Why Children Learn Better by Doing

Why Children Learn Better by DoingAs a native English speaker and speaking English as a second language, I have found that children are not overly fond of learning English. But if it is taught in a manner that they will enjoy and feel proud of, they will become eager learners. In this article I look at why children learn better by doing.In this day and age, children's minds are at a point where they can think on their own. Whereas parents may be able to help them to make a meal or clean their room, they cannot understand the complexities of the vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure. The advantage that children have is that they do not need to be instructed in the language all the time.Children who learn better by doing are more likely to retain information and take it further. They take in new information and process it in a logical way. They start with small steps and gradually build up. This is important for children who do not speak English as a second language. By learning t he basic principles of grammar, children have the foundation they need to progress to complex topics.If parents force their children to learn a lot by doing, it will come out as a very small process. Instead, I recommend teaching them to like learning English by doing. Children want to do something and they are naturally motivated to do it.By writing their experiences down or talking to others who speak English, children can form a connection to the language. When I read a story in a book, children who know the language to listen to the story and then pass it on to me. This makes children interested in writing the story, a skill that has great potential in later life. This is another benefit of learning in a way that children like.Children will also become more interested in doing things when they know they are doing something well. For example, I taught my daughter to use her imagination and not just tell her bedtime stories. One of the reasons why children struggle to learn the ba sics is because they are afraid of failure. They are unsure of themselves. This makes children less willing to do things that are difficult or embarrassing.Having a child speak in English is an opportunity for you to be proud of your child. Many people think that children speak English because their parents teach them. I find that the child is far more likely to learn the language if he is involved in the learning process.Children learning English should be encouraged to speak English in any way possible. This is essential for a child to become fluent. By learning in a way that children will enjoy, they will develop a love of the language. This makes them eager learners.

Online Tutoring - Why You Should Take Advantage Of It

Online Tutoring - Why You Should Take Advantage Of ItOnline tutoring is something which has become quite popular as more people are finding themselves without the ability to go into school. The reason for this is that they do not have a practical need to go to school and do not have any other options. Online tutoring however, offers many benefits.In many ways this is a perfect way to prepare a student's education. This can be of particular benefit for students who cannot afford to attend college or university. For these students there are advantages in being able to be tutored online. The most obvious is that it provides the student with the opportunity to have their learning done for them at their own pace.In addition to this, there are many advantages for a student to be able to have a tutor while they are at home. One of the best advantages is that a student will not need to share a classroom with other students who are just a few years behind them. Therefore it is easier for a st udent to focus on their studies, especially as they get older.However, there is a certain level of social awkwardness that arises when a student is being taught by a stranger, especially if they have never met before. This is not something that should worry them however, because they will most likely get used to it over time.When a student is looking for a tutor, there are many things which they should take into consideration. One of the biggest issues is that the person who is teaching the student will need to have a good reputation as far as teaching and tutoring goes.Furthermore, there will be different standards in the way that they are expected to do their work. The teacher will need to be able to explain in detail what he or she is doing and will also need to be able to do it in a way that is easy to understand. It is important for this reason that they are able to demonstrate what they are trying to teach the student.It is a good idea for a student to see what different place s offer to help with this aspect of their education. This can be done by looking online and asking questions. It is also possible to ask people they know whether they have ever used any tutors and if they were able to get anything out of them.

Teaching English To Japanese Students - Whats Hot

Teaching English To Japanese Students - What's HotAs one of the growing trends in foreign language education, teaching Japanese to learning English has become a rapidly popular method of teaching English to English speakers. It is often used in conjunction with one or two other courses in the curriculum to give students practical experience of conversational English.The introduction of this foreign language course has been propelled by some specific factors. First, many people who have recently immigrated to the U.S. would like to learn English, but do not have the language skills to perform an actual language exchange. Because of this, these immigrants are forced to use an interpreter friend in their native language.They find that they can hardly communicate effectively because they do not know any grammar of the language and are only able to communicate through translation. This makes learning English for Japanese students particularly appealing because it teaches students the basi cs of the language without having to speak it themselves.Another reason why so many people are interested in this course is because of the opportunity to learn English at their own pace. In the past, students who took a full time course of Japanese were expected to take a class every day. However, many courses have become shorter and allow students to study as much as they want to at their own speed.With the language becoming such a highly desired skill in today's job market, employers are demanding that students have skills in their first language. Because of this, employers are willing to train employees that can speak the language fluently and effectively.By combining English as a second language with a foreign language course, students will be able to learn the language efficiently. The more that students work at their skills, the better they will become at learning English for Japanese students.Because Japanese is a very difficult language to learn, especially from scratch, stu dents will probably find the teaching method for English to Japanese students frustrating and time consuming. If that is the case, a combination of this course with a separate language course would be ideal. But if that is not possible, then it will probably be a good idea to choose another program.

