Tuesday, March 2, was the birthday of one of the country’s most beloved children’s authors—Theodor Seuss Geisel , better known to many by his pen name, Dr. Seuss.  Mr. Geisel is credited with publishing over sixty children’s books whose imaginative characters have helped to bring smiles to countless faces and to make reading an enjoyable experience for young readers.

Since vocabulary is what the Vocab Videos team knows best, we thought our Vocab Videos fans would be excited to learn the interesting history of one of Dr. Seuss’ most cherished works, The Cat in the Hat. Mr. Geisel wrote the story about the mischievous cat in response to a 1954 Life magazine article written by John Hersey which discussed a prominent national problem in education at the time—children’s struggle with reading.

Hersey criticized the reading materials commonly available to students in school with their “insipid illustrations depicting the slicked-up lives of other children.” Why, he asked, “should [school primers] not have pictures that widen rather than narrow the associative richness the children give to the words they illustrate — drawings like those of the wonderfully imaginative geniuses among children’s illustrators?” One of the talented illustrators Hersey pointed to after posing this question was Theodor Geisel.

Hersey spoke and Mr. Geisel listened. Geisel’s answer?  The Cat in the Hat. Mr. Geisel’s publisher supplied the author and cartoonist with a list of words that he believed young school children would be learning.  Within the The Cat in the Hat’s pages, Geisel included 223 vocabulary words that would serve to help improve the literacy young children who picked up his work.

So happy birthday, Dr. Seuss, and thank you for your lasting contribution to children’s literature and vocabulary!

Senioritis? SNAP OUT OF IT!

A lot of high school seniors get under the impression that the importance of senior year starts to dwindle upon receiving admission into college. But, seniors, we warn you: avoid coming down with a case of senioritis! Sure, we see how it could happen. You’ve nearly finished the college admissions game and you’re exhausted. You’ve likely been working your tail off throughout your high school career to keep up your GPA and get into the college of your dreams; you’ve spent time preparing for your college entrance exams and taken your SATs and ACTs; you’ve written all your college essays and likely submitted countless applications. Now, you’re ready to cruise through your remaining time in high school, to really enjoy it. We get it.

But, to stop caring about your grades won’t serve to benefit you in any way. When you have more than likely worked hard for good grades throughout high school, why would you start goofing off now? Not only do you risk tarnishing your academic record, you could potentially compromise your college acceptance. Now, we’re not saying a minor dip in your grades will have your college calling to rescind your acceptance, but a significant enough decline in the grades on your final transcript could certainly be a red flag for your future college.

The truth is, colleges do reserve the right to revoke admissions offers to applicants who fail to maintain their academic performance. Sure, it’s not a typical scenario, but you could see how in today’s extremely competitive college admissions landscape a serious case of senioritis could put you at a greater risk of losing your spot. With more students applying to college than ever and record-setting applicant pools, admissions officers may view you as slightly more disposable. After all, most colleges have a long waitlist of well-qualified applicants who would be more than willing to accept the admissions offer someone else has lost.

So, while we’re not trying to scare you, we are telling you a serious case of senioritis is just not worth it! Stay focused throughout your senior year and committed to doing well. And, not to worry–we have a feeling that when you get to college, you’ll realize they’ll be plenty of time for school and fun!

The March SAT (3/13/10) and April ACT (4/10/10) are fast-approaching, and the Vocab Videos team wanted to offer you a few reminders for the home stretch:

• Remember to Register! If you haven’t already, be sure to register for your upcoming test! Sign up for the SAT by following the instructions at CollegeBoard.com. If you’ve missed the February 10^th registration deadline, there’s still time; late registration for the March SAT is available through 2/18/10 (mail) and 2/24/10 (phone/online). Sign up here for the ACT. The registration deadline is 3/5/10 and while we don’t recommend you wait, the late registration deadline is 3/19/10.
• Stay on top of your game: Just because the end is near (for some of you) doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down or give up–stay on top of your test-prep game! These last few weeks are important and there’s still room for improvement. Continue to put in your best effort with your tutors, brush up on your vocabulary*, and stay committed to doing your best.
• Keep taking practice tests: Taking SAT practice tests could very well be your best form of review for the real SAT. The more familiar you are with the SAT, the more comfortable you’ll be come the actual test date. Knowing what to expect in terms of content, question type, and your time management ability, will greatly improve your test-time mentality. Check out this free SAT practice test available through the College Board.

