Ali Owner of APlus Tutoring

Ali Owner of APlus Tutoring'Ali owner of aplus tutoring was the biggest reason why I wanted to pursue my career in the field of computers. To be able to find people who can provide your students with what they need to advance their abilities is a dream come true.Education is really a wonderful thing. It allows you to learn all sorts of things that will benefit the world around you. If you can provide a way for students to find out more about technology, it's really a wonderful idea. What's great about Ali, owner of aplus tutoring is that you can find a group of people who can help your students grow and learn at the same time.A lot of people think that an education is only for the education of the children in your home. The truth is that education can benefit everyone, especially the children. One of the most common questions that students have is how to make computers fun for them.The most successful people I know are those who have a passion for computers and technology. They creat e jobs in the industry because they have a strong background in technology. This is the main reason why I decided to pursue my career in the field of computers and technology.So what I did is that I decided to make an education company that helps people. The first step was to learn everything I could about education. With this information, I was able to create Ali owner of aplus tutoring.I've been a fan of Davalos for some time now. They make the best programs out there for the computer user. One of the biggest problems that they are solving is making learning fun.The last thing I'd like to mention is that they are always changing the way they teach their customers. I've tried other programs and I can assure you that Ali owner of aplus tutoring will continue to be one of the top programs on the internet for years to come.

Ask a Private Irvine English Tutor Writing Apps

Ask a Private Irvine English Tutor Writing Apps Ask a Nerd! Q:   I need to get my papers done faster? Is there an app for that? Brief: Yes! Try out Google Online Dictation Answer Students have so many options these days when it comes to study guides and materials. Although mobile apps are fabulous and can help out students on the go or those working in a group, students who are working at home from their laptop or desktop can benefit heavily from the multitude of free Google apps. One such is the online dictation feature. Many students struggle to find the words or content they are looking for,  and once they do it seems to leave their mind as quickly as it enters. This should come as no surprise given the amount of information students’ minds accumulate on a daily basis (READ: 5 Reasons Students Should Blog). There are many internet-based dictation programs that students can use, however students can easily download the Google online dictation program and have it directly on their laptop or desktop. Online dictation makes it very easy for students to write their papers without ever having to press a key. Google online dictation has two primary advantages: students can get their thoughts down on paper more quickly than they could ever type them and voice recognition dictation software can help students write a paper more quickly when they are in a time crush. In just a few seconds, students can easily save their thoughts and produce higher-quality work that lead to higher grades. Students who have papers assigned last minute or students who have waited until the last minute to write their papers can use online dictation in order to help them  finish their assignments before the clock strikes midnight. Many students report they experience writer’s block because they are intimidated by a bright white blank computer screen even though they can easily explain to a tutor or study group exactly what they want to say. The beauty of online dictation is that students can ‘write’ an entire essay without ever actually writing anything. The downside to Google online dictation is that some of the network commands are a work in progress. For example, when a student says the word “comma”, half the time they will get an actual comma and the other half the online dictation program will actually type in the word. It is also difficult for students to properly format prior to learning all of the commands and how, exactly, to say them so there will be some editing and typing required. However, even with multiple formatting issues, getting the content down is the most important thing for a student writer (READ: 5 Awesome SAT Apps). Its relatively easy for a private Irvine English tutor or classmate to give edit suggestions for comma placement and grammar structure as long as the writer has the relevant content on paper. If a tutor is not available, or in the event of a last-minute assignment, students can simply copy and paste their online dictation into Word or Pages to check for voice to text errors. Students who have downloaded the free online dictation Google app are advised to start practicing with it ASAP. Its a huge time-saver and a great way to put thoughts down on paper. It can also produce higher quality content and, possibly, better grades in the future. Good luck, student writers! Have a question for one of our nerds? Tweet it to us @TutorNerds. Give yourself the TutorNerds advantage by checking back often for the latest in our “Ask a Nerd” series. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us post about; our Orange County private tutors are full of right answers.

