Visiting Colleges During the Summer

It is never too early to start visiting colleges! Most students will apply to seven to twelve schools, and very few people have the time or money to visit that many schools.  Dedicating spring break of junior year for college tours - visiting seven schools in seven days - can be grueling and stressful. I don’t recommend it!  Instead, start early and make it fun. 

When my son, Tyler, was eight, we spent a couple of days at my alma mater, Notre Dame.  He loved walking out on the football field and running around, but I knew I needed something more fun if I wanted to spend the afternoon walking around. Enter Geocaching! Geocaching is a scavenger hunt where you search for hidden treasure caches using maps and hints on your phone. We found treasures at Duck Pond, the Golden Dome, the Grotto, and finally back to the South Dining Hall where we enjoyed a well-deserved slice of pizza.

When students tour colleges before they are in the decision process, there is no sense of urgency. They can relax and absorb the information and environment without the pressure of having to decide which colleges to apply to and what to study when they get there.  

Visiting a variety of colleges helps students discover their preferences.  Small or large? Public or private? Liberal art or career focused? Visit as many different types of campuses as possible.

Build in college visits as part of family vacations.  Visiting family in Boston?  Arrange a tour at Tufts, Babson, Northeastern, or any of the more than 60 (!) 4-year colleges in the Boston area.  Headed to the beach in California? Take a day trip to explore UC San Diego, San Diego State, UC Santa Barbara, or Westmont.

Or is a “staycation” the plan? Start locally to get a baseline impression of college campuses and build from there.

For younger students, you don’t need to do a formal college tour. Most colleges publish maps and walking tours.  Do some research and pick out two or three spots on campus. Attend an event or tour the campus on bikes. Plan to stop and eat at the bookstore, student center, or dining hall.  Customize the tour to your student’s interests.

My son – an athlete – loved to run around on the quads and sports fields.  My nephew – more of a scholar – couldn’t wait to see the libraries and science laboratories.  My niece Chloe – an artist – insisted on stopping at museums and ceramic studios. My personal favorite places are the botanical gardens and arboretums.

For rising juniors and seniors, consider a formal tour and register with the admissions office.  A student tour guide will take you into the dorm rooms, libraries, classrooms, and student centers.  Take notes after your visit.  What did you like? Try to list at least 3 specific things. Anything you didn’t like? Talk to students. Ask lots of questions. Where do students live? Play? Hang out? Ask yourself, can you imagine yourself living on this campus.

Here are some ideas for informal visits to three different local colleges.

University of Utah

Nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, the “U” is our states flagship university. You will get a sense for going to school at a large public research university. You can do a self-guided tour of campus or schedule a formal tour on their website. Check out Lassonde Studios -a unique five-story home for student entrepreneurs. Throw a frisbee on the Rooftop Playfields. Explore rare collections and exhibits at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.  

Attend UMFA’s Third Saturday for Families for a fun, free art-making event for all ages.  On July 15th visit the Abelard Morell exhibit of unique landscapes taken with a camera obsura.  Then make and decorate your own pinhole camera obscura.

Westminster College

Only 2.5 miles south, you will find Westminster - a small (1,287 students), private liberal arts college. Easily walk the 27-acre campus, exploring the trails along Emigration Creek where biology students learn in a classroom-outside-the-classroom experience. Stop at the organic garden where students to collectively grow, eat, and learn more about fresh and healthy food. The garden includes raised vegetable beds, a teaching/gathering space, a permaculture spiral, and compost tumblers. 

Utah State University

Utah’s “land grant university” promotes practical learning. Download a self-guided tour and start the tour at the Taggert Student Center.  Take pictures at the block “A” (for Aggies), meander through the quads to my favorite stop: #12 Aggie Ice Cream. Part of the College of Agriculture and Applied Science, students gain real-world experience in commercial ice cream production from the cow to the cone. Taste the difference! I recommend a kiddie cone of Aggie Space Debris – huckleberry flavored with huckleberry and raspberry swirls, as well as white and dark chocolate flakes.

Stop the Summer Slide!

No, I am not talking about the Alpine slide! Summer slide – or summer learning loss - is when students forget what they learned over the summer. Going camping? Traveling long distances? Looking for something to do after dinner?  Is your student “bored?”  Here are some fun ways to sneak in some learning over the summer.

War

Do you remember playing “War” as a kid? It is a two-player card game, and each player has their own deck of cards. 1-2-3, you both flip the top card over. The player with the larger card wins and keeps both cards. The person that runs out of cards first loses. Playing war teaches even the youngest students to recognize numbers and relative values. To take it up a notch, flip over two cards at a time and either add, subtract, or multiply to see who has the highest value.

Board Games

Board games are also great ways to practice math.  All ages love “Trouble” where you “pop” the dice, then count out how many spaces to move.  Games where you roll two dice – Backgammon, Bunco, Clue, and Yahtzee – practice addition.  Monopoly takes it up a notch with two dice AND counting money as you buy properties and collect rent. If the time commitment for Monopoly is scary, set a time limit or look online for different rules to speed up play.  

Estimating Tips

Students are introduced to percentages in 6th grade and by high school, many students still have a difficult time. Practice percentages in the real world to calculate tips.  Here is an easy way to do a 20% tip in your head:  start with the total, move the decimal point one place to the left, and then double!  For example, if dinner cost $54.65, then $5.46 x 2 = $10.92.  If your child is younger, round up or down to make it simpler: $5.50 x 2 = $11.00. 

