Tips for Finding Tutoring Jobs in Pittsburgh

Tips for Finding Tutoring Jobs in PittsburghIf you are looking for tutoring jobs in Pittsburgh, the first thing that should come to mind is your high school or college teacher. You can be working with students of all ages, as well as adults. Working with students in pre-K through high school will be more rewarding than most jobs; working with students at Carnegie Mellon University Hospital will be very gratifying.If you are a parent looking for tutoring jobs, then you will probably also want to start by talking to teachers. They may not necessarily be offering tutoring jobs, but they may know someone who might. Maybe a friend who is a teacher is looking for a tutor for her or his class.Tutoring can also be offered in Pittsburgh by child care facilities, private tutoring agencies, colleges, or even charities. If you are a tutor working for a company, it would be helpful if you had their current number listed in your phone or on your email so that you could be reached whenever you need to set up a visit. This will ensure that there is no contact line left open if you need to be contacted about a tutoring job.People will want to know that you have some work experience before they will consider hiring you for employment opportunities. The reason for this is because not all jobs require someone with experience. Often, people seek someone with no experience in order to make sure that the person understands the work, yet doesn't completely understand the procedure. When it comes to tutoring, they should know what they are doing, as well as the more specific procedures for making sure that the student is learning.Having some experience can give you an edge over other people who may be looking for employment as a tutor. Employers like to hire people who have worked in a tutoring setting. They are looking for someone who is able to adapt to the situation, even if they don't know the exact situation that they are in. This makes them feel more comfortable and ready to go i n case anything happens.Some people may think that having an experience is a must for someone who wants to become a tutor. However, they will find that employers do not look for experience when hiring people to be tutors. Their main goal is to hire someone who is willing to commit to teaching a class or helping a group of people in some way, no matter what the experience level of the tutor may be.As a potential tutor, you may be getting calls from schools or colleges looking for tutors for their programs or their future employment opportunities. These calls will give you the chance to speak with people about the qualifications for the position. You will likely hear feedback and concerns about the qualifications and where to get more information to help with your potential.If you do find a position in a program, it can give you the opportunity to take more callbacks to fill your future employment opportunities. When you are able to fill a position in a program, it gives you a great o pportunity to work with people at all levels of education. Even if you're working with adults, you can help them learn new things. Also, this is an ideal place to work if you have a disability and are willing to teach people to live independently, which can help you to better fulfill your life goals and dreams.

A Simple Introduction to Chemistry Table Materials

A Simple Introduction to Chemistry Table MaterialsOne of the primary materials used in constructing a chemistry table is from ark materials. Arks are scientific models of life that take place on Earth during the creation and the weathering of our planet. These models are comprised of different resources and parts, so they require many people to construct them in a way that will hold together, as well as endure any hardships that may occur while living inside their structures.The Ark materials can range in cost from just using cardboard to make it out of, to having the actual structure constructed from different kinds of materials such as metal, plastic, and wood. This table will not be too costly to create due to the amount of supplies that can be found in the supplies that are necessary to construct the Ark. You would only need to be sure that you buy these materials at a discounted price before beginning construction on the table. This way, you can still get the materials at a chea per price that can be used to build your own Ark.Once you have gotten the materials to begin construction, the next step will be to decide where you want to put the Ark table. Do you want it to be inside a large room or do you want it in an area where it would be hard to reach? The Ark table is not only placed in a large room, but also in a closet or under a bed where there is not a lot of space. This table is designed to hold things like an oil burner or an air conditioner for your home.Once you have decided where you would like the table to be, the next step would be to put the Ark table together. The first thing that needs to be done is to get the table and all of its supplies from the Ark. The materials will be ready for you to assemble and fit together while also adding it to the Ark. The biggest challenge would be putting it all together correctly. This is something that you will have to be sure to work on because ifyou cannot put it together correctly, then the entire table w ill not work properly.Some of the Ark tables manufacturers even supply all of the materials needed to assemble the Ark that you have purchased. However, most people would opt to purchase the supplies separately from where the Ark materials are purchased. This way, you can get them at a much cheaper price and more people can build the table that you are intending to use.The main Ark Table Materials that you will find in the supplies that are needed to build the Ark include: gel, food, water, lights, and various other parts. Ark Table Materials also includes:The chemicals used in the Ark table will be different from the chemicals used in a typical chemical plant. This is because this chemistry table is meant to hold chemicals and other substances that are needed for a very particular job or purpose. Depending on what kind of chemical you plan to use, you can find Ark Chemicals that is available at different prices. They are usually located at local stores or online stores that special ize in selling chemicals.

