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Top STEM Contests to Boost Your Ivy Odds

For high school students with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), participating in prestigious contests can be a game-changer. Not only do these competitions provide a platform to showcase one’s intellectual prowess, creativity, and problem-solving skills, but they also offer a unique opportunity to catch the attention of top-tier universities.

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TOP STEM CONTESTS TO BOOST YOUR IVY ODDS

We’ve curated a list of the top STEM competitions specifically tailored for high school students. From robotics challenges to scientific research competitions, each contest not only serves as a way to validate your academic excellence but also as a gateway to the most prestigious educational institutions.

  1. Regeneron Science Talent Search: Your parents may remember this competition as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. It is the same competition (the oldest in the U.S. for high school students), it just has a new sponsor. The competition is open to students who are US Citizens or students of any citizenship who go to school in the U.S. Students must submit their individual research project for review and can win up to $250,000 in scholarships. (Due: November, 2024)
  2. National Sciences Bowl: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, this team-based STEM competition resembles a traditional high school quiz bowl format. Students are tested on their knowledge of biology, chemistry, earth and space science, energy, mathematics, and physics, and the questions get progressively more difficult. Regional competition registration deadlines vary by region, with the national championship held in late April. 
  3. AMC (American Mathematics Competition)/AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination): The AMC, AIME, and USAMO are three levels of school-based mathematics examination competitions aimed at targeting the top math students in the U.S. Students first sit for the AMC10 or AMC12. The top 2.5-5% of scorers on these tests are then invited to take the AIME exam, and the top AIME scorers are invited to the final round of competition, the USAMO (United States of America Mathematical Olympiad), which represents some of the best high school mathematicians in the U.S. (The AMC test is offered in November of each year) 
  4. USACO (USA Computing Olympiad): In this test-based competition, students can use C++, Java, C, or Python languages to answer three competitive programming problems. Competitors begin in the lowest level, Bronze, and can progress through four increasingly difficult divisions to Platinum. The top USACO participants are invited as “finalists” to a summer training camp, from which four are selected to represent the U.S. in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). (The first contest is usually held in mid-December)
  5. FIRST Robotics Competition: Future engineers will enjoy the FIRST Robotics Competition, which challenges high school teams to build and program industrial-sized robots to compete against other team’s robots in a field game set each year by contest administrators. This contest involves teamwork, computer science and engineering knowledge, and creativity, and teams progress through regional rounds to the national championship in this year-long competition.

As you can see, the competition landscape is wide and varied. This is just a small sampling of contests that can catch the eye of admission officers. Be proactive as you explore your academic field and challenge yourself to enter contests throughout your high school career! For the top five Humanities and Social Science contests, stay tuned for Part 2 in this series next week.

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Middle School: The Magic Years

When my oldest child entered middle school, I heard countless condolences and commiserations. The common misconception is that middle school must be a time fraught with hormones, identity crises, petulance, and a reduced commitment to school in favor of social life. However, I found it to be the opposite. In fact, it has been my favorite stage of parenting, as these early adolescents are beginning to have some adult capabilities, yet still retain the wonder of childhood. With the proper support, this time of growth can be a positive experience for both children and parents.

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

It’s important to understand the way your middle schooler is changing. Their minds, brains, and identities are growing as rapidly as when they were toddlers. They are beginning to take risks, both academically and socially, and they are looking for influences outside of their parents and family. At the same time, these early adolescents have not done a lot of introspective work, which causes them confusion and it may outwardly appear that they are constantly changing their minds.

Most educational psychologists agree that at some point in late childhood or early adolescence, children are making a huge intellectual leap. They are starting to use deductive reasoning, they make hypotheses, and are beginning to think abstractly. However, they do not do these things well, as they have so little life experience. For this reason, it is important for them to be surrounded by adult role models who can lead by example and show them how to draw proper conclusions.

Developmental psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg wrote that students in this age group need to begin to differentiate and become distinct individuals, yet they still crave belonging. As they wade through this time of growth, they need to develop confidence by achieving success in activities or school, while at the same time finding groups that accept them. Often, this means looking for different opportunities outside of the standard school-based offerings.

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WHAT’S MISSING AT SCHOOL?

At the same time these students are poised to make a huge psychological leap. A Gallup poll shows that the percentage of students disengaged in school increases every year from 5th through 12th grade. This disconnect is concerning, but a closer look at middle schools shows us some key issues.

A major concern middle schoolers face is low expectations. Adrian Furnham and Hua Chu Boo discuss this in their work on the “anchoring effect.” For middle schoolers, this means that many parents and adults still see their early adolescent children as young and are unaware of their growing capabilities. Their brains are developing rapidly, often gaining new proficiencies in a matter of weeks or months. The child you know today could be vastly different than the one standing in front of you 2 months from now in terms of their ability to take on responsibilities or think abstractly. Yet, adults are often not able to adjust their expectations as quickly.

