How to Pick a Good Online Math Tutor Job

How to Pick a Good Online Math Tutor JobFinding an online math tutor job can be a great way to learn new skills and put yourself in the position to make a career change. There are a lot of websites that offer tutoring, but some people find it difficult to pick a good website to turn to for jobs. Here is how to select a reputable site to use as your primary math tutor job search tool.First, you have to be able to identify the kind of person you want to become a successful math tutor. If you want to work as a tutor for kids, then you have to go to sites that deal specifically with kids. If you want to become a tutor who knows the very basics, then you need to go to sites that deal with young children.You should also be aware of the type of tutor job opportunities that are available on the internet. Many jobs on these sites do not require much education but rather require only an interest in math. The tutors can expect to receive payment once their students are proficient in the subject . This means that you can make good money even if you cannot do all the homework, which is what most people who go to tutor jobs like to do.If you do want to work as a tutor, you should know that there are two kinds of tutor jobs on the internet. There are tutoring jobs that are for individuals to tutor other individuals and there are tutoring jobs that allow you to tutor children or younger students. These sites are usually the more popular ones because they offer jobs to individuals, but the freelance tutor jobs may be easier to get.The first step in finding a tutor job on the internet is to check to see if there are any websites that offer tutor jobs in your area. You should also check to see if you can visit them, but be careful about this. If a company has gone out of business, you may not get a tutor job at their old website. Some companies will only keep their older websites, so you might want to check out sites that used to be related to the job you want.It is also important to know the difference between a tutor job and an internship. A tutor job is a one-on-one type of program where you would tutor a student one-on-one. You would usually tutor for a group of students at a time. An internship is a program that allows you to tutor other students for a period of time but without actually spending any time tutoring them.Finally, when looking for a tutor job, consider that the tutor job market is always changing. You have to keep yourself updated with what is happening so that you are prepared when a good opportunity comes along.

Babysitting vs. Nannying Jobs What to Expect

Babysitting vs. Nannying Jobs What to Expect Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/ducks-toys-baby-bottle-diapers-1426008/ If you are looking to make some extra money and love children, you should definitely look into babysitting. When thinking about the expectations of babysitting, it really depends on family-to-family, but you can gauge the expectations of babysitting using the following criteria: (1) number of children, (2) age of child/children, and (3) time of day in which you will babysit. If you are babysitting an infant and/or a toddler, you need to expect to run around a lot and stick to a very strict schedule when it comes to eating and naps. If you are babysitting kids between the ages of 1 and 6, you will be on your toes a lot and you will have to watch these kids like hawks. You will have to play with the kids and, if there is an infant, you will have to hold the infant and help the infant if he/she is crying. If you are babysitting kids 7 and older, you will still have to be vigilant, but not to the same extent as you would with younger children. You will still have to feed them and watch over them, but you won’t really have to worry about them putting small objects in their mouths. Let’s now talk about time of day. If you’re babysitting the kids in the morning and early afternoon, you will either have kids who sleep in, in which case your life is made a lot easier, or you’ll have kids who wake up early and will be rambunctious. You will need to make sure the kids have breakfast, a snack, and lunch. If you are looking after an infant, you will probably need to put them down for a nap. If you are babysitting from later afternoon into the evening, you will follow a similar schedule, but the evening will definitely be more relaxed and you will need to make sure that you get the kids ready for bed. If the kids are younger, expect to read them a story or two and be sure to check on them a few times. If you are babysitting an infant, consider rocking him/her to sleep and follow the parents’ directions on how to best get the baby to go to sleep. When I babysit infants, I check on them very regularly (just in case). Okay, you learned a lot about babysitting, but let’s talk about nannying. Nannying is a full-time job (it’s a career). Parents hire nannies to stay with their kids the majority of the day, if not all day/night. Your responsibilities are similar to babysitting, but you will be expected to be more mindful of the cleanliness of the house/apartment as well as the kids. You may have to drive kids to and from camp or school and take them to after-school activities. Babysitters aren’t usually expected to drive the kids they look after around to various activities, but sometimes you may have to pick up the kids from school or camp. Nannies are usually with a family from the early beginnings of kids’ lives until very late in the lives. Sometimes, nannies are also trained housekeepers, which definitely helps with making some more money. The more you do for a family, the more you will get paid. Nannies are paid much more than babysitters because they have much more responsibility and are usually with a family for a very long period of time, while babysitting is usually temporary. Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/girls-children-kids-friends-young-462072/ Well, there you have it. The differences between babysitting and nannying as well as the expectations. However, the expectations and payment truly vary from family to family, so be sure to sit down and talk to the family you’re working for so that there are as few surprises as possible when you are with their child (or children). I loved babysitting and highly recommend babysitting and/or nannying if you love child care.

