Chemistry Lab Report - How Can I Determine the Density of Water?

Chemistry Lab Report - How Can I Determine the Density of Water?If you're working in a chemistry lab, you have probably asked yourself, 'How can I determine the density of water?' The answer is simple; but before you can do this, you need to first know what it means.Water is a very dense substance. A small percentage of the earth's water is below the earth's surface, and most of it is under the ocean floor. Because of its density, a small sample of water will weigh many times as much as an average-sized human, or for a very heavy liquid, hundreds or thousands of times as much.To determine the density of water, a laboratory will take a gravity reading and determine how many grams of water weighs as much as a drop of water from a great height; the gravity reading will determine the density of the water. So, what can we use to calculate the density of water?One of the factors that determines the density of water is the amount of hydrogen atoms present in the water. The more hydrogen ato ms there are, the more dense the water will be.Because water molecules are made up of many different types of atoms, each of those atoms has a particular weight and shape. When we break down a water molecule, we are able to see the structure of those atoms, and those structures determine the weight of each individual atom in the water molecule.We are all familiar with how different elements bond together, and how one of those elements makes it easier for other elements to attach themselves to it. As we continue to look at elements together, we see how they all get heavier, until we reach their ultimate densest form. Atoms of uranium or carbon all weigh the same and stay attached to each other, while the heavier elements are bonded to one another by force.The reason that water is so dense is because it is surrounded by many different types of atoms, each with a different weight and shape. So, the density of a water molecule will depend on where it is in the water molecule, where its nearest neighbor is, and the distance between the nearest neighbor and itself. We are all familiar with the force that binds the atoms together, and that is also part of the attraction that keeps these different types of atoms together.Water also provides a reservoir for all the hydrogen that exists in the human body. With water, the human body is able to hold more than enough energy to keep it functioning correctly. It takes more than a drop of water falling from a height to make the human body to function properly, and that is why we need the density of water.

Tutor Linda L. of Ossining, NY Is Very Pleased

Tutor Linda L. of Ossining, NY Is Very Pleased Our new tutor Linda L. of Ossinig, New York surprised the TutorZ team when she dropped the following email: I just got a new student from your site. Thanks. They were very pleased with my session. Thanks for the referral. Linda L. Linda has thanked TutorZ for her  new student Logan, an 8th grade student. Logan is currently failing English. Thats where our tutor Linda comes in. She has a Bachelor of Education from Rider University and is certified tutor in the state of New York. So, no surprise Logan and his mom are very pleased with Lindas tutoring sessions. Thank you Linda for sending your kind words! TutorZ is happy to be of good service to you and your students. Tutor Linda L. of Ossining, NY Is Very Pleased Our new tutor Linda L. of Ossinig, New York surprised the TutorZ team when she dropped the following email: I just got a new student from your site. Thanks. They were very pleased with my session. Thanks for the referral. Linda L. Linda has thanked TutorZ for her  new student Logan, an 8th grade student. Logan is currently failing English. Thats where our tutor Linda comes in. She has a Bachelor of Education from Rider University and is certified tutor in the state of New York. So, no surprise Logan and his mom are very pleased with Lindas tutoring sessions. Thank you Linda for sending your kind words! TutorZ is happy to be of good service to you and your students.

Mathematics and Science Tutoring

Mathematics and Science TutoringFinding the best math and science tutoring is not a problem at all. With the Internet, the world of the internet has become a great place for students to study. However, one has to spend some time in order to find the best tutoring institutions.However, for those who do not know the best way to find tutors, one can always consult the tutors' association of the tutoring schools. This is just like a university or college where students can request for the services of a tutor. The tutors' association provides other information such as the fee for tuition. Many students are now looking out for some online tutoring services that can help them learn science. There are many websites that provide free, paid and premium services to assist in learning the best subjects.Well, the paid services are much better than the free ones. However, it is important to know what you really need and what is worth. And how much time is required in order to achieve your goals?St udents should be aware of the financial help they can get in such tutoring sessions. Most of the fee help may be taken from the student's bank account. So, it is necessary for the student to consult with the tutors and decide which type of service he/she needs in order to study science or maths in the best possible way.After consulting with the tutors, the students can be asked to choose the one that is the best for him/her. One thing that is important is that the tutor should be good at mathematics and sciences. It is not necessary that he/she is good at one subject. It is better if the tutor has both a good mathematics and science background.Students should also be told that most of the tutors are available on the internet. It is also important to know about the reputation of the tutor. Some online institutions can offer a free membership for a certain period of time. Students can also look out for the tutors' industry association that can help students in finding the best tutors in the industry.The most important thing is that the student is informed of all these things that are related to tutoring. Once this is done, students can be sure of getting good grades in their courses or colleges. This is because tutoring schools are in business for teaching students the right subjects.

