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Today, AdmissionsControl.com was released and you can access the site here:
Admissions Control
Be one of the first to post by signing up for FREE!
You can also post your own admissions visits; there’s even an admissions profiles section to compare your test scores and academic record to other students.
Today many of our students took the ACT Exam, June 2008. Here is some feedback we received:
Most difficult section: Math
Increased emphasis appeared to be on Trigonometry and Intermediate Algebra. Not as many coordinate geometry questions. Although on average there are typically less than 5 questions involving trigonometry there were more according to some students.
Here is the typical ACT Math Section: 14 covering pre-algebra, 10 elementary algebra, 9 intermediate algebra, 14 plane geometry, 9 coordinate geometry, and 4 elementary trigonometry.
Reading: Average difficulty. Nothing too unsual. Here’s the typical ACT question breakdown: 35 minute, 40 question reading section measures reading comprehension in four passages. Today’s reading section featured nothing out of the ordinary including one reading passage on Neanderthals (very common for test writers to include passages with complex scientific terms).
Essay Topic:
Lawmakers arguing whether companies should be able to advertise harmful products; your point of view.
Science:
Conflicting view points: two different graphs supporting the arguments
Data Representation, somewhat more difficult with more questions than usual.
The ACT science section is a 35 minute, 40 question test. There are seven passages each followed by five to seven questions. There are three Data Representation passages with 5 questions following each passage, 3 Research Summary passage with six questions each, and one Conflicting Viewpoints passage with 7 questions.
If you have more information you would like to share, any specifics, please feel free to do so. We’ll post a trend analysis on the ACT later, but wanted to share some of the feedback we had received.
For students:
The ACT exam hopefully went well. If you have any questions or comments, or are interested in getting help on future tests -contact us.
For parents:
Once the test scores come back, give us a phone call or fill out our consultation form to get help. Our ACT Tutors will help you figure out exactly what went well and fix the ACT sections that need improvement.
Although it might seem like the ACT exam is too difficult, our strategies and methods help students succeed on their tests. So if you took the ACT exam today, June 14th, take the day off, you deserve it.
Ross Blankenship, Director of Tutoring and Admissions Consultant
Our new test prep and admissions consulting commercial is ready.
Many readers noticed that Top Test Prep is powered by Miro Advantage now, as well as a picture at the very end of the video. The Top Test Prep is our premium tutoring program for all the standardized exams. And that pic, well, it’s none other than Ross Blankenship - our Admissions Consultant and Tutoring Director.
Also available on YouTube.
Be sure to click “watch in high quality” underneath the # Number of Views.
Pay special attention to about 45 seconds into the commercial.
We came across a unique article about the most interesting, dare we say “strangest” scholarships and wanted to share with our readers. Some pretty amusing ones and all credit goes to Jenny Sweeney, who we cite below. Miro Advantage writers thank her for posting this.
Oink, Oink
Has your room been compared to a sty? Are you comfortable living in a messy habitat? These aren’t requirements for a scholarship, but they are attributes of the creatures you care about - pigs! If you’re interested in creatures of the bovine persuasion, this is the scholarship for you; the International Boar Semen (IBS) Scholarship is available for those interested in swine management. For more information, visit piggene.com/IBS/ibs_home.htm.
The Next Generation of . . . Klingons
Trekkies, leave your capes, figurines, posters and other memorabilia behind. Just bring, well, yourself! Klingon Language Institute, in an effort to promote language study, awards one lucky winner a $500 Kor Memorial Scholarship-but don’t worry, fluency in Klingon is not a requirement. Check out the requirements for this scholarship at: kli.org/scholarship/.
Think Tall Thoughts
You’ve got Michael Jordan’s stature but you’re about as agile as a water buffalo. That’s okay with Tall Clubs International! Males over 6′2″ and females above 5′8″ are encouraged to apply. The reward is no small (pun intended) amount either; Tall.org awards a whopping $1,000 scholarship to the winner. Find more info at: www.tall.org.
Yo, Shorty!
For the vertically challenged, the Billy Barty Foundation offers scholarships to students of “short stature”. Similarly, the Little People of America awards students - and their families - scholarships. To join, members must be 4′10″ and shorter. Scholarship amounts range from $250 to $1000. Read all the requirements at: lpaonline.org.