Aspiring Architect Reminds Himself To Never Give Up

Aspiring Architect Reminds Himself To Never Give Up Aspiring Architect Reminds Himself To Never Give Up Rodean, 11-years-old, Math Level M, Reading Level III 11-year-old Rodean loves the game of basketball and looks to his favorite professional player for inspiration. Kyrie Irving, point guard for the Boston Celtics, set a precedent early in his career. Performance analysists often praise Irving for his exceptional ball handling skills and quick cross overs â€" proving he has a high level of focus in every game. It’s not just Irving’s superior athleticism he’s known for, it’s his commitment through any challenge. Irving’s current and former teammates say he is a leader, whether he’s in practice or playing in the NBA Finals â€" raising the morale of the team even through defeats. Looking up to his role model, Rodean is always determined to never give up, especially during challenging moments. During one of Rodean’s basketball games, his teammates wanted to give up when they were on the brink of a loss, but Rodean was not going to let his team down. “During this tough game, I noticed my teammates were on the verge of giving up,” said Rodean. “It was that very moment when I remembered what I was taught in Kumon â€" to never give up. I knew I couldn’t give up during this moment. I motivated my team and they followed suit, leading us to victory.” Rodean began his Kumon journey when he was only 7-years-old and has since transformed into a strong-willed student that can take on any challenge. Already studying above grade level, he has an academic edge over his peers. In the Kumon Math Program, he is further developing his algebraic skills working on the Pythagorean Theorem and multiplication of polynomials. Thanks to the Kumon Reading Program, he is reading more advanced novels and has strong comprehension skills. Rodean has analyzed high school-level literature such as Ray Bradbury’s notable dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451 and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Whether he’s solving a challenging quadratic equation or working on his layups in basketball â€" he is determined to always work through it. He often recalls his Kumon Instructor Virgil Raban  and his parents encouraging him saying, “never give up!” When Rodean is not dribbling up and down the court, he enjoys swimming, playing baseball, and skiing. As a budding musician, Rodean is disciplined in his practice, currently preparing the level 4 piano curriculum through the Royal Conservatory of Music. The Royal Conservatory of Music sets a national standard for young musicians, putting them on the path for musical excellence. The curriculums for each level include a range of advancing repertoire, techniques, musicianship, and music literacy â€" elements considered to lay down a successful foundation in musicians. Rodean’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as he was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Rodean about his Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has helped me academically because I am now ahead of my peers in school. I have become an independent learner, which helps me get through my school work more efficiently. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Amazing. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? I love that I am always learning something new in Kumon. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? My Kumon Instructor and parents always continue to motivate me, and I use that as a constant reminder to myself if I want to give up. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? Attending the Student Conference meant a lot to me. My hard work has paid off and I now see the success! What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? My advice for other Kumon Students is to not give up just as I did. You will have challenging moments, but it will help you grow and lead you to having a successful future. Rodean’s academic ability and unwavering determination will aide him in his future aspiration of becoming an architect. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: This Young Kumon Reading Program Completer is an Aspiring Computer Engineer This Aspiring Diplomat Learned to Never Give Up Motivated by his Peers, this Kumon Student Wants to be an Architect and a Doctor Determination And The Will To Never Give Up Has Helped This Guitar Player Achieve Greatness Aspiring Architect Reminds Himself To Never Give Up Aspiring Architect Reminds Himself To Never Give Up Rodean, 11-years-old, Math Level M, Reading Level III 11-year-old Rodean loves the game of basketball and looks to his favorite professional player for inspiration. Kyrie Irving, point guard for the Boston Celtics, set a precedent early in his career. Performance analysists often praise Irving for his exceptional ball handling skills and quick cross overs â€" proving he has a high level of focus in every game. It’s not just Irving’s superior athleticism he’s known for, it’s his commitment through any challenge. Irving’s current and former teammates say he is a leader, whether he’s in practice or playing in the NBA Finals â€" raising the morale of the team even through defeats. Looking up to his role model, Rodean is always determined to never give up, especially during challenging moments. During one of Rodean’s basketball games, his teammates wanted to give up when they were on the brink of a loss, but Rodean was not going to let his team down. “During this tough game, I noticed my teammates were on the verge of giving up,” said Rodean. “It was that very moment when I remembered what I was taught in Kumon â€" to never give up. I knew I couldn’t give up during this moment. I motivated my team and they followed suit, leading us to victory.” Rodean began his Kumon journey when he was only 7-years-old and has since transformed into a strong-willed student that can take on any challenge. Already studying above grade level, he has an academic edge over his peers. In the Kumon Math Program, he is further developing his algebraic skills working on the Pythagorean Theorem and multiplication of polynomials. Thanks to the Kumon Reading Program, he is reading more advanced novels and has strong comprehension skills. Rodean has analyzed high school-level literature such as Ray Bradbury’s notable dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451 and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Whether he’s solving a challenging quadratic equation or working on his layups in basketball â€" he is determined to always work through it. He often recalls his Kumon Instructor Virgil Raban  and his parents encouraging him saying, “never give up!” When Rodean is not dribbling up and down the court, he enjoys swimming, playing baseball, and skiing. As a budding musician, Rodean is disciplined in his practice, currently preparing the level 4 piano curriculum through the Royal Conservatory of Music. The Royal Conservatory of Music sets a national standard for young musicians, putting them on the path for musical excellence. The curriculums for each level include a range of advancing repertoire, techniques, musicianship, and music literacy â€" elements considered to lay down a successful foundation in musicians. Rodean’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as he was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Rodean about his Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you academically? Kumon has helped me academically because I am now ahead of my peers in school. I have become an independent learner, which helps me get through my school work more efficiently. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Amazing. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? I love that I am always learning something new in Kumon. What keeps you motivated in Kumon? My Kumon Instructor and parents always continue to motivate me, and I use that as a constant reminder to myself if I want to give up. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? Attending the Student Conference meant a lot to me. My hard work has paid off and I now see the success! What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? My advice for other Kumon Students is to not give up just as I did. You will have challenging moments, but it will help you grow and lead you to having a successful future. Rodean’s academic ability and unwavering determination will aide him in his future aspiration of becoming an architect. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: This Young Kumon Reading Program Completer is an Aspiring Computer Engineer This Aspiring Diplomat Learned to Never Give Up Motivated by his Peers, this Kumon Student Wants to be an Architect and a Doctor Determination And The Will To Never Give Up Has Helped This Guitar Player Achieve Greatness