An Easy Guideline to Solve Chemistry Equations

An Easy Guideline to Solve Chemistry EquationsIn this article I will provide a simple guideline to solve mcat equations with minimal time. To solve most problems requires quick understanding of the mcat formula, but what is it really? Let's talk about some fundamentals and what makes it really difficult.To find a mcat equation in a textbook, the student may only find the equation on the page. Here you are not alone. Most professors use mathematics textbooks to teach their students to solve most problems. It is a fact that you will find a mcat equation very easily without having any background in that formula.In the course of mcat equations, mcat coefficients can also be solved easily. But here the student has to have a background in mcat coefficients. To do so, he or she needs to have a good memory. A good memory should be ready for that equations because mcat equations would require understanding mcat coefficients.It will be difficult to solve mcat equations without a proper underst anding of mcat coefficients. You should be able to find out the mcat coefficients easily. In addition, most coefficients can be readily found in most textbooks as well. Many books can help you with this. But they don't usually include mcat coefficients.If you want to tackle that equations, it is best to find out information about mcat coefficients from most textbooks. You can find the mcat coefficients in most textbooks as well. But you will need to have a good memory for mcat equations. And once you have that, then mcat equations become easier to understand.The next tip for solving mcat equations is to find out the most appropriate mcat equation. That is very important because mcat equations are quite complex and can't be solved simply by following the formula. The equation would require knowledge about mcat coefficients.So when we have these tips for solving most equations, we can say that mcat equations can be easily solved in less than half an hour. The speed of solving them dep ends on how much knowledge you have about mcat coefficients.

Get Online Trigonometry Tutors Help Of Tutor Pace

Get Online Trigonometry Tutors Help Of Tutor Pace Being a kid we have to go through various subjects in our lifetime. Each subject has its own importance and so this is the reason why it is been included in our syllabus. Today with busy parents it has become mandatory to have good teacher beside you so that you can easily cope up with the subject. All the subjects do not require a helping hand to get into the skin of the subject, but there are some of the tough subjects that require some extra help or effort for any student to understand the subject in a much better and easy way.TutorPace is an online tutoring institute that can bring to you all the above stated benefit with perfection. Online Trigonometry Tutors  is also available with online tutoring institutes named TutorPace. Mathematics is a subject that requires a good and efficient helping hand that will help the student to easily cope up with the subject and also know the subject in a better manner. Mathematics has many topics that are tough enough that cannot be handled sin gle handedly. Trigonometry is a part of mathematics that is a huge concept and requires a lot of knowledge and intelligence to crack the subject. To know the subject deeply it is important that one should have the help of a good teacher who will guide the student through all the adversities related with the subject. Private tutors are present who can help a student to know the topic, but today with the increase in competition the teachers have also been included in the list of being competitive. This competition mentality brings in lot of troubles for any student as they are unable to learn well. In some cases things are so that the teachers are not that efficient as well and thus the lack of good and enough knowledge can bring in lots of problem for any student as well. Private tutors do not have any eligibility criteria and thus anyone can open up their own coaching classes and provide tuitions. A bad teacher can hamper the future of a student and thus it cannot help the student t o learn well or know well. The grades or the knowledge of a student is never uplifted with such kind of teachers or teaching. The other better alternative is through online tutoring institute. Very few of you may have heard about online tutoring institute. The online tutoring institute is one of the new and can be said as the best way through which students can learn in a much better and smoother manner than it would have been in any other way. The teachers who are involved in the world of online tutoring are very much efficient with the subject and this is the reason they can deliver well with full of knowledge to their students. Now for the first timers, you should know the advantages or benefits that online tutoring institutes provides its customers. Below is the list of features that online tutoring has with it. It is one of the easiest and the most convenient way through which studies can be fun. The online tutoring institutes are growing up and students and their parents are much interested to provide their child with the bets facility of learning. Online tutoring service can provide its students with the best learning facility because of the factor that it has some of the best availability of teachers. The teachers who are involved in the institutes of online tutoring can help the student with the good and the easiest way to teach them.   The efficient teachers know the whereabouts of the subject and thus can perform better with their deliverance as a teacher. The teachers in some cases make a structured plan for some of the students so that they can teach the student with their full efficiency. They first try to know what are the problems that a student finds with the subject are. After knowing the problem the teacher tries to finds out the solutions for the subject as well. This helps the student to learn the subject in a structured and composed manner. The online tutoring institutes are accustomed with a service to provide the students with all round the clock service. The students can decide their timing for the classes as per their timing. They do not have to follow the time table that their teacher provides. This provides a way of relief for the students as well. The students can easily opt for their classes whenever possible and this helps the student in lot of ways by saving their time and energy that can be utilized in their learning process as well. The one on one service is also available with online tutoring institutes. This is one of the services that are not possible for any of the private tutor to provide it. This service is for those students who are weak in their studies and are shy due to their inferiority complex related with the subject. Thus when you have a teacher appointed only for you, you can easily come across all the doubts that are found while going through the subject. This service helps the student to get the individual teacher for the student all round the clock so that they can easily clear all the doubts that arise in their minds. Reputed institutes carry on with all the services in very affordable rates. This is possible when you have some good amount of students and the teachers whom you have appointed can clear of any doubt related with the subject for the student easily. That is helpful for any of the middle class family to easily cope up with the expenses that online tutoring comes up with. There are so many institutes that come across the world of online tutoring. But while going for anyone you have to be very particular about whom to choose.

