The Best Places in Africa for Landscape Photography.

The Best Places in Africa for Landscape Photography. Africa’s Greatest Landscapes â€" for Landscape Photographers. ChaptersWhat is Landscape Photography?What You’ll Need to Take Excellent Landscape Photographs.Some Top Spots in Africa for Taking Landscape Pictures.In the ‘West’, we suffer from a little problem of imagination. One particular image dominates our visions of places and, even when confronted by the reality, this image doesn’t budge an inch.So, when we think of China, we don’t think much beyond the Great Wall. An inspiring landscape, sure, but a bit like imagining the UK as only Hadrian’s Wall. When we think of Latin America, we stop at Machu Picchu. And when we think of, say, Russia, we think mainly of vodka and snow.Maybe this is natural. Yet, it remains a little ridiculous. And there’s nothing more ridiculous than the way we imagine Africa.We’re willing to bet that ‘Africa’, for most people, signifies one thing. That’s the savanna â€" a beautiful landscape â€" with its acacia trees, its giraffes and elephants, wildebeest and vultures. But that’s pretty much i t.However, it’s worth remembering in all this, that Africa is, in fact, a continent. A continent three times the size of Europe. And if we think that Europe is a geographically diverse place, we should probably recognise that of our southern neighbours.And it shouldn’t be a surprise â€" although it may well be â€" that Africa has some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth. From the famous coastlines of South Africa and Mozambique to the deserts of Morocco and Chad, from the mountains of Uganda to the canyons of Namibia â€" Africa has it all. And yes, there’s always the Serengeti at sunset to be taking photos of too.But let’s open our eyes â€" and camera lens â€" to the beauty and diversity of the African continent. And let’s learn a little about its geography whilst we search for the best locations for landscape photography.Check out the best spots for landscape photography in the rest of the world. The Sahara is, apparently, the size of China. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat is Landscape Photography?But first, let’s start with thinking about what landscape photography actually is and about what a landscape photographer might actually do. Because whilst we might consider this to be one of the most self-explanatory types of photography â€" you just take pictures of landscapes â€" it isn’ t, really.What is a Landscape?And the difficulty of all this starts with the definition of landscape â€" a term that has come to mean mountain peaks and remote locations, areas of the world that remain untouched, or at least undirtied, by any man-made element.Landscape, to us, is this â€" it is usually a natural landscape, and we want it to be an amazing landscape. We want it to take our breath away with its relief or beauty, and we want to feel as though we are the only people there.And this is the thing with landscape as an idea. It is detached and frozen in time â€" available to be looked at but not engaged with.This is what we like doing with images of Africa in particular. ‘Oh, a giraffe!’, we say, looking at a picture of the Serengeti. We appreciate the beauty of the giraffe in the landscape, but forget about Africa as a continent with people in it.It’s a danger of landscape photography that this happens. But this is an unfortunate historical development â€" rather than the way that this needs to be.See the best places for landscape photographers in Asia.Changing the Picture of Landscape.Landscape, as a word, has actually engaged with the integration of a human element with nature from the very beginning. Land and scape are the two roots of this English term â€" and both pay heed to this mixture.Land is not just a place â€" but originally it meant where someone belongs, as France is the land of the French. Scape, meanwhile, means to shape â€" to transform, work on, and sculpt the land.Thought of like this, landscape no longer refers to this nice distant a-human space. Rather, it pays heed to the messiness of landscape â€" and suggests that landscape can be all sorts of different environments.Just as an image of Kilimanjaro inspires so many landscape photos, so should a cityscape or seascape. Street photography, with its depiction of urban landscape, is also a landscape photography â€" as much as nature photography, wildlife photography, and travel photography.The streets of Cape Town or Nairobi are as much a landscape image as the deserts of Morocco â€" and it is important to remember this for your own art.Find Europe's best places for photographing landscapes. Drive