Making a Good Varsity Tutor Mcat Chemistry

Making a Good Varsity Tutor Mcat ChemistryOne of the most frequent questions that students ask about their Chemistry major is, 'How do I make a good Varsity Tutor Mcat Chemistry?' Well, I'm going to tell you what I think are the best ways to get a good Varsity Tutor Mcat Chemistry.Before we get started with that, you need to understand what the Physics section is all about. The section takes the student through the theory behind Chemistry. This is where the 'Physics' comes from. You need to have this part down correctly and then you need to know how to apply it.The second step in Chemistry is an advanced lecture. It shows us all of the different 'practical applications' that can be done with chemistry. So, if you're interested in actually doing chemistry you have to put in some serious time in that lecture.Then you should have a number of assignments that will help you practice the concepts that you've learned in your lecture. These are good not only because you get feedback on your work, but they will help you master the concepts of Chemistry. This is one of the great rewards of getting into the department as a Varsity Tutor Mcat Chemistry.If you don't want to take a big course load in Chemistry then don't. I'm not saying you shouldn't take Chemistry. I'm just saying that you need to take a course load that's smaller than what you would get if you took four courses in Chemistry.What I mean by this is that instead of taking five courses and studying for two courses you should study for three courses. This will allow you to get the very basics of Chemistry, the big concepts, and also the advanced concepts.As you can see Varsity Tutor Mcat Chemistry isn't the easiest course to get into. However, after you learn a lot of the theories of Chemistry you will be in a much better position to understand what a real chemistry professor would be like.

