Suny Oneonta Tutoring Center

Suny Oneonta Tutoring CenterSuny Oneonta is a small town located in the Northern part of the state of New York. It is also the largest city of Westchester County. One of the most popular places for vacation is Suny, which offers a wide range of sightseeing options.The vast river, white water rafting, and fantastic beach. But on one of the main attractions of the town, you will find Suny Oneonta Institute for Training and Education, a school that trains young teachers who then go on to teach in any of the nine public schools of Suny. You can also take up short-term courses from this institute which you can apply for upon graduating from the High School.If you are a senior in high school and you want to continue your education after graduating, you can do so by taking up courses in the college. The institute is just a few minutes away from the campus of SUNY Oneonta High School. The number of students who attend the institution is only a handful. The main reason why the number of stude nts visiting this institute is so low is that the tuition fees are quite high.After high school, if you want to pursue further studies you need to pass the admission test that is conducted at the Public School, which is sponsored by the SUNY Oneonta Institute. Many parents opt for sending their children to the SUNY Oneonta Institute for Training and Education since the quality of education offered is very high.There are many institutions which provide tutoring for school leavers, including that at SUNY Oneonta Tutoring Center, for a fee. The students who are registered with the center can easily enroll in the colleges or universities which they wish to.If you have already enrolled yourself as a student in SUNY Oneonta but want to pursue further studies, you can easily get an appointment with the tutoring center to get counseling regarding the subject of your choice. Such centers provide good academic assistance to students from all the segments of the society. These centers take the right courses for teaching students from all walks of life.Suny Oneonta is also known as the 'Walking School' since it offers all the amenities and services required to educate students. The small size of the town has made it convenient for people to reach the institute easily, especially for the students who are just beginning their career. You can also easily visit the center if you are planning to travel back to New York city after finishing the course.

Online Science Tutor

Online Science Tutor Tutor Pace Gives You the Edge in Your Science Studies Sometimes Science just seems like a secret language only a few people know. Tutor Pace online science tutor can help you decode the mysteries of Science and become fluent in its code. Science seeks to understand the material world by creating and testing hypotheses using the scientific method.The Scientific Method is what guides all experimentation in the sciences and allows for consistent results which gives scientists a better understand the natural world. What comprises the Scientific Method? Hypothesis: When a scientific idea is first put forward, before any experiments have been performed, it is called a hypothesis Experimental Data: A test is then created to test the hypothesis. The measured results of various experiments are recorded as data. Theory: Once an experiment has been performed enough times with consistent results, scientists can create predictions as to how future experiments will result. New experiments are required for testing of hypothesis. When the results of a large number of such experiments have been successfully predicted by the hypothesis, it becomes a theory. Law: A statement of regularity based on experimental data is called a law. We offer personalized, online science tutoring in whatever subject is vexing you. We cover: Online Science Tutor Tutor Pace Gives You the Edge in Your Science Studies Sometimes Science just seems like a secret language only a few people know. Tutor Pace online science tutor can help you decode the mysteries of Science and become fluent in its code. Science seeks to understand the material world by creating and testing hypotheses using the scientific method.The Scientific Method is what guides all experimentation in the sciences and allows for consistent results which gives scientists a better understand the natural world. What comprises the Scientific Method? Hypothesis: When a scientific idea is first put forward, before any experiments have been performed, it is called a hypothesis Experimental Data: A test is then created to test the hypothesis. The measured results of various experiments are recorded as data. Theory: Once an experiment has been performed enough times with consistent results, scientists can create predictions as to how future experiments will result. New experiments are required for testing of hypothesis. When the results of a large number of such experiments have been successfully predicted by the hypothesis, it becomes a theory. Law: A statement of regularity based on experimental data is called a law. We offer personalized, online science tutoring in whatever subject is vexing you. We cover:

Memorial Day Activities for Families

