All posts by Suzanne Shaffer

Frequently asked questions about the SAT–answered

February 4, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer 2 Comments

Veritas Prep’s Shaan Patel Answers Five of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About How to Smartly Prepare For the SAT

Do you have questions about the SAT? You’re not alone. For many students and families, the SAT is daunting. To help answer many of the most common questions about the SAT test, Shaan Patel, a perfect SAT score recipient and Director of SAT Programs at Veritas Prep, identified the five questions he’s most frequently asked and offers responses below:

Q. Why do smart students struggle with the SAT?
The SAT is very different than the tests students take in their high school classes, but many think that if they are a solid A student, they don’t need to prepare for the SAT. That overconfidence is the number one reason students who normally do well academically post disappointing scores the first time they take the exam. The SAT rewards the prepared and it is absolutely an exam students can master with effective SAT prep. Students that spend time learning and practicing key strategies, reviewing grammar rules and vocabulary and taking practice tests will be much better positioned for success on test day.

Q. For students applying to competitive colleges and universities, is your GPA or SAT score more important?
When admissions officers look at GPA and SAT scores, only one is a standardized measure: the SAT. Grade point average has a high level of variability from school to school, which means it isn’t a consistent or standard measure with which to compare or evaluate applicants. So when it comes to college admissions, the four hours you spend taking the SAT is more important than the 4,000 hours you spend working on your GPA. Given that, whether you take an SAT course or prep on your own, you need to put considerable effort into preparing for the exam.

Q. When is the best time to take the SAT?
While many consider spring of junior year the best time to take the SAT, Veritas Prep actually recommends that students first take the exam during the winter of their junior year. The reason is simple – timing. Students that wait until spring of their junior year are preparing for the SAT, finals and often AP exams as well. Add in sports, extracurricular activities and a job, and that is a lot to handle. The best plan is to take the SAT in the winter when you have more time to dedicate to SAT preparation. A common argument is that you should wait to take the SAT until after you’ve completed algebra II, but the truth is, if you prep properly you’ll have command of the strategies you need to correctly solve SAT math questions, not to mention the rest of the exam.

Q. What’s the biggest misconception about the SAT?
The SAT is an unknown to a lot of people, so there are actually lots of misconceptions. The biggest misconception is that high school or AP classes are preparation enough for the SAT. Unfortunately, that just isn’t true. While AP classes can help on the SAT Subject tests, overall, the average high school curriculum is not designed with standardized college entrance exams in mind. The SAT tests different skills than what you learn in high school, and some properties of the exam even contradict what your teachers may have taught you. For example, English teachers emphasize quality over quantity when it comes to writing essays; however, on the SAT, the more you write on the essay, the higher you score. To get ready for the SAT, you’ll have to spend time preparing specifically for the exam in addition to your regular high school coursework.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you can give to students preparing for the SAT?
Practice, and practice only with official College Board SAT practice tests. The best way to prepare for the exam is to use questions produced by the folks who created it. The College Board releases a question of the day that you can sign up to receive by email, as well as makes several tests available at little or no cost. A College Board SAT practice test is also among the free SAT resources Veritas Prep offers on its website.

____________________________

Patel improved his SAT score from 1760 to a perfect 2400, earned more than $237,000 in scholarships and co-authored the Veritas Prep SAT 2400 program, which is available as a classroom course, live online, on demand in high definition or in private SAT tutoring sessions. Additionally, McGraw-Hill recently published his book, “SAT 2400 in Just 7 Steps.”

For more information, visit www.veritasprep.com/sat.

About Veritas Prep

Veritas Prep is the world’s largest privately-owned provider of test prep and admissions consulting services. It offers industry-leading programs to help applicants improve standardized test scores and gain admission to the world’s most selective universities. Founded in 2002 by graduates of the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep offers its live classroom GMAT prep course in more than 90 cities worldwide and as an interactive online course available to students everywhere. Its Veritas Prep SAT 2400 course is available as a classroom course, live online, on demand or in private tutoring sessions and features the only zero risk, money back guarantee in the industry. In addition, Veritas Prep offers admissions consulting services for applicants seeking entry into competitive business schools, law schools, medical schools and other graduate programs. For more information, visit veritasprep.com.

admissions, college costs, college guidance, college planning, financial aid

University of savings: financial aid tips

February 1, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

Big college dreams have a big price tag. Most students use some form of aid to pay for college. According to CollegeBoard, more than $207 billion in aid is available. From federal loans to scholarship contests, opportunities to knock down college costs appear to those who search. Leave no stone unturned and look into these college aid resources to cover the costs.

