What Chemicals In The Air Affect Your Hair?

What Chemicals In The Air Affect Your Hair?Chemicals in the air can have an effect on the way that a person's hair looks. If you want to keep your hair looking its best, then you need to take a look at what is going on with your hair chemistry. The quality of your hair depends on the chemicals in the air that you are breathing in.Air is full of chemicals and some of them are carcinogenic and these can cause cancer when inhaled into the lungs. However, some of these chemicals are actually good for the human body. Some of these are good for the hair as well. These hair products also are beneficial to the health of the hair.Some of the chemicals can help to repair damage that may be caused by damage to the hair or scalp as a result of hair loss. These chemicals can help to repair and re-grow hair that has been damaged and balding. You want to look for products that contain these ingredients in order to get the results that you want.To keep your skin's pH in check, you need to be sure th at you are keeping the right levels of the chemical in your air. When you have the wrong levels of chemicals in the air, they can trigger the reaction that causes the skin to become irritated and itchy. This can result in breakouts that look like acne.One of the symptoms of skin problems is dryness. Dry skin is something that is common in people who live in areas where there is a lot of dust and pollution. However, you can avoid dry skin by doing a little bit of homework before you head out into the world.When you have too much air that is too humid, your skin will suffer from dryness. This is why it is important to make sure that your air smells good. You donot want to breathe in the chemicals and this can have an effect on the way that your skin looks.Make sure that you are washing your hair regularly in order to keep the air from being so much too moist. Also, make sure that you are using hair conditioners on a regular basis. The chemicals in these products can help to improve th e level of chemical in the air.When you are taking care of your hair, make sure that you are maintaining the right chemical levels in the air. This will help to keep your hair looking and feeling great. It is just a matter of knowing how to control the environment that you are in.

The Design Secrets Behind Stand-Out Resumes

The Design Secrets Behind Stand-Out Resumes Anatomy of a Winning Resume, courtesy of Mashable.com According the  TheLadders  study, researchers also found, through methods involving eye-tracking and gaze-tracking techniques, that employers spent roughly 80 percent of their gaze time on the following sections: Name Current title/company Previous title/company Previous position start and end dates Current position start and end dates Education The study included that beyond these points, employers merely scanned for keywords relating to the position being applied for. This is why the organization and layout of your resume is of the utmost importance. As we can gather from the points above, employers search foremost for your previous experience in their industry, so you should be sure to put this at the head of your resume referred to as reverse chronological order beneath your name and contact information. You may be wondering about the overview section, commonly seen as the descriptive paragraph listed before anything else on your resume. Many are now considering the overview optional due to the fact that some experts believe employers rarely take the time to read it and that it takes up valuable space. Those in favor of ditching it say to replace it with an executive summary, which is essentially the 30-second elevator pitch on paper. Its typically three to five sentences long and states who you are and what youre looking for, therefore saving your potential employer time and saving you space another important element of design. Stephen Provenzano, author of Top Secret Executive Resumes,  mentioned in his book the importance of incorporating white space throughout the resume, writing white space gives readers a break and helps them quickly scan the page for key points. I usually indent (tab) after each bullet, he wrote. This use of bullets draws the readers eye in and gives your resume an organized feel, similar to a list. However, be sure to break up bullet points with summaries of your experiences, so the entire resume doesnt just read like a long list. Font and size As you can see throughout this article, Ive listed titles in bold and italicized important points, creating clear distinctions as to where my writing is guiding you; the same methods should be applied to your resume. Provenzano again gives us clear instructions for using these elements: Use frills such as boldfacing, underlining, italics, bullets or dashes for emphasis, but not on every line. They quickly lose their impact when overused. They should be used only to make major points stand out or to set items apart and break up type. Avoid using all the elements boldfacing, underlining and italics on the same line of type. Choose a combination of any two. Along with this, knowing the impact of certain typefaces and fonts and how to combine them to create an aesthetically pleasing resume is essential. Adam Dachis, in A Non-Designers Guide to Typefaces and Layout, explains that the majority of resume writers will most likely only be making a decision between serif or sans-serif fonts. Photo by williamcromar via Flickr. As pictured above, serif fonts contain tiny flourishes on the ends of letters, and as Dachis wrote, resemble the look of a typewriter. Serif is easy to read and is often viewed as proper, conservative and traditional. Sans-serif, literally meaning without serif, lacks the letter flourishes and is considered a modern, minimalistic typeface which is, in essence, aesthetically appealing. Keep these styles in mind and compare them to the style of the company youre applying to for example, most newspapers go the conservative route and print in a serif typeface, while more modern design firms (or if youre applying as a graphic designer) can utilize a modern sans-serif alternative. Purdue Owls Online Writing Lab also reminds us that, like the use of boldfacing and italicizing, we should be careful with how we use typefaces. The key to using fonts in your résumé is to be consistent, the site stated.  For example, if you decide to use a sans-serif font for a main heading, do so for all your headings, and use the same sans-serif font each time generally, you should use no more than two fonts in your résumé.   Color The use of color in resumes largely depends on the company and type of position youre applying for. Design positions typically allow for unlimited creative freedom regarding resumes, which includes a well-designed color scheme. However, if your resume is in a field not involving advertising, design or anything art related, the recommendation is to always stick with a black-and-white color scheme. This doesnt mean your entire resume has to be one bland shade of black, however; with the use of boldfacing and gray hues, you can still highlight noteworthy areas without painting them in color. Consistency Amanda Augustine, career expert at TheLadders,  recommended in an article for Business Insider, to keep your resume consistent with your online identity and to always put a link to your online profile with your contact information. Along with this, she suggested that if you have a common name, consider including your middle initial on your resume and online professional profiles to differentiate yourself from the competition. For example, decide if youre Mike Johnson, Michael Johnson, or Mike E. Johnson, she said. Then use this name consistently, be it on LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook. Structuring your resume in a visually appealing, easy-to-read format with differing font styles may not seem like a big deal, but its a commonly overlooked aspect of the job search. Think of it this way: during those six seconds of fame we spoke about earlier, do you want to be seen by your employer in a t-shirt and torn jeans or in a custom-tailored suit with a pair of eye-catching cufflinks?

