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Today’s guest post was written by Jessica Brondo, Founder and CEO of The Edge in College Prep, a global educational consulting company that specializes in test prep and admissions counseling for students applying to US universities. The Edge currently has offices in New York, London, South Florida, Silicon Valley, and Rio, and works with students throughout the world through online courses and tutoring. Jessica also writes the Edge blog and runs complimentary weekly office hours for students and parents.

SAT or ACT: Which is Right for YOUR Child?

By now, I think it’s safe to assume that you’ve heard at least a little something about the SAT and ACT exams. I think it’s safe to say that you probably didn’t take both exams if/when you were prepping for college, and even if you did take one of the two a) the test is drastically different now, and b) (let’s be honest), you might not remember what was on the test. It’s a daunting task to navigate the world of admissions testing for your high school student, but it’s best to be armed with all of the facts so that you don’t waste time having your child prep for unnecessary exams.

First of all, the exams are drastically different and play to different academic strengths. Rather than get into what makes them different, which is covered here, I’d rather discuss which test is more suitable for specific types of students. In order to help you out get started, take this quiz about your child:

Which Test Is YOUR Child?

1. Does he/she like to read?
2. Would you say his/her vocabulary is “lacking” or does he/she have trouble memorizing words?
3. Is he/she likely to make careless mistakes on math exams?
4. Does he/she enjoy science?
5. Does hes/she know when to use a semi-colon?
6. Does he/she have a good knowledge of history, current events, or books?
7. Is he/she the type of student who does well on tests if he/she studies?
8. Will he/she have done trigonometry yet?
9. How about logarithms?
10. Does he/she have issues with timing?

Give yourself 1 point for a Yes for all questions EXCEPT 6 & 10. Give yourself 1 point for a No to # 6 & 10. Add ‘em up. If your score is greater than 6, then your child is most likely an ACT. If your score is less than a 5, your child is most likely an SAT. And if your score is a 5 or 6, either is an option.

Why, you ask…..?

That’s actually a great question. Let’s get into the why’s and how’s of what makes each test suitable to different students:

ACT English v. SAT Writing

Both sections have a heavy focus on grammar and test the same fundamental grammar rules, but they diverge slightly when getting into the minor grammar rules. The ACT focuses a lot more on punctuation, where the SAT will delve into more nuanced tests of idiomatic expression and diction. In terms of the essays, the SAT essay asks students to use examples from history, literature, and current events to support their reasoning in their essay. If your child has a hard time recalling these facts, the ACT essay would be a better fit as the question is usually based on a topic relevant to high school student life.

ACT Reading v. SAT Reading

The ACT and SAT Reading sections both have extensive reading passages, but the SAT section also has several sentence completion questions that test a student’s knowledge of vocabulary. Unless a student has been studying vocabulary for years or has a predilection (SAT word), or knack for reading for pleasure, this is definitely a hard thing to improve overnight as there are thousands of prospective SAT words to learn.

ACT Math v. SAT Math

The bulk of the math questions test the same concepts in Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry; however, the sections diverge slightly. The SAT has a reputation for tripping students up who are prone to making careless errors, whereas the ACT does not. The ACT, however, tests students on more advanced topics than the SAT and requires basic knowledge of trigonometry and logarithms.

For an even more comprehensive assessment of which test is better, you can also have your child take a proctored ACT exam and compare the results to his or her PSAT score to see which is the higher starting score. As always, if you have specific questions about each test, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll be sure to get back to you.

Today’s post was written by guest blogger John Bader Ph. D. John is a former dean at Johns Hopkins University and author of ‘Dean’s List: 11 Habits of Highly Successful College Students,’ available on Amazon. You can follow John’s weekly column on college life, academic success, and higher education at johnbader.net

As the parent of a newly deemed freshman, you’ve probably gotten lots of detailed moving instructions from your child’s college. You know what linens to send, whether your child needs to bring a reading lamp, how to buy discounted laptop, and that you can expect an army of upperclassmen to help get all this stuff into a dorm room.

But if you’re dropping off your first child, you’re probably wishing a parenting handbook came in the mail too. And you’re asking a lot of questions: How am I supposed to act now? How often should I check in with my child? How worried should I be about alcohol, sex and academics? Can I still be her advocate to the school? Will I see her report card?

Today’s parents, more involved than at any time in memory, want answers to these questions. They have been their children’s coach, driver, advocate, disciplinarian, cook, and mentor. And now what? What role should they play? How are they supposed to behave? You are not alone with this dilemma, though that is cold comfort. You can start with some of the college basics, though they’re tough to take:

-You are not the key player anymore: By law, philosophy and tradition, colleges have a relationship with only one member of your family: the student. Administrators will always want to deal first and directly with the student. If you insert yourself into the discussion—“We were thinking of taking Chemistry this fall”—you are starting a fight you cannot win. Colleges want students to take responsibility, and Federal privacy laws require that. So you won’t be seeing any report cards, they go to the student alone.

