Financial Matters: The Hidden Costs of College

College financial aid packages should start arriving this month, but when you begin to compare your out-of-pocket costs, be sure to include expenses that go beyond room, board, and tuition. These costs may vary from one institution to another, but they add up quickly.

Books- According to the College Board (2021-2022 academic year), full-time undergraduates at a four-year university spent an average of $1,240 on books and supplies. Buying new textbooks from the university bookstore is expensive. Students can look on Amazon, Cheapest Textbooks, or even Barnes and Noble, and they can also buy used textbooks to save money.

Another possibility is the campus library, though this option may not always be available because of the amount of text books available. When done with the books, consider reselling them.

Food- Meal plans differ from college to college—buy the plan that best reflects the way you are likely to eat. According to the Education Data Initiative (August 2023), college students spend an average of $410 a month eating off campus, in addition to the average meal plan of $331. Food costs also vary depending on the location of the college.

Transportation- Distance from home and availability of lower-cost travel options should be considered. If you will be traveling by air, buy tickets well in advance for peak travel periods such as Thanksgiving. Bringing a car to campus? Better add in the cost of parking, gas, and maybe some parking tickets.

Greek Life- Costs associated with going Greek can be expensive. In addition to chapter dues, initiation fees can range from hundreds to even thousands. Sometimes even higher costs are incurred when living in a sorority or fraternity house rather than in campus housing. Special activities also can be costly.

Club and Organization Fees- These can include fees for intramural sports, political groups, or professional organizations.

Studying Abroad- Expenses are often incurred including air travel, living expenses, and visas. Some colleges will provide stipends to cover additional expenses so that more students can experience a semester abroad.

Decorating and Furnishing Living Spaces- Dorms usually provide basic furniture and lighting. Students will need to provide their bedding, lamps, rugs, and posters. Once they move off campus, they may also need to buy furniture, beds, and kitchen supplies.

Emergency Expenses- Though unpredictable, they are inevitable, whether it is a trip to the emergency room, a car repair or a lost laptop. It is helpful to have some money reserved.

St. Lawrence University Visits Apt Tutoring

St. Lawrence University

Christopher, Assistant Director of Admissions at St. Lawrence College in Canton, NY, met with us at our office. 

New majors at St. Lawrence include finance, digital media and film, biological medical sciences, and public health. Christopher emphasized, however, that It’s okay not to know what you want to do. St. Lawrence students can create a major, and 70% will double major.

Since 90% of its students live on campus, St. Lawrence provides its students with a supportive and vibrant community.

Small but mighty, the St. Lawrence’s alumni network is one of the strongest in the country. In fact, St. Lawrence is #4 on Princeton Review’s list for alumni network and prof accessibility.

Christopher encourages applicants to visit the campus, which is a 6.5-hour drive from Boston.

Thank you for taking th time to visit with us, Christopher!

Mitchell College Visits Apt Tutoring

Mitchell College

Tyler from Mitchell College stopped by our office to tell us about what’s new on campus. Located on the waterfront of New London, CT, Mitchell has a new public health major and has made some changes to its business major.

A graduate of Mitchell, Tyler told us about his experience studying business and sports management. With only 550 students — all undergraduates — Mitchell is dedicated to supporting its students.

In addition to the Bentsen program, which provides academic support, Mitchell offers the Thames Program, a transition program for students who are college-able but not college-ready.

We enjoyed hearing about Mitchell’s traditions like the Beach Bash for accepted and deposited students, Winter Ball, and Spring Soiree. On weekends, Mitchell Resident Assistants plan movie nights and block parties.

Featured Apt Tutor: Mark

Mark

What do you like most about tutoring?
Helping students be successful. It’s very rewarding to teach or explain math concepts to a student who is not sure of how to solve math problems. Having them understand the process and arrive at a solution is wonderful to see.

What subjects do you enjoy tutoring the most?
All math courses and levels from grades 7-12.  

Why do you like working at Apt Tutoring?
Great management, friendly, professional tutors, and an excellent environment for optimal teaching and learning.