Memorial Day Activities for Families While summer officially begins on the June solstice, the season unofficially begins on the last Monday in May: Memorial Day. Its the end to what is often a three-day weekend for families across America involving barbeques, swimming pools, and other gatherings. But its important to remember the meaning behind Memorial Day as a federal holiday. The day is designated as a time to remember and honor the people who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Memorial Day Activities for families can include attending a Memorial Day parade, visiting military cemeteries and memorials, or visiting museums to learn more about Memorial Day and military history. [RELATED: 4 Educational Field Trips] What should you do on Memorial Day this year? Heres a list of some educational Memorial Day activities for families: 1. Attend a Memorial Day parade Traditions in and of themselves, Memorial Day parades are a great way to celebrate this holiday. The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. is the biggest and most famous in the country. However, a huge number of cities and towns host their own parades as well. During the parade, youll likely be entertained by: marching bands youth groups floats performers Moreover, you will be educated by veterans and military officials who will speak about the history of the holiday and some of the fallen soldiers it honors. 2. Visit a memorial honoring fallen soldiers on Memorial Day Many memorials have been constructed all across the U.S. to honor fallen servicemen and women. Memorials have educational placards, and sometimes even docents who give tours and offer more information. [RELATED: 6 Activities to Keep Students Learning This Summer] Some of the most famous are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and include the National World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Many other well-known war memorials are in New York City, including the Korean War Memorial, Brooklyn War Memorial, Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza. 3. Visit a National Cemetery on Memorial Day There are 147 National Cemeteries in the U.S., which contain the graves of fallen U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their spouses. Even if you do not have a relative buried in one of these cemeteries, it can be rewarding to visit one and pay respects to fallen soldiers. One of the most famous National Cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, holds more than 400,000 military veterans and their immediate family members. This cemetery is the final resting place for military veterans who have served since some of the countrys earliest days as a nation, from the Civil War to today. You can tour the cemetery on foot or by bus with a guide. [RELATED: Educational Road Trip Games for the Whole Family] One highlight of the Arlington National Cemetery includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which pays tribute to soldiers who died while fighting in World War II through the Vietnam War. Another is the Changing of the Guard ritual, which is a traditional ceremony done every half hour from April 1 to September 30 and every hour from October 1 to March 31. President John F. Kennedys grave and its eternal flame are also open for viewing at Arlington. 4. Visit a museum on Memorial Day Many national history museums across America have at least one exhibit paying homage to the countrys fallen military heroes. Consider visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., or the National Museum of Jewish Military History, also in Washington, D.C. Take a guided tour or explore on your own and be prepared to learn! 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.

Interesting Facts About France

Interesting Facts About France Interesting Facts About France, French History and the French Language ChaptersFrench History Facts: Kingdom, French Republic, Empire and a Colonial PowerFrench Fact: French is Spoken in About 30 Different Countries WorldwideMore Fun Facts About France They Didn’t Teach You In SchoolLanguage is shaped by history, and French history is full of fascinating facts. Here at Superprof, we want to make sure you know as much as possible about French culture.Fun Facts About the French LanguageAre you eager to learn French? Have you already booked French classes at the Alliance Francaise or a Superprof tutor? Here are some interesting facts about  the languages of France:French is a Romance language, meaning it evolved mostly from Latin.Before Julius Caesar invaded Gaul and Latin became the administrative language, the language spoken by the Gauls  was a Celtic language called GaulishThe King of France Charlemagne did not learn to read as a child. He learned when he was an adult and promoted the founding of schools to increase literacy.In the Middle Ages, there were two main dialects  of French called the Langue d’Oc (which gave its name to a French region in the south of France, the Languedoc-Rousillon) and the Langue d’Oil. The names of these languages are  based on their word for “yes”.The French word for a novel is a “roman” - these were the first books written in the French language, also called “Roman”, rather than Latin. They were tales of chivalry and adventure.French pidgin languages combining the grammar and vocabulary of French and a local language are called “creoles”.  