5 College Prep Tips to Take With You to College

As college bound high school seniors anxiously await their admission decisions, the thought of actually preparing for life on campus tends to take a backseat until they learn of their acceptance. Luckily for many of these students, they already have the tools they need to succeed in college – they just need to know how to harness them.

The college prep process may be over for college bound high school seniors, but there are a number of college prep tips that can carry students into their freshman year and throughout their college experience. The goal of college guidance is not just to help students gain admission to their top-choice colleges, but also prepare them for life after graduation. College counselors want students to feel prepared for their college experience, and the guidance offered during the admissions process can translate into skills that can help students make the most of their next four years in school.

Here are five college prep tips that students should use in college, too.

Plan Ahead
Planning ahead was important in preparing for admission to your top-choice colleges, and it’ll be even more important once you’re in college. Students are expected to be independent. There won’t be anyone to make sure you attend class, do your homework, or study for tests. It’s important to stay organized and make a plan for projects, studying, and even extracurricular activities. It’s also important to plan ahead for things like studying abroad, applying for research opportunities, finding internships, and other milestones that are important to your college experience. Stay on top of your work, go to class, and stay motivated.

Fit Is Key
Hopefully, if you started early and did your research, you’re attending a college that is a good fit for your social, academic, and financial needs. Fit is key when choosing where to go to college, and it is also important once you get on campus. Seek out activities, organizations, and other student groups that are a good fit for what you hope to accomplish on campus. Focus on fit when seeking out elective classes, partners for group projects, or even new roommates. Fit will continue to be an important metric throughout college, and even when you start looking for your first post-graduate job.

Your Grades Matter – Perform Well in Class
It was drilled into your head all throughout high school – make good grades – and now that you’re in college, that advice is more important than ever. For many students, the adjustment to college life can be hard, and their first semester grades will show it. It’s important to remember why you’re in college in the first place: To get a good education. Maintaining a certain GPA can be essential to staying in a certain program, keeping your current scholarships, or even qualifying for other financial aid opportunities. Your grades will also be important should you decide to apply to a graduate program.

Your Interests Matter – Find a Few Activities You Love and Make an Impact
You may have honed in on a specialty in high school, or have a few areas of interest you’d like to learn more about, so it’s time to really gain experience now that you’re in college. Get involved! Whether it’s with clubs, groups, organizations, or other activities that align with your major, or exploring a new activity that you’ve never had the chance to experience before, take advantage of extracurricular opportunities on campus and make an impact. Not only will this help guide you to better understand your current interests and explore new ones, it will also give you experience that can be highlighted in internship, job, and graduate admission applications.

Build Relationships With Professors, Mentors, and Classmates
In college you will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn from some of the brightest thought leaders in your area of study. One of Vint Hill’s top college prep tips is to be present in class. Ask questions. Participate in class discussions. Get to know your teachers and ask for help if you need it. This is even more important in college. If professors offer office hours, go and meet with them. Be engaged in class projects, discussions, and lectures. Build relationships with your classmates and participate in healthy debate. Learn from mentors in your program, research project, internship, or other learning experiences. These relationships will enrich your experience and will likely last long after you’ve graduated, and can be beneficial when looking for a job or seeking admission to a graduate program.

Preparing for college extends far beyond just applying and getting in. At Vint Hill Educational Services (VHES) we work with students to not only gain admission to their top-choice schools, but also to prepare them for the next four years in college and beyond. Our tutors get to know their students and work with them to achieve not only their admissions goals, but also their academic and personal goals. For more information on how VHES works with students and our college prep services, contact us today.

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CONTACT US FOR A FREE PRACTICE TEST PACKET AND DIAGNOSTIC REPORT (VIEW SAMPLE STUDENT REPORTS: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, AND HSPT).

Click here to view our subject tutoring packages or here to check out our academic coaching service.

What We Do

Vint Hill Educational Services offers test preparation for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. Each session is one-to-one for individualized support. The tutor will assign one to two hours of test prep homework after each session. The sessions are ninety minutes in length and test prep materials are included. The tutor will focus on the student's weakest areas of the test. In order to ensure improvement, the student will continue to take full-length practice tests throughout the course. The student will also learn tips and test-taking strategies.

What to do if you are waitlisted

Getting in to college just got harder.

Here’s what to do if you are waitlisted.

KEY POINTS

• In an application cycle unlike any other, more students were rejected or waitlisted at their top-choice schools.

• Now students are left with fewer options and only a short time to figure out their next move ahead of National College Decision Day on May 1.

Is big money and privilege blocking your kid from getting into an elite college?

If you were waitlisted at your dream college, join the club.

The hardest application cycle to date left more students in limbo than ever before.

In addition to the number of gap-year students who already accounted for as much as a quarter of next year’s freshman class, schools were “test optional” for the first time ever, which meant students didn’t need certain SAT or ACT scores—even though, ultimately, submitting an SAT or ACT score would help their application—in order to apply. That helped drive the surge in applications for fewer spots.

Heightened uncertainty due to Covid also encouraged students to cast a wider net, resulting in a record number of applications at many top colleges and historically low acceptance rates as a result.

“It’s almost a perfect storm,” said Hafeez Lakhani, president of New York-based Lakhani Coaching.

Lower acceptance rates, longer waitlists

Now students are left with fewer options and only a few weeks to figure out their next move ahead of National College Decision Day on May 1, the deadline for high school seniors to choose which college they will attend. (Last year, the coronavirus crisis pushed many schools to extend the deadline until June 1.)

At that point, they must cough up a non-refundable deposit to secure their seat at the school of their choice. And yet, many campuses remain closed to tours and visits, so students must also make these decisions sight-unseen.