Enhance Comprehension and Clear Concepts with Online science tutor

Enhance Comprehension and Clear Concepts with Online science tutor A large number of the parents find that their kids are battling in science subjects. A few students are good in science subjects. However despite everything they require assistance for enhancing their grades. They assist in this with solving tough science assignments. Students can overcome their disappointment and accomplish their academic goals. This is by just going in the online world to locate the coveted online science tutor. Learn Complex Topics And Score Top Grades With An Online #Physics Tutor http://t.co/mWI3cP1ymf pic.twitter.com/bryOkZ3mer â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) October 12, 2015 It is watched that numerous students who are good in English and math. Students lose their grades due to science subjects. Whatever the reason may be either absence of interest in science subjects or confronting difficult to comprehend. It is regardless and they ought to get certain imprints to accomplish good grades. It is until the student lands at graduation level. Inclinations of online science tutor Online tutoring deals with all science subjects like Environmental sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, physics and a great deal more. A profoundly qualified and specialized educator for your coveted science subject. This can adequately coaches every one of the topics and areas of curriculum. Science homework help is more affordable, convenient and time saving. Your youngster can get tutors assistance from home. This is as per his own particular time schedule, making you free of brain from the hassle of pick and drop. It is to a sure region in your occupied life schedule. This medium gives excellent communication by an open talk between the tutor and student. Student can ask the same number of question and can be in contact with the tutor in his time of need. Highly experienced accessible online instructors groom your comprehension. As well as help their students in unraveling home assignments, worksheets, projects; experiments on time. Furthermore it helps them in getting ready for their tests. Online Tutor apply more engaging methods for showing and as opposed to a private tutor. For the one who concentrates on content just and student regularly get loose interest, bored and get befuddled in long theory. In Online classrooms and master tutors make subjects like Physics and Chemistry easy. This all enhances the students comprehension and makes even the hardest issue soft and easy to mind. How Science instructor takes a shot at internet By the blessings of internet online tutoring is turning out to be truly popular. Web tutoring is operated through determined applications so this permits the tutor and student to communicate with unmistakable sound and visual picture gathering. This class room additionally incorporates a whiteboard. Board for sharing chatting, drawing, exchanging notes and writing. Reaching The Edge Of Success Is Possible With Online #Biology Tutor http://t.co/IiH7vOOfCF pic.twitter.com/7QGWYSwToB â€" Tutor Pace (@TutorPace) October 13, 2015 By this pattern educator dependably starts with the qualities and weaknesses. It is done by taking after the extraordinary science assignment help. For this they get ready specific specially designed curriculum and examine tests for each student. Curriculum that help them to investigate, clear their concepts and build comprehension in specific areas of related science subject. In an online science tutor company and you can function as either an employee or as contractor. You will come to think about these after you are hired and you will come to think about the working hours. There are a few organizations which will essentially verify your credential and make you hired in some other company.

