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For almost 15 years, nearly 80,000 eighth-grade students have applied annually to more than 400 public high schools across New York City. For many middle school students starting to think about the high school search, the beginning of the process entails identifying which high schools they will apply to. Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science, and the other highly selective specialized high schools usually sit at the top of many students’ lists. Often, next in line are a select few of the hu

Why immediate positive reinforcement is key to lasting behavioral change Raising a child can be stressful for parents. We all want what is best for our children, but it is often easier for us to discipline negative behaviors rather than praise the positive. When talking to parents about how they promote positive behaviors at home, I like to ask a few important questions: * Are your expectations for your child clear and predictable? * Do you frequently give your child praise/recognition? * D

Natasha Malpani, a member of the Stanford GSB MBA Class of 2018, shares some words of wisdom with the next crop of applicants targeting the world’s top business schools. *** The first year of the MBA program has been a whirlwind. I moved to a different country, changed roles, co-founded a company and met some unbelievably amazing people. But I also struggled with adjusting to being a student again, and building a new home, career and circle of friends. Looking back, I’m extremely grateful for

Enrollment for gap year programs has grown an average of 20% over the last 7 years. In fact, chances are you know someone who has gone on or is thinking about doing a gap year. But how up to date are you on what makes a great gap year? Much like the college selection process, finding the right gap year to match your gap year goals can be overwhelming and fraught with misconceptions. Here are 7 tips that students can use to help them determine what kind of gap year is right for them. 1. Person

If you’re a great athlete with lower scores, you may need teammates to raise you into the admissible range or the coach will tell you to take the test again.  It may often be what admissions is telling them. If you’re a good athlete that is being recruited with good scores, you’re in better shape but still might be asked to take the test again for the good of the team.  Don’t be insulted if it’s a school you really want to attend – be a team player. *** It’s been almost thirty years since I wo

The Universal College Essay Prompt: “Why Are You A Good Match?” appears on just about every college application. Below are some things to keep in mind while answering this question. *** Some of you will be making plans to visit colleges. Many of you will be doing web research on colleges and just about anyone applying to college will need to answer why they are a good match for a specific college. “Why are you a match?” college essay questions generally have a limited word or character coun

Admissions officers perceive excuses as an attempt to sidestep responsibility for your actions. Of the utmost importance is providing an explanation, not an excuse. *** A handful of candidates to top tier MBA programs seem to have all the qualities to write their own ticket—fast-track career progression at a Fortune 500 company (or co-founder of an innovative tech firm), magna cum laude from a prestigious university, with perhaps an Olympic medal and impressive charitable work to boot. Most of

As one admissions official put it, “The most important thing in the essay is not the ‘what,’ but the ‘why.’ We have the ‘what’ from your list of extracurriculars, scores, and awards. We now want to know the ‘why,’ the motivations that drive you.” *** Your essays can bring your application to life for admissions officers. Be aware of what to do and what to avoid when developing and writing your statements. Most students do not realize how manycollege essays [https://www.noodlepros.com/blog/cat

Your resume provides an important overview of your experience. Yet it’s too often overlooked or reduced to an uninspiring list of jobs titles, qualifications, places and dates. Think of it as the opportunity to highlight what you’ve accomplished, convey the qualities you possess, and prioritize the experiences and attributes that underscore your future potential—as succinctly and powerfully as possible. *** Several top business schools, such as Dartmouth Tuck and Harvard, have reduced the numb

The good news is you can often overcome a below average GPA by serving up a strong GMAT or GRE score, along with other academic achievements. *** With all the focus on studying business, it’s easy to overlook that the M of an MBA stands for Master’s. Any self-respecting b-school wants to know you handle the quant-heavy coursework. This means proving you’re savvy with critical reasoning, language and, of course, maths. So your academic credentials, as evidenced by your GMAT [https://www.noodl

You may not realize it, but when you’re just a few years out of university like most MBA applicants, you stand at a crossroads. *** If you have decided on an MBA, or are just exploring the idea, you’ll want to carve out ample time for self-reflection. Top business schools want the story beyond your CV. Admissions officers want to understand your motives, and MBA applications are designed to solicit a thoughtful analysis of your personal growth, future potential, and how you intend to transi

Work experience looks great on a college or scholarship application. It demonstrates time management and responsibility if a student is able to work, maintain his or her grades and stay involved in other activities. The work experience section of an application allows reviewers to gain a better understanding of how a student spent his or her time in high school. What type of work can be included? When filling out this section, keep in mind that only legitimate jobs should be included. Do not l