FAFSA

With the potential for grants, loans and work-study incentives, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is square one when it comes to paying for college. The FAFSA analyzes family financial information through the federal-need formula. Among other things, FAFSA takes tax information into account, so Collegeboard.org recommends filing tax returns before starting the application. However, if your taxes aren’t ready, file with estimated amounts from last year and update with correct amounts after filing.

Aimed at providing a path to college for any student, the FAFSA is particularly advantageous for disadvantaged students, who have a better chance to receive free grants and scholarships.

Students can fill out this lengthy application at Fafsa.ed.gov.

Scholarship Contests

Students with 4.0 GPAs and high SAT scores aren’t the only ones who can take advantage of scholarship money. Scholarship contests offer students an equal playing field to show their stuff. Whether it’s an essay, video or presentation, these performance-based contests highlight talent in any field.

Scholarships.com lists news opportunities in various categories, including minority scholarships, corporate scholarships and even non-academic scholarships. A quick Google News search for “scholarship contests” will return the latest contents and deadlines.

Ask your guidance counselor for additional local opportunities, and explore the internet for the latest scholarship offers.

Student Loans

Free money is preferable, but loans enable students to have a classic college experience even if they can’t pay for it up front. This growing trend in financial aid is putting thousands of students through college and collecting payments from millions. In early January, student loan debt in the U.S. surpassed $1 trillion, according to Foxbusiness.com, and that number is expected to grow even more.

The FAFSA provides opportunities for federal student loans. Sallie Mae bank offers a private option to compete with these government offerings.

Loans can provide a worry-free college experience, but don’t over-borrow and saddle yourself with too much debt. Once graduation comes, failing to make payments can compromise your financial stability. The rule of thumb with student loans–borrow wisely.

Unconventional Aid

Some scholarship opportunities don’t fit into traditional molds. Unique scholarships give students that may not otherwise stand out a chance at college aid. The vertically-challenged student, for example, can take advantage of the Little People of America Association’s scholarship for students 4’10” or shorter. Left-handed students that have had to deal with awkward desks and sloppy writing are in luck, too. The Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship Program offers money for southpaws who demonstrate leadership skills.

Every student has something unique about him or her. Search for the scholarships that separate you from the crowd.

Work and pay as you go

Many students are choosing to work and pay as they go. High school students work during the summers and save for textbooks and other essentials not covered in tuition. Some students choose the community college route, attending classes as they can afford to pay for them. Other students opt to use the work study program at their college to supplement tuition expenses.

Colleges are recognizing that tuition costs are rising the average family cannot afford to chunk down tens of thousands of dollars at the beginning of the school term. They offer payment plans which spread the tuition out over the school year to help parents budget and pay as they go.

College is in reach if you take the time to research the many opportunities available and use that information to make a college choice that best fits into your available budget. Don’t let financial barriers keep you from achieving your dreams; and don’t let financial barriers lure you into overwhelming debt just to pay for a high-priced college.

file storage, Guest Posts, online learning

Cloud storage for your student

January 29, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

January is the month to start those college preparations for your seniors who are looking towards college in the fall. While you are waiting for those all-important college acceptance notifications, you can use the time to make some early preparations. Part of the college preparation process involves technology: laptops, iPads, smartphones, and cloud storage.

We all hear how technology is changing the very nature of how we do business. New devices and applications are making file transfer and communication more efficient at a very rapid pace. Business environments are relying more and more on digitized methods, so much so that many are even prioritizing Internet security through companies like Share File. But what we don’t hear as much about, is how technological developments can benefit people outside of the world of business, and primarily, students.

Of course, to some extent the benefits of technology for students are clear – every student can make use of a laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc. However, there are some newer developments that you may be very interested in exploring as a parent. For example, consider cloud storage systems, which have been implemented on a broad basis and can make your student’s life easier, and his or her work more secure.