Accounting Courses in Belfast

Accounting Courses in Belfast Where to Find the Best Accounting Classes in Belfast. ChaptersWhy Bother Taking an Accountancy Course?The Different Types of Accounting Qualifications.Your Options for Accountancy Courses in Belfast.If you’re looking to get into the world of accounting â€" for a career in accounting â€" you’re going to have to do an accounting qualification. There are plenty of different options to choose from, from the undergraduate degree in accounting to the postgraduate, from the pathway to be a chartered accountant with one of the professional bodies to diplomas in financial accounting, management accounting, and auditing.Whichever you choose â€" and there isn’t strictly a ‘best’ option â€" you’ll be covering the central accounting principles, from the financial statement to the cash flow statement, from business law to the theory and practice of business decisions and financial transactions. Each will give you a firm grounding in the arts of accountancy and bookkeeping.The thing about professional accounting is that, if you want a succ essful career, you really need to complete the training from the correct professional bodies. This is pretty much a certainty. But there are increasingly so many ways to do it that it can be a little overwhelming.So, let’s talk through some different ways to become qualified â€" so that you can actually call yourself one of the chartered accountants.Find accounting courses in Cardiff and accounting lessons in Edinburgh too! Or you can find online accounting tuition here.But first…Studying for an accounting class can be tough. DevanshAccounting Teacher 4.90 (31) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OmarAccounting Teacher 5.00 (10) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JaniceAccounting Teacher 4.80 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DorothyAccounting Teacher 5.00 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AmirAccounting Teacher 5.00 (5) £80/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BickyAccounting Teacher 5.00 (58) £50/h1st lesson free !Discover all our tutors NaimishAccounting Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MikeAccounting Teacher 5.00 (6) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Bother Taking an Accountancy Course?As we just mentioned, if you want to become a qualified management accountant, public accountant, or any other type of professional accountant, you are going to need to ensure you are recognised by one of the professional bodies.For those of us in Northern Ireland, we have a couple of these to choose from. The most prestigious are the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), and Chartered Accountants Ireland. The respective designations that these will give you will open the door to plenty of career opportunities. (There are more bodies, as you’ll see below).And this is the thing. Chartered accountants are always going to be in high demand. In financial management, by auditors, in a school of business, in your own business management, you’ll have so many career paths and career options that all the fuss of getting qualified will seem worth it in the long run.If you’re into financial analysis, information systems, and managerial concerns, you’ll certainly enjoy it â€" as you’ll be at the heart of the world of business.Also, whilst ‘accountant’ or ‘bookkeeper’ admittedly doesn’t sound very sexy, there are loads of jobs that such a qualification prepares you for, including forensic accounting and governmental or public accounting. And you needn’t feel like you are limited to a business environment â€" because all public organisations really need an accountant at the end of the day. So, you could end up with both the analytical skills and technical skills and the opportunity to do something good with it.Oh, did we mention? Accountants and auditors can take home a pretty tidy sum at the end of the year. If nothing else, this may be worth you r while.Find accounting courses across the UK or learn accounting in London.This is exactly the opposite of what accountants doThe Different Types of Accounting Qualifications.As we said above, the world of accounting and finance is presided over by professional bodies. If you are working with businesses, they are going to want to know whether you are trustworthy, professional, and competent â€" and it’s these professional bodies that rubber stamp you.And alongside the ICAEW, the ICAS, and the CAI, there are a couple more to be aware of. There’s CIMA, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and then there’s the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.All of these are fairly respected bodies â€" and you’ll find that most courses, any accounting degree, or any diploma that you see will be accredited by one of these organisations. The one that you pick will be up to you, honestly.The main differences between the different bodies are as follows.The ICAEW’s AC A Qualification.In the UK, the most in-demand public accountants and professional accountants in general are those with an ACA qualification. This