And perhaps the biggest problem is that many students have been waitlisted at their top picks.

Waitlisted applicants have neither been outright rejected by a college nor have they been extended a formal offer of admission.

Instead, they may be considered for a seat between now and September, depending on whether there’s sufficient space for them in the incoming class, among other factors.

“For colleges, it’s a no-loss proposition,” said Eric Greenberg, president of Greenberg Educational Group, a New York-based consulting firm. “The more uncertainty about yield, the bigger the waitlist will be.”

Waitlists are an easy way to protect yield — or the percent of students who choose to enroll after being admitted — which is an important statistic for schools.

Nationwide, the average yield for freshmen at four-year colleges and universities fell to about 30% in the year before the pandemic, from closer to 40% a decade ago, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

“It’s so more challenging for all of us to predict our class sizes,” said Leslie Davidson, vice president for enrollment management at Beloit College in Wisconsin.

Although Beloit received 3,300 applications for an incoming class with a target size of 260 students — and already received a record number of deposits as of the latest tally — the college could still be affected by waitlist activity at other places, Davidson said. When a student accepts an offer off the waitlist at another institution, they give up their spot elsewhere (and so on and so on).

Pandemic hammers higher education

Colleges with lower acceptance rates place more students on the waitlist and ultimately accept fewer of them.

Pre-pandemic, colleges granted spots to about 20% of waitlisted applicants, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, but that number falls to just 7% at the most selective colleges.

With far fewer students choosing to defer and many of last year’s gap year students returning, the percentage will likely be even lower this year, Lakhani said, “I expect that waitlists will not be heavily utilized.”

There are, however, ways to improve your odds.

How to get off the waitlist and into class

The first thing seniors who were waitlisted should do is write a letter of continued interest to the college to let them know why they want to attend, experts say.

“Pick one school that you would definitely go to and make a very, very clear statement: If given the spot, I would absolutely take it,” Lakhani advised.

Then, provide an update that demonstrates what you could bring to the table. For example, if you took classes or completed a research project that helped solidify why that school is now an even better fit.

Schools are waiting to hear what it is about the given student today that might be different from the same student a year ago.

Eric Greenberg

PRESIDENT OF GREENBERG EDUCATIONAL GROUP

Think: “How your story has evolved since you applied,” Lakhani said.

Finally, submit one more piece of information to help illustrate this new angle, such as an additional letter of recommendation or non-academic testimonial to your character story, Lakhani said.

Make a back-up plan for your back-up plan

In the meantime, “plans need to go ahead as if there’s no waitlist,” Greenberg said.

Settle on a school among the list of acceptances, based on which is the best fit in terms of cost, academics, campus life and other factors.

“That’s where it becomes imperative to see schools,” he added. “There seems to be a correlation between how well a person likes a school and how many times they’ve visited.”

Also consider the amount of aid available. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, or from programs with limited funds. Students who were admitted in the first round tend to have first dibs on grants and other forms of aid.

“As time goes on, it’s typically harder to get financial aid if they get off a waitlist,” said Greenberg. “There are less funds available at that point.”

Covid has made paying for college harder, so affordability may be the most important consideration, after all.

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CONTACT US FOR A FREE PRACTICE TEST PACKET AND DIAGNOSTIC REPORT (VIEW SAMPLE STUDENT REPORTS: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, AND HSPT).

Click here to view our subject tutoring packages or here to check out our academic coaching service.

Vint Hill Educational Services offers test preparation for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. Each session is one-to-one for individualized support. The tutor will assign one to two hours of test prep homework after each session. The sessions are ninety minutes in length and test prep materials are included. The tutor will focus on the student's weakest areas of the test. In order to ensure improvement, the student will continue to take full-length practice tests throughout the course. The student will also learn tips and test-taking strategies.

5 College Admissions Trends For 2021

Five College Admissions Trends For 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the relationship between college-bound students, families, and the institutions themselves. Some believe that these changes are permanent—from the de-emphasis of SAT/ACT scores to the widening economic gap between well-off institutions and struggling universities to the trend of more students delaying their freshman year. Only time will tell how the pandemic will alter university trends for future generations. However, the following five trends will likely be of greatest impact in 2021.

Trend 1: Authenticity and resilience are prized traits for applicants

Admissions committees are less interested in students who dabble in a dozen clubs than those who go all-in on their strengths and show excellence in their chosen fields. This has never been more true than in the Covid-19 era, when many students do not have the option to participate in extracurriculars as they have in years past.

Students who have doubled down on their strengths and ‘wowed’ admissions committees by being themselves fare better than those who don’t. There are plenty of ways students can get creative and showcase their talents and hard work. Students can write books, conduct sophisticated research, and even found national and global organizations. Colleges want to see applicants with the internal drive and resilience to lead something bigger than themselves. Stories of adaptability, ingenuity, and community-mindedness will undoubtedly impress in the pandemic era.

Trend 2: Standardized tests will be “optional but preferred”

Universities in which an SAT or ACT score is optional tend to accept students with test scores more frequently than they do those students without. For example, at the University of Pennsylvania, 75% of students admitted in the early round submitted standardized test scores, whereas only 25 percent did not. So be aware that taking the SAT or ACT is probably a good idea if you are hoping to get into one of the more competitive schools.