These days, an enormous percentage of work in college environments is done electronically. Simply put, it is quicker to type a paper and save it on a computer than to write one and file it away physically. But, this same convenience also exposes students’ work to a number of potential vulnerabilities. Here are a few that just about every student has experienced at one time or another:

Loss – If a student saves a paper on an external hard drive, a USB drive, or even a computer itself, and then loses that object, the paper is simply gone. Professors are often somewhat intolerant of these sorts of issues, and lost content is usually beyond recovery, which means this can be a disastrous problem on multiple levels.

Damage – Similarly, if any electronic system on which a student has saved data, a paper, notes, etc. were to be damaged, that content may simply be inaccessible. This can be a major setback in your student’s studies.

Malfunction – Finally, the devices on which students traditionally save their work can also be prone to random malfunctions. If a student’s computer freezes just before he or she planned on printing out or sending a paper, there is serious risk that the assignment will end up being late!

For most students, these problems are uncommon. However, the do occur, at some point, for just about everyone, and the consequences can be extremely unfortunate. Cloud storage technology, however, solves each of the potential problems listed previously, by providing students with an external, digital storage source that can be accessed from just about anywhere.

With a cloud storage system, students can save notes, papers, research, and other files to their cloud, and then access it from a variety of devices – laptops, smart phones, school desktops, etc. This means that if a single device fails, the student’s files are still safe and accessible via the cloud. And, given the increasing use of technology in school work, this is extremely valuable to the modern student.

____________

Today’s guest post contribution was from Jason Saunders, a blogger and freelance writer. He contributes to a number of sites on topics relating to technology and its impact on the world of business.

college planning, financial aid, infographics

Who fills out the FAFSA?

January 25, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

Do you have questions about who fills out the FAFSA? This infographic should help:

college costs, college guidance, college planning, financial aid, parenting

It’s FAFSA time!

January 24, 2013 Suzanne Shaffer

Here’s a great post from the College Board in honor of Financial Aid Awareness month for parents, reminding all of us of the importance of the FAFSA and how to get ready for submission.

It’s time.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is how millions of students apply for federal, state and most college-based financial aid. And because government grants compose 74 percent of this $185 billion pool, it’s understandable for families to feel anxious when filling out the FAFSA.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Susan McCrackin, Senior Director Financial Aid Methodology at the College Board, offers this eight-step map to help parents and students work through the FAFSA as efficiently and effectively as possible.

1. Gather Your Documents

It is much easier to fill out the FAFSA if you have all the needed forms in hand before you start. Here’s a list of documents to get you going. You should also get a U.S. Department of Education personal identification number (PIN.) Here’s the PIN application link.

2. Think About Taxes

Parents’ taxes are an important part in the FAFSA process. Getting taxes done by February 1^st may be unrealistic, so last year’s taxes and this year’s paystubs can help create estimates. After February 3^rd, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool becomes available, allowing students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the FAFSA and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS website. And if you owe the government money, take note: you can complete your taxes without actually filing and cutting a check to Uncle Sam.

3. Find Quiet Time

The FAFSA has a lot of sections. Breaking them into smaller pieces makes the FAFSA easier to navigate. Consider these do’s and don’ts.

Don’t sprint. Take questions one at a time and give yourself time to properly answer each question.
Do read each question carefully and out loud. It will help you understand the question better.
Don’t multi-task. Put your mobile phone away, and turn off the television.
Do find a quiet place where the FAFSA will have your full attention.

4. Stay Student Focused

Parents often forget that the student always provides information. Parents are required to provide their information if the student is dependent.

So when parents see a question that refers to “I,” remember that “I” is the student. “You” is also the student. When questions address parents, you will see questions that refer to “your parents.” This is where parental information goes.

5. Avoid Parent Traps

As families evolve, so do questions about who needs to provide information for the FAFSA. When you see “parents,” FAFSA is referring to the student’s biological or adoptive parents. When the parents are married, then the student and both parents complete the FAFSA.

If the parents are not together, things can get confusing. BigFuture by the College Board created a corresponding infographic to help address some commonly asked questions. That infographic will appear on this site tomorrow.

6. Keep Track of Deadlines

Every college has a different set of deadlines based on priority, merit, early decisions etc. BigFuture by the College Board helps families sort through these deadlines with detailed college profiles and a free, customized action plan. And, should you have specific questions about specific colleges or universities, don’t be afraid to call the college’s financial aid office and ask questions.

