Kweller Prep is Hiring Tutors!

weller Prep is Hiring Tutors!

To apply, candidates must posses the following:

1. 780 or higher SAT score in either (1) Reading Comprehension, (2) Writing (3) Math or (4) any SAT 2 Subject Test (Must provide official Score Report from the College Board) or ACT score of at least 30.

2. Must be the first person in his or her family to attend a top tier university, college, or graduate school on partial or full scholarship.

3. Must be fluent in at least 2 languages (Read, Write, and Converse)

4. Must have experience tutoring one-on-one or in small group settings, and able to provide at least 3 references.

5. Must agree to background check.

email: resumes and cover letters to fk@KwellerPrep.com

mail directly to : New Office Located in the Parker Towers, 10440 Queens Blvd Suite 1F in Forest Hills NY 11375

Fax to : 800-631-1757

Kweller Prep is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

College Interview Dress DOWN tips

Men's Interview Attire

The Suit:
•The sleeves should taper, gradually ending just over the wrist so the shirt cuff extends about 1/2 inch beyond the jacket sleeve.
•The pant leg bottom in the front should touch the front of the shoe and angle towards the back of the shoe to fall just above the heel.
•Pant cuff or no cuff is a personal choice.
•Choose dark colors, such as navy, gray or coffee beige. Suit should be solid color or subtle pinstripes.
•The fabric should be worsted wool or gabardine, a firm hard-finish durable fabric (such as lightweight wool or rayon).
•Suit is always first choice, but if unavailable, a navy jacket or blazer with black or navy buttons and gray or beige pants are acceptable.
The Dress Shirt:
•The button down collar offers a more casual look than the more formal business style of a point collar.
•Choose a good fit, neatly pressed.
•Best colors include white, pale blue, tan or yellow
•Always wear an undershirt. Avoid v-neck style since the neckline may show
The Tie:
•Your tie should be darker than your shirt and should not extend below the belt.
•Purchase several ties that compliment your suit to give your wardrobe versatility.
•Wear 100% silk (or similar looking) in solid colors or small patterns.


Women's Interview Attire

The Suit:
•Choose conservative colors such as black, navy, gray, tan or brown in a flattering cut.
•The fabric should be gabardine, a firm hard•finish durable fabric such as light wool or rayon.
•Suit should be a solid color or subtle pinstripes.
•A business dress, worn with a jacket, or a tailored pantsuit is acceptable.
•Avoid wearing trendy lapels or buttons.
•Make sure the skirt length is just at knee length, either right above or right below the knee.
The Blouse:
•Wear a neutral color such as white or beige; avoid bright colors and large prints.
•Do NOT wear a low-cut or see-through blouse
Make-up and Jewelry:
•Avoid bright colors and excessive amounts.
•Light shades of lip coloring and nail polish are recommended.
•Jewelry should be small and conservative. Only 1 ring per hand.
•Avoid costume jewelry
•Earrings should be small studs or clip-ons with only 1 earring per ear.
•Wear hair so it's not always falling into your face.
Shoes and Hosiery:
•Do not wear open toe or open heel shoes or heels higher than 2 inches.
•Your shoe color should coordinate with your ensemble and remain in the neutral zone, such as navy, black or taupe.
•Wear hosiery that is close to your skin color.

How to Get College Internship Credit

INTERNSHIPS FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT

There are several lists for internships for academic credit and support students seeking credit for internships can access. Please note that students have the responsibility to arrange course credit for their internships, when required by your company. All current students can enroll in an internship course during the first two (2) weeks of any quarter without direct employer involvement, and it is not necessary for you to contact the Center for Career Services.

For internships that require credit, the important things employers must do are: (1) time the hiring schedule to so that students can enroll in an internship class, and; (2) confirm a student’s hiring prior to the “Week 2” deadline. Most college quarters generally begin the first week of January, the first week of April, in mid-June, and the last week of September.

Good luck college students! Now go find your internships!

Yahoo Review of Kweller Prep

What more can you ask for in SAT and Regents prep? Kweller Prep offers outstanding support for students and parents from one on one tutoring to college applications and financial aid advice. The staff at Kweller Prep is made of dedicated and passionate educators that are fully committed to each student's academic success. Attention to detail is part of what makes Kweller Prep one of the best sources for tutoring and standardized testing preparation. Parents will also find a support network at Kweller Prep. Parent's night and college workshops allow them to discuss questions and concerns in a comfortable and positive environment. Parents leave each workshop with valuable information on how to improve their child's success in college and a new understanding of the education and testing process. Kweller Prep has been the key component to numerous scholarship and award success stories. I recommend Kweller Prep to any parent who has a child who is preparing for standardized testing and the college admissions process-- Elana D

Reviews of Kweller Prep

Frances Kweller is a major role-model for all of her students! I had the pleasure of meeting Frances just months before my junior year was ending. I had been recommended through one of my high school classmates who was also a student of hers at the time. Initially I thought Kweller Prep could not guarantee me getting into any university and therefore, I should put my money into a more credible organization (i.e. Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc).

However, upon meeting Frances, I instantly felt extremely comfortable and was impressed with all that she had to offer! She broke down the entire college process, devoted countless hours to helping me fill out/fulfill the requirements for ALL 18 COLLEGES that I applied to, encouraged me, taught me, and always supported me. I attended Kweller Prep for about 1.5-2 years and learned more there than I did in most of my high school.

This SAT prep challenged me and prepared me for college. Now that I am in my second year of college I have realized that it was worth investing the time and money into this program. Unlike many high school students who I now mentor I felt prepared every time I took the SAT or any exam for that matter. However, the great thing about Kweller Prep is that it provides more than just SAT tutoring. I HIGHLY recommend Kweller Prep to any high school, undergrad, or graduate student who is seeking the assistance, mentorship, and friendship of an educated women who I know will change this world!! Although Frances can not make promises this program and it's testimonials speak for themselves.

I am currently attending Northeastern University on a full scholarship, Double Majoring in Political Science and Economics.

