The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Megan is a Kansas City tutor specializing in ACT prep, Anatomy, Reading, and much more. She graduated from University of Missouri in 2009 with a degree in Secondary Education. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Megan: The campus is found in the middle of Columbia, which is a very nicely developing college town. The transportation options are plentiful; there ... Read More About Should I Go To University of Missouri?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Gina is an Atlanta tutor specializing in Algebra, SAT prep, Biology, and much more. She graduated from University of Virginia in 2010 where she studied Sociology and Biology. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Gina: UVA is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the cozy, but progressive city of Charlottesville. It’s probably considered... Read More About Should I Go To University of Virginia?

Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Dr. Oliver McGee served 5 years on the Faculty Admissions Committee of The Ohio State University. Working in admissions for the largest public university in the U.S. provided him with incredible experience to become an expert on the college application process, as well as a widely known STEM education mentor. He is currently an American Council on Education Fellow at UCLA, where he has gained further insights into all areas of admissions. Dr. McGee has additionally mentored several students who have went on to receive extremely prestigious... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Dr. Oliver McGee

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. William is a San Diego tutor specializing in Biostatistics, Calculus, Grammar and Mechanics, and much more. He graduated from University of California, San Diego in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering. See what he had to say about UCSD:   VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? William: The transportation is currently great, with shuttles and bus passes included in tuition. The school ... Read More About Should I Go To University of California, San Diego?

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 ... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Dr. Joan Martin

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Maria graduated from The CUNY (City University of New York) College of Staten Island in 2012 with a degree in History. She is currently New York City tutor specializing in Phonics, Spanish, World History, and more. See what she had to say about her alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Maria: The campus is set off of Victory Boulevard, which is one of the main streets in Staten Islan... Read More About What is it Like to Attend The CUNY College of Staten Island?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Julie is a New York City tutor who specializes in a wide array of subjects including LSAT prep, Trigonometry, and Writing. She graduated from The University of Chicago in 2009 where she studied Comparative Human Development. Check out her review of her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Julie: The University of Chicago is located in Hyde Park, a diverse neighborhood on the South Side of... Read More About Should I Go To The University of Chicago?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Evan is a Seattle tutor specializing in test prep, many levels of math, and writing. He graduated from Pomona College in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science and Psychology. Check out his review of his alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Evan: Pomona is one college among the five Claremont Colleges, which all share one campus. Despite containing five liberal arts colleges, it is... Read More About Should I Go To Pomona College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Ashley is a Washington D.C. tutor specializing in many areas of math including Algebra, Pre-Calculus, and Trigonometry. She graduated from University of Michigan in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ashley: Ann Arbor is a classic college town. The campus is split between North and South ... Read More About Should I Go To University of Michigan?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Courtney is a Houston tutor attending Rice University. She is currently a junior majoring in Cognitive Sciences and specializes in several tutoring subjects such as ISEE prep, Biology, and Essay Editing. See what she had to say about Rice: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Courtney: Although Rice is in the center of a major metropolitan area, the campus feels very intimate and is very safe. Our Rice Uni... Read More About Should I Go To Rice University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Julie is a Chicago tutor and 2010 graduate of Loyola University Chicago. She holds degrees in both History and Secondary Education. Julie tutors general History, European History, Government, and World History. See what she had to say about Loyola: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Julie: Loyola is located on two campuses. The main campus is in Rogers Park and the downtown campus is located near Michiga... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Loyola University Chicago?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Erica is a New York City tutor and 2009 graduate of New York University. She majored in History and now tutors multiple subjects including Literature, Arithmetic, and ACT/SAT prep. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Erica: Going to NYU was most definitely a different experience than most other colleges – in the best way! NYU doesn’t really have a ... Read More About Should I Go To New York University?

Inquiring minds want to know – what is it like to major in journalism? Well, if you’ve got one of those particularly inquisitive minds, this area of study would probably fit you perfectly. A field where the sole purpose is to learn about new things and share them with the world, students who are naturally curious and determined to get answers to open questions should be more than ready to take this on. Certain challenges come along with it, however. Obstacles regarding boundaries and knowing when to keep reaching and when to recognize limits are explored. Depending on the area of journalism you want to go into, various skills conce... Read More About Should I Major in Journalism?

Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Dr. Carol Langlois has over 17 years of experience in higher education admissions and recruiting. She has been on the admissions boards for many schools including the University of San Francisco and also holds a Doctorate in Education. Dr. Langlois has handled all aspects of the admissions process and reviewed thousands of applications during her time in past positions as well as her time as an independent admissions consultant. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application?  Carol: Famil... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Dr. Carol Langlois

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Courtney is a Seattle tutor specializing in Calculus, SAT prep, and much more. She graduated from Williams College in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. See what she had to say about her alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Courtney: Williams College is in Williamstown, MA in the Northwest corner of the state, about 3 hours from Boston and about 4.5 hours from NYC. It's small... Read More About Should I Go To Williams College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Jeremy is a Houston tutor and 2011 graduate of Whitman College where he studied Biology. He specializes in many tutoring subjects such as Anatomy, Government, and SAT prep. See what he had to say about his alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jeremy: The campus is small and impeccably maintained, with beautiful gardens, handsome buildings (late 1800’s-present), and a liberal sprinkl... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Whitman College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Carl is a Washington D.C. tutor who graduated from North Carolina State University. He received his Bachelor’s degree in English and currently specializes in many tutoring subjects including Reading, Writing, and SAT prep. See what he had to say about his alma mater:   VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Carl: NCSU is in an urban setting about three miles from downtown Raleigh. It is very safe... Read More About What is it Like to Attend North Carolina State University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Pedro is a New York City tutor specializing in Physics, Geometry, multiple levels of Calculus, and more. He attended Fordham University at the Rose Hill Campus and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. See what he had to say about his school:  VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Pedro: Fordham’s Rose Hill is a very safe, enclosed campus. The surrounding areas, including Fordham Road (a m... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Fordham University?

Probably one of the most critical steps of the college search, your campus visits need to be scheduled early on with plenty of time to spare. These visits are pivotal points in your decision-making process, as there is simply no better way to get a real handle on a campus than by spending some time on it. But with so much to do in the period of college application insanity, how can you possibly make sure each of these visits are scheduled appropriately and made use of in the best ways? Moreover, how do you know which campuses you need to visit? All of these questions that might be asked in a panic before quickly-approaching deadlines are more... Read More About How to Plan College Campus Visits

The True Cost of College How much is the average American spending on higher education? More than you might expect. This infographic goes beyond tuition and offers a comprehensive breakdown of the real costs of college, as well as what goes into financing a degree, including the realities of student loan debt. Get the info you need to plan and pay for college.... Read More About The True Cost of College Infographic

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Samantha is a Philadelphia tutor specializing in a multitude of subjects such as Statistics, Physiology, and Italian. She studied Biopsychology and Music at University of Michigan where she graduated from in 2012. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?                          &nb... Read More About A Day in the Life at University of Michigan

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Brandon is a New York City tutor specializing in several subjects such as Economics, Reading, and College Essay prep. He majored in Theater, Economics, and Government when he attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York and graduated in 2011. See what Brandon had to say about his alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Brandon: Saratoga Springs is probably one of the most beautiful citi... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Skidmore College?

Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Susan Goodkin is a national college consultant specializing in admission to highly selective colleges such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, and much more. She is a graduate of Harvard University, as well as Oxford University where she was a Rhodes Scholar. Susan has been featured in several well-known publications such as The Washington Post and The Miami Herald. She currently does college admissions consulting at the California Learning Strategies Center. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college ap... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Susan Goodkin

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Perrine is a Phoenix tutor specializing in Geometry, SAT prep, Grammar and Mechanics, and more. She is a 2005 graduate of Stanford University where she studied Political Science and International Relations. See what she had to say about her time in college: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Perrine: Stanford Campus, known as “The Farm,” is breathtakingly beautiful. It is set on 8,180 a... Read More About Should I Go To Stanford University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Robert is a Dallas Fort Worth Tutor and 2008 graduate of New York University where he studied Music. Some of the subjects he tutors are SAT Math, History, and Writing. See what he had to say about his time at NYU: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Robert: The campus is not at all like a traditional college campus. The majority of the university buildings are located around Washington Square Park, ... Read More About A Day in the Life at New York University

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Claire is a Phoenix tutor who graduated from Hillsdale College in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in French and Sociology. She tutors many subjects including GRE prep, Grammar and Mechanics, and French. See what she had to say about Hillsdale: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Claire: It’s very safe. Hillsdale is a town of about 9000 people, and the college relationship with the town is pretty... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Hillsdale College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Jennifer is a junior at The University of Arizona majoring in Physiology. She tutors many subjects in Tucson including World History, Psychology, Chemistry, and more. See what she had to say about her school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jennifer: The campus is in the middle of Tucson, which is a larger town in Arizona, but the campus has never felt unsafe in anyway! There are many things that the ... Read More About Should I Go To The University of Arizona?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Meghan is a 2011 graduate of Saint Louis University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. She currently tutors many subjects in St. Louis including Elementary Math, Calculus, and ACT prep. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Meghan: Saint Louis University (SLU) is located in the SLU/Midtown section of St. Louis, MO. It is an oasis in the middle of an urban ... Read More About Should I Go To Saint Louis University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Melissa is a Chicago tutor specializing in Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Trigonometry. She graduated from Colorado College in 2008 with her Bachelor’s in Mathematics. Take a look at her review of her school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Melissa: My college campus was just north of downtown Colorado Springs. We weren’t allowed to have a car freshman year, but I didn’t have a... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Colorado College?