7. Profile CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®

The FAFSA opens the doors to federal aid. There’s also almost $50 billion in non-federal aid available – from colleges, states and private institutions. Some colleges and programs use the College Board’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to help award these monies.

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE is an online application that collects information used by almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award financial aid outside sources from the federal government. Families must complete the application and the College Board sends it to the colleges and scholarship programs they have chosen.

Here’s a list of colleges that use CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® and where you go to complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®. Sending your CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® report to one college or scholarship program costs $25. Additional reports are $16 each. There are fee waivers available for low-income families.

8. Gain Experience

The more you experience something, the better you do. This free FAFSA webinar walks you section by section through an actual application with the College Board’s Senior Director for Financial Aid Methodology, Susan McCrackin. Families can access the free FAFSA webinar 24/7.

It’s time. Go after your piece of the more than $185 billion in financial aid to help make college possible. Use BigFuture for advice and to help create a customized plan for your child. Then follow the map. Chances are it will lead to an investment that provides returns for the rest of your child’s life.

Uncategorized

A Christmas Blessing

December 24, 2012 Suzanne Shaffer

2012 is almost over and what a year it has been for me and my family. We’ve learned to appreciate the small things in life and to not take anything for granted. I hope that this Christmas season prompts you to count your blessings and share your joy with others. May 2013 bring you innumerable blessings, good health, and an appreciation for family. And please remember that there are those who need your love and comfort this time of year. Take the time to smile, pass along a holiday wish, and even “pay it forward” to an unsuspecting person. You never know what your gift of kindness can do and how it could change someone’s life.

Hug your kids more than usual and pray for the families who won’t be celebrating Christmas with their loved ones this year. Remember that we can change the world one life at a time. All it takes is one voice.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2013!

parenting

What are we teaching our children?

December 17, 2012 Suzanne Shaffer 2 Comments

This past Friday we all watched and listened in horror as the media reported the incomprehensible news about another school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. It is every parent’s nightmare, every teacher’s fear, and every American’s frustration that our children are no longer safe (in school, at the mall, at a movie theater, or in any public place).

I refuse to focus on the shooter or even justify the reasons behind his decision to shoot innocent people without regard for human life. That, therein, lies the problem. These young men who feel the need to “clear a room” by taking out innocent people have obviously had some sort of disconnect from reality. To them, the lives are merely objects or targets in a game. At least, that’s my uneducated, purely inexperienced observation.

What can we, as parents and a nation, do to change the disconnect? How can we teach our children and young adults to value human life and stay grounded in reality? Do we feel helpless to change things and hopeless for the future of our children?

These are all questions every parent needs to ask today; and not just ask, but begin to make some positive effort to examine and find ways to change the parenting dynamic in our children’s lives. I know that my parents never feared for these things and I never feared for my children either. Until Columbine we all felt our children were safe at school. Now we even wonder if it’s safe to go to the movies or shopping at a mall.

Somehow we have to get back to the basics: morality, respect, love, kindness, and hands-on parenting. We have to make the time for our kids: teach them about the value of human life, help them learn to respect, love and be kind to one another, and not be afraid to get help if we see a potential problem arise. Listen, listen, listen to your children. Don’t just text; talk to them. Quite simply, don’t be lax in your parenting. It’s easy to turn on a movie, let them play video games, or spend hours on their computers in social media. It’s difficult in today’s fast-paced world to make the time–but it MUST be done. We MUST make a commitment, as parents and even grandparents, to teach our children the things they need to know to prevent that disconnect in the future.

We all hugged our kids last Friday and thanked God that they were safe. Those parents in Newton, Connecticut won’t get the chance to affect their children’s futures. A young man took that away; but we can honor them and their children’s memories by making a conscious effort to teach this generation that life is valuable and that there is a difference between reality and fantasy.

Someone said this weekend that one way we can honor those innocent children is to do 20 acts of kindness this month. I like that positive reaction. We can’t change the past, but we can certainly impact the future.

My God bless and keep those precious little souls and may he bring comfort to their families during this difficult time.

college guidance, college majors, Guest Posts

Is your student artistically inclined?

December 7, 2012 Suzanne Shaffer

Finding the perfect career path is sometimes difficult. There are varied options available for pursuing careers that encourage your student’s creativity. If your student loves to cook, can draw really well or design games, these are all wonderful careers to be pursued that might “fit” outside of the box of higher education. Traditional college is not always the best choice for this type of student. The key to finding the right educational path is a) knowing their interests and b) finding the best educational path to take for their specific area of interest.