Legacy of Self Made Women Forum! Tuesday, November 29, 2011

• Frances Kweller, Founder & CEO , Kweller Prep Tutoring & Educational Services
________________________________________
• Shivani Siroya, CEO/Founder, InVenture
________________________________________
• BETSY BERKHEMER-CREDAIRE, PRESIDENT, BERKHEMER CLAYTON INC.
________________________________________
• Tracy Williams, President and CEO, Olmstead Williams Communications, Inc.
________________________________________
• Hilary Stevens, Realtor, Coldwell Banker
________________________________________
• Joy Chudacoff, CEO/Founder, Smart Women Smart Solutions
________________________________________
• Cathy Alessandra, CEO/Publisher, Today's Innovative Woman
________________________________________
• Jo Bernard, Founder, Commandos Patches
________________________________________
• Kate Rosloff, Owner, KR Associates
________________________________________
• Stacey Freeman, Director of Major Gifts, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region
________________________________________
• Maureen Bernstein, Vice Presidetn, Kaercher Campbell & Associates
________________________________________
• LiAnn Ishizuka, Engagement Manager, InVenture
________________________________________
• Djena Graves Lennix, Director of Business Development, ICV Partners
________________________________________
• Carol Cheng-Mayer, Vice President, Bel Air Investment Advisors
________________________________________
• Katherine Blair, Partner, K&L Gates LLP
________________________________________
• Dana Hollinger, Founder, Dana Hollinger Group
________________________________________
• Tracey MacDOnald, Director of West Coast Operations, Dress for Success
________________________________________
• Sally Jameson, Vice President, Programs & Services, Braille Institute of America
________________________________________
• REnee LaBran, Partner, RC/ Fontis PArtners, LP
________________________________________
• Olivia Goodkin, Partner, Rutter Hobbs & Davidoff
________________________________________
• Beth Berke, Chief Operating Officer, Hackman Capital Partners
________________________________________
• Stephanie Levin, Executive Assistant, Annenberg Foundation
________________________________________
• Samantha Starr, Grants Specialist, Skirball Cultural Center
________________________________________
• Cathy Galarneau, VP Development, St. Anne's
________________________________________
• Anne Landsberger, Administrative Assistant, Advancement, Skirball Cultural Center
________________________________________
• Scott Bowling, President and CEO, Exceptional Children's Foundation
________________________________________
• Sally Phillips, Principal, Legal & HR Strategies
________________________________________
• Susan Amster, Managing Director, WTAS LLC
________________________________________
• Carole Scherzer, Executive Vice President, Scherzer International
________________________________________
• Susan Rubin, Director, Administration, The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles
________________________________________
• Kelly Rice, Partner, QuantumMethod
________________________________________
• Kimberly Congdon, Regional VP Human Resources, Time Warner Cable
________________________________________
• Jen Petrovich, CFO, Body Armor Nutrition
________________________________________
• Sarah Lewis, Principal, Aequitas Wealth Management
________________________________________
• Rochelle Moulton, President, Rochelle Moulton & Team, Inc.
________________________________________
• JoAnn Magno, Attorney, Magno Legal & Business Consulting
________________________________________
• Berenice Officer, CFO, DOGSWELL
________________________________________
• Scott D. Bowling, President & CEO, Exceptional Children's Foundation
________________________________________
• Debbi Winter, VP Fund Development & Enternal Relations, Exceptional Children's Foundation
________________________________________
• April Spencer, Partner, Ernst & Young
________________________________________
• Laura Ferretti, Principal, Impact Philanthropy LLC
________________________________________
• Sam Smith, ., .
________________________________________
• Laura Probst, Public Relations, Dermalogica
________________________________________
• Tara Roth McConaghy, Executive Director, Goldhirsh Foundation
________________________________________
• Jane Wurwand, Founder and Owner, Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institution
________________________________________
• Beth Shaw, Founder and President, YogaFit
________________________________________
• Jocelyn Tetel, Vice President Advancement, Skirball Cultural Center
________________________________________
• Lizanne Falsetto, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, thinkproducts
________________________________________
• Darya Allen-Attar, Founder, Broads Circle, Financial Advisor
________________________________________
• Diane Wilson, Senior Vice President, HSBC
________________________________________
• Teresa Morris, Financial Advisor, Bernstein Global Wealth Management
________________________________________
• Sharona Justman, Managing Director, STEP Strategy Advisors
________________________________________
• Nora Plesent, Principle, Lexolution LLC
________________________________________
• Jennifer Morgan, Executive Director, The Woman's Club of Hollywood
________________________________________
• Dawn Olsen, Vice President, Controller, VCA Antech, Inc.
________________________________________
• Wendy Claborn, Shareholder, Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
________________________________________
• Yvonne Bell, Development Director, Center Theatre Group
________________________________________
• Sandra Ebejer, Institutional Giving Officer, Center Theatre Group
________________________________________
• Fay Feeney, CEO, Risk for Good


Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM (PT)


3rd Annual Philanthropy Forum: The Legacy of Self-Made Women
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Frances Kweller ESQ' NYU featured alumni

http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/profiles/alumni/franceskweller?utm_source=lyris&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alumni_news_nov10

NYU Featured Alumni

Inspired by her love of education and her time at NYU, Frances Kweller (BS '04, Communication Studies) entered the work force on a mission to revitalize the higher education application system. The result was Kweller Prep, an organization she founded which provides highly personalized and intense test prep courses for students seeking higher test scores, entry to top-rated schools, and a way to reach their aspirations

Columbia University Supplement Sample

Why Columbia?

The three things that appeal to me most about the prospect of pursuing my undergraduate studies at Columbia are: its outstanding NYC location, its opportunities to learn alongside tremendously talented people, and its status as an Ivy League institution. My sister is a Yale graduate in Chemical Engineering (2005) and my brother now attends Brown and majors in Applied Mathematics and Economics. They are my role models, and I too want to study in top-notch schools surrounded by gifted students and laudable professors. My siblings share with me the deep sense of belonging, possibility, and opportunity they have gained from being a part of such elite institutions.

I am currently a senior at the Lycee Francais De New York high school located on the Upper East Side. Coming to New York was a mixed blessing; as much as I miss my homeland, Haiti, I now couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. New York is filled with limitless possibilities, and after being exposed to just a taste of what NYC has to offer, I am certain that I want to spend my undergraduate years here. Moreover, Columbia appeals to me because of its international reputation as a school of excellence, filled with a diverse student body, and one where I could explore my interests with limitless resources. Last but not least, the option to study abroad is something I would absolutely be interested in as well, and knowing that Columbia has programs as far as the United Arab Emirates will give me immense options.

Lessons I Learned About Starting My Own Business!

Lessons I Learned About Starting My Own Business!

Frances Kweller, J.D. is founder of Kweller Prep Advanced Tutoring and Educational Services. An intensive test prep and college prep program designed for busy and talented youth. Her article is designed to offer reflection, and hopefully inspiration, to her readers. You can reach Frances at fk@KwellerPrep.com or visit www.KwellerPrep.com for more information.



TRUST YOUR GUT!

You have to trust your gut. If you don’t trust your own judgment, then how can you possibly expect others to trust in you? You have to make decisions for yourself, even if you fail. The best lessons you learn in life are from the mistakes you yourself made.

I had my business idea to open an advanced tutoring center while a college student at NYU. I knew it had tremendous potential. My time back then was limited, so I got to hand pick the kids I would work with—and I chose the best of the best. Top tennis athletes, exceptional students, and community service oriented kids. They were all ideal candidates for me to work with. I knew that after doing test prep with these kids, I could help them secure not only incredible college acceptance letters, but also a multitude of scholarships. I can’t even count how many times I worked on scholarship applications with my high school kids and they won--nearly $100,000 per kid. The parent would invest around $2,000- $5,000 in my service, and reap the benefits from it within a few months.

My gut said over and over again, ‘GO BIG GO BIG GO BIG.’ I eventually listened, but only after I completed law school—three years later! Obtaining a law degree gave me a tremendous amount of confidence. I was the first person to go to law school in my family and when I learned that I had passed the NYS bar, I felt as if I could rule the world. I needed that degree—I needed those three grueling years in law school, to gain the confidence I lacked in order to eventually open my own business.

People often ask me why I don’t “practice” law. But I do. In fact, I use my knowledge from law school all the time—to set up my first, and then my second corporation, to create employment and non-competition agreements, to obtain licenses to use material from the College Board, and to work with other lawyers as I form my corporate structure.


BE WARY OF THE ADVICE OF OTHERS.

I work with a lot of well-meaning parents who only want the best for their children, but sometimes, they discourage their kids from trusting themselves, because as parents, they think they know better.

One of my best friends lives in Israel now. She said one of the biggest mistakes she ever made in life was not listening to her gut, and studying the wrong major. Her parents really wanted her to be in the business world, but she loved to study art. Business was simply not her thing. Instead if encouraging her to take art classes, they sent her off to Kumon learning school every day. It took lots of bad jobs, and many unhappy years until she finally learned to do what she loves—which is art. She now works for an art appraiser and is happier now than ever before.