The following piece was written by Joie Jager-Hyman. Joie has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is a former Assistant Director of Admissions for Dartmouth College. She is the founder of her own admissions consulting service, College Prep 360. As spring break approaches, many families with 10th and 11th graders are gearing up to hit the road for campus visits. Many students and parents are tempted to focus on certain data points like size, location, selectivity, cost, and choice of majors. All of these are important things to consider in your college search—but not at the expense of overlooking how you feel... Read More About Top Questions to Ask at a Campus Information Session

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Noah graduated in 2008 from Wheaton College in Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. He currently tutors in Chicago, specializing in Algebra, Essay Editing, Accounting, and more. Check out his review of his alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Noah: The campus is tucked into a quiet residential area a few blocks away from the downtown. It is only 40 minutes from downtown C... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Wheaton College in Illinois?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Olivia is a senior at Rice University studying Materials Science. She currently tutors several subjects in Houston including SAT prep, Chemistry, and German. Check out her review of her school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Olivia: Campus is very safe; it’s a little bubble within Houston. The running joke is that we live in the 4th biggest city in the country but go weeks without leaving campu... Read More About A Student Review of Rice University

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Mary is a 2011 graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara. She holds a degree in Zoology and currently tutors many subjects in Los Angeles including Essay Editing, SSAT prep, and Elementary Math. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Mary: My campus was situated near a small community where most of the students lived, so most people ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of California, Santa Barbara?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Ralston is an Atlanta tutor and currently a junior at Emory University. He specializes in Grammar and Mechanics, Writing, and Latin. See what he had to say about his school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ralston: Emory has an incredibly beautiful campus. It's a nice haven in the middle of Decatur. It's incredibly safe in this area. Safety is not something I have ever heard someone complain about her... Read More About Should I Go To Emory University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Albina is a New York City tutor specializing in Anatomy, Physics, Biology, and more. She graduated from the University of Buffalo in 2010 with a degree in Biological Sciences. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Albina: The campus was very large and has two campuses: North and South. South Campus is located just on the edge of the city and has a very suburban ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Buffalo?

The following piece was written by Rachel Korn. Rachel has been featured in our Admissions Expert series and is a former University of Pennsylvania admissions officer, as well as the founder of her own admissions consulting firm. In your search for your right college, there is no better single piece of data to collect than how you feel with your feet on a campus. Here’s how to maximize your visits:1.     Research beforehand. Visit school websites to get information about their scheduled visitor activities and plan ahead. If you have to pre-register for a tour, an information session or an interview, do that well in a... Read More About Top 10 Tips For College Campus Visits

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. James is a New York City tutor and graduate of Harvard College. He studied History during his time at Harvard and now tutors many subjects including World History, Literature, and College Essay prep. See what he had to say about his alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  James: Harvard’s campus is located in Cambridge Massachusetts, next to Boston. Thus, it provides a perfect ba... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Harvard College?

The following piece was written by Cassie Kosarek. Cassie is a Philadelphia tutor for Varsity Tutors and 2012 graduate of Bryn Mawr College. When the inevitable question came up during my undergraduate years – “So where do you go?” – my answer was often met with disbelief followed by looks suggesting I was crazy. “Bryn Mawr, one of the Seven Sisters. It’s a small women’s college outside of Philadelphia.” Why, whoever I was talking to wanted to know, would I ever choose an “all-girls’ school?” Did my parents push me into it? Did I know when I was applying? I’d quickly corr... Read More About What is it Like To Go To a Women's College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Ashlee is a New York City tutor who specializes in many subjects including Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and French. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2011 where she studied Psychology and French Literature. Check out her review of her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ashlee: The undergraduate campus at Hopkins, Homewood, is like a little oasis in the middle of Baltimore. There are... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Johns Hopkins University?

The following piece was written by Ben Gubar. Ben is a New Jersey tutor for Varsity Tutors as well as a professor for Richard Stockton College. Mark Twain once said: “The more you explain it, the more I don’t understand it.” In my opinion, this is the bane of every instructor’s existence. When I first started teaching at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, I would hear variations of this quote from my students. My biggest job was not to impart the knowledge to the students, which is what every professor must do, but rather to impart it in such a way that students wouldn’t become confused. One could say that i... Read More About Reflections of an Anatomy Instructor

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Caleb is a New York City tutor specializing in ISEE prep, Pre-Calculus, Reading, and much more. He is currently a junior at The King’s College in New York City studying Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. See what he had to say about his school:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Caleb: Since the campus is right by Wall Street, there is lots of transportation available to students. Mos... Read More About What is it LIke to Attend The King's College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Benjamin graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2012 where he studied Environmental Studies and Anthropology. He currently tutors in Washington D.C., specializing in Trigonometry, Biology, Reading, and much more. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Benjamin: There is plenty of parking, but it’s expensive. However, you really don’t need... Read More About Should I Go To Washington University in St. Louis?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Christine is a Houston tutor and 2012 graduate of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and currently tutors many subjects including Algebra, Chemistry, and Writing. See what she had to say about her school:    VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Christine: St. Mary’s entire campus is gated and there are police in cars and on bike... Read More About What is it Like to Attend St. Mary's University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Rebecca is a Phoenix tutor specializing in several subjects such as SAT/ACT prep, Calculus, and History. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. See what she had to say about her alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Rebecca: Dartmouth is famously rural. As a college situated in the middle of a forest, you don’t get a lot of crime&mdash... Read More About Should I Go To Dartmouth College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Stephanie graduated from Auburn University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She tutors in Atlanta and specializes in French, Algebra, SAT/ACT prep, and many more subjects. Check out her review of Auburn: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Stephanie: It is very easy to get around on the Auburn campus. Many people bike and also walk. I used to walk from class to class. There is a bus that will pick you ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Auburn University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Ginger is an Atlanta tutor specializing in Elementary Math, Biology, SAT/ACT prep, and more. She graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. Check out her review of her school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ginger: The campus is a fairly enclosed haven in the middle of Atlanta. There are no gates to outline the border, but most... Read More About What is it Like to Attend the Georgia Institute of Technology?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Tiffany is a senior at Stony Brook University studying Spanish Language & Literature. She is a New York City tutor who specializes in SAT prep, Literature, Essay Editing, and more. See what she had to say about her school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Tiffany: The Stony Brook campus is very large and has a cosmopolitan, mature, and “city-like” feel to it. The student body is e... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Stony Brook University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Kalee is a Los Angeles tutor specializing in a multitude of subjects including MCAT prep, Chemistry, and Finance. She graduated from University of Southern California in 2012 where she studied Business and Natural Sciences. See what she had to say about he alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Kalee: The USC campus is located in South Central Los Angeles. Most students live either on-campus or w... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Southern California?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Bethany is a Dallas Fort Worth tutor specializing in Biology, History, Middle School Math, and more. She is a 2008 graduate of The University of Oklahoma and holds a degree in International Studies. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?   Bethany: Getting around the University of Oklahoma is very easy. The majority of the academic buildings are centered around two ovals. There are buses to... Read More About What is it Like to Attend The University of Oklahoma?

Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Brittany Maschal has held roles in several admissions offices and areas of student services including those at the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University. Additionally, she acquired her Doctorate in Higher Education at The George Washington University and currently runs her own consulting service, B. Maschal Educational Consulting. See what she had to say about the undergraduate admissions process:  VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application?  Brittany: “Better ... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Brittany Maschal

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Molly is a Washington D.C. tutor specializing in ACT prep, PSAT prep, Linguistics, and more. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Smith College, a women’s liberal arts school, where she graduated from in 2012. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Molly: Smith is located in the cute, quiet town of Northampton, near Springfield and Amhers... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Smith College?

Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Stephen Black is a 2007 graduate of Harvard University. He kept in touch with the university and soon after, acquired a role conducting applicant interviews for the admissions office. Stephen is an extremely experienced mentor for students and has put that expertise together with his experience on the Harvard admissions board to be an admissions consultant for Admissionado, where he helps college applicants get into schools all over the world.   VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college applicati... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Stephen Black