Bit of the Bubbly, Please
Finally, your weakness for wine might serve another purpose-besides the pounding morning-after headache. The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (AASEV) awards multiple students for enrolling in science fields relating to the grape and wine industry. The scholarship amount is not predetermined; it varies year to year. To read other requirements for this scholarship, go to: asev.org/scholarship-program.
Bowling for Dollars
Though those middle-school years of loitering around bowling alleys have ended, your talent for earning turkeys may finally be cashing in. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) offers a range of scholarships, including the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow that offers a $1,500 renewable scholarship for distinguished male high school bowlers and the Alberta E. Crow Star of Tomorrow that also offers $1,500 in renewable scholarship funds for great female high school bowlers. Read more at: bowl.com/smart/locateState.aspx.
Got Milk?
The Scholar-Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year award is given to twenty-five graduating high school seniors who have what it takes to sport the famous milk mustache; winners receive $7,500 in scholarship funds. If that’s not enough, winners receive a special ad that runs in USA Today. If that’s not enough, winners receive an all-expense trip to an awards ceremony at Disney Wide World of Sports’ Milk House in Orlando, FL and an induction into the Milk House Hall of Fame. Check out applications at: sammy.bodybymilk.com.
Offer an Organ
You signed up to be an organ donor when you received your license. Put that heart on your ID to use! The Students for Organ Donation Youth Leadership award one or two $500 to $1,000 scholarships to full-time high school or undergraduate college students. Successful candidates actively promote organ donation and transplantation. More criteria to apply for this scholarship can be found at: studentdonor.org.
Tee It Up
You’ve seen them trudging up and down the greens, toting thirty pounds of iron on their backs, and offering tips to improve swings, distance and posture. Finally, they’re due their recognition; Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, founded in 1949, offers anywhere from $1,500 to $7,500 per year to caddies. Eligible applicants must have served at least two years as caddies, helpers in the pro shop or course superintendent operations at a club in Massachusetts. Read more information: ouimet.org/scholarships/
Hot, Hot, Hot
You’ve heard it, those three little words…in case of a fire: stop, drop and roll to safety. Earning a scholarship from the American Fire Sprinkler Association is almost just as easy; AFSA offers ten $2,000 scholarships per year to graduating high school seniors. Requirements include reading an essay and taking an online (and open-book) test. Read more about this sizzling offer on: afsascholarship.org.
Sweeney, J. (2008, February 22). Top 15 Strangest Scholarships. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-15-Strangest-Scholarships&id=1002481
Many of our readers alerted us on the Wake Forest policy to make standardized tests optional. We’d like to get your feedback on the issue, so send us a line and we’ll post your comments. Here’s the original story New Admissions Policy.
You can email director@miroadvantage.com and be sure to include your name and location.
(800) 658-0784
One of our students asked, “What should I do to prepare my college applications during the summer?” Another reader pondered, “I’m not sure what my student should be doing this summer, could you help?”
Well, we’ve developed a top 10 list for test prep, college admissions and college applications during the summer before your senior year. The list also should help students before they apply to colleges:
(1)
Obtain college applications:
Print off all of the college applications from every school you’re interested in. Even if you’re using the common application, it’s good to know which documents each school requires.
(2)
Arrange your college visits:
The summer is a great time to travel to colleges and narrow down your college choices based on what the schools look and feel like. College visits will solve this dilemma.
(3)
Contact the admissions offices:
If you have questions about applying to an individual school, use the summer to call the admissions offices and make sure you know their requirements.
(4)
Work on your college essays:
Whether for the common app or for the school’s individual application, college essays can be tough. This is particularly true because they’re usually very broad and require you to get as much information as possible into 500 words or less.
(5)
Organize your documents:
If you don’t already have a resume or “brag sheet”, use the summer to develop them. In addition, get all of your test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT) and transcripts from your school. These will be very helpful when you develop your college list.
(6)
Volunteer:
If you’re not already involved in some community groups or non-profit organizations, the summer is a perfect time to start. Volunteer with the local YMCA or Big Brother / Big Sister’s Club. Also, because this is the prime presidential season, you can volunteer for one of the major Presidential campaigns. Whatever you do, work hard and make good contacts.
(7)
Read!
This summer you should do all assigned summer reading. But go one step further: read magazines like The Economist and publications like the Wall Street Journal. Reading these periodicals will keep your mind fresh and prepared not just for high school, but for college.
(8)
Stay active:
If you’re involved in sports, keep it up. The exercise and activity will no doubt help you concentrate in the fall. And if you’re an athlete hoping to get recruited, maintaining your fitness is crucial.