If your gut says be a doctor, then be a doctor! If it says be a tennis coach, then be one! But be the best! Work hard and put your energy into doing that what you love.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SOMEONE YOUNG.

We are a generation of winners. 22 year old Lady Gaga earned 68 million dollars last year. Mark Zuckerburg, creator of facebook, was worth 26 billion. Bill Gates started Microsoft in 1975 and was the richest person in the world by 1996. What do they all have in common? Besides all dropping out from their respective colleges, they made a fortune doing what they love, trusting their gut and executing ideas.

If I only had one dollar every time a parent met with me and said, “Wow, you are so much younger than I expected.” Time and time again, parents think I must be in my forties or fifties because I am a lawyer and run my own successful business. Even my tutoring staff is amazed with me. “you are so successful” Helen, my 18 year old tutor, says. But I don’t see it that way. After all, Mark Zuckerburg is that same exact age as I am, and by age 27, he had made billions of dollars, and changed social media as we know it. HE is successful. Look at Lady Gaga, and Bettheny Frankel. THEY are successful.

I will never settle with moderate success--I always hold myself up to higher standards. I have role models my own age. We live in a generation of winners and young wealth. We are, bar far, the most intelligent generation society has ever had.

The sheer volume of information available at our fingertips is incredible. We are winners. We are Young. We are going places that prior generations never even dreamed of. Lady Gaga made more than Madonna last year. We do not only look up to our role models; we out-perform them.

I wonder if I lose clients because I am so young—because they think that an older, more experienced tutor or college counselor to get their kids into the ivy leagues. I think parents who do not use me are making a huge mistake. I’m young, I’m savvy, and I’m optimistic. Best of all, I have a track record of getting kids into top schools, on incredible scholarships.

I just spoke with one of my student’s college counselors yesterday. This counselor is older and jaded. He is not as optimistic as I am. I have worked with his student regularly for the past year and helped her go from a 1350 SAT score to a 2190. He sees her transcripts and worries. I see her SAT score and smile. I envision an amazing addendum letter to her college application discussing what an amazing, talented, albeit late blooming student she is. She went from a USTA National Tennis Ranking of 332 to 57. Amazing. Her sharp rise in tennis correlated directly with her higher and higher performance on her SAT. As her testing performance went up, so did her athletic abilities. She is incredible. She can hit the Ivy Leagues. And she will.

A young person sees what an older person may not. At my age, I am surrounded by young success. How can I possibly not be optimistic about my future?

DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND THE MONEY WILL FOLLOW

I am in the education industry, and I’m doing what I love. I’m not teaching at a school, because I don’t love that. I am a leader, not a follower, and I can’t handle bureaucracy. I can’t work as a teacher—simple reason: I could NEVER fail a kid. I work with kids until they become winners and I NEVER give up—my students will attest to this. I respect teachers so much; my mother was a school teacher for over 30 years. But even if I was the principal, I’d still have to answer to someone. So I won’t go that route (Unless I open a charter school for reasons I will mention in another article) I feel that my creativity would be restricted. I run a private practice. I need to be the boss.

Professionally, I can’t be anything else; it’s just not me. You have to do what you love to do. You have to know yourself—really know who you are. Trust me, the money will follow. The amazing part is that you don’t feel that you are ‘working’ when you do what you love. Your job is no longer a job—it is you. You actually enjoy talking about work—outside of work-- and in general, enjoying life. My highest levels of personal satisfaction came from Kweller Prep--launching something I love and creating something even larger than what I envisioned, with almost 200 students entering the Kweller Prep doors by the end of the first year (which, by the way, means I wasn’t thinking nearly big enough!)

Generation 2010 is filled with winners. My ambitious friends, who couldn’t find jobs, are opening their own businesses and are running them well—they are now the ones looking at resumes and doing the hiring. Our future is filled with alternative career options and I’m not going to let propaganda like CNN flash recession updates, or a jaded college counselor scare me away from taking risks or trying to place talented kids into top schools—on full academic scholarships.

TIMING IS A LOT, BUT EXECUTION IS EVERYTHING!

If I have learned one thing, it is this: Ideas are worthless unless executed. Since opening Kweller Prep, people have approached me with one idea after the other. Many claim that my success has inspired them and that they want to share their ideas with me. My response always is, “your idea is great, but how do you plan to go about executing it?” Without execution, your ideas are worthless. Completely Worthless. Executed ideas, however, are invaluable.

Sometimes executing your ideas means that you will lose friends, sometimes it means you will alienate family. But if you don’t follow through with something that you want to do, you will lose hope, and that is the greatest loss of all. Few people know this, (but after this article a lot more will), but my father (a man whom I admire and respect so much and speak to multiple times daily) was strongly opposed to me opening my own business. He had a different “picture” of how my life should go. When I decided to open my business, I told my father my “plan.” He strongly discouraged me and even threatened to stop speaking with me. He reminded me that we are in the midst of a recession, and I would have to be a complete idiot to take a loan out in such tumultuous time. I remember wishing so much that I had his support, but I also looked deep inside myself and listened to my gut—and continued to follow through with my plan.

THE HATE LETTER: My well meaning, very traditional father was adamantly opposed to me, a woman, opening her own business. Upon learning that I signed the lease, he was irate. Shortly after, he presented me with a letter. It went something like this: “I prohibit you from doing this. We are in the midst of a recession and what you are doing—taking a loan, opening your own business, signing a two year lease for tutoring after I paid for all of law school is ridiculous. Your business will fail. It will cost you thousands of dollars to run it. You don’t even know how to balance a check book. I WANT YOU TO WORK AS A LAWYER FOR THE GOVERNMENT. This way, you can make $40,000 a year to start, plus have full medical and dental coverage. You can set up a pension plan and a roth IRA. You can work from 9:00 to 5:00 pm and then retire after 20 years. THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO. I am your father and I know what is best. I would never mis-guide you” I wish I had kept the letter. Just the thought of working 9 to 5 makes me nauseous. Everyone has their calling—that kind of job or that kind of lifestyle simply is not mine.

In fact, my father was so angry that he had paid for my law degree and I decided to ‘work as a tutor’ that he did not speak with me my first three weeks in business. So much for a grand opening! I’m surprised my mom and dad didn’t walk around in black veils! For the first six months that I ran Kweller Prep, my father told friends and family that I was looking for a “real” legal job but I couldn’t find “real” work due to the recession. He was a man in deep denial. The truth was that I handed out no resumes. I went on no interviews, but my father for the life of him couldn’t come to terms with the fact that I was returning to do something I had done since I was fifteen years old—tutoring. Many members of my family were quite confused. I bet they still are. I went from being “my niece the lawyer,” which they would say with pride to “Henry’s daughter who wasted his money and got a law degree for nothing.” Ouch! Talk about harsh. It took about 6 months, $100,000 in earnings and a feature in the NYU alumni newsletter as an outstanding alumni for them to think otherwise. By the end of my first year, Kweller Prep generated over $250,000. I started with a -$10,000 credit card loan (I had to take a loan again my credit card because no bank would help me out).

