SAT Essay on Reality Television Stumps Some

March 16, 2011

The SAT essay normally causes angst for at least some test takers. The March 2011 SAT essay caused a firestorm among those who are not fans of "Jersey Shore" and "Survivor." The topic was reality television, and test takers were asked to discuss whether it is authentic and whether it is a beneficial form of entertainment. The website College Confidential was beset with pages upon pages of complaints from students who don't watch television, don't watch reality television, or were prepared for what they thought would be a more academic topic. The College Board's position is that the essay is a means for students to demonstrate their writing skills, no matter the specific essay topic, and that there was enough information in the essay question to allow a student to respond. It seems the bottom line is flexibility, being able to write a cogent response no matter the specific topic.

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AP Testing

Advance Placement (AP) exams will be given this week and next week, May 7-18. These exams are crucial, as colleges generally weigh students' exam scores as part of the admissions process. High AP exam scores (typically 3-5, more often 4-5) can also allow students to place out of certain college courses and obtain credit towards the graduation requirement.  Good luck to all!!

Did You Know?

Can't make the real thing? You can attend a virtual college fair. College Week Live sponsors an online college fair where students and parents can interact live with college admissions counselors from over 300 colleges. The next college fair is scheduled for November 2-3, 2011. CollegeWeekLive hosts a variety of online events and features presentations from admissions experts, counselors and students. Among these is Paying for College. Many colleges also have virtual one day open houses on the site. You can view the event calendar and register on the collegeweeklive website. Click here to go there.

News

Way Back When College Was a Buyer's Market
March 31, 2011
Oh to be interested in attending Harvard University in the late 1860s. Harvard and other schools like Vassar and Columbia actually advertised for students in newspapers, and any required freshman entrance exams could be taken on the weekend prior to the start of classes. How times have changed. Read More>>
Ni Hao! - NYU to open Shanghai campus
March 27, 2011
New York University announced plans to establish a degree-granting campus in Shanghai. NYU's president was expected to sign an agreement on March 28 with Chinese officials to seal the deal. This move signals a continuing trend for American universities. Read More>>

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