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QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED
- Why are you considering this college?
- How did you come to include us among your choices?
- What makes you think this college and you are right for each other?
- Where else are you applying and why?
- Which is your first choice? (Don’t answer if you are not sure. If you are at the school you think is your first choice, then confirm that - but never give another name Wesleyan doesn’t want to hear “Vassar ”)
- What do you hope to major in? Why?
- What are your plans for the future? What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
- What have you liked or disliked about your high school?
- If you were the Head of your school, what would you change?
- What would you like to tell us about yourself?
- What newspapers and magazines do you read? How often?
- What books not required by your courses have you read recently?
- What TV shows do you watch?
- Tell us about your family.
- How do you spend a typical afternoon after school? Evening? Weekend?
- What extracurricular activities have you found most satisfying?
- What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
- Do you have any heroes, contemporary or historical?
- How would your best friend describe you?
- If you could talk with any one living person, whom would it be and why?
- How do you feel about: the nuclear freeze, nuclear power, use of drugs and alcohol, advertising, gun control, the election?
- What events have been crucial in your life?
- What is the most significant contribution you’ve made to your school or community?
- What is the most important thing you have learned in high school?
- What do you consider to be your strongest majors or departments: What are the most popular majors?
- What are other distinctive majors or programs, or other programs, off-campus (ie: study abroad, internships, Washington semester, etc )?
- What are your admissions criteria? (ie: how much weight is given to courses and grades, test scores, activities, essays, the interview, etc ?)
- How many (# and %) freshmen return for the sophomore year?
- What is your policy concerning the granting of credit and advanced standing for AP tests?
- What are some of your “overlap” colleges (other institutions which your applicants also consider)?
- Explain the freshman advising system.
- What percentage of students lives in campus housing? Describe the various types of residence halls.
- What percentage of your students continues on to graduate or professional schools?
- What do students do on weekends?
- Do you have “no-need” or merit-based scholarships? What kind of student would be competitive for such scholarships?
- Is it possible to return for an overnight visit on campus and/or visit classes?
- How are these arrangements made?
- What role does the personal interview, or alumni interview, play in your admissions decisions?
- How important are extracurricular activities in the admissions process? How important is community service to you?
- Many people get to attend exciting summer programs and travel, but I have to work; will that work against me when I apply?
- What is your financial aid policy? Do you package preferentially? Is there a chance that I will be admitted, but denied aid?
- How are you able to distinguish between the variety of transcripts you see? How can you tell the difference in grading policies?
- Do you make admissions decisions based on perceived level of interest, and how do you assess that? What kinds of things can I do to make sure you know the level of my interest?
- If I am submitting tapes of my acting/music, is that allowed? Should they be sent to a specific professor to review first?
- What’s the one thing students say they wish they knew about this college before they enrolled?
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
To get the latest news, join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
To get the latest news, join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
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Most of the time, students would apply to more than one school, so here's the sample check list to make sure you won't miss anything.
COLLEGE INFORMATION
TESTING
- Name of the school
- Telephone
- Website
- Information Requested on (date)
- Application Requested on (date)
- Application Deadline
- Early Decision/Application Deadline
- Secondary School Report Due by:
- Turned into them on:
- Separate Part I?
- Mailed on:
- On Common App? Supplement?
- Application fee $
- Application mailed on
- 1st Teacher rec. given to whom on which date
- 2nd Teacher rec. given to whom on which date
TESTING
- # of Subject tests required
- Writing test? Other specific tests?
- Subject test scores released on
- Official test scores requested
- From ETS on
- Required/ Recommended?
- Campus or Alumni?