What did you major in at college, and what was your favorite class?
I was a liberal arts major at Villanova University, which means I enrolled in a variety of science, math, English, philosophy, psychology, and business classes. My favorite class was a physiology class, where we studied the effects of exposure to different external stimuli on animals. In graduate school at Boston College, I majored in finance.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to work out, listen to music, play basketball, sail, golf, and do yard work. I spend quality time with my three daughters and all the grandkids.

What’s your favorite book, song, or band?
I enjoy reading; I read at least two books per month. It's mostly fiction, but I do like non-fiction books as well. There are so many great music artists. How do you select?  I like old-school music, such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and CSNY, but the 1980s had great music as well.

Tell us about a favorite vacation  
Family trip to Disney World with my wife and three daughters. Great family time! How can you beat Tower of Terror and Rocking Rollercoaster for rides?

If you could have a coffee with any person dead or alive? Who would you choose and Why?
Probably my parents because I miss them so much and it would be fun to talk with them about everything. I might also select Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. To speak with the early great leaders would be cool.  

Salty or sweet person?   
Both. My favorite food is seafood.

Fun Fact
I have a fraternal twin brother. 

Featured Apt Tutor: Alexis

Alexis

What do you like most about tutoring?

I love guiding students through challenging material in different ways and witnessing the "aha" moments. I believe everyone, regardless of their background, has the potential to learn any subject with perseverance and a supportive teacher.

What subjects do you enjoy tutoring the most?

Math and science, especially neuroscience, chemistry. and biology. I love studying all the things that we can't see that allows our bodies to function.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Woodworking, paddleboarding, ice skating, fitness and outdoor activities, cooking (and eating), fixing things like my car, and hopefully ballet soon.

What’s your favorite book, song (or band), snack food?

I am currently enjoying reading Adam Grant books. He is a business psychologist who inspires you to do things like find your Hidden Potential.

If you could have a coffee with any person dead or alive? Who would you choose, and why?

I would have tea with Patrice Bergeron. He is not only one of the best hockey players in the history of the NHL but exudes unparalleled leadership qualities on and off the ice. I find this refreshing in our polarized world.

Character Counts in College Admissions

You hear a lot about the importance of grades, AP courses and test scores in the college admission process. But a 4.3 GPA and a nearly perfect SAT score mean nothing if a student is seen as dishonest or unethical. Integrity is one of the less discussed but very important parts of the college admission process.

Admission officers are assembling a freshman class of students who will be studying and living together, and one of the questions they consider as they read applications is “Would I want this person in my community?”

There are many ways to assess the character of a student. Admission officers pay close attention to counselor and teacher recommendations. While they probably won’t reject a student for smoking a cigarette on school grounds, disciplinary action for cheating is a major red flag.

There is an epidemic of cheating in high schools. One group of high-scoring students started a money-making scheme where they would take the SAT for other students. While college admission officers do like to see students demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, this is not the type of entrepreneurship they seek.

Students are under a lot of pressure, and it can be very tough to resist the temptation to cheat. With competition for college admission at an all-time high, students can fear being at a disadvantage if they don’t cheat when their peers do. Even strong students who don’t need to cheat might fear being labeled selfish if they don’t share the answers to a biology test.

While unethical behavior may bring rewards in the short term, kids who cheat can’t feel genuine pride in their accomplishment. Once they start, it’s tough to stop cheating, and they may be afraid they can’t manage in college without it.

The intense competition for admission also makes it easy for some students and parents to justify exaggerating accomplishments on college applications or having someone other than the student write an application essay. But the University of California and other schools do ask some students to verify what is on the application. Admission officers are very savvy in determining if an essay is truly the applicant’s.

Even after being admitted, students can jeopardize their college future. Some families are tempted to “double deposit,” sending the enrollment deposit required by May 1 to two colleges so the student can have the summer to decide which one he prefers. But the family may lose much more than a few hundred dollars since there have been cases where both schools revoked the offer of admission. Character counts!

Tradeoffs—You Probably Can’t Have it All

When you’re putting together a college list, you will probably find some things you love and some things you’re not crazy about at each school. It’s like choosing a partner. You might have a wish list of 37 characteristics, but if you hold out for every single one, you could be alone for a long time. There’s not one perfect person, or one perfect college. You need to make tradeoffs.