There are creoles spoken in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and various African countries.The first French dictionary dates to 1606, the first grammar textbook to 1531.Here are good French lessons for you.The dying Gaul from this famous Roman statue would have spoken Gaulish. The French language evolved primarily from Latin. Photo credit: Xuan Che on Visual hunt AnnieFrench Teacher 4.89 (9) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutor s CarolineFrench Teacher 5.00 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriFrench Teacher 5.00 (9) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarianneFrench Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ThibautFrench Teacher 5.00 (3) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickFrench Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DéborahFrench Teacher 5.00 (10) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamyFrench Teacher 5.00 (2) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFrench History Facts: Kingdom, French Republic, Empire and a Colonial PowerKingdom of the FranksWith the disintegration of the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes established new states throughout Europe. One such tribe was the Franks, ruled by the Merovigian dynasty. The earliest real king of the Franks was probably Childeric I., supposedly the son of the mythic founder of the dynasty Merovech. Childeric’s son Clovis became famous for converting to C hristianity in 496.Following the Merovingian dynasty came the Carolingians and the first de facto French empire, though it was not called by that name. Under Charlemagne, the Franks ruled over most of mainland Europe stopping at the Baltic states in the East, the border with Denmark to the North and excluding Spain to the southwest.The last dynasty to rule  over France was the Bourbons. They first ascended the throne in 1589, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty that first ascended the throne in 987.A Republic, Directory and ConsulateUnlike America, which had a plan for after its Revolution in 1792, France just sort of stumbled into democracy. What started as a series of revolts for adequate representation in the people’s council and over poverty and inflation quickly escalated beyond the storming of the Bastille, with demagogues such as Marat and Robespierre catching the imagination of the French population during the French Revolution and instigating witch hunts for those oppo sing freedom (a vague concept, ensuring that the guillotine never slept.)At first, France was aiming for a constitutional monarchy, though they brought King Louis XVI from the palace of Versailles to the Louvre in Paris to keep a better eye on him, but when he betrayed their trust by trying to flee to Austria with his wife Marie Antoinette, that idea was scrapped under the blade of the guillotine. It then tried a Directory, which mostly didn’t function, until Napoleon Bonaparte decided to help instigate a coup and install a triumvirate, of which he was First Consul.First EmpireWith deft political manoeuvering, Napoleon set up a vote that almost unanimously decided to make France an Empire (the Directoire had already been busy bothering the neighbours by invading Italy and annexing Belgium and the Netherlands) under its first official Emperor, a young general from Corsica,  Napoleon I.Napoleon Bonaparte is a much-hated figure in England, but while the French are aware of his less-t han-stirling treatment of conquered populations, they can't help admiring his vision. Photo credit: Onasill ~ Bill Badzo on Visual huntNapoleon continued his expansionist policy, annexing southern Germany and continuing his campaign in Italy. Secure in the support of Russia, which until then had been an ally, he invaded Spain.There, he was ultimately pushed back by General Wellesley, while on the other front Russia and a coalition led by Prussia ensured his defeat in 1814.The Second French EmpireStill unsure of what it wanted, France decided to try monarchy again, installing a brother of Louis XVI, also called Louis (XVIII), as a constitutional monarch. His reign was interrupted by a brief return to power by the Corsican Napoleon Bonaparte, who was defeated at Waterloo and sent in exile to St. Helena.After two more monarchs (Charles X and Louis-Philippe), France decided to try a Republic again. It elected Napoleon's nephew Louis-Napoleon  as the   first President of France.Unfortuna tely, the new constitution did not allow him tostand for election to serve a second term - and so he declared himself Emperor.France is now on its Fifth RepublicRise and Fall of a Colonial PowerThe first wave of colonisation in the 17th century centred on North America (Nouvelle-France with Québec and Lousiana), South America (the Caribbean and French Guiana), the islands around Madagscar as a stopover for the India trade and, only mildly successfully, India itself.A series of wars and disadvantageous treaties greatly reduced the French holdings, though some, such as the Seychelles, were restored at the end of the Napoleonic Wars.The French colony of Louisana was ceded to Spain in the Treaty of Fountainebleau, only to be returned throught he Treaty of Ildefonso twenty yers later. It was then sold to the young United States. Photo credit: denisbin on Visualhunt.comThe Directoire and Consulat both took action to secure land outside of Europe, most notably in North Africa, but the sec ond wave of expansionism started under Napoleon III. France ended up with most of northwest Africa and holdings in Vietnam and Cambodia.DecolonisationThe colonies survived two further French republics, though dissatisfaction was growing. It