As early adolescents mature, they are looking for “authentic” adults to model for them. In Finding the Magic in Middle School, Chris Balme stresses the importance of these adult interactions. These could be parents, but more often the student is looking for someone outside of their immediate family. Adults who show that they struggle with some things, that they are still growing and learning, and that they value truth over achievement are important people in your child’s life. Depending on the school your child attends, factors like class size may impact a teacher’s ability to create meaningful relationships with students despite their desire to, and students are often not exposed to different adults in which they can create a meaningful relationship.

Middle schoolers are looking for activities and experiences that give them confidence. As adults in their lives, we can help them find these. For some students, these are easily found within their school environment. However, unless the student plays sports or an instrument (the most common school-sponsored activities), it is unlikely they will gain this experience within the walls of their school. They are also seeking individuation and need help finding activities where they can practice this.

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It is often through these confidence-building activities that early adolescents find their sense of belonging. Friendships are more likely to be formed through experiences that expose students to like-minded peers while they feel they are mastering something. We cannot underestimate the importance of belonging at this age, so it is critical to find activities where your child connects with others.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

While most middle school parents aren’t thinking about college, several key habits and outlooks established in middle school can influence high school achievement. The most obvious might be study habits and time management, which set the stage for academic success. Middle school is the perfect time to intervene with executive functioning assistance and time management strategies.

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In addition to this, middle school coursework sets the stage for which courses a student can take in high school. It is easier to accelerate in certain areas, like math, in middle school, which can assure that a student will reach calculus by senior year of high school. This is also the time to reinforce areas of academic weakness. Stanford professor Carol Dweck also points out that early adolescents are beginning to develop fixed notions of which areas they are “good” or “bad.” Extra help and tutoring in certain academic areas can help students develop a growth mindset.

This is also the time for students to begin to explore extra-curriculars outside of the standard offerings and develop their academic areas of interest. As they develop into individuals, it is important to find activities outside of their school or local community. What opportunities lie in nearby cities? Is there a regional orchestra, a creative writing program, or a STEM-focused camp they could attend where they could develop confidence and find like-minded students?

Finally, middle school is a critical time to think about other school options. Schools are not “one size fits all,” and parents can recognize both the limits and potential of a school environment and community. It’s possible that your child may thrive elsewhere, and it’s a worthy exercise to explore other options.

FLIPPING THE NARRATIVE

By flipping the narrative on the middle school experience, parents can see the growth and potential of this time. It is exciting to watch early adolescents become individuals, and with the proper support, we can help them maintain academic excellence, become intellectually curious, and find success and engagement in activities.

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Back to School Organization & Time Management Tutoring

Many bright, motivated students struggle to reach their full potential because they lack the time management and organizational skills necessary to succeed. Even more than demanding teachers and rigorous courses, the greatest challenge of middle school and high school can be staying organized and making time for so many projects and assignments. We hear from students every year who find themselves losing track of deadlines, struggling to focus on their homework, or tackling major projects at the last minute. We can help! Meet Jen, our Organization and Time Management Tutor.

We spoke with Jen to learn more about her approach:

What do you see as some of the factors that lead to students procrastinating? 

Procrastination is a natural part of being human! We are wired to prioritize short term goals over long term goals, so it can be very challenging for students to motivate themselves to, say, start studying for an exam that’s two weeks away when social media is readily available and brings immediate gratification to our brain’s reward system. We also tend to avoid unpleasant and difficult tasks as much as we can, and our students often have many tough assignments that they understandably put off, especially when the assignments pile up and become even more aversive in aggregate. The college application process in particular can feel overwhelming and infinite, which is the perfect combination to bring on procrastination. Of course, the longer we avoid a task the more difficult it is to get started!

How can a student best manage their time during high school with so much on their plates?

The key to effective time management is building a strong organizational system that the student is motivated to use. Thoughtful, advanced planning and prioritization are absolutely essential given the full plates of our students. We love working with our students to design systems that fit the way they think and work best, and having this in place as early as possible allows our students to thrive as they take on more responsibilities, complex coursework, and extracurricular activities.

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Anxiety is on the rise, According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 1 in 3  of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder. Why do you think this is so?

Prevalence rates for anxiety disorders among young people were on the rise before Covid-19, and these numbers climbed much higher during the pandemic as kids, teens, and their families faced social isolation, loss, and uncertainty. Academic pressure is often cited by teenagers as the largest contributor to anxiety, which is no surprise given the competitiveness of college admissions and the overwhelming number of activities and responsibilities our students juggle. Setting reasonable, achievable goals and organizing one’s space and time can significantly reduce anxiety and give students a stronger sense of confidence and self-efficacy.

