LOLSATS! OMG!

Now, I imagine that there is a correlation between dorkiness and cats. Cats are for readers, for indoor people? I don't know. But we like cats. And we're SAT people. And so you can imagine how we felt when we discovered LOLSATS. (LOLcats + SAT = LOLSATS!)

It's awesome right? Well, check it out, if you're so inclined. You can even make your own and join the illustrious LOLSAT COMMUNITY!! :)

Hooray! NEW EDITION of the Official SAT Study Guide finally out!

It's finally here! The College Board just came out with its second edition of the Official Study Guide, the big blue book of real practice tests that we've all spent so much time with. We're ordering ours today, and after we check it out, we'll let you know what we think about it.

It sure it pretty, though, isn't it? :)

Grammar Dorks of the World, Unite!

We love grammar. We can't help it. It's so logical and beautiful and wonderful.

We were just writing something and struck by the question, "Is 'none' singular or plural?" We were under the impression that any indefinite pronoun ending with "one" (anyone, no one, everyone) was singular. But there is something funny about saying something like, "None of the students is coming," right? What's the deal?

After some dedicated Googling, we stumbled upon a satisfying answer, from Patricia O'Conner, author of the fabulous book Woe Is I. Here's what she says:

Contrary to what many people think, "none" isn't precisely a contraction of "not one." Historically, its derivation is closer in meaning to "not any." The word in medieval times was "nane," so your suggestion of a contraction "nany" isn't all that far out. Most authorities have always believed that “none” is usually closer to “not any (of them)” than to “not one (of them).” What to remember: When "none" means "none of them," it’s plural. Example: "None of the cookies were eaten." When "none" means "none of it," it’s singular. Example: "None of the cake was eaten." If you really do mean “not one,” why not simply say “not one”?

Here's a link to O'Conner's blog, which is fabulous, and her site Grammarphobia. Other awesome grammar-related clickage:

• Reuters Online Style Guide. Grammar dorks across the nation felt their hearts go a-flutter when this became available to the public last week. Woohoo!
• The Deluxe Transitive Vampire. This book is amazing. If I were going to curl up and read a book about grammar for fun, this would be it.
• O'Conner's book, Woe Is I. Also immensely entertaining.
• Strunk & White, because you can't not have read this.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Aptitude

We found this interesting article in the NYTimes Magazine called "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Aptitude." Here's a bit from the first paragraph:

...Decades ago, in her late teens, Sotomayor faced another important test — the SAT, the traditional route to top-tier placement in our national meritocracy — on which, by her own admission, she didn’t do well. What exactly her test scores were she hasn’t said, but she has revealed that they “were not comparable to that of my colleagues” at Princeton University, where she was admitted as a self-styled “affirmative-action baby.” The fact that she later graduated from Princeton with highest academic honors and went on to reach the upper echelons of her chosen career, the law, speaks well of her intellect, her drive and the discernment of Princeton’s admissions office, but it doesn’t speak well, necessarily, of the conventional, test-based notions of merit that might well have stopped her, had they been strictly applied, before she even got started.

Yes, more confirmation that the SAT doesn't really tell you all that much about your academic potential, or what your future holds. Maybe one day the powers that be will find a fair and accurate way to quantify your potential. Until then, let's work the Test as hard as we can, so we can get to college, where the real learnin' happens!

Online Vocab Flashcards

I just found this--online flashcards a teacher made for his class to help them prep for the SAT. I just think they're cool because they have visuals. I love word roots when I'm learning vocabulary, because I love knowing where words come from--because it's interesting, it sticks with me. But lots of other learners benefit from associating words with pictures. (By the way, I use this site to learn word roots when I'm making flashcards...)


Here's the link if you want to check the rest out. Some of them are rather weird, but I think it's a great idea. I know a lot of students prefer to work on a computer than to make flashcards with a sharpie and a box of index cards.


So, try to make some slides of your own! And show us the Flickr folder when you're done...

Got a Minute? Take Our Survey!