The Advantages of Middle School Chemistry Tutor

The Advantages of Middle School Chemistry TutorAt Fairfield, Connecticut there are two high schools that offer high school coursework for teens: Clements High School and Enfield Valley High School. These two high schools are the smaller of the two.Clements High School is located in Fairfield, a small town in northwest Connecticut. Clements has a population of about 6500 and it is very different from Fairfield in a lot of ways.The schools in Clements offer science and math classes, but also other subjects. Clements is known for having a great football team and it is considered to be one of the more athletic towns in Connecticut. The town plays host to the Cupid High School football team that is one of the top high school teams in Connecticut.Clements High School is also known for its diversity because it has wide ranging students. Clements has a large number of international students, many of whom are athletes who play both sports and academically.The Fairfield High School has a popul ation of about 2250. It is smaller than Clements and it is smaller because Fairfield has a larger number of International students who come from all over the world to attend Fairfield University. There are a number of foreign exchange students who come to the university to learn English.A science and math class that are offered at Fairfield University have educational opportunities for students. This is one of the reasons that Clements and Fairfield are thought to be comparable in a lot of ways.Middle school student chemistry tutor needs to find a middle school in their area that will allow them to take courses at the high school level. It is often hard to find schools that allow such things, but there are several good schools that do allow such things. The best part about this kind of middle school is that if you want to continue your education after middle school, you can do so in high school.

What You Should Know About Fad Chemistry

What You Should Know About Fad ChemistryFad Chemistry is a company that markets healthy supplements made with a very small amount of chemical additives. Some of the ingredients are the minerals necessary for a healthy body, and other elements that assist in liver detoxification. What sets this product apart from its competitors is that the results are true health benefits. You will experience a host of physical, mental, and emotional benefits from taking a supplement such as this.While this is the primary company that produced the supplement, it is not the only manufacturer. There are numerous other manufacturers that produce similar products. One company, Natural Health Limited, is a privately owned company located in New Zealand. This company produces a three-product line, which includes vitamins, herbs, and other healthy products.Other companies sell these natural products as well. The company that is responsible for the supplement's availability, the online supplement manufacture r known as Body by Nature, provides some excellent customer service and a quick turnaround time.I ordered a free sample and received one of my free samples. In the box, I found a booklet that contains details about fad chemistry. Included in the booklet is an eight page guide that explains how the supplement works. It also provides a list of ingredients that can help boost your immune system, provide energy, and boost brain function.This particular study suggests that you will get more benefits when you drink green tea instead of coffee. These health benefits include better energy, faster reaction times, and increased moods. To get the most out of this product, you need to drink at least eight cups per day.In addition to these physical reactions, you may notice that you have increased sexual stamina, increased energy, and more energy throughout the day. The taste is quite pleasant, and you may feel like you are truly taking advantage offad chemistry. As a matter of fact, this produc t will make a great gift for your partner or family member.Buying vitamins and supplements is a necessity if you want to live a healthy lifestyle. You don't have to spend a lot of money on the products you need. Fad Chemistry makes a wide variety of healthy products, and all you have to do is order a sample. This company does a great job of supplying the right blend of healthy products that will help you meet your goals.

