In this info session, we'll discuss the changing nature of college admissions for the HS Class of 2021 (current juniors). We'll cover the upcoming SAT/ACT testing calendar, college admissions, and answer any questions you have.
---Introduction and Overview - Start to 5:25---
---First Segment - Testing - 5:25 to 20:20---
June SAT and ACT (The June SAT has since been cancelled)- 5:25 to 8:45
Next Test Dates (July, August SAT & July ACT) - 8:40 to 9:35
Make up Tests and Online Testing- 9:35 to 11:45
Our Recommendations - 11:45 to 16:55
Subject Tests - 16:55 to 17:50
First Segment Q&A - 17:50 to 20:20
---Second Segment - Admissions - 20:25 - END---
Test Optional Meaning and its Effect on You - 21:50 to 31:40
College Priorities and Essays - 31:40 to 36:30
Staying Productive - 36:30 to 41:05
Getting Started with Application and Essays - 41:05 to 42:20
Virtual College Visits and Selection Process - 42:20 to 48:30
Timeline - 48:30 - 50:40
If you’re scheduled to take the SAT this fall, one of their recommendations is to take a full-length practice test while wearing a mask. 😷 You may be required to wear one in the testing center, and you don’t want to be distracted by it.
We strongly recommend students take multiple full-length practice tests while they are preparing to take the SAT or ACT. The best practice tests are those that come directly from College Board or the ACT (you can find them both online).
This fall, we are also offering free online proctored practice tests every Sunday at 9 am. Send us a message to register!
This fall, many high school students are returning to school virtually. 💻 The combination of not being in the classroom and not having many (if not all) of the normal school activities might cause students to be less motivated and not take steps to help boost their college applications.
However, this is exactly the time to step out and put your best foot forward to show colleges your passions, your skills, and your enthusiasm for learning - despite the unusual circumstances.
🔹 Perhaps your school is doing virtual clubs and activities - are you part of the effort to make those happen and run effectively?
🔹 Are you learning a new hobby?
🔹 Are you reaching out to your fellow students to offer help and encouragement?
🔹 Or maybe you are even helping your younger siblings in their academics?
The point is this year still matters. Give yourself something to talk about in your college application essays that will make you stand out against the sea of applications.
Wishing all the local students and teachers a great start to the new school year! Just remember - you got this! 🙌🏼
Upper Dublin School District
Wissahickon School District
Abington School District
North Penn School District
Hatboro-Horsham School District
Meet the Premier Edge Prep Team!
Shawna earned her PhD in American literature from the University of Pittsburgh. Especially interested in the connections between science and literature in American history, Shawna is currently working to publish her first book with an academic press.
Shawna has seven years of teaching experience at the college level and especially loves working one-on-one with students to craft a unique strategy, taking their strengths and weaknesses into consideration and working to build on both. Equally excited about grammar and math, Shawna seeks to train balanced students who are well prepared to tackle the liberal arts education they will find in college. Shawna understands the importance of loving to learn and she brings enthusiasm and humor to her lessons so that students can share in the real joy that comes from building knowledge.
Shawna likes to write fiction for young readers, travel, and spend time with her dogs Pippi and Gretel. She is currently planning her third hiking trip to Europe.
Paying for college can feel overwhelming for some families. One of the first steps in receiving financial aid is completing the FAFSA.
Read through this article for a good overview of completing the FAFSA: https://zcu.io/kKXm
BIGFUTURE.COLLEGEBOARD.ORG
Pay for College | Financial Aid 101 | How to Complete the FAFSA
On Monday evening we’ll be going LIVE in the Parents' Group to talk about what seniors & juniors should focus on this fall.
If you haven’t joined the group yet, you can do so here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/premieredgeprepparents
Staying organized through the college application process is critical. Everyone stays organized differently, but what’s important is that you use a system that works for you. 📝💻😁
Make sure you’re keeping track of:
~ Colleges you’re applying to
~ Deadlines for early action, early decision, and regular admission
~ Requirements of the application (i.e. how many essays)
~ Your progress on the application
~ Submission dates (mail or online)
When you can see all that needs to get done and by when, you’ll focus more on developing a strong application instead of worrying about when things are due.
What questions do you have about the application process?
What should I know about the SAT and ACT experimental sections? 🤔📝
Both the SAT and ACT have a 5th section that is primarily used to test out new questions for future tests. Until recently, these sections had no impact on a student’s score.
On the ACT now, the experimental section still does not count towards the student final score at all.
However, on the SAT, the College Board has not been so clear about whether this section counts toward the score. Their stated policy is, “Any section of the SAT may contain both operational and pretest item.”
Still, we have no evidence whatsoever of the 5th section of the SAT ever counting towards a student’s score. So students can comfortably prepare for the typical 4 sections without worrying about the 5th.
A common question we hear is “What’s the difference between the SAT and the ACT?” 🤔📝
First of all, it’s important to remember that ALL 4-year colleges in the US accept both the SAT and the ACT. Colleges have no preference for either test.
The next thing to know is the most important difference between the SAT and ACT is complexity vs. speed:
The SAT has more difficult questions.
The ACT has stricter time limits.
Instead of jumping right in to SAT or ACT prep, students should start with a diagnostic test of each to determine which test they should prepare for and take. Otherwise, they might waste a lot of time and energy preparing for a test that doesn’t maximize their potential.
Here are a few other key differences between the SAT and ACT:
Half of the overall SAT score comes from math. Only 25% of the ACT score comes from math.
The SAT and ACT differ in the math content they cover.
The ACT has a science section.
Many colleges superscore the SAT but not as many superscore the ACT.
What questions do you have about the two tests?