Trend 3: More students will continue to apply to early admission programs

In the fall of 2020, early admission applications to Penn rose by 23%. MIT saw an unprecedented 62% increase in early applications from the fall of 2019 to 2020. Harvard has seen an increase of 57% from last year. This dramatic increase in early applicants among highly competitive schools may be explained by the fact that many of these schools, including all of the Ivies, no longer require SAT and ACT scores. Another factor: in years past (before the pandemic), students who applied early were more likely to gain acceptance—though the rate of early acceptance is decreasing at elite institutions due to the sheer volume of applicants. For instance, Harvard accepted about 7% of its early applicants in the fall of 2020, as opposed to nearly 14% of its early applicants in 2019. With travel plans curbed and high school seniors choosing to connect virtually with universities, students will continue applying in high numbers to highly selective colleges which they may not have considered pre-pandemic.

Trend 4: The return of international students to campus

With the advent of the Biden administration, we will see more international students back on campuses. Recent legislation that limited international student visas to four years (and in the case of some countries, two years) was in opposition to the long-standing practice of allowing students to stay in the US as long as they are in school and progressing in their studies. These policies resulted in a drastic decrease in the number of international student visas issued, from more than 600,000 in 2015 to 364,204 in 2019.

In a pre-election poll conducted by the Graduate Management Association Council, international candidates indicated that they would be more likely to matriculate in the U.S. if Biden became president. Under the new administration, federal agencies will likely work hard to facilitate international students’ higher education. It is likely we will see a significant increase in international scholars, even if some Covid-19 restrictions remain in place across college campuses.

Trend 5: More students taking a gap year before college

The Covid-19 pandemic caused many students to consider a non-traditional start to college. The number of students who chose to take a gap year rose significantly in the fall of 2020. The class of 2021 may choose a similar path and defer their college admission in order to explore non-academic interests.

The activism and organizing efforts of Gen Z, born in the late ‘90s, are well documented and have been compared to the youth movements of the 1960’s and 70’s. Members of Gen Z—which include current high school seniors—report being highly concerned about the environment, racism, discrimination against the LGBTQ community, economic inequality, and many other issues. Given the unrest in 2020 in regards to racism and pandemic inequalities, there will be a strong pull for future college students to go out and make a difference in their communities. This will especially be true if Covid-era restrictions remain in place this fall.

Mock ACT/SAT Test Dates with a Live Virtual Proctor 

 

VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:

• ACT/SAT answer sheet

• ACT/SAT test booklet

• ACT/SAT essay prompt

• Four pages of lined paper

• Testing instructions

The ACT/SAT essay is optional. Students interested in taking the essay will continue with the test after the final multiple-choice section (ACT Science or SAT Math). Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.

Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.

Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.

Mock ACT test dates:

May 8, 2021

more dates TBA

Mock SAT test dates:

April 24, 2021

May 22, 2021

more dates TBA

Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.

Learn more about our test prep program.

Find out how an academic coach can help.

Interested in pod tutoring? Contact us to learn more.

Impact of CV-19 - Admissions and Testing

Impact of COVID-19 on College Admission and Testing

Before COVID-19, most colleges and universities had elaborate admissions guidelines that were designed to present holistic pictures of their applicants. Some of the criteria they used to form these snapshots included a student's GPA, test scores, their school's academic rigor, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, volunteer and work experience, as well as their essay.

But, the pandemic has changed all of that. For instance, some high schools are no longer calculating grades and some extracurricular activities are canceled. Plus over the summer, students were unable to get internships, participate in summer programs, prep for or take standardized tests, volunteer, and sometimes even work. Consequently, a number of students feel like their applications are not as strong as they could be.

Consequences of COVID-19

In fact, according to a survey by Art & Science Group in collaboration with the College Board, nearly 45% of rising seniors said that COVID-19 has impacted their qualifications or the strength of their applications.1

For instance, 30% of white and Asian students, said they were unable to participate in extracurricular activities, while nearly 25% of Black and Hispanic students were unable to participate in summer educational programs.

Additionally, 21% of Black students and 13% of white students said their grades had been "compromised" by the pandemic. Meanwhile, 23% of students from the lowest-income group in the survey said they hadn't been able to work to save money for college.

What's more, widespread cancellations this past spring and summer have prevented many students from prepping for or taking the ACT and SAT exams. In fact, at the time of the survey, two-thirds of the respondents had not yet taken the SAT and nearly three-quarters had not yet taken the ACT.

And, as many as 51% of underrepresented minority students, 51% of low income students, and 51% of first generation college students were less likely than others to have taken the exams. For this reason, the class of 2021 is likely to submit vastly different college applications than those who graduated in 2019 and 2020.

What to Expect

Colleges and universities have had to adapt to meet this ever-changing landscape of student applicants. Some have made their application requirements test-optional, created virtual campus tours, and are actively engaged in leveling the playing field as much as they can to accommodate the challenges students are experiencing—especially because some areas of the country have been hit harder by the coronavirus than others.

Here is a closer look at what your student can expect when applying to college this fall and winter.

Test-Optional Schools

Some colleges are waiting to see how the pandemic impacts high schools this year before making a final decision about whether or not to implement a test-optional policy.

That said, there are a significant number of colleges and universities that have made the decision to become test-optional already. According to the National Center for Open and Fair Testing (FairTest), more than 1,600 accredited colleges and universities have made tests optional for 2021 admissions.2

Consequently, before you shell out money for your child to take the ACT or the SAT, visit the the FairTest website to determine if the schools your child is applying to are test-optional this year. Also, keep in mind just because a school is test-optional, this does not mean they are test-blind.

In other words, if your child does well on standardized tests, be sure that they include their test scores with their application. Doing so will strengthen their application and make them a stronger candidate.

If, however, your student struggles with standardized testing or has test anxiety, then you may want to consider skipping the tests and highlight their other qualifications.