New International Jobs for Science Teachers

New International Jobs for Science Teachers Science teachers are spoiled for choice when it comes to opportunities for teaching abroad. With job openings all over the world, educators in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science can apply for the chance to teach overseas.The majority of international teaching jobs require at least 2 years of previous experience teaching at the relevant subject and grade level. For jobs teaching specific curriculum (for example, International Baccalaureate), applicants will be expected to have documented experience teaching that curriculum. From Beijing to Abu Dhabi to the Cayman Islands, browse the job openings below or see our job board for the full list of current international teaching jobs.Science Teaching Jobs AbroadIB Environmental Science Teacher for a Private International School in OmanExperienced Environmental Science teachers can earn a tax-free salary in sunny Oman teaching Grades 11-12. Candidates should have previous experience teaching IB curriculum. Read moreMiddle School Science Teachers in Abu Dhabi Public Schools (ADEC)Apply for some of the most sought-after international jobs teaching Science for Grades 6-8. ADEC jobs provide a generous tax-free salary and benefits for teachers and their families.  Read moreIB Chemistry Teacher in the Cayman IslandsQualified teachers can apply for the chance to teach in the Caribbean. Applicants for this Chemistry teaching job should have up-to-date IB training and previous experience teaching IB Chemistry.  Read moreMath and Science Teachers for a Vocational College in Saudi Arabia (Male Campus)Educators in these positions will teach concepts of Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, as well as Algebra, Geometry, and Calculus. Candidates who are interested in the Middle East are encouraged to apply for these job opportunities in Saudi Arabia.  Read moreMiddle School Math and Science Teacher in Shenyang, ChinaExperience Chinese culture in the commercial hub of Shenyang, located in Liaoning Province. Teachers sh ould have at least 2 years of experience, and teachers with dependents are welcome to apply.  Read moreMore International Teaching JobsNot the jobs for you? Check out more open jobs, including an AP Environmental Science and Biology teaching job, and positions teaching Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Kazakhstan. You can also visit our job board for a full list of open positions, updated regularly.