When to Go to Brazil

When to Go to Brazil How to Make the Most of Your Time in Brazil ChaptersChoose the Dates According to Your DestinationThe Best Time of the Year to Go to BrazilWhat Are the Essential Brazilian Events?Practical Advice for Travelling to Brazil“Soft water can break the hardest stone.” - Brazilian ProverbThe land of football and also the destination for carnival, Brazil has a number of different facets, which is why tourists come in their droves to the cities and natural parks in Brazil. The parks in Brazil recorded 12.4 million visits, an increase of 1.7 million in comparison to the previous year. It just goes to show just how much interest there is in Brazilian sights of natural beauty.To make the most of a trip to Brazil, you should go at the right time. The same dates aren’t recommended for every destination so you need to think about where you’re going and where. Find out more about how and when to plan the perfect trip to Brazil.Do you have a specific destination in mind or just looking to go to Brazil?  Why this question?You shouldn’t go to Brasilia at the same time as you would Porto Alegre. Rainy seasons, cold temperatures, not much going on, etc. Depending on the time of year, some towns can completely change. If you want to do touristy things, you might want to visit in the low season when it’s quieter, but if you’re looking for high temperatures, then you’ll want to visit during the high season.Brazil isn't just beaches, even though there are plenty of great ones. (Source: Pexels)There are plenty of different types of tourists who head to Brazil:Surfers and diversHistory or architecture loversParty animalsCultural touristsSo which type of tourist are you?If you like walking, nature, or sport, it’s better to go towards the Amazon or a national park like Ilha Grande, one of the most peaceful in the world. The Iguazu falls are worth a visit but not when it’s the monsoon season or where the temperatures drop.If you’re interested in diving in tropical islands, you might be interested in Maragogi, one of the most beautiful coastal resorts of the Brazilian Caribbean. You could also choose a resort near Recife and do some capoeira on the idyllic beaches.There are plenty of other destinations in Brazil like:Salvador da BahiaCopacabanaJericoacoaraBelo HorizonteMinasBelemThus, the best time to go to Brazil completely depends on where you’re going to.Find out more about accommodation in Brazil.The Best Time of the Year to Go to BrazilLike most countries in the Southern hemisphere, Brazil has several climates, a rainy season (in the summer from December to June), the dry season (winters from July to November) where the temperatures can reach up to 40 °C. Heading to Brazil in March wouldn’t be the same as it would in September.Ready to go to Brazil? (Source: Marianabiologa)The climate in Brazil is very diverse and there are 5 or 6 main types across the country!Brazil has various different climates:An equatorial climate in the northeastA monsoon climate in the AmazonA savannah climat e in the southeastA semi-arid climate in the centreA humid sub-tropical climate in the southeast, tooA temperate climate in the southDuring the rainy season, you don’t want to head to the Amazon!  It’s recommended you avoid the rainy season in Brazil. It’s recommended that you go during the winter, June to August, with sunny days, mild temperatures, and when tourists aren’t all over the place.It might seem that August or September might be the ideal months to visit anywhere in Brazil. However, it’s not just the climate stopping to visiting Brazil at certain times of the year.In terms of the calendar, what’s going on in September?The high season is around March when Carnival is taking place.What Are the Essential Brazilian Events?In addition to things to see like Christ the Redeemer at Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, there are also regular events throughout the year that make Brazil worth visiting. This is the case with religious events, local customs, and various fairs and fe stivals.As you may have guessed, Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is a pretty big deal. (Source: ckim828)The Brazilian cultural calendar is pretty packed.  