As a practitioner, I try to get my hands on as many recent SAT exams and attend as many webinars that discuss what is going on with the SAT and ACT. This past week, I went to one of the best webinars because we, as a group of test prep professionals, discussed what...
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How to raise a reader
My child is not a reader…. As a kid, I always had my head in a book. As an adult, I’m the same way. I tend to gravitate to non-fiction, although my favorite fiction authors include Dickens, Dostoevsky, and Vonnegut. I was raised in a reading culture. My parents were...
Math Options
I am sitting in my office. As I look out the window two thoughts are juxtaposed in my head. The first is the hopefulness of spring. I marvel at the snow, anticipating the buds that will crop up every year like clockwork. The second is the thought of summer: barren...
Test Optional for College Admissions
A few days ago, Cornell’s admission offices came out with its standardized testing policy for next year. In short, the school has a two-pronged approach to testing: Three undergraduate schools will be test blind, which means that scores will not be used in admissions....
Farewell Subject Tests and SAT Essays
Earlier this month, the College Board did two things that I applaud: It decided to get rid of the essay portion of the exam. It has eliminated the Subject Test product line. Frankly, I’m not mourning the elimination of the essay. First of all, it was the last part of...
How to Hire a College Consultant
Where I live in the suburbs of New York City, there are many people who call themselves College Consultants. College Planners. Independent College Consultants. University Specialists. IECs. You can put the word college or university with some kind of consulting...
Do you need to pick a Major before you apply to College?
Hi! This is Alan Sheptin from Sheptin Tutoring Group. When I was in high school, my two favorite classes were foreign languages and math. I was lucky because I had amazing teachers who knew how to get me excited about these areas. So when I was planning to apply to...
Do you know the difference between College and University?
Hi! This is Alan Sheptin from Sheptin Tutoring. What college did you go to? Regardless of where you went, you know what that means. But it’s not a universal term. For our Canadian friends, the term college means a post-secondary apprenticeship program, trade school or...
How do you prep for a College Interview in 2020?
Hi! This is Alan Sheptin from Sheptin Tutoring. For almost 30 years, I interviewed and trained interviewers for my alma mater. I told the interviewers to make the experience enjoyable and interactive. However, I did expect the interviewee to be somewhat prepared. So,...
Test Prep and You
From the Desk of Alan Sheptin: I get lots of calls about test prep. One of the most common questions posed to me is, “Do you guarantee a score increase?” I answer very simply. I tell parents that any company answers in the affirmative is acting unethically. I cannot...