Virtual Tutor Jobs - An Excellent Way to Earn Income While Working From Home

Virtual Tutor Jobs - An Excellent Way to Earn Income While Working From HomeVirtual tutor jobs are an excellent way to earn an income while working from home. The most important thing to remember when seeking virtual tutoring jobs is that you must be a registered tutor. This ensures that you can earn a living at home.Tutor jobs are available in many different places online. The best place to look for these virtual tutoring jobs is the internet. There are many great opportunities for qualified tutors to find work that can be done from home and pay them well.Education is a very lucrative field, especially for those who have been in the field for some time. There are many places to find a steady and good paying job in this field. When searching for virtual tutoring jobs, you will want to be sure that you find an education-related business that offers great pay and employment.Another thing to consider when looking for tutor jobs online is to find out whether the company or individual nee ds a portfolio. You will want to bring your portfolio with you when applying for tutoring jobs. This will allow you to show potential employers how you can help them with their educational needs.Once you find the virtual tutor jobs that interest you the most, you will want to make sure that you are prepared to fill out the application properly. A great way to do this is to take advantage of the money-back guarantee that many companies offer. This means that if you do not receive a job after filling out the application form and sending it back, you can have your money back.Keep in mind that there are many other places that offer tutor jobs as well. A good resource to check out for these types of jobs is Craigslist. Many people have been able to find jobs from Craigslist, sometimes more than one job in a day.In order to secure the best tutor jobs, you will want to work hard to achieve the goal. If you do not put forth the necessary effort to get the best positions, then you will find that your chances of securing a tutor job decrease. You will need to create and maintain a great resume to showcase your abilities and skills.You will also want to be sure that you will provide a great customer service attitude when you seek tutor jobs. With a great attitude, a quick response time, and quality results, you can often find a great position working from home.