Ask an Admissions Expert Neil Kamdar

Ask an Admissions Expert Neil Kamdar Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Neil Kamdar is a co-founder of K2 Educational Consulting, a college admissions consultancy founded in 2008. He obtained his undergraduate degree in business from New York Universityand went on to complete his Masters in Business Administration at Yale University. K2 Educational Consulting provides guidance from Ivy League-educated consultants for each step of the admissions process. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Neil: Ideally, a student should understand what colleges are looking for well before his or her senior year of high school. Students should know that the classes they choose, the extra-curricular activities they are passionate about, and the leadership roles they undertake are all part of the college application process. Because there are so many moving parts in this process, it is important to understand how to approach it as a whole. We recommend starting work on the application during the summer months after junior year. Students should begin by making a list of the possible schools where theyd like to apply. They should then identify all the parts of these applicationsessays, recommendation letters, transcripts, etc.and make a timeline with deadlines for each component. By starting the college admissions process with a clear understanding of tasks and deadlines, you can eliminate a great deal of stress from a tedious process. Stick to your timeline, and you will turn in a much be tter application without scrambling last-minute to throw items together. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Neil: The biggest mistake we see in college essays is that students dont answer the question correctly. As simple as it sounds, it is very common for a student to be descriptive in his or her essay but miss the entire point. Colleges want to see how you have grown, hear the experiences that have shaped you, and ultimately read how you can take your experiences and add value to their campuses. Try to identify moments in your life that have truly influenced you. In your essays, make sure you clearly identify how these experiences have helped you grow, and how that translates into your future goals. Often, students get caught up in writing as much as possible. Remember that length is not necessarily an indicator of quality. On the contrary, it is better to be concise, yet impactful. Pick a topic that you are passionate about, and let that passion show in your essay. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Neil: There isnt anything wed recommend staying away from in this regard. However, as stated earlier, make sure the essay has meaning. It should be about experiences that you have had, and it should highlight your growth. Any essay can do this if written correctly. However, answer the question properly for each essay. I wouldnt suggest staying away from any topics, but ensure that the topics you do consider can deliver impact. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Neil: The biggest mistake a student can make is taking the process lightly. Many times, even the best students do not realize what is entailed in the application process. Up until this point, they have never applied for anything as serious as college. It is important to start early and recognize every facet of the process. The worst mistake is to procrastinate and throw something together at the last minute. Why waste all of your hard work in high school with a poorly compiled application? Start early and give each part of the application the attention it deserves. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Neil: It can vary depending upon the school. Initially, each application will be reviewed in a very quick time frame, where it will either move on to the next round or be eliminated. Once this has occurred, admissions committees will review the remaining applications and look for important attributes. In addition to examining grades and test scores, they will look for leadership, passion, and initiative packaged in clear, concise, and coherent essays. Finally, they will consider your recommendation letters. The truth is that each admissions committee may value different items. However, each part of the application is very important, and being strong in one area does not mean you can put forth a lesser effort in other areas. 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? Neil: Certain aspects of an application are impossible to change, such as your grades and test scores. However, there are ways to demonstrate value in the application. At K2, we believe that the single most important item to present is how a particular student can add value to a university. This is illustrated through passionate essays that show leadership. Any time a student takes initiative, it resonates with any admissions committee. When writing your essays and submitting recommendations, make a concentrated effort to present leadership qualities and passion, so that people know what you can potentially bring to their school. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Neil: The best way to determine the culture of a university is to visit the school. Campus visits are a great way to understand how you would fit at a particular school. It will give you a sense of the campus atmosphere, as well an idea of the culture of the student body. If visiting is difficult, reach out to people who have attended those colleges. Ask them about their experienceswhat they liked, what they would improve upon, etc. If you already know what you are looking for in a college, that is great. However, dont underestimate the importance of diligent research. There are often aspects that you may not have considered that can make a huge difference. We suggest developing criteria and grading prospective schools according to those criteria. It may take effort to obtain the information, but it will be worth it when you are at a school that is the perfect fit for you. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Neil: This depends on the situation. If you know what school you would like to attend, and that choice involves a degree of certainty, Id recommend applying early-decision. Colleges value commitment, and if you show you are interested, without a doubt, it can help your chances. However, most students dont definitively know where they would like to attend. In those instances, I would recommend applying early-action (non-binding). This can simply jump-start your application process and potentially eliminate the stress of waiting until later in the year to find out your admission status. However, if your test scores are not where youd like them to be, or your grades could use some improvement, wait. Take the first semester of your senior year to focus on your academics, get your test scores in order, and craft your story. While applying early can help, the quality of your application is much more important than its timing. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Neil: In my experience, grades are the single most important attribute of any college application. Colleges want to see a consistent body of work that shows dedication and a commitment to academics. They want to select a student who has challenged him- or herself with honors/AP classes, while also balancing other responsibilities. That being said, they will also recognize marked improvements over the course of a high school career. Standardized test scores, including SAT and ACT scores, are also very important for any application. These are the tangibles that cannot be overlooked. However, dont be discouraged if your grades or scores are not up to par. Put effort into your application so that you give yourself the best chance of succeeding. Every aspect of an application is integral to the process, so don't sell yourself short because you aren't happy with your grades or scores. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Neil: Develop a plan in the summer before your senior year. Determine the number of recommendations youll need, and identify the teachers that you think will do the best job. Be sure to ask them as soon as possible at the start of the school year, and do your best to make the process as easy as possible for them. Provide them with a list of your accomplishments, as well as a detailed resume, so they know what other activities youve been a part of in your high school career outside their classrooms. It is important to realize that teachers will have multiple students asking them for recommendations. Follow up regularly to remind them of your deadlines, as they may forget. By being proactive and asking early with all necessary material prepared, you can ensure a timely and quality recommendation letter. VisitK2 Educational Consulting for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Songwriting Tips How to Write Lyrics To Your First Song