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Kristen is a Houston tutor who teaches Spanish, English, Literature, and Grammar and Mechanics. She graduated from Texas State University in 2010 with a degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Spanish. Check out her review of Texas State: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Kristen: Texas State University is set in Texas "hill country" and there's even a river running through the heart of the c... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Texas State University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Celine graduated from Haverford College in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in History. She is currently a tutor in Washington D.C. specializing in SAT prep, Reading, French, and more. See what she had to say about her alma mater:   VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Celine: Haverford College is located about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia in the residential area of the Main Line. It is ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Haverford College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Evelyn is a St. Louis tutor specializing in SAT prep, GRE prep, Middle School Math, and more. She graduated from Tufts University in 2009 with a degree in Biopsychology. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Evelyn: Tufts University is located in Somerville/Medford, right outside of Boston. I really liked that the school is located in a less busy, suburban area ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Tufts University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Courtney is a Houston tutor specializing in Geometry, Physics, Russian, and more. She graduated from Purdue University in 2011 with a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience:   VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Courtney: The Purdue campus is located in the smallish town of West Lafayette, Indiana. The campus is very cent... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Purdue University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Jonathan is a 2011 graduate of Harvard University where he studied Philosophy. He currently tutors in Los Angeles, specializing in a multitude of subjects including Statistics, SAT/ACT prep, and Chemistry. See what he had to say about his time at Harvard:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Jonathan: Cambridge is very easy to navigate. Campus is pretty much totally flat and everyone walks or bikes to class. There is also a subway s... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Harvard University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Clare is New York City tutor specializing in SAT/ACT prep, Reading/Writing, and Spanish. She graduated from Williams College in 2011 where she studied Spanish and Art History. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Clare: Williams College is located in an amazingly beautiful little town nestled in the Berkshires. You certainly do not need a car, there is a bus to... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Williams College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Alexandra is a New York City tutor and 2006 graduate of Pomona College where she studied Theater and French. She tutors many subjects including Math, English, French, and various areas of test prep. See what she had to say about her experience at Pomona: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Alexandra: As part of a 5-college consortium, even though Pomona's a small school, the campus feels quite large as al... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Pomona College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. George graduated from University of Virginia in 2010 with a degree in English Language and Literature. He currently tutors in Philadelphia and specializes in Algebra, College Essays, Grammar and Mechanics, and more. See what he had to say about his undergraduate experience: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? George: The University of Virginia is located within the city of Charlottesville, which is an int... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Virginia?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Maggie is a 2011 graduate of Cornell University where she studied Environmental Engineering. She currently tutors in New York City, specializing in many subjects such as Calculus, Chemistry, and Computer Science. See what she had to say about her alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Maggie: There is a bus system that all freshmen and transfer students can use for free, and it is free for all students during weekends and after... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Cornell University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Margarita is a New York City tutor who specializes in a plethora of subjects including ACT prep, Algebra, and Essay Editing. She graduated from The University of Chicago in 2010 where she studied Mathematics and Economics. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Margarita: The University of Chicago is in Hyde Park, a neighborhood approximately 20 min... Read More About What is it Like to Attend The University of Chicago?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Sarah graduated from Princeton University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. She currently tutors in Phoenix, specializing in numerous subjects including Calculus, MCAT prep, and SAT prep. See what she had to say about her time at Princeton: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Sarah: Princeton is a campus that is very easily navigated. The vast majority of students walk to class, and I would say on average, it took me 5-10 min... Read More About What is it like to Attend Princeton University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Gabrielle is a Kansas City tutor specializing in ACT prep, History, Writing, and more. She graduated from University of Missouri in 2010 where she studied English and History. Check out what she had to say about her alma mater:   VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Gabrielle: Campus itself is a contained entity. It takes about fifteen minutes to power walk from one side to the other, but a pretty go... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Missouri?

Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Densil R. R. Porteous II is currently the Director of Admissions at Columbus College of Art & Design. He has served in leadership roles in admissions at Stanford University and his alma mater, Kenyon College. Densil has also taught at the high school and post-secondary levels when he served as Director of College Counseling at the Drew School in San Francisco and College Counseling Certificate Instructor at University of California, San Diego. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? ... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Densil R. R. Porteous II

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Gabby is a Washington D.C. tutor and 2011 graduate of the University of Maryland. She holds a Journalism degree and tutors many subjects such as Writing, Italian, and SAT prep. See what she had to say about her undergraduate experience:  VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Gabby: The campus is beautiful and sprawling. UMD has a reliable shuttle system that goes to every corner of campus, although many students also ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Maryland?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Steve is a 2012 graduate of Brandeis University. He studied French and Healthcare and is currently tutoring in New York City. He specializes in many subjects including Anatomy, Physiology, and ISEE prep. See what Steve had to say about his experience at Brandeis: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Steve: Brandeis University is located in Waltham, Massachusetts. It’s about 12 miles away from Boston ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Brandeis University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Lauren is a 2012 graduate of University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She currently tutors in Los Angeles and specializes in many subjects including SAT prep, Grammar and Mechanics, and Spanish. See what she had to say about her time at UCLA: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Lauren: UCLA’s dorms are located on the edge of campus, so most students choose to ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of California, Los Angeles?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Erin is a 2012 graduate of Syracuse University where she studied English and Communications. She currently tutors in New York City and specializes in many subjects including Essay Editing, Literature, and Phonics. See what she had to say about her alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Erin: Everything on main campus is within a 20-minute walk. The school uses some facilities for design stu... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Syracuse University?

Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Adam Hoff is one of the two owners of Amerasia Consulting where he and his team of consultants prep applicants for business school applications. He is quite experienced with the undergrad admissions process as well, having previously been the Associate Director of Admissions at Pepperdine University. Adam also graduated from The University of Chicago Law School, ultimately giving him an incredibly well-rounded view on higher education that he is eager to share with students everywhere. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin work... Read More About Ask an Admissions Expert: Adam Hoff

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Kellan is an Atlanta tutor and 2012 graduate of The University of Georgia who majored in Philosophy and International Affairs with a minor in French. She currently tutors Literature, Writing, French, and Essay Editing. Check out Kellan’s review of her school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Kellan: The University of Georgia is conveniently located at the center of the Athens metropolitan area ne... Read More About What is it Like to Attend The University of Georgia?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Gavin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Meteorology from University of Hawaii at Manoa. He graduated in 2012 and currently tutors in Los Angeles, specializing in several subjects including GRE prep, Algebra, and Physics. See what he had to say about his time at school in Hawaii: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Gavin: The UH Manoa campus lies in the Manoa Valley, only a few miles from Waikiki Beach an... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Hawaii at Manoa?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Ryan is a Chicago tutor who specializes in College Essay prep, World History, Geometry, and more. He graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008 with a degree in Political Science and History. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Ryan: The setting is downstate away from the hustle and bustle of the Chicago area in the quiet towns of Champai... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Larrissa is a Houston tutor specializing in Psychology, Reading, ISEE prep, and more. She studied Communications at The University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 2009. See what she had to say about her alma mater:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Larrissa: There are plenty of ways to get around UT-Austin – the bus system being the most useful. There are university buses that run around... Read More About What is it Like to Attend The University of Texas at Austin?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Devin is a Seattle tutor who specializes in all courses related to the social sciences and humanities, particularly Reading, Writing, and History. He graduated from DePaul University in 2012 where he studied History and African & Black Diaspora Studies. See what he had to say about his undergraduate experience: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Devin: All transportation options are possible in the h... Read More About What is it Like to Attend DePaul University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Angela is a Houston tutor and graduate of Yale University. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Film Studies and currently tutors Literature, Writing, Spanish, and more. See what she had to say about her experience at Yale: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Angela: Yale is a great, urban campus in a small city, New Haven. The transportation options are fantastic, with a Yale shuttle readily... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Yale University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Emily is an Atlanta tutor and 2008 graduate of Vanderbilt University. She holds a degree in Classical Languages and currently tutors several subjects including SAT/ACT prep, Geometry, and Reading. See what she had to say about her time at Vanderbilt: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Emily: Vanderbilt is a walking campus in the southwest side of Nashville. All of main campus is walkable within ten minut... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Vanderbilt University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Sebastian is a 2012 graduate of University of Washington and currently tutors Organic Chemistry in Seattle. He acquired his Bachelor’s degree in General Biology. See what he had to say about his school:  VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike?  Sebastian: Overall, the transportation was very good. If you were to travel there by car, there are plenty of parking places, but you do have to pay fo... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Washington?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Cassie graduated in 2012 from Bryn Mawr College, a small women’s college located outside of Philadelphia. She majored in English with a minor in Psychology and currently tutors in Philadelphia. Cassie specializes in many subjects including Reading, Biology, and ACT prep. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Cassie: Bryn Mawr is located in a suburb of Phil... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Bryn Mawr College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Leigh Ann is an Atlanta tutor and 2007 graduate of Emory University where she majored in Political Science and English. She tutors numerous subjects including SAT/ACT prep, LSAT prep, and Grammar and Mechanics.   VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Leigh Ann: Emory is one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. It's not just my Emory bias that makes me say that—it's consistently ranked ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Emory University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Andrew is a St. Louis tutor specializing in ACT/SAT prep, Calculus, Physics, and more. He graduated in 2012 from Saint Louis University with an Honors Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Engineering Mathematics. Take a look at his review of his alma mater:  VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Andrew: Saint Louis University is condensed into a small enough space that it is possible to walk from one end of cam... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Saint Louis University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Daniel is a New York City tutor specializing in SAT prep, Grammar and Mechanics, Elementary Math, and much more. He graduated from Brown University in 2012 with a Linguistics degree. Check out his review of his alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Daniel: Brown University is nestled in a more upper-middle class, suburban neighborhood within Providence, RI. Generally, it's very safe, and I've never felt unsafe ... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Brown University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Derek is a San Diego tutor specializing in History, Literature, GRE prep, and much more. He graduated from University of California, San Diego in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Music. Check out his review of his alma mater: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Derek: UCSD has a massive, sprawling campus with a lot of open space and greenery. There is even a forest in the center of the... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of California, San Diego?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Noor is a Chicago tutor who specializes in Spanish, English, and Test-Taking Strategies. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2011 with a degree in Arts and Sciences, specifically in International Relations and Diplomacy and Spanish. Check out what he had to say about his school: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Noor: Ohio State is a pretty urban campus. As far as Columbus goes, campus sits c... Read More About What is it Like to Attend The Ohio State University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Dennis is a 2012 graduate of Dartmouth College who currently tutors in Houston. He holds a degree in Government and Cognitive Science and teaches several subjects including Chemistry, World History, and Phonics. See what he had to say about Dartmouth: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Dennis: Dartmouth is in Hanover, New Hampshire, which is right on the Connecticut River and Vermont border. It’s a... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Dartmouth College?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Julia is a New York City tutor and 2012 graduate of Columbia University. She majored in Ecology and Evolution & Environmental Biology. Julia tutors several subjects including Geometry, Statistics, and Organic Chemistry. Check out her review of Columbia: VT:  Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Julia: Columbia is in New York City, of course, so public transportation is excellent. The 1 line on the subway wi... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Columbia University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Andrew is a senior at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in Environmental Biology and minoring in Writing. He tutors many subjects including Biology, ACT prep, and Essay Writing/Editing. See what he had to say about his school:   VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Andrew: It is very easy to move around campus. Our campus is somewhat spread out, so at times there will be a longer walk. Because of this, each cla... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Washington University in St. Louis?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Wendy is a New York City tutor who graduated from Adelphi University in 2011. She acquired her Bachelor’s degree in Biology, which is one of the subjects she tutors in addition to Anatomy, Literature, and more. See what she had to say about Adelphi:  VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Wendy: Adelphi is a pretty small campus and it's really easy to get around. There are no hills. There are plenty of bike racks in case you wa... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Adelphi University?