Bizz-Buzz

This is a counting game, with a little twist.  The first person starts with 1, then going clockwise each person counts by 1.  The twist is that multiples of 7 or for any number that has a 7 in it the person needs to say “Buzz” instead of the number.  It sounds like this: “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, BUZZ, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, BUZZ, 15, 16, BUZZ, 18 …”

To make it easier, change the game up to use multiples of 5 instead of 7.  Or to make it harder, you say “BIZZ” for 5s and “BUZZ” for 7s!  “1, 2, 3, 4, BIZZ, 6, BUZZ, 8, 9, BIZZ, 11, 12, 13, BUZZ, BIZZ, 16, BUZZ, 18 …”

Reading

Let kids read what they want to read!  Libraries have books of all kinds – fiction, non-fiction, biographies, graphic novels, and more. While “Captain Underpants” might not qualify as beach reading for mom, elementary and middle school students will devour all 12 books as the caped crusader (in underpants!) saves the world from talking toilets, lunchroom zombies, and other outrageous villains.

Most of us are familiar with Storytime at our local libraries, but did you know that libraries also offer programming to encourage older children and teens? Make a habit of visiting the library and checking out books to read every 2 weeks.

Park City Library

Some fun events for school-aged kids are the Friday Strategy Games group, Thursday Minecraft Club, the monthly Intro to Guitar Class, and monthly Mexican Bingo.

On July 8 and August 6 attend a literal summer slide - a huge water party with slip-and-slides, bubbles, and other activities!  Or pack a picnic lunch and enjoy Mountain Town Music on the library patio on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  All great excuses to visit the library and pick up some books.

Summit County Library

Summit County Library in Kimball Junction also has summer programs for children, tweens, and teens. Teen Reads and Teen Groovy Crafts encourage reading and creativity. On June 9th they are hosting a “Teen Nerf and Pizza Night” for ages 11-17.  If your students are competitive, sign them up for one of the Reading Challenges.

Explore Park City!

Get outside and learn about nature at the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, history at the Park City History Museum, gardening at Summit Community Gardens, or problem-solving at the Escape Room Park City.  Take hikes and play a game of identifying different trees, flowers, and wildlife. Learning doesn’t have to mean sitting at the kitchen table, filling out worksheets, and memorizing spelling words.   Use this summer to explore our beautiful town and encourage your students to learn through play. 

ACT Scores Are Back, Now What?

Most Utah high school students take the ACT for the first time in the spring of their junior year.  These three-hour, multiple choice standardized exams cover reading, writing, math, and science. Park City High School students took the test on March 21st and should receive their scores by the end of April.

Students have the option to use the scores as part of their college applications.  And while the test companies advertise that the scores measure “college readiness,” the scores don’t always match up with a student’s performance for a variety of reasons – test anxiety, timing/pacing issues, or unfamiliarity with the specific content.  It is not uncommon for 4.0 students to score below average on the ACT.    

The landscape of standardized testing has changed significantly since I was in school (many years ago) and even from when my nieces applied to school (5 years ago).  COVID-19 shut down test sites nationwide and colleges adopted test-optional policies recognizing that students were not able to take the test.  Admissions offices were flooded with applications from a wider diversity of candidates.  Students with good grades, but lower test scores, historically choose not to apply as schools seemed out of reach.  Without the need to submit scores, students felt more schools were possibilities for them.

Recognizing this benefit, over 1,800 colleges and universities continue to have test optional testing policies.  The National Center for Fair and Open Testing (FairTest) publishes an interactive list of list of test optional and test free schools. When you filter by state for Utah, you will see 16 colleges including the University of Utah, BYU, Utah State University, and Westminster have Test Optional policies.  FairTest also identifies exceptions.  A common exception is that home-school students are still required to submit scores.

Test optional means it is up to you to submit your scores.  Colleges will not penalize you if you do not submit a test score, nor will you be specifically advantaged for submitting one.  Instead, colleges use a “holistic” approach based on grades, academic rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.   If your grades are strong and you took the most difficult classes offered, then an ACT score doesn’t add much value.  However, if your grades are “spotty,” then submitting a high ACT score can help.  Submitting a score that is below the mid-50 percent range can hurt your admissions chances.

How do you know what the range is?  Google your target college’s Common Data Set.  In section C, find the distribution of reported test scores.  For example, the University of Utah reported for students starting in the fall of 2022 that the range was “22 – 25 – 29.”  This means that 50% of the students scored between 22 and 29 and 50% scored above 25.  For Stanford, the range is 33 – 35 – 35, and for the University of Washington the range is 29 – 32 – 34.   If you scored a 28 on the ACT, you would submit your score to Utah but not to Washington or Stanford.

Test-free means that a school won’t even look at your scores if you send them in! In 2020, California banned the use of standardized tests in admissions for all publicly funded colleges and universities.  Their research showed that grades are the best predictors of college success and that using the test scores disadvantages women, low-income students, and underrepresented minorities.  In addition to California, there are just over 40 colleges that are test-free including Washington State Universities, Boise State, Pitzer, and Reed College.

However, not all schools are bought into the effectiveness of test optional admissions.  Some notable schools that still require tests include MIT, Georgia Tech, all public universities in Florida and North Carolina, and three service academies – Air Force, the Naval Academy, and West Point. 

Students that retake the ACT generally improve their scores.  With twelve weeks of test prep, we consistently see improvements of 3-5 points.  Due to the standardized nature of the test, practice really helps.  But do you really need to invest this time?  It depends.  Here are some reasons why you might want to retake the ACT:

• You are considering applying to colleges that require tests

• Your scores do not reflect your grades

• Your grades are “spotty”

• You are home-schooled

• Your scores do not fall in the mid-50% range of your target schools

• You want to keep your options open

Upcoming test dates for the ACT are June 10, July 15, September 9, October 28, and December 9.  The last opportunity for most regular admission applications is the December test.

Finally, remember that test scores don’t always equate to merit, and they are not a measure of your worth.  There are many great schools out there that would love to have you as part of their class.

Need a New Game Plan for the ACT?