12 Tips to Consider When Getting in Shape

12 Tips to Consider When Getting in Shape //d3p7mn7jyeu9ms.cloudfront.net/cee54ef6b4b2608b58f73e80607f8bf3%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmedia-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2F736x%2Fa8%2F90%2F0f%2Fa8900f125c24283f342d7c1e9d633b50.jpg 2. Change it up:  A repetitive workout routine will become tired, leaving you disinterested and bored. So mix it up a little bit: mix and match workout tapes or use Pinterest to create different exercise routines for each workout. The bottom line is to get creative with your workouts. Don’t let yourself get bored or quitting will be that much easier. //d2wa2tyobqx1pp.cloudfront.net/c6a20dc4aabfd5c389bf988eee687012%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fthethreadaffect.files.wordpress.com%2Fuloop%2Fw%3D628%26r%3D305%2Fjpg%2F2012%2F02%2Ffebabs.jpg 3. Starving Yourself Isn’t a Diet:  I know that cleanses are a fad in the workout world at the moment, but starving yourself or drinking your food isn’t exactly healthy. The best way to diet: eat healthy. Simple as that. Avoid snack foods and stick to the basic food groups. Don’t skip out on proteins and don’t be afraid to eat fruits and vegetables. So long as you put the bag of Cheetos down, you’re stepping in the right direction. //d27ql944xr9meu.cloudfront.net/32555029194eeb3572d29e78d3c93055%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.lhsfna.org%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2FLHSFNA%2Fassets%2FImage%2FJuicing45.jpg 4. You Don’t Need a Partner to Exercise:  Don’t wait for that one time your friend is available; make sure your workout is getting done when YOU want it to. If your friend is available and wants to workout with you, great! It’s always easier to workout when someone else is pushing you, but don’t allow friends to dictate your workout schedule. //d1d20t9fkd7io6.cloudfront.net/ef10d8a72e3f5ee9f3ae05f664b0bc56%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmotocrossactionmag.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2FUploads%2FPublic%2FImages%2F5b818a6c39cda4a968d8km80e30350ba370154631ed809d6543fb1c128b17c6c99-1.jpg 5. Music Can Go A Long Way:  If you’re a music fan, load your iPod up with your favorite songs and exercise away. Try and stick to songs with quick beats that amp you up; that way, you are enjoying your workout and the fast-paced music is more likely to get you moving. //d27ql944xr9meu.cloudfront.net/a9089ef82bcde9061412c5ac5e32ca5b%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fvalleygirlblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgirl-with-ipod.jpg 6. Get Outside:  Don’t force yourself to use the elliptical or treadmill everyday. Find a trail nearby or take a quick jog around your park. A change of scenery is always a good thing, and you’re more likely to run longer when entertained by a new environment. //d2ov68p9vqf0gt.cloudfront.net/f356dbb0cf707cbcf85064d40782ebae%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmoviewriternyu.files.wordpress.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2F2013%2F01%2Frunning-outside.jpg 7. Have a Dynamic Workout:  Don’t forget that running isn’t the only workout. Exercising everything is the best way to get in shape, and just the occasional jog isn’t exactly a well-rounded workout. So mix it up while you’re at the gym, and be sure to work more than one muscle group. //d1qpyd3pu6qx6u.cloudfront.net/eccfddb2605605cf91a1074e8a393024%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.gymprofessor.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Ffiles%2F5113%2F4574%2F8778%2Fendurance-gym-workout.jpg 8. Give Yourself a Break:  Don’t kill yourself trying to workout everyday. Odds are, it isn’t going to happen. Set a schedule for yourself of how many days a week you’d (reasonably) like to exercise. Don’t forget to give yourself the breaks your body needs to have a successful exercise routine. //d1d20t9fkd7io6.cloudfront.net/4df415a57bde434ee45cfd965ba0185e%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fcommunity.runnersworld.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2FfileSendAction%2FfcType%2F0%2FfcOid%2F72370443375264129%2FfilePointer%2F72229705927922154%2Ffodoid%2F72229705927922150%2FimageType%2FMEDIUM%2FinlineImage%2Ftrue%2Frest%2520day.jpg 9. Don’t Get Discouraged:  We’ve all stepped on the scale and been disappointed by what we’ve seen. Don’t let it discourage you. If one week you don’t lose weight, it doesn’t mean you won’t ever lose weight. Use the scale more as a reference guide than a means of motivation and you’ll be less likely to get down on yourself for the less successful weeks. //d15yd2pup8u1d3.cloudfront.net/9afcf8bde6bb21b9371613b349e9e6ff%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fimagecache%2Fssm_600w%2Fstatic%2Fscale-600x450_1.jpg 10. Don’t Spend a Fortune, But Don’t Be Cheap:  It’d be ridiculous to buy every exercise machine you find, but don’t forget that it’s still important to have the right equipment. Sometimes the cheap road isn’t the right road. Going to the gym for equipment is probably your safest bet for the best equipment. However, don’t count out exercise tapes; for a student on a budget, they may just save your bank account. //d2gk0uetp1q970.cloudfront.net/217f3aeb2b65cecd0eda35a31ef028be%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fmac.magicdvdripper.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2Fmagicdvdripperformac%2Fsupport%2Fburn-insanity-workout-dvd-mac.jpg 11. Be Realistic:  Set goals that are achievable. Don’t tell yourself you will lose all the weight you want to in a week, because you probably won’t. Set realistic goals in increments to make sure that you’re achieving them in a healthy and safe way. //d3p7mn7jyeu9ms.cloudfront.net/b8234f336eee3bfd8fecc1e42ba42383%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Fwww.tcpersonaltraining.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F01%2Fttatatshshshkdhkdhkskshksh.jpg 12. Satisfy Your Cravings: This is probably the weirdest piece of advice you’ve been given in regards to being healthy, but it is probably the most important. Don’t shut down your cravings: It’ll only make them worse later on. So instead, compromise. Have a chocolate bar when you crave it and make up for it in your workout by doing a few extra pushups or running an extra 2 minutes. That way, your craving is satisfied and it hasn’t set you back all that much. //dihmh4v20db76.cloudfront.net/33c4ca3b75527b7c50016c6ab9ee12b8%2F565x0xwidth%2F75%2Fhttp%2Ftechglam.com%2Fuloop%2Fr%3D305%2Fjpg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F08%2Ftips-to-control-cravings.jpg