Organelles in a Cell Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace

Organelles in a Cell Online Biology Tutors Tutorpace Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living organism.Cell consists of many cell organelles. The part of a cell which has a definite shape, structure and function is called an organelle. Cell wall is a semi rigid permeable membrane composed of complex polysaccharide called cellulose. It gives strength and rigidity to the cell, allows free passage of substances through it.Allows free passage of substances through it. Cell membrane is differentially permeable two layered membrane composed of fats and proteins. It regulates the entry and exit of substances in and out of the cell. Endoplasmic reticulum is a network of tubular membrane. If ribosomes are present on them they are rough and if it is absent it is smooth. They provide a pathway for distribution of nucleus nuclear material and provide supporting skeletal frame work of the cell. Ribosomes are single walled dense spherical bodies composed mainly of RNA. Occurs freely in the matrix or attached to endoplasmic reticulum.It is the site for protein synthesis Mitochondria are double walled, inner membrane thrown into folds called cristae. They release energy and synthesize respiratory enzyme .Golgi apparatus consists of tubules, vesicles and vacuoles. They secrete enzymes and hormones Lysosomes are sac like vesicles which help in the synthesis of digestive enzymes, provide energy during cell starvation. Centrioles are micro tubular structures found in small clear area of the cytoplasm called centrosome. They initiates cell division. Nucleus- It is the brain of the cell living certain dense bodies called nucleoli and a network of thread like structures called chromatin which contains the DNA. They regulates growth and reproduction of cells, Chromosomes in nucleus bears hereditary materials and Nucleolus stores proteinsVacuoles are fluid filled spaces enclosed by membrane.

Everything You Need to Know About CLEP Exams

Everything You Need to Know About CLEP Exams Many students, especially those who return to school later in life, have ample work experience and career-related education, but no college credits to show for it. The same is often true of students who have completed coursework in an alternative or informal environment. Luckily, colleges are becoming increasingly aware of and sensitive to the needs of students who would benefit from alternative ways of earning credit toward their degrees. The CLEPexams are one such method for doing so. What are CLEP exams? CLEP, also known as the College-Level Examination Program, administers exams that students can take in order to earn college credit. CLEP exams assess knowledge in various content areas, and they are accepted at nearly 3,000 colleges and universities. Currently, there are 33 CLEP tests offered. These exams test students on material that is normally presented in introductory-level classes (i.e. those courses generally taken during your first two years of college). They are not available for upper-division coursework. The value of each test ranges from three to twelve credits. Will my school accept my CLEP results? Acceptance of CLEP exams (and their associated course credit) varies from college to college. Some aspects that differ between colleges are the particular tests accepted, the cut-off score for receiving credit, and the maximum number of CLEP credits that you can claim. If you are considering taking a CLEP exam, contact your institution to learn about its exact policy. How should I study for CLEP exams? If you plan to take a CLEP exam, know that there are a number of resources available that can help you do your best. The CLEP website offers practice questions in each subject area, as well as descriptions of each exam. You can also complete CLEP online practice tests or work with a CLEP tutor. CLEP exams consist predominantly of multiple-choice questions. You will not be penalized for incorrect answers, so try to make educated guesses. You should also try to answer all questions on the test. Before you sit for a CLEP exam, it may benefit you to review basic test-taking skills, such as time management. CLEP tests are timed, and they generally last about 90 minutes. Thus, be sure that any practice exams you complete are timed to ensure you are practicing under genuine testing conditions. This is a helpful guide on how to analyze practice test results. What are the benefits of CLEP exams? There are many benefits associated with taking CLEP tests. By receiving CLEP credit, for example, you can reduce the amount of time you spend pursuing your degree. Earning CLEP credits can also increase the likelihood that you graduate on time or early. In addition, it may reduce the overall cost of your education. CLEP exams are particularly helpful for students who are pressed for time, plan to double major, or have previous experience in a given area. In short, CLEP exams are a terrific way to earn college credit. If you are interested in taking a CLEP exam, speak to your college or high school adviser, or speak with CLEP itself. Contact information is available through the CLEP website.