What are some of the key components of your Organization & Time Management program for Top Tier Admissions?

We start by getting to know the student and talking with them about their study habits, strengths, and growth areas to tailor the program to their specific needs and goals. We consider and prioritize the many responsibilities of the student (e.g., homework assignments, studying for exams, standardized test prep, extra-curriculars, athletics, etc.) and divide them into more manageable, bite-sized tasks that can be accomplished daily, weekly, and monthly. We then work together to develop an organizational system that works well for the student, using digital and paper calendar tools and integrating them with systems provided by their school. We monitor progress and adapt often as the student learns more about their own organizational style. We also design the student’s study space to minimize distractions and ensure they are optimizing for focus and productivity, and address procrastination and optimize time management with evidence-based approaches. Last but not least, we emphasize balance and the importance of reinforcing hard work with relaxation and fun!

Jen graduated Cum Laude from Dartmouth College and earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Jen has worked in psychology, journalism, marketing, and teaching roles throughout her career and published several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. At Top Tier Admissions, Jen loves working with students to identify and develop their academic interests and strengths as they prepare for college.
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The COVID Math Gap: What This Means for You

School’s out for the summer, and the Nation’s Report Card is in. Sobering data released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicates a sharp drop in math skills among 13-year-olds, scoring on average, 9 points lower than they did in 2020—the lowest achievement in decades. The declines were even steeper for lower-performing students in the 25th to 10th percentile, whose scores plunged 12-14 points on average. Though students of all races and ethnicities lost ground in math, the gap between scores of white and Black students widened further, from 35 points in 2020 to 42 points in 2023. “These latest results provide additional evidence of the scale, the pervasiveness and the persistence of the learning loss American students experienced as a result of the pandemic,” concluded Martin West, a member of the National Assessment Governing Board and professor at Harvard’s School of Education.

More evidence of the pandemic learning slide came in the form of data released by the ACT last fall: scores for the class of 2022 hit a 30-year low, with 42% of test takers failing to meet the minimum college readiness benchmarks set by the ACT. 

THE COVID MATH GAP: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?

College applications have always been read in context, with colleges admitting students based on how they measure up within the larger applicant pool. Colleges are already seeing fewer students matriculate with a high school calculus course on their transcript (a trend underway before the onset of COVID), and organizations like Just Equations are working to highlight the structural bias in over-valuing calculus in the college admissions process (38% of students in the top socioeconomic quartile take calculus in high school, compared to 7% in the bottom quartile).

We see these trends being reflected in some schools’ admissions standards, with Stanford’s “recommended” high school curriculum now “welcoming additional math preparation including calculus and statistics” and walking back from their 2018 verbiage which recommended “four years of math (including calculus).”  MIT, on the other hand, notes that students who are “well matched” with MIT will have taken calculus in high school. Bottom line? Students who have excelled in the most rigorous courses available to them in high school will still be at an advantage in the admissions process, and STEM-focused students will still be expected to clear a higher bar for math than non-STEM focused students.  Even a liberal arts school like Pomona uses data provided by their Quantitative Skills Center to predict an applicant’s chance of success in Pomona’s STEM courses based on their high school math achievement.

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THE COVID MATH GAP: WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?

While education policy leaders are calling for nationwide reform, what can YOU do now?

  • Lean into your strengths. Research on strength-based learning suggests that by investing more energy into what they’re good at, students have more to gain than they do by pouring their time into overcoming deficits. If you’re struggling with math but have always loved reading dystopian literature, you could develop an admissions edge in the current desert of prospective English majors. Instead of opting for AP Calculus and spending all your valuable time just trying to stay afloat, go for AP Literature. Instead of using your elective course for pottery or woodworking, you might choose an English elective as a sixth academic course.
  • Stay connected. Research also shows a strong link between academic performance and school connectedness. Though you might rather lock yourself in your room and stare at geometry proofs than admit to your teacher how much you are struggling, it’s a better idea to forge a strong relationship with them and seek their help. And quitting your most meaningful extracurricular activity to spend more time on math won’t necessarily help, either; fostering connections with members of your community can help reboot your readiness to learn.
  • Use your summers. Summer is an invaluable time to shore up math fundamentals from your previous academic year and to get a head start on the next year’s content. Working regularly with a tutor 1:1 is the most efficient way to target your specific needs.  We also recommend online courses offered through Art of Problem Solving, CTY, or a college extension program like Harvard’s. For in-person learning, local community colleges and learning centers like Mathnasium are great options, too.
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Every student’s situation is unique. While one student might benefit from weekly math tutoring sessions, another might need more time management or organizational support to succeed. Reach out today for personalized guidance and expert feedback as you take the next steps on your educational journey.

