Feeling stressed? Feeling as though there isn’t enough time to accomplish what you need to do to apply to college?  At EA, we all know how that feels, but we want to use our years of experience to smooth the way. 

Here is a way to understand the value of doing something each day to achieve the goal of getting into the college of your choice. Imagine receiving the acceptance letter from the college of your choice, arriving on the campus as a freshman, and attending your first class. Be very specific as you think about this. For example, you might even think about where you will be standing when you open the letter. Be aware of the fact that  if you are beginning your junior Year, you have approximately 365 days to accomplish the goal of applying to college: choosing colleges of your choice, visiting those colleges, taking the SAT and/or ACT, and completing the Common Application, including any required supplements.  Remember that thinking about all of these tasks in advance helps to prioritize and accomplish them in a less stressful manner. Don’t wait; begin today.

Okay, ready to begin? Remember to keep your calendar in a highly visible place, so that preparing for college remains on your “radar.” If possible, use a large wall calendar because this helps a person see the relationship between the months and days. Another alternative to a wall-size calendar is hanging only the current month on the refrigerator and writing the tasks accomplished and those that need to be achieved on it. Whichever size calendar you pick, using it is the key to a less stressful experience.
General conversations about going to college will help to determine which tasks should be a priority. Of course, attaining the highest grades possible is a high student’s central task. Many students do not understand how to determine which activities need to be accomplished first. Using a To-Do List is a perfect solution to this problem. 
A To-Do List is a prioritized list of all tasks that a person needs to accomplish in a day. Begin by creating this list for one day. Follow these steps for a daily list:

1. List all tasks that need to be accomplished.
   
2. Write the number 1 next to each task that must be done that day. For example, a homework assignment represents something that must be done  that day.
   
3. Write the number 2 next to each task that should be done after all the number 1 tasks have been accomplished. For example, working on a paper that is due the following week. 
   
4. At the end of the day, move all of the tasks that you didn’t complete to your next list: tomorrow’s To-Do List. 
   
5. If a task keeps moving from list to list, evaluate why you aren’t doing it or if it really needs to be accomplished. 
   
6. Remember that many highly accomplished people use a To-Do List. Try using one to achieve your goals more easily.
   

NOTE: Don’t forget there is still time to take the SAT or ACT if you are senior. If you are a junior, the EA Team suggests that you take the exam as soon as you can.  

Registration for the November SAT is currently in progress and that session will begin on September 29.  Each EA Test Prep session lasts for six weeks and ends the week before the exam is given. If you want the EA Team to help you prepare for the SAT or the ACT, please give us a call at 845.582.0017 or [email protected]. ​

Take a look at this garden. What do you notice? ​Can you ignore the beautiful sunflowers rising above the roof? They are strong and determined, yet soft and happy. 
If you are applying to college this fall, you need your own sunflower moment. You want the college admission counselors to see who you are. The easiest way to do this is to make of list of your three most dominate traits. Are you: responsible, kind, compassionate, intellectual curious? Start with a longer list and narrow it down.
Then ask your friends, siblings, parents and coworkers to do the same. Settle on the words that come up the most. Remember that how we think people see us and how they see us may be different, so both of these perspectives would be useful during essay process. 
Now you  use a story to write an essay (think thesis, body paragraphs and conclusion) about you. I know that we don't like to talk about ourselves, yet in this case it is necessary. But, you need to walk that thin line between ego and confidence. An easy trick to keep your ego at bay is instead of stating the words you chose to symbolize you, describe them. Instead of saying, "I am determined", maybe you want to mention "that I figured out how to create cold fusion after many fails." same message but much softer approach.
Your essay is the only way colleges can pick one candidate over another if all other things are equal. Imagine how hard it is to read thousands of essay and remember them. Make their job simple. Give them the key to who you are and shine like the sunflower.

​Starting school is stressful for teachers, professors, parents, and, of course, students. The EA Team understands that the junior and senior years of high school are filled with huge decisions, and we want to help everyone navigate the college process. We have provided the list below in the hope that we will reduce the stress of choosing a team to help prepare for the SAT or ACT. Here are our top ten reasons why you should allow us to help you.
TOP 10 REASONS TO TAKE AN EA TEST PREP CLASS
1. The EA Test Prep strategies REALLY work. Just ask anyone who has taken our classes.
2. Test designers created the EA Test Prep curriculum.
3. Freedom of choice: Enroll for the Math OR English/Reading program OR both depending on your need.
4. All classes are taught by college professors or teachers who have respect for all learning styles.
5. After our six classes within each session, each student develops improved academic confidence.
6. All classes are offered in our Zoom Room.
7. A maximum of 10 students in a class.
8. Small class size permits individualized instruction.
9. A member of the EA Test Prep Team is always available to answer questions and help guide parents and students through the college application process.
10. Each program is affordable with proven results.
If any or all of these sound like good reasons to register for an EA Test Prep course, call us at 845.582.0017, email us at [email protected] or educationally [email protected]. If you want to learn more about us, please visit our website at www.eatestprep.com.
Our SAT prep session for the October SAT has already begun. Registration for the November SAT session is currently in progress, and classes will begin on September 29. Each EA Test Prep session lasts for six weeks and ends the week before the exam is given.
EATestPrep DEMISTIFY THE TEST
# Read Less #Stress Less #Score Higher

​Happy Labor Day and Congratulations to all our EA students who
have transitioned from high school to college! As you get ready to buy
your textbooks or pack your things to decorate your dorm room in
your dream college, we know that you will succeed because we have
watched you learn to think critically and develop the verbal and math
skills required to achieve an “A” in your courses. The EA Team is SO
PROUD of each of you because you have remained focused on your
college goals, and you are now reaping all the benefits of your efforts.

But we also know that making this transition can be challenging, so
we want you to remember that the EA Team is always just a call or
email away.
For those of you who are beginning the process, we know that
sometimes the entire college application process can be challenging.
And that is true for parents as well as students. We hope that you will
let EA help. Our college professors who have an expertise in English,
reading, math, and test-taking skills want to help students develop the
skills required to make this transition.
While training with EA, students learn to think critically and develop
the verbal skills required to read and write at a college level. Often
the performance level needed to obtain an “A” in a high school history
or English class does not match the level of writing and reading
needed to receive the same letter grade in college. EA students are
prepared to make that transition because they understand the
expectations that their professors will have for them. Additionally, our
experience as test designers allow us to help our students
comprehend how a test is structured. With this knowledge, the test is
demystified and thus less anxiety producing.
Since EA’s mission is to build a students’ self-esteem, in each
session, we help students see how the strategies being taught to
prepare for the SAT or ACT can be applied to high school
assignments thus helping to get better grades in high school as they
prepare for college. Simultaneously, we help high school students
remain focused on their college goals by teaching them about the
process what admissions officers will use to evaluate a potential
student and how they can improve their chances of acceptance.
EA understands that parents have questions, and we encourage the
parents of our students to call us. We also run free workshops to help
parents understand the differences between the ACT and SAT so
that they can better guide their children in choosing the most
appropriate test.
For those of you who are preparing for the college process, we want
to let you know that last week we began our six-week course for the
October SAT, and our next session will begin on September 29 for
the November test.