Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Jean Webb

Ask a Law School Admissions Expert Jean Webb Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Jean Webb works as a Law School Expert at InGenius Prep, an expert admissions consulting service that helps students get into the college, law school, medical school, or business school of their choice. Jean previously served for 17 years as the Director of Admissions at Yale Law School, where her duties included management, planning, strategy, file-reading, and pre- and post-admissions recruitment. How much time should be set aside to adequately prepare for and complete a law school application? Jean: Assuming you are starting senior year and that this does not include LSAT study time, I would recommend spending three hours a week from mid-September until you submit your application. Activities included in these three hours are researching and visiting schools, speaking with your pre-law advisor, creating and editing your resume, brainstorming and writing your essay, and strategizing your letters of recommendations. Its important to carve out time in your schedule during which you can completely focus on the application for hours at a time, instead of time here and there. What is the single most important thing applicants should focus on with this application? Jean:Applicants should focus on the question: Do I really want to go to law school? Ask yourself, and keep asking yourself, this question. You dont have to know the answer for sure, but the question has to be in the back of your mind. The answer, or the quest for the answer, will wrest your strengths from within and make for a compelling application. What are the biggest mistakes a student can make on a law school application? Jean:Its a big mistake to spend too much time saying how much you love the schools to which you are applying. Admissions officers at top law schools already know that you want to go there and statements like this do not add any value to your candidacy. Instead of simply stating that you want to go Yale Law School, for example, you should mention the undergraduate research you did at Yale with a law school faculty member. Talking about a research project will trigger a better result than just saying you want to go to the school. Remember: show, dont tell. What do law school admissions officers look for most in an applicants essays/personal statements? Jean:Admissions officers look for evidence of strong writing, thinking, reasoning, and editing. Applicants must demonstrate the strengths they will contribute to law schools. Its not always about the topic; rather, its that you write about the topic well. As an admissions officer, you dont know what kind of law an applicant is going to study. Everything can change once a student gets to school. What makes a student succeed as a student and eventual lawyer is good writing, thinking, reasoning, and editing. Is there anything on a students application that would automatically disqualify him or her from being considered for the program? Jean:Misconduct without remorsein the past or on the application. Ill add that being too far below the LSAT and GPA median will also disqualify applicants. People tend to think that the LSAT and GPA are just numbers. In reality, the GPA represents four years of academic work; the LSAT reflects skills gained over a lifetime. There is an intense focus on these scores because they are distillations of a persons academic ability. While there are no formal cut-offs, admissions officers rarely seriously consider someone whose numbers are way below the median. What about the law school admissions process differs the most from undergraduate admissions? Jean:Law schools are not necessarily looking for well-rounded people or students who will contribute well to the social life of the law school. As the Director of Admissions at Yale Law School, I looked and advised my staff to look for people who would be strong contributions to class and who wanted to be involved in the law. While schools do have personalitieslike Northwestern, which has strong ties to the business worldadmissions officers are not necessarily looking for a diversity of interests. At the undergraduate level, admissions officers are looking to fill all types of slotsthe cellist, the athlete, the debater; this is not the case at law school. What kinds of things (experience, grades, etc.) might a student lack that would lead you to advise him or her not to apply? Jean:If there is no evidence that a student is a good fit for the law, I would advise him or her not to apply. This evidence can take many forms. On the academic side, if there is no academic experience related to legal workhistory, political science, economics, international relations, philosophy, government classes or majorsI would ask myself, Why does this person want to go to law school? On the extracurricular side, if there is no evidence of skills or experiences showing you are a good fit for the lawdebate, summer internships, mock trial, community serviceI would ask myself the same question. That being said, Ive seen math majors make excellent law school applicants. Some faculty members at Yale Law School even told me that math is the best preparation for law school because of the precision it requires to succeed. In cases like this, students will need to focus on weaving their unique background and skills into a story that shows they are a good fit for the law. Is there anything you might see on a students application that would quickly put him or her ahead in the running? Jean:When I was at Yale Law School, all else being equal, excellent writing and insightful letters of recommendation quickly put students ahead in the running. If a distinguished faculty member with a lot to do raves about a student in a way that is not boilerplate, I would pay special attention. More on recommendations below! What advice do you have regarding LSAT test prep? Jean:I advise students to take LSAT practice tests under timed conditions. Use officially released tests and study books. If you arent getting the scores you want, consider a LSAT tutor or test prep course. What do law school admissions officers look for in recommendation letters? Jean:Admissions officers look for corroboration of a grade well-deserved. A professor or TA can give you an A, but as Director of Admissions, I wanted to see more. I wanted to see the reasoning behind the A and statements like, this was the best paper Ive read in 10 years. Letters should also contextualize excellent performance. In order to fully understand the students academic success, admissions officers need context. Letters should tell readers about the school, the cohort, the strength and competitiveness of major, etc. Was this student the top-performer in class? Was this class competitive? Do students have to apply to even get into this class? This is the type of context that helps set the scene. Letters should also speak to what kind of student this person would be in the classroom. Letters should include evidence that an applicant would be a good lawyer. These are letters that typically come from the fieldinternship supervisors, mentors, or coaches. My InGenius Prep students often ask me who should write letters of recommendation. The answer is: someone who knows you and your work should write your letters. Your letters need to be intimate. When I tell students that it might be better to receive a letter from a teaching assistant over a professor, they look at me like Im crazy. In reality, if a professor has no idea who you are and cannot speak to your work, ability, and potential, your letter will not have the impact you are looking for. Visit InGenius Prep for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Helping Kids to Dance