is awarded by the Institutes of Chartered Accountants, of which the ICAEW is a part â€" as well as by the CAI.For these, you need to stack up 450 days of professional experience with an accredited employer, over the course of five years. This is also the amount of time you have to complete the training â€" and sit all fifteen exams. This thing about the accredited employer is something different to most of the others â€" as you have to commit to that job, and that place, for that amount of time.For CIMA and ACCA qualifications, this doesn’t apply. You have three years to complete the respective courses and you’ll need three years of professional experience too â€" but you can do this whilst working with any employer you like (as long as it’s relevant).CIMA? Or, the Difference between Management Accountants and Financial Accountants. You’ll have noticed that CIMA specifically refers to management accountants. And whilst this body boasts a huge number of members worldwide, you’ll be following a different sort of career path.The difference between these two types of professional accountants is that management accountants tend to work in businesses, whilst chartered accountants more generally work for external auditors or independent accounting firms.As a management accountant then you’ll be more concerned with corporate finance and the language of business.Introducing AAT.For those of you not yet at the stage when you want or need to be chartered, there are the formal but more foundational accounting qualifications that are run by the AAT, the Association of Accounting Technicians.Most technical colleges will offer diplomas accredited by AAT, which progress according to level. In these courses, you’ll be covering all the stuff from financial data, financial reports, and financial records, but if you want t o become chartered, you’ll have to go and do one of the above qualifications subsequently â€" or else take an accountancy degree at undergraduate or graduate level.By the way, find accounting courses in Manchester and learn accounting in Birmingham!Finish your accounting course and look like this professional dude.Your Options for Accountancy Courses in Belfast.As one of the UK’s major cities, there is no shortage of opportunities to learn to be an accountant in Belfast. From a business school to a graduate certificate, from specialised finance academies to private tuition, there are plenty of different routes to follow.Here are some of the best ones from across the city â€" designed to get you into professional accountancy.If you're still at high school you can find accounting lessons for high school students here.Take an Accredited Accountancy Degree at Queen’s University Belfast.One of the nicest ways to start out on the road to a career in accountancy is to join a degree p rogram in the subject. The one at Queen’s University is particularly good â€" as it is recognised and accredited by CIMA, ACA, and Chartered Accountants Ireland.Across the three-year course you’ll study everything from tax laws and tax preparation to advanced financial accounting and international business. You’ll also get a lot of transferable skills in the meantime.Watch out for the entry requirements. This is a degree level program â€" so you will have the correct A Levels to be considered.Pursue a CIMA Qualification at the Richard Clarke Academy, Belfast.On the Stranmillis Road, you’ll find an institution offering a specialised CIMA-accredited course. These, you’ll remember, are designed for the route into management accountancy â€" and are aimed primarily at recent graduates.They’ve been going for ten years already and are prepared for everything: helping you practice exam questions, delivering lectures and classroom support, and even offering online tuition.The cou rses cost a wee bit â€" predictably â€" but the Academy pretty much guarantees that they’ll get you chartered.Join an Accounting Graduate Diploma Course at the Ulster University.Like QUB, Ulster University also offers accredited courses in accounting. These are recognised by ACCA, CIMA (you’re getting the hang of these acronyms now!), and Chartered Accountants Ireland.The course they offer is specifically a GradDip, meaning that it is best if you have a degree already. There are English language requirements too, by the way â€" for those international students reading this.This course takes a year!Prepare for All Accounting Exams with a Private Tutor from Superprof.If you want support for any of your accounting qualifications, you may well benefit from finding a private tutor. These can provide bespoke tuition on the things that you are struggling with particularly â€" and they are nice enough to give you lessons from your favourite café, your front room, or wherever else you w ould like to learn.At Superprof, we can connect you with five private accounting tutors across the Belfast area â€" who can help you with all aspects of the course.So, if you are taking those accounting exams, this is your place to find some extra help!Or else, find accounting courses in Leeds, or learn accountancy in Glasgow.

