Ask an Admissions Expert Deena Maerowitz

Ask an Admissions Expert Deena Maerowitz Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Deena Maerowitz was previously the Associate Director of Admissions at the Columbia UniversityBusiness School. She holds a professional membership in the Independent Educational Consultants Association and is also a member of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants. Deena currently works with students on their college applications with a personalized approach in guiding them through the college admissions process through her independent consulting firm. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Deena: I would say that it doesn't hurt to become familiar with the common app and the process for applying in the spring of junior year. I work with clients on applications and essays during the summer prior to senior year. Of course, its always great to try to visit campuses when they are in session, and if you can do this during your sophomore and junior year, youll be ahead of the game. VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Deena: Think about a time, a snapshot in your life, where you really learned something about yourself. Try to identify a time of growth, development, and a real interest in your life. The most important thing about the admissions essay is that its about an experience that only you have had. This doesnt mean you cant write about something that you do with a team, or that other kids participate in, but it means that the story you tell about your experience should be one that only you could tell. Focus on times when youve really challenged yourself to think differently about something, or how your views on an experience have impacted who you are now. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Deena: I'd definitely say that applicants should stay away fromwriting about things that arent really about you, re: it focuses on someone else's experience and not about how that person or event impacted you. Some other things not to do? Dont write about how you dont want to write the essay, or become too abstract or rhetorical. Dont use the essay to rally against the admissions process. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Deena: Not knowing enough about the college and why it's a good fit. Not thinking through essays or application questions. Not making the effort to visit if you're close by is also a sign that youre not really taking this college seriously. Make sure that every step of the way, through your visits to campus, interviews, essays, etc., that youre conveying your knowledge of the college and why you want to be there. Conveying a lack of interest is a big mistake. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Deena:I would read applications, take notes on the side, give my thoughts, and pass onto another member of the committee. Often, I would re-read essays and give myself some time to think about the applicant, what they would bring to the community, and how they would fit in with the academics of life on campus. Often, one admissions officer will advocate for a particular applicant once they form a relationship with that candidates application, and sometimes especially when theyve met them in person and are impressed with what theyve seen. 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? Deena: What they will bring to the community, why that college is a fit for them, and how they know that about themselves. Applicants should take this process seriously. Applying to college is hard, but try to think about it as a step by step process. Its important not to rush through the process. Each step, research, visits, interviews, and essays are important, so if you have the opportunity and time to experience the college as much as you can before you apply, you should. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Deena: Visit, research departments, Google professors and areas of interest, and see what turns up. Talk to students, get off the beaten path on campus visits. Taste the food, sit in on a class, see what is happening on weekends. Look at the dorms that they don't show you on the tour. Check out what people are doing in the library. There are so many ways to determine what life is like on campus. VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Deena: It really depends. Early decision is great for applicants that absolutely know that a particular school is their first choice, and that they will not regret withdrawing applications from other schools if they're accepted. Many colleges accept Early Decision applicants at a higher rate than those from the regular decision pool. I also think that Early Action is a great way for students to find out sooner about admissions so that April and May dont feel so loaded. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Deena: They are incredibly important, but of course, not at all the only thing! Colleges want to know what you will bring to the community, what your interests are, what type of thinker you are, and what you are like as a person. What sports do you enjoy? What clubs? How have you been a leader? Admissions committees will look for a link in a students experience. So, its more important to show commitment and focus in outside activities than to be scattered. Grades and scores count, but so do all of the other aspects of what you can convey about who you are and what youve achieved. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Deena: I suggest they bring a resum to their teacher, to give them a more full understanding as to who they are outside the classroom. I also suggest students hold onto their best pieces of work from that class and are able to really articulate important issues they learned about or why that class was important to them. Do whatever you can to make the process easier for your teacher, and don't forget to waive your right to see the recommendation, and to thank your teacher for their help! For more information, visit UndergradAdmit.com. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Create an ACT Prep Plan