wasn’t until after World War II that the Départements D’outre-Mer  (overseas departments) were created, allowing some of the ex-colonies (such as Guadeloupe and Martinique) to become an official part of France.Of the remaining territories, (for example, French Polynesia) some became independent, and others recieved a special status   in the French Republic, first as the Overseas Territories, and since 2007 as the Overseas Collectivities with semi-independent status. Learn more about the French Empire with our blog on  French Colonial Empire.French Fact: French is Spoken in About 30 Different Countries WorldwideFrench is still spoken in all the DOMs and COMs, where it is the official language (or one of them), but many of the ex-colonies  and territories have kept French as one of their official languages, including the Indian regions of Puducherry and Chantannagar, where it is an administrative language. In fact, many of the colonies lost before the 20th century still speak French in some form or other, such as Quebec and some parts of Louisiana.In Europe, French persists in regions once (or twice, or several times more) belonging to France, such as Belgium and parts of Switzerland. The population of several of the European microstates  in the European Union speak French as well:Monaco in the south  along the French RivieraLuxembourg,  alongside Strasbourg and Brussels a capital of the European UnionAndorra (though here it is not an official language) in the Pyrenees mountainsThere is even a little corner of Britain where a French dialect is still spoken by some of the inhabitants: the English  Channel islands, where they speak a version of the dialect spoken in Normandie.More Fun Facts About France They Didn’t Teach You In SchoolThe French island of the Mont Saint Michel is accessible on foot by low tideThe French coast of Normandy has a most spectacular tidal phenomenon. When the tide goes out, it reveals kilometres of sandy beaches and leaves a land bridge to a small island with a monastery and a town. Of course, now you can access the Mont Saint Michel at high tide, too, by means of a bridge connecting it to the mainland. It is one of the most beautiful places in France and one of the most visited along the coastline of Normandy.The first programmable machine was made in FranceWhen we think of computer progress, we think of Silicon Valley, but the first programs were for a mechanical loom invented by the French draper in Lyon, Joseph Marie Charles  Jacquard. Jacquard was well known for its woven designs, and found a way to use punch-cards on a roll to tell their mechanical loom how to adjust it sheds and shuttles to make the patterns automatically. Tourists who travel to France can visit an original at the Musée des Tissus et des Art Décoratifs in Lyon.The first computer programme was written by Ada Lovelace, Byron’s daughter, for English inventor Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. And all without electricity.Parallel Popes in FranceFor a time, the Papal Seat was not in Rome, but in Avignon,  a city along the Mediterrannean. A disagreement between the French crown and the papacy culminated in the French king Phillip IV being excommunicated and killing Pope Boniface VIII in retaliation. Boniface’s successor, Benedict XI, reigned about a year before dying under mysterious circumstances. His successor, Clement V, was French and decided to leave Rome to live in France in 1309. Avignon remained the papal seat for the next 67 years, with 7 popes reigning from the Palais des Papes, until Gregory XI returned to Rome in 1376.After Gregory’s death, a disagreement between the elector cardinals and Gregory’s successor, Urban VI, led to the establishment of a paralle l lines of popes (called anti-popes) in Avignon. Two anti-popes resided there, Clement VII and Benedict XIII. The latter was unpopular even with the French, and he was forced to flee to Perpignan. There were other anti-popes after him, but he was the last living in France to reside in the papal palace of Avignon.The Avignon popes lived in splendid palaces within the French city. By Jean-Marc Rosier from http://www.rosier.pro, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4837734The papal palace - actually two palaces joined together - is the largest Gothic building dating to the Middle Ages. You can still visit it  as a tourist in Avignon today, where it doubles (or triples) as a tourist attraction/conference centre, research centre and exhibition hall. A must-see for your next trip to France! You can take the high speed train from Paris to Marseille and be there i a few hours.There are WWI battlefields in France still unaccessible to the publicThere are still miles of trenches an d open battlefield zones  in certain regions in France from World War I that are off-limits to the public   and where no agriculture is permitted because the soil is so saturated with the chemicals used in the various gas weapons and the concentration of bodies buried there is so high that the soil is toxic. This means that even escargot and frogs legs are off the table, and the geese for the foie gras can't be fed from anything that grows there.However, when visiting France there are other World War I battlefields that are accessible, where you can visit the trenches and see how the soldiers lived,Click here for more interesting facts about France!Or, look for french lessons to improve your language skills!