We all know the feeling; sitting there anxiously awaiting the teacher to come by your row of desks and hand that stack of tests to the person in front. You watch that stack get smaller and smaller as it gets closer to you until finally, you have it. Thoughts are racing through your mind about how well you studied that last set of notes or whether you should have looked into that math tutoring. The second you place that exam in front of you and pass the rest of the pile to the student behind you, a deep breath is taken and you are ready to dive in. Nervous or confident, you just want to get started so you can finish quickly and get the hec... Read More About Test-Taking Tip: How to Review an Exam Before You Take It

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Michelle is a Houston-based tutor and a senior at Rice University. She is a History major with a minor in Poverty, Justice, and Human Capabilities. Michelle specializes in many tutoring subjects including ACT prep, SAT prep, and Spanish. Check out her review of Rice: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc.  Michelle: It is really easy to get around on my campus. It isn’t hilly, and we’re a small school, so it is only a fif... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Rice University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Roderick is a St. Louis tutor who specializes in Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, and more. He graduated from the University of Victoria in Canada in 2010 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Roderick: This was a big bonus for pedestrian/non-drivers. Several buses run every 3 minutes at many stops all around the city that have final destinatio... Read More About What is it Like to Attend The University of Victoria?

 One-size-fits-all: not a phrase to describe college student bodies. Everyone has a different preference when it comes to the size of the school they plan on attending. It is one of the pivotal factors to the college decision. There are a lot of assumptions made about what a small school does for you and what a big school has to offer differently – and of course, let us not forget about the medium-sized school. However, even if you decide on a student body that is somewhere in between small and large, its numbers and culture are most likely going to make it lean more in the direction of one category or the other. Both small and larg... Read More About Top 4 Reasons to Attend a Big School

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. David is a Kansas City tutor who graduated from Missouri State University in 2011. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. David tutors many subjects including Algebra, Organic Chemistry, and Biology. See what he had to say about his alma mater: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc.  David: The campus is very easy to maneuver. They have clearly designated bike trails through out the major high t... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Missouri State University?

You’ve probably been well-briefed on the main differences between small schools, large schools, and medium-sized schools. Other than the obvious fact that they each have a vastly different-sized study body, the various factors that come along with them ultimately produce atmospheres that are simply better suited for certain personalities. The question is: how do you know which one fits your personality? The size alone may not be enough to answer that for you, so it is important to investigate the cultures and unique aspects these different types of colleges offer. However, it is very possible that you could like the idea of a small scho... Read More About Reasons to Attend a Small School

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences as well. Emma is a New York City tutor who helps students with Spanish, Writing, SAT prep, and more. She is currently a sophomore at New York University majoring in Economics. Check out what she had to say about her school: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Emma: The NYU campus is essentially part of Manhattan. One of the most distinct characteristics of NYU is that there is no campus, and the buildings are quite diffuse. As a freshman, you'r... Read More About What is it Like to Attend New York University?

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences with you as well. Anne is a New York City tutor specializing in Grammar & Mechanics, Pre-Calculus, SAT Math prep, and more. She graduated from Stanford University in 2008 with a degree in Economics. See what she has to say about her alma mater: VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Anne: Supposedly Stanford has the biggest campus in the country, and there's a reason we call it "The Farm." Everyone has a bike and it's not considered nerdy. Fro... Read More About What is it Like to Attend Stanford University?

We’ve talked about the distractions, we’ve talked about randomly helpful items, but now it’s time to talk about how you can put all of those things together and produce a great study environment. No student is in a good position to study if the surrounding atmosphere isn’t conducive to such productivity. Before you gather your books and attempt to cram that information into your brain, you need to make sure you are placed in a good setting, whether it's somewhere for a solo study session or a meeting with your SAT tutor. The number one rule when it comes to creating study environments? Don’t go by what anyone els... Read More About Study Tip: How to Create a Good Study Environment

The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach – they’re sharing their college experiences with you as well. Aaron is a Tucson tutor who specializes in Accounting, Economics, and Business Mathematics. He is currently a senior at The University of Arizona and is majoring in Accounting. See what he had to say about his school:  VT: How easy or difficult is it to get around on your campus? Is it hilly, do lots of people bike, are there buses, etc. Aaron: The University of Arizona is very easy to get around. The campus is mostly flat with only a couple of hills. Tons of people ride their bikes around and through the... Read More About What is it Like to Attend University of Arizona?

What is a search without knowing what you’re searching for? Sure, you are searching for the right college to attend, but how can you really make that selection if you don’t know exactly what it is you want? You've been working with that ACT tutor and perfecting your GPA - but additionally, no college search should commence without a precise understanding of the kind of experience you’re looking for. The details are infinite and require a lot of attention. Applying to a bunch of schools just because you feel like you should is not a fruitful plan, because just knowing that you want to go to college is not enough. It is not eno... Read More About College Search Tip: Narrow Down Your Application Choices

It’s the classic saying that every college student is familiar with – “Good grades, a social life, and enough sleep – in college, you can only pick two.” Getting a good education is of course the primary reason for attending college, but the social scene appeals to many students as well. However, the great determination and time it takes to maintain a good GPA is often underestimated by incoming freshmen, and balancing that academic life with the desired social life takes some discipline. Developing that skill is yet another time-consuming process, so where does that leave students with getting some shut-eye? Exac... Read More About How to Balance Grades, a Social Life, and Sleep in College

Alright, it’s time to sit down and prepare for that test. Situate yourself at a library table or your plushy futon, whichever locale you prefer, and take out all necessary learning materials. But when you open up that notebook of pages you’ve been scribbling on all semester, why isn’t that information resonating with you? Probably because it’s nearly impossible to logically comprehend several random bits of inner-thoughts and copied-down chalkboard bullet points at a first-read. Unless you happen to be an organizational champion and have been keeping those notes neat and sensible as you created them throughout the year,... Read More About Study Tip: Organize Your Notes

A pretty straight-forward major, yet still with so many options. The study of Education is a great road to be on. It’s focused, fulfilling, and determinative of a clear career path. But it is not a path you should choose just for the safety – teaching is one of those positions that should be reserved only for those who are sincerely passionate about it. If you want to be an educator, you should ideally first be a student who is sincerely passionate about learning. Selecting this major should be a promise to yourself that you will bring that passion and keep it with you as long as you reside in the education world. Skills Needed: D... Read More About Choosing a College Major: Education

If you are embarking on that challenging college search, there is one major aspect that must constantly be on your mind: deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. Without keeping track of these, you might as well say goodbye to an easy decision-making process now. Regarding your campus visits, early-decision time frames, SAT registration periods, and so much more you probably haven’t even thought of yet, you’re going to be very sorry later on if you didn’t document these down somewhere outside of your mind. First things first, settle on a specific material for this schedule-keeping of yours. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a ... Read More About College Search Tip: Keep and Use a Calendar

When you take an exam, all that should matter is that piece of paper in front of you. But what do you end up thinking about in addition to those questions you are reading? The other people in the class; how fast they’re writing, the way they’re sitting, the moment each one stands up all finished and ready to turn in their finished product. It’s human nature to be distracted by these things, but the nervous test-taking environment only accentuates it. A major piece of advice that will help you work through your test with minimal stress is that you must learn to block out those fellow students. You have the rest of the day and... Read More About Test-Taking Tip: Blocking Out Other Test-Takers

Cómo estás? Comment ça va? Wie geht es dir? If you’re taking a foreign language in school, you probably understand at least one of these phrases. Then again, being that these are the most common languages to study and they all mean some version of “How’s it going,” it’s likely that you can recognize them all anyway. With most schools requiring a foreign language study, it’s extremely common for students to begin learning their chosen language in late junior high. Nobody said grasping a foreign language was going to be easy, however. It takes a lot of discipline, thorough review, and dete... Read More About How to Approach Learning a Foreign Language

Class schedules and formats are pretty routine in high school. You arrive around eight in the morning, situate yourself in an ordinarily-sized classroom for typically no more than 50 minutes, then move on and repeat that process about seven times throughout the day. Once that designated time in mid-afternoon strikes, you’re done for the day and free to return home. This high school class routine is comfortable. You know what to expect and when to expect it. Moreover, there aren’t many surprises when it comes to the type of classes you’ll encounter. They all last about the same amount of time and require the same kind of atte... Read More About The Different Classes You'll Have In College

Happy New Year! You may be already kicking off your lifestyle-related resolutions by hitting the gym, cutting back on Facebook, or improving/eliminating any other frequent habits you want to change. It’s good to get a solid start on these before you are back in school and overwhelmed with a brand new set of academic responsibilities. You should also spend this time, however, reflecting on one question: can you do better in school this year than you did last year? Although you are still in the midst of the same academic year you left off on in December, the new calendar year is reason enough to spark a change. Look at your previous acade... Read More About 5 New Year's Resolutions for School