Taking the upcoming SAT or ACT? There's still time! Continue to stay committed to your SAT prep.

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR UPCOMING TEST!

*Don’t forget: learning SAT vocabulary words is one sure way to improve your SAT reading score up to 150 points! With vocabulary, you either know it or you don’t, and on the SAT vocabulary knowledge is a must. Learn it the fun & effective way with Vocab Videos, and be sure to check out the new Vocab Videos trailer!

Like we’ve said before, SAT preparation is far from the only aspect of the college admissions process. There’s your personal statement or college essay, your activities resume, your GPA and the classes in which you’re enrolled, and the potential college interview.

If the opportunity presents itself for you to have an interview with a representative from a college that you’ve applied to or an alum from that college, we encourage you to take it. If you’re not offered a college interview, be sure to call up the school to see if it’s possible to request one. While the college essay gives you a chance to be more than a set of numbers and allows you to tell your story, the college interview puts a face to your application—literally!

We’re sure most of these next few items are understood, but here are a few reminders for interview (college or otherwise) etiquette:

1. Appropriate dress is essential.
   

   What not to do on a college interview...

2. Be courteous and respectful.
3. No gum chewing.
4. Limit the “Umms” and “Likes”

Obvious items aside, the most important piece of advice that we can give to you is to be yourself. This is your chance to show an admissions officer who you are, to tell them about your interests, goals, and hopes for your academic future and beyond.  But as wonderful as you may be, some preparation should go into getting ready for your college interview.

We would recommend that you have some general answers ready to go for some possible questions that college interviewers may be asking you. A few might include:

• Can you tell me a little about yourself? (*Yes, it’s a broad question, so be sure to highlight something special.)
• Why have you selected this particular college? (*If you’re seeking admission to a college, you should 100% be able to answer this!)
• In what academic areas are you interested?
• In what extracurricular activities have you been involved? (*Talk about the one that’s proven most meaningful for you.)
• What sets you apart as an individual and applicant?
• What books or articles have you read in the last year that have meaning to you? (*Even if it wasn’t in the last year, be able to talk about something you’ve read that has impacted you.)
• Where do you see yourself 20 years from now?

We’re not saying to write out long answers to the above questions so that you’re ready to recite them verbatim. Instead,  simply have some talking points prepared for these kinds of general questions. And here’s the good news: THERE’S NO “RIGHT” OR “WRONG” ANSWERS! These aren’t trick questions; for the most part, they’re about you! It’s not so much a matter of whether you will get stumped or not, it’s a matter of whether you remember to highlight the things you wish to get across about yourself.

But guess what—your college interviewer is also helping you to determine whether this college is the right place for you, so you should certainly take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions. There is a lot of information to be gained on both sides during a college interview. In a way, you are interviewing the college as much as they are interviewing you. The following are a few suggestions for possible questions you may want answered by a college representative:

• What is the average class size and are there seminars and honors classes available?
• When do you select a major?
• How many courses are required and is there much room for self-selection of coursework?
• How is faculty available to students beyond the classroom?
• Is there a writing center?
• How diverse is the student body?
• Is it a “suitcase” school where the majority of students go home on the weekend rather than dorm?
• Are there study abroad programs available? What countries may I visit?
• What internship opportunities are available for my field of study?

Of course, these are only our suggestions. Choosing what college to attend is a BIG decision. We’d encourage you to ask any questions you would like answered about your potential future school.

Finally, one more piece of advice: Be sure to remember your interviewer’s name! Because after the interview, we suggest that you write a thank-you note. But don’t overdo it—it doesn’t need to be an overly sweet, lengthy letter. Keep it brief and sincere; it can’t hurt.

So though the importance of an interview will vary from college to college, we say, take advantage of the chance to put a face to your application when you can. It’s your opportunity to shine, and to ask meaningful questions about your potential college.