I currently employ about a dozen tutors, and have professionally edited and proofread nearly 1,000 college applications and personal statements. I now offer an at-home tutoring option (to reduce overhead cost) and am in the preliminary stages of writing a grant proposal to open a charter school in New York and Los Angeles for first generation immigrant students geared to help them get into competitive colleges on scholarship. I blog, I twitter, I work on my website and face fear daily while writing up parts of my business plan to expand. I NEED to believe in myself, even when no one else will. I need to pray that I make the RIGHT personal and professional choices, and hope to remain a role model for all the kids who have come my way.

I need to be OK with my decisions, and need to always trust my gut. I have become best friends with my gut. I listen to it, and it leads me in the right direction. Always.

My dad recently made my day. It took three years. He sees how happy I am. I get to travel, and launch incredible business ventures. I am more confident now than ever before. He told me that he used to think that he was 100% right, but now he realized that after I opened the business and ran it successfully without his help, he had been 100% wrong. To me, his respect means more than anything in the world. Today, I have it. Had I not executed my idea, it might have been lost. Now I take my father to events where I do presentations on the business and hold informational workshops on competitive college admissions. My father is amazed each and every time. It took a while, and a very powerful idea execution to gain his admiration and respect in a way in which satisfies both me and him.

CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN

You have an idea? Great…. START, but that’s all it is. You can jot general ideas down on a napkin, or tape record yourself while you speak, or simply share an email with a friend to get the ball rolling, but you must have some kind of vision, some kind of plan that you can put into written form. Thinking small isn’t enough; to be successful in business—and in life—you must think big. You must put your ideas in writing. You must have a business plan. I get chills right before working on mine. But I have support. There are numerous websites that can help with this, and they even offer free consultations. You have to be crazy not to take advantage of these opportunities. You can speak with an experienced business plan expert for free! Your first step is the PLAN. You must at least have that. Then you need drive, ambition, and a touch of luck.

LEARN TO HEAR THE WORD “NO!” BUT STILL FOLLOW YOUR GUT

I read somewhere that a child hears the work ‘no’ seven times more than he hears the word ‘yes’ as he grows up. I think it gets worse as you get older. I will never say to my child or children that they cannot do anything. Everything is within their reach.

When I first approached people with my business idea for a tutoring center, I felt like I heard the word ‘no’ 40 times more than I heard ‘yes.’ “There is already a Princeton, and a Kaplan, and schools are packed with after school services- some are even free—why would they go to you?“ And there was more “You can teach. You can work in law. You can work in a company and have vacation days! Like 2 weeks a year!” My parents said no, my then boyfriend said no, his mom said no, the bank said no. I wanted $100,000 to open my business. The answer was unanimously “no-no-no-no-no.” Uggh.

One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with was hearing the word no, but moving on despite hearing that vulgar word. I am a natural people pleaser. In a way, I think everyone is. I knew I had a great idea, which was to create Kweller Prep – a learning incubator in Forest Hills, specifically designed for advanced children of immigrant kids. I was hoping to fill a niche. I wanted to provide exceptional support services for already talented kids. So many of those kids live in Queens, where there is a high 1st generation immigrant population, an area filled with talented, driven young minds, and parents who aspire to give their kids the best education possible.

People take for granted that smart kids will just ‘figure out’ how to get into a top college or university, but that is not the case. Over and over again, I was discouraged from pursuing my ideas-- first by my own family, then from my friends. The problem is that even the people who supported me (and there were very few), didn’t have the money or capital to invest in my ideas. Even those who said they would never followed through. This doesn’t mean they were bad friends, but perhaps they were just too busy in their own world to help me pursue my dreams. YOU HAVE TO PURSUE YOUR DREAMS. They are YOURS!

I was pleasantly surprised when kids with very low grades came to Kweller Prep for help. I did not turn anyone away. “The center is not designed for you, but if you commit to working your butt off, to deactivating facebook, to learn with and respect the tutors here, then I’ll take you in.” One after the other, they unanimously agreed. Multiple students went from 60 to 90 averages thanks to Kweller Prep. We helped some gets get out of the school system entirely; we arranged to home school, alternate schools, and charter school them. Overall, I observed one success after the other.

REJECTION HURTS.GET OVER IT.


I remember after law school, I was finally confident enough to open my business. I had, after all, a law degree that I knew I could fall back on. I had a top undergraduate degree from New York University—from which I graduated early, in 3 1/3 years with high honors. I decided to go, with confidence from one bank to the next to promote my small business idea.


Talk about getting no support! Citibank shut me down completely. The small business banker said I must be ‘in business’ at least 2 years before I can even think about applying for a loan. She also gave me her two cents that I would be better off working for another tutoring center for a few years and then opening my own. Why people offer free advice—which turns out to be well-meaning but bad advice—is beyond me. After completing law school, I had momentum—I wanted to open my own business. I was ready to do so. I opened it and I did really well. Had I taken the Citibank’s business specialist’s advice, she would have set me back a few years. Or worse, I would have lost my momentum or entered into a non-compete agreement with another tutoring company, which could potentially have prohibited me from opening my own unique center.


SBA rejected me. That really hurt. I had nowhere to go except the credit cards after that. I maxed out my credit line. I was very lucky. My business did well, and I paid my loan back, ahead of time!

I received a letter from the SBA that my business got nominated for best local start up business by a woman in 2010. I was very flattered and very confused. After all, the guy who nominated me was the same one who couldn’t help me secure a loan from SBA to start my business in the first place! I just didn’t get it. The letter said that I helped create more jobs in this horrible economy and if I won the award, then 60,000 copies of the SBA newsletter would go out with Kweller Prep featured on the cover. Wow! I was honored, but not interested in the publicity. I found it strange, if anything, the same people who nominated me now were the ones who couldn’t invest in me back then.

I was also going through some immense personal changes I have no desire now to write about now. The timing was off, and the nomination,all the potential publicity, while flattering, just didn't sit well with me at the time. I didn't want Kweller Prep on the cover of 60,000 fliers, not yet at least. I had so much more to do. I wasn't ready.

Getting rejected hurts. Get over it. Move on. Look what wound up happening with me-- the same people who refused to give me a business loan later nominated me for best local start up business!

LEARN TO DELEGATE!


You have to find people you trust, and you have to, above all, trust yourself. Even though you might be able to do a fabulous job of running the entire business on your own, it can be emotionally and mentally exhausting. You must, my dear readers, learn how to let go and delegate. There are only 24 hours in a day and you can only do so much. However by delegating, you can essentially create more time—more time to clear your head, and more time to think about bigger, better and more important things.

When I hired my first tutor, Risheen, I delegated to her the job of instructing students how to handle the critical reading sections on the SAT. Risheen had perfect SAT scores. She graduated from Columbia University, with high honors and was obtaining a professional degree from NYU in social work. I was at first nervous at having her work with ‘my kids.’ I was very possessive (grrr! Mine mine mine!). But as the business began to grow, I knew that I couldn’t teach and run the business single-handed. You can find her here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9qJs9NTTm8&feature=player_embedded

Much to my surprise, the kids started to love Risheen. I BECAME JEALOUS. She worked for me on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the kids requested her on Mondays and Wednesdays. I was so happy that she was a good fit, and so happy that she was so likeable, and jealous when the kids started to gravitate to her. I was learning to let go, and, boy, was that difficult. For the sake of my business and for what I had created, I had to find more amazing tutors. The kids had to love them. I had to learn to let go and allow them to be loved. I hired more and more incredible staff. It took a lot of trial and error. I gave the kids complete control over the hiring decisions at Kweller Prep. This empowered them. If they liked the tutor, I kept them; if not, I fired them. It was that easy. After the kids selected the tutors they liked the most, I began to train, and train and train. But I trained carefully. I had all the tutors sign confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non compete agreement.

THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO KNOW MORE THAN YOU. MEET THEM. HIRE THEM.

I am a lawyer, but I invested in hiring an experienced lawyer to help me draft such important documents. I also did a thorough background check on each tutor, as per my attorney's advice. There are people out there who know more than you. You just have to accept that in life. Don’t fight it—use them as resources. After all, you go to a mechanic for your car, a doctor for your health, and hopefully a knowledgeable lawyer to help you execute contracts for your business dealings. You need to go to those who have experience. It will save you time, and in the long run, a lot of money.


HIRE THE RIGHT STAFF


After a lot of trial and error, you will eventually learn to hire the right staff. You will eventually train the staff you like most. You may unfortunately train a competitor, like Princeton review and Kaplan did when they trained the founders of the now multi-million dollar test prep industry Revolution Prep. But that is a risk you have to take. If you avoid risk, you may also avoid highly profitably opportunities. You can’t suffer from ‘analysis-paralysis.’ Sometimes, thinking too much gets you nowhere. You analyze until you over analyze, and the thinking process exhausts you. Act now, think later, then process. Take a bite of the apple so you at least know what it tastes like.


TAKE AN ACCOUNTING CLASS

In college, I dodged basic accounting like the plague. In fact, I made it all throughout college and law school without taking a basic tax class. I feared I would fail the subject and managed to do without it—all because I didn’t want a bad grade. A class like accounting should be required. After all, the only things absolutely certain in life are taxes and death. I think that taking an accounting class should be ungraded. College kids should just take the class to learn and not fear a bad grade in an unknown area—but that is a separate discussion entirely. If you have the option to sit in on an accounting class (called “auditing” a class) go for it! Just sit in the back and take notes. This way, you don’t have to worry about getting a grade. Just enjoy and absorb the information.

HIRE A GOOD ACCOUNTANT

I went through three accountants my first year in business. The first one came highly recommended, but screwed up my filing status. He also put me on the radar with auditors. I paid him $400 to file my taxes. He used TurboTax, which I could have done myself for free. The second accountant had over 20 years of experience, which was great, but she did not handle the amended taxes with the care I wanted. Actually, she didn’t handle them at all. She held onto my tax return information for 2 weeks and let it collect dust in her office. I thought she was working on it. I thought she was helping me make a timely amendment, but she had bigger and better fish to fry. I was a new business, and low on her priority list. She returned my tax file to me untouched and told me to leave it as is, and be prepared to explain to an auditor that I made a one-time boo boo with my tax filing status in the event of an audit.


What an idiot. I was so angry. At that point, I began to complain to my friends, and they found me a trustworthy accountant, Alex Muratov. He really took control of my business. With Alex, Kweller Prep went from being a sole proprietorship (which I created) to a Corporation. Alex saved me money. Alex explained tax law to me. Alex helped me transition from paying my staff as 1099 employees (private contractors) to putting them on payroll.


Finding a good accountant is like finding a good doctor. The right one can save your life. The wrong one can end it. Alex is young, ambitious, clear and persistent. He has been practicing for 11 years and really knows his stuff. Most of all, he knows how to explain. This was something I needed that the other accountants really lacked.


BEWARE OF FREE ADVICE

Everyone offers me unwanted, uninvited, free advice, all the time. A lot of times it is negative advice. I’ve reached a point in my career now where I don’t even hear the words said anymore; all I hear is the negative and I nod but I zone out completely as to what the person is actually saying. I love this about myself. I do not process the word NO. What if Steve Jobs had listened to that evil word. We wopuld never have the ipod or Ipad! You will be surrounded by “nay say-ers” all your life--“Why are you opening a business?” “90% of business fail.” “You are wasting your talents.” “Get a ‘safe’ job with a pension, retirement plan, and ‘benefits’” “You are taking on too many responsibilities.” “So-and-so ran a business and HE failed…”

Learn to deal with them. Their negativity is like venom. You need to walk away before the snake bites. It will hurt.

I recently decided to post a 1 day workshop, called SAT in a DAY on facebook. I launched it before anyone had time to offer me free advice on it. People flew in from around the country to attend my workshop. It got rave reviews. I then launched it in Manhattan (www.ColumbiaScholarsPrep.com). I found a great lawyer to help me get the legal work done, and I couldn’t be more excited about this venture.


TO CONCLUDE

I have never been happier before in my life than I am now. I am in my element, and I hope this article inspires you to be too. I have a lot more lessons to learn down the road, and I’m excited to see what the future has to bring. 2011 has been an incredible year, despite the recession, despite the falling trees of Forest Hills, and despite the really bad free advice I got, and fortunately taught myself not to listen to. Thanks for reading!

What if I Could Build a School?

What if I could build a Tutoring Center – but for more than just tutoring? How about a school?

What if I could offer life coaching, and health and wellness? How about stress management while parents and kids navigate the ever so convoluted college and graduate school admission process? What if my tutoring center could create future leaders in America and the world? What if everyone who graduated would make a greater, positive series of contributions to society? What if it was not just a school, but a place to build confidence and grace?

What if my tutoring centers had tutors who not only educators, but also mentors? What if at my school, the teachers and staff really cared about the welfare of every single kid and parent who entered? What if I offered at-home tutoring, but not just tutoring—how about at home mentoring? What if the tutors would show kids how to get organized at home so that they could study well and create a safe space that is clean, clutter, and distraction free? What if I could build insane amount of confidence in these kids, one “tutee” at a time?

Years later, what if 100 or 1000 of these centers existed, and kids would graduate from Kweller Prep? What if the tutors served as mediators between parents and kids as they struggle to find balance and peace during the turbulent teenage years? What if this school had weekly workshops What if I, one person, could revolutionize the education industry? What if I grew so big that colleges and graduate schools would reconsider what criteria they use to decide which kids get into their schools, and which ones get out? What if I made winners out of kids who thought of themselves as losers?

I may be a dreamer, but I also built my first from school from nothing, a credit card loan, and never looked back, because I was tired of the few options and failing school systems around me. I want to create immense change in the tutoring, test prep, and education industry. Kweller Prep is just the first step in that direction. Welcome to my journey, and I hope you enjoy the ride.

Major Nationwide Change in School Lunch Menu

Major changes are coming to school lunches across the country and some people aren't happy about it. In an effort to curb rampant obesity, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued new guidelines for nutrition in cafeterias.

Many popular items may find themselves on the chopping block. French fries, pepperoni pizza, and even chocolate milk are being removed from menus in a desperate attempt to lower the amounts of sodium of calories in students' diets. The key, regulators believe, is by giving healthier alternatives to get children accustomed to making better choices. Chocolate and whole milk will be replaced by skim and 1%, French Fries and other starches are being limited to one cup a week and more emphasis will be placed on fresh, leafy greens.

Some criticize the new plan. One principal interviewed estimated that the changes would raise the cost of the meals by 14 cents, only 6 of which the government would pay for. Critics argue that the burden is too much for schools which are already suffering major budget shortfalls. Not only would the food they prepare cost more, but many schools have already offset cafeteria costs by allowing “competitive foods” from chains into the schools.

But the stakes are high. This is a country where 17% of children are not only heavy, but obese. And in a country that is getting progressively sicker (this generation is expected to be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than the one before) the schools have a responsibility to be teaching children how to live properly. It is the one subject our children cannot be allowed to fail.

