SAT or ACT- Which Test Is Right for You?

December is that time of year...no, not just Holiday time but when high school juniors receive their October PSAT scores. Many students are unhappy with their results, and their dream of getting into their top college is crushed!  Not true!! Students need to remember that the PSATs are for practice (it’s in the name).  No college will ask for PSAT results.  However, the reported scores help identify the student’s strengths and weaknesses to better prepare for the SATs.  

Standardized test scores are one part of the college admissions process. Students can choose to take either SAT or ACT, and with more colleges going test-optional, students can choose not to submit scores.  

What should you do?  Now that you have a PSAT baseline score, you can decide which standardized test to take and what type of standardized test preparation you need. Below is a comparison of the SAT and ACT.

The SAT

• Length- 3 hours and 50 minutes (includes breaks)

• 2 sections

  • Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing consists of 2 subsections - a 65-minute Reading section and a 35-minute Writing and Language section.

  • Math consists of 2 subsections that covers Algebra, Problem Solving/Data Analysis and Advanced Math. There is a 25- minute no calculator section and a 55-minute calculator section.

• Each section scored from 200-400. The total score is the sum of the 2 sections, 400-1600.

• Essay- Optional 50 minutes

The ACT

• Length- 3 hours and 25 minutes (includes breaks)

• 4 sections

  • Reading- 35 minutes

  • English- 45 minutes

  • Math- 60 minutes with a calculator and covers Pre-Algebra, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Plane Geometry and Trigonometry.

  • Science- 35 minutes covers Data Representation, Research Summaries and Conflicting Viewpoints.

• Each section scored from 1-36. The total score is the average of the 4 sections.

• Essay- Optional 40 minutes.

There is no easy answer as to which test is better to take. Some students who perform poorly on the SAT do very well on the ACT and vice versa. However, there are a few differences that may push a student to take one over the other.  The SAT focuses on critical thinking and is better suited for strong readers with a strong vocabulary and allows more time per question. Math accounts for one half of the SAT total score and students are provided with 12 geometry formulas and three laws.   The ACT is more knowledge-based and has a dedicated science section, which counts for one-fourth of the total score, so the ACT may be a better fit if you are strong in science. The ACT has a larger percent of geometry and trigonometry questions and allows a calculator on all math sections but provides no formulas.  The best way to determine which test is better for you is to take both an SAT and ACT practice test and compare scores.

Whichever test you choose to take, it is best to give yourself at least eight weeks to prepare for the examination and take the test at least two times. Test preparation can range in cost from free online test prep (Khan Academy), self-guided study guides (inexpensive), online programs (moderate expense), and online and private one-on-one tutors (expensive).  Whatever you choose, take it seriously and it will pay off on test day!

College Majors that Lead to a Career in AI

Are you intrigued by the technology used in Alexa and Siri? Interested in developing a medical device to diagnose patients thousands of miles away from the nearest doctor? If this is your passion, then a career in Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be the right fit for you!

There are several degree programs you can pursue in college that will lead to a job in the rapidly expanding field of Artificial Intelligence. A Bachelor of Science degree in AI will prepare you for a career in AI research and development or AI implementation. However, few schools offer such a tailored curriculum. The following majors offered at many colleges and universities can also help you reach your goal of working in this very fast growing industry.

• Computer Science - when researching schools, see if the computer science program offers artificial intelligence (ai) and machine learning (ml) track. This option enhances the computer science major better preparing you for a job in AI.

• Mathematics - a degree in mathematics will provide an entry into the AI field , but a degree in applied mathematics will position you for AI Implementation. Consider a minor in computer science or data science.

• Statistics - this major is also an entry to AI Research and AI Implementation. Add a minor in computer science and the combination makes you very marketable.

• Data Science - this major is fairly new and differs from statistics because it uses computers and coding to acquire information. Data science majors are well prepared to enter the AI field.

The future looks bright for students searching for jobs in AI. The LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report states that there has been a 74% annual hiring growth for each of the past four years for AI and ML.

Spotlight On Colleges -- University of New Haven

Did you binge watch Homeland and see yourself as the real-life Carrie Mathison or Saul Berenson some day? Maybe you are a fan of CSI or Chicago Fire? Or perhaps you subscribe to true crimes podcasts and play detective as you listen. If this world of intrigue and public service is your passion, then the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven may be the right fit for you. 

Sitting on 82 hilly acres in West Haven, CT, the University of New Haven’s campus has a suburban feel while located in a small city. It is a mid-size private school with approximately 5 thousand undergraduate students. 