Songwriting Tips How to Write Lyrics To Your First Song Megan L. Are  you learning to play guitar because you want to be able to write your own songs? Guitar teacher  Samuel B.  shares some tips to help you write lyrics to your first song Just as writing a song  on guitar can seem like work for only a select few, so can writing the words to one. Once again, this assumption and the truth are completely unrelated. You dont need to be Bob Dylan or Bernie Taupin to do it â€" you only need to have something to say. I first began writing lyrics as teenager. My summer camp bunkmate frequently played me homemade recordings of his two-person band. He was likely the first person who introduced me to the idea that a songs lyrics dont have to make imminent and immediate sense â€" they need only come from inside you. Themes in his material ranged from Star Trek-esque imagery of ice skating on the surface of the moon to a song about someones bearskin rug. “I write my songs and then interpret them later,” he said. With this in mind, I began doing the same. By the time I was in college, Id become familiar enough with the process that I was finally able to add humor into it and create what effectively became a tribute to the famous childrens book Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs about raining food: I sat and stared at my linguine on my plate. Its origin could be a matter of debate. It looks like weather here. Weather I hold dear. Weather that does not show up here everyday. Heres where a thread to soloing is apparent â€" in writing lyrics its more important to feel than it is to think. Writing words and playing improvised notes are actually two different versions of the same thing â€" theyre intimate forms of expression clouded only by your internal resistance to playing (or writing) what you hear in your head. During a recent lesson about soloing, I told my student that the notes are already waiting there for you â€" you need only play them. The same applies to your lyrics. If you find yourself perpetually wanting to write a song on guitar but arent sure how to begin writing lyrics, I strongly suggest writing blues stanzas. The blues follows a frequently predictable pattern (based on a call-and-response tradition) in which a line is presented, repeated, and followed with a relevant second line: I hate to see evening sun go down. I hate to see evening sun go down. Cause it makes me think Im on my last go-round. Im ready â€" ready as anybody can be. Im ready â€" ready as anybody can be. Im ready for you. I hope youre ready for me. The girl Im loving shes got great long curly hair. The girl Im loving shes got great long curly hair. And her mama and her papa well, they sure dont allow me there. You might try improvising stanzas while playing a twelve-bar chord progression (E-E-E-E-A-A-E-E-B7th-A-E-E/B7th) and seeing where that takes you. Making up spontaneous blues songs may prove an enjoyable (and often funny) first step for you as a songwriter that will begin to teach you to allow your imagery to flourish without red tape. Think of it as an advanced form of Mad Libs. Finally, dont worry about writing too many or too few songs. Arlo Guthrie has used a fishing metaphor to describe the process of “catching” a good one. Bruce Springsteen has traditionally written roughly seventy songs per album and picked out only the ten or twelve that aesthetically fit together best. Some of your songs will be better than others. Dont let this discourage you at all. The good ones will always find you, more often than the reverse. Learn more: Check out our guide to songwriting! Samuel B. teaches beginner  guitar lessons in Austin, TX. He teaches lessons face-to-face without sheet music, which is his adaptation of Japanese instruction (involving a call-and-response method).  Learn more about Samuel here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Matt Gibson

4 Important Facts to Know About Your GPA

4 Important Facts to Know About Your GPA At the end of your report card every year, listed under your current grades, is your cumulative GPA. You might know what is typically seen as a great GPAfor example, something at or near a 4.0 and what numbers represent weaker GPAs. But you may not know how your GPA is calculated, how it will influence your college admissions process, and how you can use it to decide what kinds of colleges might fit you best. Your cumulative GPA is a powerful marker of where you are academically and what kind of academic performance you might be capable of later on. When looking at your GPA from this past school year, keep these four important facts in mind: 1. Your cumulative GPA may be weightedand different schools have different methods of weighting GPAs If you take some honors or AP classes, your grades from these classes might result in your cumulative GPA being calculated with higher numbers. For example, some schools grade AP classes on a 5.0 scale and honors classes on a 4.5 scale, thus making it possible for your cumulative GPA to be over a 4.0. If your school weights these more advanced classes by adjusting the grading scale, then your cumulative GPA may be a weighted GPA, intended to reflect the increased rigor of your courseload. Furthermore, the way one school weights its more challenging classes may not be the way other schools weight theirs, and some schools may not weight their classes at all. Before you get excited about your GPA, figure out if your school weights classes and if the cumulative GPA on your report card is weighted or unweighted. [RELATED: How LSAC Calculates Your GPA] 2. Colleges may place more emphasis on your unweighted GPA Colleges receive a copy of your official high school transcript that may include both your unweighted and weighted GPAs. Because high schools calculate their weighted GPAs in a myriad of ways, many colleges look to standardize the grading scales of their applicants by putting everyone back on the old 4.0 scalemeaning that colleges may look at your unweighted GPA as well. Colleges can then assess the rigor of your courseload by looking at which classes are listed on your transcript. Thus, if you have an unweighted GPA of 3.7 and took four AP classes, you might be more enticing than a candidate with an unweighted 4.0 who took no challenging courses. 3. You can use your GPA to determine how competitive of a college applicant you might be Most colleges share the average GPAs of students in their recent entering classes, and you can use this data to help determine if you are a competitive applicant for certain schools. Applying to a few reach schools is standard for most students, but it should be noted that your reach schools should be just thatwithin reach. Use your GPA as a guideline during your application process. However, keep in mind the college admissions process is typically holistic, meaning the application reviewers review all aspects of your academic history and what you have to offer, so try not to completely write off a potential school due to a target GPA mismatch. Your GPA can act as just one of many guiding factors as you research colleges to find which are the best statistical fits. [RELATED: Is MCAT or GPA More Important for Med School?] 4. Colleges may use your GPA as an indication of how well you will perform academically at the collegiate level Colleges know that a past record of strong academic performance typically begets future strong performances. Colleges look at GPAs not only as evidence of your high school accomplishments, but as likely predictors of future promise. Your GPA may represent what you will bring to a school academically and how well you might do once you graduate from college. Make sure youre putting your best foot forward by working consistently hard and challenging yourself throughout your high school career so that your GPA reflects a promising candidate who is ready to take on a collegiate courseload. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us atblog@varsitytutors.com.