If your student is considering not submitting standardized test scores, they need to make sure the rest of their application is pretty solid. While not submitting scores is a nice option for students who don't do well with standardized tests, it also means that the rest of their application will be more heavily weighted.

So, if you and your student think their application would be improved by including standardized test scores—and your student is able to take a test before the application deadline—then by all means, take the test and submit the scores.

Canceled or Postponed Tests

When it comes to taking standardized tests, some students will find it easier to schedule and take tests than others. Both the ACT and the SAT have scheduled exam dates, but are leaving it up to each test site to determine whether or not they are going to offer the test. Both organizations are suggesting that students monitor their testing locations to be sure the tests are still being offered as planned.

If you are planning to take the SAT or an SAT subject test, you can visit the College Board's website to determine if your testing location has cancelled a test. The site also indicates whether or not a make-up test will be offered.

As for the ACT, they do not have a list of cancellations. But you can research your test center to be sure the test is being offered before scheduling your test.

Both organizations also encourage students who plan to take the tests to register as soon as possible for the exams they want to take. With limited test dates and locations—plus a backlog of students who were unable to take their exams in the spring or summer—the availability is limited. They also both encourage students to wear face masks when taking their exams.

Virtual Campus Tours

In the past, students showed interest in a college or university by visiting the campus. But, with many campuses closed to students this fall, admissions officials have started offering virtual campus tours for prospective students. Many are also reaching students through virtual question and answer sessions, personalized emails, and social media.

Here are some ways your child can make the most of this situation:

• Ask them to develop a list of the schools they're interested in.

• Encourage your child to reach out to their admissions counselor at their top schools and begin developing a relationship—even if it is only through email and virtual calls.

• Reach out to a professor or two within their desired major to introduce themselves and ask about the courses offered.

• Follow their top picks on social media to gather information and show interest in the school—especially if your student likes or re-shares the information they post. (Just be sure your teen cleans up their social media account before following their top colleges.)

A Word From Verywell

While COVID-19 has completely changed the college admissions process this year, there are some unintended positives to all these changes. First, the pandemic has leveled the playing field when it comes to making college visits and doing lots of extras to enhance the college application that low income students cannot always afford. No one is doing these things so it's forcing students to get creative in order to make their application stand out.

Second, because many campuses are closed, it's much easier for students to get in touch with admissions professionals because they aren't traveling much. As a result, be sure your student reaches out to them and builds a relationship. Plus, they are likely to be very empathetic to the things students are experiencing because their lives have been upended by COVID-19 as well.

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2020-2021 MOCK ACT/SAT TEST DATES  

AS OF AUGUST 2020, WE WILL BE PROCTORING TESTS VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 AM. UPON REGISTERING FOR A VIRTUAL MOCK TEST, YOU’LL RECEIVE A TEST PACKET VIA USPS MAIL.

PACKET INCLUDES:

• ACT/SAT ANSWER SHEET

• ACT/SAT TEST BOOKLET

• *ACT/SAT ESSAY PROMPT

• FOUR PAGES OF LINED PAPER

• TEST INSTRUCTIONS

  *THE ACT/SAT ESSAY IS OPTIONAL. STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TAKING THE ACT/SAT ESSAY WILL CONTINUE ON WITH THE TEST AFTER THE FINAL MULTIPLE-CHOICE SECTION (ACT SCIENCE OR SAT MATH).

PLEASE SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY DURING THE WEEK OF THE MOCK TEST. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS DURING REGISTRATION, SO THAT WE CAN MAIL YOU A TESTING PACKET.

ALL ACT/SAT TESTS WILL BE PROCTORED VIRTUALLY THROUGH LESSONSPACE. THE DAY BEFORE EACH TEST, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAILED LINK TO JOIN THE VIRTUALLY PROCTORED TEST. THE TEST INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE USED SHOULD A STUDENT LOSE CONNECTION TO THE TESTING LOBBY.

ACT

Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below. 

Mock ACT test dates:

• February 27, 2021

• March 27, 2021

• April 10, 2021

• May 8, 2021

SAT

Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below.  :

Mock SAT test dates:

• March 6, 2021

• April 24, 2021

• May 22, 2021

We also offer one-to-one mock testing at our offices. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils. 

We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail. 

Spring 2021 SAT Test Day

What to Expect on SAT Test Day this Spring

As the spring SAT administration dates approach, we want to lessen the uncertainty that has resulted from the coronavirus. One way we can do this is by making sure you know what to expect leading up to test day.

Health and safety

Our top priorities are the health and safety of students and educators. Local schools and test centers make individual decisions about whether to administer the SAT. All weekend test centers must adhere to local public health guidelines and follow College Board requirements. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You’ll need to bring a mask or protective face covering and will be required to wear it when you enter the test center and throughout the duration of testing. We recommend you bring a spare. You won't be allowed into the testing center unless you are wearing one. (Take a full-length practice test while wearing a mask before test day to prepare yourself for the test day experience.)

• You’ll be required by test centers to be seated at least 6 feet away from other students.

• Check your test center’s website for any additional health and safety measures so you’ll be prepared to follow them.

• If you feel sick the day of your test, stay home. Contact customer service on the next business day for your options. You won’t be charged a change or cancellation fee if you stay home because you’re sick.

• If we receive a report of a positive covid-19 case from someone at your test center, we will notify students and staff present on test day as well as local health authorities. Your information may be shared for contact tracing purposes if necessary.

To comply with local and College Board health and safety regulations, be ready to agree to the following when entering the test center or testing room:

1. You don’t have covid-19 or reason to believe you have covid-19. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, and recent loss of taste or smell.

2. In the past 14 days, you haven’t come into close contact—within 6 feet—of someone who tested positive for or is presumed to have covid-19.