Here are a few events that you won’t want to miss:Carnival in the big cities in February or March.Carnival in Natal, June-July.Gay Pride, Sao Paulo, June.Winter Festival in Ouro Preto, July.Gramado Film Festival, August.Independence Day of Brazil, 7 September.Blumenau Beer Festival, October.São Paulo International Film Festival.Salvador Summer Fest, December.Carnival is preceded by three to four weeks of celebrations, parades, and cultural events in Brazil's most popular cities. Make sure you have look around for more information. Don’t miss a second of the post-show in the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, where the country’s best dance schools fill the arena with colour and dancing.Don't forget the New Year, either, which is celebrated all over the country.What kind of New Year would you like? Beaches and cocktails or a modern city?If you’re not as sold on this as you are the Corcovado, the UNESCO world heritage site that’s home to Christ the Redeemer, an icon of Brazil and Brazilian culture. For more ideas on what to see and do, there are plenty of websites and travel blogs explaining the best the country has to offer.Before you head away, we’ve got some advice for you...Practical Advice for Travelling to BrazilHave you heard of Ronaldinho? Neymar, perhaps?If you have, it’s because Brazil loves football! It holds an almost mythical status in the country. If you want to spend time in local bars watching football or hanging out with Brazilians, you should learn some basic Portuguese:GreetingsHow to introduce yourselfWhere you’re staying in BrazilWhat you’re going to do in BrazilTo get ready for your time in Brazil, you should find out some useful advice about where you’re going!If you didn't know, football is a pretty big deal in Brazil. (Source: Pexels)If you’re going to the Amazon, you’ ll need things like antiseptic and mosquito repellent. You’ll need light clothes that cover all your body (long sleeves and trousers), a waterproof in case of storms, and a scarf.If you’re going to Brazil in winter, light and functional clothes are advised. An umbrella can also be useful.  Ideally, you’ll want to go at some time between July and September to get the most out of Brazil.Get your flights for the low season, especially if you’re going to Brazil for the first time. Sites like Skyscanner are useful for checking the prices of flights before you buy.In the low season, prices will be lower but make sure you research your destination so that you won’t have any surprises once you get there.Don't forget to budget for your holidays!You should be aware that yellow fever has been reported in Brazil so make sure that you get the appropriate vaccinations before travelling.Do you have your passport? Have you booked your holiday with work? Ready to go to Brazil?As the larges t country in South America, there's no shortage of things to do and see in Brazil from the Amazon rainforest to Copacabana beach. You can travel to Brazil for Carnaval, enjoy a caipirinha on the beach, or sample some sugar loaf.If you're the adventurous type, then you might want to visit the Amazon river, the Iguassu falls, or hike up the Corcovado Mountain to witness the viewpoint and the statue. Just make sure you go at the right time!You don't need to worry much about visa requirements. You can travel to Brazil on a tourist visa. You can get the tourist visa by applying to the Brazilian embassy or consulate. Fortunately, this will be valid for five years from your first date of entry into the country, meaning if you don't manage to do everything, you can always go back!Looking to learn some Portuguese before you go?Get help from one of the many talented tutors on Superprof. There are three main types of tutorial available on the site: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and the best one for you really depends on your situation.Face-to-face tutorials are the most personal and have you and your tutor working together for the whole session. Of course, this bespoke service comes at a cost, making it the most costly type of tutorial available.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials with the main difference being that the tutor isn't physically in the room with you and you're more likely to find native Portuguese speakers.Finally, there are group tutorials. In these types of tutorials, there are several students and just one tutor. These tutorials are usually the cheapest per person per hour but each student won't get the bespoke tutoring or one-on-one time that they would in the other types of tutorials. However, you will get plenty of opportunities to practise your language skills with the other students in the class.