The University’s mission, to provide student centered education through experiential, collaborative and discovery-based learning, is delivered through 6 colleges/schools. Of these 6 programs of study, The Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences has earned international recognition and top national rankings. 

Inside Admissions:

Lee College is one of the most comprehensive programs in the country with an emphasis on both theory and hands-on learning in state-of-the-art labs. The faculty is composed of academics and professors with field experiences from the FBI, CIA, correctional facilities, fire, and police departments.  This learning model allows students to get firsthand insights into the day to day realities of their dream job.

The two most popular majors are Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences.  Within the Criminal Justice major, students can combine crime-solving with public safety issues. Six concentrations are offered to supplement the core curriculum. 

• Correctional Rehabilitation and Supervision

• Crime Analysis

• Crime Victim Services

• Investigative Services

• Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

• Police Science

Dr. David Meyers, Chair of the Criminal Justice Department, feels the field of law enforcement will expand to include human services.  This would create additional opportunities for specialized positions such as crisis management and intervention services. Lee College is well positioned to prepare students for the changing nature of policing.

The Forensic Sciences program is one of 22 undergraduate degree programs in the United States endorsed by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). The curriculum is grounded firmly in the sciences and incorporates cutting edge technology with state-of-the-art labs. This combination prepares students to uncover and interpret physical evidence and use crime-solving resources and equipment.

Campus mock crime scene investigations and the Henry C. Lee Institute for Forensic Science provide students with hands-on learning without leaving campus. While the Institute is independent of the University, students study with professionals who are using the Institute’s resources to solve real life cases.

The Institute houses 6 centers of excellence: 

• Cold Case Center

• National Crime Scene Training and Technology Center

• The Forensic Science and Learning Center

• Forensic Crisis Management and Investigation Center

• Advanced Technology Center

• Research and Training Center 

In addition to the traditional Criminal Justice and Forensic Science majors, Lee College offers additional degrees in unique areas:

• Fire Protection Engineering

• Fire Science 

• Paramedicine

• Homeland Security and Emergency Management

• International Affairs

• National Security

If you are looking for small class sizes and hands-on learning in any of the majors offered in Lee College, then the University of New Haven should be added to your college list!

COVID Update: 

• The admissions office is offering one-on-one campus tours, drive thru campus tours and virtual events.

•  If applying Early Decision, interviews are required and are being conducted virtually.

•  The University is test optional for this admissions cycle due to the challenges faced by students to schedule and take the SAT and Act. 

Spotlight on Colleges -- Union College

Interested in STEM but love English, history, or foreign languages? Planning on being a lawyer, doctor or working on Wall Street? Consider Union College, a small liberal arts college located on 130 acres in Schenectady, NY.

The name “Union” represented the founders desire to create a welcoming unified academic community. Union prides itself on its interdisciplinary approach to education where engineering and the arts go hand-in-hand.  Unlike the more technical schools, Union engineering students take courses promoting reading, writing and analytical skills making them better prepared for the changing world.  Other popular programs are bioengineering, Latin and Caribbean studies, law and public policy, women’s and gender studies, and film.

Union College is one of the oldest campuses in the country and its redbrick buildings and 8 acres of gardens sit on a hill overlooking Schenectady. It is a residential campus with 92% of its 2,100 students living on campus. Students see themselves as politically diverse and “less preppy” than other liberal arts schools. A majority of the students come from the Northeast (60%) while students from all states are represented. International students make up 10% of the student body. First-generation students are supported through a mentor program,

Inside Admissions

Admission to Union is selective with a 40% acceptance rate. Union accepets both the Common and Coalition Applications and is a test-optional school. Students apply to the college and not a particular major which is helpful to students who are truly undecided. There are four options for applying: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action or Regular Decision. However, those who apply EDI, EDII or EA have the best chance for merit scholarship awards.

For students interested in law or medicine, Union offers 2 direct entry programs. Both programs are exceptions to the admission policies and require students to apply directly to the programs and to submit SAT or ACT scores.

●  3+3 Accelerated law Program with Albany Law School

• A B.A. or B.S. is completed in 3 years.

• The LSAT is taken during junior year for scholarship purposes.

• Accepted students must maintain a 3.4 GPA to remain eligible for law school.

●  Leadership in Medicine - Health Management Program

• The program is 8 years with students receiving their B.S. from Union, an M.S. or M.B.A. in Healthcare Management from Clarkson University and an M.D. from Albany Medical College.

• MCATs are not required.

Union follows a trimester calendar with students taking 3 classes every 10 week session. This schedule gives students an increased opportunity to learn outside the classroom through 3 immersive experiences:  

●      Research

●      Internships

●      Study Abroad - at Union engineering students can study abroad and still graduate in 4 years.