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Top Tips for Acing Any School Exam

The new school year may still be a lazy summer away, but with hours of free time and sunshine-induced good vibes in the forecast, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your study strategies so you can ace your classes come September. Like it or not, exams are a big part of our education system. They’re the Big Bad Wolf — learning is all fun and great until that looming test comes a-knocking. Now is the time to commit to making the upcoming school year your best one yet. So, sit back and let’s talk test prep.

HOW TO STUDY FOR ANY EXAM

You know how it often goes with test prep: you scramble to gather all of the materials you’ll need to study for the exam, read through them, take the test, promptly misplace those materials, and then, come midterms and finals, scramble desperately to locate them once again. Break. The. Cycle! What follows are a series of recommendations that we’ve found helpful for various learning styles.

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Build the Ultimate Study Guide

Create a Master Study Packet for each exam you take.

As you review all exam materials provided by your teacher (a tedious, but crucial step), transfer any larger themes, important details, key problems, formulas, charts, and other “test-worthy” information onto 1-5 sheets of paper. Break exam material down into sections (for example: Communism vs. Democracy; Berlin; Vietnam War; Cuban Missile Crisis) so that the material is all organized and clear. Our Organization & Time Management Tutors will work with you to synthesize all test material and translate it into an efficient study guide format. Ultimately, this Master Study Packet will be like a “SparkNotes” version of all review materials, class notes, and homework assignments to be covered on the exam.

Work with your tutor or on your own to create a list of questions on topics that you are uncertain about. Bring these to your teacher for clarification or work with your tutor to understand the topic more clearly. Do this far in advance before the exam date and update your Master Study Packet with the answers once you have them.

Create a Practice Packet supplement with mock exam questions and attach it to your Master Study Packet. Build your Practice Packet by selecting representative questions from in-class work, homework assignments, and any previous quizzes. Attach three copies of your Practice Packet to your Master Study Packet. This robust document (Master Study Packet + Practice Packet) is your Ultimate Study Guide.

After you’ve compiled and reviewed your Master Study Packet, complete the mock questions in one copy of your Practice Packet. This step of your studying should happen in the days immediately leading up to the exam. The second and third copies of your Practice Packet are for safekeeping to be revisited during midterms and finals. Speaking of midterms and finals…

Keep your Ultimate Study Guides organized so that midterms and finals are a (nearly) stress-free experience. If you follow our advice, all year long you’ll be doing incremental work that you can leverage come midterms and finals. This will make for a more relaxed and efficient studying process. Keep each Ultimate Study Guide that you develop in a special folder, and your midterms and finals studying will be as simple as “review the Master Study Packet, complete the Practice Packet, rinse and repeat” until you’ve worked through the Ultimate Study Guide of every unit that will show up on the exam.

Time yourself, if you think it will be helpful. Some exams are a time crunch; others, not so much. If you’re preparing for a fast-paced school exam or if your exam includes a timed written response, consider completing your Practice Packet with a timer going to acclimate yourself to the feel of the exam.

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Make it Convenient to Study

If your exam covers vocabulary or formulas, stick Post-it notes with the information in various everyday places where you’ll notice them. In addition to the Ultimate Study Guide, there are other, smaller steps you can take to ensure test day success. Consider putting a Post-it with the Spanish word for mirror (espejo) on your bathroom mirror, for example. Put the French word for book (livre) on the book you keep on your bedside table or the quadratic formula atop the keys of your piano keyboard (reminding you of this helpful little song). It may feel a little overwhelming to see Post-its, Post-its, and, yes, even more Post-its everywhere you turn, but, hey, it’s a great way to keep the upcoming exam top-of-mind and make you study on the regular. Consider other creative ways to integrate studying into your everyday life and you’ll be getting As in no time.

Start Studying Early

This is a big one: it’s never too soon to begin studying for that upcoming exam. Sure, you might want to procrastinate with something fun; heck, you may even procrastinate by doing other homework! But procrastination always creates more frustration and stress down the line. Next time your teacher announces an upcoming quiz or test, do yourself a favor and immediately integrate your “Path to the Ultimate Study Guide” (see above) into your homework planner. For example, if you know you have a history exam coming up in two weeks, devote week one to reviewing the materials and crafting your Master Study Packet and week two to reviewing your Master Study Packet, completing your Practice Packet, and drilling details that just won’t stick. Make a non-negotiable appointment with yourself to get the work done — every day — and schedule a specific time to do so (7am, 7pm, etc.) if it helps keep you on track. Create and stick to a study plan to ensure test day success.

The summer is a great time to get a jumpstart on the upcoming school year. It’s never the wrong time to learn how to be organized. No matter your location, from organization and time management skills to academic tutoring, Top Tier’s comprehensive virtual tutoring programs help students both in and out of the classroom!

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