How to survive a toxic work environment - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to survive a toxic work environment - Introvert Whisperer How to survive a toxic work environment? Do you wake up every morning and dread to go to the office? Do you detest the politics and drama that goes on in your office? When it comes to being a victim of a toxic workplace, you are not alone. You will be surprised to know that recent research has thrown light on the shocking fact of how 53 per cent of employees all over the world are currently unhappy at work. If you detested homework at school, you are bound to hate this as well. So what defines a toxic workplace? Haley Denver, a Human Resource expert, defines a poisonous work environment as one that cultivates bullying, backbiting and unhealthy competition. If you are a part of a workplace that has too much of political manipulations going on, we hear you. We understand how difficult it is to deal with an unappreciative boss and unyielding managers. Add to that, there is relentless backbiting and snitching that just does not let you breathe easy. According to a survey, it has been found out that working in a toxic workplace can lead to health and mental problems. Stress from a toxic work environment can lead to lowered self-confidence due to continuous bullying and emotional shaming. The consequences of toxicity in a workplace are not just limited to a person’s physical health. A person who is subjected to a dangerous work ambience turns bitter due to the stress. Working in a toxic environment can adversely affect your power of concentration and may lead to a weakened immune system. As a result, you cannot give in your 100% at work. The best solution to this is to get out of the toxic situation as soon as possible. However, for various commitments and obligations, it becomes difficult for you to leave your job all of a sudden. So, we suggest you fight and survive through the ordeal and emerge out as a winner. Here is a list of DOs and DONTs that you need to keep in mind to fight back the toxicity at your workplace. DOs Be positive Instead of whining about the workload or the ambience and the people in it, try to see the good in everybody. Irrespective of all the bullying and misbehaviour, you go about with a smile on your face and try to appreciate others. Yes! I know â€" however easy it may sound, practicing it in real life can be quite a challenging task. But you must understand that continuous exposure to negativity can make you feel even more miserable. Try and keep yourself away from all kinds of negative discussions. Since you are a victim of toxicity, do not engage in speaking ill of others. Instead, we suggest you draw up a list of all the good points about your job. Enjoy the free coffee and Wi-Fi and the gym facilities. This will help you shift your perception and feel more relaxed. Be yourself While a healthy dose of competition can promote efficiency, aggressive pulling down and snitching amongst co-workers can create a disturbing environment and can disrupt harmony. Rather than being a part of the ruthless rat race, stay away from the bandwagon and do your work at your own pace. Do not try to bring others down and sincerely try to bond with your colleagues. While in the malignant ambience, do not lose sight of who you are. Be true to yourself and do not give in. Easier said than done, I know. But, keep up the fight and do not let the virulent people around you make you one of them. If anything, you should grow stronger so that you can transcend all levels of bullying so that none of this can affect you. Make allies and stop the war An average working hour’s span is of 8 hours. Imagine bottling up every emotion and not talking to anyone from 9 to 5? That is just impossible! You cannot stay without interacting with people around you for that long a period. But if you feel that the people around you are selfish and judgmental, we suggest you build your own tribe within the office to deal with them. Cornering yourself in the office and isolating yourself completely can just add on to your stress. When you have someone in the office that you can vent out your feelings to, it becomes easier to deal with the bad air within the office. When we say a friend, it does not mean someone you can hang around with. But someone you can trust enough to share a wavelength with. Support each other and understand each others frustrations. When you get a partner, it helps you to handle the ordeal in a better way. Create your own space To counter the negativity surrounding you, create your own zone where you can feel more relaxed. Adorn your workstation or cubicle with things that make you happy. Pinup photos of your friends and people who matter to you. This will help you deal with anxiety triggers and exude positive energy. Write your goals on post-its and pin them up on your dashboard to remind yourself what you are there for. Hang posters of inspirational sayings that soothe you. Do everything to tell yourself who you are and to feel loved and appreciated while in a toxic work zone. Try to find a cubicle away from the din of your colleagues so that you can miss out on the negative discussions that go on all the time. Communicate more Proper communication can solve problems in a jiffy! Do not underestimate the value of excellent communication. Instead of keeping things bottled up, just go up to the person in question and sort it out. Keeping things within will make it grow bigger, and if you do not let it out, it can cause a lot of mental stress. At times, a candid conversation can immediately sort out something without any complications. So communicate more to simplify things around you. DON’Ts Take your work home Quite recently, Amazon India’s head, Amit Agarwal, has asked employees not to respond to office emails after their working hours. It is okay to choose to work overtime, but that should not be a reoccurring thing. Do not take the pressure home as that will mean you are bringing the negativity along with you into your home. This might affect your work â€" life harmony and can add on to your stress. Continuous slogging can give rise to anxiety and can make you bitter. So keep your workload to the ambit of your workplace and devote enough time to your social life too. Go out and enjoy a movie or a night out with friends to unwind. Do things that will help you to forget about the problems you face at work?   Believe everything you hear Since a toxic workplace is all about backbiting and spreading rumours, we suggest you do not focus on everything you hear around you. It is just a part of grapevine, and everything is just a game of Chinese whispers. So take it easy and learn to differentiate facts from stories. Do not believe everything that you hear about yourself and do not take them to heart and brood over it. Instead of wasting your energy to locate the sources of the rumour, just breathe easy and learn to ignore such stories. Believe something only when you see or hear it for yourself. Participate In Drama Keep unnecessary drama as far as you can. Do not welcome unwanted discussions amongst your co-workers about another colleague. Steer clear from such people who over criticise and shame people. To keep the negativity at bay, do not engage in gossip. Keep in mind that you too can be their victim once you turn your back on them. Whenever you feel that things are becoming complicated, choose to step out of the group and walk away. If you still cannot deal with the stress, you can talk to the HR department for a solution. They will undoubtedly have a way out for you. And, if you think that the stress has taken a toll on you, we recommend you to seek professional help from a counselor. At the end of the day, remember that you are a fighter and you can see through the bad time! Author Bio: Shirley Brown, a career coach and counselor, extends Dissertation help to students of psychology through Myassignment Help. Besides being a passionate artist, she loves to travel around the world.