in one of the most beautiful landscapes on EarthWhat You’ll Need to Take Excellent Landscape Photographs.But if landscape images can be of anything from streets to mountain valleys, what makes a good landscape photograph?This, in some way, is in the photographic eye of the beholder. However, it is also a question of photography techniques and photography skills. How come one person can take great photos of the Nile, say, but my landscape shot is just average?For great pictures â€" truly beautiful images â€" point and shoot is not enough. And as you work on your own craft, you’ll need to learn a few things. We’re talking shutter speed, depth of field, and white balance. You’ll need to figure out if you want a long exposure or a wide angle lens.And you’ll need to work on your photography composition, get familiar with your camera gear, and practice scouting and waiting in the right places.Good photography really is all about the patience to find the best image you can g et.Go to South America and take landscape photographs!Some Top Spots in Africa for Taking Landscape Pictures.But ultimately, the best way to learn how to shoot is to get out into the world and do it.And to get you inspired, here are some of the best places in Africa to find inspiring and awesome landscapes to photograph.We can’t cover them all â€" because it’s a continent after all. Yet, you’ll find some tips here to get you started. Just remember though, the world has plenty of shots of the savanna.Say something interesting â€" and make something beautiful and new.Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda.The Rwenzori Range in Uganda is one of the largest mountain ranges on the continent. And to remind you that Africa isn’t all heat and dryness, in the Rwenzori there are plenty of glaciers.Alongside this, it is a gorgeous â€" and largely unvisited â€" landscape. And it will give you some of the most beautiful landscape photos you have.Serengeti, Tanzania.Ah, here it is. The famous Serenge ti.  This is where you’ll find your acacia trees and wildebeest.It goes without saying that this is one of the most distinctive and wonderful places on Earth â€" as you’ll know from all of your photos of Africa.Check out the Olduvai Gorge whilst your there â€" both a beautiful place and perhaps where humanity was born.Sahara and the Ergs.Where do you go to get some of the most gorgeous pictures of the Sahara? Given that this desert is the size of China, there are plenty of options.A decent place to start would be the Ergs of southern Morocco. Whilst these aren’t technically in the Sahara, they are massive hills of sand that comes from the desert nearby.Namibia’s Fish River Canyon.Imagine that red, rocky landscape of Arizona or Utah. And then remember that you are in Namibia.The Fish River here has cut a massive trench through the Earth. And whilst the gorge itself is mesmerising, the landscape around is really quite special too.Atlas Mountains.In the Maghreb, through Morocco , Algeria, and Tunisia, you’ll find a range of mountains stretching for two and a half thousand miles â€" and dividing the coastal areas of north Africa from the Sahara.Here you’ll find snow, lush green valleys, and unique wildlife. It’s a great place to come if you’re looking for a part of the old often overlooked.South Africa’s Garden Route.At the southern tip of Africa, you’ll find, funnily enough, South Africa. And on its south-western tip, you’ll find the Garden Route, a stretch of coast known for its verdant greenness.Here, the Tsitsikamma Mountains fall down into the sea, making for a breath-taking landscape. Treat your camera to something beautiful.Simien Mountains, Ethiopia.In amongst the greenness of Ethiopia, you’ll find the towering Simien Mountains. With rugged and ambling peaks alongside jagged spikes of rock, this range makes for wonderful views.For the wildlife hunters among you, there are also the gelada â€" a species of monkey unique to this area.Co astal Mozambique.It’s currently recovering from one of the worst cyclones it experienced in decades. Yet, this tragedy has shone a light on the beauty of Mozambique.With its lagoons, dispersed islands, and gorgeous beaches, it is a unique and paradisiacal place. Try, for example, Bazaruto Island. The beaches of Mozambique are famously gorgeous.Chad.Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked, as it is, in the middle of the Sahara.Yet, whilst it is devastatingly poor, it is also an exceptionally beautiful place. Travel from the Tibesti Mountains in the north to the Manda National Park in the south, and you’ll see some of the most amazing landscapes you’ll ever see.See the USA's beautiful landscapes.