How to Create an ACT Prep Plan As youre beginning to think about the ACT, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. Theres certainly a lot to think about when to take the test, what areas need the most work, and how exactly youre going to get to where you need to be. The good news is, by thinking about your ACT prep plan now, youre already setting yourself up for success! As you begin, youll need to take an honest look at your strengths and weaknesses, your schedule, and the score you wish to receive. Be truthful as you complete this self-reflection to create an ACT prep plan that will work for you. Set your schedule As you begin establishing your schedule, it can be helpful to work backwards. When would you like to take the ACT? When do your prospective schools require that you submit your score? Registering for a test date is a great way to know how long youve got to study, which will help dictate your study plan. Once youre registered, you can begin planning based on how long youve got to perfect your score. Once you know how much time youve got, youll need to decide when to focus your energy. Later, you can decide exactly how much time goes toward what subject, but for now, simply decide how long each day or week you can dedicate to studying. Make a tentative schedule, even if it is relatively vague to start. Familiarize yourself with the test Before you get into subject-specific study, youll want to familiarize yourself with the overall structure of the exam. Look at subject breakdowns, timing, and additional requirements. Look at score requirements for different schools and think about different timelines that might work for you. Get familiar with the universal aspects of the ACT so you feel more comfortable with the process as you approach the more serious business of studying. [RELATED: What is an Average ACT Score?] Find out what areas need your time If youre a math whiz, you may need to spend less time preparing for this area. Similarly, prospective English majors may not need to boast extremely high scores in science. Figure out what areas your schools require you to excel in (or what areas you hope to score highly in), as these may become your top areas of focus. Youll also want to find out where you need extra help. To do this, think about your strong subjects in school and those you may have a more difficult time with. This should give you a pretty good idea of areas to focus on. You may also consider taking some ACT practice tests, which will provide insight into which areas you perform best or poorly on. Doing this a couple of times should be able to help you identify what areas require the most time. Form a study plan by subject Now that you know what youre going to study, youll want to establish a study plan that will help you meet your test prep goals. The most effective way to do this is to form study plans based upon the various subjects youll need to review. You may also want to divide each subject into more specific categories, allowing you to really focus your attention where its necessary for instance, if science is one of your weaker subjects, which specific scientific concepts give you the most trouble? Once youve got the list of your subjects, decide how much time you can allot toward their study. Find your learning style Because we all learn in different ways, it is important that you know what will empower you to succeed. By identifying what methods have best helped you study in the past, you can make an ACT prep plan that will be most effective for you. Once youre familiar with the way you learn best, you can take next steps record lectures, seek out podcasts, make visual maps, form study groups, download a prep book, etc. Remember that you can make almost any amount of study time work for you as you develop your ACT prep plan. Sure, a student with a year to study might have a plan that operates a little differently than a student with three months, but both can be mastered with the right approaches. By thinking about how youll prepare for the ACT ahead of time, your studying will undoubtedly be more productive. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How Much Vocab Do you Really Need to Know for the GRE