Why Facebook Time and Study Time Don’t Mix

If you have recently found that your grades are slacking and you are not sure why, perhaps it is time to take a look and see how much time you are spending using the internet and not doing what you are supposed to be doing - which is studying.

Nobody wants to study (if studying was enjoyable it would be called “fun” and not “work”), but the simple fact of the matter is that if you want to get ahead in life then you need to devote time to your school work. As using social networking is a strictly extracurricular activity, it is not that hard to understand why Facebook time and study time do not mix.

What might start as a quick peek at Facebook, turns into an hour long session of checking out what everyone is up to or writing on your friends’ walls. Checking out your Facebook while taking a five minute study break is not a very good idea either, because what you think is going to be an innocent break, taken out of your study session, can quickly turn into a twenty minute or even half hour long gap, breaking your concentration and distracting you from work, as well as taking up valuable time. The next thing you know, you did not get any studying done and it is time to go to bed, in order to be fresh for the next day.

If you absolutely feel the need to check your Facebook while you are studying, it is a good idea to set a timer of some sort. Give yourself less than five minutes to check things out and then when the buzzer goes off it is time to get back to work. Do not attempt to keep track of time by gazing at the clock because in most cases you won't even remember to glance at the time until it is too late.

Everyone needs a break from long periods of study time. HOWEVER, there are efficient and smart ways to rest your head, without wasting precious time. If you must take a break, you can make a quick snack- which will help you recharge and unwind for a little while. You can also walk or take a jog around the neighborhood in order to clear your head and refresh before you continue with your studies. These methods help you relax but also allow you to keep track of your time. It might also be a good idea to deactivate your facebook while you are studying to prevent any spur of the moment distractions that might cause you to lose focus. In the moment, it may seem like you are “out of touch” with the world and all your friends but ask yourself-are they REALLY going to disappear?

Setting up a time schedule might seem tedious but it is also a great way to manage your time and set up a mental system of what you need to be doing. Even if you need to study, you can always schedule in breaks and periods of time where you can relax and take your mind off things (but not for too long!)

If studying for that upcoming final/exam seems daunting, it is a great idea to study in small increments over a longer period of time. It is known that repetition can help one retain important information- which is a great thing to know when an important exam is coming up. Cramming may seem like the best way to absorb all the needed information, but in reality students tend to forget all the information after the test is over- which is counterproductive when many courses in high school and beyond are compounding (meaning that the lessons learned in unit one are essential to understanding unit two..etc) This is why studying in increments is the most logical solution for students who do not want to waste their energy and stress on the cram session the night before the exam.

Have you ever heard yourself say “I wished I had studied more for that test last night?” If so, make sure that you separate study time from play time and realize that you can always chat with your friends or watch television after you finished studying for your exam. At the end of the day, you’ll feel better and your grades will look better too.

Whatever methods you might use to study, make sure that you are doing something that best suits you and the way you think. Everyone can be an efficient test taker and student if unnecessary distractions are limited or removed entirely.

Prepping for the SAT: Practice Makes Perfect

Though the SAT might seem intimidating at first, the test is absolutely learnable. There are hundreds of students each year who do well enough on the SAT to get into elite colleges. Thousands more do well enough to get in to the school of their dreams. How do these students do it? It all comes down to practice. Given the basic skills necessary for doing well on the SAT, it is clear that early practice truly does make perfect.

Studies show that students who begin studying for the SAT *early* are more likely to get a top score. This makes sense, as well, since the ins and outs of the SAT are relatively easy to learn. It is a test designed to trick students from start to finish. With more practice, kids have a greater chance at learning those little tricks that most students fall for year after year. As students get more comfortable with the timing and challenges of the SAT, they begin to see patterns in the questions that they failed to realize at first glance.

Students who want to do well need to get started as early as possible. Taking untimed practice tests to learn the question types is always a good idea. Drilling with various problems will teach a student to recognize mistakes and correct them. Recognizing patterns in the types of mistakes you are making is an essential step towards allowing yourself to see what you are getting wrong and why. This helps you determine what kind of material you should focus your efforts on in order to minimize the amount of questions you get wrong on the real exam.
From there, students can move on to taking full, timed practice tests in the hope of simulating the testing environment. Over time, smart students will build up stamina and get used to the grind of the SAT. This will lead to prolonged elite performance throughout the test. Smart students that practice efficiently rarely feel the “crash” of energy towards the middle or latter end of the exam. Prevent this from happening by taking initiative and practicing a little bit every day (yes, it is manageable!).

There are many ways to prepare for the SAT, from vocabulary study to math practice. No matter what strategy your child employs, he or she will benefit from consistent practice. Starting early and building long-term familiarity with the material is the secret to high scores. Research shows this is the best way to unlock all potential and open doors to elite universities.

College Scholarships for High School Tennis Players

College tuition costs have steadily risen over the past 10 years. Many students are going into debt just to put themselves through higher education. The good news is that there are options to help you afford expensive college costs. If you are an experienced high school tennis player, taking advantage of tennis scholarships is a great way to pay for higher education.

The level of play expected on the collegiate level is more advanced than the average high school skill level. A good way to test your skill level is to participate in college matches or play with friends who play tennis in college. If you think that you are an above average player, then you should begin applying for tennis scholarships. There are just under 2,000 scholarships for male tennis players and 4,000 scholarships for female players offered through the NCAA.

Division I colleges contain the fiercest competition and the most skilled players. If you are an average player, you should apply for Division II schools instead. Division I and II universities are allowed 4.5 scholarships each for men, while Division I are allowed 8 and Division II allowed 6 for women. This means that male tennis is classified as an "equivalence" sport. Scholarship money is often spread out evenly amongst team members, which makes getting a full ride scholarship nearly impossible. Women's tennis, however, is a "head count" sport, making full rides more likely by far.

Tennis is a sport that is steadily growing in popularity, and thus getting noticed by collegiate level teams is getting harder as the years go by. Start working on your college plans early on in your high school career. To increase your chances of getting noticed by colleges, have someone film your matches and send the best ones along with a short bio and essay to schools you are interested in. This increases the chance that schools will see your work and contact you if they are interested in getting you to attend their school. It is also a good idea to attend college tennis camps. This will help you get noticed by coaches and scouts and put your name on their radar, it is also a great thing to put on a resume when applying to college.

The key to being noticed by colleges is to learn how to market yourself. Students make the mistake of thinking that if they are great players, colleges will always seek them out first and make offers. This isn't the case. Even if you are a star athlete, it is a good idea to put yourself out there and be active in starting relationships with different colleges and coaches. Contact the schools you're interested in early and apply for their tennis program and scholarships as early as the fall of your senior year. Taking the initiative in this process will help you go further than just relying on skill alone. It looks great to college recruiters and coaches that you (the student) took the effort to contact personnel while also showing that you hold a strong interest in the school itself. It never hurts to try to take that *extra* step that will set up apart from the rest.

The Higher the SAT, the Higher the Scholarship Opportunities

SAT scores have a large bearing on scholarship decisions nationwide. Scholarship awards are weighed on academic achievement, sports abilities, volunteer hours and a variety of other factors. But a high SAT score can tip the scales in your favor if you are neck and neck with another student competing for the same scholarship.