In an email to parents on 3/30 (with other information), PCHS stated "The Utah State Board of Education has canceled all state-level assessments for the year. They are looking at providing ACT vouchers to all Juniors so that they will have the opportunity to take the exams at a later date. Details are to follow in early April."  My interpretation, and recommendation to students, is that they should register for either the June, July or September National ACT.  Preferably June or July since September will likely be the last chance the class of 2021 will have to take the test to be considered for many colleges.

• Students that prepared for the March test, and are happy with their current scores, should continue to take a practice test each month to stay fresh and avoid scores from slipping. 

• If students want to continue to improve their scores, we recommend weekly ACT prep sessions over FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom. 

• If students were planning on taking the test “cold” in March, I strongly recommend they take a practice test as soon as possible.  Then, if unhappy with the results, they will have time to register for one of the ACT workshops starting the week of April 20th  or arrange for private tutoring.  

Register for a Free Virtual Practice Test here.

Register for an ACT Workshop here.

Register for the test at ACT.org. It may take up to 40 minutes to register, so be patient! The regular deadline for the June test is May 8th, and the deadline for July is June 19th.  You can also sign up to have an email reminder of the deadlines. 

Should I Still Take The ACT If I Want to Apply to a Test-Optional College?

Several high-profile schools – including Boston University, Tufts, University of Oregon, Oregon State, University of Georgia, and the University of California schools - have recently announced going “test-optional” for the class of 2021.  Test-optional policies give college applicants the choice of whether to submit their standardized test scores.  Does that mean your student doesn’t need to take (or study for) the ACT?  Not really.  It depends. A student will be better positioned with more options if they take - and excel - at the ACT.  Here are a few points to consider:

• Improving your ACT score is easier than improving your GPA. Most schools employ a holistic admissions policy; they look at grades, standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. By junior year, the only factors that are still easily influenced are ACT scores, recommendations, and personal essays.  A strong ACT score will still enhance your student’s application even if the school has gone test-optional.   

• Test-Optional does not mean Test Blind.  If a student submits scores, the college admissions team will consider it as part of the application.  If a student scores lower on their test than they hoped, test-optional colleges give them a chance to demonstrate their strengths in other areas without the negative light cast by a low standardized test score. However, for a student who also has a lower GPA or lacks extracurricular achievements, solid SAT or ACT test scores may be the redeeming quality that helps them secure admission.

• Test scores are often required for merit-aid awards. Test scores factor directly into merit-aid awards for many colleges and universities that are test-optional. While test scores are not required for admissions, they are often used to award merit-based scholarships.

• NCAA Division 1 and 2 require ACT scores. NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 schools must meet minimum ACT or SAT requirements.  For more information click here. Similarly, NESCAC collects scores for their league recruiting rules.

For more information and a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges, check out the Fair Test website.

Free (Virtual) Practice Tests

Breakaway Prep Park City is pleased to announce that we are resuming our weekend practice exams, virtually!  We will also be adding a mid-week practice exam on Wednesdays. Until the risk of community spread of the coronavirus has subsided, students will complete their tests at home and log into a Zoom meeting where we will proctor the exam.   

Taking full-length proctored practice tests and working with instructors to thoroughly review the results is one of the best ways to prepare (and stay prepared!) for the real ACT.  Breakaway's first practice test with online proctoring will take place this Wednesday, April 8th at 10:00 am.

Here is how it will work:

• Register online here or send Kelly an email or text.  You must register at least a day in advance.

• Select “Print at Home” or “Safe Doorstep Drop Off” for your test delivery.  The tests are ~ 50 pages and should be printed double-sided.

• The day before the test you will either get an email with the test or we will drop it off safely at your doorstep. 

• The day before you and your student will get email instructions to log into the Zoom Test Room. They should download the Zoom app prior to test day.

• At 9:55 am, students should log into the Zoom Test Room. The test will start promptly at 10:00 am and finish by 1:15 pm.

• After the test, students scan their “bubble sheet” and email to kelly@breakaway-prep-park-city.com. Photos of the bubble forms will also be accepted, but poor-quality photos may delay results.

• We will score students' tests and return results within 1-2 days.

College Prep for 8th and 9th Graders?

It may seem a bit early for 8th graders to be planning for college, but as Gaga, my grandmother, used to say: “tempus fugit – time flies.” I had the pleasure of meeting with the Treasure Mountain High PTSO this morning to discuss how 8th and 9th graders should be preparing for college. Here are the top five tips that I shared:

Good Grades

It probably goes without saying, you need to earn the best grades you can, especially in 9th grade. Most colleges consider 9th grade scores and your overall GPA. 

Develop Strong Study Habits

Good grades come from strong habits.  Starting as early as eighth grade, you can learn how to manage your study schedules, homework deadlines, and other academic requirements. Staying organized is key. Take notes in class, then review the notes the same day. Did you know that research has shown that reviewing notes for just 10 minutes within 24 hours dramatically increases retention? Create study sheets, experiment with Quizlet, and study with friends – find out what works best for YOU.  Every student is different.  

Learn to ask for help!  Take advantage of teachers’ office hours and study sessions.  Now is the best time to identify a need for accommodations such as extra-time for tests. 

Finally, take standardized tests seriously; they are a no-risk opportunity to develop and practice test-taking strategies that will serve you well when you take the ACT or SAT your junior year.    

Get Involved!

Participating in extracurricular activities makes you a well-rounded applicant and teaches you how to manage your time, work with others, and so much more.  Not only during the school year, but also during the summer.  Colleges are looking for students that are excited about their activities.  The quality of the interaction is more important than the quantity. Find something that interests you and stick with it.

Keep a list of activities, jobs, awards and accomplishments.