-Faculty would rather not talk to you: Faculty take this philosophy especially seriously, and they will bristle if you try to contact them directly. This is a big shift from high school teachers, who expect to hear from parents. Remember that faculty themselves went to college in a time when students were much more independent than now. So every instinct and experience they have tells them that a call or email from a parent is intrusive and over-reaching.

-You’ll need to let go: Colleges want you to stay away not just out of obligation or tradition. They also believe that young people need breathing room to grow, to make decisions, and to make mistakes independently. College life is a highly protected place to grow up. There are plenty of administrators, counselors, health caregivers and even campus police around. While they would never be as watchful as you have been, they are there in part to cushion the fall when mistakes are made.

None of this is good news, of course. And even if you are comfortable with the way you are treated, and happy to let your student be more independent, you can wonder what role is left for you. Here are a few:

-Supporter: Going to a new and challenging environment is scary for any young person, however self-confident. Your student needs your support and love just as much as when they lived at home. He or she especially needs your encouragement to explore intellectual choices, pushing them to try new subjects at which they might excel. Try to avoid being judgmental here, tempting though it might be. Students excel when they love what they are studying—help them find that love. When you feel like contacting the faculty, encourage your student to do that instead. Helping your student to not be intimidated by faculty will have many benefits, such as being more comfortable to ask questions.

-Protector: You are the best person to remind your student of the risks of drinking, drug use, gambling and unhealthy relationships. It is hard to do this while respecting independence, but these are clear dangers to them, and they need someone who draws the line. They will decide what to do, whatever you say, but they need to hear a strong message from you.

-Healer: Poor health, particularly poor mental health, is a significant reason why students struggle academically. Depression and other mental illnesses are increasingly common on college campuses. Add to this the traditional exposure to illnesses, along with poor sleep and eating habits, and you have reason to worry. Encourage your student to be smart with their health, particularly in getting enough sleep.

Becoming the parent of a college student is a challenge, but by keeping these points in mind you are setting them up for success not only in the classroom, but in life as well. Take this time to watch them learn, grow, and develop into the adult you know they can be.

Michael Muska is one of the co-authors behind Getting In!, and is currently completing his first decade as Dean of College Relations at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York. He previously spent six years at Brown University in Admissions and Athletics and in a similar capacity at Oberlin College in Ohio. We took a few minutes to chat with him about some of the top issues parents with a college bound child face and how some of these concerns are addressed in Getting In!

How has the role of parental involvement changed since the first edition of the book came out? What are some new facets of the college process parents should be aware of?

We read all the time about the helicopter parent – hovering over their child in every aspect of their life. This has become true in the college business too. Respect the process as that of your child – be helpful and supportive, but remember when you arrive on campus, you’re there for their interview and visit, not yours. Back when we applied to college (yes, we authors are similar in age to you parents) most of us applied to only a few schools, most local, and were happy with our choices. College admission today is a big time business, and schools all across the country have utilized the internet to market themselves and reach out to students. The Common Application (which we discuss in detail in the book) allows a student to apply to multiple colleges with the push of a button. This has greatly increased the competitiveness of college admissions today, particularly at more selective schools, with many more qualified applicants for a limited number of admission spaces. In addition, many schools have made a commitment to diversity and greater international appeal, and this has taken admission spots away from their earlier traditional class they used to admit. Technology has changed the face of modern college admission.

How can parents today better support their child onto a college pathway?

It’s important to respect your child’s choices and not set unrealistic expectations of where they might get in. Schools that were easy admits when they applied to college are often now increasingly selective. A great example is New York University (NYU), a school that now appeals to a whole national and international pool of students who want to spend their college years in New York. Support your child as they begin the process – help to collect information, do some of the busy work – but respect their ability to make choices for themselves. You won’t be there with them on campus. Make the college visits fun too – think of ways to turn the trip into great bonding time to learn more about what your child really cares about and is looking for in a college.

Finding a way to pay for everything is the biggest concern for parents with a college bound child. How can parents take advantage of financial aid opportunities available today?

My co-author, Steve Cohen, is our resident expert on this. His chapter in the book is extremely helpful to families. This fall, however, colleges are expected to help families establish what the cost of an education at their school will be earlier with a calculator mandated by the federal government. Finding this out early in the process can be helpful in deciding what schools make the most sense. And remember many schools have lots of merit money separate from financial aid. For many middle class families, looking at schools that offer this can help reduce the financial burden on a family.