If you have an impressive high school transcript and a high SAT score to go with it, the opportunities are virtually endless when applying for academic scholarships. If your SAT scores are mediocre or less than average, you may want to retake the SAT before seeking an academic scholarship award because your score may lower your chances of receiving a hefty scholarship award when compared to applicants with higher scores.
Another option would be to focus on another area of achievement, such as sports or music (sometimes known as the “talent factor” or talent-based scholarships). These scholarship opportunities are narrower, which betters your chance of success. If you decide to target your efforts towards talent-based scholarships, you should also realize that although the number of students applying is significantly lower than nationally offered scholarships, the talent of students might also be higher.

Standardized testing has become a benchmark for success over the years, in all areas of accomplishment. Civil service exams, professional certifications and college admissions all measure progress through standardized test results. Therefore, it stands to reason that scholarship opportunities would follow suit. SAT results are easily recorded and kept tamper-free through the College Board’s third party reporting system. Also, the SAT provides a nationwide standard that effectively levels the playing field for applicants. Simply stated, SAT scores make it easy for scholarship grantors to make award decisions.

What should you do, then, if your SAT scores are on the low end? If you have time, it may be best to retake the SAT and see if you can improve your score. Students usually score higher on subsequent tests, since they are more familiar with the SAT format and general content. If a second SAT score yields another low score, it may be time to look at other forms of financial aid. Grants and student loans are available across the country, but the rules and conditions vary according to state. Scholarships, grants and loans are only a means to a more important end – a college education. Worry less about the vehicle and concentrate more on the journey-it will be worth it, trust me!




DONE 6/9
The Best Time to Take the SAT

Many high school students struggle to find the best time to take the SAT. They need to time the exam just right so that they have enough time to study, so that they have acquired the skills needed to succeed, and so that they can meet college application deadlines. There are plenty of pitfalls for taking the test too early, or taking it too late.

Eleventh-graders might be motivated to take the SAT in the first half of their junior year, in October or November. This will give them more time to retake the test should they not be happy with their scores. However, taking the test in the fall of one’s junior year is probably too early.
The SAT Score Choice, in which students take the test multiple times in order to increase their chances of having outstanding scores before sending their highest scores to the schools of their choice, is not endorsed by all universities (Yes, really!!!). Not all schools will accept multiple scores from applicants and many students realize later (a little too late) that their dream school rejects score choice and instead opts for one score in entirety. Because the test is designed to examine the skills of eleventh- and twelfth-graders, juniors who take the test early on in their third year might not be as prepared as they would be if they waited until closer to the end of the year.
Make sure that if you do decide to take the test at this time, that you are comfortable with the test material and are fully prepared to take the exam (no “winging” it!!!!!!).

However, students also do not want to take the test too late. To meet most college application deadlines, students need to have taken the SAT in December of their senior year. Most students should not leave this most important requirement of their college application until the last possible minute, in the event that they experience an emergency and cannot make it to the test, for example (of if they do not receive the score they needed to apply to a number of their schools).

The perfect time to take the SAT, then, is in the spring of the student’s junior year, either March or May. This way the student will be finished or nearly finished with their third-year coursework, and will be a better match, skill-wise, to the questions on the test. They will also have the option to retake the test in the fall of their senior year, should they be dissatisfied with their scores.
Whenever you do decide to sign up for the test, remember to prepare fully and practice your test material during the weeks prior to test day (the date sneaks up on you if you are not paying attention). And remember- a prepared tester is a confident tester!

How to Optimize Your Study Time for the SAT

Taking the SAT may not be the highlight of your senior year of high school, but it certainly ranks near the top of the priority list. Colleges will be shopping for freshmen with high SAT scores, so it is imperative that you optimize your study time so you can get the most out of the experience. Even though staying at home to study while your friends are “having fun” seems like a dreadful experience, it is a necessity for students to gain familiarity with such a long and tricky exam.

Collegeboard.com, the official web site of the SAT and ACT, allows students to register for the ‘SAT Question of the Day’. Signing up for this free service is a great way to get a daily dose of SAT study time. It also serves as a reminder to spend some time in review each day. Your SAT test day will sneak up on you, so make the most of every day leading up to it.

Instead of cramming right before of the exam, it is much more beneficial to study in increments in order to allow yourself to get into the rhythm and pattern of studying. Studying for the exam (practicing problems, studying vocabulary) every day also prevents “shock value” (students who are unfamiliar with test material may feel overwhelmed) while allowing you to increase your concentration and stamina throughout the duration of the exam. The simple step of looking at Collegeboard’s SAT question of the day can get you into the groove of practicing for a set period of time prior to your test date while giving you an edge over unprepared, unorganized test takers.

Software is also available to aid in SAT preparation. Practice tests, sample questions and standardized test-taking advice are all organized in a user-friendly format that makes studying less of a chore. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for “old-fashioned” study habits. Math skills can be best improved by working practice problems until they become easy. English and grammar skills can be improved by reviewing the rules and memorizing terms and definitions. Reading comprehension skills are sharpened by reading books and articles and answering relative questions about the content of the text.

Begin SAT preparation weeks or months in advance. By including a little practice in all of these academic areas each day, you will eliminate the dreaded cram session that many students find themselves in during the final days before the test. Cramming for a large test like the SAT is much less helpful than incremental study time over a long period of time, especially with all the unnecessary stress you will encounter on test day.

Finally, get a good night’s sleep the night before the test. Most SAT sessions begin at 7am or 8am on a Saturday. Resist the urge to stay up late the night before. Your mind will thank you on the morning of the test, and you’ll be even happier when the scores come back.

Scholarships For Kids With High Regents Scores

Students with high regents scores have many doors open to them, but there are so many doors open it's sometimes hard to know which scholarships are worth applying for, and which are not. With college costing thousands a year, it's important not to waste time with scholarships that are not worth it. However, students must also know that there are great scholarship opportunities out there- especially for well-rounded candidates who have demonstrated their academic aptitude through very high Regents scores.

When searching for student loans online, avoid sites that ask for surveys or log in names. Beware of the traps of “sucker” sites that offer deals that seem too good to be true (these include websites that ask for a small “fee” or “deposit payment”). Be especially cautious during the prime “college-crunch” season. Many websites display false information in order to gain a profit from vulnerable and stressed out families looking for money. There are however, many legitimate and useful scholarship search engines out there that are simply not utilized by students and families who could really use a leg up. Look for a site that has an easy search engine, and do not waste your time with websites overrun with advertisements and information that don't give you what you really need. There are also books that publish specific scholarship information (there are many different types of scholarships under a plethora of different categories) that are easy to navigate but can sometimes have too much information. The key is to be aware and efficient!

For high regents scores, there are several options. The New York State Scholarships for Academic Excellence is given to high school students for high regents scores. Their GPA may also be a factor. The Scholarship for Academic Excellence awards $1500 to students who study at in-state colleges and can be renewed for up to four years of undergraduate study.

The New York Lottery Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship is funded by the state lottery. This merit-based award is given to students who not only show academic excellence, but also strengths of leadership in the community. This award gifts students $1000 a year for up to 4 years, and is given to one student in every New York public high school.

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is based on many factors. High regent scores are important as well as class rank, GPA and ACT or SAT scores. This scholarship awards gifted students up to $1500 and is also renewable for up to four years of undergraduate studies. The Byrd Scholarship does not specify that the student must study at an in-state school. This is awarded to graduating seniors and can be applied for through the high school.