Ask an Admissions Expert Abby Siegel

Ask an Admissions Expert Abby Siegel Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Abby Siegel is a College Entrance Consultant at her self-started firm, Abby Siegel Associates. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, she went on to graduate school at Loyola University Chicagowhere she directly worked in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Abby has worked in college guidance counseling for over a decade and was a recipient of the University of Miamis Excellence in Counseling Award. See what she had to say about the college application process: VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Abby: The earlier the better! The Common Application, the online application that is currently used by over 488 colleges and universities in the United States (and France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and the UK), goes live on August 1st of a students senior year. At that time a student can create an account and begin the application. Colleges that do not use the Common Application also go live during August so its important to monitor their websites. Starting earlier allows students to take their time and not rush through the application, essays and individual college supplements. Most early and rolling deadlines are on or around November 1, so that gives students approximately three months to complete the entire application. In addition, its really imperative to plan ahead in case of an emergency. For example, when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast on October 29, 2012, thousands of high school students lost power, and therefore their ability to use a computer. Those students who had procrastinated and waited until the end to finish their applications found themselves panicking, causing much unneeded stress. Having their applications done at least a week or two ahead of time would have saved many students a lot of undue aggravation. Also, what happens if a student gets sick or there is a family emergency, leaving one unable to complete his or her applications by the deadlines? Its best to plan ahead and adhere to all deadlines.one never knows what could happen. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Abby: Generally, colleges will present students with a few choices for the essay topic. When writing the essay its important for students to pick a topic with which they feel comfortable as that usually results in a more genuine piece of writing. Do not write an essay stating what you believe a college or university wants to hear. Instead, pick a topic that gives the reader a better idea of who you are, what makes you unique and whether that college or university is a good fit. The essay is the one place on the application where a student can really let the Admissions office know who they are as a person. Its an excellent opportunity for students to share information about themselves that otherwise the Admissions office may not learn through other parts of the application. Take your time brainstorm, outline, write several drafts. Remember to use distinctive detail it will make the essay stand out and get noticed. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Abby: There are several topics that are best to avoid. Students need to remember that they do not know the values or viewpoints of the person(s) reading their applications and its best to not offend the people they are hoping will accept them for admission. Avoid controversial topics of a religious or a political nature. Other topics to avoid include, but are not limited to: How Volunteering Once Changed My Life, My Travel Diary, issues regarding substance abuse, The Big Game, listing your successes and rehashing tragic events. The essay is an important part of an application, and students should focus on topics that best demonstrate who they are as a person that otherwise wouldnt be evident from other parts of the application. The most important thing is to be honest and authentic. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Abby: There are a lot of mistakes students can make to limit it to just the biggest. Several examples include misspellings and grammatical errors, exceeding the recommended word-limit for essays, not answering the essay topic(s) at hand, using acronyms when describing extracurricular activities, submitting extra documentation that doesnt add to the overall application, forgetting to proof essays, fast-forwarding through directions and missing small details (such as listing credits for senior year courses), applying online and not hitting the SUBMIT button (there are three areas on the Common Application that have to be submitted and students commonly forget to submit at least one, resulting in an incomplete application) and being careless with social media. Colleges are looking for reasons not to accept you dont give them any! VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Abby: College admissions offices are looking to find students who will comprise a well-rounded class. An application is considered complete once all supporting documents are received. This includes the application and essays, high school transcript, counselor and teacher recommendations, official test scores and any other material required by the college. How the process works depends on the individual college. Most selective colleges will take a holistic approach and consider all parts of the application while at some colleges only the hard numbers (GPA and test scores) are considered. Many schools report having only 15 minutes to read an entire application while at some colleges an application may get as many as three reads. Each process is different and several variables are considered depending on the nature of the school. 