What messages in Getting In! are you hoping parents will take away after they’re done reading it?

Our goal with the book is to reduce the stress and give a thoughtful, common sense approach to the process. Many people we have talked with say Getting In! is the most complete, easy to understand book about the college process. We try to take the mystery and misconceptions out of the process and give advice about how to best present yourself to the colleges in the application process to maximize your chances of admission. If we’ve done that, we’ve accomplished our goal.

For more info on Getting In! and to download Chapter 1 for free, become a fan of the Getting In! Facebook Page. If you’re looking to pick up a copy head over to Amazon where the book is currently available and in stock today!

Steve Cohen is one of the co-authors of Getting In! and has been a publishing entrepreneur, author, and teacher for more than 25 years. He is also the founder and CEO of Brainquest.com, Multimedicus—created with Harvard and Dartmouth Medical Schools—and iCollegeBound. We took a few minutes to talk with him about the kind of roles parents should play in their child’s college process, and how some of these issues are discussed in Getting In!

How has the role of parental involvement changed since the first edition of the book came out? What are some new facets of the college process parents should be aware of?

Parents are still the most important influence on where kids go to college. Kids really do want to hear their parents’ opinion. But then it is important for parents to take a step back. This really should be the kid’s choice.

College admission has gotten tougher than it was when parents applied. It is even tougher than it was five or ten years ago. There are more kids each submitting more applications per kid. And with the college’s freshman class size remaining the same, that pushes down the acceptance rate. Plus more and more kids are becoming more sophisticated about what colleges are looking for: i.e. the well-rounded class, not the well-rounded kid. So the well-prepared kid is figuring out how to make his or her “hook” clearer and more appealing to the admission office.

How can parents today better support their child onto a college pathway?

Start early! Visit as many schools as possible. Listen to your kid, give your opinion and then back off.

Finding a way to pay for everything is the biggest concern for parents with a college bound child. How can parents take advantage of financial aid opportunities available today?

College is unbelievably expensive. But there is financial aid available – even for middle class families. But you have to apply for it. That means filling out the FAFSA – the federal government’s online form. And it means filling out each individual college’s own financial aid form. (Many colleges use a common financial aid form called the CSS Profile, which is administered by the College Board folks.) Completing these forms is not pleasant. It is sometimes compared to root canal without anesthesia. But you have to do it. And you’ll probably be surprised: there is money out there. But if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

What messages in Getting In! are you hoping parents will take away after they’re done reading it?

It is more important to find the right college than it is to try to get into the so-called “best” school. Rankings have a use: they say something about a college’s brand recognition. But they are all subjective and inherently flawed. So use them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Your kid will get in – hopefully to a college that is a good fit. And your child can do things to improve his or her chances of getting in. Start early, support them, and try not to go crazy pinning all your hopes on getting into one particular school.

For more info on Getting In! and to download Chapter 1 for free, become a fan of the Getting In! Facebook Page. If you’re looking to pick up a copy head over to Amazon where the book is currently available and in stock today!

We’ve assembled some of the most well respected college admission professionals to write Getting In: The Zinch Guide to College Admissions and Financial Aid in the Digital Age , but just who comprises our team of college experts? Here’s a closer look at the individuals who’re making it happen.

Steve Cohen

Steve has been a publishing entrepreneur, author, and teacher for more than 25 years. A former marketing executive and publisher at Time and Scholastic, he is the founder and CEO of Brainquest.com, Multimedicus – created with Harvard and Dartmouth Medical Schools — and iCollegeBound.

Steve has been an adjunct faculty member at NYU, Fordham, and at the Stanford Publishing Course. In addition he has lectured at Dartmouth, Brown, and Columbia Business School.

Steve co-chaired the Clinton White House literacy task force Prescription for Reading Partnership. He is a Director Emeritus of the pediatric literacy initiative Reach Out and Read, and the United States Naval Institute. In addition, he attended the United States Naval Academy; received his BA from Brown, attended the University of California at Berkeley for graduate school, and is currently a candidate for a Juris Doctor at New York Law School.

Michael Muska

Mike has spent the last eleven years as Dean of College Relations at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York, one of the region’s best private schools. There he places more than 100 students each year in top colleges and universities throughout the country and abroad. He previously worked in college counseling at Phillips Andover and Milton Academy in Massachusetts, two of the nation’s most prestigious prep schools.

Mike spent six years as Associate Director of Admissions at Brown University, and held senior athletic responsibilities there as well. Following Brown, Mike moved on to Oberlin College, where he was in charge of both admissions and athletics.