Despite the importance of GPA’s and SAT scores, students tend to lose sight of regents exams, deeming them “unimportant” and “insignificant”. Students MUST realize that in the race for scholarship money, high Regents scores can place a student at an advantage over other applicants with lower scores. Regents scores also work as a supplement to a student’s SAT score and GPA, allowing scholarship providers another look into a particular student’s academic record. When it comes to Regents, students should never dismiss an opportunity to win scholarship money simply by scoring highly on a test easily studied and prepared for.

Kweller Prep Presents: SAT in a Day

The SAT is an incredibly important tool for students today. The SAT is an opportunity to position oneself for a rewarding and most times debt free college education. However, those few students who fare well on the SAT only do so because they are prepared. With that in mind, many students will want to take a close look at the SAT in a Day program offered by Kweller Prep. Is this program really worth the cost? For many students, the answer is a definite yes. SAT in a Day breaks down some of the more complicated portions of the SAT and exposes the tips and tricks necessary for achieving a high score. For students requiring instantaneous improvements, the SAT in a Day program is a solid investment.

The Kweller Prep Approach

The SAT is a lengthy standardized test designed to trick students. However, students are offered many tips in the SAT in a Day program to help break down this test and make it more manageable. These tips include timesaving measures, methods of identification, and test-taking tips specific to the SAT. It does not matter where a student begins; SAT in a Day is designed to be helpful to both high achievers and those who are struggling a bit.

How Does It Work?

Students spend a period of eight hours learning the ins and outs of the SAT. They learn about each of the test’s sections, its requirements and its special constraints. They then apply these principles to the actual SAT test. Over the course of a day, students gain expertise and receive feedback on how they can improve. Essentially a one day boot camp, SAT in a Day is designed specifically for students who cannot invest weeks in a drawn out course.

Is The Course Worth The Money?

The worth of SAT in a Day depends upon a student's goals. SAT points are invaluable, as they can lead to both college admissions and extra scholarships. Given the approach and success of this program, students stand to gain a lot from taking Kweller Prep's SAT in a Day.

Why Bother With The SAT And SAT Prep?

Like it or not, the SAT remains one of the most important aspects of a student’s application and can easily make or break one’s chances of admittance into the school of their dreams. Although the remaining components of a student’s application (GPA, extra-curriculars and leadership positions…) are certainly scrutinized and examined, a low SAT score can knock an eligible student out of the running for a spot in admissions.

Think of this process through the mind of an admissions counselor. With thousands of applications pouring in, an easy way to rank or create a first impression regarding whether an applicant is an automatic accept or reject is to organize applicants based on SAT scores. Although supplemental information is an important component of an application, the SAT (SAT scores) remains the fastest and most efficient way to both rank candidates and automatically determine the eligibility of candidates for the freshman class. Many times, students with similar GPA’s and qualifications will be compared using their SAT scores, usually resulting in the placement of one candidate over the other.

Despite constant complaints regarding the need to improve ways to judge students, the SAT still remains the most universal form of comparison between prospective students vying for the same freshman seats. With this said, it is imperative for students to learn the inner structure of the SAT in order the master and unveil the true meaning behind questions and passages. Knowing that the SAT operates to trick testers, students must be able to recognize how the exam operates in order to understand what they need to do in order to succeed.

Kweller Prep’s SAT in a Day program offers students a unique look into the mechanics of this devious exam and at the same time teaches students how to recognize traps many testers tend to fall for. Now more than ever, students must know and be aware of the inner workings of the SAT in order to get the leg up they need to become prime candidates in the eyes of many admissions counselors. Let Kweller Prep help you become a lean, mean, SAT crushing machine- the extra points will make all the difference.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2010 --
Forest Hills, N.Y.

– When is the best time to take the SAT? Should I take the test multiple times? Do all schools – especially the elite universities – participate in the Score Choice program?

These are among the most common questions of college-bound
students who are trying to navigate the confusing and intimidating college application process, according to self-described “lawyer, teacher, tutor, mentor and dreamer” Frances Kweller, J.D.


So it should come as no surprise that Kweller – a cum laude graduate of New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education who also earned a J.D. at Hofstra University School of Law (and passed the bar exam on her first try!) – founded her eponymous business, Kweller Prep, to answer those questions and to provide the personalized, hands-on counseling and test preparation that students need to achieve their academic goals.

And the proof is in the test scores. Kweller Prep students report average SAT score increases of more than 470 points, along with study skill improvements that can last a lifetime.

Kweller Prep works with students facing entrance exams such as the New York State Regents exams, the SAT and the LSAT, helps students craft their college and grad school applications and guides them in securing financial aid.

Kweller Prep also helps high school students excel while en route to college, offering tutoring for all High School Regents, Advanced Placement, IB, and Honors courses.

And now, having already helped hundreds of students gain acceptance to some of the most competitive colleges in the country, including those in the Ivy League, Kweller has opened a new facility in Forest Hills to meet the growing demand for her company’s services.


She emphasizes quality in all aspects of her business. “My team is exclusively composed of highly experienced tutors, financial planners, psycho-educational and college counselors who directly assist parents and students with all aspects of the convoluted college application and scholarship search process. They communicate directly with teachers and guidance and college counselors to help bring out the best in your child.”

“We have the best qualified teachers – all of them have tested in the top 1 percent of the subjects they teach. As a result, our tutoring and educational services are highly recommended by Ivy League college counselors, parents, and students.”

“All of our classes are interactive and customized to meet your child’s academic needs,” she continues, “and we utilize the most innovative testing resources available.”


“Most important, the students are our top priority, so my staff and I are available any day, any time. All Kweller Prep instructors make themselves available 24x7 via cell phone, e-mail, text- messaging, and Facebook.”

In sum, says Kweller, “Yes, your child CAN achieve! Kweller Prep can help. Try us out! Call us at 1800-631-1757 Today!”

www.KwellerPrep.com

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-kweller-prep-demystifies-exam-process-for-those-bound-for-college-law-school-grad-school-1274637318.html

I Made It -- Kevin Rudolph

I look up to the sky
And now the World Is Mine
I've known it all my life
I made it, I made it!
I used to dream about, the life I'm living now
I know that theres no doubt.
I made it, I made it!

Known from the city where no one believed in me
But I never give up the fight.
Ya, but now on top.
I told you to let it rock
The moneys fallin from the sky-y-y-y-y
I made it.

[Chorus - Kevin Rudolf]
I look up to the sky
And now the World is mine
I've known it all my life
I made it, I made it!
I used to dream about, the life I'm living now
I know that theres no doubt.
I made it, I made it!


Rooftop, hella choppa burning smoke
Louie bag stay strapped wit a priceless globe
High life, flippin and get some more.
Paradise, the luxury marble floor
When I hit, hit me full of that cash
More money than I seen in a garbage can
Stunna island, money and the power
Thats how we do it, make it rain make it shower
Top floor, big timer doing big things
Over city views bought shawty new range
Flip another 100, poppin throwing hundreds
In a new Bently, uptown stunna1

[Chorus]
I look up to the sky
And now the world is mine
I've known it all my life
I made it, I made it!
I used to dream about, the life im living now
I know that theres no doubt.

Kevin Rudolf I Made It lyrics found on http://www.directlyrics.com.com/kevin-rudolf-i-made-it-lyrics.html
I made it!

[Jay Sean]
Ooo I made it
I made it...
I made It...
I made it...


Courtesy of Kweller Prep: Intense Prep for Intense Kids... Call 1800-631-1757

The power of positive.....

visit www.KwellerPrep.com for more