The Spring Guide To De-Stressing

The Spring Guide To De-Stressing Photo courtesy of Pixabay. Cleansing activities abound in our society from juice fasts to sauna sweats, we have our pick on how we chose to rid ourselves of poisons. First, however, Id like to focus on getting rid of the root poison that is preventing us from feeling the lightness that spring has to offer: stress. April is National Stress Awareness Month, which begs us to first become aware of what stress really is, and what areas it should influence (or not influence) in our lives. Acute stress, described as good stress, is stress that keeps us on our toes and makes us strive for more; in other words, its a positive motivator. Chronic stress is the type that lingers in our day-to-day life and has negative effects on our health. According to an article featured in  Psychology Today: [Stress]  dampens the immune system and dries out the digestive tract, setting the stage for disorders from irritable bowel syndrome to ulcerative colitis. It impairs  memory  and in extreme cases fuels anxiety. It can even gnaw away at the ends of chromosomes, thereby accelerating cellular aging. In other words, chronic stress can be a serious threat to our well-being, and in our fast-paced world, extremely hard to escape. The following strategies unite the mind and body in combating stress, holding the theory that if the body can suffer due to the effect of stress on the mind, the body and mind must work together in order to relax and revive. De-stressing the Mind Read to Relaxation According to the  Telegraph, just six minutes of reading a day can reduce stress levels by more than two-thirds. Psychologists at mind lab International at the University of Sussex believe that the act of reading forces the mind to concentrate on text and comprehension, causing the reader to essentially escape from a stressful mind. Researchers also reported that reading lowered stress even more than common stress-relievers, such as listening to music, going for a walk or settling down with a cup of tea. Call Mom New research featured in  Scientific American  reports that hearing your mothers voice can initiate the same biochemical responses as receiving a hug from her. These responses included decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increased oxytocinthe feel-good bonding hormonelevels. Usually, oxytocin was thought to come into play only during physical contact; however, Leslie  Seltzer, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Child Emotion Lab and lead author on the study, said in the article, But it’s clear from these results that a mother’s voice can have the same effect as a hug, even if they’re not standing there. Laugh This may seem like a no-brainer, but laughing, whether its with a group of friends or over a cat video on Youtube, leads to decreased cortisol levels,  endorphin release  and a stronger immune system. Accept What You Cannot Control One of the biggest stressors many of us have on a daily basis is the what if? stressor. There is a constant analysis of trivial future events that have no clear answer until its time for them to pass, so why stress about them ahead of time? Our minds become a much freer place when we learn to accept that worrying doesnt change outcomes, it only changes our moods and our health for the worse. One tactic Ive found useful in halting worrying in its tracks is to ask if there is an immediate solution to the problem Im worrying over. For instance, Im worried my paper might be late later in the week seeing as Im so busy. Is there a solution? Yes, I can do the paper right now (even if I have to forfeit a couple hours of sleep) so its out of my mind. Worry ended. Another example: Im worried about not getting the job I applied for last week; I have yet to hear anything and Im dwelling on trivial factors such as, What if I phrased something wrong on my cover letter? and What if I chose the wrong font for the heading? These questions are consuming me at this point, so I stop and ask, Well, what can be done about it? The answer? Nothing. No action can be taken at this point. Therefore, its not only better, but logical, to let it go. De-stressing the Body Garden This might come as a surprise, but gardening has been proven to lower stress levels and aid in relaxation. According to  Health.com, In addition to being a source of fresh, healthy produce, gardening can ease  stress, keep you limber, and even improve your mood. Luckily, urban gardening is all the rage, so dont worry if you dont have a lot of space. A small balcony, a few pots, soil and seeds are all you need to get started. Sip on Kava-kava and Take Adaptogens Kava-kava is one of the top herbs for relaxation, acting as a muscle relaxer and anti-depressant. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form, and can deeply relax you, so be sure to take it in the evening to wind down. Ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb, is a potent adaptogen, meaning it minimizes the effects of stress on the body and helps it to cope with stressors. According to  Natural News, The herb has performed as well as or better than some common anxiety medications in studies. The typical dosage is 300-500 mg once or twice daily, so taking a capsule form may be preferred. Indulge Your Inner Yogi Yoga as a whole is excellent for stress relief and loosening tense areas of the body; however, there are a few poses that specifically target stress. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge pose), according to the  Yoga Journal, Calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs, and Anjali Mudra (Salutation Seal), Is an excellent way to induce a meditative state of awareness. Both poses, among several others, can be found on their site. Eat Cherries and Celery Celery contains  phthalides, phytonutrients that are known to have a sedative effect, while  cherries  contain  anthocyanins, natural pain relievers, and melatonin, the hormone we produce to relax before sleep. De-stressing tactics shouldnt be utilized as just activities to do and be done with, but as lifestyle routines for obtaining a peaceful mind and sound body. Once these two come together free of chronic stress, we can begin to truly see each day as a new start: a perpetual spring.