Day after day, students come home with loads of homework assignments – worksheets to complete, papers to write, tests to study for; it’s no wonder staying up late and sacrificing sleep is such a common occurrence. Although it may feel necessary to follow that pattern, there are ways around it to make sure sleep is a top priority. Crafting your schedule so you can allow yourself time for this rightful amount of rest is a task in and of itself, and it is completely worth it once you understand why getting this sleep is such an important goal. It is easy to assume that we can always catch up on sleep later, that we don’t need i... Read More About The Importance of Sleep

As exciting as it is to be living the highly anticipated college life, moving away from home certainly has its tough aspects. Although different students experience varying degrees of homesickness, it is only natural for that emotional feeling to come up at least every now and then. But for those who experience it more frequently, necessary forms of support and reassurance are extremely important to get through college in a healthy and happy way. If you do find yourself getting homesick more often than some of your peers, don’t be concerned and don’t worry that you’re not enjoying the college experience as you should be. You... Read More About How to Deal With Being Homesick at College

Those last assignments are turned in and the final exams have been taken. Fall semester has come to a close and the freedom of winter break is finally upon you. Now the question is: what do you with it? What do you do with so much free time when are you are free from worries of schoolwork? Most students take the position of relaxing doing absolutely nothing else. There is certainly nothing wrong with that; after all, you deserve it after all the hard work you’ve done. But for those of you who want to accomplish something a little more, how can you best take advantage of this time off? There are plenty of ways to use this break so you ca... Read More About How to Be Productive Over Winter Break

Going off to college comes with a lot of new territory – a major part being the new-found freedom. Students are clearly enthralled with this concept and often times don’t really know what to do with it. At the very least, they neglect some important elements, such as campus safety. Staying safe on campus is a topic that is endlessly covered, yet not always as well-executed as it should be. Reasons for this are debatable. However, it appears that many students just don’t give much thought to the possible dangers out there since they feel so at ease on campus. While it’s certainly a good thing to be so comfortable in thi... Read More About How to Stay Safe on Campus

Ever wonder why you’re just not grasping that material in class? We usually blame the subject matter for being too difficult. Sometimes that is correct, but maybe you’re just standing in your own way and don’t even realize it. Having trouble thoroughly understanding the material isn’t always a comprehension issue. As a matter of fact, it is more often an issue of focus. Unfortunately, that tends to be a difficult thing to control when you’re tired, bored, or just not interested in the material. There are many habits, however, that we can consciously stop, and several of these are what hurt a student’s abili... Read More About 5 Habits to Avoid During Class

A lot of weight is put on a high school senior’s shoulders to get into the best college they can. Not only that, but the pressure is on to get into that dream school he or she has been after. Most students have a particular school in mind that they’ve decided would be absolutely perfect for them. It may be the culture, it may be a certain program, or it may be a combination of a lot of factors – but regardless of the specific reasons, it is nice to feel so confident about this next phase of your life. The only problem is, there is no guarantee of attending that school until that large envelope of acceptance arrives in the ma... Read More About What To Do When Rejected From Your Dream School

With all the excitement of moving off to college, it is no surprise that items on your to-do list may get overlooked in the midst of the insanity. There are certain areas, however, where you really do not want this happen, such as buying and packing up specific items for your dorm room. The fact that dorms provide minimal space for students often leads to a lack of over-packing. This is certainly a good practice – but at the same time, it is vital that you do not write off the thought that goes into packing completely. You will be provided with a twin bed, a desk, and a closet/dresser combination of some sort. – it’s the hun... Read More About 8 Items to Bring to Your Dorm Room

Succeeding in a college class isn’t always just about the grades. Being able to walk away knowing you developed a positive and lasting relationship with your professor is a sign of accomplishment as well. Creating such a rapport with this person can be very beneficial to the rest of your college career in addition to your future as a young professional. But how do you go about this? How can you make sure to stand out amongst your peers and be the one student that really impresses that professor? No huge gesture is necessary; it’s more about a series of baby steps that gradually build up to grant you that esteemed reputation. Sit ... Read More About How to Make a Good Impression on Your College Professor

If you decide to major in English, prepare to do a lot of reading. Of course, most students who choose this field of study enjoy reading anyway, so this shouldn’t be much to ask. However, studying English as a major in college calls for a whole new level of reading that you may not be fully prepared for. In addition to that, you will face a larger world of writing – but again, this is an activity you hopefully already enjoy. Yet, regardless of how much you genuinely admire reading and writing, there are elements of the English major world that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with in order to get through these classes suc... Read More About Things to Focus On as an English Major

It is widely assumed that the college experience is only a four-year one. Many students embark on this journey believing four years is all they’ll have, as if college will automatically end once that proclaimed time period has passed. However, college doesn’t necessarily wrap up in four years so easily. In fact, the amount of time you spend there is very much in your control. Unlike in high school when teachers and various meetings helped you map out your schedule every semester along the way, no one will be closely overseeing that aspect of your college classes. If you don’t keep track of what subjects and how many hours you... Read More About How to Graduate On Time in College

That period of time between Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break is one of the biggest hurdles of the academic year. You get to indulge in a dose of the holidays for just a bit until you are very quickly pulled away and dropped right back in school for another few weeks. This wouldn’t be so bad if Winter Break wasn’t right around the corner waiting for you at the finish line. So how does one stay focused during this odd portion of the semester? The overlapping buzz of the recent holiday combined with the anxious anticipation of the coming one makes it difficult to think about anything else but food, family, and presents. Although i... Read More About 5 Ways to Stay Motivated During the Holidays

There are many elements to planning a study session. First and foremost, you determine the location where this will be taking place. Next, you’ll probably go to necessary measures to eliminate obvious distractions. At that point, it’s just you, your study material, and your study environment. But is that always enough? It is very common to still find yourself at a stalemate with how to get motivated in the process. Even with all the right surroundings, you may find yourself bored and sluggish, leaving you on a road to nowhere in your study journey. Not knowing what else to do, students often just accept this fate and endure the st... Read More About 5 Random Items to Help You Study

There are many parts to a reading assignment. Although the formal task is to simply read it, it is commonly understood that you’ll have to do a lot more than that if you truly want to dominate the assignment. Clearly, the teacher didn’t grace this upon you just for the entertainment of reading a story – he or she wants you to truly grasp the meaning of it. The purpose is for you to analyze different points, look at it from different angles, deeply understand the characters, etc. This probably sounds like typical English class jargon, but it is in fact what you need to do. It is easy for students to think they can coast throu... Read More About How to Interpret a Reading Assignment

If you think you can get by in a class without actively participating, you may want to think again. More and more often, teachers are making classroom participation an integral part of your final grade, leaving the shyest of students quite nervous. The good news is, anyone can master a class discussion, you just need the right attitude and vision. What you must do first is not let any anxiety get the best of you. Even if you’re not the most talkative person in school, taking part in the class discussion is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Raising your hand and sharing some insights will not be seen as unusual because everybody is requ... Read More About How to Participate in a Class Discussion

The very phrase, “Open Book Test,” evokes immediate relief over students. It automatically de-stresses them due to its implications that studying isn’t necessary and that very little preparation is needed. Unfortunately, these thoughts are a huge trap. Although it is perfectly understandable why one would think an open book test requires no studying, that is simply not the case. Making an exam open-book certainly makes the test-taking process a lot easier, but it does not eliminate the need for studying altogether. The key to mastering these tests is mastering your notes, and there are a few steps to take for you to do that.... Read More About How to Prepare for an Open-Book Test

It can be difficult enough to write an essay, but having to do it within stressful time constraints is another challenge in and of itself. Usually, these time constraints are in reference to due dates that tend to be weeks or months ahead. But when an essay is part of an exam, those weeks and months before your due date become minutes and hours. Facing a timed essay is nevertheless an intimidating situation that requires just the right mindset. There are a few things you should recognize and accept before going into a timed essay. First off, know that you will not have any time to waste – it is as simple as that. The comforting procrast... Read More About How to Write a Timed Essay

This is certainly a broad topic, as distractions are everywhere. Not only that, but everybody gets distracted by different things. That is one of the reasons studying can be so difficult and frustrating – random aspects of the world are always catching our attention. Especially if you are one with a shorter attention span, staying focused through your studies is no easy process. Regardless of where we study, the surrounding environment is going to detract us from our work in one way or another. But there are a few distractions that we can control, and they are obvious ones. Ways of shutting them off are simple and effective – howe... Read More About How to Avoid Study Distractions

Everybody has their own views on the quintessential group projects that are inevitable throughout school. While some students claim it makes the assignments more difficult to complete successfully, others feel the group aspect creates a safety net that will make failing far less likely to happen. One thing that appears to come up frequently, however, is that every group tends to hold a mix of these views – especially when the groups are randomly assigned and students can’t just gravitate toward their friends. Having clashing perspectives on how the work will get done can often be what hurts a group the most, so communication is key... Read More About How to Deal With Group Projects

There are students everywhere. The room is intimidatingly huge. All you face is a giant powerpoint screen and a professor who appears to be miles away. As this professor shuffles through papers and produces a plethora of static to get their microphone clipped on sufficiently, you are probably feeling utterly clueless as to how you are ever going to learn anything in there. The classic college lecture hall is a setting you’ve seen in many movies and T.V. shows throughout your life, but once you’re actually there, you may find yourself having to take a step back to figure out just how you should approach it. It’s easy to hopel... Read More About How to Take Notes in a College Lecture