Online Statistics Tutoring

Online Statistics Tutoring Get Statistics Help Right Now! Our Online Statistics Tutors Are Available 24/7. Statistics can be one of the most challenging classes you ever take. Many students struggle with important concepts like variance and distribution, but you dont need to get stuck on an assignment. Tutor Pace has experienced Online Statistics Tutor available to help you with your homework and test prep. Our tutors are even available any time of the day or night to give you accurate and easy-to-understand assistance. 24/7 access means you are always prepared for your next exam. Intuitive Online Statistics Help: Trying to learn Statistics over the internet may seem like it would be difficult, but we make it easy in our virtual classroom. An interactive whiteboard allows you to work on your problems in a live, personalized session with an expert tutor. This innovative online learning experience has already benefitted millions of students worldwide and is growing more popular every day. Comprehensive Statistics Tutoring: Our tutors arent just good at the basics. Each tutor is certified to be able to help you on any question you encounter. Whether you are in high school or college, in regular, honors or AP classes, our online Statistics tutors are capable of making tough concepts easy to grasp. They will cover: Exploring data through numerical and graphical means Understanding normal distributions Analyzing statistical relationships Probability Random Variables Sampling Distribution Inferences Our Statistics tutors are dedicated to your improvement and will help you gain confidence in your abilities and score higher on assignments and exams.