3. To your knowledge, you aren’t violating any travel restrictions or quarantining requirements.

4. You promise to wear a mask the entire time you’re at this test site and follow instructions from testing staff.

5. By entering the testing center and testing room, you accept the risk of covid-19 exposure. Although we’ve taken measures to create a safe environment, it’s impossible to remove all risk.

You should also check your test center's website for any additional or specific entry requirements it may have. 

If you're traveling to test, it's your responsibility to know and follow any quarantine requirements or travel restrictions in the location where you're testing. Test centers may require proof that you've followed quarantine requirements and/or travel restrictions at check-in. 

Students who violate requirements put in place by their test center or College Board will be dismissed from the test center, their scores will be cancelled, and they will not receive a refund. 

Communicating with you about test center closures and reduced capacity

Many locations will have reduced capacity because of social distancing guidelines. Unfortunately, we expect many test centers to encounter full or partial closures. We’re checking with test centers and asking them to report closures or reduced capacity as early as possible to ensure students are informed and to reduce uncertainty ahead of test day.

We’ll communicate changes about your test center’s status as quickly as possible. Students who are being moved to a different test center and students whose registrations are being canceled because a test center decides to close or reduce capacity will be directly notified by College Board. Be aware that there may be a delay between the test center closing and the email notification. In the days leading up to each test, we’ll give updates about test center closures as often as possible. We also suggest you check directly with the test center, and visit the test center’s website, the day before and morning of the test.

While your status in My SAT will be updated as frequently as possible, there may be delay with last-minute closings. Test centers may have closed or rescheduled to a makeup date at the last minute, even if there is still an active admission ticket. Please check this page, your email, and the test center's website the night before and the morning of the test, especially if you're planning to travel to your test center. 

We may need to get in touch with you if your test center makes the decision to close or reduce capacity between now and test day. Check your emails every day, and if you are in the U.S. opt in to receive texts. Here's how you can make sure we're able to contact you.

What to do if your SAT registration is canceled

Visit our website to register for a future test date. If you can’t find a seat at a nearby test center for your preferred date, be sure to check out other test dates.

See upcoming SAT dates here.

We know the virus has heightened the stress of applying to college for many. Colleges and universities understand that due to covid there are limited opportunities for students to take the SAT. Most aren't requiring test scores for the upcoming admissions cycle, and they’re rightfully extending deadlines and/or accepting scores after deadlines pass for students who choose to submit them. You can check college websites to get the most accurate information on their policies and deadlines.

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Receive 3 Free One-To-One Test Prep Hours

Prep with us for a spring ACT or SAT and receive 3 prep hours for free, when you purchase a 12-hour package ($345 value).

Contact us to schedule a 20-minute test prep phone consultation. We can also help decide on which test to take, ACT or SAT. After we provide our recommendation, we’ll hand-pick the best tutor for your student. Sessions can be held in-person or virtually through Lessonspace.

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Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.

2020-2021 MOCK ACT/SAT TEST DATES  

AS OF AUGUST 2020, WE WILL BE PROCTORING TESTS VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 AM. UPON REGISTERING FOR A VIRTUAL MOCK TEST, YOU’LL RECEIVE A TEST PACKET VIA USPS MAIL.

PACKET INCLUDES:

• ACT/SAT ANSWER SHEET

• ACT/SAT TEST BOOKLET

• *ACT/SAT ESSAY PROMPT

• FOUR PAGES OF LINED PAPER

• TEST INSTRUCTIONS

  *THE ACT/SAT ESSAY IS OPTIONAL. STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TAKING THE ACT/SAT ESSAY WILL CONTINUE ON WITH THE TEST AFTER THE FINAL MULTIPLE-CHOICE SECTION (ACT SCIENCE OR SAT MATH).

PLEASE SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY DURING THE WEEK OF THE MOCK TEST. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS DURING REGISTRATION, SO THAT WE CAN MAIL YOU A TESTING PACKET.

ALL ACT/SAT TESTS WILL BE PROCTORED VIRTUALLY THROUGH LESSONSPACE. THE DAY BEFORE EACH TEST, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAILED LINK TO JOIN THE VIRTUALLY PROCTORED TEST. THE TEST INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE USED SHOULD A STUDENT LOSE CONNECTION TO THE TESTING LOBBY.

ACT

Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below. 

Mock ACT test dates:

• February 27, 2021

• March 27, 2021

• April 10, 2021

• May 8, 2021

SAT

Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below.  :

Mock SAT test dates:

• March 6, 2021

• April 24, 2021

• May 22, 2021

We also offer one-to-one mock testing at our offices. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils. 

We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail. 

No More SAT Essays

College Board Will No Longer Offer
SAT Subject Tests or SAT with Essay

As students and colleges adapt to new realities and changes to the college admissions process, College Board is ensuring its programs adapt with them and is making some changes to reduce demands on students. College Board is no longer offering SAT Subject Tests in the U.S.. Because SAT Subject Tests are used internationally for a wider variety of purposes, College Board will provide two more administrations, in May and June of 2021, for international students.

• Students currently registered for an upcoming Subject Test in the U.S. will automatically have their registration canceled and fees refunded.

• Students who are currently registered for, or plan to register for, an upcoming Subject Test outside the U.S. can still test through the June 2021 administration. Students who no longer want to take Subject Tests can contact College Board’s Customer Service to cancel and receive a refund.

College Board will also discontinue the optional SAT Essay after the June 2021 administration.

• Students who are currently registered, or plan to register, for an upcoming SAT with Essay will still be able to test through the June 2021 administration. Students who prefer to cancel the optional Essay portion of their SAT can do so in their online account, with no change fees, until the registration deadline.