Algebra Problems Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors

Algebra Problems Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors We know Algebra is one of the main things in math. We can say Algebra is the study of rules of operations and relations. We have many branches of Algebra; those are Elementary Algebra, Linear Algebra, pre Algebra, Modern Algebra and Boolean algebra. In algebra to simplify and use the different types of operations, we follow a rule that is termed as PEMDAS. Here, P stands for Parenthesis E stands for exponents M stands for Multiplication D stands for division A stands for Addition S stands for Subtraction. Example 1: Evaluate [6 (3 6 (6 4) + 7)] + 3. Solution: To simplify this, we can use the PEMDAS rule. First we can do the operation in the parenthesis. = [6 (3 6 (6 4) + 7)] + 3 = [6 (3 6(2) + 7)] + 3 Now we can do the multiplication = [6 (3 12 + 7)] + 3 = [6 + 2] + 3 = 10 Example 2: Solve (x-4) /3 = (x+5) /2 Solution: To solve this we can do the cross multiplication, that is 2 (x 4) = 3 (x + 5) 2x 8 = 3x + 15 We can write this as 3x + 15 = 2x 8 We can add 2x on both sides 3x + 15 2x = 2x 8 2x (3x 2x) + 15 = - 8 x + 15 = - 8 We can add 15 on both sides of the equation x + 15 15 = - 8 15 x = - 23