Beijing Huanyu Zhida International Education Consulting Co.,ltd

Beijing Huanyu Zhida International Education Consulting Co.,ltd Beijing Huanyu Zhida International Education Consulting Co.,ltd Beijing Huanyu Zhida (HYZD) International Education Consulting Co., Ltd., established in 2012, is an integrated education service provider in China. The Companys current programs include recruitment and management of foreign teachers, teacher training by foreign education experts, overseas training, featured language camps, international study tours, language learning training for teenagers, etc. HYZD International Education aims to provide professional services for institutes throughout the nation. Keeping the idea of advancing educational communication and cooperation worldwide in mind, HYZD International Education also collects and integrates quality teacher resources from China and foreign countries. The main goals are to embrace the global development of education and train international talents with a global perspective. We have expanded our business from local public schools to various educational institutes, from Beijing to all across China. HYZD provides foreign teacher resources with high quality to all business partners. This is an all in one service that includes recruitment, visa application, training, management and other services. By now, HYZD has already built steady and long-term relationships with the foreign teacher departments from more than 200 public kindergartens, elementary schools, and middle schools. Due to years of experience in the business, HYZD has enriched the management of the foreign experts team. In addition, customized program service is a key factor that keeps pushing HYZDs product as the best. View our Brochure

The 2016 top 5 subjects students get most tutored for

The 2016 top 5 subjects students get most tutored for Every parent wants their child to succeed academically and a private tutor is often the best way to secure this success. Children and teens are tutored throughout the year in an array of different subjects and for many different reasons. It may be that they need some extra help understanding homework or school-work, that they have important exams coming up or they just want to stay ahead. But what subjects are people looking to get tutored in the most? First Tutors decided to review some data to see which subjects are most commonly tutored for. Our statistics are taken for the year 2016 in the UK and look at the number of tutors hired for the different subject. We also explored the different levels of each subject: Primary Secondary GCSE A-level University Casual/Adult learner According to our statistics Maths is by far the most popular subject for tutoring needs with English as the second most tutored subject and then the sciences (Chemistry, Physics and Biology). {{graph-11}} 1. Maths Maths can be a difficult subject for many students depending greatly on the way their brain processes information. Finding a tutor that specialises and has a passion in the subject your child needs help with is vitally important. A good tutor will break down any problems and assess the best way to explain things to your child. The chart below clearly shows that GCSE Maths is the subject that students need the most help with. Whether it be understanding different Maths techniques or help with exam preparation, tutors in GCSE Maths are highly in demand. {{graph-5}} A-level Maths comes in close with many students requiring extra attention in this complex subject. Primary and Secondary Maths are also high in demand where parents want to ensure their children grasp the basics of Maths from an early age so that they will not struggle as they get older. As you can see from our chart Maths tutors are also hired for University Maths and even for casual/adult learners. 2. English English is a world-wide language and is the governing international language in business, science, entertainment, aviation as well as the internet. Learning English well is a life-long benefit and regardless of your area of expertise having good English skills will always contribute to your success. This plays a large part in the reasons English was the second most tutored subject after Maths. English tutors are able to break down the learning process so that children can grasp concepts easier and English is something that children start learning from a very young age. This being so it is not surprising that Primary English was the second most tutored level for English. {{graph-6}} GCSE English is the top of the levels for English tutoring which is to be expected given the high importance of this particular GCSE. Many parents seek the help of a private tutor for their children from a young age to ensure that their child grasps the foundations of English before heading to high school where it becomes more difficult. A-level English is also a very popular subject followed closely by Secondary English which of course leads up to those all important GCSE's. Adult English tutors are also very popular especially amongst those learning English as a second language or for those studying English at Degree level. 3. Chemistry Chemistry is an important subject helping students develop important skills such as problem solving, research and analytical skills. Communication skills will naturally be enhanced as Chemistry often requires teamwork. Chemistry is known by some as the 'central science' because it connects physical sciences with applied sciences. A good A-level grade in Chemistry will help secure you a place to study medicine, chemical engineering or many other courses which is probably why Chemistry tutors come in third most popular, with A-level Chemistry being the most tutored for level in this subject. {{graph-7}} A private Chemistry tutor will provide students with a chance to enhance their knowledge in the subject or better understand more complex topics, guiding the student through parts that they have found difficult. GCSE Chemistry is the second most popular level taught privately followed by Secondary level Chemistry whilst private tutors are hot for University Chemistry too. 4. Physics Physics is a challenging subject at all levels with the higher levels becoming more difficult. A Physics tutor will provide great hands-on experiences with their students explaining complex topics and difficult-to-understand concepts. Qualifications in Physics are very well regarded by employers and good grades in A-levels will also ensure higher chances of further study at a place of your choice. Just as with Chemistry, Physics A-level tutors are the highest sought-after with GCSE Physics tutors also in very high demand. {{graph-8}} University Physics is considerably high and tutors are also hired for Secondary level Physics in preparation for higher levels. 5. Biology Biology is made up of many, many branches and helps students develop an understanding of both basic and complex forms of life. Biology helps with comprehending the intricate details of life on our planet in humans, animals and plants and perceiving our environment in proper detail. High grades in both GCSE and A-level Biology are important for anyone wishing to study a degree in marine studies or medicine. A-level Biology tutors are high in demand with almost two thirds of tutors teaching A-level. GCSE Biology tutors are also very popular and again Secondary Biology is a subject many children seek the help of a private tutor for. {{graph-9}} Many students studying sciences at University also employ a private tutor to ensure they achieve their target grades, help with exam preparation and deeper understanding of the more complex themes. The top tutored subjects with levels Looking at our five most tutored for subjects I took took the chance to see the top ten most tutored for subjects with the different levels they are studied at. The following chart shows the most popular tutored subjects according to the levels required: {{graph-12}} As we can see from the above chart GCSE Maths is the most tutored for subject in 2016 according to our statistics. According to wham.com (the online magazine for work-at-home moms) Online Maths tuition is also top of their list for most popular subjects for online learning, stating: The subject most requested for tutoring online is math. It can be the most challenging subject for students and parents who may not have done well in that area. High schoolers especially request math tutoring, because it gets much harder in grades 9-12, and their options of getting help from people around them decreases dramatically. Even students who do well in math need help now and then and could benefit from one-on-one tutoring. Other popular tutoring subjects Of course tutors are hired for a massive array of different subjects and levels. The chart below shows the ten next most tutored for subjects after Maths, English and the sciences: {{graph-10}} Economics, History and Psychology along with Entrance exams and Law make up our top ten subjects for tutoring help. Not surprisingly these subjects were highly tutored for GCSE and A-levels except for Entrance Exam tutors which were primarily hired for Primary school ages and Law tutors that were mainly for University students. Language tutors in French and Spanish are also high in demand especially for GCSE exams. Business and Geography tutors are primarily for A-level and University students, whilst tutors in IT teach at GCSE and University level. To Conclude As we can see from our statistics, tutors are high in demand as achieving good grades, accomplishing further education and having a good career has become evermore competitive. Tutors have become a vital addition to education helping children stay ahead, build their confidence and grow academically. First Tutors can help you find the right tutor for your child as they progress through their primary years and right up until university. We give the control over to you providing you with everything you need from tutor qualifications, experience, their rates and even their proximity to your home. A good private tutor can mean the difference between a struggling and unhappy child and a flourishing and confident one.

