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Welcome to our blog - a resource of top tips and strategies for ambitious students and families!
Student self-advocacy refers to the ability of students to actively seek out help and communicate their needs to their teachers and other educational resources when they encounter difficulties. This means that students recognize when they are struggling to understand instructions or concepts in class and take the initiative to ask for additional support. Effective self-advocacy involves knowing when to reach out for help and doing so promptly, ensuring that they can address their challenges before they become overwhelming.
At ARCH, we understand as well as anyone that applying to US boarding schools is extremely competitive, especially for international applicants and even more so for applicants from Asia. In this article, we will outline the common causes of failed applications to give you a better understanding of where applications sometimes go wrong.
Attending a boarding school summer program is not only an opportunity to learn new skills and gain knowledge but also a chance to cultivate your character. US boarding schools highly value character skills and emotional readiness, so it only makes sense that in addition to providing scores and/ or comments on your academic performance, many summer reports evaluate collaboration skills, attitudes, approaches to learning, and how you contribute to residential life.
The SSAT is the primary standardized test used in US Boarding School admissions. While submitting SSAT scores is optional at many schools, the number of schools that require applicants to do so is increasing. Why is this happening, and how can applicants prepare?
Studying law has traditionally been seen as the purview of the academically elite, and the practice of it even more so. To gain a place on such a competitive course at a top UK university, how should you choose the subjects which will maximise your chances of success? How much work experience or extra-curricular debating and MUN is sufficient? If you fail to secure a place on your desired law course, what options do you have? Read on to find out!
Grades and teacher recommendations are the primary ways schools evaluate students' academic readiness in the US boarding application process. However, SSAT provides another data point for students to increase academic confidence. When deciding whether to send your SSAT scores to a boarding school, there are a few things to consider.
Recommendations are crucial when applying to US boarding schools. They provide valuable insights into who you are as a student and a person. A strong recommendation can showcase your strengths and potential, while a weak one can raise concerns. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities and character to ensure a strong recommendation. Schools typically require recommendations from your current-year English Teacher, Math Teacher, and School Counselor. Some schools may allow or require additional recommendations, such as one from an area of interest or a personal recommendation. A personal recommendation from someone who knows you well is better than a general one from someone with power or prestige.
When selecting the right boarding school for your child, it's important to do your research. For many families, the process typically begins with the school's website. Most boarding school websites show happy students engaged in classes and activities. They feature impressive buildings and unique programs. Most have a small faculty-to-student ratio and offer impressive pathways to the top US universities. Families often come to us excited about what boarding schools provide and need clarification about how to tell them apart, making it challenging for them to come up with a school list or define their top choices once they’ve applied. Here are a few things we recommend considering in your search for the right fit.
Why Should Children Start Reading Classics at an Early Age?
Many parents find themselves at the losing end of trying to divert their children’s attention away from screens and social media in favor of getting them to read books instead. Yet, not all books are created equal. Comics and magazines are certainly fun, but they often lack the thematic depth classics have. Classics refer to books that are universally recognized by their merit both in execution and in the messages behind them. A study done at MSU using MRI machines discovered that reading classics increased blood to the areas of the brain that are associated with tasks of complexity such as solving difficult math problems and reading intensely. In other words, reading classics differ from other books because they can stimulate rigorous critical thinking where the brain shifts from pleasure to analysis. Considering the many benefits of reading classics, the question remains: when is it appropriate to introduce classics to children?
Good Lessons
An oft-made argument is that children should be encouraged to read classics as early as eight years old. The first reason for this is that there are many simplified editions of classics--either abridged, illustrated or both-- targeted at younger readers. Clearly, educators and publishers recognize the educational values behind the classics to make this happen. Classics such as A Christmas Carol, Animal Farm and Treasure Island are indeed enjoyed by many young children thanks to the strength of the plot. The messages behind the stories are also good lessons for children to learn and can help children become more compassionate and empathetic. Reading classics early on can help children develop good reading habits so they understand that books have layers of meaning as opposed to being only entertained by actions and outlandish plot. The earlier children understand this, the sooner they will stop gravitating towards comics and easier books and instead take up the challenge to read more meaningful books.
Imaginative
Another important reason children should be encouraged to read classics as early as 8 years old is that classics provide opportunities for children to learn about other cultures and people. The historical context and settings are varied enough to provide entertainment. The passive learning aspect of reading classics should not be overlooked. Studies have shown that they can stimulate the imagination just as well as reading comic books and general fiction.
A Stronger Focus
Finally, in the internet age where distractions lurk behind every screen, classics can help students improve their concentration. The language used and the way classics are structured are very nuanced and demand to be read slowly in order to be understood. In this way, it forces children to become more careful readers. Unlike comics and pop fiction, they cannot be glimpsed. Reading classics requires dedication on the part of the child. The earlier a child develops this habit, the easier it will be for him or her to concentrate when reading more complex texts later on.
In short, children should be encouraged to read classics at an early age. Most children should be able to read some form of abridged or simplified versions of classics once they have started school. Parents can even read and explain difficult concepts to their children. This would be an excellent way for the child to learn and accumulate new vocabulary and expressions. Reading classics early can stimulate a child’s imagination, broaden their knowledge, enhance their close reading skills and improve their critical thinking skills. Even if your child did not start reading classics early, it is never too late!
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