The culinary arts have become more appealing for high school graduates. There are numerous schools that provide the technical training to pursue a career as a chef. As you would imagine, the culinary arts are not just about cooking—they encompass all forms of creativity using edible ingredients. There are multiple job opportunities for a graduate of culinary arts: restaurant chef, pastry chef, personal chef, caterer, food stylist, nutritionist, and even cooking school instructor.

Another area of artistic talent would be in the photography field. This is an excellent career choice for students who enjoy shooting photos and learning ways of editing and developing. The industry is leaning toward more creative natural photo shoots outdoors as opposed to studio sittings. This helps to capture the personality of the subject. Community colleges, universities and even technical schools can help your student learn editing techniques and lighting: two important items that need to be perfected for successful photographers.

Many students have the mental aptitude and programming skills to design video games and/or apps. Check into game design colleges and discover the many areas of career pursuits in this field. Has your student ever had an idea for a game that would make it even better than it is now? Higher education can provide the necessary tools your student needs to pursue this type of career.

If your student has artistic talent, there is a good chance they will be able to turn that into a career. Remember to “think outside the box” with these type of career goals. The traditional 4-year college route might not be necessary. There are many technical schools, online colleges, and community colleges that offer 2-year degree plans with job placement opportunities. The key is to invest that college money properly so that your student will find a job that fosters their creativity while paying the bills

______________________

Today’s guest post was contributed by Amanda Green, a freelance writer who normally writes on the topics of education, business, and personal finance. Amanda has been writing for multiple years on the web and enjoys writing on less serious topics like pets and crafting in her spare time! You can read more writing by Amanda at paidtwice.com

college planning, Guest Posts, Uncategorized

Six Simple Steps to Prepare for College

November 21, 2012 Suzanne Shaffer

The competition for college acceptance has never been tougher, which is why preparing early for your college education can help you position yourself to get into the college you want. High school graduation may seem like it is ages away, but now is the time to start preparing for college. Getting ready for college means planning for the future and making some very important decisions early—we advise following these six steps below to maximize your chances of getting into the best college possible.

1) Visit a College Counselor as Early as 9th Grade

Students should begin visiting a college counselor as early as 9th grade. Visit your school’s college counselor early and often to assist with SAT prep, college choices, college applications and letters of reference at no additional cost.

2) Do Your Research to Find a Great Match

Finding a college that compliments your educational goals, personality and learning style takes time and effort. Start by making a list of what criteria your perfect school would have. From that list, focus on the schools that meet your needs with regard to location, size, character and degree programs. I highly recommend the various college searching tools available at Student.CollegeBoard.org

3) Visit at Least 6 College Campuses

It is recommended that you visit at least six campuses before senior year begins and applications start going out. Once you have edited down your list of potential schools, schedule an appointment to visit each campus. Also, make sure to check out the schools’ social media sites to get the inside scoop before you visit.

4) Explore Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Total School Costs

Many students find it helpful to prepare an excel spreadsheet to manage information on colleges’ costs, financial aid program and scholarship offerings.

Review national lists of scholarships, awards and grants for college. BigFuture.com is one of many great resources for finding scholarships and awards.

5) Line up Your References Before Junior Year Ends

Get to know teachers and administrators, who can provide valuable letters of reference to accompany your college applications. Get involved in extracurricular activities, such as leadership and service opportunities, to build strong relationships.

Allow enough time to show them why you are worthy of their endorsement and provide ample notice, at least four weeks, for them to write the letter. Send a thank you note after you receive your letter to show your appreciation.

6) Take the SAT Exam Seriously

Preparing for the SAT should start well before you even book the date of the exam. The test draws on information learned during the school year, so make sure you do well in class, working with a tutor as necessary.

Lastly, strong consideration should be given to the type of high school you attend, for not all high schools are created equal. Many colleges will take into account the academic structure and relative rigor of your high school, so attending a respected boarding school or private high school could provide several advantages as well. But, regardless of what high school you attend, the single most important advice I can give you is to start early—getting into the college of your dreams will make all this preparation worth the hard work.

______________________

Parenting for College

All posts by Suzanne Shaffer

Frequently asked questions about the SAT–answered