Revolutionary Powersol Makes Debut

Revolutionary Powersol Makes Debut pexels.com Charlie Egan, co-chair of the UNC Chapel Hill student government’s Renewable Energy Social Projects Committee, said this after purchasing 19 Powersols for the campus: “In today’s society, one thing we just can’t seem to live without is our phone. Wherever we are, our phones keep us connected. In desperate times of low battery, indoor outlets are traditionally the only place to turn. However, thanks to ZON’s Powersol solar umbrella, desperate times can now be enjoyed outdoors, in the warm sunlight, with the company of your friends. The Powersol solar umbrella offers innovative solar energy technology paired with a battery charging station to allow students the opportunity to charge their phones while sitting at a picnic table outside. Not only does this unique product meet the phone-charging needs of students, but it also serves as a great example of the practical application of solar energy to raise energy awareness on your university campus.” pexels.com The Powersol will be presented at the APPA Annual Conference for Higher Education Facilities Managers in Nashville, July 11-13, 2016, where managers will gather to identify and discuss the most current and pressing challenges facing educational facilities, and determine the common path forward.  You can try out the Powersol for yourself at booth 8001.

Find a Chemistry Tutor Unr That Suits Your Personality

Find a Chemistry Tutor Unr That Suits Your PersonalityChemistry tutor and is a very important stage in a student's schooling experience. Since it is a critical stage, it needs to be attended by an instructor who can help you in the right way, and steer you towards success. This article will help you select a good chemistry tutor for and teach you how to make the right selection for your science teacher.Selecting a chemistry tutor unr is something that you need to consider very carefully. In general, they can be divided into two groups - mechanical or electrical. There are few differences between the two, but they are important to understand. They should always provide feedback in relation to your homework.Mechanical tutors are experts in theory - they are those who might help you in solving complex problems of the chemical reactions. They are the one you should look for. Electrical chemistry tutor and are practical. They teach students how to interact with other students and make mor e friends. These kind of chemistry tutors are better suited for K-12 students.When selecting a tutor, it is important to understand that each chemistry tutor is different. Some might be very friendly, while others are more formal. It is a good idea to choose a tutor who matches your personality. You may also try to explain to your parents what type of chemistry tutor you would like to have. It is best if you can approach them directly and ask them for their opinion on which teacher to hire. They will be the ones who can help you with your choice of chemistry tutor for.What exactly should you expect from a chemistry tutor? The most important thing is to make sure that the teacher will be active in helping you in your science coursework. They should also take some time out of their busy schedule to help you by pointing out the wrong steps youare taking. They should encourage you in your work and make sure that you do your best in your studies.One important thing you must look for in a certain chemistry tutor is whether he or she is dedicated to his work. You have to understand that not all teachers will be ready to be seen. This means that you will have to give the right attention to how you can gain positive feedback from them. If you have other problems to solve, you might have to make appointments. An important thing to consider when picking a chemistry tutor for is whether he or she has proper facilities for dealing with students.Although there are many people offering chemistry tutoring services, it is also important to know whether the tutor has been around for quite some time. They should have good references, which means you will have to give a lot of consideration to how reliable they are. A lot of students are finding the internet an important tool for hiring a good tutor. Since you can read about the different schools offering tutoring services online, you can get a list of teachers in your area.

Cute Chemistry Pick Up Lines For Women

Cute Chemistry Pick Up Lines For WomenHow do you go about writing cute chemistry pick up lines for women? It's important to be witty and clever. Although the lines should be quite a bit different from a guy, there are some general themes that all guys should remember when thinking of what to say.Chemistry: This is the relationship between two people. If a girl wants to get a guy to fall in love with her then she should use the lines that show how good she is to him. She can be strong and confident or weak and dependable.Relationship: The lines are all about this too. Are you a sexual partner? If so, then don't make any jokes about sex at all. Instead, you should use the lines that show you are a warm and loving person that she would like to be with.Tell her what you want her to do and why. You can use humor or soft romantic lines in a real romantic way. It's okay to have some wacky lines.Dirty Talk: This is something that a lot of guys forget. It is good to talk dirty but it's not ne cessary to be all in your face. You can come on to her and say things like 'I like to look at you when you're getting ready'you're so beautiful when you're wearing a short skirt'. Girls usually like it when men talk dirty to them so that can be a nice line.Foreplay: This means more than just kissing. You can show her how sexy she is by doing the 'walk of shame' walk. A lot of guys are really scared to try this because they think that it's very manly but in reality it's quite appealing to women. people Everyone is sexy and cute and everyone knows this. You should be able to talk about being sexy or cute without sounding like a total loser. If you can do this then you're on your way to a winning pick up line. It is okay to have some wacky lines so long as you are believable with them.