What is it Like to Attend Vanderbilt University

What is it Like to Attend Vanderbilt University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Emily is an Atlanta tutor and 2008 graduate of Vanderbilt University. She holds a degree in Classical Languages and currently tutors several subjects including SAT prep tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, Geometry tutoring, and Reading tutoring. See what she had to say about her time at Vanderbilt: 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? Emily: Vanderbilt is a walking campus in the southwest side of Nashville. All of main campus is walkable within ten minutes if you walk fast, fifteen if you dont, and the Peabody Campus is just adjacent and will add anywhere from an extra five to ten, depending on where youre going. The athletic stuff like student rec and stadium stuff is also just adjacent, so during undergrad for me it was walk, walk, walk! The campus is open, gorgeous, and park-like, but that open-ness also means that anyone could wander through at any point. Still, the lighting is pretty good and there is a security presence, so I always felt safe. The Hillsboro Village area is also easily walkable. There are buses for getting into Nashville or Green Hills areas, and I believe they are still free for student use. Its nice to have a car for getting out, but it definitely isnt necessary. Bikes are also nice to have in case you want to venture further afield into the city or surrounding areas (like nearby Belmont Un iversity), but again not necessary. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Emily: This may vary somewhat based on your area of study, but I found that all of my professors were happy to talk with me about any concern I ever had. They all have office hours, which means periods of time during the week when they are in their offices available to anyone who wants to walk in and talk to them, and I think the university has a set number of hours that is a minimum for them (I dont know what the minimum is because mostly all you have to do is approach them after class to get an idea of when you can go see them). I didnt have many TAs myself, but the few I did have were even more available than the professors, if that is possible. My fellow undergrads had similar feelings about their professors. The fact that the professors were so available, helpful, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested was one of my favorite things about this school. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Emily: The dorm life at Vandy has been changing in the last few years, moving toward a residential campus. I myself lived in dorms my entire undergraduate career and had a great experience with it. First year I had a roommate, and I did not in subsequent years as I lived in the Language dorm (McTyeire Hall) which is all single rooms, and included its own small dining hall, where we were expected to eat dinner on weeknights with our Language group. The people you eat with are kind of your family, so I formed that kind of bond with several of my hall mates. There are lots of dining options on campus, and the only problem I ever had with that was on Sunday nights when many of them were closed, limiting my options (I was pretty spoiled when it came to on-campus food). The new Commons residential area has a beautiful dining hall, and there are other small eateries all over campus with various themes and food choices, but you can use the meal plan at all of them. Theyre pretty good, tooIm not vegetarian or anything, but I did end up at the vege caf a lot, because their food was just great. By the time I left, there was a policy of missed meals on the meal plan rolling over into a sort of meal-money dollar amount, which could then be used at participating restaurants off campus. A lot of great places in the campus vicinity accepted this meal money, so I was using my Vandy card all over the place. As for socialization, there are definitely more opportunities to get involved in organizations and groups than there are hours in the day, and through those types of things you meet all sorts of people that like the same things you like. You also get to know them while participating in an activity that you enjoy, or something that helps others. On weekends, there are always events and shows and all kinds of things to take in. I really enjoyed hanging out with my friends in our respective dorm spaces; some dorms had reputations for being home to this or that type of people, so for example I found myself hanging out around the art and philosophy dorm because that was the type of people my friends were. Im sure that Greek life also provides a lot of opportunity for socialization, even though that was something I never really took part in. 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? Emily: I think Vanderbilt is pretty well known for its graduate/professional programs, like Law and especially the School of Medicine, given the huge hospital that is part of Vanderbilt campus. I studied Classical Languages, which just means I took Latin a lot. My department was pretty small, and while everyone is undergoing careful budgetary concerns right now, I never felt like we especially lacked for anything. A lot of my friends were Engineering students, but Vandy also gives a good emphasis to the importance of liberal arts education. 