Budgeting for Beijing

Budgeting for Beijing How Much Does it Cost to Visit Beijing? ChaptersHow Can You Find Cheap Flights to Beijing from the UK?Unavoidable Expenses when Travelling to BeijingThe Cost of Transport in BeijingThe Cost of Tourist Attractions in Beijing“If you expect great things of yourself and demand little of others, you’ll keep resentment far away.” - ConfuciusWhether you’ve visited Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, and Taiwan or not, there’s always China’s capital city, Beijing, which literally means the capital of the north.  China’s capital city is home to 21.54 million people, has a metropolitan area 4 times the size of New York, and has over 5 million cars driving around it.For two people on a modest budget, you can expect to pay around £35 per day per person for accommodation, £15 each day eating in restaurants, and £300- £400 for return flights from the UK (if you travel at the right time), and £200 for high speed trains if you decide to travel elsewhere in the country (Beijing-Xi’an, Xi’an-Shanghai, Shanghai-Guangzhou).H ere’s how much you can expect to pay for a short stay in Beijing?In this article, we'll look at how you can find cheap flights, the expenditures you won't be able to avoid, the cost of transport around Beijing, and how much you can expect to spend on tourist attractions.Learn Mandarin London from this trusted site. NingChinese Teacher 5.00 (10) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LorraineChinese Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YuweiChinese Teacher 4.33 (6) £19/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoyceChinese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicoleChinese Teacher £60/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors KatyChinese Teacher £16/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YangChinese Teacher £18/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChengChinese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Can You Find Cheap Flights to Beijing from the UK?Are you interested in Chinese culture, history, food, or just the c ountry itself?You best get to comparing the costs of flights then...If you travel at the right time, getting to China doesn't cost a fortune. (Source: Free-Photos)The first thing you need to consider when travelling to Beijing on a budget is the cost of flights:From which airports can you travel to Beijing on a budget?Which airlines offer the best prices?How much are domestic flights once you get to China?If you’re flexible on dates, retired, freelancer, or having a sabbatical, get yourself on Skyscanner and find when the cheapest flights to Beijing are.Of course, Skyscanner isn’t the only site. There’s also Momondo and plenty of sites for comparing the prices of hotels in Beijing.The People's Republic of China is made up of 23 provinces, 4 municipalities, 5 autonomous regions, and two special administrative regions: Beijing is one of the municipalities and even though the cost of living in China is quite low, the capital isn’t cheap.On Skyscanner, you can find return flight s for as little as £300.  You can also check out Holiday Pirates for cheap deals.  The comparison site Momondo also has cheap flights to Beijing in the low season.Once you get to China, you might need to get internal flights. A flight from Beijing to Canton will cost around £280 in August, £100 to get to Nanjing, £160 Guilin, and £120 for Shanghai.Unavoidable Expenses when Travelling to BeijingWhen we say “unavoidable expenses”, we’re talking about things that you’re definitely going to have to pay for.Given the size of Beijing, there's no lack of accommodation. (Source: zhjsun)In this case, we’re referring to food and accommodation.Staying in Beijing can cost a lot and accommodation can cost between £500 and £2000 for a month in the city centre.  Of course, this is for longer stays (working or studying abroad, for example) and this price will vary depending on how close you are to the city centre and the comforts you can afford.  For short stays, you can find inter active maps on Airbnb and HomeAway, for example. After all, Beijing is huge.In some cases, any money saved on accommodation will be lost on public transport.Prices can vary massively. For example, you can find youth hostels (with beds in dormitories) for £15- £20 per night and private holiday flats costing between £200 and £300 a night!Don’t forget that accommodation in the very centre of Beijing is quite expensive.  For short stays, you can get accommodation in the Sanlitun neighbourhood and there are plenty of amenities such as hotels, guest houses, bars, restaurants, and modern shopping centres.Accommodation costs between £40 and £60 up to £100 per day for two people.  This means you’ll be paying £20 to £30 each but it’s alright since your other expenses will be lower.When it comes to food, Beijing, like many of Asia’s biggest cities, is an open-air restaurant!  