One student will travel anywhere in the country as long as the college is prestigious. Another student is willing to trade the prestige of attending a highly selective college for a scholarship at a less competitive school, which will leave him debt-free at graduation. And another is willing to tolerate a cold Midwest winter if it means he’ll get Division I football.

Many students say they want to experience life in a big city where they’ll have access to lots of internship opportunities, nightlife, restaurants, and great shopping. After growing up in the suburbs, they love the idea of being able to walk outside their dorm and into the energy of an urban environment. It is true that going to Boston University or NYU can be very exciting, but it’s important to understand the tradeoff that comes with a big urban school. There may not be a traditional, grassy campus with a central quadrangle. And with so many attractive options luring students away from campus, you can lose the sense of community that you often find at schools located in college towns. You’re likely to encounter crowds of people as you walk to class every day, and that makes a school feel lively, but the tradeoff is a more impersonal atmosphere.

There are always tradeoffs. The goal is to find a school that meets your most important needs. Writing “must have” and “would be nice” lists may help you to evaluate potential colleges. When you know what you must have and what you are willing to give up, you are more likely to be happy with the decisions you make and to have a happy and successful college experience.

This process of establishing priorities doesn’t begin or end with college applications. A high school freshman or sophomore who plans to take every available Honors and AP class and become immersed in extracurricular activities needs to be willing to live with intense academic pressure and a lack of free time. 

For students who genuinely love learning and enjoy being very involved in school, this may not seem like such a sacrifice. For other students, the idea of spending their high school years studying all the time, obsessing over SAT scores, filling every free hour with community service and feeling like they never have a minute to relax isn’t worth the possibility of getting into the most competitive college.

In the future, you may need to decide whether it’s more important to rise to the top of your profession or to balance family life with career success. When you are clear about your priorities, you can make more satisfying choices throughout your life.

The University of Pittsburgh Visits Apt Tutoring

The University of

Pittsburgh

Thank you for visiting us, John! We enjoyed hearing about what’s happening at the University of Pittsburgh!

Pitt’s new health and wellness facility brings together its health and wellness services.

In addition to renovating its library, its main dining hall recently underwent a major renovation and now includes an Italian section with white tablecloths.

Pitt has six direct-entry schools. Applicants apply to the school that offers their intended major.  But don’t worry if you’re undeclared: you’ll apply to Diedrich, the arts and sciences college, and receive additional advising.

Thanks to four hospitals on campus and one more on the way, one of Pitt’s most renowned programs is its nursing school, which has VR cadavers and mannequin sim labs. The Living Learning Community for nurses is next to a trauma hospital. No wonder its nursing graduates are in demand, often receiving sign-up bonuses.

We also talked about the honors college. One of the big draws of which is student-led research. Although it’s competitive if an applicant isn’t accepted when applying to Pitt, it’s possible to re-apply as a first-year student.

Facts & Myths About Liberal Arts Education

Ask twenty people what they think about the term “liberal arts education,” and you’ll likely get twenty different responses. And their responses will also likely contain misconceptions as well as facts about the liberal arts. To clarify things, let’s look at some of the facts and myths about the liberal arts.

All liberal arts students are politically liberal. False. Students of all political beliefs graduate with liberal arts degrees. The word “liberal” in liberal arts doesn’t refer to politics at all. Rather, it is rooted in the Latin term “artes liberals” in which “artes” referred to the general skills that a “free person” (liberals) needed to master in order to contribute meaningfully to society.

Math and science aren’t liberal arts subjects. False. Academic disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, astrophysics, astronomy, statistics, and mathematics, among others, are indeed liberal arts disciplines. Many people think they are not liberal arts subjects because they also fall under the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) list of disciplines. But, from the Middle Ages until today, they have also always been included under the liberal arts umbrella. The liberal arts umbrella also encompasses disciplines in the humanities (i.e. English, theater, music) and the social sciences (i.e. economics, history, psychology). However, college majors that focus on preparing for a specific career, such as engineering, nursing, or business, are generally not considered liberal arts degrees.

