By: Valerie Erde

While it’s true that colleges want to create a well-rounded class that brings together a mix of artists, athletes, and leaders in a range of areas, they also want students who, when they arrive on campus, are able to do the work and who will graduate in four years — not six or eight. 

It may be good for colleges’ wallets to have students attend for more than four years, but it’s not good for their rankings nor their reputation.  This is due in large part to the way the college rankings work. One of the areas measured by the U.S. News and World…

The grade point average (GPA) is an index of a student's academic performance and can be evaluated as a letter grade, percentage, or range. Traditionally, they are scored on a 4.0 scale. GPAs are good indicators of a student's classroom performance and academic aptitude during high school. Colleges consider academic performance the most important part of the application, looking at grades starting in freshman year. Therefore, it is in a student's best interest to work toward building a good GPA. 

To work toward a good GPA, it is essential to understand what qualifies as…

By: Valerie Erde

GRADE INFLATION AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 

While it’s true that colleges want to create a well-rounded class that brings together a mix of artists, athletes, and leaders in a range of areas, they also want students who, when they arrive on campus, are able to do the work and who will graduate in four years — not six or eight. 

It may be good for colleges’ wallets to have students attend for more than four years, but it’s not good for their rankings nor their reputation.  This is due in large part to the way the college rankings work. One of…

Finding the right academic support for a struggling student (and even for a motivated student looking to get ahead) is always a challenge. As we outlined in the Versed Guide to Tutoring Services, it is important to research the different options and find the right fit. From professional tutors with decades of experience to near peer high school tutors, you need to make sure that the tutor has the knowledge of the subject matter, knows how to teach and motivate students, and can connect with your student in ways that make each session productive and enjoyable.

That being said,…

What distinguishes excellent students from just good students?

In 6 Steps to Better Grades, we provided students with concrete tools to help them improve their grades. One of the critical steps we discussed was paying better attention in class. We know that many students zone out in class, then study on their own before exams by reading textbooks and class handout materials (if any). While studying, if the student is stuck, there isn’t much they can do as the assignment or the exam is due/taking place the next day. Some motivated students may google questions and go on youtube to…

Each May, millions of students around the world sit down to take one or more of the 38 Advanced Placement Exams. Administered by the CollegeBoard, each exam in America costs nearly $100. Notable for their rigor, a good score on these exams actually may result in saving thousands of dollars in college courses (at some schools) and boosting a student’s college application. In this blog post, we will be going over what AP courses are, what they mean for college admissions, and whether they are worth the money. We will also discuss the option of “self-studying,” for students that are not…

By: Valerie Erde

In my work as a tutor, many teens have walked through my door reluctantly, to say the least. They weren't interested in studying for the ACT or SAT, and at times weren't even interested in college at all. Sure, they knew that it was important for their future in a general way, but they definitely wanted to do something more fun than ACT/SAT practice tests with their limited free time.

I'm also a parent, so I know just how frustrating it can be to watch your child fritter away time and talent and fail to reach success or mastery of a skill. Of course you…

With the in-person SAT date finally confirmed for August, current juniors (rising seniors), as well as sophomores that are ready, can now plan in earnest for test preparation.  Especially for students with newfound time on their hands at home with cancelled internships or truncated summer programs, they can now set aside a chunk of time this summer to study for standardized exams. We have compiled a list of the most popular and effective online courses available to help students decide what works best with their schedule, study style and budget.

These online prep courses offer a…

By: Valerie Erde

Students and parents frequently ask me how much standardized test scores really matter in the college admissions process.  Here’s the upshot….

- The majority of colleges -- especially selective ones -- still require standardized tests; high school programs are difficult to compare as their rigor varies widely.

- Testing policies do not necessarily apply to all groups equally; test optional does not always mean test blind.

- Some colleges use test scores as cutoff points to facilitate wading through thousands of applications and for…

Whether it’s a four day weekend or a month-long break, free time is a crucial resource for students, particularly juniors and seniors. High school students rarely have large chunks of uninterrupted time that they can dedicate to something outside of school work. For students applying to colleges, these breaks are excellent opportunities to tackle certain parts of the process that can’t fit into their regular schedule. Be sure your child is taking full advantage of their holidays by keeping these to-do items and activities in mind: 

1) Prepare for Tests and Exams

…