Whats Going On In Your Middle Schoolers Head

What's Going On In Your Middle Schooler’s Head Middle school can be a challenging time for children for a variety of reasons. When students reach middle school age, their brains begin to undergo changes that can cause disruptions in various aspects of academia. While these changes are many, they specifically focus on your students ability to utilize the rational aspects of their brain, their preference for active vs. passive learning, and their identity development. As a parent, its important to understand what these intellectual changes are and how you can best support your student during their middle school yearssuch as implementing a routine and encouraging open communication. Keep reading to learn more about whats going on in your middle schoolers head. Encourage your middle schooler to harness the rational aspects of their brain Your middle schoolers brain is specifically developing in the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobesthe area that primarily focuses on decision-making and rational judgement. That being said, your student is likely beginning to gain a firmer grasp on how to mediate conflict, process emotions, and make ethical decisions. While these are all traits that will positively benefit their education, its important to note that their brain at this age is rapidly changingmeaning they might have moments of irrational behavior, as well, that they have trouble explaining. They may find it frustrating to have times when making decisions is a breeze, swiftly followed by a sense of confusion they cant explain. Note that your middle schooler may now prefer active to passive learning In the past, your student may have taken a passive stance on their education, going through the necessary motions to complete required tasks. As your student reaches middle school, however, you may begin to notice that they are more eager to delve into projects and assignments. Encourage your student to capitalize on this desire to take an active role in their education by asking more questions regarding the material taught in class and creatively approaching each project given. Utilize extracurriculars to strengthen your middle schoolers identity development At this age, your student will begin to discover what their interests and passions truly are. This is a pivotal time in their lives, as they will start to have opportunities to explore these interests and to see if they are something they would like to pursue further. Extracurriculars and electives play a vital role in providing your student with an opportunity to explore their passions. If your student is interested in science, for example, they may consider joining STEM-related groups at school, or speaking with their science teacher for insights on community clubs. A student interested in art might be able to take a drawing elective that will allow them to explore their talents. Whatever it may be, their brains at this age are eager to quickly expand their knowledge of the areas that grab their attention. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help Students Setand AchieveAcademic Goals] Support your middle schooler by providing routine and guidance at home Middle school students thrive off having a reliable routine in their daily lives. With the many pressures middle school students face, it can be essential to have a set and predictable schedule to depend on. Guide your student to complete tasks on time by creating an after school plan, including the following items: Establish a before school routine, allowing ample time for breakfast. Designate specific homework time, ideally a time where you or another adult is available for any assignment-related questions. Set aside time for chores and other household requirements, spreading them throughout the week if possible, in an effort to not overwhelm students after school. Select a time each week to have a check-in with your student about any concerns or comments they may want to share with you regarding school. By establishing a routine at home, your student can feel more organized to complete all tasks at hand. A set schedule can help them gain confidence and feel a sense of ownership over their education. [RELATED: 5 Tactics to Encourage Academic Confidence in Your Middle Schooler] Support your middle schooler by fostering an open line of communication Its important for your student to know that you are consistently offering open and honest communication. At this age, students are encouraged to address problems and concerns with their teacher on their ownhowever, your student may need your help to learn how to verbalize their concerns and your support on any issues. That being said, its essential for your student to feel confident coming to you with any issues they may be having. Purposefully allot time to have open and honest conversations with your student about any aspects of their lives they wish to discuss. This way, when issues do arise, they will know you are there as their ally to guide them to the best solution. Support your middle schooler by encouraging goal-setting and critical thinking Middle school age is the perfect time to begin to instill critical thinking skills in your student. Your student is beginning to develop flexible thinking abilities, specifically learning the valuable ability to switch from one task to another without losing sight of either task. Its important for your student to understand the importance of critically thinking through each obstacle they encounter, as well as to begin to develop concrete academic goals. Sit down with your student and have them establish a list of things they hope to accomplish this school yearwhether this be broken down into subject or compiled for the school year as a whole. Be sure to encourage them to think seriously about how each task will benefit their education as a whole. [RELATED: 4 Questions to Ask Your Child About School] At the end of the day, its vital to let your student begin to learn who they are. They will have moments of rational thought, followed by unexplained lack of judgement. In order to best support them, its helpful to understand the changes in their brain and how these can positively benefit their academic experience. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

