. A simple but critical formula to know before you apply to any school is COA-EFC=Need. The acronym means Cost of...
read moreDon’t Let Mid-Terms Get You Down
It’s that dreaded time of year: mid-term season. Parents and students alike dread mid-term exams, but with a few tips, there is no reason to be afraid. The key— as in all things — is to be prepared. The first step is to be organized. Don’t study in a slapdash manner....
read moreThe College Application Essay: How To Write One That Works.
College Applications. There are few things that cause more anxiety for high school seniors and their parents. Navigating this process can be daunting between gathering transcripts, getting letters of recommendation, taking last minute SAT tests, and trying to recall...
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