(9)
Take summer classes:
Whether you’re in a big or small city, there’s a good chance the local colleges offer summer enrichment courses- you could even take some college courses for credit- like Creative Writing, Chemistry or Math. These courses will keep your mind fresh. And we offer SAT and ACT courses
to help you get higher scores.
(10)
Prepare for the SAT / ACT:
If you haven’t already taken the SAT, it’s important to spend the summer preparing for these standardized tests. Spend at least one hour a night on a new chapter on the SAT or ACT. We also have SAT Boot Camps and ACT boot camps, along with our SAT and ACT tutors to help you succeed.
We hope this list of top 10 summer activities helps you get ready for the all-important transition from high school to college. If you need college counseling, contact us today to get started.
Ross Blankenship, Co-Founder, Miro Advantage
(800) 658-0784
There are an increasing number of admissions consultants discussing the benefits of applying to college from either a public or private high school. Further, many parents and students want to know whether going to a private high school will give them a greater advantage in the admissions cycle. So we’ll discuss the benefits of applying from either public or private schools.
Applying to College From Public High Schools:
• There’s a greater chance that you might “stand out” more with higher SAT and ACT scores.
Most admissions offices have statistics of matriculated students from any given high school. These show the performance of students from any high school at their college. In fact, many high school admissions offices provide SAT and ACT medians from their respective school. So, if you score way higher or lower, it could be seen more or less favorably. If a recent study by the Center on Education Policy concluding that students score slightly higher on SAT Verbal / Math from public schools is correct, then you might stand out with a higher score.
• You are more likely to be the only one applying to a “Top” College
Because some public high schools are more worried about students attending high school at all, if you’re one of the few students applying to an Ivy League School or to another “Top 50″ college (based on U.S. News and World Report), admissions officers will make note of this fact. Often times students recall of X student of 300 total from Y public high school getting into Harvard. In some cases, this is true. But work on increasing your scores and improving your essays, and then apply to college. Don’t worry about the fact that you have to apply from a public school.
Applying to College From Private High Schools:
• Many private schools have greater resources.
Simply put: because many private schools charge tuition and don’t rely on state and local taxes to survive, private high schools can channel more resources into college counseling and other things like computer technology. So if you’re going to a private school use the resources wisely. And our admissions consultants help both public and private school students, regardless.
• There’s a better chance you can speak with current and former students at top schools.
Because there are more students from private schools at the top colleges, your private school is more likely to put you in touch with a current student who can help facilitate a campus tour or discussion with the admissions office. In addition, these contacts will help you find out what school is a good fit for you. So find out what graduates went to your choice schools and contact them.
So now you know…
Overall, it is doubtful that an admissions office will think more or less favorably of your application whether at a public or private school; the most important thing is to create an application that shows you contributed to your high school (public or private) and will do the same in college.
Remember, the key to applying to colleges is making sure that you develop a strong theme in your admissions application that shows you stood out of the crowd, regardless of whether you went to a public or private high school. Don’t worry about whether you’re currently at a public or private school, the SAT and ACT create enough objective criteria to evaluate your applications that this fact becomes irrelevant.
Ross Blankenship, Co-Founder, Miro Advantage
(800) 658-0784
We’ve had many students ask us what colleges are the best engineering and computer science schools. Using a weighted average of faculty resources, technology grants, class size, and student ratings, we have developed the following list to help guide students and parents in the admissions process. The list provides a concise summary of these top engineering and tech programs. For more information, contact us directly.
(1) California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
“Cal Tech” is the top ranked tech savvy college. The school is packed with great professors and has a niche in the California technology industry, including Google and Yahoo. Cal Tech is highly recommended if you’re interested in entering Silicon Valley and have a knack for inventing new technologies. Their undergraduate program is one of the best for students interested in individual research projects with professors and Cal Tech is a key part of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Some key specialties: Natural Sciences, Biotechnology, Space Sciences
Famous alumni: Gordon E. Moore, co-founder of Intel Corporation; Charles Francis Richter, creator of the Richter Magnitude Scale;
SAT range for incoming students: 2200-2350
Acceptance rate: 17%
(2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
MIT is a great school with unique resources for its students. If you’re interested in graduating with the famed “MIT” degree, and want to be immersed in high quality education, every day, then this is a great place to be. With more Nobel prizes than one could count in an hour, they define excellence in engineering. Their high alumni giving suggest generations of families are happy with their educational choice. MIT probably has the highest name recognition worldwide amongst scholars and students.