Key Tips to Do Better In Algebra - Online Math Tutor

Key Tips to Do Better In Algebra - Online Math Tutor Algebra can be confusing with its interplay of alphabets and numbers. It surely bring your grades down if you don’t understand it well. Boost your test grades with ease by following few easy algebra tricks. Tips that can assist the students to evade those silly mistakes which are made mostly on tests. Students might know that the small mistakes in their answers drop them from A grade to C grade. If they take the benefit of these minute significant shortcuts, you can be guaranteed to make lesser number of mistakes in your algebra. Here are some key tips to do better in Algebra: Determination. Try to understand even the simplest ideas deeply. Hard work. Enjoy also. Don’t stress yourself. Analyze what the teacher might give you and give priority to it without neglecting other topics. Group study with smart people and teach your dull fellows as well. Use resources like Algebra index, Khan Academy, you tube etc. Thus the aim is to end thinking much about math in a formal way. Avoid the conventional processes, and skip out few steps which do not need to be shown. An algebra homework help can exhibit you where skipping steps is required. Else they can make such silly mistakes.We have narrowed down some of the most common mistakes here. This has brought them to you in order to help you perform better. Read on to learn some of the elementary mistakes students are known to make in algebra tests. The age old sign change algebra problem This is quite common and almost everyone has done it at least once in their lifetime. Negative signs are confusing. They are there in your problems simply to add extra confusion and trick you! They simply couldnt be easier were you to handle it with a little bit of care. Try and minimize the negative signs found in the equation. You can either multiply by (-1) throughout and this will make your job easier. Now, of course you know to do this but what happens in most cases is that some students forget to change the sign of one element or two in the equation. Here’s a simple trick which you probably already know that most online math tutors swear by: simply change the sign of every element in the equation and start from the right or left side and go straight down or up the line and be consistent with what you do (meaning do the sign change for every element). Why add and subtract when you can simply move algebra around? This is yet another common and unnecessary step which is albeit the correct thing to do. If you have an equation that has a -20 on the side and say a +15 on one side, students typically add +20 on both the sides and though this is right, why not simply move the -20 to the other side of the equation which will make it +15+20 on the right which equals 35? Eliminating unnecessary steps will help you avoid mistakes and this is something most tutors insist upon when students seek math homework help online. And this is a very good thing to remember and practice for it will help you reduce errors. Instead of multiplying or dividing a number on both sides, simply cross multiply! When you have say (a/b) = (c/d), the equation simply boils down to ad = bc and to get at this, you would typically multiply b on both the sides and then proceed with multiplying d on both the sides. As it happens, this is the right procedure but then more the number of steps, more the likelihood that you make a mistake somewhere. Cross multiplying is effortless and easy and eliminates the likelihood of making mistakes and this is why we recommend that you try this out. Working with word problems made easy The fundamental problem with algebra is of course the fact that it begins combining alphabets and numbers and brings exponents and what not into the picture! Word problems are trickier for you need to translate them into algebraic equations and then work them out. We suggest that you look out for terms such as factored by, increased by, adds up to, etc. that indicate what exactly is happening with the numbers and then write them down. Also, don’t stop once your math part is over; reread the question and see if you’ve actually answered what has been asked and then move on to the next. We believe that following these tips will help you reduce the number of mistakes when it comes to algebra problem solving and thus help you score better. We have more tips to give out in the same department, watch this space for more algebra tips.