If you find yourself struggling to stay motivated about your schoolwork this fall, consider asking one of your classmates to be a virtual homework partner. 💻📝
When you have to do assignments, you both can hop in a video chat - not talk but to do your own work. It may sound odd, but it’s the equivalent of going to the library to study. Just being around others who are also working can motivate you to stay focused and get your work done!
Deadlines for college applications are fast approaching! In fact, many colleges’ Early Action/Decision deadline is next Sunday, November 1.
If it feels overwhelming to keep track of all these important dates, we’ve got you covered! We’ve updated our Application Deadlines Chart. 📝😁
You can access it here: https://zcu.io/68co
Have you talked with your school guidance counselor about college? Often the counseling department is an underutilized resource for high school students through their college application journey.
Whether you’re a junior who’s just beginning to think about college or a senior who’s working on applications, consider reaching out to your guidance counselor soon. Even if your school is virtual, you’ll probably be able to make an online appointment with them! 💻😁
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Ryun
Are you developing good habits for studying for school and for the SAT or ACT? 📝😁
“I have to thank Eric Hahn and Premier Edge Prep for the fantastic job preparing my daughter Nikki for the ACT. Let’s face it, children do not usually enjoy studying for the SAT/ACT or attending tutoring sessions. My daughter never once complained. Eric is professional, knowledgeable, relates well to the students, and has a great way of explaining concepts. She felt comfortable asking questions at all times (and ALWAYS did).” -Parent of William Tennent student
Yes, we understand that preparing for the SAT or ACT isn’t exactly fun for students, but we do our best to make the process as painless as possible. 📝😁
If you’d like to learn more about our test prep process, visit our website here: https://zcu.io/jiuV
“Procrastination makes easy things hard and hard things harder.” — Mason Cooley
Remember, saving things for later won’t make them disappear, so go ahead and knock out that task or project you’ve been pushing off for too long! 📝😁
To all the juniors out there: Your grades this fall semester will be very important!
When the pandemic first hit in the spring and schools everywhere were thrown in a whirlwind, colleges were more forgiving about grades. Now that schools and students have had time to adapt and prepare, colleges will be expecting to see strong grades. 📝📖💻
It’s important to set yourself up for success in school this year. Whether it’s creating a new learn-from-home space or starting a new exercise routine, find what will work best for you to stay motivated and focused!
If you’re applying to a test-optional school and trying to decide whether to submit your scores, here’s one strategy to help guide you. 🤔📝
Use google or collegedata to find each college’s 25th and 75th percentile test scores. Take the average of those two numbers to approximate the 50th percentile.
If your scores are above the 50th percentile, definitely submit.
If your scores are below the 25th, definitely do not submit.
If you’re between the 25th and 50th, that’s when it’s harder to decide. You’ll want to identify how strong your test scores are in relation to your grades. Because GPA calculations vary so much from one high school to another, this can be difficult to do. We’re happy to advise students working with us and your high school counselor can provide good advice as well.
For some more general guidelines, check out our article: https://bit.ly/2Irz5NS
Today kicks off American Education Week! This week is set aside to recognize the efforts of all those involved in the education of our youth - including teachers, administrators, parents, support staff, bus drivers, librarians, and many others.
It is because of the dedication, enthusiasm, and passion of all these groups of people that students are supported and encouraged through their learning journey.
This week, take a moment to thank a teacher, parent, tutor, advisor, or principal for their work! 📝😁❤️
We get it--high school juniors are busy (even in 2020). School, homework, sports, activities (virtual or in-person)...it all adds up. That’s why we prioritize efficiency in our test prep programs. 📝😁
Some other test prep companies recommend dozens of hours of tutoring, hundreds of hours of practice work, and will start as soon as you ask. We carefully devise a custom plan for each student that leads right up to test day and aims to help the student maximize potential in a minimum amount of time. We rarely ask students to commit more than five hours per week to test prep--and that includes all tutoring, practice tests, and homework!
While many school sports are still happening this fall, most other school activities are not happening. For high school juniors, it’s important that you find creative ways to demonstrate to colleges that you’re still pursuing your passions.
What ways have you seen students getting creative with their interests this fall?
The latest news about SAT/ACT testing, COVID test cancellations, and changes to the college admissions process.
Class of 2022, the time has come to get serious about researching colleges!
Think about the things that feel important to you. Do you have an idea of what you’d like to study? Would you prefer a huge university or a close-knit liberal arts college? Do you want to be in the heart of a city or on a grassy campus? It’s okay if you don’t have answers to these questions yet. But you should be looking around and familiarizing yourself with your options.
Not sure when to start your applications, ask for letters of recommendation, or work on your personal statement? Check out our guide on the ideal timeline for college applications: https://zcu.io/c0ZP
If you’re planning to take spring SAT or ACT tests, it’s time to register!
The registration deadline for the March SAT is February 12th.
The registration deadline for the April ACT is March 12th.
We DON’T recommend ordering the Student Answer Service for the SAT.
However, we DO recommend the Question & Answer Service for SAT and Test Information Release for ACT. These services provide you with a copy of the test to review in case you take it again.
“Anxiety’s like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far.” - Jodi Picoult
The second round of Early Decision notification dates are coming up quickly. Remember that there is nothing productive about worry or anxiety. You did the hard work and put every effort into your part. The school’s decision is completely out of your hands.
Wait patiently, remember your viable alternatives, and focus on your graduation goals.
With college applications, there is so much to consider: essays, school visits, letters of recommendation, and more. To avoid falling behind, it’s essential to get organized and have a plan. Where should you start? When should you start?
Check out our latest article for advice on the ideal timeline for your college applications!
https://bit.ly/39MfVf9
Another excellent school in the area has committed to going test optional for the upcoming application cycle! 🎉
Read UPenn's announcement here: https://zcu.io/hLLJ