Helping Kids to Dance How to Teach Children How to Dance ChaptersThe First Lesson: Getting to Know the TeacherWarming Up: The First Part of a Dance ClassLearning About the DisciplineCreating RoutinesStretches at the End of a SessionPreparing a Child for a Dance Class“Dancing is surely the most basic and relevant of all forms of expression. Nothing else can so effectively give outward form to an inner experience.” - Lyall WatsonOver 13% of the population regularly attends dance performances and Strictly Come Dancing regularly gets over 10 million viewers. Dancing is a regular activity for around 10% of the UK and over 4.8 million people participate in community dance classes each year.Additionally, dancing comes with plenty of benefits for children who choose to learn to dance.So what’s a typical children’s dance lesson like? What will they learn? SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1s t lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe First Lesson: Getting to Know the TeacherIt’s not always easy choosing which extracurricular activity your child should do. The children will need to get used to the teacher and the other students and the first hour can be quite a shock for some kids. This is why most dance teachers will start gently at the start of the year. There’s no reason to rush things, especially in an introductory class. Before your child learns any dancing, they'll get to know their teacher. (Source: bones64)The first class of the year is rarely representative of the other classes they’ll do. However, dance teachers will try to establish a regular structure in their classes so that students know what to expect and help them decide whether or not to continue with the classes.  The first class is usually just a trial. It’d be a shame to give students the wrong idea.They’ll usually start by presenting themselves and asking the students what their names are. They’ll probably also play a game to break the ice, help the children to get to know one another, and introduce them to dance. A game is a good way to help students to learn a few steps while they’re at it.The teacher will outline the objectives of the dance class and the end-of-year show, if necessary.  The objective of the first class is to help the children feel comfortable enough to express themselves through dance and ask questions if they want.Warming Up: The First Part of a Dance ClassOnce everyone’s been introduced, which will only happen in the first-ever lesson, most teachers will start by warming up. Just like adults, children should warm up before any exercise. (Source: Jabore)Just like in an adult’s dance class, children also need to warm up for around ten minutes. This can help the muscles to stretch and prepare the body for exercise. It can also help avoid injury.  Warming up is also a good opportunity to clear their minds and prepare them for dancing.Most children attend dance classes after school and they’re stressed and ready to unwind. Warming up can help them to focus, listen to the teacher, and pay attention to their own body, much like meditation.Warming up is usually done along to music in a dance class. The teachers will put some music to get the students moving. They’ll probably opt for something calmer for the end of the session.During the warm-ups, everyone will be on the floor. Each child must find ample space to warm up without getting in the way of their colleagues.  Touching their toes, turning their wrists, loosening up their neck, etc., these exercises will help them to avoid injury once they start dancing for real.Discover how to find dance lessons for kids. SeamDance Teacher 4.96 (24) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamieDance Teacher 5.00 (6) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErickaDance Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SamuelDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlavioDance Teacher 5.00 (7) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimDance Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HannaDance Teacher 5.00 (4) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ClareDance Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsLearning About the DisciplineBe it contemporary dance, ballet, modern jazz, salsa, tango, or swing, the goal of a dance class is to learn more about the discipline, get better at it, and have fun. In addition to learning how to dance, they'll also learn about the discipline of dance. (Source: sobima)The lion’s share of the class will be dedicated to learning steps and routines specific to the chosen dance styles. After all, the steps in ballet aren’t necessarily the same as those in contemporary dance, African dance, or Capoeira.Whether they’re learning in a dance school, with a dance association, or with a private tutor, most students will be encouraged to watch themselves in the mirror so they can see what they’re doing. The dancers will learn by copying in most cases. The goal is to be able to perform the whole routine after a few sessions.The students will rehearse the steps from previous sessions while adding new steps until they can perform the entire routine.  These motions need to become second nature by the end of the course. A good dancer needs to dance with their heart and soul, not just their mind. They don’t want to be thinking about the steps while they dance.  That’s why they’ll rehearse until it feels natural.Of course, in an introductory class, the pace will be different. These types of classes are there to introduce children into the world of dancing. The teachers will alternate between dance steps, improvising, and discovering more about music and dance.Creating RoutinesThere may be part of the class where the teacher encourages students to improvise or create their routines. In this case, they may work on their own or in a group and put together a routine using the steps that they’ve learnt thus far and present it to the group. They can also invent steps if they want. Usually, this is the most enjoyable part of the class. It allows children to express themselves.Imagination and creativity are important for children and they need to find their style and way of dancing.  