4 Small Ways to Strengthen Your College Applications This School Year

4 Small Ways to Strengthen Your College Applications This School Year When it comes to getting into college, theres no magic formula for crafting the perfect college application. However, there are several things you can do to strengthen your college application and to make getting into your dream schools easier. You can strengthen your college applications this school year by applying early, getting high-quality letters of recommendation, and writing a stand-out college essay. Are you applying to colleges this fall and hoping to submit the strongest application possible? Keep reading to learn four small ways to strengthen your college applications this school year. 1. Strengthen your college applications by applying early One of the strongest ways to convey your interest to a college or university and to increase your chances of admission is to apply under Early Action or Early Decision. When applying early, you typically send your application in by November or early December and hear back about their decision within several weeks. This is different from a regular application, where you send your application by early winter and get a response in the spring. You can only apply Early Decision to one school, so its important to make it your first choice. If you do get into a college through Early Decision, you must enroll at that college or university and withdraw your applications to other schools (with few exceptions). [RELATED: How to Survive the College Application Process: Part One] 2. Strengthen your college applications by obtaining great letters of recommendation College applications almost always ask for letters of recommendation. You can make your application stand out by putting the strongest possible letters of recommendation in your application. Start by asking your favorite teacher for a letter. If he or she seems too busy or unenthusiastic, ask another, until you find someone who is very excited to provide you with a letter. This way, youre more likely to get a letter that conveys such enthusiasm about you. When you find teachers to write your letters of recommendation, its helpful to give them each a copy of your resume. This way, they can include references to your accomplishments in their letter. [RELATED: 5 Steps to Ensure a Stellar Letter of Recommendation] 3. Strengthen your college applications by focusing in-depth on included content Many students fall into a trap of listing all extracurricular activities they were involved in during high school on their applications. They do so because they mistakenly believe more is better. In reality, colleges are looking for quality, not quantity. This means you should only list and describe extracurricular activities that fall into any or all of the following categories: You were a part of it for an extended period of time You played a significant role in it It has made the most profound impact on your life These should be included on your application. Do not include extracurriculars that you dropped out of after a short time or never followed through with. 4. Strengthen your college applications by writing a college essay that stands out The college essay is one of the most daunting parts of the college application for many students. To write a stand-out college essay, focus on writing about something thats very important to you, and reflect on it. Sometimes, it can be helpful to write several drafts of your essay before settling on the final version. You may also want to ask a friend or teacher to read over your personal essay before adding it to your application. When writing your personal statement, avoid repeating other parts of your application. Do not list, repeat, or contradict other parts of your application in your essay. In other words, dont spend time listing your awards in this section. Admissions officers are looking for interesting details about you that best exhibit your character and show them that youd be a good fit on their campus. [RELATED: How to Write a Great College Essay] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

6 Tips for Singing and Playing the Piano at the Same Time

6 Tips for Singing and Playing the Piano at the Same Time Suzy S. Artists like Billy Joel and Elton John may make it look effortless, but singing and playing the piano at the same time takes time and practice to truly master! Understandably, it’s difficult because you’re multitasking by playing two instruments simultaneously â€" your voice and the piano. It’s easy to lose concentration on one, while the other goes a little off; if you focus on your voice, you might mess up the timing with your fingers, and should you pay too much attention to the piano keys, you could find yourself mumbling along to the song. Getting this skill right will take plenty of practice, so we’ve put together a few singing tips to help you gain independence from your hands and sing excellently, too. To sing and play the piano at the same time, you will need to focus on: Singing at the correct pitch Maintaining both key and singing rhythm Assigning the correct word or syllable to a specific piano note Keeping the song’s timing and synchronized rhythm This may collectively sound like an impossible task, but with the right approach, youll get there with time. 1) Start with the Correct Posture Having correct posture is one of the key singing tips to note. Good posture translates to good breathing, and results in a better sound. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer sitting or standing â€" either is fine as long as you maintain flexibility in your spine. You may be tempted to bend forward as you play the piano, but straightening up not only looks better, it helps your voice and your breathing technique. 2) Position Your Mic Just Right The way you position your mic will affect your posture and your breathing technique, so make sure that you don’t need to lean forward too far. Your mic should also be placed at the correct height to encourage you to straighten your spine. 3) Sing and Play Separately at First During your preparation, try focusing your attention on one specific skill at a time. Start by singing a cappella and then work your way to singing along with a pre-recorded piano track. You can then try playing few simple chords while you focus on your singing technique. Then, switch the focus to the piano, while singing quietly. Keep at it until you’re feeling confident with the keys, and then slowly start to combine the two. 4) Draw Power From Your Lower Body Make sure that you’re not tightening your shoulders and neck to draw singing power from them. You should instead center your control and energy at your pelvic floor â€" this way, even if you’re sitting or standing, you’ll be able to sing with proper breathing and open throat technique. If you prefer being seated, one quick singing tip is to sit on the edge of your seat and press yourself down against it. If youre more comfortable standing, your legs should be shoulder-width apart as you draw power from your feet. 5) Play With Light Fingers This sounds simple, but playing lightly with your fingers will help reduce tension and the chance of you throwing yourself off. Keep your touch light and wrists flexible. This will allow your entire body to be more open. 6) Practice Regularly Youll need to be consistent in your practice in order to master this skill. It’s recommended that you practice at least half an hour every day, and if possible, record your sessions to track your improvements over time. You should notice a difference in your ability within a month or so. Have fun with your newfound skill! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of prescreened teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for safe, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  GBiB