You can get a liberal arts degree at many different types and sizes of colleges. True. Many people mistakenly believe that liberal arts study is confined to smaller liberal arts colleges. Yet, every major American research university also has extensive undergraduate programs in a variety of liberal arts disciplines. By the way, some of the most prestigious research universities in the country, including Yale, Harvard, and Brown, consider their undergraduate colleges to be liberal arts colleges.

A liberal arts degree doesn’t prepare you for a specific career. True. College majors such as accounting, architecture, engineering, and nursing focus on preparing students to work in specific careers. Although liberal arts students gain many skills during their education that can be applied in the workplace, the primary focus of a liberal arts education is not training for a particular job or career. Rather, the emphasis in liberal arts disciplines is on providing a broad education that prepares students for a wide variety of jobs and careers. That said, many liberal arts disciplines do have sets of career paths that students in that discipline tend to gravitate towards. For example, many psychology majors become therapists, counselors, and other social service workers. However, many liberal arts majors end up working in fields other than those traditionally associated with the specific discipline they majored in. Check out Carleton College’s Career Pathways to see the careers different majors can lead to.

Liberal arts majors all end up working at Starbucks. False. Just ask the CEOs of Goldman Sachs, Whole Foods, HBO, Disney, Hewlett-Packard, Time Warner Cable, American Express, and Merck, among many other major corporations, who were liberal arts majors in college. (The CEO of Starbucks was also a liberal arts major). The Hamilton Project, an economic policy initiative of the Brookings Institute, recently analyzed data collected from the National Center of Education Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau to determine the most common jobs held by degree holders in specific college majors. They found that liberal arts majors work in all sorts of careers and in all sorts of industries, including in science and technology. In fact, a recent LinkedIn study found that there are more liberal arts majors working for technology firms than computer science majors.

Liberal arts majors have skills employers want and need. True. Research shows that employers value the types of skills that liberal arts studies foster. In one study conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), ninety-one percent of employers surveyed agreed that when hiring recent college graduates, “a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems” – all hallmarks of a liberal arts education – is more important than a specific college major. That said, liberal arts majors can also further enhance their marketability by including courses that teach more job-focused skills in their curriculum. The nice thing about a liberal arts education is that there is usually plenty of room in a student’s schedule to do so. Just like students in career-oriented majors such as business and education, students studying the liberal arts should also seek out internships, work experience, and extracurriculars during college to help build their resumes.

Liberal arts majors don’t make as much money as students who major in engineering or business. It depends. The amount an individual person makes throughout her career will be based on her choice of career, her experience level, her geographic location, her employers, and other factors. So, take any group of workers who had the same major in college – be it English or Engineering – and no two workers will make the exact same amount of money over their careers. In short, how much money you make is really up to you and your individual talents and efforts. However, it is also true that the average starting salaries for recent graduates in certain majors tend to be higher than for those in other majors. For instance, engineering majors, on average, tend to land the highest starting salaries amongst students with all degrees, including other career-focused majors. Some liberal arts majors also start off with salaries below the median for all college graduates. However, research conducted by the AACU and other organizations shows that while liberal arts majors in some disciplines may start off slower, their income tends to have a faster rate of growth over time, and they tend to quickly close much of the initial salary gap.

Want to find out more about typical career paths for various majors? The Hamilton Project has an interactive tool that shows career earnings by college major:

Featured Apt Tutor: Denise

Denise

What do you like most about tutoring?

I enjoy being able to help students get better at the skills that I know they possess.

You tutor SAT, ACT, HSPT, ISEE, and SSAT prep in addition to school subjects. What subjects do you currently enjoy tutoring the most?

I like tutoring all of the subject matters, but I do enjoy the science section of the ACT and any science tutoring best, as I am a science teacher.

Why do you like working at Apt Tutoring?

Apt has been a great working environment and I have been able to meet a lot of additional students besides my students at my school.

What did you major in at college, and what was your favorite class?