These creative workshops will help them prepare for the end-of-year show, too. Even if the teacher will guide the students with the choreography, some o f the routines may be created by the children.In some cases, they won’t be shown certain routines until the last moment. This allows the teacher to evaluate the students and not overwhelm them by showing them a routine they mightn’t be ready for.Get help choosing the right dance lessons for your kids.Stretches at the End of a SessionBe it break dancing, tango, west coast swing, each session needs to end with some stretches. Much like with warm-ups, the stretches at the end are good for your body. You need to stretch out the muscles that were used a lot during the session. The goal is to avoid DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) the day after a dance class.It helps your body to relax, too. The teacher will probably choose some gentle music to calm everyone down. There will also be a lot of exercises that focus on breathing.  Some of these exercises won’t feel great but they’re necessary if they want to feel better the following day.  Your children will leave class feeling ca lm and relaxed.These stretches can also teach children about taking care of their body. There are no rules. Each dancer needs to respect their limits and stretch within the range of their ability. This is a good life lesson, too. Know your limits!Find out more about the benefits of children's dance lessons.Preparing a Child for a Dance ClassHow should your child be dressed? What do they need to bring? Should they try it out first?You’ll probably have plenty of questions when you first take your child to their dance lessons. To help you, here’s some advice. Each discipline will require a different type of uniform or clothing. (Source: ctvgs)The outfit can be quite important. No jeans or tight clothing. That said, the clothing can’t be baggy, either. They want to be able to move and not get caught up in their clothes.Generally, they’ll want jogging bottoms or leggings, like you would with yoga. They’re flexible and stay close to the body. In the beginning, they may feel like they’re wearing very little, but they’ll get to used to it.  The same rules apply to tops.Put together a bag for them to take to their lessons with a bottle of water and a snack. A jacket or coat might be useful if they have to wait outside once the lesson is over.Your child should now be ready for their dance lessons.Check the class schedule of your local dance studio or school of dance. If you can't find anything, keep in mind that there are private tutors who offer children and adult dance classes.Whether they want to learn hip hop dance, ballroom dance, Zumba, jazz dance, modern dance, or classical ballet, you can get them private lessons from the talented and experienced tutors on Superprof.There are many tutors offering face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, or group tutorials. Each type of tutorials comes with its pros and cons so it's up to you to choose the one that's best for you, your preferred learning style, and your budget.Most of the tutors on Superprof offer free tutoring for the first hour so use this time to try out a few different tutors and see who's right for you.

Introverts What the World Sees and What We Actually Are - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Introverts What the World Sees and What We Actually Are - Introvert Whisperer Introverts: What the World Sees and What We Actually Are? “Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured… Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to.” ~ Susan Cain   It is not easy for introverts to survive in this world. People think of you as an obnoxious, shy, anti-social, and reserved person. But the reality is way different from this. The fact is that introverts are deep thinkers; they are in their own head most of the time and engage in deep conversations with their own selves. They love to listen to others and give them enough time to talk their heart out. For introverts like me, the idea of a perfect weekend is reading a book in a cozy bed with a hot mug of coffee rather than partying with a group of people that I barely know. But that all make people think that introverts are socially awkward and geek. So, being an introvert, I decided to show our true self to the people out there which is quite different from what they believe. 1. Introverts Like to Be Alone All the Time “I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” ~ Henry David Thoreau That’s not true, introverts are not the aloof nerds. It’s just they are comfortable with their own selves and like to stay in their own space most of the time. They think a lot, introspect about their life, and daydream. But, saying that they like to be alone is not right because they love sharing their discoveries and thoughts; however, with one person at a time. Introverts love their personal space, and when they feel that it is being invaded, they cut themselves off. 2. Introverts Are Shy Socially Awkward “Shyness is the fear of social disapproval or humiliation, while introversion is a preference for environments that are not overstimulating.” Susan Cain Shyness and introversion are two words that are frequently used interchangeably by many people. But the fact is that theyre remarkably different traits of a person. Many introverts arent shy at all instead, they feel confident and at ease around people. However, they need more alone time to balance out the energy they expend when around people. There are many extroverts who may seek the company of others but feel shy or uncomfortable in groups. 3. Introverts Don’t Like to Talk, They Just Listen “Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.” ~ Albert Einstein Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something concrete to say. They enjoy talking about their life, their dreams, their passions, but often need an explicit invitation to pour their heart out. Once you get an introvert talking about something he is interested in, you’ll see that he won’t shut up for days. Another best thing about introverts is that they pay attention to what others have to say. They carefully listen to people, reflect on their thoughts, and then respond accordingly. 4. Introverts Are Obnoxious Don’t Like People “Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren’t a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was.” ~ Cheryl Strayed Introverts enjoy solitude, they love their own company but saying that they are antisocial or dont like the company of others is not true at all. Introverts like people, but they generally favor quality over quantity in their relationships. So, introversion shouldnt be confused with misanthropy. They typically prefer having a smaller circle of close friends instead of a large network of acquaintances. Try creating a space in the life of introverts and you will know how deeply they value others.   