Hello Artful Tutoring families!

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Check out our survey here!

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Out of State Students at Virginia Schools

Check out this recent interesting article from the Post, "Lawmakers Want to Limit Non-Va. College Students." An excerpt:


Valedictorian Phillip Wears boasted a 4.01 grade point average, served as captain of his lacrosse team and won awards for photography and television production when he graduated from South County Secondary School last year. But he still couldn't get into the University of Virginia. "He was kind of shocked more than anything," said his mother, Millie Wears of Fairfax Station. "It's a Virginia school. You have a student who has a 4.0. How can you say no?"

State legislators say they think they know the answer: An increasing number of Virginia students with top grades and impressive test scores, many from populous Northern Virginia, are losing slots at the state's premiere schools to out-of-state students.

Now, lawmakers are attempting to limit the number of out-of-state students admitted to Virginia's schools to reserve more seats for in-state students, particularly at U-Va., the College of William and Mary, Virginia Tech and James Madison University.

The General Assembly is considering providing the schools with $12.5 million in extra funds to cover the cost of the in-state enrollment growth. The schools would be required to set aside at least 70 percent of freshman slots and 80 percent of new transfer slots for in-state students.

Profiles of Local Schools: Admissions Factors

We tried to pin down schools on this question: What is the relative strength of each component of a student’s application? How important are the SAT or ACT scores, compared to GPA, essays, or recommendations? What’s the primary consideration?

Towson University: Towson puts the greatest emphasis on a student’s GPA, followed by test scores. The essay, the letters of recommendation, and the activity sheet are not required, but recommended. For a student whose application is “borderline,” these optional documents can certainly help a student’s application.

Johns Hopkins University: Hopkins described its admissions review process as “holistic”: each component of a student’s application is weighed equally.

George Washington University: GW says that all admissions documents are equally important, because each reflects a difference aspect of a student’s performance.
University of Maryland: UMD uses a holistic review process, looking for students who both complement the existing student body and meet UMD’s mission objectives. Admissions considers students in the light of twenty-five different categories that are “applied flexibly”—the usual categories such as high school achievement and GPA, as well as more nebulous categories such as “breadth of life experience” and “demonstrated leadership.” (For a complete list of all twenty-five, see the website.) UMD’s website notes that the admissions essay is particularly significant, because it allows UMD to hear about you in your own words.

Georgetown University: Georgetown also uses a holistic review process, “with a focus on success in your high school curriculum.” Admissions refers to SAT and ACT scores as only “part of the Georgetown admissions process,” which we can assume constitutes a smaller part than the contents of your high school transcript.

University of Virginia: UVA stresses that it doesn’t set “minimums” either for SAT /ACT scores or for GPAs. Admissions recognizes that students are “more than the sum of two numbers.” It will also consider other factors, such as difficulty of course load or the changes in a student’s grades over time. UVA tries very hard, it seems, to look at each individual student as an individual, calling standardized testing “a useful but imprecise instrument—an axe, not a scalpel.”

Virginia Tech: Tech also refers to its admissions review as “holistic,” but does note that you must have a strong GPA (an A or B+ average, preferably) and “competitive” test scores to be considered. Admissions also cites “strength of schedule” as a third major factor. Other factors include: ethnicity, first-generation status, leadership and service, legacy, the major you expressed interest in, personal statements, residency, and participation in Tech pipeline programs.

James Madison University: JMU cites six factors that dictate its admissions review process: quality of high school academics, academic achievement, SAT/ACT scores, the secondary school report form, extracurricular activities, and the optional personal statement. JMU doesn’t claim to weigh any one factor more heavily than any other, and one can assume that these factors are applied flexibly, depending on the individual.