- Campus App’t on which date at where
- Alumni Interview on which date at where
- Campus visit planned on
- Tour at
- Info session at
- Type:
- Mailed on:
- Add’l recommendation from:
- Given on:
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
To get the latest news, join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
To get the latest news, join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
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Writing each application is the responsibility of the student. We encourage students to consult with parents, teachers, and your TrinityScholar counselors regarding the topic, organization, and effectiveness of the writing. It is imperative that the essay be the student’s own work. Although your TrinityScholar counselor is available to help; however, there should be enough time provided for appropriate editing. Here are a few questions we receive frequently regarding college essays: Why is the essay so difficult for students? Often there is complete freedom in the answer. Students find it difficult to talk about themselves (don’t want to brag). They struggle with “saying what they (the colleges) want to hear” Some just hate writing essays!
Why do colleges ask you to write an essay?
Why do colleges ask you to write an essay?
- To get a small glimpse into what makes you “tick”.
- To evaluate your skills as a writer.
- To gauge interest in the school – ie: “What is it about X college that made you want to apply?”
- To get a sense of the strengths and passions you might bring to campus.
- Originality; your own unique view or a particular episode in your life.
- Some aspects of yourself that does not appear elsewhere in the application.
- A lesson learned, a core value, a greater understanding, the benefit of some kind of experience (ie: a job, a journey, a family reunion) work very well.
- The effects of particular people, objects, cultural background, works of art or literature, local or international events on the student. (Stress the impact of these things more than the things themselves -- how have these made me who I am?)
- Platitudes and clichés (or paternalism in community service essays!)
- “My coach, my hero…” (or other athletic essays that may end with --“and through this experience, I learned the values of hard work, determination, and giving 110% ”)
- Being overly critical… it’s ok to look skeptically at any issue, but be thoughtful about it.
- Length! If an app says that the essay needs to be 500 words, 550 may be ok, but 900 is not.
- Essays that don’t ultimately reflect back on you: “my dad/mom, my hero” in which only the parent is spoken about and no sense of the student is given.
- Flatness. The key to a great essay is in the details: “My dad taught me how to cook” vs. “Slicing red bell peppers into thin, crescent moons, my father said ‘a sharp knife is the most important tool for any cook…” Which creates a more vivid scene?
- Gimmicks. Highly risky. Sometimes lists, recipes, poems, and other non-traditional responses go over well, but it’s a subjective process; you never know how these kinds of essays will be received. Discuss such responses thoroughly with your college counselor before submitting them to a college.
- Discuss the influence of a person, work of fiction, experience, or event of international/local importance on you.
- Think up a question you think should be asked in a college essay—and then answer it.
- What’s the worst mistake you’ve ever made?
- If you had $10 and a whole day free, what would you do?
- What is it about [name of college] that makes it a good choice for you?
- You have just completed your 300-page autobiography, please share with us page XXX.
- If you could meet any one person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
- Talking things through. We can offer suggestions or provide an angle for your essay that you have not considered. These conversations often lead to interesting options.
- Reviewing your writing by checking for obvious errors in grammar, usage, and style. Plus we can give feedback as to the overall tone and effectiveness of the essay. We would also help you better organize your stories and you want to make sure that your voice is the one that is heard.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
To get the latest news, join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
To get the latest news, join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
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According to ETS, to meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT® test at a test center due to public health concerns, the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test is now temporarily offered. The test is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the TOEFL iBT test taken at a test center. It is taken on your own computer at home and is monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU®.
Who's eligible for TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test
Who's eligible for TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test
- The test is offered in your country or location.
- As of April 2, 2020, the test is available everywhere that TOEFL iBT testing is normally available, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran.
- Your computer must meet the equipment requirements for the test, including the installation of the ETS Test Browser and the ProctorU Systems Check.
- You must have a room that provides an acceptable environment for the test.
- In Taiwan, both on-site test and a at-home test are available and it's up to your choice . For now, it's still not sure if the test sites will be cancelled in the future.
Registration Process of TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
Key takeaways about TOEFL iBT Home Testing
- The test will be exactly the same as the one you take at a testing center.
- Students need to also register with ProctorU to select their exact test date and time.
- Before the test, the Proctor will ask students to “show” them the testing environment to confirm no unnecessary items are in the room to prevent cheating.