You’re actually completing college. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Just yesterday you were carrying boxes from your parents’ minivan up to your dorm floor, now you’re attending your last classes and preparing to pick up your cap and gown. As you get ready to walk that stage, tons of thoughts are likely to go through your head. What happens next? Am I going to find a job? Should I have applied to grad schools already? Is college really over for good? These are questions that are perfectly normal to go through a soon-to-be graduate’s head and it’s just as normal to find yourself with no answers. Although you&rsqu... Read More About How to Prepare for College Graduation

What do big exams, small quizzes, research papers, math problem sets, and all homework assignments have in common? Deadlines. You have until a specific due date to complete the work or studying necessary for all of those things. It’s perfectly understandable how quickly that can stress a student out and cause major procrastination, forgetfulness, or weakened effort. When all of this work must be done in a shared time period, deadlines can easily get the best of you in a negative way. Organized scheduling and time management are absolutely necessary for meeting these deadlines successfully, and there are several tricks that can ease your ... Read More About How to Deal With Deadlines

Public speaking is different for everyone. Some people are indifferent to an audience, some embrace a crowd, and some absolutely freeze up when faced with so many staring pairs of eyes. Unfortunately, class presentations will come your way no matter how you feel about them, so public speaking is a skill you need to acquire. Firstly, never think that public speaking can only be mastered by extroverted people. If you are particularly introverted, a little shy, or maybe just even lacking strong self-confidence, that doesn’t mean you can’t give a great presentation. Anybody can stand up in front of the class and present their material... Read More About How to Give a School Presentation

Sometimes, when it comes to studying, it’s all about where you are. If you’re having trouble getting through the material or focusing on the task at hand, don’t immediately assume it’s because the work is too difficult and that you can’t handle it. Students are quick to get frustrated and give up when an assignment becomes too strenuous. They may end up blaming the material for being too complicated or the teacher for not explaining it logically enough – or worse, end up blaming themselves for seemingly lacking the comprehension skills. That negative train of thought must be avoided. Students should not be ... Read More About How to Find Your Study Space

Although we all describe the initial move to college as “living on your own,” that’s really an illusion of sorts. Sure, you may be living without your parents, but it takes a lot more than that to be seriously independent. The dorms may offer you a place of your own, but let’s face it – they still shelter you from some big responsibilities that truly living on your own entails. Of course, no one lives in the dorms forever. It’s fun for awhile, but eventually you get fed up with the cramped space and loud floormates and are ready to move on. Students even recognize the aspects of an actually independent livi... Read More About 5 Things to Know About Off-Campus Living

There are so many different ways to go about choosing your first college roommate nowadays. You can play it safe and room with someone you knew from high school. You can join the Facebook group for your incoming class and meet someone on there. You could meet someone at your summer orientation – or you could just go totally random and hope for the best. Well, if you choose the last option, then you’ll just have to cross your fingers that the situation works out okay. But if you go a different route, one that involves you meeting the person beforehand in some fashion, there are a few crucial things you should evaluate in order to ma... Read More About How to Choose Your First College Roommate

There are many rites of passage every college freshman goes through – one of the most famous being living in the dorms. Most (very close to all) universities require freshmen to live in dorms; but even if they don’t, it is strongly advised that you do so anyway. Although R.A.’s watching over you in extremely close-quarters may seem unappealing and freedom-killing at first, there are many other factors to dorm life that really do make it the ideal living situation for your first year away at school. It’s a great environment to sky-rocket your social life and also gives you the perks of living on your own while still shel... Read More About How to Adjust to Dorm Life

We all hope that we’ll get our college decision right on the first try. Obviously, that’s the ideal way to do it. Spending months agonizing over applications, personal essays, waiting for those big envelopes in the mail, and looking over every college review site out there – you don’t want to have to do that again. Transferring schools usually isn’t in your four-year plan as you prepare for your university adventure as a freshman – but it can happen, and usually when it’s the farthest idea from your mind. There are a number of reasons this can happen. Perhaps you weren’t thorough enough on your ... Read More About How to Approach Transferring Schools

It’s the day before your big test.  You’ve vigorously read through all the material, flipped over every flashcard, and memorized every fact.  If you prepared adequately, you’ve been doing this for weeks (or months, depending on the test) and not just in the last 24 hours.  Procrastination is not a method of choice for a task this huge – that task being studying for an important exam.  Assuming you did not leave it all to the last minute, the final day before you actually face the exam can be a little strange.  You’ll have those first-day-of-school butterflies and be unsure of how exactly y... Read More About How to Mentally Prepare for Test Day

To be frank, journalism is a tough job market – especially now.  The field is changing and positions are being eliminated.  Yet, this is also one of the fields that offers a great deal of opportunities for students to take advantage of to build up their resumé before they even graduate.  This should be a particularly appealing concept right now since the ability to build experience in the actual workforce after graduation is dwindling before our eyes – for several fields.  But thankfully, there is still a lot of freedom for journalism students to get their bylines out there. The most obvious go-to is the... Read More About Things To Focus On as a Journalism Major

Although many college students may view senior year as the time to start thinking like an adult, junior year is really the time to do it.  By no means does this imply you are obligated to stop engaging in student life and must spend all your time networking in business suits, but you do need to start shaping your mindset for that reality.  Otherwise, you will enter senior year with no preparation for the real world that is ever so quickly approaching you. Possibly the biggest reason for all this is the fact that internship season is falling upon you.  If you haven’t had an internship already, the summer between junior and... Read More About Why Junior Year of College is Important

Time and time again, people may tell you not to stress over deciding on a major right away.  They generally advise you to take your time contemplating, that you can change it at any time so there should be no pressure at all.  While all of this may be true in a sense, the difficulty of adapting your curriculum to a major switch cannot be underestimated – but it often is. People are quick to glamorize the freedom of being able to change your mind regarding your career path at any time in college, but the truth is, you can only change your mind so many times before it significantly lengthens your college career.  With every... Read More About Picking a Major Early in College

Many different aspects of a school factor into the big college decision.  One thing students often have their heart set on is either attending a big school or a small school.  Everybody has their reasons for both, but sometimes the idea sounds better than the reality.  Both can be great though!  And ultimately, you need to recognize the reality of the atmospheres each of these differently sized schools entails and determine which you would really be happiest living in. The Big School: This can sound very exciting, moving to a campus with thousands of other students, being a part of something that is huge and well-known.&nb... Read More About Big Schools vs. Small Schools

You will often find homework, projects, and exams to be very different in the college world than they were in the high school world.  This doesn’t always mean “harder,” just different – although yes, they will often be significantly harder.  But the major differences that make these assignments so much more difficult include the tighter time constraints, drastic changes in environment, and lengthier tasks in question.  All of this will be so brand new to you, nothing like the days when you came home at 3 p.m. to sit and work on worksheets at your kitchen table.  With all the surrounding distractions,... Read More About Approaches to Studying in College

Going to school is arguably a full-time job in of itself sometimes.  Depending on your major, your classes, and the amount of semester hours you are taking at a time, college academia can definitely be stressful and time-consuming.  However, a high number of students do end up tackling this dual lifestyle of work and school.  Last year, it was reported that approximately two-thirds of college students work part-time.  In today’s economy, this is not surprising.  But let’s take an overall look at what students end up gaining in the long run from managing a job during the school year. Prioritization: Many st... Read More About Why You Should Have a Part-Time Job in College

College visits are important; that fact has already been well established.  But why are they so important?  This is something you must understand before you embark on one of these trips or else it could very possibly end up being a waste of time.  Going on a college visit just to follow a tour guide around and then be able to say you were physically there is not why you should be doing this.  Choosing the college you will attend is one of the biggest decisions of your life and heading over to the campus for a day or two will be one of the most helpful factors in your decision-making – if you go about it with the right... Read More About How to Prepare for a College Visit

Everyone has their own method of studying, but the classic process of making a study guide is something you see quite often.  But how can you make a truly great study material that will actually increase your chances of successfully retaining this information?  Well, first off, it is vital that you understand the information rather than just memorizing it – this may be something you heard your middle school teachers preach to you, but it really is good advice. Step #1: Identify all necessary information.  Go through your notes, your textbooks, and every powerpoint slide that teacher presented and narrow down what is impor... Read More About A Guide to the Study Guide

It’s no secret that as students get older, classes get harder.  Curriculums get more and more challenging as you move up the education ladder one year at a time, so graduating high school seniors will rightfully assume college classes are going to be significantly more difficult.  This is a correct assumption, but a number of myths surrounding the subject of university courses tend to take over students’ minds as well.  Here are a few myths debunked. #1: You’ll only have to take classes you’re actually interested in. The key word that makes this myth untrue is only.  Of course, when you get to coll... Read More About 4 Myths About College Classes - Busted

By Chloe Brown (The second part in the series of an insider's account of her college admissions process and college life) My time at Williams was exactly what I wanted it to be, even though it wasn’t what I necessarily expected it to be. But that’s a large part of what makes college so exciting—it’s exactly the sort of place where you’re supposed to surprise yourself, push your own limits, and be inspired by things you didn’t even know about. When I came to Williams, I was certain I would be an English major, learn French, and continue singing classically as I had throughout high school. Everyone else chan... Read More About My Experience At Williams College

