Master the SAT Prep Class

On October 23-24, I will be teaching another Master the SAT prep class in the Cumming area.  Here are just a few testimonies from North Georgia families who have experienced this class.  Class information can be found on the right sidebar.

"CPG gave me the tools and strategies which, accompanied by plenty of test practice, enabled me to increase my PSAT score by 36 points from sophomore to junior year, hopefully qualifying me for National Merit Semifinalist....stay tuned!" --Katherine C., Cumming, Georgia

“College Prep Genius equipped me with the tools and experience to significantly raise my SAT score. Learning the ins and outs of the test helped me to feel more confident and prepared on test day. I raised my score 200 points, and based on just that score I've been offered over $19,000 in scholarship money! It takes time and dedication, but the reward is well worth it” Savannah W., Cumming, Georgia

“Our family highly recommends College Prep Genius in SAT test preparation. Our daughter sat for the SAT at the beginning of her junior year and made a respectable score, but she still did not feel that the score represented her full potential. Then we discovered College Prep Genius mid-semester and she attended the weekend course. We were so impressed with the presentation of the information, the study materials, and the helpfulness of the instructor. Our daughter sat for the test again at the end of the semester, after using this wonderful study tool, and raised her SAT score over 300 points. She attributes this wonderful bump in scores directly to the strategies she learned through College Prep Genius. We are thrilled with the results and looking forward to filling out those college applications!” Kristy C., Alpharetta, GA

"I finally could see the logic behind the math questions! I completed them much more quickly and even had time to check my work." (Quote from my daughter after taking the SAT using tools taught in College Prep Genius)

"WARNING – THIS IS A SHAMELESS ENDORSEMENT FOR COLLEGE PREP GENIUS! We used this program for Alyce and she will be going to Berea College in Berea, KY on a full-tuition, 4-year scholarship worth $120,000. What a great investment this was for us!! For the program to work you must work the program. It does take time and effort beyond the seminar but it is worth every minute." Julie H., Cumming, Georgia

“The CPG workshop and curriculum have been wonderful for us. My Sophomore son's SAT score has jumped over 300 points in the three-quarters of a year we have been working the program since attending the workshop. I admit that we have not been as diligent as we could have been (both mother and son). We have a plan in place now to completely work the program to try to squeeze out another 200 points. We are both confident this will be possible now that we know what is required of us.” Jean G., Cumming, Georgia

I hope you can join us for this amazing workshop!  College Prep Genius worked for my kids who are now in college on generous scholarship offers.  I know the program can work for your family, too!

Exciting Dual Enrollment Changes!!

With the passing of Senate Bill 132, dual enrollment is now even more affordable and accessible for home school students!  Beginning in the fall of 2015, state funds will be available under the Move on When Ready (MOWR) program for home school students seeking dual enrollment.  Below are the most significant changes that affect home school students:

1.  9^th-12^th grade home schooled students are eligible for dual enrollment through the MOWR program.

2.  MOWR funds will pay for tuition, books and institutional fees at private, public and technical colleges in Georgia.  In some cases, MOWR will also cover transportation expenses to and from the college or university. 

3.  MOWR funds will pay for core classes in English, Math, Science, Social Science and Foreign Language.

4.  MOWR funds will also pay for elective courses such as fine art, accounting, PE, engineering, business and computer science, just to name a few.  Course offerings at technical colleges are quite extensive including most trades and careers.  Checkout the full course directory on the Georgia Student Finance Commission website at:  https://www.gsfc.org/secure/dsp_accel_course_listings.cfm. 

5.  MOWR funds will cover courses taken during fall, spring and now summer semesters.  Funds will also cover mini-semesters during winter breaks.

6.  Funds received and hours earned DO NOT impact future HOPE eligibility in any way.

7.  Courses can be taken at two institutions at the same time.

8.  High school credit must be awarded pursuant to the regulations in this manner:

I.   One to two semester credit hours = .5 high school credit

ii.  Three to five semester credit hours = 1 high school credit

iii. One to three quarter credit hours = .5 high school credit

iv. Four to eight quarter credit hours = 1 high school credit

9.  A student who has received a diploma, GED or who has fulfilled all high school graduation or home study completion requirements is not eligible for MOWR funds. 