Pokemon White 2 Move Tutor - How To Use It?

Pokemon White 2 Move Tutor - How To Use It?Pokemon White 2, the sequel to Pokemon White (Gold, Silver, and Crystal), is a game that is so full of exploration and endless possibilities, that there is little room for criticism. The first time you play, you could easily find yourself lost without the Pokemon White 2 Move Tutor. You can get it for free and it's easy to learn how to use it. However, there are some things that people want to know about using the Pokemon move tutor.Before I can tell you about the use of the Move Tutor, I must tell you what exactly a move tutor is. This is an item that allows you to learn the moves that your Pokemon knows by simply touching them. There are two types of Pokemon move tutors. The first type is portable, meaning that it is an item that is attached to your Pokemon in order to give you access to their move list.The second type is the one that is always with your Pokemon at all times. This is a power source that is found on your Pokemon and then it is connected to a port on your Pokemon through the trainer computer. It is constantly powered up by the energy of your Pokemon. As long as the trainer computer has energy left, it will continue to give you the moves that your Pokemon know.If you have the Pokemon move tutor in your Pokemon box, you can teach your Pokemon the moves you want them to know. If you have the Pokemon move tutor power up, you can then teach your Pokemon up to ten moves. Once you have learned the moves, you can then begin the battle.When you use the Pokemon move tutor, you will notice that your Pokemon will instantly begin to learn the move. If you are not familiar with a move, you can simply touch the move that you want your Pokemon to learn and your Pokemon will do it in about ten seconds. You do not need to have any Pokemon experience or even battle experience to use the move tutor.You can only teach up to five moves at a time. The number of moves that you can teach depends on your Pokemon's level. If you do not want to teach more than five moves, you can wait until your Pokemon's levels up. When you level up, your Pokemon will receive five more moves from the move tutor.As long as you keep an eye on your Pokemon's, it will learn the moves that you want. If you decide that you do not want to get the Pokemon move tutor anytime soon, you can also purchase a trainer PC with the ability to send your Pokemon's moves directly from their box to your computer. You can then teach your Pokemon the moves that you want to give them.

Get The Best Results Through Act Tutoring New Orleans

Get The Best Results Through Act Tutoring New OrleansDid you know that Act Tutoring New Orleans can help you get a higher grade than what you would get in a traditional classroom? This tutoring system is intended to help you excel in an educational environment. They are willing to work with you and help you get the best possible results that you want.You will be able to receive the tutoring that you need to learn anything that you want to. Act Tutoring New Orleans provides you with their academic expertise as well as free services. All of the knowledge that they have will be theirs to give.To assist you, they will give you all of the tools that you need to go beyond what you could do in a traditional classroom. You will be provided with all of the relevant software that you need to master the subject that you desire to. You will be able to utilize all of the resources that you want. You will be given the option to take a class at your own pace and schedule your time to get the work d one.As an instructor, you will not be paid for the tutoring. This is unlike other tutoring that you will be offered by other institutions. Instead, Act Tutoring New Orleans will give you the assistance in the form of its tutors. With these tutors, you will be able to obtain the best grades possible without spending too much time.With all of the help that they provide, you will be able to achieve high academic performance. You will not only be given the tools that you need to succeed, but also its tutors. You will also have the opportunity to conduct interviews with these tutors.These tutors will make sure that you are getting the knowledge that you need to surpass the obstacles that you face. When you will learn the right way, you will be able to set yourself up for success. With this guide, you will be able to overcome all of the problems that you may have faced. In addition, you will be able to rise above them and move on to bigger things.With this training, you will be able to mo ve ahead to achieve high academic performance and become an expert. You will also be able to get your degree at a faster rate. This will put you ahead of the competition.