Explore Colleges

Start thinking about what you might like about college – location, academics, size, cost, campus life?  Visit campuses locally or while you are on vacation.  Observe the campus, the students, and consider if you would want to spend 4 years there.  Take pictures and notes that you can look back and review.

Talk to friends and family about their college experiences.  Why did you choose to go to College X? What surprised you after you got there?  What was your favorite part? Worst part?  If you had to do it over again, what other questions would you ask? What would you do differently?

Remain Calm

Your education is a marathon, not a sprint.  Find balance, be prepared, but don’t stress! Rely on family and school counselors to help you on this journey.

Need More Help?

Step Up Utah is a great resource and I strongly recommend signing up for their newsletters. Additionally, if you still have questions or are looking for more suggestions Breakaway Prep Park City can help in a couple of different ways:

Creating a Balanced College List

Need to narrow down the 3,500+ colleges? Know which schools are really reaches? targets? safer bets? The process of choosing a college starts with a careful look at yourself.  What are your interests, attitudes, and abilities?  We work with you to help them understand the differences between colleges and how to match these differences to their interests. 

College Essay Help

Why is it so difficult to write a personal statement?  We think there are a couple of things that make writing the essay challenging.  First, it is personal.   Yuck, who wants to write about their feelings?  Second, there is pressure that the essay must be "perfect".  This is a myth.  The essay needs to be authentic, but not perfect.  We work with students using a 3-step approach to identify a personal story, explain what they have learned, and explore why what they learned matters.  Using an iterative process, we start big and end up with a compelling narrative that really shows the students personality and defining characteristics. 

College Application Bootcamp

Work with our college counseling team to complete your applications months ahead of deadlines. This 4-day program covers all the application components, including the college essay.

What to Expect on the PSAT/NMSQT

PSAT/NMSQT … say that 3 times fast! What does it all mean? The PSAT, or “practice SAT”, is generally taken the fall of your junior year. It is a shorter version of the SAT at only 2 hours and 45 minutes. There are four sections: Reading, Writing and Language, Math-no calculator, and Math-calculator.

For juniors, your test scores may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship (NMSQT = National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). The top 1% of test-takers can become National Merit Scholars and receive scholarship money and recognition. Even if you feel like National Merit is out of reach, the PSAT is still valuable practice and will provide a good indicator of your potential scores on the SAT.

Here is a short overview of each of the sections:

Reading (60 minutes)

There are 5 passages with 47 total questions.

• Answers are in the text; You do not have to make assumptions

• Questions are generally in order of the text

• Read questions first and circle/flag the “paired questions”

• Save the “main topic” questions for last

Writing and Language (35 minutes)

There are 4 passages with 44 total questions.

• General guideline is to be clear, concise, consistent and complete!

• Some passages will have charts and ask you to read data from charts

• Punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary in context

Math – No Calculator (25 minutes)

This is a “Grid IN”

There will be a total of 17 questions.

• Questions will start easy and get more difficult

• A reference chart is provided, be familiar with what is on there

• 4 questions will be “grid ins” – be sure to review instructions in advance of test day!

Math – Calculator (45 minutes)

There will be a total of 31 questions.

• Questions will start easy and get more difficult

• A reference chart is provided, be familiar with what is on there

• 4 questions will be “grid ins” – be sure to review instructions in advance of test day!

How to Prepare?

The best way to prepare for the PSAT is to review the sample PSATs online to familiarize yourself with the format and instructions. We recommend printing the test out in order to simulate test day conditions. Make sure you go to bed early the night before and have a good breakfast!

If you still have questions or are looking for more practice, Breakaway Prep Park City can help in a couple of different ways:

Free Practice Tests: Breakaway Prep Park City offers free practice tests every Sunday and by appointment. Sign up to reserve your spot today! Space is limited to 6 students.

One-on-One Tutoring: One-on-one we can work at the student's pace, customizing the approach and materials to match the student's strengths and challenges. No need to commit to a certain number of sessions or schedule. Most students find they get the best results by starting test prep 10-12 weeks before the test working a combined 3 hours a week (tutoring and homework.)

Higher Test Scores = More Merit Money. Really!

The higher your ACT score, the more merit-money will be available.  Raising your ACT score from a 25 to a 27 is worth an additional $3,000 in scholarship money at the University of Utah. Raising it another point – to 28 – is worth an additional $2,000.    

The U makes the scholarship process easy – simply submit your college application by the Dec 1st priority date, and you will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships.  No additional application is necessary!

Your GPA is calculated from grades 9 through 11;  the ACT/SAT test scores which you included in your application are also used for scholarship selection.  The latest you can take the ACT is the official October test date – October 27, 2018 for rising seniors.

Here is a summary of some of the merit-scholarships offered at the University of Utah.  Each of these scholarships is for seniors of an accredited Utah high school, public or private, who will be entering as freshmen.  Renewable scholarships are contingent on maintaining specific GPA and number of courses per semester. 

Trustee Scholarships

The Trustee Scholarships are based on your GPA and ACT/SAT scores; the minimum qualifying GPA is 3.0 and ACT score is 26.  

Selective Merit Scholarships

The Utah Flagship Scholarship, Utah Academic Scholarship, and Academic Recognition Award

Utah also offers four scholarships rewarding top academic achievement.  Recipients are chosen by University committee from a pool of applicants, who qualify under an index that gives two-thirds consideration to GPA and one-third to ACT/SAT score.

The GPA/ACT requirements to receive a merit-based scholarship varies from year to year, depending on the funding that is available, size, and quality of the applicant pool.  I have included representative scores (from 2014-15) to provide context. These are NOT official cutoffs.