How Much Vocab Do you Really Need to Know for the GRE GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog Do you remember studying a ton of vocabulary for your SAT back in high school? Well, you probably took SAT right before the ETS reconfigured the whole thing and removed the vocabulary section. That’s right, nowadays high school students don’t have to memorize a giant list of vocabulary to succeed on the standardized tests that get them into universities. Such a pleasure is reserved entirely for grown adults who want to get into the grad school. Why does the GRE have Text Completion questions? Remember that the GRE is supposed to act as a totally level playing field, that gives test takers across the country an equal shot regardless of the schools they went to, the areas they majored in, or, frankly, the time they spent in the library during undergrad. One gauge of how prepared someone is to succeed in grad school is how strong her vocabulary is, especially since academia revolves so much around writing and publishing research. Therefore, a strong performance on the GRE’s Verbal Reasoning section doesn’t just communicate that you can analyze text well, but that you can hold your own with your soon-to-be peers. That’s right, you need a strong vocabulary for the GRE. Okay, so how many words do I have to learn? Some resources list around 350, and the lists you find in test prep books can range in scope from 900 to 4,500. The best rule of thumb is to push yourself to study a lot of words but to keep it manageable. Try to keep it under 1,000 to give yourself a reasonable goal. Any amount much higher than that can just end up being overwhelming and potentially discourage you from taking up an impactful study routine. Keep in mind that the average adult English speaker knows upwards of 40,000 words, so making sure you have a firm grasp of an extra 600 to 1,000 especially impressive ones really isn’t that huge of a task. The real secret is to study your GRE vocab daily, even on weekends. Make flashcards for a new 50 to 100 words each week and study for as many minutes a day as you need to in order to feel confident with that set of vocabulary before you add new words for your pile next week. You can find lists of vocab like this one from GreenLight Test Prepwith some quick Googling, and there are services like Memorang that provide pre-made flashcards for the GRE as well. Any time you see a word you don’t recognize on a practice test or in drills in a test book, jot it down and add it to next week’s pile. Lastly, make sure to keep reviewing the old vocabulary, since you are not just trying to retain these words for test day, but for grad school. What do I do if I see a word I don’t know on the test? This is an inevitable situation. Come to peace with the fact that you won’t know every single word on the GRE now to save yourself a minor freakout when you’re actually taking the exam. The best way to deal with Text Completion questions is to use process of elimination. Let’s take a look at one: Perhaps you are looking at the answer choices for the first blank and don’t know what “maladroitness” means. You can still make a confident decision about whether the other choices do or don’t work. Based on the context, we know we want a word that suggests nature sets an example to follow. We can eliminate quirkiness because that has nothing to do with an example to follow, and keep preeminence. Does “preeminence” work in that blank? It absolutely does. If you have to choose between a good answer and one you didn’t understand, choose the good one. If nothing good remains, choose the one you don’t understand. If it’s a toss up, choose the one you don’t understand since that may just be the best one after all. Don’t avoid an answer choice simply because you don’t know the vocab. About the Author Mike S. is one of our most experienced test prep tutors. For more information on our GRE prep packages, click here.

What Motivates People - Private Tutoring

What Motivates People BobbiM Mar 31, 2014 Read this wonderful section from the book , You may not realize it but you are always motivated. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you are always motivated to do something even if its just sleeping. Focusing your motivation on learning, however, may be challenging sometimes. Its important to understand right from the beginning that you are responsible for your own motivation, even in courses that you dont like. Although an interesting instructor makes it easier for you do stay motivated, no one can directly motivate you to learn. But given that you are always motivated to do something and that you are primarily responsible for your motivation, there are some differences between students who are motivated to learn and students who are not. You may have heard the terms INTRINSIC and EXTRINSIC, especially as they relate to motivation. Intrinsic motivation occurs when the activity is its own reward. For example, some people read for the sheer enjoyment, others like to calculate numbers for the pleasure of it. Still others like to conduct experiments for the thrill of discovery. Think of intrinsic privation as being curious about something or doing something you choose to do. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, occurs when your incentive is a reward, such as grades or praise. Think of extrinsic motivation as trying to get it done rather than for the sake of learning. For example, you may be failing organic chemistry, but when the professor offers an extra credit assignment, you decide to do it even though you are not motivated to learn in the course. In this case, you are extrinsically motivated to earn extra credit points that can boost your course grade rather than by learning organic chemistry for the sheer pleasure of it. The more you are intrinsically motivated to learn, the easier learning will be for you. The key to becoming intrinsically motivated, even in classes you dont particularly like, is to find SOMETHING about the course that you find motivating and try to focus on the positives about the course rather than the negatives. It also helps to focus more in understanding the concepts to be learned rather than focusing solely on grades. Excerpt from  College Success Strategies  by Sherrie L. Nist and Jodi Patrick Holschuh.