• After June 2021, the Essay will only be available in states where it’s required as part of SAT School Day administrations. Students scheduled to take the SAT on a school day should check with their school about whether the Essay will be included.

Writing remains essential to college readiness and the SAT will continue to measure writing and editing skills, but there are other ways for students to demonstrate their mastery of essay writing, and the SAT will continue to measure writing throughout the test. The tasks on the SAT Reading and Writing and Language sections are among the most effective and predictive parts of the SAT.

SAT FAQ:

What is the current 2021 SAT administration schedule?

You can find SAT test dates and deadlines here.

 

When will registration open for fall 2021 and spring 2022 SAT administrations?

Registration for fall 2021 and spring 2022 will open in June 2021.

Why is College Board discontinuing SAT Subject Tests?

To reduce demands on students. The expanded reach of AP and its widespread availability means the Subject Tests are no longer necessary for students to show what they know.

What should I do if I’m already registered for or was planning to take SAT Subject Tests?

Students in the U.S. who registered for the May and/or June 2021 Subject Tests will automatically have their registrations canceled and fees refunded. No further action is needed. If you were planning to submit Subject Test scores, check directly with the colleges you plan to apply to for alternative ways to strengthen your applications.

Students outside the U.S. can still take SAT Subject Tests in May and/or June 2021. Check with the colleges you plan to apply to for their SAT Subject Test policy so you can decide whether Subject Test scores will be valuable to you. If you no longer want to take Subject Tests, you can contact Customer Service to cancel your registration and get a refund or change your registration to take the SAT. The best way to contact Customer Service is to call +1-212-713-7789 (international). Customer Service hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. If you can’t call, email customer service at sat@info.collegeboard.organd be sure to include the following information: test month, test year, first name, last name, full address, date of birth, and name of school.

 

When will registration for international students who want to take Subject Tests in May and June be cut off?

International SAT and SAT Subject Tests Administration dates and deadlines can be found here.

Why do international students still get to take SAT Subject Tests through June, but U.S. students don’t?

Subject Tests are used internationally for a wider variety of purposes, such as advanced standing/placement at universities and local credential equivalences for entering colleges and/or as credentials for international students planning to study in some countries.

I’ve already taken SAT Subject Tests. Will colleges still accept those scores?

College Board has reached out to its member colleges, and they’ll decide whether and how to consider students’ Subject Test scores. Students should check colleges’ websites for the most up-to-date information on their application policies.

How long will score sending for SAT Subject Tests be an option?

Students can continue sending their Subject Test scores.

 

How can I show my skills in specific subject areas without the opportunity to take SAT Subject Tests?

College Board has continued to enrich and expand access to AP courses, which let students showcase their skills through challenging coursework. Many colleges already use AP course participation and exam scores as indicators of a student’s ability and interest in a particular subject area. And colleges also have access to information about student performance in key subject areas through their SAT scores, high school transcript, course selection, and other measures. Check directly with the colleges you plan to apply to for alternative ways to strengthen your applications.

 

Why is College Board discontinuing the optional SAT Essay?

College Board is adapting to respond to the changing needs of students and colleges. This change simply streamlines the process for students who have other, more relevant opportunities to show they can write an essay as part of the work they’re already doing on their path to college.

What should I do if I’m already registered for or was planning to take the optional SAT Essay?

Students can still take the optional SAT with Essay through the June 2021 administration. Check with the colleges you plan to apply to for their SAT Essay policy so you can decide whether taking the optional SAT Essay will be valuable to you. If you no longer want to take the optional Essay portion of your SAT, you can cancel in your online account, with no change fees, until the registration deadline. For information on how to add the Essay to your SAT registration, click here. visit collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/policies-requirements/changes.

 

Will colleges still consider Essay scores if I submit them?

Check with the colleges you’re interested in about their policies. If you take the SAT with Essay, colleges may consider your scores as part of their holistic review process. Students registered for the SAT with Essay can cancel the Essay portion if they choose to.

For more information on this development, please visit the official College Board websitehere.

Mock ACT/SAT Test Dates
with a Live Virtual Proctor 

 

VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following:

• ACT/SAT answer sheet

• ACT/SAT test booklet

• ACT/SAT essay prompt

• Four pages of lined paper

• Testing instructions

The ACT/SAT essay is optional. Students interested in taking the essay will continue with the test after the final multiple-choice section (ACT Science or SAT Math). Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.

Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee.

Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.

Mock ACT test dates:

January 30, 2021

February 27, 2021

March 27, 2021

April 10, 2021

May 8, 2021

Mock SAT test dates:

February 13, 2021

March 13, 2021

April 24, 2021

May 22, 2021

Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.

Learn more about our test prep program.

Find out how an academic coach can help.

Interested in pod tutoring? Contact us to learn more.

Mock Testing is the Best Prep

CONTACT US FOR A FREE PRACTICE TEST PACKET AND DIAGNOSTIC REPORT (VIEW SAMPLE STUDENT REPORTS: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, AND HSPT).

Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.

2020-2021 MOCK ACT/SAT TEST DATES  

AS OF AUGUST 2020, WE WILL BE PROCTORING TESTS VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 AM. UPON REGISTERING FOR A VIRTUAL MOCK TEST, YOU’LL RECEIVE A TEST PACKET VIA USPS MAIL.