How To Study Smarter By Discovering Your Learning Style (Infographic) - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How To Study Smarter By Discovering Your Learning Style (Infographic) - Introvert Whisperer How To Study Smarter By Discovering Your Learning Style (Infographic) Discovering your study style will enable you to better understand your strengths and weaknesses so you can reach your full potential as a student.   A Brief Introduction to Learning Styles The term “learning style” can be defined as the ways in which peoples’ brains process, absorb, comprehend and retain information. As such, learning styles are not really concerned with  what  learners learn, but rather  how  they prefer to learn. Your learning style is unique to you and can be influenced by a diverse range of cognitive, emotional, experiential and environmental factors. In fact, studies show that everyone uses a mix of learning styles.   The Advantages of Knowing Your Learning Style “It is better to know how to learn than to know.” Dr. Seuss   Developing an awareness and understanding of your unique learning style will empower you to boost your academic performance. Knowing your learning style may also boost your confidence when it comes to learning and this can may you achieve your goals without doubting yourself or your abilities. It will allow you to create customised study strategies, this will take some of the stress out of exam preparation and will help to make your revision sessions more fruitful. What’s more, you will also be able to communicate more effectively with your teachers about your needs. What Are Some of the Most Common Learning Styles? Style 1: Visual Learning Most people fall into the “visual learner” category. Visual learners tend to learn best by sight and prefer visual demonstrations over verbal explanations. These individuals typically find it easier to visualise things in their mind so videos, photos and diagrams can be useful learning aids. Style 2: Auditory Learning   After visual learning, auditory learning is the most common learning style. Individuals with the auditory learning style are best at processing information through sound. It is not uncommon for auditory learners to have excellent communication skills. They also show a preference for thinking aloud so they find it useful to discuss ideas in a group setting. Style 3: Kinesthetic/Tactile Learning The least common learning style, a mere 5% of all people fall into the Kinesthetic/Tactile category. These people generally absorb information most effectively when they are engaged in a hands-on activity. They usually find it easier to concentrate when moving and dislike being sedentary. For best results, those with the kinesthetic learning style should attempt to integrate some form of movement or activity into their study sessions. Learn More If you would like to find out more about the different learning styles, then you should take a look at this interesting infographic which comes courtesy of Study Medicine Europe. This useful guide explains how cultivating an awareness of your learning style can help to improve your chances of academic success. It also lays out the various styles of learning and offers specific study advice for each category. It supplements this with some more general study tips. Scroll down to the infographic below to discover the best and study techniques for each learning style.

3 Big Challenges and What You Should Do - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 3 Big Challenges and What You Should Do - Introvert Whisperer 3 Big Challenges and What You Should Do We constantly face challenges in our life.   There are 3 big challenges I think we face almost daily. I’d like to offer up my thoughts on things to do or consider with those challenges. Here are the challenges: Making hard decisions Staying focused on your goals when life intervenes Finding balance (yes, it’s there as well) Let’s take a peek at the challenges and some things to consider:   Making hard decisions I one time heard someone says that there are no “bad” decisions; decisions are neutral.   It’s what you do and how you respond to the outcome of your decision. In general, I think that is a wholesome way to look at decisions because all decisions that arent life-threatening, illegal or immoral all can get “managed”.   By that I mean there are always unknowns that you don’t know or can’t predict at the time you make a decision. You must figure out how to handle those unpredictable things.   We have to adjust.   We have to problem-solve.   There is never a straight line between a decision and an outcome. Maybe there is an element of expectation adjustment to go with decision-making.   The expectation should lean toward realizing in order to get to the desired end result; you will have to weave around a few obstacles.   You have to keep your eye on your goal for the decision you made and recognize you still have work to do. Staying focused on your goals when life intervenes   I see this so much that it’s obvious, as humans, we can really only focus on a couple of important things at the same time.   This is especially true with our careers.   We are focused on finishing school and launching our career.   Once we do that; we get married, have kids and buy a house.   It’s big fun and very exciting but while we’re doing it, the career tends to go into autopilot.   We wake up one day in the future and wonder what happened, as we aren’t where we prefer. I think there are two things you can do to help you stay focused: Have someone dedicated to help remind you to occasionally pay attention to “other important things”. It can be a trusted mentor or a professional like a coach. Make a point out in time when you’ll restart your focus. The person I mention in number one can help you with a future restart. Finding balance   My view on finding balance is that it’s an ongoing part of life.   You have to constantly make decisions about what to do and what to delay.   It’s like your money; you can’t pay for everything all the time.   You have to decide what is most important right now and wait to do or pay for something at another point in the future. As a gal who used to work for me said: “It turns out you can’t do it all, at least not all at the same time.”   It’s true and while it might not always be fun, it’s part of keeping you functioning well. Go to top 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! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