Jiumen Xiaochi and the Guije Street Night Market are some of the most popular places to eat authentic C hinese food in the city.You can eat for between £5 and £10 a day each. This would only add up to between £75 and £150 for a fortnight.The Cost of Transport in BeijingSince the Chinese capital is absolutely huge, you’re going to have to factor in the cost of transport.It’s a 30-minute walk from Tienanmen Square and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong to the old city and the Forbidden City.Bicycles are the quintessential way of travelling around China. (Source: 12019)How much you use public transport will also depend on your budget.  To go from one district to another, you can use the metro, bus, taxi, bike, or walk. Cycling and walking can be enjoyable but not during days where pollution is at its highest. While the Chinese government is trying to curb pollution, overpopulation and industrialisation are working against them.Find out more about Beijing's different districts.Between 5:10 and 23:40, you can take the metro’s 18 lines connecting 370 stations. Expect to pay between 3 and 9 Yuans (between £0.35 and £1.00) depending on the distance covered for one of the world’s cheapest metros.While buses only cost between 1 and 6 Yuans ( £0.12 and £0.70), traffic jams are common.There are 68,000 taxis in Beijing and hailing a cab isn’t difficult. It’ll cost you 10 Yuans for the first three kilometres and 2 Yuans for each kilometre after that. You’ll also be charged for standing time in traffic jams.Make sure you take official taxis with a meter and a licence.You’ll need between £250 and £350 per person if you plan on taking China’s high-speed trains. If you want to head to the centre of China, Sichuan, Tibet, Yunnan, Yangshuo, Tianjin, Suzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, or Shenzhen, trips in China are long and costly.In any case, avoid trying to travel during the Chinese New Year when it’ll be packed and expensive.Find out more about the best time to visit Beijing.The Cost of Tourist Attractions in BeijingOnce you get to Beijing, you can visit T iananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the ancient imperial city of the Ming and Qing dynasty, and plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The Great Wall of ChinaThe Jingâ€"Hang Grand CanalThe Summer PalaceThe Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing DynastiesThe site of Peking Man, dating between 730,000 and 300,000 ago.The Temple of HeavenThe imperial tombs of the Ming and Qing dynastiesThe Miaoying TempleIf you go to Beijing, you have to take the time to go visit the Great Wall of China. (Source: gmshtwjl)You can expect to pay between £150 and £600 for activities and between £150 and £400 for bars, nights out, etc.This is a budget based on two people spending a fortnight in China with:A visit to the Great Wall of China from Beijing: £50 each.Visiting tourist sites in Beijing: £35 per monument.Souvenirs, gifts, etc.: £1.50 per item.Buying items in upmarket stores: £25 per item.Packets of cigarettes: £10 per packet.Visiting a café or bar: £3.50 each.Other Chinese cities, such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc. tend to be cheaper than Beijing with the exception of Hong Kong and Shanghai. It all depends on your budget and what you do.Are you staying for a while?Make the most of your time in China by getting Mandarin Chinese lessons!  Before you go to China, consider getting private tutorials in Mandarin Chinese. On Superprof, there are three types of language tutorials available: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are bespoke lessons with one tutor and one student. As the only student in the class, this is the most cost-effective type of private tutorial. Your tutor can spend all their time focusing on you, rather than having their attention split between you and other students. In most cases, the tutor will travel to you.Online tutorials are similar with the main difference being that the private tutor isn't there with you in the room. Thanks to the internet and programmes such as Skype, you ca n learn Chinese from anywhere with a decent internet connection and from tutors from anywhere in the world. Your Chinese language tutor may even be in China! With no travel costs and fewer expenses, the tutor can pass their savings onto their students.Finally, group tutorials are closer to traditional lessons at school with multiple students and a single teacher. This is usually the cheapest type of tutorial since the cost of the tutor's time will be shared amongst all the students in attendance. If you and your family or friends are planning a trip to China, you could all get Chinese lessons together from a tutor before you go.Each type has its pros and cons so it's up to you and your budget to decide which type of private tutorials you want.