Ask an Admissions Expert Susan Goodkin

Ask an Admissions Expert Susan Goodkin Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Susan Goodkin is a national college consultant specializing in admission to highly selective colleges such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, and much more. She is a graduate of Harvard University, as well as Oxford University where she was a Rhodes Scholar. Susan has been featured in several well-known publications such as The Washington Post and The Miami Herald. She currently does college admissions consulting at the California Learning Strategies Center. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Susan: First, too many students think working on applications just means drafting essays. The list of extracurricular activities is extremely important in the application process, especially for schools such as the Ivies. A carefully drafted activities list can help a student strengthen his or her application, but too many students leave that part of the application for the last minute. Students can save themselves a lot of stress and can turn out much better applications if they start working on the essays and the extracurricular lists (as well as their list of honors and awards) the summer before 12th grade. Once the school year starts, finding quality time to work on applications is a lot harder. Students should also be aware that this year the Common Application will no longer have a topic of your choice option for the 500-word essay, but instead will offer five essay prompts.These new prompts have recently been released, so theres no excuse for not working on them during the summer! VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Susan: While there are many approaches to coming up with a good essay, Im going to suggest some easy approaches that have worked well for many of my clients who are stumped. Heres something that might surprise a lot of students, but Ive found that parents often have great ideas for essays maybe because theyve been focused on every up and down in their childs life from day one! So, my first suggestion for coming up with an essay topic is to spend time around the dinner table with your mom and/or dad and talk about possibilities. Students can also make a list on their own of the events in their lives that have been important to them. Those moments dont necessarily have to be big moments. As an example, I always tell my students that an essay talking about the day they won the science fair will often be less interesting to an admissions officer than an essay that tells the story of how they became interested in the topic of their science fair project. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Susan: I dont get tired of any essay topic that tells me something truly unique about a student. But I see a lot of essays written about community service that could have been written by any of thousands of students (Volunteering at the homeless shelter made me see how lucky I am, and now I realize its very important to give back to the community.). Ive also read some terrific community service essays by kids who have explained how volunteering shaped their career aspirations, or shaped them in profound ways. One of the cardinal rules of essay writing is to ask yourself if anyone else could have written the essay; if the answer is yes, you need to start again. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Susan: Apart from the obvious glaring errors such as an application that includes lots of typos and misspellings, lately Im seeing students make another kind of critical error. Many students are now applying to well over ten colleges, and too often they try to recycle essays for different colleges. Sometimes that works, but often the recycled essay doesnt really fit the new prompt. Its critical that students answer the actual prompt! Relatedly, students often give generic answers to the question, Why do you want to come to our college? Students need to do their homework -- the strongest essays include specific details about the college. A strong why here essay helps convince an admissions reader that the student would be a good fit for the college, and vice-versa. For colleges that are concerned with yield rate the percentage of accepted students who end up enrolling a strong why here essay is also important because it suggests that if accepted, the student will likely attend. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Susan: The process varies widely depending on the school. Some large state schools, for example, hire outside readers to review the essays. Most schools including the more elite schools -- will have all parts of the application reviewed in-house. Heres a tip to find out more about the admissions process of a college youre interested in: go onto the colleges website and check to see whether there is an admissions blog. At many colleges, admissions officers (and/or students who work in the admissions office) will blog about the process, and applicants can learn a lot of useful information from such blogs. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Susan: By the time a student applies to college, much of the information on their application, including their test scores, GPA, and activities, is pretty much set. Nor can they entirely control their recommendations. The essays are completely within students control, and offer students an opportunity to shape their application by telling admissions officers their story apart from the numbers. Students need to think hard about the story they want to tell, and make sure they tell it in a compelling way. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Susan: Theres no substitute for visiting a college when school is in session. Once there, students must do more than just take the college tour. They need to sit in on a class (preferably in a subject theyre interested in as a major); check out the flyers posted on campus, which will tell a lot about what causes and activities students are interested in; eat in the cafeteria, and while there, chat with the some of the students about what they like and dont like about the college; check out a dorm room; and read the student newspaper. In addition or when a college visit just isnt feasible students should go onto the college website and read the student blogs, as well as perusing the Facebook pages of student groups they might be interested in joining. Ive learned that you can glean a lot about campus culture from the web! VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisionsWith so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Susan: Applying early decision generally will increase a students odds of being accepted -- particularly at selective schools that routinely lose some of their most-impressive admitted students to even more selective schools because the colleges know all students admitted through early decision have committed to attend if accepted. However, students shouldnt apply early decision if theyre not absolutely sure their ED school is the one they want to attend; if they want the opportunity to compare financial aid offers from a number of schools; and if they arent a solidly competitive applicant. Applying EA wont help your odds of being accepted as much as applying ED, but there are fewer drawbacks since you dont have to commit to the college. Unless students think they will increase their odds of acceptance by applying later (perhaps because they think their senior grades, or some other achievement, will strengthen their application), I generally encourage them to apply EA to one (or where possible, more) of their college choices because its always a relief to hear early in the process that youve been accepted. Along those lines, I also advise students who are applying to schools with rolling admissions (that means the school reviews the applications, and makes decisions on them as they come in, so students can learn of the decision relatively shortly after they apply) to try to get their applications in early in the year. Again, hearing early in the process that youve already been accepted to one or more of your schools makes the long wait to April decisions much less stressful. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Susan: The importance of grades and standardized tests varies greatly between colleges. Large state schools are most likely to focus more on grades and standardized test scores, while giving less weight to activities and recommendations (some schools dont even require recommendations at all). At the most selective schools, unless youre a star quarterback or the like, great grades and test scores are merely a minimum requirement to be competitive for admissions. Many a valedictorian with impressive test scores is rejected. On the other hand, an increasing number of excellent schools no longer require SAT or ACT scores. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendations? Susan: Teachers recommendations can play a critical role in bringing students to life for the admissions committee. Colleges are looking for recommendations that say more than that the student is a hard worker who got an A in the class. Ideally a teacher recommendation will address topics such as the genuine interest the student showed in the class, what the student contributed to the classroom, and how he/she stood out from other students. Students should ask for recommendations from teachers who know them well, and who can share anecdotes that will illustrate the students strong points. It also helps if students give the teacher a resume, so the teacher has a sense of the students accomplishments and interests outside the classroom. You can reach Susan by visiting LearningStrategiesCenter.com or by calling 805-642-6686.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Ask an Admissions Expert Kim Glenchur