Some tips to know which online tutoring is better

Some tips to know which online tutoring is better All of us need to go through a long duration of study duration. In that duration everyone has to attend schools and get the basic academic knowledge without which we cannot make our lives complete. Today wherever we are, it’s just because of the fact that we have gained a good academic background that has helped us to live our lives in a much better way that it would have been. During these years of having our education we came across lot of subjects. Some subjects were really loved by us and some subjects were like a nightmare to us. For me the best subject was English and the worst subject which gave me goose bumps were mathematics. maths for me is the toughest subject on earth. Every subject can be coped up with but maths, it is such a subject that needs everything extra in it. Extra time, extra concentration and extra dedicated  teacher for understanding a simple thing. Like all other subjects, mathematics also has various divisions in it. Every division needs to be done with utmost care as each division is very important. You may have heard about the term algebra. Algebra is a part of mathematics which according to me is very tough and without proper and good guidance it is not possible for any student to crack the sums with ease. Thus you need extra care and guidance to learn the chapter with perfection. After schools students can take help from private tutors for the extra support that they want to have. But today professionalism has hit the grounds in such a manner that teachers are no t able to dedicate so much time for any student. Thus the student fails to score up good grades. Initially it does not feel like a problem but after a certain level, future becomes unpredictable. So now you may be thinking as how to cope up with this problem. Today with the advent of technology things are very simple and easy. Online Tutoring can be the next big thing Internet has been a great help for all the problems that comes in your lives. Internet makes everything possible and thus this work of finding a suitable teacher who can teach of good algebra is also found with ease. E-learning courses are newly taking up a big place in the market. Every student who knows the concept really likes the concept largely. The entire concept is not so popular and thus very few know about it. Online tutoring is the new way of learning and students are really getting connected to it. The concept is new and it saves your time, energy and transportation expenses. When you are puzzled up for which way to go to get good tutoring facility then you can easily come in contact with online tutoring institutes. Online tutoring institutes come up with various types of facilities and features that enhance its reach to lot more student than any private tutoring would have ever done. So now to help you with the entire process of online tutoring here are some of the advantages noted that can help you to know about the concept further. Features enlisted for online tutoring facility The teachers who are present in this online tutoring institute are very much knowledgeable and know every bit of the subject they teach. Any question from the student’s end has an answer ready for them. The teachers have good amount of experience in teaching as well and so with less hurdle they can teach the students flawlessly. Students are highly benefited with such kind of tutoring facility. This is because the appointment process of the teachers is very tough and so only the cream layer of the appeared candidates are taken for better performance and to get good reviews from the students who have enrolled themselves in any such institute. The other good facility is that the students can avail the classes whenever they want. This is considered as one of the best advantage for any of the busy student. They can set up their time to attend the classes as per their own preference. Sitting at home and enjoying the classes helps any student to learn better and faster. They do not have to move from here and there and waste their time. That time can be easily utilized in their study timing.   The facility of tutoring is open all round the clock and throughout the year. If you are a weak student and do not know how to deal with the tough sums of algebra then you have to take help from the teacher. In case of the private tutoring you have to open up with your problems in front of all and this may make you feel insulted. But if you hire a good and reputed online tutoring professional then you do not have to think about being insulted.   The facility of one-on-one is available with e-learning institutes where each student is attended by every single teacher who is present there to help them anytime and anyhow. This boosts up the self confidence of a weak student as well and they perform well thereafter. When you have less amount of money then you can easily come under the guidance of any online tutoring facility. The rates for any of the services you explore is pretty less than any private tutoring would ever offer. It is easily affordable for any of the middle class family as well and so the burden is not that high.   When you are aware of all the institutes that deliver you with the same facility then it becomes difficult for you to choose among the masses. But still when you want to enroll yourself then you need to get dragged to anyone. If you are confused for which one to go then you can get help from me and I would suggest you with Tutor Pace. One of the reputed  institutes with all mentioned facilities.   Pre algebra Help is also available with ease.  