George Mason University: GMU also considers six factors: GPA, difficulty of coursework, ACT/SAT scores, the personal statement, the secondary school report, and the TOEFL (if applicable). GMU also doesn’t indicate which factors are primary, so one can assume all are applied flexibly, depending on the individual. We were also told: “Each portion of the application serves to provide a greater picture of the whole student and is therefore valuable in the application process. In regards to grades, we would rather see a student excelling in an average course than failing a higher level course. For extracurricular activities, we don't necessarily look for students with the most activities but those who have shown the most commitment to activities. The personal essay allows the student the opportunity to communicate what his or her transcript may not.”

The bottom line: Figure out what your strengths are, and highlight them in your application. Make sure schools know about all the great things about you and your last four years. Consider “optional” personal statements required. Admissions people are looking for good students who would contribute positively to their community; make it as easy as possible for them to see your goodness and uniqueness. Also, keep in mind that we offer an essay-revision service. Call us if you have questions.

Profiles of Local Schools: SAT Subject Tests

We asked schools if they require SAT Subject Tests; and if they don’t require those tests, if they use the scores in any capacity—either in the admissions process or in the placement process.

Towson University: Towson does not take into consideration the SAT Subject Tests at all.
Johns Hopkins university: SAT Subject Tests are not required. The JHU Admissions Office recommends, however, that students take up to three SAT II Subject Tests of their choosing, but it doesn’t recommend which tests to take. (If you’re considering an Engineering major, JHU does require the Math Level 2 Subject Test and one science Subject Test.) The admissions rep also stressed that any “recommendation” given by Admissions should be interpreted as a “strong recommendation.” In other words, a JHU applicant should submit SAT Subject Test scores, and doing so will make a difference in the strength of an application. This recommendation applies to both students who submit SAT I scores and those who submit ACT scores.

George Washington University: SAT Subject Tests are not required for general admissions, but are required for some special programs. (For the University Honors Program, GW requires each applicant to submit two SAT Subject Test scores in subjects of the applicant’s choice; for the six-year B.A./J.D. Accelerated Program, GW requires each applicant to submit two SAT Subject Test scores in the subjects of the applicant’s choice; for the seven-year B.A./M.D. Accelerated Program, GW requires each applicant to submit two SAT Subject Test scores—one in math, and one in science.) It is worth noting that although these scores are not required for general admissions, SAT II Subject Test scores will be considered if submitted and can positively affect an applicant’s chances.

University of Maryland: SAT Subject Tests aren’t used in any way at UMD—not in admissions, and not in placement.

Georgetown University: Georgetown requires all students to submit scores from three SAT Subject Tests of their choice.

University of Virginia: UVA “strongly urges” students to submit scores from two SAT Subject Tests.

College of William & Mary: William & Mary doesn’t require students to submit SAT Subject Test scores. The school will consider the scores, however, if you do choose to send them, but the scores won’t be a primary factor in the decision-making process. (Home-schooled students are “strongly encouraged” to submit at least two SAT Subject Test scores in core subjects.)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute: Tech only asks for SAT Subject Test scores from students who attend non-accredited schools and from home-schooled students whose programs aren’t accredited. These students should take one Subject Test in math and a second of their choosing.

James Madison University: JMU doesn’t use SAT Subject Tests in the admissions process at all. The tests can be used in the placement process, however; if you plan on studying a language, JMU recommends that you submit scores from the Subject Test in that particular language.

George Mason University: Mason does not require Subject Tests for admissions, but several of these tests can translate into college credit (specifically in language classes).

The bottom line: Although plenty of good schools aren’t interested in SAT Subject Tests, the most competitive schools are. If a school says submitting Subject Test scores is “optional,” submit them! If a school says submitting the scores is “recommended,” submit them! The great thing about Subject Tests is that most schools don’t care which Subject Tests you take. If you love your history or language class, if you have strengths in subjects other than Reading, Math, and English—and you likely do—use those strengths to get where you want to go. Talk to us if you want support studying for the Subject Tests.

Profiles of Local Schools: The Writing Sections

We asked schools about the preferences and attitudes towards the writing sections of both the SAT and the ACT. Here’s what we learned:

Towson University: If you take the ACT, Towson requires you to take the ACT Plus Writing. Towson also uses the SAT Writing score for admissions;

Johns Hopkins University: If you take the ACT, Hopkins requires you to take the ACT Plus Writing. Hopkins does consider the SAT Writing score in the admissions process.