Become A Better Listener And Negotiator With Acting Skills

Become A Better Listener And Negotiator With Acting Skills Communication Techniques: Learning To Act Enhances Listening And Negotiating Skills ChaptersActing Skills: Offering More Than Just CreativityIf you take on an extracurricular activity or start a new hobby, you inevitably gain a whole set of new skills and imagination, whilst also developing on valuable life skills. Taking Drama classes is no different and the confidence gained can have a great impact on your communication skills.different behaviours and attitudes which can be challenging to learn to cope with.While you may share a mutual passion for dramatic and artistic theatre, that doesn't mean to say that you necessarily agree with how your peers present themselves in drama school. By learning to put up with potentially loud and insensitive people in a Drama workshop, you can be sure that you can be prepared to tolerate almost anyone in the workplace! Not to mention be able to have a two-sided conversation with them whereby you each listen to each other, not interrupt one another, and manage to make joint decisions.Not to mention a boost in your creativity throu gh improv sessions that will help you think on your feet during brainstorming meetings with your bosses.Learning to listen better can enhance your communication and social skills. Photo on Visualhunt.comLearning To Act Can Help You Improve Your Social SkillsThere is nothing more frustrating than having to repeat yourself over and over again before the person you talking to finally understands or acknowledges your point, so don't be that person who doesn't fully engage in conversations or who is easily distracted by elements outside of the circumstance.Similarly, don't be that individual who is having an emotionally-loaded chat with a friend, nodding along in agreement or sympathy, but in reality is thinking about what he or she has to wear out to a party later that evening.When you have things on your mind, it can be quite easy to lose the thread of conversation and drift into your own world for periods of time. Listening is important in keeping your loved ones close, as it shows th em that you are being sensitive to their feelings and enables you to conduct yourself in a more diplomatic and responsive way.Many would say that speaking and listening are skills that are dying out thanks to digital communication, but when it comes down to it and technology fails us, our personal interaction is always there and ready for action.In truth, there are few scenarios in life where it is better to put something down in writing to convey a really important message.Though it can be sensible to put complaints and matters of a professional nature in writing for administrative reasons, there is something to be gained from sitting down and following your email or letter up with a face to face conversation.Don't you find that you are able to negotiate discounts or returns procedures much easier if you are able to have a one to one discussion with a manager rather than getting wound up by pointless emails being mailed back and forward? Drama lessons teach you well-rounded communi cation skills which means that you can remain calmer in difficult situations, listen more carefully, and react with poise and politeness (even if you have to bite your tongue!).Actor training can  teach you many of these skills through the various different types of performing. There is, for example, the Sanford Meisner or Meisner technique, Method Acting, the Lee Strasberg ideology, Stella Adler acting and the Alexander method, to name but a few. These techniques will each provide tips like relying on your instinct, embracing spontaneity in the moment, working on your improvisational reactions and projecting emotion.How To Improve Social Skills: Make You Listen And You Really HearListening is a vital skill for any performer, especially those who are often involved in improvisation work and must react quickly and feed off of others' comments. Plus, actually listening to your co-star talking transforms a scene into a more authentic performance, as opposed to just standing and waiting for cue line.The Meisner technique particularly encourages this idea of being able to participate in the present, and imagining that there is no one else in the room other than the actors on the stage.Method Acting, however, requires ongoing commitment and asks the actor or actress to become the character they have studied, working on every aspect of their on set personality, even when they leave the theatre. Preparing for a creative performance in such an intensive way and becoming the roles that your casting director has been coaching you to perform can be quite to maintain though in front of everyone you know, so train in this way is a tough exercise and requires a lot of inner strength. Not to mention supportive family and friends who can encourage you to succeed in reaching your goals!If you are dedicated to your acting training, an Emmy or an Oscar could well be yours!As a result, the scene becomes a true conversation instead of a rehearsed set of lines.Listening to your dire ctor's instructions is vital. Photo on VisualHuntMoreover, any person who watches a performance on-stage or on-screen, including TV shows, soap operas, musicals or films,  benefits from being a good listener  as taught by an acting course because it allows them to really appreciate the action and get the most from what they are watching.If you don't make the effort to appreciate a performance, then you will become a passive listener.There is a big difference between hearing and listening.Hearing doesn't require much effort whilst listening means actively processing details. Even though you may care deeply for the person who is opening up to you, your brain could skip the listening process and jump straight to problem-solving or looking for a solution to make them feel better. However, sometimes people just want a shoulder to cry on and someone to truly hear them.Educational establishments are aware of the positives that drama classes bring to their pupils and their ability to commun icate and interact in other academic lessons on the curriculum.Communication Techniques In The Workplace: Acting Makes You A Smoother OperatorActing classes teach you about the discipline of  physical movement and expression, which includes helping you to showcase that you are listening as well as helping you to actually listen in a lesson or while you rehearse, as well as on the theatrical stage. This tuition can then influence the way you act in your personal and work life.During your acting workshop, you will learn about important techniques like  posture and body language (such as smiling, making eye contact and nodding your head as nonverbal cues) as well as vocal coaching tips which help you to master the art of timing (i.e. not interrupting, summarising and paraphrasing).As such, the set of communication skills that you will develop from mastering acting techniques will make you much better in situations whereby you need that little bit of extra charm. For example, if you hav e a particularly difficult boss, then by improving how you respond to their nonchalant attitude (i.e. smiling and continuing to listen intently to their side of the argument instead of rolling your eyes and sitting back in your chair) can help you to co-exist and even to begin to work much more cooperatively alongside each other.If you are interested in signing up to a respected acting school, then you can search online for acting courses near you and read testimonials and feedback from those who have studied there and gone on to find success in an acting career or went on to pursue a different avenue.Other than helping you boost your confidence and improve your communication, acting for film, Broadway or simply for fun focuses the mind. It also provides you with the opportunity to add a dynamic craft to your resume, helps you to reign in your emotion and hone your auditioning and interviewing technique.Looking for drama classes with an acting coach?Find drama classes LondonDrama cl asses Glasgow CarlActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ElifActing Teacher 5.00 (10) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CalumActing Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChristopherActing Teacher 5.00 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriActing Teacher 5.00 (8) £85/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielActing Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors CiaranActing Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors

Ask an Admissions Expert Dr. Joan Martin

Ask an Admissions Expert Dr. Joan Martin Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Joan Martin, Ph.D., has been helping students gain admission to their first choice colleges in the U.S. and Europe for two decades. She is the founder of CollegeStartOnline.com and has written two eBooks, Writing the Common Application and How to Jumpstart the College Application Process. Dr. Martin holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Harvard University, and MIT. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Joan: My best suggestion is to start writing the Common Application essay a few days after the junior year has ended. The few days will give the student time to decompress and relax. If the student sets up a well-defined time to write the Personal Essay early in the summer, he will be able to give it a weeks rest and then go back to edit it. Magical things happen when the essay is given a rest; the student brings new ideas to the subject and can also better edit it without being pressed for time. The bonus to this schedule is the student can enjoy his summer because the stressful writing phrase has been completed. Essays should not read like they have been rushed; start early and you will have well-conceived and written essays, the best chance for writing Essay Gold. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Joan: Essay Gold occurs when the student is truly passionate about a subject because the excitement about the topic shines through. Usually students have one story or experience that is sticking in their mind. They should analyze the story to make sure it is positive and will bring out their best traits. So, prior to any writing, the students should list these traits and then analyze the original story to see if those traits are evident, if not, go to another experience. The way in which the student analyzes the experience and makes his personality shine are what makes an essay purposeful and Essay Gold. The topic is important but not as important as the passion and analysis. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Joan: In my eBook, Writing the Common Application, I list 21 essay topics to avoid. Always avoid anything that is negative such as drinking, eating disorders, or getting into trouble in any way, even it becomes a turning point. What you write is what they will remember about you. The best advice I can give though, is not to use an experience that your parents have paid for, use an experience that you have created through initiative and determination. The new Common Application, 2013, asks very specific questions, so you must be able to use an experience that can be crafted to answer the question. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Joan: The biggest mistake a student can ever make when writing an application is not sounding like a 17-year-old has written it. When a students parent edits his essay, it sounds like a 48 year old lawyer, teacher, or businessman. Those essays jump out when read by an admissions officer and are promptly marked DDI (Daddy Did It) and go to the reject pile. Sound your age, include your quirkiness, but do correct spelling and grammar. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Joan: The application is first scanned for GPA and SAT/ACT scores; if they fall into the colleges acceptance range, the application is further read. The rigor of the courses the student has taken is also considered. What comes next is subjective. Does the application read like their typical, successful student? This question is answered by the essays, the extracurricular activities, and the recommendations. Admissions officers know what type of student can be successful within their curriculum and then go on to become outstanding citizens and alumni. They can literally smell a great candidate even if they are reading the application at 1 am, eating pizza, and have read 50 others prior to this. 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? Joan: Consistency, initiative, and passion are the traits that should be presented in a students application starting with the extracurricular activities right through the Personal Essay and the Supplement Questions. Declare how you have stayed with a project or organization through many years, put your own stamp on it, and truly loved doing it. That is the definition of leadership and determination. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of the university, and whether they would be a good fit? Joan: The best way to determine the culture of a college is to visit it during the school year, sit in the cafeteria, look around at the students and talk to them. Additionally, the student should contact other students from his high school who are currently enrolled; those students tend to give the best inside information. Websites today provide an excellent way in which to determine the fit between the students college goals and the mission of the college itself. If the student can successfully answer the question, why do I want to go there, it is probably a good fit. Within this answer is usually some program, professor, or courses that the student is attracted to this is what determines a good academic fit. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisionsWith so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Joan: I recommend that the student apply to his first choice college as Early Decision and several safety colleges as Early Action. If the student does not get accepted Early Decision to his first choice, but does get accepted to Early Action colleges, a lot of pressure will be eliminated he will be going someplace. The other colleges on his list can be Regular Decision. If a student needs financial aid, never apply to any binding decision option. Wait until all acceptances and financial aid packages have been presented in order to make a decision. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Joan: Grades are the number one criterion, then SAT/ACT scores. A minimum Academic Index, GPA/SAT/class rank, is enlisted at all colleges. Once a student has passed that threshold, essays and extracurricular activities demonstrating consistency, initiative, and passion come into play. If a student can make the written part of the application truly sparkle, he can beat out someone with a higher SAT score. Make the essay shine! VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Joan: Present each teacher with a large envelope containing a copy of your Common Application (extracurricular activities and essays), a list of the colleges to which you are applying, and a short paragraph about your goals for college and career. Ask the teacher politely (in person and not through email) if he would write a recommendation. If he accepts, the teacher will be impressed that you have organized everything into one envelope and will probably give you an even better recommendation than he would have before. Always send a hand written thank you note. Visit CollegeStartOnline for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Should I Go To Rice University