Ask an Admissions Expert Kim Glenchur Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Kim Glenchur helps young applicants navigate through the college search and perfect their college applications every day through her admissions consulting service, CollegesGPS. She has years of experience in admissions, including being an application reader for the University of California-Berkeley. Kim has also presented many college admission workshops and is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Kim: Most applications arent available until the late summer, such as the Common Application, which is posted online around August 1st. Late June, however, is a good time to begin working on application essays because that gives a breather after the end of junior-classes and standardized tests, and senior year is only vaguely on the horizon. Colleges often post essay prompts by early summer for the following application season. Procrastinating essay-writing until the fall after school resumes only increases stress. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Kim: Selecting a terrific essay topic actually begins on the first day of high school. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Broaden your world. Taking charge of a project teaches leadership skills as the time and efforts of others must be coordinated. Colleges that require essays are not only looking for great students but also great campus citizens who will contribute to the community and network with their peers. Exploring careers or increasing depth in an area that you like is another way of finding out what makes you tick. If your idea of college is restricted to studying in the library, eating in the dining commons, and sleeping in the dorm and you have no plans for participating in the life of a residential college campus you might want a degree from a commuter or online college instead. No one says that they want to go to college because they want more school after high school. School should reflect a maturation process where neurological abilities are matched by what is being taught. For example, in first grade, one learns to read. By about the fourth grade, one reads to learn. Similarly, mandatory education includes high school. After that, people pay for what they want to learn. This search for an adult role after high school should provoke some questions. What am I good at? What do I like to do? How can I develop my skills and abilities to a level do to what I want to do whether Im hired for a job or become an entrepreneur? By your senior year, having something to talk about makes great essay writing easier. Which activities you do in high school doesnt matter so long as you make the most of the resources available to you. Record the details of any honors or awards received. Keep a journal (not shared on Facebook) with personal reflections or musings, and to remind you about your experiences later for writing those terrific essays. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Kim: An Internet browser can quickly identify essay topics to avoid, though exceptions exist depending on how the writing is handled by the student. Many students lament that they have not had to overcome adversity and often end up writing an essay about the life of a forebear, usually a grandparent, who made good despite all. This tells the college application reader nothing about the student. For students who have not had to overcome hardships, a good read is Bill Gates 2007 Harvard commencement address in which he states, From those to whom much is given, much is expected. Carpe diem is Latin for seize the day. Avoid passivity and shape your own world. Another topic to avoid is vaguely saying that you want to go to college to get a job, please your parents, or get into medical or law school. Where is the students identity in this? Its hard to learn when either your heart is not into the subject matter or you have hell to pay at home for not getting an A. While high school is hard, college will be even harder. Many students never finish college. Motivation is everything. College-level academics means being able to think on your feet, appraise situations with no obvious right answers, being open to new fields of learning, networking, and recognizing opportunities to realize a dream. Life is a journey of personal growth, and the only certainty is change. For some thoughts on motivation and learning, Carol Dwecks Mindset provides a good place to begin. VT:What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Kim: The biggest mistake is not applying to a range of colleges where the student can thrive. It happens, but some students every year are not accepted anywhere. With respect to applications, the biggest mistake is not allowing ample time to complete them. Too often, students forget that the admission decision is based on the application itself, and is not meant as an evaluation of the student as a person. Rushing through an application means not following directions when college admissions officials are happy to answer questions; not answering the prompts to talk about themselves as people beyond the grades, test scores, and activities; not thoroughly proofing the essay, such as editing distracting grammatical errors or naming another institution as being most desirable; or not noticing that the end of an essay was cut off because it exceeded the maximum word limit. Consider the application form as a piece of real estate and make maximum use of each section as is applicable. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Kim: There is no typical process. Some like to read the students biographical information before getting to the rest of the application. Some prefer to zero in on the numbers. Still others begin with small talk questions if they exist on the application, such as favorite foods or music. What is important is evaluating the students accomplishments in the context of their environment. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Kim: In order to evaluate applicants who have a wide variety of experiences, information is standardized to the extent possible. Some information is no longer requested such as class rank because many schools no longer determine it. Some high schools lack counselors, cant schedule more than five courses per academic year, or dont bestow awards for extraordinary academic merit. Disabilities and events beyond ones control can affect high school performance too. If unusual circumstances exist, be sure to mention them on your application. Applications that require essays usually provide a section for such explanations. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Kim: Online student reviews of colleges and professors, college catalogs, and college newspapers are good places to begin. Geographical terrain and local attractions provide clues on what students do outside of class. If politics matter to you, study national red-blue-purple voting patterns. Visit colleges, notice what is posted on the walls and what people are wearing, eat in the dining commons, and ask admissions about sitting in a class or overnight stays. Narrow the possibilities by April of your senior year because it is unlikely that you can schedule the Open House events of all colleges that accepted you. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Kim: The NACAC explains the differences between application pathways in its Students Rights and Responsibilities brochure. Use your Internet browser to find the pdf. If a students record will not significantly improve during the senior year, and their test scores are available to meet the early deadline, then an early application is possible. An early application signals interest in a college, or can make a student eligible for institutional scholarships. Many highly competitive colleges do fill a good portion of their classes with early applicants, but this may be a chicken-or-egg phenomenon because early applicants tend to have better records than average. Some colleges, such as MIT, say that it makes no difference whether an application is submitted by the early or regular deadline. Know that if you are not accepted, early applications may not necessarily be deferred to the regular pool for further consideration. The most restrictive type of application is Early Decision (ED), which requires the applicant to accept the colleges offer of admission. Before applying ED, its best to decide 1) whether this college is indeed the students most favorite college ever, and 2) if any differences exist between financial aid for ED and regular admittees. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Kim: Aside from arts colleges, which may have portfolio or audition requirements, grades in a rigorous curriculum matter the most. Admissions officials do notice whether a student has taken academically challenging classes. High school transcripts with all As in non-challenging courses that is, when challenging ones are available may reflect a reluctance to develop to the next level instead of a real interest in academics. Doing well in challenging courses is important, however. Perhaps the most common question asked of admissions officers is whether it is better to get an A in a regular course or a B in an AP course. The answer is an A in an AP course. That may be your level of competition when you apply to your favorite college. Some colleges are test-optional, which can mean that in lieu of submitting test scores, the college may require other evidence of academic ability. The most competitive colleges or programs may require SAT Subject Tests or a first course in calculus. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Kim: Every year, try to get to know a few teachers. Participate in class, do your homework, and ask for help when needed. Many teachers also act as club sponsors. If procedures for requesting a letter are provided by your high school, then follow them. These procedures often include a small packet of information about you and the colleges requiring letters to help the teacher write your letter. Some teachers limit the number of letters that they will write, so ask early, say towards the end of the junior year. You will likely need two teacher letters at the most, depending on the requirements of your colleges. You will be trusting your recommender to write a fair yet positive recommendation and to complete and submit the letter on time. This means that a teacher teaching you for the first time in your senior year does not know you well enough to write you a letter. If you are afraid of what a teacher might write about you, then ask another teacher; a bad recommendation means that the student cannot read people very well. Politely make your request in person outside of class time. Give the teacher an out for not writing your letter just in case the teacher knows that his or her letter may not be in your best interest. If a teacher declines to write you a letter, quickly and graciously thank the teacher for considering your request, quietly leave, regroup, and ask another teacher. Usually in recommendation forms, you will be asked to waive your right to review written submissions from counselors or teachers. This right pertains to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Use your Internet browser to learn more about FERPA. By waiving your FERPA rights, the credibility of the letter will be enhanced because the recommender will feel free to write his or her opinion of you. Thus, rather than fret whether you will receive a good recommendation, ask people whom you trust. Visit CollegesGPS for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.