Whether we like it or not, the SAT plays an extremely significant role in getting students accepted into college. Because of its magnitude, people are going to talk about the SAT, but not everything people say is going to be true. Below are a few myths commonly associated with the big test:

1. Different SAT test dates vary in difficulty: This one gets thrown out there all the time. Many students are convinced that one testing date may offer a more difficult SAT than the next testing date. Some students, for instance, believe that all the geniuses come out to take the SAT in January and March, and steer clear because of a potentially skewed curve. There is no truth to this notion; there is no link between SAT testing date and test difficulty.
2. The SAT is a good indication of how I will do in college: False, or shall we say, not necessarily. The SAT is not an indicator of how well you will do in college. There can be excellent students who are just not the best standardized test-takers. What the SATs reflect is how good you are at taking the test, and how long you’ve spent preparing. But there continues to be a great amount of weight placed on the SAT in the world of college admissions, so get preparing!
3. You can’t really improve your critical reading score: You can improve your SAT critical reading score–significantly. The surest way to do so is by expanding your vocabulary. In fact, improving your SAT vocabulary can increase your SAT critical reading score up to 150 points, as a large part of the reading section is vocabulary-dependent. Sentence completions and reading comprehension depend upon your understanding of words in questions, answers, and passages.
4. The math on the SAT is very complex: By the time you’re taking the SAT, you will have already learned most of what’s being tested on the math portion of the test. The math section of the SAT is largely based on 9th grade math–ratios and percents, some geometry, and algebra concepts like factoring, functions, and quadratic equations. So, start reviewing to get these concepts fresh in your mind again. There’s also a few tricks to beat the clock. Because you’re given answer choices, on appropriate questions instead of setting up an algebraic equation and solving for variables, you can plug-in answer choices to test them against what the question‘s asking.
5. Colleges don’t look at the writing section: So it’s the newest addition to the SAT test, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter!  This myth started when students began hearing that colleges weren’t counting the writing section as much as math and reading. We say be on the safe side and get yourself as strong in the writing section as possible. Still not convinced? At least check in about this with each one of the schools you’re applying to.
6. Taking the test more than once looks bad on your college application: Wrong again. Most students re-test, and there‘s nothing wrong with it. If you’re not happy with your scores, taking the SAT again is a great option. You should know, however, that the scores won’t magically increase. In fact, because the SAT aims to test intelligence, and students don’t typically become more “intelligent” from one test to another, re-testing typically allows for a very mediocre score improvement . So from one test to the next, we’d recommend an increase in SAT preparation. Studying vocabulary is a good idea because it’s one thing you can definitely improve. With words, you either know them or you don’t, and on the SAT knowing them pays off.

Preparing for the SAT? Don't believe everything you hear.

You have spent your entire high school careers studying, taking tests and writing essays all in the hope of getting into that dream school.   And yet there are still SATs to take and scores to improve.  Before you throw up your hands in frustration, break down and cry into your pillow, or decide that being a 6^th year senior is actually a cool idea, here are 5 essential things you can do to increase your chances of nailing a top score this fall. 

5 COMMANDMENTS FOR THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

1. Keep Studying – Hope alone will not raise your SAT score any more than it will win you the lottery.^*  Students who take practice tests, study vocabulary, and refine techniques are much more likely to see higher scores than those who are simply hoping to sit next to the smart kid and cheat.
2. Don’t Stress – Adding pressure to an SAT only hurts your problem solving abilities.  Taking a test in the fall is no more stressful than one in the spring, and to be honest, you are now a little older and little wiser (hopefully).  Many of my students have hit their top scores in October, November and December precisely because they went in stress-free.  If they got more points great.  If not, well, they had already submitted their scores and no one would ever know about this last attempt.^**
3. – Many students think they have little chance of scoring higher on a 2^nd or 3^rd SAT attempt.  True some students don’t improve, but even just the confidence that comes with experience can have an impact.  You are taking the test again for a reason, so if you don’t believe in yourself what’s the point?
4. Don’t Cheat – As the pressure builds, students sometimes feel the urge to find any advantage they can – even if it’s dishonest.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHEAT ON THE SAT.  It’s just not worth it.  You have spent years building an academic profile and thinking that a few stolen answers will be the difference between acceptance and rejection is ridiculous.  Colleges see your scores in a range anyway and if you get caught you aren’t getting in anywhere.  You don’t want to live in your parents’ basement for the next few years. 
5. Get a Grip on Reality – Taking the SAT may seem overwhelming at times, but it’s just a bunch of English and math questions with some bubbling thrown in.  True, bubbling can be hard and the reading passages may not be your idea of a good time, but it’s just a test.  Colleges look at the whole picture, and you should too. 