5. Introverts Have No Valuable Thoughts “Introverts are collectors of thoughts, and solitude is where the collection is curated and rearranged to make sense of the present and future.” ~ Laurie Helgoe This is the most ridiculous belief of all. Introverts are the people who spend a lot of time observing their surroundings, people around them and their thoughts. They listen more than that they speak, so they always have a lot of information to process and a lot of thoughts to reflect on. Introverts would always give the deepest and brutally honest advice. When they have an opinion about something, people can’t deny it and would easily be agree to it. 6. Introverts Are Sad Depressed “A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live.” ~ Bertrand Russell The world has so many wrong beliefs about introverts. Trust me, introverts are the happiest people. Unlike extroverts, they are never under the pressure of pleasing people. They do what they desire, no matter people agree to it or not. If they want to spend some alone time, they would not hesitate to ditch a party. They have very few expectations from people; they mostly expect things from them and strive hard to fulfill them. 7. Introverts Can’t Be Good Leaders or Public Speakers “Whatever kind of introvert you are, some people will find you ‘too much’ in some ways and ‘not enough’ in others.” ~ Laurie Helgoe Humility, resilience, compassion, and creativity are the most significant traits that are required to be a good leader, and introverts possess them all. To be a good leader, you need not to be loud and the most noticeable one. Introverts know this very well, so they always build meaningful connections and don’t easily get distracted.   People believe that introverts are shy and they are afraid to put their thoughts forward, but with their well-constructed speeches, they can leave the audience spellbound. Everyone is wired differently, so it’s high time people stop judging introverts. Solitude is something that can’t be enjoyed by everyone, but introverts very well know how to make the best out of it!   About the Author: Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.   Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Liz Perelstein

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Liz Perelstein Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Liz Perelstein is the Chair and Founder of School Choice International, a leading school placement consulting organization. Prior to starting School Choice International, Liz worked in all levels of education as a teacher, educational administrator, and more. She holds two Masters degrees from The University of Chicago, one in Educational Administration and one in Public Policy, and is a well-known entrepreneur who frequently speaks on topics related to several areas of education. Along with her team of experts at School Choice International, Liz advises families on the selection of schools for their children all over the world as well as how to successfully take on the respective admissions processes. VT: What is the typical timeline for private school admissions? For example, outline a sample timetable of applications, interviews, decisions, etc. Liz: The School Choice Group has consultants all over the country and world with knowledge of their regions private school admissions timeline since the timeline for tours, testing, interviews, and applications differs by region, but each individual schools may vary. For instance, while once the member schools of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater NY (ISAAGNY) conducted their admissions according to a fairly uniform timeline, there is now increasing variability according to school and to grade level. There also are a growing number of private schools that are not members of ISAAGNY, and these schools have even greater flexibility when it comes to the admissions timetable. School Tours: Typically, school tours start as early as the spring before the September in which applications are due. Tours take place throughout the fall semester. Application Deadlines: At present, most admissions applications are due during the fall semester one year before a child will actually enroll. Some schools distribute unlimited applications while others will accept only a certain number. Schools may have a strict due date in November or December, or may stop accepting applications when they have received a sufficient number. So, applying early is a good strategy. Testing: ERB or ISEE testing is generally completed during the fall. However, many students are tested during the previous spring semester. Parent and Child Interviews: Student and parent interviews take place during the autumn one year in advance of admission. Supplemental Materials: Recommendations and prior school grades must be received while the rest of the childs information is being assembled, generally during the fall semester. Decisions: Admissions decisions are announced as early as December for legacy admissions, and in February for non-legacy candidates. Family notification: For legacies, families must notify schools of their intent by mid-January. For non-legacy students, depending on grade level, families should notify the schools by February or March. But, above all, it is important to check each schools own website to make sure you adhere to their specific timetable. VT: What is the typical process admissions officers go through to evaluate applications? Liz: If you ask any admissions officer, they will say that they admit a whole child and family rather than a set of numbers. Although most say that they dont have specific testing cut-offs, it would be unusual for schools to accept a student whose results fall far outside the range of most of their population. That said, since ERB* tutoring, as well as tutoring for other standardized tests, has become commonplace, many schools are discounting or even eliminating testing as a criterion. Schools want to get to know a child before deciding to accept him or her. This profile is gleaned from a combination of student and family interviews, the application, and teacher recommendations. They seek families who will make a positive contribution to the school and children who have the personalities and interests as well as academic criteria that show they have something to offer. It is important that all sources of information are consistent that schools echo what parents say. Admissions officers are extremely good at identifying red flags. In addition to wanting to understand the whole child and family, schools are looking for a good fit. They want parents who share the schools values and who are choosing the school because they genuinely feel it is a good match. Finally, schools inevitably must build groups of students. They need followers as well as leaders, students who are strong in math and those who are strong in reading, those whose interests lie in athletics and those who favor the Arts. In order to be able to offer a marketplace of programs, they need students to participate in each of them. *Its important to know that ERB is not the name of the test itself. It is the name of the testing company, Educational Records Bureau, that gives admission and achievement assessments for independent and public schools. Many parents refer to