The procedure to apply for MOWR funds is very simple.

1.  Parent completes the Participant Agreement as a home study program.

2.  Student completes the college application and pays the application fee as set by the institution.

3.  Student completes the applicable MOWR application.

4.  Student registers for classes.

5.  Funds are sent directly to the college.

These changes are very exciting for the home school community!  More choices and more funding make dual enrollment even more attractive for home school students.  If you need help incorporating dual enrollment into your high school plan, just let me know.  I offer a two hour consultation after which you’ll have a complete high school plan tailored to the unique gifts and talents of your teen.  You’ll also have a professional transcript complete with your student’s high school work to date.  Even more importantly, you’ll walk away encouraged and strengthened to finish the high school years strong and confident!

I'm also offering my High School 101 workshop in Cumming on August 29.  We'll cover transcripts, accreditation, early college, scholarships and college admission.  You'll receive a binder with over 200+ forms and a DVD which includes course descriptions and transcript templates.  Click the sidebar for all the details!

Christine Torre

678-778-7094

New PSAT Practice Test

Last year the College Board, creators of both the SAT and PSAT, announced plans to redesign both standardized tests.  The new PSAT test has finally arrived; you can download a full practice test and answers from the links in the right sidebar.  

Because both the SAT and PSAT are created by the same publisher, the test format is identical.  When a student is studying for one test he/she is actually studying for both tests!  There’s no doubt the students who score the highest on these tests are the students who have been studying months, even years! 

On April 30 and May 1 I’ll be teaching a PSAT/SAT prep class in Cumming designed for students who will sit for the PSAT and SAT this October.  This class includes lesson plans which lay out three distinct summer test prep study schedules.  Register for this class using the icon in the right sidebar.   

What is the PSAT?

The PSAT/NMSQT is actually the ONLY exam used to qualify high school juniors as National Merit Scholars.  Each year approximately 8,000 American students are selected as National Merit Scholars based on their PSAT score.  These students receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in unsolicited scholarship opportunities from colleges and universities across the United States.  These scholarships often include full tuition, free room and board, paid meal plans, books, study abroad stipends; the list is endless!

Who should take the PSAT?

The highest possible score on the PSAT is 240.  Students in Georgia need to score between a 214 and 218 to be competitive for the National Merit Scholarship.  Students can take the PSAT for practice in 9^th and 10^th grades; however, the score does not count toward the National Merit Scholarship competition until the student sits for the exam as a junior.  It is a good idea to begin taking the PSAT as early as 9^th grade to get an idea of how much practice is needed to reach the qualifying score.

Can you prepare for the PSAT?

Although the PSAT is a very important test, most students go in unprepared.  The PSAT is a test of reasoning and logic; unlike any test most students will take during their high school years.  The students who score the highest on the PSAT are those who have practiced using retired PSAT or SAT tests.  The PSAT is similar to the SAT in that it covers critical reading, math and writing.  The PSAT does NOT, however, include algebra II.  If a student begins an SAT prep program as early as 8^th or 9^th grade, he/she should score very well on the PSAT.  Even preparing in 10^th grade can yield huge score increases. 

Happy studying. . . 

Christine

FREE Economics Summer Seminar

The hours your teen spends in this seminar can count toward an economics high school credit.  

Attention Teens! There is an amazing opportunity for students ages 14-17 to attend a 3-Day Economics Summer Seminar at various colleges and cities throughout the nation at no charge to participants. There are two seminars at Berry College in Rome,GA (just outside Atlanta) as well as in 1 in Austin,TX and 2 in Orange, CA. Students will stay in dormitories and all meals are included. *Travel scholarships are available. Topics include Real-World Economics, Technology/Innovation, Sports, Entrepreneurship, and Community/Leadership. The sooner you apply the better chance you have at getting in. Entry deadline is March 31, 2015. For more information or to apply, go to http://fee.org/seminars/program/young-thinkers  Additional seminars are available for students ages 18-26. See http://fee.org/seminars/  for details.

14 Tips for Successful Dual Enrollment

Thank you for attending the 4th Annual Dual Enrollment Expo.  If you missed the event, you missed an incredibly valuable information exchange!  I shared 14 Tips for successful dual enrollment based on our experience with three kids in dual enrollment!  You can download the 14 tips here:
14 Tips for Successful Dual Enrollment.