In addition to traditional college activities like sports, Greek life, student government and service organizations, Union is known for its Minerva Program. Every first-year student is assigned to 1 of 7 Minerva Houses with each house having its own theme.  The houses are hubs of social and academic activities as well as housing for upper-class students.

Union is generous with financial aid and meets 100% of the demonstrated need of accepted students.  Applicants are also automatically considered for renewable merit awards when they apply.  In an effort to address families who will either not qualify for financial aid or only qualify for minimal amounts, Union initiated the “Making U Possible Family Grants”.  Grants range from $20,000 -$30,000 and are renewable for four years. 

If you see yourself in a small liberal arts college, exploring many different disciplines and working directly with professors, then Union College may be the right fit for you! Take a virtual tour, sign up for an admissions event and follow Union on social media.      

What to Know about the 2020-2021 Common App

The 2020-2021 Common App went live on August 1st! There are 897 institution members including 40 new schools joining for this application cycle. Over one million students use the free online tool to apply to college. In keeping with its mission to provide “access, equity and integrity in the college admissions process”, the Common App has made several changes which improves the student experience.

On the Explore Colleges page there are additional filters to help students searching for colleges:

● First-year/transfer

● Public/private institution

● Enrollment size

● Campus setting

● Merit awards /need based aid

● Test-optional

● Specialized mission

Students can now view maps of schools and prepare and create a PDF of their college list. The College Detail section has been expanded to include information provided by the schools themselves:

● Application requirements

● Virtual tours and photo galleries

● Specialized programs

Additionally, several areas within the application itself have been improved including:

● Students can identify proficiency in more than one “Other” language

● The Honors section now allows for “Add Another”

● The Activities section now has two separate questions; one for “Organization name” and one for “Position or Leadership description”

● Students can update their FERPA waiver prior to a recommendation submission

● Students can now search FAQs

The 7 first-year essay prompts remain the same, however, an optional COVID-19 question, with a 250 word limit, is available in the Additional Information section. Students may want to share a personal issue resulting from the pandemic but be aware that high schools will have an opportunity to explain any impact COVID-19 had on its ability to deliver an education to its students.

The Common App opens August 1st every year for the upcoming admissions cycle, but students should not wait until senior year to create an account and start using the tool. These sections of the application roll over from year to year:

● Profile

● Family

● Education

● Testing

● Activities

● Writing

● Courses & grades

The information on the My Colleges tab does not rollover. This includes FERPA release authorization, recommender invitations, or answers to college-specific questions.

Starting the Common App early gives students time to explore all of the resources offered before the pressures and demands of senior year begin. Students who create an account in 9th grade can input their activities and descriptions and add information throughout their high school years. This saves time and can reduce stress during senior year!

Spotlight on Colleges -- University of Wisconsin - Madison

So, you want to be a Badger? Concerned about the cold? Want a Big Ten college experience? Read on and decide if the University of Wisconsin is the right fit for you.

The “Wisconsin Idea” that the university should improve people’s lives beyond the classroom is the university's guiding principle and demonstrates the school’s commitment to public service. Staying true to this mission, the university offers outstanding academics and student life.

Academics

There are eight colleges and 129 majors.  General education requirements include:

●      2 quantitative classes

●      2 communication classes

●      1 ethnic studies class

The most popular majors are:

●      Agriculture

●      Business

●      Economics

●      Biology

●      Political Science

●      Psychology

●      Communication Arts

Inside Admissions

COVID 19 update - the University will be test optional through December 31, 2020 and is seeking to extend this policy. As of now, any student applying Early Action with a deadline of November 1, 2020 can choose not to submit scores.  Regular Decision deadline is February 2, 2021.

The University will be offering 3 new undergraduate majors:

●      Data Science, which will be housed in a new building for the School of Data and Information Science.

●      Health Promotion and Health Equity through the Department of Kinesiology.

●      Supply Chain Management within the School of Business.

Admission to the university is considered somewhat selective with a 53% acceptance rate. Thirty-seven percent of admitted students enroll. Due to popularity and academic demands, the School of Business and the College of Engineering have more selective criteria than the other colleges.

The school does not track demonstrated interest, but admissions likes to see true interest in the university through its two required essays. Research and thought should go into answering the why us essay and what do you want to accomplish as part of the Badger community.

Student Life

There are approximately 30,000 undergraduates on a campus of over 900 acres. Thirty percent of students come from out-of-state.  The campus is located in Madison, a city with a population of 260,000, but students agree that it has a college town feel.

Students are not required to live on campus, but 95% of first-year students choose to live in campus housing. Students can choose between traditional dorms or living learning communities. 