the Early Childhood Admissions Assessment (ECAA) as the ERB; the ECAA is a test that most private schools use as an evaluation tool and vital part of their admissions process. VT: What are the most important things children need to have represented on their applications? Liz: Age appropriate understanding of who they are, as well as genuine appreciation for the school and why that particular school is a good fit for the child. Each school has a unique personality such as a set of values and attributes that families should take the time to understand, especially as it relates to their own child. Our consumer division, School Search Solutions, is developing a unique school matching tool that we call LEAP (Learning, Ethos, Achievement and Principles) that is designed to elicit the subjective elements of a school culture as opposed to objective facts like the location, size, and acceptances at ongoing schools or universities. VT: What are common mistakes parents and/or their children make when applying to these programs? Liz: Parents, in particular, often go into an interview trying to impress a school or identify the right answer to questions. There really only are tworightanswers based on two important concepts: Families should look for a school where their child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally, leading to a love of learning. Families should disclose any issues or concerns that the school will have to address in partnership in order to ensure that the childs experience is successful. With these two principles in mind, everything else should flow easily. Parents should also use the interview as an opportunity to learn more about the school than what is on display on their walls and website. Thoughtful questions help parents determine whether or not a school is a good fit for their child, will give them important information, and will be appreciated by the admissions staff. VT: How should parents go about determining the culture of a private school, and whether it would be a good fit for their children? Liz: Talking with other parents or former parents is useful, but always should be taken with a grain of salt. School is a very personal experience and what works for one child may not work for another. The best way to get to know a school is to spend time there. Go at drop-off time and observe. Youll want to see whether the other parents share your values. Notice how children get to school and who they come with, as well as who greets them and how adults interact with them. Is the head of school out on the steps in the morning or is it an aide? Do children run to or away from him/her? Going to a play, concert, school fair, or sporting event speaks volumes. You can see how happy children are and what the school values. If you want your child to attend a school with a good sports program, be sure to attend a sports event. Do you want a school where every child plays and the coachs goal is to teach sportsmanship? Or do you want your child to be on a team that wins, even if a kid is carried off in an ambulance at every game? Being there helps clarify what you are looking for and whether or not your familys values and your childs learning style fits with the schools practices. VT: How important are standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Liz: This varies according to school. As tutoring has become more ubiquitous among families who can afford it, test scores have become less important in the admissions process, with many schools talking about abandoning the ERB standardized testing altogether. While it used to be one of a number of indicators of whether or not a child would be successful in a school, schools now realizethat testing may have limited value. VT: What tips do you have in regards to ISEE prep, SSAT prep, and preparation for other standardized assessments that private schools might require? Liz: Increasingly, students are being tutored by professional organizations. When choosing a test prep company, recommendations of friends and colleagues may not be best for your child. Just like when looking for a school, a successful test prep experience is a matter of fit. Students will work harder for tutors they respect and with whom they have rapport. Interview the tutor, with your child, to ensure that they are compatible. Some children will do their homework and others won't. It is useful to work with a tutor who can address your child's study style. VT: What are the most important things parents need to have well represented about themselves when meeting with admissions officers? Liz: The following three mindsets That they are eager to partner with the school for the benefit of their child and all children, whether this means being a class mother, accompanying the class on trips, or financial support (if that is feasible for the family). That they are objective about their child and will be open to feedback, both positive and negative, as well as able to collaborate with teachers to provide their child any help and/or resources that will be beneficial. That they will respect teachers and administrators as professionals and will not try to overturn policies and practices for the benefit of their child. VT: How does networking and having in-school connections affect one's chances of admission? Liz: We work with thousands of students each year and are certain that connections of this nature are not necessary to gain admission. On the other hand, there are students whose families do utilize board or high-level connections with successful admissions outcomes. Unfortunately, these students do not get the benefit of having experienced admissions officers who understand which children will thrive in a particular school as part of the decision process. As a result, many of these children are unsuccessful once they enroll in school; some may be asked to leave a school if they cannot perform. A letter from a parent of an enrolled student who knows the family well can be advantageous in letting the school know that this is a family who will be an asset to the school. Letters from people, no matter how eminent, who are not well acquainted with a child, are of no value. VT: How can a student best prepare for admissions interviews? Liz: Before the interview, a parent should explain to his or her child that this is an opportunity for the school to get to know them and for them to get to know the school to be sure that it is a good, mutual match. Explain that there are no right or wrong answers. Parents may coach a child to look an adult in the eye, shake hands, and talk in an audible voice, which will serve them well for the interview and for years to come. It is useful for a parent to role-play some simple questions with a child to make him or her more comfortable when s/he arrives at the admissions office. Asking questions about what s/he likes and doesnt like, strengths and weaknesses, and helping the child frame weaknesses as strengths in ways that arent contrived, can be useful. Making sure kids are familiar with the books theyve read, the music they listen to, the movies theyve seen and their reasons for each can give the admissions officers an entre to a conversation. Finally, ask your child what he or she wants to know about the school and encourage him/her to ask this/these questions in the admissions interview. Visit School Choice International for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Teaching Tutorials to Groups