^* If you have already won the lottery you are definitely luckier than the rest of us so I hope your test bursts into flames to balance out the universe. 

^** Score Choice for the SAT functions differently for particular colleges so always check on collegeboard.com for details.  In some cases there is an ethical way to avoid sending a final score even to schools who want all scores.

Sometimes navigating websites even to do what seem like the simplest tasks can be overly complicated. But when you’re preparing for the SAT, you’re under enough stress! Follow the clear-cut instructions below to register for the SAT through CollegeBoard.com without a hitch.

1. Go to http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student
2. If you already have a College Board account—sign in. Otherwise, under “My Organizer” click “Sign Up,” enter your information, and create a user name and password.
3. When signed in, go to http://sat.collegeboard.com/register and click “Register Now.”
4. Fill out your basic information to get to the “Select Test and Center tab.”
5. The rest is self-explanatory!

If you’re still in the stages of SAT preparation don’t forget to learn your SAT vocabulary which could help you raise your score up to 150 points!

Good luck on your SAT!

Hey Vocab Videos fans! We’re trying to give our Vocab Videos Facebook page a boost, and we need your help! We’re asking you to become a fan of Vocab Videos on Facebook and to get your Facebook friends to do the same.

The Vocab Videos Facebook page offers a bit of SAT advice every day whether it’s in the form of the definition of an SAT vocabulary word, a funny vocab video, or some useful tips for test prep success.

Of course, for your help, we would like to give you something in return— A FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO VOCAB VIDEOS!

• Get 20 of your friends to become Vocab Videos fans and we’ll get you started with a one year membership to our online vocabulary system!
• E-mail staff@vocabvideos.com to let us know all of the Facebook friends you’ve recruited!

To suggest the Vocab Videos Facebook page to your friends, simply follow these instructions:

1. If you haven’t already, become a fan of Vocab Videos by logging in and going to the Vocab Videos Facebook page.
2. Once you become a fan, on the Vocab Videos Facebook page, directly underneath Vocab Videos’ profile picture is the option “Suggest to Friends”
3. Either search for friends you think would be interested in the page, or better yet select all of your friends!
4. Then click “Send Invitations”

Trust us: It’s that simple, but more importantly—it’s worth it! Vocabulary is essential to success on college entrance exams like the SAT and ACT. So put your SAT vocabulary flashcards aside and study your SAT vocabulary the FUN way with Vocab Videos!

Join in the Vocab Videos Facebook Challenge to receive a FREE ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP to Vocab Videos!

*Vocab Videos is a unique web-based learning system that brings vocabulary to life, and is being effectively used in schools across the country to prepare students for standardized tests like the SAT and as a general vocabulary improvement tool. The system uses hilarious short videos to illustrate the meanings of over 500 high frequency SAT vocabulary words making them easy for students to learn and remember. The extensive study material including practice quizzes, word lists with definitions, and recommended study guides, reinforces the vocabulary students learn through the videos and promotes high levels of retention.

Preparing for a standardized test like the SAT or ACT? Have a plan!

If you’re just beginning to embark on the test preparation journey, it’s safe to say that you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. The test prep process is one that can be stressful. After all, standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, whether we like it or not, are extremely important—they help determine where one is accepted into college. And, it’s no secret that where one goes to college can certainly influence his or her future. Below are a few tips for staying on top of your SAT test preparation.  It is students, themselves, who are largely in control of creating a plan for test-prep success…and sticking to it.

