Rankings by publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Petersons, Kiplinger, Forbes, and others in the business of ranking colleges have a certain value.  These lists are based on many factors such as acceptance rates, resources offered, graduation rates, student/professor ratios, and other notable features.  That said, no national ranking can tell you which college or university is best for you.  Your interests, personality, talents, and career goals should be a major factor in any decision.

There are many factors to examine when considering a college.  A few of these are outlined below:

• Strength in your area of interest – some students know which major they are interested in pursuing.  Others may only know which subjects they like the most.  You should determine how strong the college is in those subjects of interest to you.  There is a real difference between colleges in the number and backgrounds of professors, number and quality of course offerings, research opportunities, and internship possibilities, etc.  Know how strong the college is in your areas of interest.
• Teaching style – each college has its own teaching style.  What style is stressed by the colleges you are considering?  Some put an emphasis on writing, some participative learning, some collaborative learning.  Some are lecture oriented and others more small -class oriented.  In which teaching style will you thrive?
• Academic intensity – it is one thing to get into a college. It is another to do well while attending the college.  How many hours/week of academics are expected of students at the colleges you are considering?  You will be amazed at the different expectations among colleges.
• Student-body Personality – what does the college look for in a student?  Do they stress independent thinking or do they stress collaborative learning?  Do they look for students who are committed to community learning, well rounded students or talented in specific areas?  Learn what each college looks for and how well this matches your personality.
• Social Activity Drivers – what drives the social activity at the college?  At some colleges fraternities/sororities are the drivers; at others intramural sports play a big role.  At others, activity is centered around the big football or basketball game and at others, clubs or dorm life play a big role.  In which environment do you feel most comfortable?

These are just a few of the factors to consider.  There are many others.  Just make sure you know the college and how well the college fits you.  After all, you are about to spend four years of your life there.

If you’re applying to college or plan to apply to college in the near future, I’m sure you’ve started wondering what it takes to get into your top choice school. While the college admissions environment changes from year to year, depending on the scope and aptitude of the applicant pool, past admissions data does help to determine where you stand in terms of your GPA and SAT/ACT scores and gaining admission to a particular university. Read more…

Don’t just apply to your dream college–get into your dream college! A-List expert college adviser, Michael Binder, has some advice for college applicants:

For admission to college, it is conventional wisdom that you need to focus on your grades and your test scores. For more competitive colleges, these are certainly factors that get you considered, but only contribute to getting you admitted.

These competitive colleges look to “build” a class by adding individuals with a variety of skills, interests, and talents that will help further the college’s mission and enrich its campus.  It is critically important that you communicate the value you bring to each college of interest.

You communicate your value by showing each college:

• Why the college is right for you
  
• Why you are right for the college
  
• How you will take advantage of the college’s offerings and programs
  
• How you fit into the culture and personality of the college and student body
  
• What differentiates you from other students, with similar grades, interests and dreams
  
• How you will contribute to the campus community

Enterprising, determined students can exert enormous influence over admissions decisions. Junior year is the time to take the steps necessary to build your college admission foundation and to obtain the answers to these questions.

Are you taking these critical steps?

> Call A-List to get started with our expert college advisers!

Alan Gelb, author of “Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps,” delivers tips on how to keep a college essay within bounds in The Choice’s recent article, “Advice on Whittling Your Admissions Essay.”

As most college admissions essays require that students don’t exceed 500 words, college essay expert, Gelb reveals that it is essential to stick to the crux of your story and the message you’re trying to convey. Excess verbiage typically doesn’t lead to a better essay. We encourage you to check out his article for good suggestions on keeping the word count down.

A-List tutors are experts on the SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests, and just about all other standardized test preparation, as well as college essays and the college application process.  On this page, our expert SAT tutors share their advice via short videos to help get you through the college admissions process.  We encourage you to view the videos for useful SAT and ACT advice, test prep recommendations, and personal anecdotes of tutors’ experiences with students. Watch for a helpful tip or to hear a funny test prep story to distract you from the stress of applying to college!

PSAT Scores are Back. What do They Mean?

Read more…

As media outlets continue to report on the Long Island SAT cheating scandal and the College Board’s investigation into the matter, we are once again  reminded of the intense pressures students feel to do well on college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT.  A-List Education founder and president, Scott Farber, was called on by CBS News to offer his insight and expertise into the recently hot topic. Watch the video below to hear Scott’s thoughts as Jim Axelrod reports on the New York SAT cheating scandal that prompted The College Board to conduct an international review of SAT security procedures.

A-List Education founder and president, Scott Farber, was recently interviewed by WPIX morning news. Watch below as he further discusses the Long Island SAT cheating scandal and the stresses and pressures that surround college entrance exams.

A-List Education founder and president, Scott Farber, was recently featured on NBC’s Weekend Today Show discussing  SAT prep and college admissions.

College entrance exam test scores can be crucial to your child’s educational future. A-List Education’s tutors and admissions experts specialize in getting kids test ready and college ready. Listen to Scott’s advice for both test-takers and parents!

View more videos at: http://nbcnewyork.com.

A-List Education founder and president, Scott Farber, was recently interviewed by WXBR where he had the opportunity to talk about A-List’s extensive range of services: SAT, ACT, LSAT, SSAT, ISEE, & Regents tutoring, customized educational nonprofit programs, ACT and SAT professional development, and college application and essay services.

Have a listen to learn more about A-List and its mission: Scott Farber_WXBR1460_interview

Scott being filmed for an appearance on "Inside Edition."

Scott being filmed for "Inside Edition" where he discussed the SAT cheating scandal

With news of the Long Island SAT cheating scandal being featured everywhere, people are reminded of the increasing pressures facing students and college applicants today, and the lengths that some are willing to go to get into their top-choice colleges.

Having tutored and worked with thousands of students applying to college (counting more than a few Great Neck kids as his clients), A-List Education founder and President, Scott Farber, was asked by numerous media outlets to comment on the events that took place. He tells The Daily Beast, Read more…