PACKET INCLUDES:

• ACT/SAT ANSWER SHEET

• ACT/SAT TEST BOOKLET

• *ACT/SAT ESSAY PROMPT

• FOUR PAGES OF LINED PAPER

• TEST INSTRUCTIONS

  *THE ACT/SAT ESSAY IS OPTIONAL. STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TAKING THE ACT/SAT ESSAY WILL CONTINUE ON WITH THE TEST AFTER THE FINAL MULTIPLE-CHOICE SECTION (ACT SCIENCE OR SAT MATH).

PLEASE SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY DURING THE WEEK OF THE MOCK TEST. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS DURING REGISTRATION, SO THAT WE CAN MAIL YOU A TESTING PACKET.

ALL ACT/SAT TESTS WILL BE PROCTORED VIRTUALLY THROUGH LESSONSPACE. THE DAY BEFORE EACH TEST, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAILED LINK TO JOIN THE VIRTUALLY PROCTORED TEST. THE TEST INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE USED SHOULD A STUDENT LOSE CONNECTION TO THE TESTING LOBBY.

ACT

Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below. 

Mock ACT test dates:

• January 30, 2021

• February 27, 2021

• March 27, 2021

• April 10, 2021

• May 8, 2021

SAT

Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below.  :

Mock SAT test dates:

• January 16, 2021

• February 13, 2021

• March 6, 2021

• April 24, 2021

• May 22, 2021

We also offer one-to-one mock testing at our offices. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils. 

We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail. 

Mock ACT and SAT (Group Testing)

TESTS INCLUDE

ACT and SAT

$25 Registration Fee (1 Mock Test: ACT or SAT) Includes test scores comparison

Mock testing for the ACT and SAT, held in a group setting. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report and phone consultation. View sample student score reports: ACT and SAT. 

For the ACT and SAT, we will compare scores in order to determine which test is better for the student to take. See virtual mock test dates above for the 2020-2021 school year.

In-Office or In-Home Testing (One-To-One) 

TESTS INCLUDE 

ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT and SAT Subject Tests

$125 Standard Test (In-office)

$175 Special Accommodations (In-office)

FREE Parent Administration (In-home)

One-to-one testing at our offices or in-home testing proctored by a parent. A perfect fit for students that need to get acclimated to the test format, structure, and timing. This can help to relieve nervousness and anxiety. Parents have the option of administering the test to their child for free. They can also choose to drop their student off at our offices and we will administer the test to the student. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report from our testing software. View sample reports: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. An individual test scores comparison chart is provided for the ACT and SAT. 

Private Mock ACT Administration

Private Mock SAT Administration

Private Mock SSAT Administration

Private Mock ISEE Administration

Private Mock HSPT Administration

Private Mock ACT Administration - Extended Time

Private Mock SAT Administration - Extended Time

Private Mock HSPT Administration - Extended Time

Private Mock SSAT Administration - Extended Time

Private Mock ISEE Administration - Extended Time

9 Tips on Preparing Teens for Independence

We love our children. Yet, the goal for our teens is to become self-sustaining adults, who move out  of our house, and exude confidence and success without us. Right? With the academic curriculum  demands of the day, it is hard to prioritize additional skills and knowledge that ensure they have been  introduced to what matters the most—LIFE SKILLS.  

The fact is, many basic “adulting” concepts can be missing in our youth and we don’t always know  what our children don’t know. The easiest way to incorporate some life skills into daily activities is to have a  QOD (Question of the Day). Questioning allows review of life skill topics, in small doses, to ensure there  are no gaps. Then teaching or re-teaching, as needed, can occur. (Plus, you never know what other path of  knowledge these questions will take you on.) 

Turn the following 9 life skill topics into questions and get started on helping teens avoid frustration  for not knowing … 

1. Making Introductions

Most teens know that introducing oneself to someone involves a greeting, stating their name, and  ending with a pleasantry (e.g., Hi! My name is Beth Carey. So, nice to finally meet you). However, your teen  may not know the rule for introducing others is to always say the most important or higher-ranking  individual’s name first. (e.g., Dad, I would like you to meet my friend Emily).  

In the United States, good eye contact and a handshake would follow (or elbow bump currently)  and then “small talk” (polite conversation about unimportant matters). Small talk is not something that  comes naturally for any generation so don’t hesitate to practice this task. 

2. Reading an Analog Clock, a Ruler, and Telling Military Time

 You may chuckle here, but have you checked these skills with your teenager lately? Our digital  world has created a generation (or two) that cannot read a face clock, yet alone tell military time (like the  rest of the world). And ruler reading is good to the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 markings, but if you review 7/8ths or  3/32nds you could be surprised. Tackle each task on separate days. 

3. Ability to do Tasks related to General Home Life

• change a furnace filter

• change bed sheets & make a bed

• clean a bathroom, the kitchen, & a window (w/out smears)

• do laundry (include emptying lint filter)

• handle an overflowing toilet & use a plunger

• load and run dishwasher

• locate & turn off main water valve, locate main power breaker box & reset breakers o plan & make a meal

• set a table properly

• sew on a button

4. Dining Protocols

Most teens love eating, but they need etiquette knowledge beyond eating out of the drive-thru bag  to avoid embarrassment when eating with others (especially on special nights like proms and weddings).  Things like napkin placement, when to start eating, passing food guidelines, how to indicate when you are  finished with a meal, how to tip properly, and so on. 

5. Job Hunting

 Adolescents often want to work but get intimidated by the process. Making a list of job lead sources  (signs, company websites, employment agencies, school placement offices, etc.) and identifying interests and  skills a person has to offer an employer is a great way to start. Review rules for filling out an application, appropriate interviewing attire (hint: one step above company dress code), practice/plan for common  interview questions, and create a resume. Include skills for writing a thank you note after an interview. 