- During the test, the Proctor will “monitor” the student all the time.
- After the test, students will get their Reading and Listening scores immediately.
- The fee is the same, USD 190.
More information could be found on the website or should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
We will continue to monitor the changes closely and share the updates. Join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
We will continue to monitor the changes closely and share the updates. Join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
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College Board has released more information on the AP Exam this year as of last weekend:
- The exams will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
- Like many college-level exams, this year's AP Exams will be open book/open note.
- Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question is timed separately. Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question.
- For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long, and include an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.
- Students will be able to take exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They will be able to either type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phone.
- Students taking AP world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions three and four on the current AP Exam; written responses will not be required. There will be more details provided in the coming weeks to help students prepare.
We will continue to monitor the changes closely and share the updates. Join our Line Official Account (@mqz4477g) or subscribe to our newsletter to get the first hand news.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Reminders from TrinityScholar
- Since this is a new test format for us all, we don’t know if there will be any tech issue during the test. We strongly recommend all students to take precautions that they should sign in earlier than the scheduled time to confirm everything’s good. If anything went wrong, make sure you attend the alternative test.
- Using 2 to 3 questions to test the students’ understanding about the subject is challenging. This means the question might cover concepts from various chapters and the students need to have a better overall understanding to write sufficient answers. Make sure you go over all previous Free Response questions carefully and watch the Online AP Courses when you have the chance. They might give you more idea about how to write your answer.
- College Board also provides free, on demand Online AP Courses, sharing teachings from US teachers, try your best to watch them and discuss with your tutor. They are the test makers, information shared by them should be able to give you more insight about the tests.
- The testing schedule is extremely challenging to Taiwanese students as all tests are scheduled from mid-night to early morning Taiwan time. It is crucial to make sure you don’t get the date/time wrong and have sufficient rest the day before. Below is the schedule with Taiwan time.
- Don’t worry too much if you would do well on this test. The situation applies to not only you but all students who are taking the exams this year. Just do your best and you’ll be fine.
More Resources from CollegeBoard
About AP Exam Security & Plagiarism
- About Open Book Exam Tips
- About AP Exam Schedule
- About Online AP Courses (Collegeboard's youtube videos of all the courses, please be sure to spend some time on this).
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CollegeBoard has announced that for this year's AP (Advanced Placement) exams, on May 4-8 & May 11- 15, there will be some major changes due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here's some key points for your reference.
We will closely monitor the changes and keep you updated. Join our Line Official account (@mqz4477g), or stay tune to "News" on our website, to get the first hand information.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
- All traditional tests are cancelled. Students will take a 45-mins online free response exam at home.
- The exam will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
- The exam can be taken on any device including computer, tablet or even smartphone.
- Colleges support this solution and are committed to ensuring that AP students receive the credit they have worked this year to earn.
- There will be a schedule change in the test and more details will be announced by April 3. For each AP subject, there will be 2 different testing dates.
- Students can choose to cancel their registration at no charge.
We will closely monitor the changes and keep you updated. Join our Line Official account (@mqz4477g), or stay tune to "News" on our website, to get the first hand information.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
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College placement test organizers, College Board and ACT.org just announced that all SAT and ACT tests are cancelled due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), till mid June.
Cancellation:
- May 2, 2020 SAT
- Makeup exams for the March 14 administration , on March 28
- who already registered for May,
- whose March test centers were closed, or
- who do not receive March scores because of any irregularities will receive refunds.
- still ongoing
- additional SATs in place of canceled administrations.
- weekday school-based SAT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 administrations scheduled for this spring.
ACT.org update on March 20
April 4 ACT test was rescheduled to June 13 across the U.S.. All students registered for the April 4 test date will receive an email from ACT in the next few days informing them of the postponement and instructions for free rescheduling to June 13 or a future national test date.