Spring is here and high school seniors across the nation are eagerly awaiting admission decisions to arrive in their inboxes or mailboxes.  After your initial celebration of being accepted into your dream school(s), take the time to do careful research to find your “best fit” college.  Being admitted was just the beginning.  Below are some tips to further help your decision. Talk to alumni: beyond the amenities and fine dining you’re expecting in college, the academics that you’ll have to succeed in to obtain a degree will be a key factor in shaping your next four years.  For colleges in which you h... Read More About How To Pick Your College

The classes you take outweigh the grades you earn in them – or at least that’s the case at most grad schools. Grad schools want to see that you challenged yourself academically, instead of just padding your GPA. While most schools still require a strong GPA to be accepted, they pay very close attention to the classes you took. For example, an A in a cooking class like “Cuisine 101” can actually hurt your chances of being accepted, and a B (or even a B-) in an Advanced Chemistry class can improve your chances, especially if you’re applying to a science program. But, ultimately if you can earn an A in your Advanced... Read More About Best Classes For Grad School Admissions

GRE scores, GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, quality of undergrad school, admission essay / personal statement, research, and even where you live can all impact your admission chances. Some of those factors are completely beyond your control and others are somewhat controllable. But, there is one factor that can greatly improve your chances of being accepted, and you can completely control it. That factor is research experience. Research experience is not required to apply to graduate school. But, it has become increasingly more popular, to the point where if you don’t have a project, it hurts your chances. Research c... Read More About Why Research Experience Is Important For Grad School Apps

The average tuition for the top 10 colleges has increased around 25% the last six years, starting with the 2004-2005 school year through the 2009-2010 school year.            Also, these tuition costs do not include room and board, meal plans, books, other mandatory fees, etc. These are simply base tuition numbers, and tuition can increase or decrease depending on the major within a university. This can vary dramatically from university-to-university.            One of the biggest reasons listed is that states have stopped or reduced spending ... Read More About Why College Tuition Is Increasing

As high school seniors explore colleges this fall, one thing they should remember to investigate is the university’s dining facilities.  The college dining halls will be one of the biggest differences from life at home.            However, different does not always live up to its awful connotation. Dining halls are not exactly filled with retired chefs and grandmas who love you, and sometimes the food is not good. However, it is part of the college experience, and it is something you will be able to overlook.            Food allergi... Read More About How To Explore College Dining

Many would think the typical college student is bouncing around from class-to-class, living in the dorm room, pulling all-nighters and occasionally firing up the latest lineup of Apple products. That’s the life of the average full-time college kid and usually mom or dad – or the government – is fronting the bill. But, that’s not the case anymore. Today, most college students are part-time students rather than full-time students, according to an article in the Washington Post. A report from the nonprofit organization Complete College America states that nearly 75 percent of college students today are part-time, jugglin... Read More About Why More College Students Are Part Time

Every college student is forced or encouraged to take a bunch of general education classes that are unrelated to his/her major. There are administrators on both side of the argument, lobbying for their case, according to an article in the Washington Post. One group, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, has been compiling research to argue for its case. It found that many colleges require three or fewer of the basic subjects, such as math, science, foreign language, composition, the fundaments of U.S. history, economics, literature, composition, etc. The group analyzed 1,007 colleges and found that three fifths of those schools do not... Read More About Why A General Education

Another higher education program, The University of the People, just set out with the mission of extending affordable education to more people, according to an article in the New York Times. It hopes to spread education to poor students around the world.  The university was started in Haiti, after the earthquake destroyed most of the country’s higher education infrastructure. The school set up three computer centers in tents and invited English-speaking students from nearby tent cities to come and work for about four hours a day. “They don’t have electricity, they don’t have computers, there are university studen... Read More About How One University Is Offering Affordable Education

Two Stanford professors have announced that they will offer a free online class on artificial intelligence, according to an article in the New York Times. Stanford professors, Sebastian Thrun and Peter Norvig – two of the world’s best-known artificial intelligence experts – will teach the course. Over 112,000 and counting people have already enrolled in the class, which is nearly six times the entire Stanford student body. Students range from high school to retirees, and the course will represent students from 175 countries. Thrun and Norvig said that they will teach this course as part of an education experiment... Read More About Stanford Offers Free Artificial Intelligence Class Online

The price of college never seems simple to calculate. There’s tuition plus room and board, minus scholarships, plus random fees, minus financial aid, and on top of that, colleges are always changing those numbers. But good news for your migraine – The U.S. Education Department recently stepped into the college rankings business to release a public Web site that lists the most and least expensive college, along with those with the steepest tuition hikes, according to an article in the Washington Post. The new site, collegecost.ed.gov. seeks to create more transparency around the net price of colleges, giving prospective students h... Read More About How To Find The True Cost Of College

In terms of bang for your buck – public colleges may have a better return on investment that previously thought.  An article in the Washington Post cited an article from SmartMoney magazine, which measured the value of colleges by their graduates’ salaries in proportion to the tuition they paid as students. However, this is only a “value” metric, and SmartMoney magazine admitted that its scale is far from perfect. Its analysis does not take financial aid into consideration. Some colleges post high tuition prices but offer huge scholarships to nearly every student. It’s a marketing ploy. Many Ivy League sch... Read More About Assessing ROI Of A College Degree

The most expensive four years of your life could and should be cheaper, or at least that’s how some people see it (3T4D6PGG25SS). Representative Daniel Branch, Republican of Dallas and chairman of the House Higher Education Committee is attacking the expensive costs of college, according to an article in the New York Times. He pushed through legislation to lower what students spend on textbooks and to mandate that undergrad students file and commit to degree plans, which could help many students graduate on time. Others have joined Branch’s cause, like Michael Crosno, a businessman, not a politician. Crosno is putting heat on Co... Read More About How To Reduce College Costs

The Internet has officially made everything more convenient. That “everything” now includes selecting your college. Campus Tours has just launched a new website that features online, virtual campus tours of select colleges. This new site is adding to a multimedia explosion of disseminating college videos, photos and information. Most colleges have some form of a virtual tour either on their website, Facebook page or Youtube channel. Some are videos, and others are just photo collages of campus. And the best part is that most of these videos were done by students, giving them a more student-friendly feel. Campus Tours is simply ... Read More About How To Tour A College Online

Colleges are replacing student loans with grants in the same amount, according to an article in the Washington Post. So, instead of taking out a $5,000 loan to pay for college expenses, your college might just give you a $5,000 grant. This is a growing financial aid initiative to eliminate student loans at some of the nation’s most expensive colleges. No-loan pledges can even make college free for some students, if they would need full financial aid to attend. This movement started during the 2007-2008 school year, and now more than 70 colleges offer this program to some of their neediest students. Four years later, some of these stud... Read More About Colleges Replacing Loans With Grants

“Small” is not a word many students hear when colleges talk about their class sizes anymore, and when they do use that word – they’re most likely using it incorrectly. Major budget cuts have forced many colleges to cut costs. The easiest and most effective way for colleges to do that was by slimming down on their staff (both professors and administrators). The national, public universities were hit harder than private universities, and research universities were hit the hardest. See more from Varsity Tutors here on budget cuts leading to larger class sizes. But, not all schools have increased their class sizes, and ... Read More About Colleges With Small Class Sizes

Employment rates and starting salaries for graduating college students entering the job market have fallen drastically in the last few years, according to an article in the New York Times. Only 55.6% of 2009 college graduates found jobs that actually used their degrees; 22.4% are unemployed, and 22% are working jobs that do not use their college degrees. Students were surveyed in the spring; so these numbers could have changed by their graduation dates. However, 90% of graduates in 2006-2007 had jobs (that were relevant to their degrees) during the spring before their graduation. The median starting salary for 2009 and 2010 college graduate... Read More About Why College Grads Face A Tough Job Market

It’s no secret to anyone that decreased funding has greatly affected education at all levels. College tuition fluctuated, teachers and staff were laid off and a lot schools simply looked and felt different. In the past few years, public universities were forced to cut costs because of decreased state and federal funding, and slimming down on staff and faculty was the easiest way to do so. Public universities have significantly slimmed down on professors, administrators and other staff members (per 100 students) since 2001, according to an article in the Washington Post. The Washington Post cited a report from State Higher Education Ex... Read More About Universities Manage With Fewer Staff

College stress has many origins, ranging from your roommate not believing in deodorant, being able to simultaneously touch all four walls in your dorm room to academic rigor. However, an article in The Daily Beast presented a formula to rank the top 50 most stressful colleges in America. Its formula declared cost and competitiveness as the leading factors of stress. Cost (tuition plus room and board) can create stress before, during and after college for many students. Students at more expensive universities are more likely to take on part time jobs and/or student loans. Both of which can create tremendous amounts of stress. The stress ... Read More About Ranking Colleges By Stress Level

Most undergraduate students are seeking four-year college degrees. However, some students end up staying for an extra quarter, semester or even year if they change their majors, take the wrong electives or add a minor or specialization. It happens more often than one would think. So to further increase their educational quality, some colleges are guaranteeing that incoming freshmen will receive a degree within four years, according to an article in the Washington Post. Randolph-Macon College in Ashland Virginia recently announced that it was guaranteeing degrees within four years, assuming students follow a few institutional policies. If som... Read More About How You Can Be Guaranteed A College Degree

            $20,000, $30,000 and sometimes up to $50,000 for college tuition, it’s not exactly the most ideal time for students to splurge on dorm room supplies.  Department stores and furniture stores are pounding students and their parents, claiming they have the best prices. An article in The Washington Post highlights an online company that helps students find the best prices.             The company, Cheapism – its name says it all – allows users to quickly find the best, cheapest products, and it provides relevant information... Read More About How To Save On College Supplies