25 Economics Terms You Must Know

25 Economics Terms You Must Know 25 Key Economic Concepts ChaptersKey Economics TermsCreate Your Own Economics GlossaryAnyone that would like to develop their knowledge of economics, either for the purposes of improving their studies or out of general interest, should be very familiar with some of the most common economic concepts and terms.This is because:Knowing key economic terms, from supply and demand to econometrics and monetary policy, will help you understand more about the field;You will give yourself more credibility when speaking about economic matters; andLearning key terms can be a great way to study economics more broadly, and it can also help develop your skills of economic analysis.A decrease in the cost of the good will lead to an increase in demand.Financial marketsRefers to a market or marketplace where financial assets are bought and sold. A common example of a financial market is a stock exchange.Fiscal policyFiscal policy refers to a government’s spending and how it affects the economy, particularly if  spending leve ls change.Gross domestic product (GDP)GDP is often used as a measure of a nation’s economic performance and activity. It is usually calculated on a quarterly or annual basis.Growth rateThe growth rate is a measure of growth and how it increases over a period of time. It can be used to describe economic growth, gross domestic product, or items such as annualised growth rates for a company.Interest ratesAn interest rate is calculated by applying a percentage to the amount of the principal being borrowed. A common example of a principal is a loan or some other form of debt. The amount of interest charged is usually calculated by reference to an annual rate.Popular economic terms include terms such as interest rates. (Source: CC0 1.0, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay)InflationIn its simplest terms, when there is inflation there is a rise in the prices charged for goods and services. Where an economy has inflation, the cost of living tends to rise.Keynesian economicsDeveloped by the econom ist John Maynard Keynes, Keynesian economics describes Keynes' economic theories and beliefs, which contained the conviction that  government involvement in the economy through spending and taxes could help increase demand and move an economy out of a depression.Law of demandThe law of demand examines how customers’ buying habits change when prices increase. Specifically, the theory posits that all other things being equal, when prices of a good increase, the demand for that good falls.Law of supplyThe law of supply states that all other things being equal, an increase in price levels results in an increase in the quantity of those goods that are supplied.MacroeconomicsMacroeconomics studies how the economy behaves in the aggregate, i.e. as a whole. Concepts examined in macroeconomics include:Inflation;The level of prices in the economy;Growth rate.Marginal utilityMarginal utility refers to the amount of satisfaction a consumer has by consuming a good or service. Marginal utility can be used by economists to gauge how much of a good or service a consumer should buy.MicroeconomicsThe opposite of macroeconomics is microeconomics. Microeconomics focuses on how individuals and companies act within an economy, and how their behaviour also influences an economy.MonetarismMonetarism is a school of thought that centres on the idea that the volume of money in an economy is a key factor in the amount of economic activity and growth. It is a theory that sits in contrast to Keynesian economics.Economics key terms often centre around the concept of money or wealth creation. (Source: CC BY 2.0, Images Money, Flickr)OligopolyA term used within the area of market share. In a monopoly, there is only one supplier in the market, and in a duopoly, there are only two. In an oligopoly, there are more than two suppliers in the market, and the actions of one supplier can influence the actions of the others.Opportunity costOpportunity cost is the cost of missing an opportunity in or der to take on a different opportunity. An example of opportunity cost can be seen in investors, who may have to forego investing in one company in order to invest in another.StagflationStagflation describes an economy that is experiencing slow economic growth, whilst also experiencing inflation and high levels of unemployment. Stagflation is far less common than inflation or deflation.The invisible handAn idea introduced by the philosopher Adam Smith, the invisible hand describes the benefits that society at large can enjoy as a result of the actions of self-interested individuals. The invisible hand was an argument used to advocate the benefits of a free market.Trade barriersTrade barriers relate to a government policy or regulation that limits or controls international trade. Examples include:Tariffs;Trade quotas; andEmbargosCreate Your Own Economics GlossaryThe difficulty in understanding economics is that there is so much terminology within the field. However, if you take some time to learn core economic concepts, such as those outlined above, then you’ll be able to:Speak with more confidence when discussing economic matters;Understand more about which theories and concepts belong to which area of economics, for example, macroeconomics or microeconomics; andUse these terms during your exams or in essays, which will show your teacher or lecturer that you’re comfortable using and highlighting such terminology.Although it can take some time to get to grips with economics concepts, the best tactic to improve your understanding of such key terms is to try and learn new terminology at a slow, but regular, pace.For example, you could aim to learn between one and three new terms every week. This would mean that, well before you get to the end of the academic year, you’ll be very comfortable with terms such as those above and what they mean, and you'll have taken the time to commit such terms to memory so that you can remember them for years to come.Of cours e, if you need or would like to learn such terminology quicker and in a more intensive fashion, then you can always hire an economics tutor to help you revise core economic terms and concepts. Aside from helping you learn such terms, an economics teacher or   tutor can:Give you exercises that consolidate your knowledge of economic terms;Provide you with learning techniques to help you during your revision;Identify areas or key terms that you're struggling with, whether that's concepts that fall within behavioural economics or terms such as stagflation; andComplement your school’s curriculum by working with you on the areas you’re having the  most difficulty with.Superprof, for example, has a wide range of economics tutors that you can choose from. Simply enter your postcode and Superprof will match you with online and local tutors in your area that would be happy to help you succeed in your studies.Learn more about economics: the science.Find out about Nobel Prizes in economics.

Ask an Admissions Expert Dr. Joan Martin

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