Future Leader is Inspired to Change the World

Future Leader is Inspired to Change the World Future Leader is Inspired to Change the World Amina, 10-years-old, Math Level K, Reading Level K “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” â€" Malala Yousafzai 10-year-old Amina dreams of world peace. A world where there’s no war, poverty, or orphans. A world where there’s justice and equal opportunity for education, no matter your race or gender. Amina’s passion for changing the world is at the root of Kumon’s mission. “By discovering the potential of each individual and developing his or her ability to the maximum, we aim to foster sound, capable people and thus contribute to the global community.”- Toru Kumon Amina wants to influence change, just as her role model Malala Yousafzai has done. Being an avid reader, Amina first discovered Malala Yousafzai’s story through reading her memoir, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education. Yousafzai is an activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Her story became a beacon of hope for many, including Amina. She was so moved by Yousafzai’s story that she knew she wanted to be a part of the change as well. Amina has her sights set on becoming the future Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. “The most beneficial thing I’ve learned in Kumon is perseverance,” said Amina. “Nothing will ever be easy, and practice makes perfect. Without perseverance, I would have never become the strong individual I am now. Kumon has helped me overcome many challenges and has helped me believe that I can become the best version of myself.” Amina’s journey in Kumon began when she was just 6-years-old. She has since made remarkable strides and has gained an academic edge over her peers. Her achievements are a true testament to her hard work and perseverance. In the Kumon Reading Program, she can say she has already analyzed pieces of literature that are typically covered in high school, like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In the Kumon Math Program, she is currently working above grade level on algebraic concepts like quadratic and linear functions. With Amina’s boost in confidence from Kumon, she tackles challenges head on with a “Yes, I can do it” attitude. Outside of the classroom, she isn’t afraid to try anything, especially when it comes to competition. Amina has developed a love for gymnastics and has taken her abilities to the competitive level. It’s no surprise that Amina has caught the attention of judges as she has walked off with several medals and ribbons. When we asked Amina what her key to success is, she said, “Staying focused helps me achieve my goals efficiently and effectively â€" no matter what I am doing.” Already on the path to success, she will be able to achieve her goals as a future leader, and influence positive change around the world. Amina’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as she was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Amina about her Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you inside of the classroom? The Kumon Math Program has put me ahead of my peers since I’ve already worked on many of the concepts being covered in school. I can work independently on challenging equations. My teacher has given me the privilege to help mark my classmates’ school work and help them with their math when needed. The Kumon Reading Program has expanded my vocabulary and I can easily summarize long reading passages. This really benefits me when we are reading novels in school. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon has improved my focus and staying focused is extremely important no matter what I am doing. I have learned if I stay on task with completing my work on time, I can better balance my busy schedule. What is the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon? My Instructor Jenny taught me that by doing a little bit of work each day, it will make a huge difference in the long run. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Incredible. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? It was such an honor to attend the Student Conference and learn from other Kumon Students. The experience was truly inspirational, and it encouraged me to work even harder, achieve higher, and challenge more. One day I would like to be one of the student speakers so I can motivate other Kumon Students. What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? If you are working on a challenging level, remember that a Kumon Program completer was once in your shoes. With their hard work, they kept going and were able to achieve greatness. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Her Musical Performances Transform Audiences, but Her Academic Abilities Will Change the World This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom With a Passion for STEM, this Kumon Student is Effecting Change Inspired by a Kumon Program Completer, This Student Became One Himself Future Leader is Inspired to Change the World Future Leader is Inspired to Change the World Amina, 10-years-old, Math Level K, Reading Level K “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” â€" Malala Yousafzai 10-year-old Amina dreams of world peace. A world where there’s no war, poverty, or orphans. A world where there’s justice and equal opportunity for education, no matter your race or gender. Amina’s passion for changing the world is at the root of Kumon’s mission. “By discovering the potential of each individual and developing his or her ability to the maximum, we aim to foster sound, capable people and thus contribute to the global community.”- Toru Kumon Amina wants to influence change, just as her role model Malala Yousafzai has done. Being an avid reader, Amina first discovered Malala Yousafzai’s story through reading her memoir, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education. Yousafzai is an activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Her story became a beacon of hope for many, including Amina. She was so moved by Yousafzai’s story that she knew she wanted to be a part of the change as well. Amina has her sights set on becoming the future Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. “The most beneficial thing I’ve learned in Kumon is perseverance,” said Amina. “Nothing will ever be easy, and practice makes perfect. Without perseverance, I would have never become the strong individual I am now. Kumon has helped me overcome many challenges and has helped me believe that I can become the best version of myself.” Amina’s journey in Kumon began when she was just 6-years-old. She has since made remarkable strides and has gained an academic edge over her peers. Her achievements are a true testament to her hard work and perseverance. In the Kumon Reading Program, she can say she has already analyzed pieces of literature that are typically covered in high school, like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In the Kumon Math Program, she is currently working above grade level on algebraic concepts like quadratic and linear functions. With Amina’s boost in confidence from Kumon, she tackles challenges head on with a “Yes, I can do it” attitude. Outside of the classroom, she isn’t afraid to try anything, especially when it comes to competition. Amina has developed a love for gymnastics and has taken her abilities to the competitive level. It’s no surprise that Amina has caught the attention of judges as she has walked off with several medals and ribbons. When we asked Amina what her key to success is, she said, “Staying focused helps me achieve my goals efficiently and effectively â€" no matter what I am doing.” Already on the path to success, she will be able to achieve her goals as a future leader, and influence positive change around the world. Amina’s hard work and discipline didn’t go unnoticed, as she was one of 55 students selected to attend the 2018 Kumon Student Conference in Calgary, Canada. We had the opportunity to speak to Amina about her Kumon journey. How has Kumon helped you inside of the classroom? The Kumon Math Program has put me ahead of my peers since I’ve already worked on many of the concepts being covered in school. I can work independently on challenging equations. My teacher has given me the privilege to help mark my classmates’ school work and help them with their math when needed. The Kumon Reading Program has expanded my vocabulary and I can easily summarize long reading passages. This really benefits me when we are reading novels in school. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon has improved my focus and staying focused is extremely important no matter what I am doing. I have learned if I stay on task with completing my work on time, I can better balance my busy schedule. What is the most beneficial thing you’ve learned in Kumon? My Instructor Jenny taught me that by doing a little bit of work each day, it will make a huge difference in the long run. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Incredible. What did it mean to you attending the Student Conference? It was such an honor to attend the Student Conference and learn from other Kumon Students. The experience was truly inspirational, and it encouraged me to work even harder, achieve higher, and challenge more. One day I would like to be one of the student speakers so I can motivate other Kumon Students. What advice do you have for other Kumon Students? If you are working on a challenging level, remember that a Kumon Program completer was once in your shoes. With their hard work, they kept going and were able to achieve greatness. Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Her Musical Performances Transform Audiences, but Her Academic Abilities Will Change the World This Future Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Applies Discipline and Repetition In-and-Out of the Classroom With a Passion for STEM, this Kumon Student is Effecting Change Inspired by a Kumon Program Completer, This Student Became One Himself