Ask an Admissions Expert Leah Beasley

Ask an Admissions Expert Leah Beasley Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Leah Beasley received her Bachelors degree from Tufts University, her Masters from the University of Michigan, and her Ph.D. from Michigan State. Having over a decade of experience in college admissions and high school college counseling, Leah is up to date on all of the most important trends and elements in this world. She has worked in many prestigious admissions offices including those at Harvard Universityand the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Leah has evaluated thousands of applications over the years and is now the President and Founder of Beasley College Consulting, her very own admissions counseling firm. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Leah: While a student may not actually begin to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) until applications come out the summer before senior year, students should begin thinking about their applications well beforehand. First, when visiting colleges it is important to take notes about the visit and begin thinking about why the college might be a good fit. In addition, beginning to brainstorm the personal statement that is required by the Common Application, as well as many other selective colleges, can begin in the junior year. Finally, putting together a list of all extracurricular activities, community service, and work experiences should happen well before a student ever begins an application. However, the best time to actually begin to fill out applications is the summer before senior year as soon as applications become available. This allows the student plenty of time to thoughtfully fill out the application well before any deadline. VT:What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Leah: It is important to remember that there is no right answer than an admissions officer is looking for in response to an essay questionthey simply want to find out a bit more about who you are as a student, person, family member, friend, etc. Think about what your preferences, values, personality traits and characteristics that make you who you are and write an essay that showcases one or two of these things. Just as you would write any other essay, its important to take time to brainstorm possible essay topics. Often times it may take several drafts of an essay to come up with the right one. After youve written a draft make sure that you have someone that knows you well, like a teacher, parent or counselor, read your essay. If you havent stayed true to yourself, such a person will know it. VT:Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Leah: As an admissions counselor as well as an independent counselor, Ive read thousands of college essays and Ive seen the good, the bad and the ugly. Here are a couple of tips when thinking about your essay: No topic is inherently a good or bad one. Admissions people want to discover something about you that they cannot learn from your transcript or test scores, so write about something that matters to you, not what you think they want to hear. While no topics are wrong, there are wrong approaches. In general, do not dwell on specific experiences, but on your perception of or reaction to those experiences. Some topics do need to be treated with great care, and should be avoided if you cannot do so. It is very difficult, for example, to write about personal tragedies or those that affect your community or the world. If you choose one of these subjects, be sure to focus less on the events than on how they affected youand never focus on just the negatives, be sure to note how youve overcome this adversity. If you are asserting a strong opinion on a sensitive political, social, or religious issue, you may also want to point out that you are open to the opinions of others. Try to avoid writing about privilege in your essay. VT:What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Leah: Not staying true to yourself. A close second is, for instance, if you are applying to Harvard and you state that, It has been my lifelong dream to attend Yale! VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Leah: Typically, the evaluation process of a students application varies based on the selectivity of the college. Some colleges simply rely on hard numbers to assess an applicants admissibility and review only grades, courses and test scores. On the other hand, at more selective institutions, a more holistic approach is taken. While admissions officers at highly selective institutions carefully review grades, courses, and test scores, other factors such as activities, leadership, essays, recommendation letters and interviews play an integral part of who will ultimately be offered admission. VT:What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Leah: The single most important thing a student should present is their authentic self in the application. What makes them tick, how do they think, what are they truly passionate aboutthese are the things that will shine through in an application and will make an admissions officer take notice. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Leah: Visiting college campuses in person can be one of the most helpful and important activities during your college search and application process to help you determine if a college is a good fit for you. Touring the campus, talking to current students/faculty and getting a feel for the environment are crucial in helping you to make the all important decision of where youll best fit. To schedule a college visit, simply call the admissions office at an institution and inquire into the times for tours, information sessions, and interviews. Also, check the websites for tour and information session times. These visits do not typically require an appointment, but occasionally they do, so call ahead (at least two weeks in advance of your visit). VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisions...With so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Leah: Deciding what type of application to submit is a very personal decisionand varies with each student. Some things to remember though if you are thinking about applying as an early decision applicant: Early decision simply means that you are submitting your application early (typically in Nov.-Dec.) of your senior year and will generally receive a decision in December. If you choose to apply early decision you may only apply to one college using this plan and, if accepted, you are bound to attend and must then contact any other colleges to which you apply to remove your applications from consideration. Therefore, I encourage students who use this option to do so carefullymake sure that you have visited the campus (more than once if possible) and can say that it is hands-down your #1 choice. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Leah: Essays? Grades? Test scores? Activities? What matters most when an admissions officer sits down to review your application for admission?I often get this question from families and many are surprised by the answer. So what matters most? According to the National Association of College Admissions Counselors2011State of College Admissionreport, the three most important factors (as rated by admissions officers surveyed across the country as considerably important) are: 1) Grades in college prep courses83% 2) Strength of curriculum66% 3) Admission test scores59% Regardless of the selectivity of the college, these three factors will always be weighed most heavily in an admissions decision. However, a second set of factors including essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest were rated as moderately important in the admissions review. These factors can help admissions officers at highly selective institutions to differentiate between the often very well qualified applicants. The report also finds that interviews and AP/IB scores, while ranked of moderate to low importance, can also help to provide more information for comparing candidates of similar academic qualifications. Finally, factors such as SAT Subject Tests were rated as having little or no importance and are often simply used for placement purposes. So a word to wise studentswork hard in a rigorous curriculum while ensuring that you are prepping for standardized tests, but also ensure that you take the necessary time to research and visit colleges of interest and give your essays the time they deserve to show an admissions officer why you are a good fit for their campus. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendation? Leah: When asking a teacher for a letter of recommendation, do so in person. Remember that you are asking them a favor, so you want to be polite and also allow them to thoughtfully decline if they feel that they cannot write you a strong letter. If the teacher agrees to the write the letter, it can often help if you provide them with additional information about yourself as well, such as an extracurricular resume. Finally, make sure to write a handwritten thank you note after the letter has been submitted. Visit the Beasley College Consulting website for more details on Leah and her admissions consulting services.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What is it Like to Attend Marist College