Some key specialties: Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace Engineering
Famous alumni: Col. Buzz Aldrin, NASA Astronaut; IM Pei, world-renowned designer and architect; Robert Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet and founder, 3COM;
SAT range for incoming students: 2070-2340
Acceptance rate: 13%
(3) Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cornell is one of the few colleges with engineering research programs that allow students to work directly under renowned professors. With faculty like Bill Nye (the science guy) and Steven Squyres of the NASA Mars Rover program, you will have the opportunity to learn from the best. Be prepared to work harder at Cornell than you would at most colleges. Cornell’s unique engineering science facilities include newly built Duffield Hall, which represents the university’s next high-tech step.
Some key specialties: Engineering Physics, Nanotechnology, Biomedical Sciences
Famous alumni: Steven Squyres, principal science investigator for the Mars rovers; William F. Friedman, founder of the study of cybernetics;
SAT range for incoming students: 1940-2240
Acceptance rate: 24%
(4) Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Founded originally as “Carnegie Technical Schools” in 1900 by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, the school is primarily known for its science and research. Carnegie Mellon hosts the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and operated by Carnegie Mellon University. In addition, they host the Robotics Institute (RI), a division of the School of Computer Science. Overall, its solid reputation amongst scholars and education journals is a reason why students should look to this school.
Some key specialties: Computer Science, Software Engineering
Famous alumni: James Gosling, creator of the Java programming language; Andy Bechtolsheim, co-founder of Sun Microsystems; Vinod Khosla, billionaire venture capitalist and co-founder of Sun Microsystems;
SAT range for incoming students: 1940-2235
Acceptance rate: 34%
(5) University of Texas, Austin, TX
Considered to be one of the “Public Ivies” in America, the University of Texas has fantastic resources for their students. As a public university, it spends almost 50 percent of their engineering budget on sponsored research. UT’s Cockrell School of Engineering enrolled 67 new National Merit Scholars in 2006-2007, the university’s largest proportion of new National Merit Scholars. UT Austin enrolls the third highest National merit scholars nationally. Plus, Texas is a great state with awesome weather and friendly people. Definitely keep UT-Austin in mind when applying to college.
Some key specialties: Petroleum Engineering, Computer Engineering
Famous alumni: Michael Dell, Founder and CEO of Dell Computers; Rex Tillerson, Exxon Mobil Corp. chairman and CEO.
SAT range for incoming students: 1680-2055
Acceptance rate: 49%*
*Note that this admissions rate will be affected by Texas’ top ten percent law, which guarantees graduating Texas high school seniors in the top 10% of their class admission to any public Texas university
Brought to you by Miro Advantage
Test Prep and Admissions
And the writers of…
Education Blog
Want to help your teen ace the SAT? The key is to establish a schedule for studying and then stick to it. Sure, spending an hour or more studying may sound like a drag. But by the time the big day rolls around, your teen will be the most relaxed student in town while his classmates are wishing they’d trained to get into SAT shape. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting underway.
I. Time frame:
The best study schedule will encompass a period of 1 to 2 months. Your schedule should be for five days a week over the entire period.
II. Finding Time:
Decide how much time can be devoted to studying each night, while making allowances for homework and extracurricular commitments. It should be at least one hour, and preferably 2 – 3 hours, per night.
III. Making a Plan:
Write out a schedule for studying. Each night focus on one area of the SAT. If your study time extends past an hour, be sure to schedule a break every hour. Each week re-make the schedule to fit what needs to be studied the most.
IV. Studying:
When it comes time to study, ensure your child has a place that is quiet and free of distractions (no computers, phones, television, video games, etc). If needed have them go to a library to study.
V. Practice Tests:
Finish each week’s schedule with a timed practice exam. This allows you to refocus next week’s schedule, and also to gauge your son or daughter’s progress.
VI. Sticking to the Plan:
It isn’t enough to just make a plan. Obviously you have to ensure that your teen sticks to the plan. A gentle reminder each night will probably be enough to keep them from procrastinating.
A Sample Schedule (for one week):
Monday: Study vocabulary for 1 hour. Take a break. Further improve reading comprehension by going over the answers to a practice test for 1 hour. Focus on the wrong answers and learning why they are wrong.
Tuesday: Study Geometry rules for 1 hour. Take a break. Practice by doing 30 practice questions in two different sections of previously released SATs.