How to get ahead in academics this summer

How to get ahead in academics this summer Summer tutoring can turn you summer into a growth experienceFor most students, the school year is coming to an end sometime in the next few weeks.  A seemingly endless expanse of summer break stretches out in front of them.  Visions of beach days and sleeping in abound.  However, time goes quickly and before they know it, August is rolling around again and it’s time to head back to school.The “summer slide” is well-known, for good reason.  After taking several months off from academics, many students lose some of the achievement gains they made the year before.  While we don’t advocate devoting your entire summer to school (everyone needs a break!), it can be beneficial to weave learning into some of your free time so you’re not starting the school year at a disadvantage.Here are a few ideas to get you started:Read for fun.Aside from being an enjoyable way to pass the time, reading for fun builds your vocabulary and reading comprehension.  Students who read for fun te nd to do much better on the SAT and ACT as well.  Don’t assume that reading for fun has to mean picking up the classics like Dickens and Dostoevsky (although those are great too!).  For more reluctant readers, even magazines can do the trick.  Try magazines with well-written feature articles like ESPN The Magazine or The Atlantic Monthly.  Get a subscription and distribute the magazines around your house so you’ll pick them up when you have a free minute.   Remember, you can use a Kindle to bring books and magazines with you wherever you go!Get a head start on test prep with easy-to-use apps.Yes, there’s no substitute for old-fashioned in-person test prep for the most personalized instruction (this might be a good time to mention that current AJ Tutoring students should take practice SAT and ACT tests with us this summer!).  However, there are some great SAT and ACT prep apps out there that will help you take your test prep with you wherever you go.  Try the College Boar d’s app for SAT prep and ACT Ups app for the ACT.  Even doing a question or two each day will help you make headway in your test prep for next school year.Improve your organization and executive functioning skills.One of the most underrated contributors to academic success is the ability to stay focused, avoid procrastination, and make a study plan (and stick to it!).   A student who knows everything there is to know about US History but starts a 5-page essay the night before it’s due is probably not going to get the grade that he’s capable of achieving.  This summer, start by reading a book like The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg to learn how to automate your willpower and change your habits for good.  Then, harness modern technology for your benefit by trying a few productivity apps.  Google Calendar might be a good solution if the traditional planner has never worked for you.  Todoist is a powerful to-do list app that helps you plan out your tasks and reminds you whe n they’re due.  Finally, practice your new habits and try out your new technology on a smaller scale over the summer: use them to help you complete your summer assignments for next school year.Explore an academic interest, or work ahead for next year’s classes.Have you noticed a recurring theme yet?  Technology can help you make the most of your time this summer, allowing you to integrate learning with your summer plans.  The last few years have seen an explosion in free or low-cost online classes.  Interested in learning CSS, a foreign language, or early American history?  Coursera, Khan Academy, and Codecademy are a few options among hundreds of such websites.  However, while online courses are a great way to explore a new academic interest, many students have trouble staying motivated when they’re not meeting in-person with a teacher. For those students, AJ Tutoring offers a variety of 1-on-1 summer classes at our offices in the Bay Area.  Our summer offerings range from bridge classes to get you ready for AP Calculus to enrichment classes in subjects like Java.  To sign up for summer classes at AJ Tutoring or talk with a director about your summer plans, please fill out a consultation request or give us a call at 650.331.3251.   Wed love to work with you this summer!