Mike’s early career in athletics was highlighted by twice being named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in cross country while at Auburn University, and once as the Big Ten Coach of the Year at Northwestern University. During those years he coached more than twenty Division I All-Americans.

As an openly gay male, Muska became a national spokesman for gay student-athletes while serving as Oberlin College’s athletic director, and continues to lecture across the country on creating safe opportunities for all student-athletes.

Having worked in so many arenas of admission, college counseling and athletics, Muska is respected by college professionals and counseling colleagues and has served on numerous panels at both the NACAC and College Board Meetings. He is the co-author of the best-selling book Getting In! and is a regular contributor to Forbes, The Daily Beast, and More Magazine.

Mike graduated with honors in history from the University of Connecticut and earned his masters degree in Sports Studies and Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He resides in Brooklyn with his partner, Evan Sweet.

Anne Dwane

Anne is President and CEO of Zinch, the network connecting 3 million students globally with colleges, scholarships and graduate schools. As an entrepreneur, Anne is passionate about applying technology to education, college access, and enhancing career opportunities. In 1999, Anne co-founded Military.com to connect service members and veterans to their benefits, including GI Bill and tuition assistance. Military.com now serves over 10 million members and was acquired by Monster Worldwide in 2004.

At Monster, Anne led several businesses as General Manager, Affinity Networks. Previously, Anne was in business development at Paul Allen’s Interval Research Corporation in Silicon Valley, and in brand management for Nabisco’s Planters Peanuts. Anne holds a bachelors degree in Marketing and International Management from Georgetown University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. She is a member of the 2010 class of Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute

Paulo DeOliveira

After graduating from Brown University, Paulo de Oliveira began his working life as an admission officer and Assistant Director of Admission at his alma mater. He went on to a 25 year career as a television programming executive and producer, working at companies including HBO, The Disney Channel, Universal Television and NBC-Universal and developing shows such as “Monk,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Eureka.”

He now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he is co-founder of an internet start-up and is a consultant on content development to traditional TV and Web 2.0 companies.

As another school year comes to a close chances are your child is one step closer to reaching their college pathway. At Zinch we recognize just how monumental of an experience this will be, and we wanted to take this opportunity to share the latest resource we’re making available to parents and students everywhere.

It’s a new book called Getting In: The Zinch Guide to College Admissions and Financial Aid in the Digital Age, and it includes newly revealed insights every prospective college student must know, including:

-The Truth Behind College Admissions
-How To Get Your Child Noticed By Admissions Officers
-Comprehending Financial Aid & Expected Family Contributions
-Case Studies & Analysis Conducted By Actual College Administrators
-And much more!

In honor of the book’s release we’re holding some very special promotions and we want YOU in on the action! Here’s a few ways you can stay in the loop and be part of the fun:

-Check out the Getting In! Facebook Fan Page where we’ll be making Chapter 1 available to download for FREE! We’ll also be posting brand new “Crib Sheets” for free download every week that contain even more expert insight on admissions and financial aid. Be sure to signup for our Getting In! Giveaway as well, where we’ll be hooking our fans up with free copies of the book and other Zinch goodies.

-Follow us on Twitter @Zinch to participate in weekly contests to win Zinch prizepacks and free copies of the book! Be on the lookout for the #GettingIn hashtag too — it’s a sure sign for when things will be heating up!

-Check in back here on the blog to read up on the latest “Book Reports” we’ll be running all about Getting In! These posts are more than just lighthearted chit-chat, they’re in-depth looks at some of the most crucial points discussed in the book.

And if you can’t wait, just order your own full copy of Getting In! at Amazon. They’re in stock and available now!

If your child is about to graduate or has come to the point in his college career where an internship is the next logical step, it may be time to help him prepare to seek a professional position. If your child is asking for advice in a job market that you’re unsure of, don’t worry.  Conventional wisdom about resume creation and job searches has not disappeared, but things are changing, and here are a few things you need to be aware of as your child makes the transition to an internship or the workforce:

Resumes should be tailored to the position. While paper resumes are still the standard in many industries, online portfolios and resumes are quickly becoming the norm in tech-related and computer based industries including graphic design, programming, and software development.  If your child plans to use an online resume and portfolio, suggest she have a hard copy (paper) back up, and that it is  well-written and professional.

Dress professionally for the interview. While many companies have embraced a casual work environment — and jeans and sweatshirts may be everyday wear in the office — hiring managers still look for employees that want to make a great first impression.  Business dress is usually the expectation at interviews for corporate positions and internships.