What are Rational Numbers Online Tutoring

What are Rational Numbers Online Tutoring Rational numbers are the numbers which are written in the p/q form, where p and q are any integers except q 0. The place where the number is written on the top such as p is known as the numerator and the place where the number is written in the bottom such as q is known as the denominator. Rational numbers are written in this format and they can be added, subtracted multiplied or divided. Rational numbers also represent a part of a whole and also can be reduced to their lowest fraction form. Example 1: Combine the given rational numbers, 2/3 + 4/3. Given rational numbers: 2/3 + 4/3 In order to add or subtract given rational numbers, they should always have a common denominator. In the given question, both 2/3 and 4/3 have common denominator as 3. Hence we can simply add the numbers in the numerator. This gives: 2/3 + 4/3 = (2 + 4)/3 = 6/3 The fraction 6/3 can be reduced further by dividing top and bottom by their common factor 3. Hence 2/3 + 4/3 = 6/3 = 2/1. Example 2: Combine the given rational numbers, 7/6 5/6. Given rational numbers: 7/6 5/6 In order to add or subtract given rational numbers, they should always have a common denominator. In the given question, both 7/6 and 5/6 have common denominator as 6. Hence we can simply subtract the numbers in the numerator. This gives: 7/6 5/6 = (7 - 5)/6 = 2/6. The fraction 2/6 can be reduced further by dividing top and bottom by their common factor 2. Hence 7/6 5/6 = 2/6 = 1/3.