The international test on April 3 and 4 will be rescheduled. More about the instructions of free rescheduling to June 12 or 13 or other future dates will be emailed to the rest takers shortly. More details could be found here: global.act.org/content/global/en/covid-19-international.html
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While ISEE and SSAT serve very similar purpose with similar test structure and content, there are still some major difference between these two test. Should you take ISEE or SSAT? That's a big question? First, we compare ISEE and SSAT for you in detail.
|
|
ISEE |
SSAT |
|
Test content & Structure |
Multiple choice sections: Math, Verbal, Reading + Essay |
Multiple choice sections: Math, Verbal, Reading + Essay |
|
Purpose |
For admission assessment to independent schools |
For admission assessment to independent schools |
|
Levels |
Primary: students applying to grades 3-4 Lower: students applying to grades 5-6 Middle: students applying to grades 7-8 Upper: students applying to grades 9-12 |
Elementary: students applying to grades 4-5 Middle: students applying to grades 6-8 Upper: students applying to grades 9-12 |
|
Essay |
One expository essay |
Middle: choice between 2 creative writing prompts Upper: choice between a creative prompt and an expository prompt. |
|
Guess Penalty |
No |
1/4 point for wrong answer |
|
Verbal Questions |
Yes, synonyms and sentence completions |
Yes, synonyms and analogies |
|
Limited times of test-taking |
1/ season, 3 / year |
No |
|
When to take |
Several times a month, depending on test centers |
Once a month |
|
Online registration account |
One per parent/ guidance, under which could have several independent test-takers' accounts available |
One per test-taker |
|
Paper or online |
Both |
Paper only |
|
Score report submitting |
Can choose which scores to submit to which schools |
Can choose which scores to submit to which schools |
|
Score report |
|
|
The major differences between ISEE and SSAT lie in scoring, content, guessing strategy, and test dates, as you can see from the above comparison table.
You might want to consider the followings when deciding which test to go.
At TrinityScholar, we offer ISEE/ SSAT prep in different ways:
Feel free to come to talk to our consultants by live chat, call: 886-2-2771-6002, Line: @mqz4477g, or email to info@trinityscholar.com
You might want to consider the followings when deciding which test to go.
- Which test(s) is accepted by the school(s) you are applying to?
- What's your strength? If you are good at math, ISEE might give you some advantages by showing both math sections individually.
- How often you'd like to take the test?
- Are the test seat available? Would the test date match your application deadline?
At TrinityScholar, we offer ISEE/ SSAT prep in different ways:
- Self-Paced: Online test prep materials for you to access at all time. A self-paced and self-organized way of learning that best fits your schedule
- Self-Paced Package: Online test materials + tutoring + extra practice tests
- 1-on-1 Tutoring: materials and hours at your choice, completely customized (time, location, focus) tutor program with veteran instructors
- Customized Groups: completely customized tutoring for 3 or more students.
Feel free to come to talk to our consultants by live chat, call: 886-2-2771-6002, Line: @mqz4477g, or email to info@trinityscholar.com
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Our winter holiday classes were just wrap up last week and we can't wait to share you how great our students' performances have improved.
At TrinityScholar, our goal is to help the students' to reach their dreams in higher heights; cramming for a test is never our sole mission. However, it happens that you get everything prepared but lack the last milestone to a better score. With our unique and customized teaching methods, we assure you not only an improvement, but one with efficiency and effectiveness.
The numbers speak for themselves. Let's see the amazing improvements of TrinityScholar's students this winter.
At TrinityScholar, our goal is to help the students' to reach their dreams in higher heights; cramming for a test is never our sole mission. However, it happens that you get everything prepared but lack the last milestone to a better score. With our unique and customized teaching methods, we assure you not only an improvement, but one with efficiency and effectiveness.
The numbers speak for themselves. Let's see the amazing improvements of TrinityScholar's students this winter.
Performance Improvement
Student JC
One-on-one tutoring
Mock exam on January 16, 2020: 27
Real test on Feb. 7, 2020: 33 (98 percentile)
Improved 6 points!