George Washington University: The ACT Plus Writing (as opposed to just the ACT) is recommended, but not required. GW uses the SAT Writing score for admissions.

University of Maryland: If you take the ACT, the school requires you to take the ACT Plus Writing. The school does not use the SAT writing score in admissions, because it’s “too new,” according to the rep we talked to. The school does, however, consider the ACT Writing score though (as it affects the composite score).

Georgetown University: Admissions doesn’t look at your SAT Writing score. You are not required to take the ACT Plus Writing (as opposed to the regular ACT), and your ACT Writing subscore will not be considered (though your composite score will be affected by the Writing subscore).

University of Virginia: UVA will accept either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing. The Writing scores for both tests will be used in the admissions process; additionally, the SAT Writing score will be used in the placement process.

College of William & Mary: Admissions looks primarily at the Math and Reading section scores of the SAT, placing less emphasis on the Writing score but considering it nonetheless. When considering ACT scores, W&M looks at the single best composite score (rather than looking at the individual subscores or putting together a Super Composite Score out of the best subscores).

Virginia Tech: Tech accepts either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing. Writing scores (from either test) are not considered in the admissions process, but are used for placement purposes.

James Madison University: JMU doesn’t consider the Writing score for either test.

George Mason University: If you opt to take the ACT, the ACT Plus Writing is “recommended.” The writing section of the SAT, however, is not considered.

The bottom line: Everyone treats the SAT Writing Section differently. If you don’t know which schools you’re going to apply to yet, prepare just as thoroughly for that section as you would for the others. If you do know—and your preferred school isn’t listed here—absolutely do your research and figure out how the Writing score is used. Call us if you want help deciphering Admission-ese.

Profiles of Local Schools: SAT vs. ACT

We asked schools if they preferred the SAT to the ACT, or vice-versa. Not one school directly indicated a preference for one over the other, though one school recommended submitting scores for both. We also asked schools how they compare SAT scores and ACT scores to each other. Not surprising, most schools did not really want to share that information. Here’s what we learned:

Towson University: Towson accepts either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing. (They will not accept the ACT without the Writing section). Admissions uses the Princeton conversion chart. (We tried to find a copy of this particular chart on the internet, but couldn’t. We are including, however, at the conclusion of this letter, a concordance table that was put together by the College Board and the ACT in conjunction with each other and is therefore presumably more balanced than other such tables.) Towson also encourages students who take both tests to submit scores from both.

Johns Hopkins University: JHU accepts either the SAT or the Act Plus Writing, with no preference given to either. Again, JHU encourages students who take both tests to submit both sets of scores.

George Washington University: GW accepts either the SAT or the ACT, with no preference given to either.

University of Maryland: UMD asks that you submit either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing.

Georgetown University: Georgetown says it accepts the ACT “in lieu of the SAT,” which—intentionally or not—sounds as if the school prefers the SAT.

University of Virginia: UVA will accept either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing.

College of William & Mary: W&M accepts either the SAT or the ACT. Admissions looks primarily at the Math and Reading section scores of the SAT, placing less emphasis on the Writing score but considering it nonetheless. When considering ACT scores, W&M looks at the single best composite score (rather than looking at the individual subscores or putting together a Super Composite Score out of the best subscores).

Virginia Tech: Tech accepts either the SAT or the ACT Plus Writing.

James Madison University: JMU accepts either the SAT or ACT, and asks that you send all your scores. JMU will consider the highest individual Reading and highest individual Math score for the SAT, and the single highest composite score for the ACT.

George Mason University: GMU accepts either the SAT or the ACT. Admissions “highly encourages” students to take both tests.