The President’s Scholarship

This is the big one!  Worth approximately $35,000, this scholarship covers tuition, fees, plus the choice of an on-campus housing award or a cash award.  Selection is based on academic excellence, and like the other merit scholarships, the cutoff GPA and ACT scores vary from year to year.  Shown below are representative of 2014-15.  The academic rigor of your high school classes are also considered as part of the selection process.

These are just a few of the scholarship opportunities at the University of Utah.  Check out their website for the most current information and a full listing.

Interested In Improving Your Test Scores?

Breakaway Prep Park City can help in a couple of different ways:

Free Practice Tests:  Breakaway Prep Park City offers free practice tests every Sunday and by appointment.  Sign up to reserve your spot today! Space is limited to 6 students.

One-on-One Tutoring:  One-on-one we can work at your pace, customizing the approach and materials to match your strengths and challenges.  No need to commit to a certain number of sessions or schedule.  Most students find they get the best results by starting test prep 10-12 weeks before the test working a combined 3 hours a week (tutoring and homework.)

Scholarships for Sports - NCAA and NAIA

If you’re an aspiring college athlete looking for a scholarship, it is not only important to know how to get recruited and the best ways to stand out, but also which athletic association and division is the best fit for you.  Each association and division has different member schools, eligibility requirements, communication protocols, and scholarship opportunities. 

NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA?

The NCAA divides their membership colleges into three divisions:

NCAA Division I

Among the three divisions, Division I schools have the largest student bodies and generally offer the most generous scholarships.  These ~350 schools have strong brands and very competitive athletic programs.  Utah is home to six Division I schools: Brigham Young University, Southern Utah University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, and Weber State University.

NCAA Division II

There are over 300 Division II schools in 45 states, including Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.  Teams focus on regional competition to reduce missed class time.  48% are public schools; 52% are private.  The median number of undergrads enrolled is 2,540 (compared to 9,000+ for Division I).  Division II offers a “partial-scholarship” model for financial aid funded through a mix of athletic scholarships, merit-aid, and need-based grants.  Westminster College and Dixie State University are the Division II schools in Utah.

NCAA Division III

Focused on academic success integrated with competitive athletics and non-athletics opportunities Division III is the largest division with ~440 colleges and universities.  On average, 1 in 6 students is an athlete at Division III schools! Most of the schools are private (80%) and median enrollment is ~1,750.  Tuition costs are often higher, and while are no athletic scholarships students may find they receive more financial aid through merit-aid and need-based grants.   There are no Division III schools in Utah and only 35 schools in the Western region including Claremont McKenna, Pomona-Pitzer, Whittier, Occidental, and Colorado College.

NAIA

As an alternative to the NCAA, 249 colleges are part of the NAIA (National Association Intercollegiate Athletics). Soka University, Evergreen State College, California State University – Maritime, and Carroll College are examples of NAIA schools. There are no NAIA schools in Utah.  Schools tend to be smaller and the academic eligibility requirements are not as stringent.

Key Facts

Eligibility Requirements and Certification

Student-athletes must meet eligibility requirements and be certified for NAIA and NCAA Division I and II schools.  Prospective NCAA students should start the certification process in their sophomore year by registering at the NCAA Eligibility Center.   Prospective NAIA students can register at playnaia.org.

ACT or SAT test scores play an important role in the certification.  Students must send  test scores directly  to the NCAA  by specifying code 9999, or NAIA by specifying 9876 . Test scores on transcripts will NOT be used in academic certification.   

For NCAA, an ACT sum score is calculated by adding English, math, reading and science subscores. If a student takes either test more than once, the best subscores from each test are used for the academic certification process. The minimum score is on a sliding scale based on your GPA.   The higher your GPA, the lower the ACT sum score required. 

For example, in Division 1, a student with a 3.475 GPA needs a ACT sum of 40 whereas a student with a 2.6 GPA would need to score a 64.  You can take the test multiple times and the NCAA will “super score” the results:  they take the highest score from each test section.  

International students have additional requirements.  Visit ncaa.org/international or playnaia.org/internationalstudents for information and requirements specific to international student-athletes.

For NCAA Division III, each college determines the admission standards. If students are interested in Division III or are not sure where they want to compete, they should still create a profile page at the NCAA Eligibility Center. 

To learn more about these associations and member schools, visit and explore their websites and the websites of colleges that peak your interest.   Sports should only be one part of your college choice process – be sure to seriously consider other characteristics of a college such as location, size, school spirit, academic programs, etc…

Need More Help?

If you still have questions or are looking for more practice, Breakaway Prep Park City can help in a couple of different ways:

Creating a Balanced College List: Thinking about and planning for your college future is serious business, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be intimidating.  Breakaway Prep Park City can help you put together a balanced college list that takes into consideration your interests, attitudes, and abilities.  Contact us to learn more.

Free ACT or SAT Practice Tests:  Breakaway Prep Park City offers free practice tests every Saturday and by appointment.  Sign up to reserve your spot today! Space is limited to 6 students.

One-on-One Test Prep Tutoring:  One-on-one we can work at the student's pace, customizing the approach and materials to match the student's strengths and challenges.  No need to commit to a certain number of sessions or schedule.  Most students find they get the best results by starting test prep 10-12 weeks before the test working a combined 3 hours a week (tutoring and homework.)

Strategies for the ACT Science Test

Phew, you made it!  Science is the last multiple choice test on the ACT.  Take a big breath and finish strong! This test is 35 minutes with 6-7 passages and 40 questions.  The passages cover topics such as biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, and meteorology. No deep knowledge of science is required.  However, what is required will be the ability to read charts, graphs, and diagrams.   Calculators are not allowed.

Types of Passages

There are three distinct types of passages in the science test.  You should be able to recognize each type and understand which types are easier for you. 

1)  Charts and graphs – These passages test your ability to read the graphs.  Do you understand what is on the x and y axis?  Read the labels carefully and note any patterns and trends. There are usually 2 of these passages and most students find these passages to be the easiest. If “charts and graphs” are the easiest for you, then do them first! 