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? Abby: Demonstrated interest. Colleges want to know why a student wants to attend their university. Admissions counselors encourage students to reach out and start a correspondence with them. Ways to do this include meeting with counselors when they conduct high school visits, attending college fairs, scheduling an interview and definitely visiting college campuses when possible. When admissions officers are reading applications there are certain things that are harder to lift off a piece of paper, like fit and enthusiasm about a school. If youre interested, let the college know! If the admissions counselor knows you it makes a difference when reading the application. Its also important when answering a supplement question Why X College that students be very specific and not generic in their answer. List detailed things about the college that attracted you to apply in the first place. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Abby: VISIT! Whenever possible, it is highly recommended that students visit prospective colleges to see what theyre all about. When students visit a college they should take a guided campus tour, attend an information session, have an interview if that option is offered, sit in on a class and stay overnight in a residence hall with a current student. While on campus also eat a meal in the cafeteria, pick up and read a copy of the campus newspaper, meet with a professor in the department of your potential major(s), talk to students about their experiences and visit the Career Center. Whether or not students are able to visit a college campus they should also research college websites to see what is offered at each school - majors, extracurricular activities, internship and research opportunities, residence life and food options, and cultural and athletic events to see if the colleges on their list are really the right fit for them. Students can also attend college fairs, high school visits made by admissions officers and regional receptions offered by colleges to show demonstrated interest and learn more about the college. VT: Early-Action, Early-Decision, Binding/Non-Binding, Regular Decision. With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Abby: It really depends on the individual student and his/her situation. If a student has a clear first choice college then applying Early Decision is advised. Students must be sure that this is the school they really want to attend as they are making a binding commitment to that school, and if accepted they are expected to attend. Several colleges are starting to take a higher percentage of their students through ED, so applying ED could, but not always, give students a better chance of being admitted. It really depends on the individual college. There are a few downsides to applying ED. If a college is a huge reach for a student then applying ED usually wont make a difference in admission. Students can only apply to one college through ED, thus limiting their chances to receive various financial aid packages by not applying to other colleges. There is also the option of applying Early Action, which is a non-binding agreement between a student and a college. This is a great option f or students when available, because if they are accepted EA they will know early on in the process that they have a college to attend. Students can apply to more than one college EA unless they applying to a college that has Restrictive Early Action, in which you can only apply to one college early although the agreement is non-binding. If a student wants to apply to additional colleges aside from those through ED and/or EA then they should apply Regular Decision. These applications are usually due on or around January 1 or 15. If a student is not entirely sure on a first-choice option, or wants to have more financial aid options available, then it is recommended they wait and apply RD. Finally, there is Rolling Admission, which is when colleges start accepting applications early in the senior year and roll over applications as they are received. In Rolling Admission it is imperative that students apply earlier in the process (and meet any Priority deadlines) because colleges with Rolling Admission will fill their class as applications are received. Students increase their chances of gaining admission by applying sooner than later. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Abby: Most colleges will tell students that the most important thing considered in the admissions process is the transcript. This is not necessarily just the grade point average but the strength of the curriculum the student has taken. Colleges want students to challenge themselves and take as demanding a curriculum as they can handle. Admissions counselors will look at the courses offered at the high school the student attends and see if the student is taking advantage of the curriculum that is available. The importance of test scores really depends on which college to which students are applying. Many colleges, especially those with extremely competitive admissions, still care a lot about test scores. However, there are approximately 850 colleges that are now test-optional (see fairtest.org), meaning that a student is not required to submit any test scores so the focus is on other parts of the application. One thing to consider is that many colleges, whether test-optional or not, will use or require test scores to be submitted in order to be considered for merit aid, which is financial aid based on merit and not need. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Abby: Students are encouraged to ask teachers for letters of recommendation in the spring of their junior year. When choosing which teachers to ask it is preferable that they ask one from Humanities subjects (English, Social Science or Foreign Language) and one from Math/Science. Students dont necessarily need to ask teachers whose classes they aced, but more teachers who they are confident will write them a POSITIVE letter of recommendation. Remember that writing recommendations is not required of teachers nor is it their obligation, so please be respectful during the entire process. Ask your teacher in private and without friends around. Be sure to ask, Would you be willing to write me a positive recommendation for my college admissions? If the teacher says yes, then provide them a resume or brag sheet with your accomplishments and contact information. Dont forget to send a thank you note that says you appreciate their willingness to write the recommendation letter. Thank you notes go such a long way! Once students return to school for their senior year, they should follow up with their teachers to make sure they have all the information they need. Make sure teachers know how to submit their letters, whether it is through the Common Application, snail mail or using non-Common Application forms. Make the process as easy as possible - your teachers are doing you a HUGE favor! Check out Abby Siegel Associates, LLC for more information.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

GCSE Results Day A Guide for Parents

GCSE Results Day A Guide for Parents Mark Maclaine  - education consultant, star tutor and Tutorfair founder â€" advises on how to support your child on GCSE results day. Results day is not only a big day for your teenager, it is a big day for parents too. Your children are growing up, becoming young adults and beginning to make their own choices for the future. But they haven’t flown the nest just yet, so it’s important you’re there to offer the right guidance and support. You are the rock Remember to keep a level head; your role is to be supportive and reassuring. It is understandable as a parent to be emotional on a day that your children enter a new chapter of their lives; but this day is about your child’s feelings, more than your own. There is a strong likelihood that your teenager’s greatest fear is your reaction to the results. Let him know that, however worried you might be yourself, you’re there for him. Listen to worries offer reassurance Reassure teenagers that whatever their results, you love them and are incredibly proud of their strength or hard work during a stressful time. This may seem obvious but it’s important for your child to hear it; you are (probably) the most important influence in her life. Get rid of the elephant in the room: sit down and talk about worries, as well as expectations of results day. Take the time to empathise with her fears; think about how you would feel if you were in his position. Just knowing there’s someone to share the worry is a huge help to teenagers. Exam results aren’t everything If your teenager is unduly worried, it might help to discuss the implications of exam results â€" good or bad. Ask her: what will happen if the results are not as good as hoped? What will it actually mean for her future? Hopefully your child will realise that exam results aren’t ‘everything’, and the worst that can possibly happen â€" isn’t actually that bad. Future success isn’t decided on this one day and there are plenty of options to improve results. Let her know that ‘failure’ is allowed â€" in fact it can be very valuable. A friend of mine re-sat some of her GCSEs twice to get the grades she wanted. She later told me that she had learnt a valuable lesson from having to re-sit: how to really work hard. The work ethic she developed during this time carried her to a first class degree from Oxford. As well as offering reassurance, this mental preparation is important just in case things really don’t go according to plan, as it gives students time to process their thoughts in advance and make better informed decisions. Be patient Most teenagers want to rip open the results straight away; but some want to prepare themselves first. If your teenager is anxious about the results, then hovering in the background biting your fingernails will not help! Similarly, if he hasn’t called you to let you know the grades yet it doesn’t necessarily mean bad news. Find something to distract