4 tips to keep your GPA high in college

4 tips to keep your GPA high in college Tips from a Private Irvine College Tutor: 4 tips to keep your GPA high in college Its important for students to have a good GPA as they walk through their college experience. Although they wont have the same pressure as high school students â€" they already got into college after all â€" they’ll still want to consider the importance of good grades. Some students will consider applying to graduate school or simply need to stay off academic probation. Additionally, students with a high GPA might be able to participate in honors programs that give them more opportunity to network or intern. 1.   Focus on smaller assignments Many students forgo putting a lot of effort into smaller assignments that are worth only a few points so they can save their energy for tests and papers. However, these smaller assignments can be the key to a student’s overall success. Even though each assignment is only worth a point or two, all of the assignments added together at the end of the term can equal up to 10% of the student’s overall grade. This can easily make the difference between a B and an A for the average student. Also, most of these assignments take less than half an hour to complete, so its well worth the time to earn these points. 2. Organize like a professional Many college students end up with lower grades, and thus a lower GPA because they forgot about a due date or an assignment. This can be very frustrating especially for students who were totally capable of getting an A on those assignments. The best way to cure the situation is to organize efficiently. When students take notes, write outlines, and prepare ahead of time, theyre more likely to keep an eye out for those little things that can cause a big problem. 3. Attend office hours Students who want to maintain a high GPA usually visit office hours on a regular basis. This is the student’s only time to get personalized feedback from the professor. Students can also ask questions about their notes or clarify something from the lecture. Additionally, when a student visits office hours on a regular basis, it lets the professor know that they are really serious about doing well in their course. This means the professor is more likely to spend time with a student or respond to last minute emails (READ: 5 Sings You Need a Math Tutor in College). 4. Effective studying Any studying is better than none at all but an effective study is what will earn a student a high GPA. Students are encouraged to work with their study group, tutor, or the TA to determine the best way to study for a particular course. Once good study habits are developed, students will save a ton of time and be able to save that energy to complete optional assignments for extra points or simply enjoy a healthy work/life balance. Learning how to study could easily be a course in and of its self, and in fact, some colleges offer a course on this subject geared towards first-semester freshman. Learning how to study the right way is one of the most important things a college student will do. The best way to keep your GPA high in college is with the help of a private Irvine college tutor from TutorNerds. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

4 Ways to Come up With a Great Thesis Statement -TutorNerds

4 Ways to Come up With a Great Thesis Statement -TutorNerds Fullerton Private Tutor Tips: 4 ways to Come Up With a Great Thesis Statement Whether a student is writing a paper for a science course or literature class, they will be faced with writing several thesis statements throughout their high school career. It can be a real challenge to stare at a blank piece of paper and formulate a thesis that will earn a student an A paper from the teacher. However, there are some great tips and tricks that will help students in any course come up with a great thesis statement and learn how to refine it so their paper will be clear, concise, and interesting to read our private Fullerton tutoring will help you improve your writing. 1. Start asking questions One of the first things student writers should do is start asking themselves the questions they will need to answer throughout their paper. Why did a particular character in a novel react a certain way? Why did the plot take a sudden twist? There are lots of different ways students can start analyzing a piece of literature, and they can start by asking themselves questions about things they dont quite understand. If students are in a science or history course, they can look into cause and effect or the scientific method. Is students are stuck they can ask themselves who, what, when, where, and why. This can help them get their thoughts organized and get the creative juices flowing. 2. Dont worry too much Many students worry that their initial thesis statement wont be perfect, and this will most certainly be true. Nearly every writer will need to refine their statement into a second or third draft. Students should not be so focused on whether or not their first statement is amazing; rather they should just get something written down on paper to start refining it and move on to the next step. Worrying about being perfect is one of the leading causes of writers block for any writing, but especially academic writing that needs to be well organized and concise. 3. Write an outline Students often skip writing an outline because they feel it is a waste of time. In fact, writing an outline is an incredibly helpful way to start formulating a thesis statement as well as a well-written paper on the whole. Its important that each paragraph goes back to the thesis statement and stays within the confines of the main idea. When students are writing an outline they will be able to go through a checklist to see if their paper meets all of the requirements before they put in hours of writing and editing. Many students can write their thesis paragraph, as well as their entire paper, by expanding their detailed outline. As a result they’ll have a rough draft in no time (READ: Irvine AP Tutor Tips: 4 Ways to Prep for AP Exams). 4. Focus on originality Students are encouraged to think about whether or not a potential thesis has an original spin. If theyre writing something that the teacher has read about over and over again, its hard to make the paper interesting and stick out among the crowd. If a student writer can come up with an original spin, something that has to do with their interpretation of the learning material, they will come up with a much more interesting thesis that will lead to an overall better paper and possibly a better grade. Its not too late to book your spring Fullerton private tutor from TutorNerds. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.