DE-Clearing the Confusion

When we were considering dual enrollment, we were very hesitant to enroll our first child because of rumors we had heard.  A great deal of misinformation surrounds dual enrollment; in this post I hope to put your mind at ease and clear up the most common misconceptions.

Myth:  Joint enrollment and dual enrollment are synonymous terms.

Dual enrollment means a student is taking a college course for both college credit and high school credit.  A dual enrolled student taking a semester of College Algebra receives 3 college math credits and one high school math credit for the course.  Joint enrollment means a high school student is taking college courses and earning college credit.  The student is working on a college diploma, typically a technical diploma or certification, while earning a high school diploma at the same time.    

Myth:  A student taking a gap year can dual enroll.

If a student plans to take a gap year after high school graduation, that student is no longer eligible for dual enrollment.  By definition, dual enrollment means taking courses for high school credit and college credit simultaneously.  A student who has received a high school diploma or participated in a graduation ceremony has graduated and is no longer considered a high school student.

Myth:  AP courses look better on a transcript than dual enrollment courses.

Advance Placement courses are typically accelerated high school courses taught by high school instructors.  Dual enrollment classes are college level courses taught by college instructors.  AP classes tend to require significant time and expense over the course of a full year.  Dual enrollment courses tend to be less expensive and span only 8-16 weeks.  Both AP and dual enrollment show the student is capable of challenging work and both validate high school coursework.  

Myth:  Courses taken in dual enrollment are not transferable to another college.

If dual enrollment courses are taken at a regionally accredited institution, those credits should be fully transferable to another regionally accredited college.  Be careful, just because the credits transfer that doesn't mean the courses will count toward your student's major.  These are questions to ask the registrar's office before committing to attend the college where the degree will be earned.  

Myth:  Grades earned in dual enrollment will automatically transfer.

Grades and GPA's earned in dual enrollment are used to determine competitiveness for admission when transferring into another college.  The credits earned in the dual enrollment course are likely to transfer, however, the grades and GPA may not.  Always check with the school where the degree will ultimately be earned to confirm the institution's specific transfer rules.  These are usually found in the school catalog under "Transfer Credit Policies."

Myth:  My student must have an SAT or ACT score to dual enroll.

There are ways to enroll your teen in early college without an SAT or ACT test score.  Local technical colleges and some junior colleges will administer the ASSET or COMPASS test in place of an SAT or ACT test score.  There are a few small private colleges that do not require any type of test score prior to dual enrollment.  Check with the college admissions office for the most recent test score requirements and admission policies.

Dual enrollment is a wonderful opportunity for your teen to experience college level work while still under the umbrella of home.  The application process is quite simple and the college counselors  are extremely helpful.    Start exploring and asking questions, you'll be glad you did!

Is My Teen Ready for Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment courses provide significant opportunities for high school students.  Many high school students are ready for their first college experience earlier than their parents think.  If you’re on the fence about dual enrollment, here are a few questions to ponder before filling out that first college application:

•  Is my student academically prepared?  Your student should have at least two years of the following core high school subjects completed before considering dual enrollment:  English, Science, Social Science and Math.  College subjects in these core areas assume a minimum of two years experience at the high school level and build off of that high school experience.
• Is my student physically prepared for college?  Many parents overlook physical preparedness when considering early college options.  Teens reach physical adulthood at various ages; some are still relatively undeveloped into their late teen years.  A teen who has not reached physical maturity may feel intimidated in a classroom with students much larger, stronger and physically mature.
•  Is my student well grounded? The successful student is emotionally and spiritually ready for college-level demands and responsibilities. College requires hard work, and professors can be demanding! Students also must be confident in their faith and discerning enough to participate in adult-level discussions. Parents obviously need to carefully evaluate course content and the teacher’s worldview. Good kids are often led astray when they are influenced by the worldview of college role models.
• Is my student determined to be successful? Entering into the college learning environment requires the successful student to overcome many challenges. At times students may doubt they can truly succeed in the college setting.  The average student requires three full college semesters to fully acclimate to the college routine and achieve the confidence necessary for a successful college career.  
• Is my student an independent learner?  Independence is also a critical component of success for the high school student.  College work is solely the student’s responsibility; parents become coaches, encouragers and tutors rather than teachers.  The high school student who can independently complete high school work on a daily basis is a good candidate for early college.   