yourself if necessary, to give your child the space to absorb the results in his own time. What, when where? If you can, offer to accompany your child to collect results. Most teenagers prefer to collect them with friends, so don’t be offended if that’s the case â€" but try to be available to offer congratulations or commiserations. Check with the school about opening and closing times on GCSE results day, when to come in, and where to collect the results from. This could be from the school reception, your child’s form room, even the school dining room! Some schools allow online viewing of results; others refuse even to give them out over the phone. Is your child going somewhere else for 6th Form? Make sure you have contact details to hand in case the results haven’t met the entry requirements and you need to talk to someone there. Colleges do sometimes accept students who haven’t achieved their predicted results. It’s important to call as soon as possible to discuss the options open to you. Time to Celebrate? Your teen is a teen! He will likely want to celebrate or wallow on results day with his friends, and maybe even attend a book burning. This is the end of a chapter and a significant rite of passage for your child and his friends, and they will want to mark it together. Don’t take it personally, especially if the results are a disappointment â€" far better to commiserate with friends than sit in his room moping. But do plan a day to celebrate as a family - and remember: celebrate the effort, not the results! Your Teen  Didn't  Achieve Her Predicted Results â€" What now? Firstly don’t panic! Don’t feel pressured into making rushed decisions Encourage your child to talk to her school and college for advice and information If he is attending a 6th Form College, get in touch as he may be accepted anyway. If not, try another College or school for open places. Maths English re-sits can be sat either just before or after Christmas (depending on the exam boards), and others can be taken next summer. It is also possible to re-sit exams alongside her AS Levels if the school or college is happy with this.  Consider vocational options such as a GNVQ or BTEC. These courses are usually geared to specific careers and offer hands-on experience.

11 Phrasal Verbs with AROUND with Meanings and Examples

11 Phrasal Verbs with AROUND with Meanings and Examples Phrasal verbs are loved and loathed in equal measure. One little particle can completely change the meaning of the verb. Today lets add the preposition AROUND to some of the common English verbs and have a look at 10 Phrasal verbs with AROUND. Don't keep this to yourself, tell the world: 11 English Phrasal Verbs with Around TALK AROUNDto talk someone around means usually to persuade or convince them or get them to change their mindExample: Michael really does not want to study very hard for his exams. I speak with him every day to persuade him that it is important for his future. I am hoping I can talk him around to seeing my point of view.LOOK AROUNDto see what you can find, to search for somethingExample: Im not aware of any issues with this software but Ill look around and see what happened.WORK AROUNDto do something without getting in someone/somethings way or without needing the person/or thing to change their actionsExample: I can work around your schedule.COME AROUND  to regain consciousnessExample: He got knocked down and only came around in the hospital.GET AROUND TOto find time to do somethingExample: I havent got around to writing my essay yet.SHOP AROUNDto check different shops (vendors) in order to find the best price, quality or option for something that you want to buyExample: If you dont shop around for house insurance every year, you could be losing out on a lot of savings. Phrasal Verbs with AROUND Don't keep this to yourself, tell the world: FLY AROUNDWhen we are in a rush or a hurry and haven’t got a lot of time we usually do things quickly.Example: My Mother was coming to stay and the house was such a mess. I flew around the house in an hour hoovering and cleaning every room as I know she would notice anything dirty!DROP AROUNDThis is very informal and is often used when we casually suggest that someone might  like to visit us or when we suggest we might call in on (visit) someone else.Example: I met my friend Sue in the supermarket yesterday. We know each other a long time. I suggested that shed drop around to my place some morning for a coffee and a chat (informal conversation).TURN AROUNDto become better, something changes so it becomes successful and/or profitableExample: Our team has the opportunity to turn around last years disappointing fifth place.HANG AROUNDto spend time somewhere, usually without any particular purposeExample: They hang around the house all day playing computer games.SKIRT AROUNDThis is a v ery informal way of avoiding some issue that either you do not want to talk about or that might offend or embarrass the person to whom you are talking.Example: Jack, my friend from college recently separated from his long time girlfriend. I met him in the park. He asked me what I was doing the next day. The next day happened to be Valentine’s day so I managed somehow to skirt around (avoid) telling him that I was going to take my girlfriend for a romantic meal!!