Teaching Tutorials to Groups How To Deliver Group Classes ChaptersThe Advantages of Teaching Private Group TutorialsHow Do You Plan Group Private Tutorials?Where Can You Teach Private Group Tutorials?How Much Should You Charge for Private Group Tutorials?“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” - ConfuciusProviding academic support, group classes, or private tutorials requires a lot of knowledge and without private tutors, a lot of students would struggle at school.The tutoring market in the UK is valued at £2bn a year and over 40% of students in London have enlisted the help of a private tutor.Tutoring is a great way to make ends meet and help students with their education. Here’s our take on teaching groups with private tutorials! CalumDrama School Entrance Teacher 5.00 (15) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ToriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliviaSchool support Teacher 5.00 (2) £21/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarkESOL (English) Teacher 4.76 (17) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JenniferMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LouiseAutoCAD Teacher 5.00 (3) £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RickyPercussion Teacher 5.00 (7) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolasGuitar Teacher 5.00 (2) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MyriamOrganic chemistry Teacher 5.00 (13) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JonathanEconomics Teacher 5.00 (9) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Oluwakemi imoleMaths Teacher 5.00 (1) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlexPhysics Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st less on free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe Advantages of Teaching Private Group TutorialsFor students who want to take private group tutorials, there are plenty of academic support options available to them and plenty of advantages to teaching private tutorials.Group tutorials allow students to learn from one another, too. (Source: Free-Photos)They could go to traditional tutoring agencies, for example, or they could go to tutoring networks and platforms like Superprof, etc.  Finally, they could also look at classifieds in local businesses, newspapers, and online via social media.What are the advantages of teaching private group tutorials?For one, the students can learn from one another.  Generally, group private tutorials rarely have more than ten students in them as students benefit more from having smaller class sizes than they would in school.Similarly, in a language class or a music theory tutorial, student s benefit a lot from a productive and positive working and study environment. Group classes are organised according to the student’s level and allow the tutor to tailor to the students. Of course, you can still teach a variety of students at different levels but you’ll need to be really adaptable.  Group classes are useful for developing the social bonds between the students.Furthermore, group classes such as intensive classes, school holiday tutorials, catchup classes, etc. tend to be more intensive than the students’ regular classes.  On the other hand, group classes aren’t particularly viable for certain subjects.  This is particularly the case with music as students can’t really learn the guitar, drums, or violin, for example, at the same time as others without slowing everybody down.Group classes also cost each family less.  The bigger the group, the less the price for each student can be.  On the other hand, the tutor can increase their earnings as they’ll earn mor e money per hour of tutorials.In maths, English, or physics tutorials, for example, it’s easier for the tutor as they’ll only have to prepare one tutorial for 10 students rather than preparing 10 tutorials for 10 individuals.When it comes to learning languages, group classes are useful for getting students to work together and learn from one another in a way that they rarely get to in their normal classes at school.How Do You Plan Group Private Tutorials?Now that many of our tutors are offering private group tutorials for subjects like maths, Spanish, German, physics, etc, how do they plan and organise them?In order to teach groups, you need to be organised and prepared. (Source: Pexels)An increasing number of parents are choosing to get private tutorials for their children.  If you want to help students with a particular topic, revise for an exam, or work on a presentation in a foreign language, etc., you’ll need to know exactly how to organise an effective group class.Here a re 5 key ways to organise your private group tutorials:Prepare a review of the previous tutorialElaborate on the key concepts (elicit definitions, examples, create mind maps, etc.)Prepare a list of exercises (maths problems, vocabulary lists, conversation topics for conversation classes, etc.)Dedicate part of the class to teaching theory.Create a list of questions designed to test the students’ understanding of the topics covered.At the end of each session, tutors can bridge the gap to the next lesson and establish the topics that students will be covering in the next session.  This is particularly useful for social sciences, humanities, and language classes.The tutor will also require materials such as tables, chairs, dictionaries (for languages), textbooks, a computer, a projector, etc. Their classroom should be clean, calm, well-lit, and the tutor should be well-presented.Finally, the class needs to be delivered in a clear and progressive way since most students are getting pri vate tutorials because they’re struggling at school or failing exams.  This means that you’ll need to get their attention, build up their confidence, and give them a thirst for learning. In order to do all this, you’ll have to put your heart and soul into your lessons.  You need to engage them in discussion and show them that they’re capable of illustrating an idea and learning new concepts, etc.In a group class, especially with secondary school students, it’s important to regularly test the new skills they’re learning, let them learn from one another by working together and correcting one another, eliciting answers from one another, and getting the most out of learning with their peers.There are plenty of different teaching approaches available to tutors planning group classes, too.Where Can You Teach Private Group Tutorials?So where should you have each lesson? Where can all the students go? Can you teach each subject in the same place?There are plenty of great places outside the classroom to teach. (Source: pepperminting)The bigger the city, the more places you’ll have where you can teach private group tutorials. However, students will probably have to travel more and have less free time.Firstly, not every group class can be taught in the tutor’s home.  