DSU Chemistry Placement Test Preparation

DSU Chemistry Placement Test PreparationThe DSU Chemistry placement test is an exciting opportunity for all those who intend to pursue a degree in chemistry. To obtain a good grade on the test, one must have all the necessary prerequisites, which include chemistry, a minimum of a C in calculus, and a strong score on the verbal and math sections. For most students, the success of the test will depend largely on their preparation and performance.A thorough preparation is crucial to the success of a placement test. It is also important to make sure that you bring all your science work into the testing center, as this will help you concentrate on the actual test material and memorize it. Also, be sure to bring your textbook for each subject. During the actual test, you will likely be doing a quick overview of the various topics in the class and the particular text that you are studying.The DSU Chemistry placement test can actually be taken at your home, or even at your college. However, it is also important to make sure that you are prepared to take it on campus, so you will not be disrupting other students' studying. You can be certain to get a better grade if you prepare well beforehand.At this point, you should also make sure that you bring along any extra supplies. If there is a lab period available, make sure that you bring your lab materials, and don't forget your calculator and the chalk. It is a good idea to bring along as many textbooks as possible to help keep yourself updated with new texts, as well as lab items that you may be required to use during the test.Finally, you should always bring along your friend or family member with you for the chemistry placement test. This person should be able to answer any questions that you may have and also be helpful in gauging your overall preparation. It will also be easier for the examiners to assess your progress if you have someone else with you to act as your sounding board.Of course, making sure that you stud y for the test well beforehand is also a good idea. For example, make sure that you are studying your chemistry curriculum in the weeks before the test. You should also make sure that you have enough time for yourself to get enough rest before the test.The exam itself can also be challenging and can make for some anxiety, but the fear of not getting a good grade will actually make your test go more smoothly and faster. The key to a good result is to do all you can to prepare, which includes taking as many tests as possible.