I majored in chemistry and secondary education at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. My favorite class would have to be my biochemistry class. The professor was one of the funniest that I have ever had, and even though the class was hard, the lab was very enjoyable.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy running and going to the gym.

What's your favorite book, song (or band), snack food?

Favorite book: The Disappearing Spoon

Favorite band: Shinedown

Favorite snack: I'm a sucker for Cheetos.

Tell us about a favorite vacation.

My favorite vacation was when my husband and I went to Key West back in 2015. We were able to go on some amazing excursions, and the atmosphere there was so much fun.

Please tell us more fun facts about yourself.

I currently teach science. I have two daughters and two cats. I love to cook and bake. My favorite color is blue.

Featured Apt Tutor: Jennie

Jennie

What do you like most about tutoring?

Tutoring is a unique experience that allows me to connect one-on-one with students and to learn more about their interests, experiences, and aspirations. At the same, I love the opportunity to help them with not only concrete tasks-like their college essays but also to see them grow as writers. As someone with a doctorate in art history, I am committed to helping students develop their writing not only as a practical skill but also one with its own aesthetic sensibilities.

What subjects do you enjoy tutoring the most?

I really enjoy tutoring writing and related tasks.

Why do you like working at Apt Tutoring?

It's wonderful working with motivated and creative students; at the same time, it's been amazing to work with someone as engaged and thoughtful as Lisa over the years. We are in sync about our approach to writing, and I always appreciate exchanging ideas about teaching and other aspects of our work. Contributing to the vision of a small company makes my work feel significant, and I love being able to communicate so directly and easily with my Apt colleagues.

What did you major in at college, and what was your favorite class?

I majored in Classics with a minor in Italian studies. My favorite class was probably Roman Satire.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love taking long walks with my golden retriever Tulip, watching French and Italian movies, visiting museums and galleries, and reading novels set in Italy during World War II.

What's your favorite book, song (or band), snack food?

Tough questions! I love almost anything written by Ian McEwan, and especially enjoyed Atonement; I love equally the bands Yo la Tengo and Pink Martini; and I love a scoop of stracciatella or pistacchio gelato when available!

Tell us about a favorite vacation.

I am passionate about traveling, and some of my favorite destinations include Bogotà, Paris, Capri, London, and Rovereto.

If you could have a coffee with any person dead or alive? Who would you choose, and why?

I would love to have coffee with French film director Jean-Luc Godard or Italian writer Natalia Ginzburg.

Salty or sweet person? What is your favorite salty/sweet snack?

Salty! My favorite snack is a tramezzino (mini-sandiwch in a triangle-shape) with smoked provolone, grilled zucchine, and tomato on brown bread from the Rosa Salva café in Campo San Giovanni e Paolo in Venice, Italy.

Please tell us more fun facts about yourself!

I have lived in various parts of Italy and speak Italian fluently; my dog has worked in a few commercials; and I have lived in Rome, Florence, and Venice. Aside from working with Apt Tutoring and as a college professor, I am an active art critic and scholar.

College Deadlines Explained

There are several types of college admissions deadlines, each with advantages and disadvantages. Here is a helpful guide to every sort of deadline acronym you could encounter along your college admissions journey.

Early Action (EA): Early Action applications are usually submitted in October or November, and applicants can usually expect to hear back by December or January. EA is non-binding, meaning you can apply to as many colleges that offer it as you would like, and accepted students have until May 1 to deposit at the college. 

Restricted Early Action (REA) & Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA): This is where things get complicated. REA and SCEA can vary by college. Two things all of the variations of REA and SCEA have in common are if an applicant applies REA or SCEA, they can't apply Early Decision anywhere else, and applicants accepted through REA and SCEA have until May 1 to deposit.

There may, however, be other restrictions. For example:

Here's Georgetown's policy:

"Early Action (Georgetown's program) allows applicants to make multiple Early Action applications, so long as they are not applying to a binding Early Decision Program. Applicants admitted in December under Early Action have until May 1 to decide whether or not to attend."

Here’s Stanford’s REA policy:

"If you apply to Stanford with a decision plan of Restrictive Early Action, you may not apply to any other private college/university under their Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Early Decision, or Early Notification plan."