2)  Findings from experiments - These passages are easy to recognize because they generally have a diagram of the experiment and the experiment findings presented in tables.  There will be 3 of these passages on the test.  Questions will ask details about the results and the procedures used in the experiment. Most students find these questions to be more difficult than the "charts and graphs", but less difficult than the “dueling scientists”.  If that it is the case for you, then do these passages next. 

3)  Dueling scientists – can you picture it?  Scientists fighting to the death to find the right answers!  This passage is easy to spot because there are no graphs, charts, or diagrams.  Instead, it is all text with an introductory passage, then 3-5 short paragraphs outlining the hypotheses of different scientists (or sometimes students).  This passage often takes the most time and can be the most difficult.  If that is true for you, then save it for last! 

The Original Dueling Scientist

Photo by Henry Hustava on Unsplash

Strategy for “charts and graphs” and “findings from experiments”

The most important strategy for these passages is to go straight to the questions.  Do not waste your time reading the passage or thinking about the science.  This is so hard for me – I love science and want to understand what is going on.  But there is not enough time.  Find the easiest questions and do those first.  Generally, the shorter questions will be easier. 

Are you skeptical that you can find the answer without reading?  Try this problem from the current ACT Practice test:

Don’t read the intro! You don’t need it. Go directly to question 25.  The question tells you which graph to look at (Figure 2) and asks as mass increases what happens to speed?  

Before you answer, quickly get familiar with the graph:

• the y-axis is speed (m/sec)

• the x-axis is time (sec)

• the mass is shown by each of the 3 lines (kg)

What patterns do you see? 

• three straight lines that do not cross

• the lines all have a positive slope –as time increases, speed increases

• the lightest mass is the top line, the heaviest is the bottom

Now, answer the question: pick a time, say 3 seconds. The speed for the 3 kg block is 15 vs. 30 for the 2 kg block.  So as mass increased, block speed decreased.  B is the correct answer. 

 

Strategy for “dueling scientists”

The approach for this passage is different:  you will have to read the passage!  Start by reading only the introductory paragraphs, and then stop before reading what each scientist thinks.  Ask yourself, what are they fighting about?  This will help you focus on the differences between the hypotheses.  Once you know what the fight is about … go straight to the questions.

• Do any of the questions NOT ask about a particular scientist? Do those questions first, the information will be in the introduction that you just finished reading.

• Find the questions where you only need to understand one scientist’s point of view. Read the question, read that scientist’s point of view, and answer the question. Underline, circle or write down that point of view (1-3 words) next to each scientist’s paragraph.

• Finally, do the questions that ask about all of the scientists.

Top 5 Science Strategies

Now that you understand the types of passages and approach for each type, here are the top 5 Breakaway strategies for the ACT Science:

Peromyscus polionotus

Photo by Gene Bakner on Unsplash

1.       Do the easy passages and easy questions first.  Do enough practice tests so that you have a good sense of which passages and questions will be easier for you.  Everyone is different!

2.       Skip the reading.  There just isn’t enough time! The information you need can be found in the charts, graphs, and diagrams.  The only passage you will need to read is the “dueling scientists”.  

3.       Write all over the test!   Writing on the test is a great way to prevent careless mistakes.  When a question asks you what the value of y is at a certain x, pencil in a vertical line at x. When a question asks you about a value that is not on a graph or chart, use your pencil to show where it would go. 

4.       Stay calm. Make it simple and don’t freak out about the big words.   There will be many long, technical words used in this section.  As you read the questions, come up with abbreviations that you can use in your head.  For example, when you see “Peromyscus polionotus” in a question, just think “mouse”.  You didn’t know that “Peromyscys poliolnotus” was a mouse?  Just make up a shorter abbreviation (such as “pp”.)  I promise you: you don’t need to know what all the words mean, and it will be faster to read and answer questions if you use abbreviations. 

5.       Practice!  These passages are unlike anything you see in school.  The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with the crazy graphs and charts.  Do the science section from the ACT’s  free practice test.  Additionally, 3 full practice tests are published in the Official ACT Guide which can be purchased on Amazon or checked out at your local library.

Need More Help?

If you still have questions or are looking for more practice, Breakaway Prep Park City can help in a couple of different ways:

Free Practice Tests:  Breakaway Prep Park City offers free practice tests every Sunday and by appointment.  Sign up to reserve your spot today! Space is limited to 6 students.

One-on-One Tutoring:  One-on-one we can work at the student's pace, customizing the approach and materials to match the student's strengths and challenges.  No need to commit to a certain number of sessions or schedule.  Most students find they get the best results by starting test prep 10-12 weeks before the test working a combined 3 hours a week (tutoring and homework.)

When Should I Take the ACT?

Standardized test are carefully engineered to be sure there is only one right answer. Unfortunately, there is more than one right answer to “When should I take the ACT?”  At Breakaway Prep, we are passionate in our belief that every student is different – in what they know, what they need, how they learn, and when they should take the ACT.  

Luckily, there are only seven tests each year, so the choices are not infinite.  And contrary to urban legends, no date is easier or more difficult than the others.  The best date will depend on your schedule and your plans on applying for college.   Here are some considerations:

Have you covered the content in school?

Foes of procrastination will advise “the earlier, the better.”  However, it is important for students to have covered the material on the test prior to taking it!  This is particularly important in math where there will be questions on Geometry and Algebra II.  For high schools using an integrated curriculum, students will have covered most of the material with the completion of Secondary Math II in sophomore year.   

In Park City, high school juniors will take the test in March - for free!