• Make a Schedule:  Set goals for yourself. Assign a certain amount of time each day to working on test prep, whether you’re taking the SAT or ACT (or any standardized test, for that matter).  Make a plan with your tutor outlining what you hope to accomplish, or resolve to study from your review book for thirty minutes a night. A commitment and a little review per day can go a long way.
• Study Vocabulary: If you’ve got plenty of time before you take the SAT and/or ACT, and are wondering what you can do to start preparing for your college entrance exams, the answer is STUDY YOUR SAT VOCABULARY!  Vocabulary is an essential part of test prep success, and a manageable way to get a head a head start in your SAT preparation. Essentially, you can start learning it at any age. Study a little vocab a day; knowing you SAT vocabulary will mean higher scores on your verbal sections.
• Take Practice Tests: This is often, far and away, the best form of review. Take as many SAT and ACT practice exams as you can! Come to know what to expect when it comes to the format, question types, and your time management skills. The more comfortable you are with the test, the more comfortable you will be on the big day.
• Read: There are lots of wonderful reasons for reading, but if you didn’t know, it can be extremely useful when you’re preparing for your college entrance exams. Pick up the newspaper or go take out a book from the library. Have a dictionary on hand to look up any words you come across that you don’t know (we can’t emphasize enough how crucial SAT vocabulary is!). You’ll be reading about subjects you’re not necessarily familiar with on the SAT and ACT, so get some practice. Make sure that you’re able to grasp the reading passages’ key content.
• Prepare Essay Examples: It’s a good idea to use past SAT essay prompts to practice writing the essay.  But there is a step you should take before sitting down to practice writing your SAT essay: Prepare your examples! Come up with a handful of essay examples and stories that you can work into nearly any SAT essay topic. Having some well-rehearsed examples to apply to your SAT essay will save you precious time on the test and likely help earn you a higher score.

What good is a SAT study plan if you’re not going to stick to it?  Make sure you stick to your test-prep study schedule! Study some vocabulary every day; do a practice SAT or ACT section a few times a week; be sure to show some commitment. This is important; it will undoubtedly pay off when you’re mailbox is filled with college acceptance letters!

Preparing for the SAT? See ya, SAT vocabulary flaschards and hello Vocab Videos!

While the significance of vocabulary to the English language remains constant, modes of studying this vocabulary have remained relatively stagnant. Vocab Videos, an innovative online vocabulary system, offers a revolutionary new way approach to studying SAT vocabulary and GRE vocabulary that trumps more traditional methods of learning new words such as vocabulary flashcards and vocabulary books.

Consider why the Vocab Videos system is more effective and engaging than SAT vocabulary flashcards and books:

1. They Bring Vocabulary to Life: SAT vocabulary flashcards merely give you a definition (and perhaps a few synonyms and an example sentence), and a stack of 500 flashcards can be overwhelming. Vocab Videos goes way beyond text definitions, bringing vocabulary to life using entertaining short vocabulary videos that illustrate the meanings of 500 of the most common SAT vocabulary words!
2. They’re Fun & Effective: Vocab Videos makes learning SAT vocabulary fun. The videos feature hilarious characters and many offer parodies of some of your favorite TV shows like Lost, The Office, 24, and Gossip Girl. And, it works! Research has shown that people remember more effectively when they have visual and auditory cues. Vocab Videos show students what the words mean, instead of just telling them.
3. It’s NOTHING like Typical Study Time: Using the Vocab Videos system is not like most studying—it really is fun.  Students love watching and sharing videos, and the more students enjoy the process, the more effort they will put into learning the words.
4. The System Includes Study Materials: If you like the idea of being able to bring your SAT vocabulary flashcards around to study, not to worry. In addition to its videos, the Vocab Videos system has plenty of portable review material to take with you when you’re away from the computer. Print quizzes, an SAT vocabulary word list with definitions, suggested study guides, and practice worksheets as a form of review to bring wherever you wish!

VocabVideos.com is passionate about teaching SAT vocabulary as we recognize how essential vocabulary can be to students’ test prep success as well as to their general literary skills. A rich vocabulary will pay off when it comes time to take standardized tests like the SAT, GRE, ISEE, and high school English exams. Even on questions that don’t specifically test vocabulary, students are often required to understand the meanings of words they encounter in sections that involve reading comprehension.

And, don’t forget: Vocabulary remains crucial long after the SAT and other standardized tests, and both inside and outside the classroom.  Here’s why:

• A rich vocabulary will help you clearly articulate your thoughts whether you’re speaking to your professor or on a job interview.
• Writing is in some way valuable in every class (with the exception of Mathematics!) and is also an important skill in nearly any career path you choose. A good vocabulary will enhance your writing and will allow you to better express your ideas.
• Don’t get stuck on difficult words! Enrich your vocabulary for a better knowledge of what you’re reading, whether it’s The Wall Street Journal or a company report.

Vocabulary matters so make learning it a priority whether you’re preparing for a standardized test or not. Sure, you can learn new vocabulary words using SAT vocabulary flashcards and SAT vocabulary books, but why would you? Give Vocab Videos a try for a fun and effective way to speak, write, read, and score better!