And here's Yale's SCEA policy:

"Yale's Early Action program is unlike many other programs in that applicants who apply through Single-Choice Early Action at Yale may not also apply through Early Action or Early Decision to any other school with a few exceptions (see below). 

Single-Choice Early Action applicants may also apply through other early admissions programs if the other program fits any of the descriptions below:

• The early admissions program is a non-binding rolling admission program.

• The early admissions program is a non-binding early program at a public institution.

• The early admissions program is an Early Decision or Early Action program that notifies applicants after January 1. 

• The early admissions program is at an institution outside the United States."

Early Decision (ED): Early Decision is binding. If accepted, you commit to attending the college, so it is an option that can only be used for one college and only if you are 100% certain you would like to enroll. Before you submit your ED application, you, your parents, and your school counselor will sign an agreement stating that you will attend if accepted, withdraw the applications you've already submitted to other colleges, and won't submit more applications. 

Like Early Action, applications are due in October or November; students can expect news by mid-December. Some colleges also offer a second round of Early Decision. ED II functions the same way as ED I, aside from the timeline–applications are due in January, and students hear back in February.

Regular Decision (RD): Regular Decision is the most common type of deadline and is non-binding. The deadline is usually in January or February, with decisions released by April.

Rolling Admission: Colleges with rolling admissions accept applications until the class fills up, usually in spring or as late as summer.

Which deadline is best?

That depends entirely on the student. Students usually have a better chance of acceptance if they apply ED, as the application pool is smaller, and colleges usually accept a higher percentage of applicants from this pool. However, the "boost" provided by applying ED can vary tremendously by college. 

ED I or ED II are options that should only be used if the student is 100% sure about a college, both academically and financially (colleges do usually release students from their commitment if the financial aid package is insufficient; however, applying ED does not allow students to compare aid packages or merit scholarships across colleges). If you do choose to apply ED, be sure to have other applications ready by the RD deadline if you are denied.

EA is always a good alternative if the college offers it, as it is non-binding, and students can expect to hear back sooner than they would otherwise. Students applying EA also usually have the best consideration for merit scholarships and other programs, so it's often a good target. 

SCEA and REA don't have the pressure of being binding, but make sure you understand each college's policy.

Regular decision is the default option; most applications for most students will fall under this option. 

Campus Visits: Everything You Need to Know

Campus visits can be a fantastic way to learn more about both a college and the general area that it is in (websites and brochures, after all, can only do so much). Here are some general things to keep in mind when planning and visiting colleges:

1. Research: Before visiting a college, make sure it is one you are seriously interested in and would genuinely consider attending. College visits require both time and money, so it would be an unwelcome surprise to travel all the way to a campus only to discover that the college does not offer your intended major. Create a list of colleges you would like to visit and research any others in the area to ensure you maximize your time wherever you are

2. Timelines: The summer before and fall of senior year are when many students visit colleges, but make sure you keep all your application deadlines and the college's academic calendar in mind. If you see many schools in a short time, taking notes or photos is a good idea to keep one college straight from the next and remember everything you'd like to.

3. What to see: It can be overwhelming trying to see and experience everything you want to at a college in just a day, but above all, try and get a general "feel" of the place to see whether or not it is somewhere you could see yourself spending the next four years. That could involve taking a campus tour, speaking with admissions representatives, attending classes, watching sports teams practice, speaking with students, eating at the dining hall, visiting dorms, or even reading the student newspaper. Try to check out the surrounding area off-campus, especially if on-campus housing isn't guaranteed for four years. How is the public transportation? Are there restaurants nearby? Are there attractions you want to visit, such as museums or parks?

4. Admitted Students Days: Remember that there are options to visit colleges in the spring of your senior year after you've been accepted. Admitted Students Days can be very helpful when deciding between schools or whether one is a good fit for you. Geared towards students who have already been accepted, so they happen later and can provide students with a more personalized and in-depth experience. Students can usually attend information sessions, explore campus in greater detail, and speak to other students who have been accepted.