There’s no reason that private tutors can’t offer private group tutorials. However, sometimes families are unwilling to send their child to a group class with strangers.If you’re teaching sport, yoga, or fitness classes, tutors can teach their students in the park, at the beach, in the forest, or in a field, etc.  There are plenty of unusual places where they can offer private group tutorials.That said, academic subjects are usually taught indoors.Here are some examples of where you can teach each subject:Sports tutorials: outdoors, at the beach, in the park etc.Maths: in classroomsEnglish, foreign languages such as French, Russian, Spanish, etc.: in classrooms or outdoors for speaking classes.Music, singing, etc.: concert hall, music room, etc.Swimming: the local swimming pool, of courseBiology: classroom, nature reserve, forest, beach, etc.Since there are multiple students, you can always mix things up if they are progressing as anticipated.Can you teach French in the pub?Probably not if you have four underage students. In this case, it’s probably better to go to the library.Certain libraries actually have private rooms for people to work together where you won’t have to whisper.How Much Should You Charge for Private Group Tutorials?How much should families pay and how much should the tutor earn?If you want that holiday, you'll need to make sure you're earning enough. (Source: 12019)It’s difficult to apply a single rate to all the different types of private group tutorials.  Private tutoring is a free market and rates will vary according to a huge number of different factors (the tutor’s experience, qualifications, where they teach, the subject they teac h, etc.).  Generally, private tutorials can cost upwards of £15 per hour but a tutor needs to ensure that they’re earning a living.In recent years, the number of students getting private tutorials has increased.  Similarly, the number of tutors has also increased.  It’s a dynamic market that continues to grow.As a result, it's a promising market to be involved in.  Generally, the average rates sit between £15 and £30 per hour.The main criteria to consider when deciding upon rates are:The tutor’s experienceTheir qualificationsTravel costsThe student’s levelWhat the tutor thinks their lessons are worthImagine you charged £30 per hour.  If you had 10 students, you’d make £300 per hour. If you did this every week of the year, you’d make over £15k per year.  Of course, not many families would be happy to pay £1,500 per year in private tutorials.More often than not, the more lessons a student has and the more students in their lesson, the less they’ll pay per lesson.  For example, £300 per student for 30-35 lessons with 5 students, £270 for classes of 8, £230 for 9, £200 for 10, etc.Let’s imagine that a tutor gets £1,440 for a class, £120 a month, £30 an hour. If they work 18 hours a week, they’ll get around £2,160 a month.  Of course, that means they’ll need to find 18 hours of private group tutorials, which means they need to find 18 groups of multiple students, which is a lot.  A tutor’s earnings depend on what they can earn and what families are prepared to pay for them, which means it can be really difficult to please everyone.Whether you want to offer online tutoring services, one on one tutoring, or group tutorials, students can find a tutor on Superprof. It doesn't matter if you're a mathematics tutor teaching calculus or geometry, a chemistry tutor, offering academic tutoring services such as homework help, or even looking to teach yoga, mindfulness meditation, you can create your profile on Superprof and start building your reputation right now.A qualified online tutor, for example, can help students with exam prep, complete an algebra assignment, or improve their grammar over the internet with online video conferencing programmes like Skype.If you tutor online, you'll have fewer outgoings than tutors who have to travel to their student's home. Of course, there's nothing to stop a good educator from offering both types of instruction helping their students achieve academic success.

What to do now that your in charge

Introvert Whisperer / What to do now that your in charge What To Do Now That You’re In Charge! Wow! You’ve been working towards a promotion and now you’ve just been given your first job as a manager of a group. YOU are in charge now!  This is a great opportunity and you are determined to let everyone know that their choice was a good one.   Here are some things you can do to ensure your first few months set you up for success as a strong leader in charge:   In the first 2 weeks you want to do the following: Meet with each individual that reports to you to get a download from them on; What they’ve accomplished this year What their challenges are (so you can be watching and coaching) What the plans going forward are What they see the purpose of their position to be. All of these items are good starter things to know.   You are in the process of learning these people at a level you haven’t done before and these are the things you need to know about them.  Even if you did one of those jobs, you don’t know nor have you “looked” at these people from this vantage point. You will not truly absorb all of that just by the first meeting but it starts your process and gives your people a chance to really be heard by you now that youre in charge.   In the first month, you want to do the following: You need to meet with everyone that either supports you â€" like an admin or adjacent department manager.   You need to further understand their jobs and how they interact with your position.   Getting to know players and positions is the most vital thing you can do to get started.   By doing this, you will be more effective sooner. Meet with the boss early and often: Make sure you meet with your boss to understand what goals are expected and what resources you have to support those goals besides your group.   Knowing their goals will help you define the goals you will want to plan for your people. Knowing the goals sets your baseline for performance but it’s vital for you to understand how they will measure your performance.  You need to know what they need from you to let them know how you AND your group is performing. Figure out what your job is: You need to figure out what your tasks are versus the tasks of those reporting to you.   You will likely do things differently than the previous manager so it’s important for you to figure out what you need from your group, when you need it and communicate that to them in this window.   This will be a be rough to start with as anything that represents a change usually is, so be patient until you all get a rhythm going. You will invariably be told “this isn’t how the previous manager did it”.    Don’t be defensive or blow it off.  