The Center for the First-Year Experience is dedicated to helping first-year students adapt to life at a large university. It offers several programs to ease the transition:

●      SOAR (student orientation)

●      Transfer Transitions

●      Wisconsin Welcome 

●      Wisconsin Experience Seminar

Wisconsin is known for its school spirit. As a member of the Big Ten Conference, it fields 25 varsity teams. Similar to other large state universities, Wisconsin offers hundreds of clubs and organizations. There is something for everyone. If the political scene is of interest, the campus is located in the state capital, with significant opportunities for student activism. If journalism is a passion, the school is also proud of its 2 student newspapers! Following the ideals of the “Wisconsin Idea”, student volunteerism is a large part of campus culture.

 If the University of Wisconsin seems like a good fit, visit its website, take a virtual tour and follow the Badgers on social media.

How to Evaluate a College During a Pandemic

The class of 2021 has missed the time-honored tradition of visiting college campuses this past spring. While COVID 19 has altered the college search process for high school juniors, students can evaluate the colleges on their list safely from their homes. The websites and social media platforms below fill the void caused by the coronavirus.

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) provides information from more than 1,000 colleges and universities about changes to their college admissions due to the pandemic.  The site is updated regularly and covers topics such as testing requirements, application deadlines, exam credits and availability of campus visits. 

College Scorecard is an online tool created by the U.S. Department of Education. It provides data on test scores, admission rates, average annual cost, financial aid and debt, fields of study, socio-economic diversity, racial/ethnic diversity, and starting salaries. 

CampusTours provides interactive virtual tours and campus maps for more than 1,800 colleges and universities. One hundred of the schools on the list have included students’ insights about their schools during their virtual tours.  

CampusReel gives prospective college students the chance to watch over 15,000 videos created by current college students. The videos highlight student life, residence life and campus culture.

Niche allows students to search colleges and universities on broad topics, some that may not be included on a virtual tour.  Some searchable topics include popular programs of study, student body diversity, campus safety and best return on investment. 

Colleges’ Instagram and Twitter accounts give high school students a sense of campus culture and provide relevant admissions information.  By following the schools on their list, students can determine if they connect with the schools’ content. 

Some colleges and universities have resumed in-person tours and more campus tours will start this summer and fall.  However, students should take advantage of the virtual tours and online tools now to narrow the number of campuses that they will have to visit during the 2020-2021 admissions season.

Helping Prepare Your Child For College

As families are staying home together in this time of quarantine, it is a good opportunity to begin to teach your high school student basic life skills that he/she will need in college.  College readiness is not only about academics but also about being prepared to live independently. Below are a few basic life skills that all students need to master prior to leaving for college:

• Time management 

  College is a busy time for students.  Students need to be able to keep track of their time and with the myriad of classes, activities, studying, and writing papers, calendar apps on their phones are perfect for these tech savvy students.  Fantastic 2, Timepage or Google Calendar are just some of the apps that students can download. In addition, these apps have reminder settings that students can set reminder notifications minutes, hours or days before an activity.  Have your student start keeping track of his/her time while in high school, this way it will be second nature to him/her when they are at college.

• Money Management 

  Take this time to discuss college finances and cost with your student.  As we all know, college is very costly. However costs go beyond tuition, room and board.  Whether you're giving your student a monthly allowance or they are getting a part -time job while at school, he/she needs to know how to track expenses.  Most banks offer student checking accounts with debit card and online banking. Teach them how to track deposits and withdrawals using online banking services.  

  If you plan on giving your student a credit card most likely you will be the responsible party.  Set limits on how and when he/she can use the credit card and make sure you discuss with your student who is paying the monthly charge before handing the card to your student.

• Perform Basic Chores

  Most household chores get done during the day while students are in high school.  Since they are home all day, have your student help with basic household chores. Show him/her how to separate, load and turn on the washing machine and dryer.  Have him/her vacuum and dust and show him/her how to use different cleaning products. With everyone eating at home, it is a great time to teach your student basic cooking techniques.  Maybe even have him/her make a meal!

• Being Self-sufficient

  Students who know how to fend for themselves are better prepared to use the safety nets that colleges offer.  To be self-sufficient, students need to be able to make decisions for themselves and problem solve. Decision making and problem-solving requires critical thinking and creativity and both of these skills need to be nurtured throughout high school and in place by the time the student goes to college. 

The pandemic of 2020 has turned our lives upside down, however; soon our lives will go back to a normal routine and we will be sending our kids to college.  Use this time to make sure that your son/daughter is ready to handle the challenges of college and to live independently.