Who you know still matters. Remind your child of family contacts and acquaintances that are familiar with his chosen industry.  These folks are often great sources of information concerning newly opened positions and can provide solid references.

Interview skills are a must. Discuss the art of the interview with your child.  Touch on subjects including appropriate grammar, posture, and how to answer the age old interview questions, “Why do you want this job?” and “What will you bring to our team?”

Manners still count. Advise your child to write a thank you letter after the interview, including the high points of the interview itself and her hopes to become an excellent employee or intern, should she be hired.  Thank you notes are often overlooked and can be a deciding factor.

It’s time to tell your story. Your child can learn from the mistakes you’ve made during the job search process, as well as those things you know helped you win your future employer’s respect and the position.  Tell her all you can that will make her successful.

Most importantly, your child must be made aware that jobs are in demand now.  The economy is struggling and that means lots of competition.  He must create a persona– through resume and interview– that stand out and impress those hiring.  Encourage him to be practical, be prepared, and be his best.  With diligence, effort, and your support, he’ll find an internship or job that helps him gain momentum for a successful career.

As we begin moving through the New Year one of the top priorities regarding your child’s college future is applying for financial aid. Over on the Zinch blog More Than a Test Score, a recent article was posted about managing the high-price tag of many universities, but a number of questions still manage to arise regarding the subject, especially concerning federal aid and government established programs.

Fortunately the New York Times’ college admissions and aid blog The Choice took the time to address some of those lingering inquiries in a seven-part Q & A series with questions submitted from REAL parents. This is a great resource for those of you concerned about issues like unsecured debt, divorcée status, the expected family contribution (EFC), or any other number of topics unaddressed at your local PTA meeting.

For a full listing of the entire series, click here.

For most parents, having their child enter the college admissions process is an exciting time. As you watch them submit their transcripts and file their applications you hope all their efforts will wind up in the right hands, and a whole new world of opportunities will soon lay before them. Often times though parents, especially of first generation college students, wonder how their child will stack up against the competition.

A recent article by The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that analyst Michael Hurwitz examined just how “legacy students”—students whose parents, siblings, or other family members also attended a desired college—fare in the admissions process.

Not surprisingly the numbers show legacy students are accepted at a higher rate than non-legacy students, but in terms of overall admissions legacy students only account for a small percentage of students brought into the fold, so realistically they wouldn’t be a presence that would exclude your child from admission. While this finding has definitely raised some eyebrows, it also sparks another interesting question—how much influence does a parent have over their child’s educational career path?

For more information on the study and to read the Chronicle’s full report, click here.

Illustration courtesy jscreationzs.

Although it may be intimidating, the college admissions interview is your chance to bring your application to life.  These interviews often take place with the very person that will be advocating for you in the admissions review process, and provide you the chance to present yourself to the school (as well as learn more about the college from an expert).

It’s important to prepare well for this opportunity.  Working with an experienced College Admissions Coach to prep for your interviews can help you perform at your best – and as a Zinch user, you work with an InsideTrack Coach for FREE for one month.  Get started today!

Here are a few tips from InsideTrack’s team of College Admissions Coaches to get you started:

Do your homework – You don’t need to be an authority on a college, but you should know the basics before you meet with the admissions representative or alumnae.   Use websites and guidebooks to learn the key facts.

Know how to talk about your high school – Don’t assume that your interviewer knows a great deal about your school.  Be prepared to describe it in detail – size, courses, level of competition, commentary on students, diversity.  Give the interviewer a clear picture of your academic and social community.

Be prepared to ask questions – Always have 2-4 questions prepared to ask at each interview.  But make sure not to ask questions that can be easily answered by visiting the school’s website.  Choose questions on topics that you are truly interested in and use the interview as a chance to get answers.

Keep your answers conversational – You don’t need to speak in a very formal way, but you do need to use strong vocabulary and grammar.  This is not the time to utter one word answers.  Your interviewer wants to get to know you, so answer as naturally and clearly as you can.  In preparation, think about questions that you may be asked, but don’t memorize the answers.

Be yourself – This is not the time to pretend you are a literary critic, budding scientist, or avid reader of the New York Times, if you’re not.  Don’t worry about what you think the interviewer wants to hear.  They want to get to know who you are and what makes you tick, so answer the questions honestly and thoughtfully.

After the interview is over, make sure to send a personal hand-written thank you note (not email).  Thank your interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in their school.  This will likely end up in your application file, so double check for typos and grammar before sealing the envelope.

Ready to get started on your interview prep or want an experienced professional to support you through this high-stakes process and decision? As a Zinch user, you’ll receive your first month of InsideTrack College Admissions Coaching (with no minimum purchase required) – get more information and register today!