English Math Tutor - How to Find a Good One

English Math Tutor - How to Find a Good OneFinding a good English Math Tutor is important because students are always in need of help. This is due to the fact that there are so many different types of classes that are available in high schools and colleges across the nation. There are many different levels of education that one can have and an English Math Tutor can help the student get all of his or her educational goals accomplished. This article will teach you how to find a good English Math Tutor and how to find one who will work with you on a daily basis.First, you will want to ask yourself why you would need to use the services of an English Math Tutor. The most common reason is that you need someone to help you with your work. Most students only take a few semesters of algebra or pre-calculus, because they think that this is enough.Even though it may seem as if you do not need the help of an English Math Tutor, you will probably be surprised by the results. Using the wrong mat h program, which doesn't use some essential mathematical terms or facts, could greatly decrease your grade for any given class. It will also greatly affect your chances at getting into college.A good English Math Tutor will be very careful with the way that he or she describes what they are teaching their students. They will carefully define and explain the math concepts that they are teaching. You can make sure that you are going to be taught all of the needed math concepts that are required in order to pass your class. If a tutor is not careful, then the student could be led to believe that they are doing well but they really aren't doing very well.Some students will also consider taking a mathematics class online to get the help of an English Math Tutor. This is another great reason to check out online tutoring services because they usually have their own website where they can show you the math work that they will be showing to you in the class.Now that you know the reason why y ou should use an English Math Tutor, you will want to find one. As you will discover throughout this article, there are many different things that you can do to ensure that you are going to get the best tutor for your needs. For example, one of the best ways to find an English Math Tutor is to ask around.Many people will tell you about their experiences with the English Math Tutor they used in school and who they would recommend. If you ask around, you can find the perfect tutoring service for your needs.

What is it Like to Attend University of Missouri-St. Louis

What is it Like to Attend University of Missouri-St. Louis The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Nathan is a St. Louis tutor specializing in SAT prep tutoring, Calculus tutoring, all levels of Algebra tutoring, and more. He is currently a senior at University of Missouri-St. Louis majoring in Math Education. Check out his review of his school: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Nathan: UMSL is a much more commuter-based school; there are two campuses, North and South. Both campuses are connected to the Metrolink, but I take my car on most days as it's a lot more convenient. I feel pretty safe on campus, though there are some parts or some times where it is less safe. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Nathan: This really depends on the professor or staff member you are talking about. On one end, I've had a professor willing to email all the students and set up meetings outside of class that weren't office hours, and on the other, I've had a professor who never replied to email and only held office hours. The academic advisers usually meet by appointment only, but the Friday walk-in is a viable option as well. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Nathan: I actually don't know much about the dorm life as I live off campus. The dining options are much better on North campus, though, with South campus trying to catch up. As far as socialization, it's pretty easy to find your interests represented on campus and if not, the process to make a group is fairly straightforward. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Nathan: UMSL is touted as a business school; that being said, though, I haven't actually met many Business majors in my day to day adventures on campus. Then again, I'm mainly on South campus where I study Middle School Education because I love to teach and help people. I know there are a couple of student groups, such as Nursing and Business, and overall there is a good amount of support from the university toward all areas of studies. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Nathan: While I did not go to UMSL as a freshman, it was fairly easy for me to make acquaintances and friends both in and out of class. I belong to a couple of clubs currently and I have a lot of friends in my major. I don't see much of Greek life participation, but I know that they do quite a bit around both the campus and community. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Nathan: The Career Center hosts many classes for free as well as a lot of Job Fairs and support for the students. There is also a Nursing/Health center, a Recreational Center, and other awesome forms of support provided. I have always had a good deal of success when dealing with any department. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Nathan: They are pretty useful, with a lot of computers and quiet areas. The staff and resources both online and offline are very useful, and questions are answered promptly. The student union is a great resource as well; it helps advertise events and is a solid meeting place for most of the clubs on campus. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Nathan: UMSL is located near the airport in a county of St. Louis known as Normandy. It's an okay community, with a few places to eat but not much to do. Most students will take the Metrolink or their cars elsewhere to socialize. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Nathan: I believe the student body is about 16,000 people, but it really doesn't feel like a large number. I tend to see the same people a good amount of the time, and with the advantage of taking some freshman classes, I know a fair amount of people outside of my major. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Nathan: My best teacher wanted us to call her 'WB. She was one of my Education teachers. She truly cared about each one of us succeeding beyond the scope of her class and wanted to make sure we had the ideas that she made very enjoyable. She also took myself and another student for a tour around McCluer North High School to get an idea of what actually goes on in St. Louis schools. This experience was quite valuable to me as I moved away years ago and had no idea what to expect. My fellow students and I always call the really awesome assignments we create, WB style worksheets. Check out Nathans tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Get Lost in Indie Band Deckers Emotional Psychedelic Folk

