The process of deciding whether and how to hire a tutor to work with one's child to improve his or her academic performance is an often daunting task. This presentation provides some practical considerations that should be considered and addressed before making this critical decision. Issues such as transferring responsibility to a third party as a solution to family tensions are addressed. Other issues discussed are: Does your child need an academic coach / mentor or a subject-based tutor? Where does one find a qualified tutor? What is the cost of hiring a tutor? What are the qualities of a good tutor? Should your child be tested? If so, where, when, how, and at what cost? How can you reduce your anxiety level during the process? These and other issues are clearly examined in this insightful presentation.
What You Need to Know! Strategies for School Success
This presentation is part of an ongoing series conducted throughout Northern Virginia by Dr. and Ms. Perrino addressing issues such as how to identify differing learning styles, strategies that will help the learning process, time management and organization techniques, and strategies for student self-advocacy.
Understanding the Differences: SAT vs ACT
Students and parents are often confused about the differences between the SAT and ACT examinations. Although both are used by colleges and universities as an assessment tool, there are philosophical and content differences between these two examinations. This presentation examines the differences and some similarities between the SAT and ACT. It also addresses the vexing issue of the writing sections associated with each exam. Finally, this presentation offers a word of advice to parents and students that places the importance of these examinations in some much needed perspective.
Community College: An Option Not to be Ignored in College Planning
The cost of a traditional four-year college education has, for the past decade, outpaced the rate of inflation and has become less attainable by an increasing segment of the population. An option often disregarded or discounted by parents and students is the community college. Community colleges have historically been the gateway to higher education for many who, for a myriad of reasons, cannot attend or do not need to attend a four-year institution. This presentation offers some compelling financial and professional reasons why students should consider the community college option. The presentation also provides some responses to several long-held myths regarding the quality and scope of programs and services offered by community colleges. Dr. Perrino challenges students and parents to consider the community college as a prudent financial management and career-planning tool.
Early Decision: Whose Interests Are Being Served?
Although often thought of as a reward for high achieving students who seek the most prestigious universities, Early Decision has come under increasing scrutiny and criticism in recent years. With the move toward equal access for all in higher education regardless of socioeconomic position, Early Decision is viewed by some as a vestige of an elitist college admissions system that excluded less affluent students in the past. Schools such as Harvard University have dispensed with the practice in an effort to address this perception. Many schools continue to use this practice because it guarantees a committed pool of qualified students, and in today's depressed economy, this has been a tool to maintain financial stability by many schools. Students must, however, be aware that acceptance of a school through the early admission process commits them to that school. This presentation also delves into the world of college rankings and the role that Early Decision plays in boosting a college's selectivity. Dr. Perrino concludes with a word of advice regarding the role of the university in educating students.