Wednesday: Work on reading comprehension. Do three long passages from a practice SAT and then answer the questions accordingly. Take a break. Work on English grammar (writing) skills by studying questions from a practice exam.
Thursday: Do four sections of the math test on a practice SAT. Take a break. Study the areas where you got the most answers wrong.
Friday: Take a timed practice test. Use the exact breaks allotted on the Reat SAT .
When the week is finished, hone your schedule for the next week (based on the practice test results). For example: If your teen needs to focus on one area more than another – rearrange next week to compensate. Working this way over the course of a month will ensure they’re ready when the test comes.
Articled appeared in Education.com magazine, April 2008.
Ross Blankenship has been an instructor and tutor, and worked in college admissions at Cornell University. He is the founder of Miro Advantage, a test prep and admissions company, offering test prep, admissions counseling and advice for students and parents
(800) 658-0784
There are several college admissions myths which should be exposed before you apply. These myths often scare certain students from applying to the best schools. Never limit yourself from applying to top colleges because you believe these things:
(10)
Applicants are pre-screened.
Whether using the common application or a school-specific application, college admission offices have enough staff members to read your entire application. After all, you pay an application fee for a reason and colleges want to make sure you get your fair chance. However, if your application is incomplete or missing crucial components (essays, transcripts, or supplements) this might explain why it is rejected, or pre-screened out, before it reaches the full committee.
(9)
You must choose your major and stick to it.
When you apply to college, admissions officers know your major is bound to change. In fact, many admissions offices have reported that the majority of their students change their major by the end of their freshman year. Don’t worry about choosing your major. Pick a department or major where you have a genuine interest, and be open-minded to changing it once you’re enrolled.
(8)
You must apply early decision or early action.
Yes, applying early decision or early action shows a student is committed to a particular college. But you do not have to apply early to be accepted, even to top colleges. In fact, if you’re deferred in the early decision or early application round, your application goes right back into the regular pool and will be re-evaluated again.
(7)
Colleges have a certain profile of the “perfect” student.
While colleges strive to admit students who will fit into their college, there’s simply no way for a college to predict whether a student will be happy or whether they will actually succeed at their college. This is why colleges don’t set a particular admissions profile for the “perfect” student.
(6)
Ivy League schools don’t give scholarships.
Although Ivy League schools say they only allocate “need-based” scholarships, there’s no doubt that certain schools issue other grants and fellowships based on other criteria. If you’re a top athlete, recruit or a national merit scholar, an Ivy League school will go out of its way to make sure you can afford their school.
(5)
International students don’t receive scholarships or loans.
More colleges are looking to diversify their student body with international students; major banks and financial institutions offer the same financial opportunities for international students as they do American applicants. Scholarships and fellowships are available for international students.
(4)
You should pad your resume with extracurricular activities.
Every admissions officer is a human being. Imagine that. Applications aren’t accepted or rejected by a computer. So when filling out this section of the common app, know that admissions offices can (and do) spot superfluous extracurricular activities. Further, they can certainly tell whether you added an extracurricular because you have a genuine interest or because it “looks good” on your resume.
(3)
Recommendations don’t matter.
Great recommendations are vital. You cannot expect to be admitted simply with high scores and great grades. If an admissions officer sees a perfunctory or suspicious recommendation, it will set off a red flag. Bottom line: choose the recommender who knows you best and make sure they know where you’re applying and what your qualifications are.
(2)
There’s a GPA Cut-Off.
Colleges generally don’t have a GPA cut-off. The reason admissions offices don’t have a GPA “cut-off” is because students come from all sorts of different high schools with varying curriculums and grade structures. Some students attend public schools, others private schools where the GPA ranges could be wider or narrower. Further, there has been much discussion about grade inflation, and colleges do know what particular high schools tend to have higher GPAs than others. Whether this is so-called grade inflation or not, the schools have an idea of what schools have a more competitive curriculum, including more AP, IB and honors courses. Be aware of your GPA and explain discrepancies in your transcript.
(1)
There’s always an SAT/ACT Cut-Off.
Some state colleges do have a cut-off for SAT/ACT scores. But the majority of American Universities do not. So keep working on your test scores but don’t fear the mythical cut-off.
If your SAT or ACT score isn’t as high as you’d like it to be, Miro Advantage will help you improve your score.
Hope these admissions myths were answered. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Miro Advantage team.
-Ross Blankenship, Co-Founder, Miro Advantage
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