March 12th, 2019 is the in-school administration date for Park City High School.  For many students this will be the first time they take the exam - which works well.  The results will be delivered in early April, and if the scores do need improvement, there are still plenty of opportunities (April, June, July, Sept, Oct, and Dec!) to retake the test.  

Do you anticipate having to re-take the test?

It is not unusual for students to re-take the ACT.  You should definitely re-take it if you felt sick or did not understand the directions.  You should also re-take the test if you felt the score does not accurately represent your capabilities.  According to research by ACT, 57% of students improve their composite score on the retest.  At Breakaway Prep we help students improve their scores 3-5 points on average.

You may wonder how colleges view taking the test multiple times.  First of all, they will only receive the scores that you send to them.  So, unless you send scores from multiple dates, they will not know how many times you took the test. 

Additionally, some colleges will “super-score” the test - take the highest score from each section across multiple test dates. Check each college admissions website to determine its super-score policy.  If you plan to apply to a college that super-scores, and one of your ACT sections is much lower than the others, then it makes sense to re-take the test, focusing on that section.

If you do anticipate taking the test multiple times, consider taking the test in December, April, or June of your junior year and requesting a copy of your test questions and answers for a $20.00 fee.  These can be very helpful to identify where additional studying is required.  We all learn the best from our mistakes!  If you forget to request the copy at the time of registration, you can still request ACT to send it for up to 3 months after your test date. 

What does your schedule look like?

What will you have time to study? Do you play a fall sport? Are you taking AP classes and taking the May AP exams?  Really think through what commitments you and your family will have around each of the test dates.   Don't look just at the test date, but go back 2-3 months to make sure you will have adequate time to study.  

The September test works well ONLY if you commit to studying over the summer.   There is also a new July date that gives you some time to study after the AP exams and school is out.  October probably wouldn’t work well if you play a fall varsity sport.  

When do colleges need your scores?

For seniors planning to apply Early Decision or Early Action, most schools will require ACT scores from the October test date at the latest. Taking the test in December would not be an option.  

Still not sure? 

Sign up to take a free practice test and consultation.  We will work through the pros and cons of all the dates and determine the perfect strategy for You! 

The table below provides the test dates, regular registration deadlines, late registration deadlines for 2018-2019.  The information is based on data from ACT.  *February and July dates are not offered in NYC.  *July date is not offered in California. The 2019 fall dates are not yet published, however we expect them to follow the same timeline. Visit ACT.org for the most up-to-date schedule. 

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2017-18 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline
September 8, 2018	August 12, 2018	August 26, 2018
October 27, 2018	September 28, 2018	October 14, 2018
December 8, 2018	November 2, 2018	November 19, 2018
February 9, 2019*	January 11, 2019	January 18, 2019
April 13, 2019	March 8, 2019	March 25, 2019
June 8, 2019	May 3, 2019	May 18, 2019
July 13, 2019*	June 14, 2019	June 24, 2019

Applying Early? Is That The Right Move?

You may be tempted to apply to college early to get ahead of the process.  You might have even heard that applying early will increase your chances at admission.   It would be great to save yourself some time and money by not submitting multiple applications.  And if you are accepted, you are done! No more stress waiting to hear and not knowing where you are going next year.

There are a variety of “early” options out there – it is very important to know the differences.  Which, if any, is right for you? 

Let’s start with Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), and Restrictive Early Action.  All programs consider a student’s application in advance of the regular application deadlines.  The programs may vary by school, however, the one thing all schools have in common is this: Early Decision programs are binding; Early Action plans are not.

Early Decision (Binding)

• If you get in, you have to go.

• You may only apply ED to one school – it better be your first choice!

• Decisions generally come in mid-December.

• You may apply regular decision to other schools, but if accepted ED, you must withdraw.

• You will not be able to compare financial aid packages from multiple schools.

• If rejected, you only have a few weeks to get those regular decision applications submitted.

• Students should work on regular applications while waiting to hear about the early decision.

Early Action (Non-binding)

• If you get in, you do NOT have to go. You don’t even need to decide until May 1.

• Decisions generally come in January/February.

• You may apply to multiple schools EA and/or regular admission.

Restrictive (or Selective) Early Action (Non-binding)

• If you get in, you do not have to go. Like Early Action, you don’t need to decide until May 1.

• Decisions generally come in January/February.

• You may not apply to other colleges’ ED or EA programs.

• You may and should apply to other colleges’ regular admission.

• Harvard, Stanford, and Notre Dame are examples of colleges that offer this program.

• Each school may have various exceptions and restrictions, be sure to understand.

Will applying early increase my chances to be admitted?

Maybe! This is true for some colleges, and false for others.  

Many selective colleges have early decision acceptance rates that can be up to triple their regular decision acceptance rates.  For example, Claremont McKenna College filled more than half - 68% - of their 2021 class from early decision applications.  The ED acceptance rate was 32% vs. 7% for regular decision.  

On the other hand, the University of Denver only filled 11% of the 2021 class from early decision applications.  The ED acceptance rate was 31% vs.54% for regular decision.

What about the U?  The University of Utah has a non-binding early action program.  They accept applications from August through April 1st; however, applying early and by the priority deadline of December 1st is strongly advised according to their website.  Meeting the Dec 1st deadline will mean that students will be notified by Jan 15th and you will have until the national enrollment deposit deadline of May 1 to accept your offer.

For each school on your college list, you should determine what early programs they offer, if any.  And to determine if there is an advantage to applying early, check this spreadsheet that was compiled by independent educational consultants Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy.  The list has data for over 200 colleges.   

Key Considerations for your Application Strategy

• Early Decision is binding; Early Action is not.

• If accepted Early Decision, you will not be able to compare financial aid packages across schools. If financial aid is going to be an important part of your decision, then ED is likely not a good fit for you.

• Applying early *may* improve your chances of admission – it varies by school.

