Author Archive: James Maroney

It’s the start of the new year, and that means it’s time to start making plans!

In particular, it’s time for juniors to start thinking intensively about their college applications, if they haven’t already. In this blog post, I want to focus on three major things – the state of standardized tests, considerations for disrupted learning experiences, and what juniors should be doing this spring.

Test Optional – Lessons From Last Year’s Application Cycle

Standardized tests aren’t going anywhere – that’s one of the major (and perhaps surprising!) lessons that we’re taking away from the 2020 applications. Many colleges and universities adopted test-optional policies in light of the cancellations of standardized tests across the country. Many schools expected to see lower numbers of applications due to the uncertainty that filled the world.

Reality proved the opposite.

Many of the highly-competitive colleges [...]

• Almost 100 video lessons, covering all the skills assessed on both the SAT and ACT
• Over 1000 practice problems, all with video explanations!
• Access to a test center, where you can grade your official practice tests and come up with a plan to improve your score!

• Over 50 video lessons
• Over 500 practice problems, with video explanations.
• PDF units from our text book.
• Diagnostic reports for practice tests to help you take the course more efficiently.
• Score increase guarantee.  If you watch all the video lessons, and take all the practice problems, and your composite score does not increase by at least 3 points, we will give you all your money back.
• Pre-launch special price of just $49!  As of the official launch on December 15, the price will increase.

We can help! First Choice College is now offering a weekly homework help program. You meet with one of our top tutors once a week for an hour. During that time, we will cover:

• Math – weekly assignment help (no, we won’t do the homework for you!), help in creating study guide/plans to prepare for assessments. We can help with math through pre-calculus, and on a special basis may be able to help with calculus as well.
• English/language arts – weekly assignment help, help in creating a time-table for writing essays, we can also assist with writing essays for history and other social [...]

We can help! First Choice College is now offering a weekly homework help program. You meet with one of our top tutors once a week for an hour. During that time, we will cover:

• Math – weekly assignment help (no, we won’t do the homework for you!), help in creating study guide/plans to prepare for assessments. We can help with math through pre-calculus, and on a special basis may be able to help with calculus as well.
• English/language arts – weekly assignment help, help in creating a time-table for writing essays, we can also assist with writing [...]

Our SAT Bootcamp consists of:

• A three-hour general strategy session
• A full-length practice test
• A diagnostic report from your practice test
• Bootcamp Field Guide and other materials…

The next bootcamp will meet live on Zoom from 12 PM EST to 3 PM EST on September 19.  The practice test is on September 20 from 12 PM to 3:15 PM.  Once you register you will receive the materials and the Zoom links.  The cost of the program is just $79!

Is your child taking the High School Placement Test?  We are offering this 2 session bootcamp to help prepare students for the HSPT!  Session 1 consists of a 1-hour general strategy session, and meets on September 19 from 9 AM to 11 AM.  Session two is a full practice test, and that will be held on Sunday, September 20.   The course will be held live over Zoom.  Once you register, we will send you the materials and the Zoom Link!

Students planning on starting college next fall need to be thinking about their applications now. Even though those deadlines may seem far away, they’ll be here before you know it! Make sure that you’ve got a plan for how you’re going to get everything done by the deadlines. College applications can’t be put together overnight, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time. You don’t want to end up rushing and hurting your chances.

Here are a few key aspects of the application that you should keep in mind:

Grades – If you’re applying regular decision, your first semester of senior year grades will be included in your application. Make sure you keep your grades up! Across the board, admissions officers cite grades as the most important aspect of any application. With schools using different models for teaching in the world of COVID-19, it’s especially critical that you be responsible for your own success. [...]

• 3 Hours of assistance from one of our experts.  Use the time to review your Common Application, brainstorm your essay, or prepare for your interviews.
• One essay edit and reaction
• Access to our video course on creating a winning application.
• Our Essay Guide