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By Heather Margaret Hay

The latest buzz on campus is that succeeding in college is a whole lot easier than the actual process of getting admitted. However, using these six insider tips, your chances of college admission will be substantially enhanced:

1. See For Yourself
The summers between junior and senior years afford great opportunities to narrow down your choices by visiting campuses. A campus visit is the best way to see whether the college you are considering is a good match for you, and it gives you a chance to get to know individual Admissions Counselors before you submit your application.

2. Apply Early
Set aside the Admissions’ jargon of “Early Action,” “Early Decision,” and “Regular Decision.” The fact is, applying early gives Admissions Counselors more time to consider your application before the onslaught of applications arrives. According to the Admissions Department of George Mason University, in Fairfax County, VA., early applications are considered “a positive indicator of a candidate’s level of interest….” And for schools with rolling admissions, the earlier you apply, the sooner you receive a decision.

3. Standardized Test Scores, GPA and Class Rank Aren’t Everything
Most Admissions Counselors agree that the types and level of high school classes have a lot to do with whether or not you will be accepted. Take challenging classes as soon as they are offered by your high school, and don’t let up in senior year, often considered a strong predictor of college success.

4. Treat Each Application as if It’s Your Only One
Be careful to include everything that is requested, and remember to send in any required supporting materials, such as transcripts and recommendation letters. Leave enough time for proof-reading and editing, preferably by a third party. Consider hiring a professional Admissions Consultant to advise you on select areas of your application, such as the Admissions Essay and Personal Statement.

5. Show them the Real “You”
Admissions Counselors are instructed to consider the whole person when reviewing applications. Demonstrate your commitment to success out of school by highlighting community service and in school through leadership and membership in clubs and on teams that show a consistent and passionate involvement. Counselors at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., for example, try to predict a candidate’s “…potential contribution to the Georgetown campus community and the degree to which a student is likely to become globally engaged later in life.”

6. Tell the Truth
There’s a fine line between marketing yourself smartly to colleges and just plain stretching the truth. Think about it: the more honest and open you are about yourself, the more Admissions Counselors can judge whether or not their college is the best fit for both you and the school.

Next month: Sewing Up Scholarships!

Heather Margaret Hay is a principal in J & H Tutoring and Educational Consulting, specializing in Admissions and Scholarships. The firm has offices in Chicago and Milwaukee, but works with students across the United

States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For further information, go to www.jhtutoring.com and email us at jhtutoring2009@gmail.com for special pricing for newsletter readers.

Math skills are inherently important to your child’s schooling; especially as they get closer to high school, where more advanced concepts are taught. Math skills can also be important for college admissions, and a variety of careers. If your child is struggling with math, here are a few ways to help them brush up on and improve their skills.

Cover the basics
Make sure your child understands the basic concepts and facts of math or they will have difficulties as they advance through the grades. Flash cards can be helpful in practicing areas where their skills need help, and some students can benefit from using objects or visualization to better understand problems.

Do Homework the Right Way
Math homework is a central part of driving home the lessons taught in the classroom. Teach your child to start each assignment by first reviewing the examples given. It’s also a good idea to have them try to redo the examples before starting the assignment. This calls to attention any gaps in knowledge or places where they are working incorrectly. It also avoids the frustration of them struggling through an assignment they don’t properly understand.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Practicing math problems is one of the best ways to check for understanding. The teacher may have only assigned one page of problems, but encourage your student to do a few extra problems here and there. The more they work on the concepts, the more they will become second nature to them.

Math Vocabulary
Mastering the concepts with numbers is one thing, but when it comes to word problems, many students get intimidated or frustrated. You can avoid this by helping students in their approach to word problems. Have them read the problem multiple times and identify exactly what they are trying to figure out. If they have to draw diagrams or describe it out loud, that’s okay. If they are having problems with certain steps in a sequence, try substituting smaller, easier numbers to work with and then move up to larger numbers or decimals. Word problems also require a fair amount of vocabulary, so it’s important to check for understanding of basic and new terms. Sometimes working through actual examples is the best way to teach new vocabulary.

Encourage Math in Their Head
It’s not always appropriate, but your child should be able to do math in their head. Discourage them from using a calculator with numbers that are easy to work with. Using a paper and pencil reinforces their knowledge and leaves them less dependent on a machine to figure out the work for them. Doing math in their head doesn’t only have to involve homework. There are plenty of opportunities throughout the day to do some simple arithmetic, keeping the brain fresh. Ask them to calculate the change you are owed at the store, or to help you double a recipe or balance the checkbook.

Don’t Wait to Help
It’s very important that math questions and uncertainties be addressed as they arise. This is especially true for math because it is always building upon previous knowledge and concepts. Children who feel lost can quickly get discouraged and become uninterested in or intimidated by math. If you feel your child is not grasping the material, tutoring is a great alternative for them to practice specific skills, brush up on class material, and build their confidence.

Source: Gisler, Peggy and Marge Eberts. “Top 10 Ways to Help Your Kids Do Well in Math.” www.school.familyeducation.com.