Before considering dual enrollment, carefully examine whether your teen has demonstrated the wisdom, determination and maturity to be successful in the college environment. Don’t just look at academic preparedness, make sure your student is also emotionally, spiritually and physically prepared as well.  Early college courses do become part of your child's permanent educational record, so prayerfully consider your decision and let your teen be part of the decision making process!  The well prepared student will sail through that first college experience with confidence and excitement and walk away ready to tackle another college semester!  

Seven Tips to Save Money on College Books

It’s that time of year- the Christmas tree is down, the decorations stored and your college kids are headed back to school.  Whether it’s full time college or dual enrollment, textbooks are essential and expensive!  According to the College Board, the average student at a four-year public college will spend about $600 per semester in books and related supplies.  OUCH!!

Most college students just head to the campus bookstore to pick up their books for the semester.  Doing this is easy, however, it’s really pricy!  Campus bookstores charge a premium because they know they have a captive audience.  We’ve been buying and selling college textbooks since 2012 and our family has been able to reduce textbook spending by 50-75%; my husband is thrilled!  You, too, can cut college spending this semester with these 7 easy tips: 

1.  As soon as finals are over, sell your books.  I prefer Amazon for selling books; the site has a large buying audience, fees are only 15% and shipping is automatically included in the price.  I also like the ease with which I can print postage, put the label on the envelope and put the package in my own mailbox.  Most of the time, I make a few dollars extra on the postage and it only takes about 5 minutes to process the order.   

2.  Price your books to sell.  I typically look at the lowest price and undercut it by at least a dollar or two.  Keep an eye on the lowest price and adjust your price accordingly.  College students are looking for the best deal and the lowest price typically comes up first when a student is shopping for books. 

3.  Buy your books used.  I look for a book that advertises “clean copy.”  A clean copy is worth more when you resell it at the end of the semester.  There is also a much higher demand for books that are free of writing and highlighting.   Many college courses today require an online software component that requires a unique code.  Buying these codes used is risky and I don’t recommend it.

4.  Buy your books on Amazon.  Again, I prefer Amazon for the ease of listing the book later.  When the semester is over, simply locate the purchase order for the book, click the title and then the link that asks “Have one to sell?”  The listing is automatically generated and you’re ready to list the book in a matter of seconds.  I don’t sell the book back to Amazon, but rather in the marketplace as I can generally get a higher price than what Amazon is willing to pay.

5.  Know what books to save.  Some textbooks will become reference books, especially books for your teen’s college major.  Some colleges require either a written or oral comprehensive exit or professional exam prior to awarding a college degree.  Know this in advance and know which books should be saved to study for such an exam later.

6.  Rent textbooks when necessary.  Sometimes a book is just too expensive for your family budget.  Math, science and engineering books tend to be the most expensive with price tags between $300 and $400.  If you’re not in a position to lay out that much cash, rent the book.  Textbooks can be rented for about one-fourth the new book sticker price.  It’s a good idea to check the used market first to see if buying new and reselling later might be a cheaper option.  I like renting from Chegg, books come quickly and a return box and shipping label are included.

7.  Save your receipts.  Expenses for books, supplies and fees may be tax deductible.  Consult your accountant to see if this applies to your tax situation.

After reading my tips, you may be asking yourself if the time invested in buying and selling textbooks really pays off.  I wanted to give you a few examples of the cost savings we’ve seen in our family.

Book	Our Purchase Price	We Sold For	Cost to Us
College Algebra	$59.93	$50.94	$8.99
Calculus for Engineers	$93.99	$129.14	$0 we made $35.15
Chemistry	$217.66 (new)	$146.14	$71.52
Computer Science	$88.74 (new)	$61.14	$27.60
Topics in Mathematics	$37.77	$60.63	$0 we made $22.86

Overall, the 5 textbooks listed above only cost us a total of $50 or an average of $10 per text. I’ll let you be the judge; does actively buying and selling textbooks pay off?  Give it a try this semester and see for yourself!