Listen to what is being told to you about your job as learning your job will come from your group as much as it will come from the boss.  You can decide for yourself if you want to adapt what was done previously or invent your own way of doing things. The biggest aspect to your role is that you act as a communication conduit between higher management and your group.   Figure out the specifics of when to meet as a group and each individual quickly so communication isn’t missing during your transition into this new role. In the first 1-2 months: Make a plan for both long term and short term to that will get you and your group to the goals.   A good leader always has a plan and articulates that plan soon and often.   You can’t really accomplish this in the first couple of weeks but what you learn in those first couple of weeks will strongly inform this step.   You should get your group together to help develop this plan.   This is also important to solidifying yourself as a strong manager and leader.   Leaders have vision and plans, they can communicate and engage others in that vision and plan.   Once you have a plan, engage and communicate that to the boss and anyone else that is a stakeholder.   They want to know you are taking charge and this is one of the most powerful ways of doing it. With your plan in place, plan out how you will be updated and update to your group and to the higher management.   It’s not enough to have the plan you must execute and in the process, be a source of ongoing communication. First impressions matter and these first few months of your new leadership position have the potential of establishing your personal brand. Do you know what your next career step is?   Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable.   Get your copy now and start your action plan today: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

English Sense Verbs - What They Are, How to Use Them

English Sense Verbs - What They Are, How to Use Them English sense verbs, also known as sensory verbs, are special verbs used with each of the five senses.  Here list with each sense, and  the sense verb that matches it:Sensory Verbs List:Sight  To see (sight)Hearing  To hear (hearing)Taste  To taste (taste)Touch  To touch (touch)Smell  To smell (smell)Those are the 5 senses in English. Study the English sense verbs to greatly improve your English vocabulary.Examples of Sense Verbs:I see a blackbird outside my window.I hear loud music from my neighbor’s house every Friday night.Can you taste chili in this sauce?He hurt his finger badly and didn’t want me to touch it.She smelled smoke and knew the house was burning.Grammar How to Use English Sense Verbs:We can combine  sense verbs with adjectives to express our personal preferences, beliefs and feelings, for example:I look older than I am.Her white sauce tastes fantastic.His new sweater feels soft against the skin.We can also use sense verbs to express a similarity between two or more objects. For example:John looks like my old boyfriend.That cake tastes like ones my grandmother used to bake.It feels cold here just as it did in Alaska.Sense Verb Exercises and Examples:Here is an extract from New Zealand writer’s Katherine Mansfield’s classic short story The Garden Party. See how many verbs of the senses you can find.Only the tall fellow was left. He bent down, pinched a sprig of lavender, put his thumb and forefinger to his nose and smelled it. When Laura saw that gesture she forgot all about the karakas in her wonder at him caring for things like that caring for the smell of lavender. How many men that she knew would have done such a thing? Oh, how extraordinarily nice workmen were, she thought. Why couldnt she have workmen for her friends rather than the silly boys she danced with and who came to Sunday night supper? She would get on much better with men like these.Its all their fault, she decided, as the tall fellow drew something on the back of an envelope, something that was to be looped up or left to hang, of these absurd class distinctions. Well, for her part, she didnt feel them. Not a bit, not an atom And now there came the chock-chock of wooden hammers. Some one whistled, some one sang out, Are you right there, matey? Matey! The friendliness of it, the the Just to prove how happy she was, just to show the tall fellow how at home she felt, and how she despised stupid conventions, Laura took a big bite of her bread-and-butter as she stared at the little drawing. She felt just like a work-girl.Write the sense verbs you find in comments, and we will reply with the correct answers. Ready to learn? Learn more about Skype English lessons.

Upcoming B-School Application Webinar

Upcoming B-School Application Webinar GMAT MBA Admissions Blog The GMAT is an important part of applying to business school, but it is one of many dimensions admissions committees will look at. To a greater degree than law school or medical school, the business school application puts a very large premium on the holistic “story” of each applicant. For example, a sliding scale of GPA vs. LSAT score, adjusted for undergraduate school and major, essentially determines your law school admissions chances). However, while a 90th percentile GMAT score is very helpful in getting into a top 20 business school, a poor story can really hurt your chances. On the other hand, a low GMAT score with a strong story can and does frequently result in admissions offers. Questions like the following are explicitly or implicitly asked in applications to top business schools: Why do you want an MBA? What do you want to learn while there? Why? What are you going to focus on while getting the MBA? Where do you see yourself in five years? How will the MBA help you get there? How can you explain your lack of experience/low GPA/low GMAT/ etc.? It’s important to have strong, clear answers to these questions. While MyGuru focuses on delivering best-in-class 1-1 private GMAT tutoring, we know students ultimately end up grappling with the above questions. That’s why we refer them to Stacy Blackman Consulting for GMAT admissions advice. Join Stacy Blackman Consulting for an insightful conversation led by an ex-admissions officer on their team. They'll share how applicant profiles are reviewed, and answer your questions during this interactive webinar on July 10, 2013, at 5 p.m. Pacific. Attendees will receive exclusive offers from Stacy Blackman Consulting and some of their partners. Space is limited, and a password is required, so please pre-register for the event here to receive the event password and all of the details: stacyblackman.webex.com. The title of the webinar is Inside the Black Box - an insider's perspective on how candidates are REALLY evaluated and it will address, as the name implies, how candidates for spots at top business schools are evaluated by those schools. You’ll gain valuable insights to help you craft your personal “story” and improve your business school application. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'f4c396bf-a22d-46de-be49-d9dc8b33eca8', {});