5. Pesky siblings in tow?: If you have younger siblings forced to come along, they have the advantage of getting an early look at what college is all about, especially if they're in high school. Also, siblings know you well, after all, and could even be a resource in helping you to decide whether a school is right for you or not.

Featured Apt Tutor: Kelley

Kelley

In college, I completed a dual degree program and majored in both chemical engineering and music (plus a minor in computer science!). My favorite class was probably my senior chemical engineering lab, where we got to work with miniature distillation columns, heat exchangers, batch reactors, and more. It was exactly what I had pictured being a scientist would look like, right down to the lab coats, goggles, and practical shoes. I'm currently pursuing a career in classical music, but I really missed using the STEM side of my brain and tutoring has been a great way for me to exercise those skills. I've worked with kids in a variety of roles in the past, but I've found that high school is a really special time because each student grows so much both in their studies and as a person in the span of just one school year. I'm currently tutoring students in math, physics, and chemistry, but calculus is always my favorite subject to tutor because it opens up so many possibilities of what math can do.

In my free time, I love to take the dog for long walks at Turkey Hill or Wompatuck, try out new coffee shops, or go out for a bike ride. I recently got the opportunity to travel to South Africa for two weeks on an orchestra tour, where we got to play 7 concerts in 5 cities as well as play with local young musicians in every city we visited. With all that traveling done this summer, I am ready to settle into the new school year this fall and am really looking forward to meeting my new students and working with previous ones again.

Featured Apt Tutor: Alana

Alana

Alana joined our team in 2016. She specializes in tutoring high school math, including AP Calculus and Statistics, SAT & ACT Prep, and college math.

What do you like most about tutoring? 

I like seeing students overcome their fear of math. I usually get students coming in saying that they hate math, and my goal is to get them to at least be neutral on the subject. I never expect students to love math by the end of our time together, but many do!

What subjects do you enjoy tutoring the most?

The subject I enjoy tutoring the most is calculus. There is beauty in every math course, but calculus is where students get to see all the pieces come together for the first time.

Why do you like working at Apt Tutoring?

I love being able to work with students for multiple years. I've had students from 7th grade to Sophomore year in college. No other job would let me develop that type of relationship with students.

What did you major in at college, and what was your favorite class?

I majored in mathematics with a specialty in statistics. My favorite math course was Discrete Mathematics. However, I was in the Kilachand Honors College at BU, so I got to take some really interesting classes outside of my discipline. My all-time favorite course was Serious Comics, which studied the use of graphic novels to cover serious topics such as war, genocide, and natural disasters. We read novels such as Maus and Persepolis. It was a great introduction to visual storytelling. 

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to go hiking with my husband, my daughter, and our dog! I also enjoy reading and cooking.

What’s your favorite book, song (or band), snack food?

Book - Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Band - Modest Mouse

Snack food - Reeses

Tell us about a favorite vacation.

My favorite vacation was my honeymoon in Washington State, where I got to hike in Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Hoh Rain Forest.

Tell us more fun facts about yourself.

I do the NYT crossword every day. I currently have a 457-day streak!

Living Away From Home: The Essentials

The first year of college is often the first time students have lived away from home for an extended period–which can definitely be a learning curve. 

Here are some tips on smoothly navigating the adjustment:

1. Be Aware of Your Resources: Immediately familiarize yourself with on-campus resources and support systems and know where they're located. These resources may include the health center, the counseling center, financial services, or even peer tutoring, and you will probably want or need to use them at one point or another during your four years.

2. Know the Basics: In college, you may have to be more responsible for yourself than you were in high school, whether that be through scheduling your own appointments, keeping your space tidy, or doing the laundry. 

3. Learn to Budget: College may also mark financial independence, so living within your means and keeping track of your weekly spending is essential.

4. Wander Around Campus: If everything feels a bit too new and scary, exploring campus will help familiarize yourself with your surroundings. Having a place that's special to you or a spot to call your "own" on campus can go a long way.

5. Form Connections: Try to meet new people and build new relationships by joining new clubs and sports. Having a support system is important, especially if you're living somewhere completely new and may not know anybody on campus.