Ask an Admissions Expert Stephanie Klein Wassink

Ask an Admissions Expert Stephanie Klein Wassink Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Stephanie Klein Wassink is a graduate of Brown Universityand the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School. She also holds years of experience on the Kellogg School of Management admissions board and runs her own consulting business, Winning Applications. Stephanies expertise lies in many areas of admissions, but shared her insights on the undergraduate application process with us below. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Stephanie: Regardless of where I speak or with whom I speak, parents always ask one question: When should we start the college application process? Start it too soon and you unnecessarily step into a pressure cooker. Wait and risk being at a disadvantage when your childs application is read last and he has to make himself stand out against the last 5,000 applications an admissions counselor just read. Unfortunately, when to start is one of the most difficult questions to answer. Arguably, a family could start the process before their first child is born. After all, paying for college can certainly take 18 years of saving. The reality is that the application process starts with a few small, seemingly inconsequential steps. Here are a few places to start: Talking: Parents are verbally preparing their children for college and even graduate school constantly. They sing old college songs and make statements like, When you go to college Visiting: While noting what you like in your high school (size, location, teacher student ratio, etc.) can be important, visiting colleges enables a young person to envision him/herself on a college campus. Visits enable them to determine if they prefer rural/urban, large/small, warm/cold. Opportunities to visit college campuses include: -Your alma maters alumni weekend or homecoming can be a great way to give a young person a glimpse of college life. -Trips to local college campuses in your town or distant campuses while on vacation are instructive. -Overnights with an older cousin or family friend who is currently in college provide another good opportunity. Save: While some of the writing assignments high school teachers assign might seem annoying, save them. Why reinvent the wheel? If youve written something that might, with a few edits, satisfy an applications essay question, use it. SAT/ACT: One of the most onerous parts of the application process is the standardized testing. Many schools require the SAT/ACT with writing and at least two SAT/ACT subject tests. While most students wait until their junior year to take the tests, some students opt to start a little earlier. Sophomores should go to www.collegeboard.com and try working on the practice tests. If the tests prove easy, then keep studying and plan to take the exam(s) early. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Stephanie: Ask others! One of the best ways to differentiate yourself (the bottom line) is to ask your friends how they would describe you and tell them to give specific examples. It might surprise you to learn that they think you are so organized, that you have the oddest sense of humor, or that they admire the way you stand up for what you believe in, the combination of which could generate quite a few essays. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Stephanie: While I hear my mission trip and my sports injury essays are overdone, the best way to get a GREAT answer to that question is to ask it at college fairs and on college visits. It is particularly smart to ask it at your top choice schools. I would discourage gimmicks. Your essays are meant to demonstrate your sense of sound judgment. I have spoken to admissions directors who have seen students write their essays in blood, on an old pair of jeans, in a made up Elfin language, and backwards, so the admissions officer would need a mirror to read it. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Stephanie: Making mistakes before the applications process begins! Last fall, I had the opportunity to hear Dean James Miller, the head of Brown University Admissions, speak. One of the most surprising things he said was that every year a number of acceptances are rescinded due to an applicants poor judgment on a social media web site. It got me thinking about whether or not social media sites are a good thing or a bad thing with respect to the college admissions process. Then, of course, what about the internet as a whole? Not only will this impact kids as they try to jump the first of many hurdles in order to get into college, but more importantly, indiscretions on the web can follow a student or prospective employee for a long, long time. After all, when does correct, incorrect, and/or incomplete information on the internet expire?With respect to the admissions process, there are certainly shades of gray: The good: -Certain admissions officers allow prospective students to friend them on Facebook. That connection can provide prospective students with salient information about the admissions process. -Colleges have started Facebook groups for admitted students. -Many high school students use Facebook for appropriate fun, and have enabled their privacy settings and can control the content that is uploaded to their accounts. -The Common Application certainly better than ordering applications from 12 schools via mail. -Tufts YouTube optional essay is one in which a student can demonstrate his/her superior equestrian skill. The bad: -Frienemies used to make an anonymous call or send a letter to alert an admissions office rep that little Billy did not deserve to be admitted because of inappropriate behavior; now they use Facebook to prove it. -Most schools do not have enough time to check their applicants Facebook accounts, but they do have a responsibility to check when they receive a tip. -Internet marketers have started bogus sites, marketing to, for example, college alums. -Email and texting may be an issue too. The BBC recently reported that Dr. Ari Juels, the Chief Scientist of the RSA, an Encryption and Network Security firm, has made clear that the internet is hardly anonymous (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/maggieshiels/2010/03/the_end_of_anonymity.html). -Tufts optional video/YouTube style essay in which one student chose to rap about Tufts in her living room in front of her Christmas treeI am not sure if it could hurt her chances, but I am pretty sure it did not help. One thing is clear: the internet makes most of the college application process easier. However, many students may not have the foresight to know that their past, as far as the internet is concerned, does not disappear. Parents who are not on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc., really should be. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Stephanie: Given the fact that there are over 4,000 colleges in the United States, it is safe to say that the evaluation process differs not only from school to school but also between admissions committee members. Because many applications are read at the admissions officer's home, what is important to note is the number of distractions that surround the reading process. Those distractions oblige the student to make the essays interesting and engage the reader from the first sentence. 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? Stephanie: We have all come across the oft cited study indicating that students learn more outside of the classroom than inside. If that is true, then think about the admissions committees mandate. The single most important thing a student should make sure to present in the best possible way on his application is that he can educate the student body and actually will teach other students when he matriculates. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Stephanie: The answer is easy. The execution is not. No one knows a college like the student body and its RECENT alumnae. Getting to know those students and alumnae, given the nature of high school students, is not always easy. Visiting campus, arranging to stay overnight, talking to students (who are not affiliated with the admissions office) are the best ways to get in touch with a colleges culture. I also suggest students and parents grab the college newspaper (if it is available); it gives a broad sense of whats being discussed on campus. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decision...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Stephanie: When students have a clear first choice and their scores are where they need to be, I recommend applying early decision or early action. A recent study quoted in the 2012 National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) State of College Admissions noted that applying early has the same impact as adding 100 points to the students SAT score! VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Stephanie: IMPORTANT! According to the 2012 NACAC survey, 84% of colleges feel that grades are the first and most important determinant of a students. success. While grades are #1, grades in college prep courses are #2, standardized tests rank #3. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Stephanie: I would implore families to recognize how busy teachers and guidance counselors actually are. Not only do guidance counselors only spend approximately 25% of their time on college admissions, the ratio of students to guidance counselors in the US is 1:473. One way to make sure that all or many of your facets are represented in your recommendation is to sit down with your recommenders and talk about what you do. Given the aforementioned ratio, if they do not have time for that, send them an email with a detailed resume. Make it easy for them to use quotes/descriptions from you in their recommendation write-up. Visit Winning Applications for more information.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.