6. Writing Thank You Notes

 Notes for gifts, dinner engagements, condolence gestures, or any kindness shown to a person needs  to happen and ASAP, as you know. But does your adolescent know to include what they are thankful for  and a related piece of info to the note? Do they realize that electronic words of gratitude are better than  nothing, but handwritten notes are better? (Check their ability to address an envelope properly too.)  

7. Managing Money

 Start your kids on fiscal independence by helping them take control of their own money. Click here to read why every teen needs a bank account. A good and easy start is the Greenlight app. Discuss budgeting, banking, saving,  using Venmo/Paypal/Zelle, writing & cashing checks, balancing an account, and building good credit. After all, “You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you”—Dave Ramsey.  

8. Rules of Social Decorum when Online and Texting

 There are several guidelines to know under this topic, but the #1 rule for cell phone use is to step  away from others as no one wants to hear your conversation or watch you text.  

When it comes to online decorum, avoid personal, serious, and emotional topics … save those for  in person dialogue. 

9. Ability to do Tasks related to Car Maintenance

• fill car with gas & pay

• check tire pressure & change a tire

• add wiper fluid & change blades

• jump a dead car battery with cables

• check fluids

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We are here to support! As we handle the academics, this gives you time to ensure they are ready for “the world”. See our blog here for more info on tutoring and test prep during the pandemic.

Coronavirus and the College Search

High school seniors applying to college this fall face unique and, in some cases, challenging circumstances. But college consultant Jamie Gossels points out that there are also fundamental similarities to the “usual” process, along with some silver linings. Here Gossels gives the rundown of the college search during the coronavirus.

The Big Picture

What’s the same (as other years)? High school seniors are applying to college.

What’s Different? COVID-19

What to do?

Most important, students shouldn’t add stress by lamenting these unusual circumstances. They should focus on what they can control and remember that every applicant is facing similar restrictions with respect to spring semester grades, standardized testing, extracurricular activities, college visits, and more. College admissions will review every application holistically (considering all parts of the application) in the specific context of these limitations for each student. Admissions representatives also understand that students have faced emotional loss during this time and will review applications with grace, compassion, and humanity.

And now to specifics:

Standardized Testing

What’s the same? Not much! Some students have standardized test scores to report, but many do not.

What’s different? Many students have not had an opportunity to take an official SAT or ACT. Some students do have official scores from last fall or winter, but those scores might not represent their best abilities, as scores are likely to improve over time. But in response to the limited access to testing, just about every college is test optional (or test blind) this year.

What to do? If a student believes, based on practice tests, that their standardized test scores will positively impact their application, they should continue to try to take the test this fall, despite frustrations with last minute cancellations. However, students should not put their health at risk or travel unreasonably for this purpose. Take colleges at their word; when they say tests are optional, they mean it.

If students do have test scores, should they submit them? The guideline is that if the scores are above the national average for a given college, students should submit. These data are often available on the college’s website, and can also be found on the school’s common data set (search College X common data set).

The silver lining: Assuming students are able to take a standardized test, they have control over the role the scores play in their application. And if they haven’t taken one, they won’t be penalized.

Creating the College List

What’s the same? Students have to create a balanced list (with respect to admission likelihood) of colleges that are a good fit. Some colleges are looking for students to demonstrate interest/engagement. And some colleges encourage interviews.

What’s different? Most college campuses have been closed to in-person visits.

What to do? Use other resources to research colleges. Virtual college programming, while not the same as a live visit, can provide additional insights beyond tours and information sessions, such as student panels and academically oriented sessions. For colleges looking for demonstrated interest, these virtual visits “count” just as an in-person visit would. Students can also contact admissions representatives directly. Regional representatives are often identified on the college’s website; if not, questions can be directed to the general admissions office. Interviews are also now conducted virtually. For each college of interest, students should register online and/or follow via social media. Not only does this demonstrate interest, but the student is notified of events which could be of interest. Other resources for research include college websites and social media, college guidebooks and search websites, and personal connections. Check out the college LinkedIn page to learn more about student outcomes.

The silver lining: College visits, interviews, and admissions representatives are easily accessible for all.

Jamie Gossels is the owner and principal of JGossels College Consulting. Click here for more of her tips on navigating the college selection and application processes.

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Mock ACT/SAT Test Dates with a Live Virtual Proctor 

VHES offers online mock SAT and ACT tests Saturdays at 9:00 am through Lessonspace, a teaching platform that enables our proctors to oversee virtual exams and gauge students' test readiness. Upon registering for mock tests, students will receive a test packet in the mail that includes the following: 

• ACT/SAT answer sheet

• ACT/SAT test booklet 

• ACT/SAT essay prompt 

• Four pages of lined paper 

• Testing instructions     

The ACT/SAT essay is optional. Students interested in taking the essay will continue with the test after the final multiple-choice section (ACT Science or SAT Math). Please sign up no later than Monday during the week of the mock test. The day before each test, students will receive an emailed link to join the virtually proctored test.

Upon completion of the test, parents and students receive a 9-page diagnostic report showing how the student is performing in each dimension of the SAT or ACT. This detailed report is used to establish a baseline score, is the basis for test-prep planning, and is instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. See what our baseline test reports look like: ACT and SAT. There is a $25 test registration fee. 

Register for a mock test by clicking on a specific test date below.

Mock ACT test dates:

October 24, 2020

November 21, 2020

December 5, 2020

January 30, 2021

February 27, 2021

March 27, 2021

April 10, 2021

May 8, 2021

Mock SAT test dates:

November 7, 2020

December 19, 2020

January 16, 2021

February 13, 2021

March 13, 2021

April 24, 2021

May 22, 2021

Visit our Mock Testing page to learn more.