One-on-one tutoring
Mock exam on January 16, 2020: 27
Real test on Feb. 7, 2020: 33 (98 percentile)
Improved 6 points!
Student DL
One-on-one tutoring
Mock exam on Jan. 31, 2020: 1050 (49 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 8, 2020: 1510 (99 percentile)
Improved by 460 points within a week!
One-on-one tutoring
Mock exam on Jan. 31, 2020: 1050 (49 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 8, 2020: 1510 (99 percentile)
Improved by 460 points within a week!
Student AW
One-on-one tutoring
Mock exam on Dec. 22, 2019: 1130 (64 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 16, 2020: 1340 (90 percentile)
Improved by 210 points
Student AP
Lunar New Year SAT Group class
Mock exam on Feb. 10, 2020: 1350 (91 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 20, 2020: 1480 (98 percentile)
Improved by 130 points!
One-on-one tutoring
Mock exam on Dec. 22, 2019: 1130 (64 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 16, 2020: 1340 (90 percentile)
Improved by 210 points
Student AP
Lunar New Year SAT Group class
Mock exam on Feb. 10, 2020: 1350 (91 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 20, 2020: 1480 (98 percentile)
Improved by 130 points!
Student JL
Lunar New Year SAT Group class
Mock exam on Feb. 10, 2020: 1210 (76 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 17, 2020: 1330 (89 percentile)
Improved by 120 points!
Student HS
Lunar New Year SAT Group class
Mock exam on Feb. 10, 2020: 1410 (95 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 17, 2020: 1460 (97 percentile)
Improved by 50 points!
Lunar New Year SAT Group class
Mock exam on Feb. 10, 2020: 1210 (76 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 17, 2020: 1330 (89 percentile)
Improved by 120 points!
Student HS
Lunar New Year SAT Group class
Mock exam on Feb. 10, 2020: 1410 (95 percentile)
Mock exam on Feb. 17, 2020: 1460 (97 percentile)
Improved by 50 points!
This could be you!
SAT
More Class Schedules
- Spring SAT Advanced/Strategy: 2/29~4/25 (Saturdays)
- Spring SAT Dash Prep: 2/8~3/7 | 3/28~4/25 (Saturdays)
- Spring break SAT dash prep: 3/23 ~ 3/27 | 4/6 ~ 4/10
- Summer SAT Advanced/Strategy 6/8~6/24 | 7/1~7/16 | 7/20~8/6 | 8/10~8/27 (Mon.~Fri.)
- Spring ACT Advanced/Strategy: 2/8~3/28 | 4/18~6/6 (每周六 Saturdays)
- Spring ACT dash prep: 2/29~3/28 | 5/9~6/6 (每周六 Saturdays)
- Spring break ACT dash prep: 3/23 ~ 3/27 | 4/6 ~ 4/10
- Summer ACT Advanced/Strategy 6/8~6/24 | 7/1~7/16 | 7/20~8/6 | 8/10~8/27 (周一到週五 Mon.~Fri.)
- Spring Junior: 2/2~6/6 (Saturdays)
- Spring Core/Honors: 2/1 ~ 6/7 (Sundays)
- Summer Junior/Core/Honors : 6/8~6/24 | 7/1~7/16 | 7/20~8/6 | 8/10~8/27 (Mon.~Fri.)
More Class Schedules
- Published on
According to Bloomberg, all English tests for IELTS, TOEFL and the GRE and GMAT graduate entry exams next month are canceled to contain the spread of coronavirus at all public venues, including test centers.
Later on, ACT.org and CollegeBoard also announced test cancellation in areas affected by the coronavirus. Students with canceled registrations will receive a full refund.
For more info, please check the official websites of GMAC, GRE, TOEFL, ILETS, SAT, and ACT.
Later on, ACT.org and CollegeBoard also announced test cancellation in areas affected by the coronavirus. Students with canceled registrations will receive a full refund.
For more info, please check the official websites of GMAC, GRE, TOEFL, ILETS, SAT, and ACT.