The bottom line: Choose whichever test you’re more comfortable with and score better on. In order to determine which that is, you need to take a practice test for each test. Time yourself (for real!), and do your best. Use the tables included here to compare your scores. In our experience, students’ scores can vary by as many as two hundred (SAT) points per section, when the two sets of scores are compared. (Typically, an ACT section score and an SAT section score are within 30 to 50 points of each other.) If you need help comparing scores or choosing a test, or you want help preparing for one or both of the tests, call us.

Profiles of Local Schools: Score Choice

Starting with the March 2009 SAT test, the College Board will allow students to choose which scores to send to colleges. (This feature is already available to ACT-test-takers.) Ostensibly, the thinking behind this move is that if students know that they can withhold any particularly low score(s), they will feel less anxiety on test day and thus perform better. This policy will also work retroactively: if your child is applying this fall, for example, she or he will have the option to report or not report any score, including scores from tests taken prior to March 2009.

A December article in the New York Times (“SAT Changes Policy, Opening Rift with Colleges”) alerted us to the fact that many highly-selective colleges are rebelling against this change and requiring students to submit all SAT scores anyway, despite the College Board’s new policy. (The article names the University of Southern California, Stanford, Claremont McKenna and the University of Pennsylvania as four such schools.)

We wanted to find out how our local schools plan to deal with the Score Choice policy. Here’s what we learned:


Towson University: Towson will not require students to submit all scores. It is not a bad idea to submit all scores, however, because Admissions only considers the highest individual scores. In other words, if your October scores were a 600 in Reading, 500 in Math, and 700 in Writing (an 1800 total score) but your December scores were a 500 in Reading, 600 in Math, and a 750 in Writing (an 1850), Towson will actually consider your scores to be a 600 in Reading, a 600 in Math, and a 750 in Writing (a 1950).

Johns Hopkins University: Hopkins is still in the process of making this decision, but hopes to come to a decision in the coming month. The admissions rep we talked to, however, said, “There is a strong likelihood that we will be requiring students to submit all their scores.” Hopkins also considers only the highest individual section scores.

George Washington University: GW will continue to expect students to submit all their scores. For the SAT, Admissions considers only the highest score submitted for each section of the test; for the ACT, only the highest composite score.

University of Maryland: UMD will not require students to submit all their scores.

Georgetown University: Georgetown will continue to require students to submit all SAT and ACT scores, despite the new College Board policy. This school also considers the highest individual Reading and Math scores to come up with one “superscore.”

University of Virginia: UVA will use whatever information you allow the College Board to send, and will not require you to send all your scores.

College of William & Mary: W&M will not require students to send all their scores. The admission rep we talked to made a point that seems widely relevant: since W&M only considers each highest section score—whether or not the three scores (Reading, Writing, and Math) came from one test you took in March, or from three separate tests you sat for throughout the year—submitting all your scores can only help you. Let’s revisit our Towson example above. If you only looked at total scores and decided not to send that October 1800 score, but to send only the December 1850 score, then you have an 1850. You have to send the lower score to get that 1950!

Virginia Tech: Tech is going along with score choice, and is requiring students to send all their scores. They too will only consider the highest individual section scores.
James Madison University: JMU asks that you send all scores, and will consider the highest from each. (So send them all!)

George Mason University: GMU is not requiring you to send all scores. Again, because they only consider the highest score for each of the three individual sections, send them all. Worth noting: GMU offers “score optional admissions,” which means that you can get away with not submitting your SAT/ACT scores to them . . . so long as your GPA is strong and qualities such as leadership and motivation come through in your application.


The bottom line: The more times you take the SAT, the better. If your preferred school is going along with Score Choice, then you have no reason not to take the test as many times as possible and keep shooting for that high, high score. If your preferred school is not going along with Score Choice, then, yes, you want to try to keep those not-so-good scores off your transcript by preparing well. But so many schools consider only your highest individual section scores that having a spread of several different sets of scores will help you 99% of the time.

If you have questions about this stuff, give us a call or shoot us an email. If there’s a school you’re interested in but that isn’t listed here, we’ll help you find out what’s what.