Ask an Admissions Expert Jason Lum

Ask an Admissions Expert Jason Lum Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Jason Lum is the president and founder of ScholarEdge College Consulting. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louisand completed his Master of Public Policy at Harvard Universityand his Juris Doctor at University of California, Berkeley. Jason previously served as an application reviewerin the Harvard University Admissions Office. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Jason: Ideally, students will begin working on their college applications during the summer prior to their senior year. The fact of the matter is that once senior year begins, students are hit hard by all the things thrown at them AP classes, other advanced courses, athletics, and extracurricular activities. On top of that, they are expected to increasingly apply to more and more schools, particularly if they are interested in highly selective colleges and universities. Very few students have the ability to juggle all these commitments simultaneously, so the summer before senior year is a vital time to begin the college application process. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Jason: A great essay really is nothing more (and nothing less) than a story. When I work with a student, I try to figure out what it is about that person that I find interesting on a personal level. For example, virtually all the students who apply to selective schools can likely handle the academic workload at those universities. What admissions officers look for is a narrative about the student that separates him or her from other candidates. A great essay topic picked by the student gives the admissions committee a ground-level view of what the student has gone through and what challenges, goals, and visions the student embraces. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Jason:One- or two-week mission trips or humanitarian trips that are blown out of proportion. There is, of course, nothing wrong with a student doing a mission trip, and they clearly have value to both the student and to the people who are served. But some students take these trips and make themselves out to be a modern-day Mother Teresa or Nelson Mandela. Admissions committees see through this fairly quickly. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Jason: A lack of authenticity. Dont try to paint yourself as someone you are not; be honest, and really delve within yourself to find out what it is about you that would make you a perfect fit at the colleges and universities you are applying to. In 15 years of working with students, I have yet to meet one student who does not have some inspiring experience or life story that deeply affects the reader. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Jason: It varies from college to college, but admissions officers will generally review the file with a checklist for lack of a better term that helps guide them through the application. Virtually everything that they look for will not surprise students: GPA, ACT/SAT scores, extracurricular activities, etc. The truly subjective part of this process, of course, is the review of the essays, letters of recommendation, and things student cannot control, such as whether the parents are alumni of the college or university, athletics, and race and gender. There is so much subjectivity baked into the process that many students will look at the results from their college applications and not see any consistency even between schools in the same selectivity range. Thats the new normal. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Jason: The Common Application essay. It is the common denominator for virtually every school a student will apply to, and is the one essay that is guaranteed to be read by the admissions officers at every college and university. Some schools such as Stanford University and The University of Chicago have notoriously lengthy supplemental applications, but even those schools will require the Common Application, and they will review the essay very carefully. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Jason: I am somewhat contrarian on this, but I dont believe parents need to spend thousands of dollars visiting 20 or 30 schools prior to applying to college. There is plenty of valuable information available in books, and on college and university websites. Students really dont need to be visiting schools before applying. Also, working with an independent education consultant can save parents time and money they are paying for the consultants experience. In fact, the consultant probably visited many of the schools a student is likely to apply to, and they can greatly help in the process. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Jason: Early-decision which binds a student to go to the school if they are accepted is something that I rarely recommend to students. The only exception is if a student unambiguously identifies that institution as his or her first choice and if financial aid is not an issue. I do, however, recommend non-binding early-action for many students not only because in some cases you have a slight statistical advantage in getting in, but also because it motivates the student to get his or her application done early, as these deadlines typically fall on November 1. The student can still apply to other schools and wait to see if they get into an institution that is either a better fit or gives the family more money. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Jason: Grades will always be the most important component of an application. Standardized test scores are becoming slightly less important for the vast majority of colleges and universities. However, even though top colleges and universities may say otherwise, we need to be realistic here: a student with a 26 on the ACT is simply not going to have much of a chance of getting into an Ivy League school unless there are some extremely extenuating circumstances. In my practice, however, I have had many students go on to extremely selective schools with very high GPAs and good, but not great, standardized test scores. To me, this is a good thing because many of the best students Ive ever met are lousy standardized test-takers. But they do magnificently in the classroom, and they go on to have very rewarding careers. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Jason: Dont be too obsessed with making sure that all your recommenders teach in what you think will be your college major. If you think youll be a biology major in college, you dont have to have all of your high school recommenders from the science department. Pick recommenders based on whether the person likes you and knows what you do outside the classroom. My litmus test is this: what does a particular teacher know about you outside of the work youve done in his or her classroom? If the answer is not much, you are asking the wrong person to recommend you. As a side note, if none of your teachers know what youre doing outside of the classroom, then you have a big problem that you need to fix. How do you fix this? Talk to teachers after class or visit them during office hours, join clubs and activities where that faculty member may be an adviser, and basically educate the person about what you do besides taking that teachers class. If you do that, youll be just fine when you ask for a letter of recommendation. Visit ScholarEdge College Consulting for more information. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.