Get Lost in Indie Band Deckers Emotional Psychedelic Folk Megan L. Indie-folk group Decker is a band on the move. When I called guitarist and singer Brandon Decker for an interview, he was signing the paperwork for a brand new van for the band. I think its the nicest vehicle Ive ever owned. Its gonna be very nice to not have to worry about being stranded roadside. Decker  admitted. And with their busy touring schedule, Decker needs reliable transportation now more than ever. I chatted with Decker  about his musical roots, his prolific songwriting, and the Wu Tang references  on his new album Patsy. TL: How did you get started in music? BD: My mom had great music taste and I grew up listening to vinyl records of Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Neil Young, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and stuff like that. I liked rock and roll at a young age and I enjoyed singing. So how it all came together for me is that Ive always enjoyed emotively singing music and I also enjoyed writing, more so just words, like prose and poetry and short stories. I started playing guitar in my late teens, just covers. I went through a really profoundly dark time in my mid-twenties, and when I came out of that I just wanted to write songs and Ive been trying to write songs ever since. You have written a lot of songs since then, in fact you have a few albums under your belt. Whats your process like when youre creating an album and has it changed since you started out? Ive done five albums in the last six years, and I dont know if I have a process. I dont mean to sound mysterious or something. I feel like my songs really come out of the ether. I never know when its gonna happen. I found that all my records tend to happen in these flurries. The pattern that Ive gotten into is you make an album and its exhausting and all encompassing. You go and you tour it for some length of time. Then the touring ends and you just start writing another one. All of a sudden Ill have this set of songs and go, this is it, and start recording. I dont know whatll happen. Ive been going so hard for so long I havent been able to write lately. Its really left-brain, right-brain. Being an artist of our stature which is so working-class and do it ourself, it requires a lot of right-brain functioning just to keep the wheels in motion. But Im looking forward to when this phase settles down for our most recent album that I feel really proud of and we worked really hard on, Im looking forward to not worrying about that stuff and being musical and artistic again instead of working. Yeah, you have to be a songwriter, a bandleader, a marketer, a business-person Oh I wear many hats! Of all those hats, its clear to me that youre a great songwriter, plus  you have some wonderful musicians in your band with you as well. How do you choose the people you work with? The number one requirement is that they have a pulse [laughs]. Kidding! They have to be able to put up with me. I tend to be in my own world sometimes. Really sensitive artists dont do well with me. But I feel like Ive got a very talented group of musicians playing with me and theyve all been playing with me a few years, with the exception of one singer who just joined us. My bass player is classically trained. The keyboard player and pianist is classically trained. She also teaches a ton of lessons and has her own studio. Same with my drummer, he is a percussionist and its his life, he teaches a lot (Ed. note: Deckers drummer Henri B. teaches drums, guitar, and songwriting with TakeLessons in Phoenix). I think its so many things, fate, destiny, and you wind up meeting these people. Its just like how you dont choose your family. When youre playing in a band with people they end up kind of becoming your family. So you have a new album, Patsy, out now, and a new video coming out soon. Im hearing a lot of gospel, folk, and soul, but also some Wu Tang references? Can you talk about that a little bit? I have this longtime friend and we always enjoyed our inside jokes, and definitely had a shared enthusiasm for ODB. One of the first songs written on the record, one of the more gospel sounding songs, was inspired by all these people where I live talking about me that I didnt even know, and I kinda started writing this song, and I dont even know how the ODB thing happened. It just happened. Obviously ODB is not a role model for life. But I feel like theres one thing about him, if you watch him, he didnt give a shit about much of anything. He was just in his own world. I felt like paying tribute to how necessary that is for all of us aspiring to put ourselves out there whether its artistically or anything. Its the way you have to learn to live. Ive seen your music described as psychedelic desert folk, and you live in Sedona which is a really special place. Are you really inspired by locations, nature, and where you live? I think so. I love Sedona. Im standing out in front of my house right now and I live under two mountains that I like to climb a lot, I live right by the trailheads. When I moved here in 2008, I dont think I would have considered myself so easily inspired by nature or anything, but I definitely believe that the lifestyle that is kind of fostered by living in this desert-mountain extremely unique place is. I dont know if I would say that it inspires me, but its fuel for my existence on a cellular level. I wouldnt live anywhere else. Youre about to head out on the road again. What are you going to be listening to on this tour? I dont know the answer to that. I put out a post on Facebook asking for recommendations and I got a lot of suggestions to check out. I just heard of this singer Angel Olsen, she has a record out called Burn Your Fire For No Witness and I guarantee that that will be happening on tour frequently. On our last tour the album of choice was Kendrick Lamar. We like to keep a good mix. Dont miss Decker when they come to your town! Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or their website, and support independent artists. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Matty Steinkamp