• Your grades and ACT or SAT scores should be at their best when you apply. If your grades dipped junior year but you expect to be able to show improvement first-semester senior year, then regular admission is a better fit. Same with test scores - if you plan to re-take the ACT in December to improve your score, then regular admission is a better fit.

• Selecting a college a big decision, make sure you take the time to research and evaluate all your options.

Still have questions?  Give Kelly a call at 435-487-9651 or email kelly@breakaway-prep-park-city.com to set up a free initial consultation.

Ready, Set, Go! Strategies for the ACT English Test

English is the first test on the ACT. Out of the gate, you will need to work quickly – there are 75 questions to answer in only 45 minutes!  There are 5 passages with 15 questions that cover punctuation, grammar, and overall use of language. 

Here are the top 5 Breakaway strategies for the ACT English test:

Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash

1. Read entire sentences. That’s right. Read the entire sentence from the first word to the period. The biggest mistake students make on this test is to only read the underlined portion.

2. Always plug your answer back in…to the entire sentence. Be disciplined and check your work! Often the difference between an okay score and a great score comes down to a handful of careless mistakes. You will have a better chance of catching these errors if you read the sentence again with your answer choice plugged in.

3. Never make a punctuation decision based on how a sentence sounds in your head. Identify the specific reason the punctuation is required. To indicate a pause or emphasis is not a good enough reason.  You need to know your punctuation rules – when to use or not use commas, semi-colons, periods, colons, and dashes.   If you need to brush up on the rules, Prep Factory is a great free online resource. Utah students also have free access to Shmoop Test Prep.

4. Choose the most specific answer.  ACT loves details.  For example, which sentence best illustrates the term dress code?

• clothing
• clothing that was inappropriate
• clothing, including sandals, bell-bottom pants, and "dungarees"
• clothing that is permitted in some schools today

Take note -  the best answer was not the shortest one!

5. Eliminate redundancies.  ACT hates redundancies, and so do I! A redundant expression has groups of words in which at least one word is unnecessary because it just repeats the meaning that's already contained in the other word or words. Getting rid of unnecessary words makes writing clearer and more effective.  Can you spot the redundancies in these examples from recent ACT tests?

• I know I would balk, refuse and hesitate ...
• The Revolutionary War veteran, who served in this war, believed that the US …
• Many regarded Forten as the city’s premier sailmaker in Philadelphia ...

Notice that in the last example, ‘Philadelphia’ is redundant with “city” - which precedes the italicized (underlined on the ACT) portion of the sentence. Remember Tip #1?  Always read the entire sentence!

Think of taking the test as a performance-based activity (sports, theater, or music). It is about muscle memory and training yourself to work through the test in a specific way. The more practice, the more the answers will become second nature for you. 

Breakaway Prep Park City offers free practice tests on Saturdays and by appointment.  Call or text (435) 487-9651 or submit the Contact Us form to reserve your spot today!

Make Your College Essay Sing

Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash

The essay or “personal statement” is just one component of the college application.  But the essay is unique in that it allows the student to demonstrate that they are more than the sum of their grades and ACT scores.  That can be alot of pressure!  Here are some tips to make your essay sing:

1.    Start with your core qualities.  What do you want the college to know about you that they can’t see from your grades and extracurricular activities? Ask family, friends, and mentors to brainstorm the “3 adjectives” that describe you.

2.    Tell a story.  Start with a story or anecdote to grab your reader’s attention. Stories are much more interesting than lectures.  Show, don’t tell about your core qualities. 

3.    Be specific. Most essays are limited to 500-600 words, which is not a lot!  In your stories you will need to be very specific.  Instead of describing an entire 2 weeks at camp, zoom into one meal or activity.

4.    Use your own voice.  Don’t try to impress the reader with big words or a formal style of writing.  Read your draft out loud and ask yourself, do I talk like this?

5.    Start early and iterate. Start early so you can plan on multiple drafts – at least 4 drafts over 2-3 weeks.  Start by getting your thoughts down with no regard for spelling, grammar, or number of words.  Just write!  Then, edit for structure and flow.  Use the third draft to focus on style and voice.  And finally, the last draft corrects punctuation, spelling, and grammar.  

Writing a personal statement can be the most challenging aspect of applying for college.  But it doesn’t have to be.  If you are stuck coming up with ideas for the essay, contact me today to schedule a free 30 minute brainstorming session. 

ACT or SAT? Which is better for YOU?

Photo by Pablo Garcia Saldaña on Unsplash

Similarities

With the new redesigned SAT, these tests are more alike than different.  Similarities include: length of test, multiple choice format with optional essays, and tests for Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.  US Colleges accept scores from either ACT or SAT (or both).  Both tests offer accommodations such as extra time. 

Differences

Here are some of the differences that may cause a student to do better on one test vs. the other:

• ACT has more questions in less time.  You cannot waste a second.  For example, in the ACT English there are 75 questions in 45 minutes - a pace of 36 seconds per question!  On the SAT Writing and Language, there are only 44 questions in 35 minutes, for a pace of 47 seconds per question. 
• ACT has a science section; the SAT includes science in the Reading and Math sections. Both tests are not really testing your command of science.  Instead, they are testing your ability to read charts and analyze data.
• You can always use your calculator on the ACT Math section.  The SAT has a “No-Calculator” math section of 20 questions and a “Calculator OK” section of 38 questions.
• The SAT provides a “cheat sheet” of formulas and relationships that you may need on the Math test.  The ACT expects you to memorize these. Examples include area of shapes, special right triangles, and number of degrees in various shapes. Remember Pythagoreas' theroem?  You will need it on the ACT!
• Focus of the optional essays are very different.  The SAT asks you to read a passage and then analyze what you read. The ACT asks you to take a position on a contemporary concern and address three different perspectives.