Should I Go To Rice University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Courtney is a Houston tutor attending Rice University. She is currently a junior majoring in Cognitive Sciences and specializes in several tutoring subjects such as ISEE prep tutoring, Biology tutoring, and Essay Editing tutoring. See what she had to say about Rice: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Courtney: Although Rice is in the center of a major metropolitan area, the campus feels very intimate and is very safe. Our Rice University Police Department does a great job of patrolling the area and helping everyone feel secure, but of course in a big city it is always advisable to use caution and common sense. There are buses that run around what we call the Inner Loop of campus and travel through the heart of the academic buildings all the way out to the parking lot area. If you are commuting from off-campus or want to explore the greater Houston area, there is a public bus system, but it isnt very convenient. I personally bike from my house off-campus and it is only a 15 minute bike ride. Another option for public transport is the light rail system that runs from the Rice U area into Midtown and the Downtown area for very cheap. Many people drive cars and it is definitely the most convenient way to get around if you can handle the traffic. Because Houston is such a sprawling city, it makes sense to have personal transport. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Courtney: The Rice professors I have encountered are always available for help and ready to assist you in any way possible. There are usually only a few teaching assistants, even for big classes, because the professors will generally handle any issues personally. All professors offer office hours and available by email. Many will even say to drop in with no appointment, if necessary. For the few classes that do require teaching assistants, they are often graduate level students who really know the subject matter and have no problem going to the professor if they cant answer a question you have. The office of academic advising is very helpful but emphasizes the services of Peer Academic Advisors that help with deciding classes and determining credit. These Peer Academic Advisors are at every dorm and easily accessible for immediate questions. If you are interested in focuses such as premedical or prelaw, the academic advising office has specific advisors for these concentrations. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Courtney: Rice is very unique in its dorm set-up. The University is divided into 11 residential colleges (dorms) that you are sorted into before you matriculate. Usually you stay in the college for your entire time at Rice. Each dorm has its own governing body, committees, and, in some ways, personality. Additionally, each dorm is set up a little differently as far as rooms go. Some residential colleges emphasize double rooms with a private bathroom, others have suite set ups with shared bathrooms. We have 6 dining halls (called serveries) around campus. Although some are specifically designated for a particular college, you are welcome to eat at any of them. One aspect of Rice some people take issue with is the all-or-nothing style to the meal plan if you live on campus. With living on campus you must buy a full meal plan that covers all meals of the week (excluding Saturday evening, when the serveries close). This is upsetting to some people that dont eat breakfast or would prefer off-campus options more. If you live off-campus, different levels of meal plans are available (e.g. 5 meals per week, 7 meals per week, etc.) The residential colleges and serveries offer a lot of opportunity for socialization and getting to know other people. The other students at your college will become like a pseudo-family of about 400 people. When you matriculate you will participate in an orientation week (called O-week) where you will get to know your fellow college-mates even more. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Courtney: Traditionally Rice is known as being an Engineering school, but dont let this discourage you if you are a humanities or social science enthusiast. Obviously most of the money is thrown towards the engineering and science fields, but I personally am involved in both the social science and humanities departments and they offer great faculty and support as well. I came into Rice with a premedical focus, but decided against it in my junior year. I now focus on my studies in Cognitive Sciences and Religious Studies. I chose Cognitive Sciences because it was just a field that fascinated me and is very progressive right now with a lot of new research being done. In a similar vein, I decided on Religious studies because I developed an interest in it after I took a class on Psychology of Religion during my freshman year. The Religious Studies department is world-renown and one of the few programs that works on studies in the GEM (gnostic, esoteric, mystic) field. The University does a great job of supporting all areas of study and, as I said before, although the sciences are highlighted, they do boast excellent Humanities, Social Science, Music, and Architecture programs. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Courtney: It is unbelievably easy to make friends as a freshman. O-Week does a great job of getting you acquainted with others in your college. You are further divided into O-Week groups where you are grouped with 7 other freshman, which aids in making instant friends. I am still close friends with many people from my O-Week group. Additionally, there are a lot small class sizes that allow you to meet people from other colleges. There is no Greek life on campus, but the college systems work in a similar style (without all the hazing and exclusivity). Its like you are inducted into a sorority/fraternity as soon as you move in. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Courtney: Rice has a Center for Career Development (CCD) that offers resume-writing workshops, practice interviews, presentations from various professional fields, and career fairs. The CCD does a great job of offering a variety of opportunities to discover careers and meet potential employers. Several big firms (Capital One, IBM, etc.) recruit from Rice as well as many government/military agencies (FBI, CIA, Army, Navy, etc.). If you are a humanities major, like me, and are worried about career opportunities after college, the CCD offers very specific workshops that describe different areas that humanities majors are desired. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Courtney: There are plenty of beautiful study spaces across campus. The most obvious of these is Fondren Library, which offers 5 floors of study cubicles, study rooms that you can reserve, as well as tables and computers for public use. Fondren always has places to study, but I recommend getting there early during exam time because you will be fighting for even cubicle space. Additionally, areas such as Brochstein Pavillion have a coffeeshop and places to sit and study. Many professors use Brochstein for office hours or meetings. Our student-run coffeeshop (Coffee House) is also a fun place to relax and study. Individual residential colleges also have public spaces for study, but these can often be filled with people socializing. Some colleges have a suite-style set up where rooms surround a common room, which can be used for study as well. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Courtney: Houston is a very exciting, diverse city with a lot of things to do if you take advantage of them. Rice students often fall into the habit of staying close to campus, but if you go Beyond the Hedges (as we say at Rice), you can find a lot of unique places to eat, shop, and have fun. A 10 minute walk from campus is Rice Village, which is filled with shopping stores, restaurants, and bars. Some people go to Midtown, where there are some clubs and bars, or Downtown. You can get to both of these places via the light rail system. Because Rice has such an active social scene (with each residential college throwing public parties about every other week), many students neglect the area around Rice, but there is a lot to do! Additionally, Rice is located right in the Museum District of Houston, with several great museums as well as Hermann Park (with the Houston Zoo at the center). These places are great for a day excursion that is easily walking distance from campus. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Courtney: Rice University has one of the smallest student populations among Ivy League schools. We only have about 6,000 Undergraduate students, with each class having only about 1,500 students. Although it seems like a lot, you see a lot of familiar faces on campus. After coming to Rice I think I would have preferred going somewhere with a few more people because sometimes the social scene can be a little redundant. But the small population also offers small class sizes and for some students is less overwhelming than larger institutions. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Courtney: My favorite professor is a Religious Studies professor that I had freshman year (and subsequently many semesters after that). He is funny, engaging, and very knowledgeable. I signed up for his class, Psychology of Religion, out of curiosity more than anything else, but in taking the class my interest grew exponentially and I am now planning a thesis under the same subject (and the same professor!). The great thing about my professor was that he treated us like adults as soon as we walked in instead of holding our hands through the processes. Our first assignment was to write about what we have been talking about. He gave us a loose prompt and said to write (almost free-form) whatever we thought. Instead of focusing on the writing he made us focus on the material, which was refreshing and interesting. He helped me develop as a student and a person and created a life-long passion that I hope to continue long after I leave Rice. Check out Courtneys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.