Reasons Not to Apply Early Decision

Reasons Not to Apply Early Decision The following piece was written by Rachel Korn. Rachel has been featured in ourAdmissions Expert seriesand is a former University of Pennsylvaniaadmissions officer, as well as the founder of her own admissions consulting firm. Most high school students apply to college in Regular Decision (RD) admissions rounds, with deadlines in the winter of their senior years, flexibility to apply to multiple schools, and the ability to attend the college they most prefer among those to which they are admitted; however, there is another popular option: Early Decision (ED). ED is an admissions plan for students who have a far and away #1 choice school and want to apply there in an earlier deadline in the fall and commit to attend if admitted. ED often sounds like a great solution to the pressure of college admissions you apply sooner, hear an answer sooner, and if admitted, you need not to follow through with any other applications, able to spend your entire spring semester relaxed, knowing you are in. However, there are several reasons why ED may be a poor choice for you. If you are torn between applying Early Decision or Regular Decision, consider the following academic, financial, and personal reasons why sometimes, you should wait for Regular Decision: Academic reasons Your best chance for admission is when you present your strongest application, and your senior year grades can be especially important credentials. With ED, admissions officers may see your quarter or mid-semester grades, but they will not be able to see your final first semester grades. If you have not had a perfect academic record thus far but are moving on an upward trend, taking more honors and AP courses (especially for a first time) that you can tackle successfully and thinking that you can raise your GPA, you may want to wait for RD to allow those grades to be a part of your application. A strong senior year can, in fact, be critical to some students who are on the edge of admission. If your senior grades can help you, wait. Standardized testing will also need to be completed fully and to your satisfaction sooner with ED. If you are not happy enough with your results and want to take a test one more time or if you need to complete any further testing still, RD is the plan for you. Financial reasons Early Decision is a binding agreement, and if you need financial aid, you may not want to get trapped in a commitment with only one possible offer of financial aid from one college. Colleges award aid for ED and that may be enough for you but you and your parents should do your homework before applying about schools aid policies to determine if you can take the risk to get enough help from your top-choice school. Potentially, if you apply to several schools, you could be awarded slightly different aid packages or even be awarded scholarships. While colleges offering ED plans should be giving you the identical aid package you would receive from them in RD, you would lose your ability to shop around for other financial aid packages. If you prefer to apply ED to a beloved school, just make sure you try to get a sense of the potential aid package you will receive so you will not have any surprises. Note: If you really cannot afford to attend the ED school with the package it offers, you can be released from the commitment a tiny handful of students are released every year. However, this is not something you should count on, and truly, if a certain amount of guaranteed financial aid is critical to you and you may not be able to get it from that beloved college, ED is unwise. Personal reasons ED can sound tempting. You may feel peer pressure about applying early if many of your friends will be applying in the fall. You may hear that there are strategies in applying early to increase your chances of admission. Indeed, sometimes your chances of admission in ED are higher than in RD, but you need to be sure that you have really identified the one school for you and that you are not just rushing to apply early to increase your chances, especially if you are thinking about applying to a reach school simply with a name you like. If you have not identified a school you truly love above all others and if you have not visited a few college campuses (including your ED choice) by the summer before your senior year to understand what feels right to you, you should hold on until RD. Allow yourself time to explore to make sure you are choosing the right fit for yourself. Admission to the wrong school is a lose-lose both for you and for a college if you end up wanting to transfer out la ter. So, why ED? Early Decision is an ideal option if you dream of one specific college, will be your academic best and have completed all your testing by the fall, and are comfortable with your potential financial aid options. If you find that you do not match these conditions, hold on and apply in Regular Decision when you can be comfortable, confident, and in control. Visit RachelsAdmissions Consultingsite. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.