            Falling asleep in class, there’s the hooded sweatshirt pulled over the head, hide your eyes as you rest your head on your hand or the-I’m-just-going-to-hope-teacher-doesn’t-see-me approach, is something that just happens at times, despite actual effort or interest.             However, teachers are wising up and using new ploys to catch and wake up students, ploys more effective than the if-you-sleep-or-daydream-I-will-catch-you ploy. Teachers, in attempts to keep students awake, paying attention and engaged in their classes... Read More About Using Technology To Engage Students

The percentage of students taking college courses online has nearly tripled since 2002, according to an article in The Washington Post.             The Washington Post cited a study that stated 29% of college students took at least one online course in the fall of 2009, compared to 10% in 2002.             The 2010 study, Class Differences: Online Education in the United States, 2010, noted that online education has been growing continuously. Online enrollment increased from 1.6 million in 2002 to 3.2 million in 2005 to 5.6 million i... Read More About Rise Of Online College Courses

Practice, class, practice, class, practice, homework, class, clubs/organizations, homework, game, practice, class, homework, projects, practice game and then maybe laundry – goes the schedule of collegiate athletes.             Compare that to a typical full-time student’s schedule of class, homework, clubs/organizations and of course maybe laundry…maybe. A student athlete’s schedule is more demanding than a typical student’s.             However, N.C.A.A. student athletes are now graduating at record r... Read More About Graduation Rates Of Athletes

Choosing a college based on strong academics is very important; however, there is a lot more to college than its national, academic rankings.             Every college has its own unique culture, consisting of its academics, its geographic location and its student body. It’s the vibe one gets from that college. There is nothing you can read or hear to fully understand a college’s culture. No one can tell you truly what it’s truly like, and how you will feel about it. You need to visit as often as you can.            ... Read More About College Culture

America was once the leader in postsecondary degrees. However, in recent years it has fallen far from the top.             The Lumina Foundation for Education placed a goal in 2008 for a college completion rate of 60 percent by 2025. America will not reach that goal, according to an article in The Washington Post.             The foundation claims to be the first organization to set this benchmark, which was later adopted by President Barack Obama and other education administrators.         &n... Read More About The American Education Gap

Most schools boast small, effective student to faculty ratios. Smaller classes give students more one-on-one time with faculty members, increasing the value of their education. But, the economic downturn is dramatically increasing the size of classes at all levels.             Justin Snider, an undergraduate professor of writing at Columbia University, wrote a guest column in The Washington Post stating that schools can no longer afford small classes.             Snider cited California’s 1996 decision to launch a state-wide, c... Read More About The Disappearance Of Small Classes

The tips below will provide students with insights from an article in The US News & World Report regarding the pros and cons of small/large colleges.             Typically research colleges are much larger, and their professors focus highly on research, opposed to teaching.             Here are 10 benefits of attending a research university: 1. The best researchers can be the best teachers: There is a common held belief that professors who focus mainly on research are not committed to the classroom and are therefore poor teacher... Read More About Choosing A Research University

            Scott G. McNealy, the co-founder and former CEO of Sun Microsystems – one of the largest sellers of server computers – is launching an online hub for free textbooks and other course materials called Curriki, according to an article in The New York Times. Sun Microsystems was purchased by Oracle, a software manufacturer, in 2010.             Curriki, a nonprofit organization, and many other organizations are building a trend of creating open-source, online versions of many existing textbooks. These online versio... Read More About Free Textbook Market

We've done the hard work for you and present to you some of the best offers as students and teachers alike are gearing up to return to school. We know that many parents and students are on tight (or tighter budgets).  Also take the time to check out our  great rates on tutoring, brought to you by the best tutors! Free Amazon Prime membership - free one year membership to college students with a .edu email account.  Amazon Prime means FREE two day shipping on most of the online megastore's items, as well as reduced next-day shipping fares.  As Amamzon Prime member, I definitely appreciate the two-day shipping (nobody lik... Read More About Back To School Specials

Everyone knows someone who knows someone. Finding out who those people are and what they do can help you get a job or internship while in college. Be your major: You don’t need to paint your major on your forehead or anything too dramatic, but it might not be a bad idea to wear it on your sleeve. Wherever you go - the bank, grocery store, haircut, bowling alley, etc. - try to engage in conversation with the people you bump into. Talk to these people about your career plans because they might know someone in your field. Also, students should talk to their family members and friends’ parents about their majors. These people probably... Read More About Networking 101

Digital education: It’s growing. It’s exploding. It’s the future of learning. But, what exactly is it and how can it help the classroom?             Here are several digital tools that can be great resources to help teachers and students create successful learning environments. Feel free to add to this post with digital tools you have used or heard of. Electronic textbooks: Mainly used by college professors. These allow professors to digitally edit and change the information in textbooks. This helps professors create a textbook that is fully customized to each class. Al... Read More About Digital Learning Tools

            Professors can now customize textbooks by editing, rewriting, or deleting various sections of them through new online software.             Macmillan, one of the largest publishers of textbooks, is creating a new digital textbook program called DynamicBooks. This program will be like a Wikipedia version of textbooks, according to The New York Times.             Many professors use generic textbooks and assign various outside-of-the-book readings and assignments. Also,... Read More About Digital Textbooks

Dear high school seniors, when you sit in a cubicle for the next 50 years of your life for nine hours a day, what do you want to do? Think about it, and let yourself know in a few years.             The earlier one can declare a major the better. However, it is very important for students not to pigeon-hole themselves into majors before college even starts. Choosing a major is one of the most important decisions students can make, and they need to choose carefully. After all, it very well could be what you do every day for the next 50 years.        &nbs... Read More About College Majors

            This post is being written while listening to Professor Jim Newton’s Communication Studies 187: Journalistic Ethics from the University of California Los Angeles for free.             The lecture is an hour-long video clip from YouTube. The U.S. News and World Report states that many college professors are uploading their lectures to online sites, extending higher education past students and teachers to all people. Their lectures are publicly available to anyone interested.        ... Read More About Free Online College Lectures

The thought of college elicits no response stronger than that of the dorms, and for incoming college students that response can be a fear of uncertainty.             The inevitable questions will line up with roommates, space, cleanliness, bathrooms and other floor mates. However, in reality, don’t stress yourself out about the dorms. You could be worrying about what could potentially be the best year of your life.             We will have another article dedicated solely to roommates.        &nbs... Read More About Fear Not The Dorm

The college dining halls will be one of the biggest differences from your life at home.             However, different does not always live up to its awful connotation. Dining halls are not exactly filled with retired chefs and grandmas who love you, and sometimes the food is not good. However, it is part of the college experience, and it is something you will be able to overlook.             Allergies can be an issue in the dining halls. Essentially, you will not know what is possibly in whatever they may be making; so tell the work... Read More About College Dining

You might be thinking this post is superfluous.  What's so hard about reading a textbook?  Turns out it's more difficult than it looks.  Flip open any math, history, science textbook these days, and you might feel like you've opened up a circus tent.  Tons of colors.  Every other word is bolded, underlined, or italicized.  Almost every page has a callout box.  Pictures are strewn all over the place, sometimes they are even placed in page corners to supposedly "guide" you through the the chapters.  On top of all that, there are special "sections" in each chapter to distract you.  "Come read this real... Read More About How To Read A Textbook

            Nearly all colleges have bookstores located on or close to campus. And every single one of them is a lot more expensive than it needs to be.             A lot of these bookstores are affiliated with the university. These bookstores know what books the professors assign, and they usually have those books in stock. However, they understand that they have little to none competition, granting them the liberty of jacking the prices up. They know students will buy books there because they have a dearth of other choices.  &... Read More About Avoid Your College Bookstore

There are varying studies that “prove” the value of college degrees, and yet there are others that “prove” colleges do not actually make one more valuable. However, the bottom line is that simply going to college will not automatically enhance one’s value in the job market.             The New York Times asked “how much does the actual teaching and learning that happens on campus really matter.” Many people who have college degrees are working blue-collar jobs. However, statistics claim that the median earnings for people who have a 4-year bachelo... Read More About True Value of College Degrees

Choosing a college based on strong academics is very important; however, there is a lot more to college than its national, academic rankings. Every college has its own unique culture, consisting of its academics, its geographic location and its student body. It’s the vibe one gets from that college. There is nothing you can read or hear to fully understand a college’s culture. No one can tell you truly what it’s truly like, and how you will feel about it. You need to visit as often as you can. Some colleges are in isolated towns, and others are in the heart of big cities. Students at certain colleges tailgate for football g... Read More About Go On College Visits!

There are many reasons why college is different than high school; however, the main reason is the different way you will be forced to think. High school teachers preach that you will think critically in their high school courses, but most students are not fully introduced to this type of thinking until college starts. High school classes do require some critical thinking, but not nearly as much as colleges do. The entire course curriculum can be different. High school classes rely on memorizing dates, definitions and other facts. However, college challenges students to know and apply the knowledge to the professional business world or everyd... Read More About College Demands Critical Thinking

Traditionally, out-of-state tuition is much more expensive than in-state, and it is inevitable for students who are interested in out-of-state colleges. However, some colleges are alleviating or decreasing out-of-state tuition charges, according to The U.S. News and World Report. High-ranking, popular colleges that already attract many intelligent prospective students are not decreasing out-of-state charges. These colleges have many students who are willing to pay the high fees. Also, these schools have stricter restrictions for who can apply for in-state tuition. Most of these schools only allow students to receive in-state tuition if they ... Read More About Colleges Decreasing Out-of-State Tuition