6. Stay in Touch: Schedule weekly calls or FaceTime with parents or friends from home if you're ever homesick. Remember, no matter how lonely you feel, you're never alone, and many others on campus likely feel the same.

Living away from home takes practice and patience, the same as anything else. Don't be frustrated or too hard on yourself if you make mistakes at first or struggle with homesickness–it's a natural part of the freshmen experience.

The SSAT, ISEE and HSPT Admissions Exams Explained

The SAT isn’t the only standardized test out there. For some, standardized admissions tests begin even earlier. There are a few different kinds of high school and middle school admissions tests that students planning to attend private school should know about.

The SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test):

The SSAT is the admissions exam for elite private middle and high schools. There are three different levels to the exam: the elementary level (for 3rd and 4th graders), the middle level (for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders), and the upper level (for 8th graders and above). All forms of the exam are composed of three sections, which are quantitative, reading comprehension, and verbal reasoning. There is also an unscored writing sample, which schools use to evaluate writing skills, and a short unscored experimental section. The middle and upper-level exams have two quantitative sections, whereas the elementary-level exam only has one.

The SSAT is administered monthly from October to April, along with another June date (flex dates, which are additional testing days outside of the standard Saturdays offered, are also an option). The middle and upper-level test is 3 hours and 5 minutes long. Middle and upper-level students have the option of taking either the paper-based SSAT, the computer-based SSAT at a testing center, or the computer-based SSAT at home. Middle and upper-level students can take at most 6 standard tests and two flex tests that are paper-based. For the computer-based option, they are permitted up to three total combined SSAT tests either at home or a testing center per year (the testing year is from August 1st to July 31st). 

The elementary level exam is shorter, at just 1 hour and 50 minutes. Elementary-level students can take at most two standard tests or one standard and one flex exam. They do not have a computer-based option.

The SSAT is a norm-referenced test, meaning that students are scored in relation to the performance of others. It is a highly competitive exam, as students are seeking admission to some of the country’s top private schools. Students can register and choose which SSAT option they would like to take using this link.

The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam): 

The ISEE is another admissions exam for private middle and high schools, and many will accept either the ISEE or the SSAT. The ISEE is composed of a quantitative reasoning section, a reading comprehension section, a verbal reasoning section, a mathematics achievement section, and an essay portion. It has four levels and starts even younger than the SSAT: the primary level (for those applying to grade 2, 3, and 4), the lower level (for those applying to grade 5 or 6), the middle level (for grade 7 or 8 applicants), and the upper level (for grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 applicants). The primary level is further divided into three different exams depending upon grade level, all of which are approximately an hour. The lower-level exam is 2 hours and 20 minutes, and the middle and upper-level exams are each 2 hours and 40 minutes. At-home, at-school, and at-office testing options are offered.

Although the two exams are very similar, there are some subtle differences that may influence the exam students choose to take. In the verbal section, the SSAT makes use of synonyms and analogies to test students, whereas the ISEE uses synonyms and sentence completion. The ISEE also has slightly longer reading passages, but the SSAT has a wider variety of genres (such as poetry). The scoring is also slightly different between the two exams: students will get a different score report for each of the four sections on the ISEE, but the SSAT combines the two math sections into just one number. In the writing sample, SSAT students can choose between creative prompts at the middle level and creative and expository prompts at the upper level, but ISEE students only have an expository section. The SSAT, unlike the ISEE, also has a guessing penalty, and students are deduced ¼ of a point for every incorrect answer. Lastly, the ISEE allows students to take it only three times annually (once per “testing season”), whereas the SSAT is offered at least monthly. The ISEE’s testing seasons are August-November, December-March, and April-July. Students can register here.

The HSPT (High School Placement Exam):

The HSPT is another form of admissions exam and one that is usually taken by 8th graders seeking admission to Catholic high schools. It’s composed of five different sections: verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, mathematics, and language. The exam has 298 questions and is 2 hours and 23 minutes long. There is no written portion and no penalty for incorrect answers. Students are only able to take the exam one time. Like the SSAT and the ISEE, it is a norm-referenced exam. Students can register through the school to which they are applying.