What is it Like to Attend Marist College Christina earned her bachelors degree in biomedical sciences from Marist College. She specializes in elementary math tutoring, chemistry tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Marist College. Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Christina: The campus, located directly on the Hudson River, is one of the most beautiful in America. Its fairly small, with a lot of greenery and an amazing view from the majority of student housing and academic buildings. Students are often found relaxing or studying on campuswhether it be by the river, on a patio, or in the newly renovated library. Students walk to their classes from their dorms, and can reach any establishment on campus within ten minutes. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Christina:Professors host office hours multiple times a week and are very accommodating to their students needs. Advisers, too, are very accommodating and always available to meet and discuss whatever questions their students may have. Additionally, the science departments academic advisers host presentations about how to prepare for graduate schools in the health professions and how to prepare for a successful career post-graduation. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Christina:The dining hall looks like Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies. Its brand new and the food is great. Options include sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, and sushi, among other things. The freshman and sophomore dorms are close to the dining hall, one of which is directly connected to it. Marist is well known for the upperclassmen dorms, as they are huge and rated as one of the nicest in the country. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Christina:Marist has a very strong science program. I was enrolled in it as I prepared for medical school. Marist now has a physician assistant program and offers other graduate degrees in the health professions. All of my professors taught our classes, and most had a PhD. They were all very attentive and passionate about their field of study and excited to be teaching at the college. The fashion program is very strong and highly reputable at Marist, too. Most students graduate from the Marist fashion program employed and earning above average salaries. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Christina:Everyone makes friends in the dorms and through extracurricular activities. Greek life is present on campus, but very small. Most students opt not to become involved with it, as they are able to meet others who have things in common with them without doing so. How helpful are the Career Center and other student support services? Christina:I am not too sure about the Career Center, as I was always taking the initiative to seek employment in my related field on my own during school. From what I've seen through the opportunities my peers have been given, companies like KPMG, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and other respected businesses do recruit Marist students for internships and permanent positions. How are the various study areas, such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Christina:The library is the best place to study. Its three floors and has plenty of room for students to prepare for their courses. It also has quiet rooms, small meeting rooms for groups, and numerous computers available. Describe the surrounding town. Christina:Students mostly stay near campus. While there is a nightlife scene in the city of Poughkeepsie, most choose to only go to that area in large groups and on Friday and Saturday nights when establishments have their venues reserved for college students. The Culinary Institute of America is down the street from Marist. I would say this was one of my favorite parts of being in the area. The food is unbelievable, as is the food at many of the restaurants in Poughkeepsie and in the surrounding communities. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Christina:The student body was about 3,500 undergraduate students. My classes typically had anywhere from 10-20 people in them. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Christina:One of my most memorable experiences was when my general biology class had one of our lab sessions on a sailboat on the Hudson River. I probably would have never gotten the opportunity to sail if we had not done that. It was an experience Ill always remember. Check out Christinas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.