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? Emily: Greek life is fairly big at Vandy, but I never joined a sorority. I did have friends who were in sororities and fraternities, and friends who were not. Although around 50% of the undergrad population goes Greek, only the officers of each organization live in their respective fraternity or sorority house, so the Greek life participants are still integrated throughout campus living. Freshman dorms were good places for me to make friends, some of them just temporary to keep me sane and social as I began the more difficult task of figuring out who my real friends would be and what I was going to major in. We were all also required to take a freshman seminar during the first year; I ended up taking a cool English class which put me in touch with two of my best college friends. Many of my other best college friends I met through those people, actually, so freshman seminar is a good way to make connections to others who are new like you are. The rest of my long-term friendships came from my dorm life later on in my undergrad career. I think the best way to meet people and make friends in those early stages is just to get involved with stuff you like, because you will naturally end up doing that stuff alongside others who like it too. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Emily: The Career Center was really helpful for me when I began to freak out about the next step after Vandy. They helped me craft my resume and search for potential jobs, and sent me to job fairs. I still didnt know at the time what I really wanted to do, so I wasnt always able to take full advantage of the Career Centers offerings, but happily they do have an alumni help component which I still use online. Im not sure if reputable companies recruit on campus because I was so unsure of what I even wanted to do, but I do know that the Vanderbilt name is a pretty impressive one to have on the top of your transcripts, and companies probably sit up and pay attention when they see it. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Emily: There are several libraries around campus, and lots of study spaces in lots of buildings everywhere. Some of them are quiet, some are not, and most of them fill up pretty solidly during things like finals time. I personally always did my best work in my own room, but I did notice a lot of wonderful other spaces which I mentally noted as spaces I would like to study, if only I ever chose to do work somewhere other than my own desk. The main library, Central Library, has recently added a little caf on the terrace, and the first floor has a gorgeous reading room area. The stacks are narrow and a little dismal as a study space, but if what you need is to be squirreled away from the world in a dungeon-like space (never mind that youre on the upper floors there), then that is where you should (and I sometimes did) go. If you prefer big windows and lots of light, try the Biomedical library next to the hospital. I also remember doing group study sessions in the study rooms of the Engi neering library inside the Stevenson Center, so there are lots of options. 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? Emily: Nashville is a very cool city, and it has a lot to offer college students. As its nickname Music City would suggest, it definitely has lots of live music, and not just country either. The trick is finding out when and where, and then in getting there. Engaging as Nashville is, I learned more about what there was to see and do after I graduated than I did while I was in school there. Lots of students spend most of their time in what we refer to lovingly as the Vanderbilt Bubble which includes all of campus and then a few blocks radius all around it. That several-block radius does have its share of cool spaces, coffee shops, theatres, live music venues, etc. Downtown is just a little too far to be called easily bikeable, although it can be done, and driving downtown is annoying because you have to find parking, and it usually isnt free. As a student, I didnt have money to spend on much, so I didnt go downtown all that often. We did go to the symphony sometimes, though, because t hey had a special deal where students could get tickets for $10 in the hour before a show began. Other cultural opportunities probably run deals for students like this too. Those who are willing and able to explore what Nashville has to offer will be rewarded, but honestly as an undergrad I did not have quite the time or money to explore them fully. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Emily: Vanderbilt has about 6,800 undergrads, which to me felt just right, because I was always seeing new faces, but I never felt lost among the massive crowd. Class sizes were accordingly small (occasionally tiny), although larger general education classes can get bigger. I never had a class of more than 50 students, and had maybe two or three that were over 30; most of the classes I took were 30 students or less. Class size is also something that will depend a little bit on your area of study, though, and as you get further in to your major or specialty, the smaller it will tend to get-- in my junior and senior years I had several classes with seven or eight people (yay Latin and Greek!). VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Emily: I think my regret might be not taking more seminar classes than I did. Seminars are just courses limited to 16 people maximum, and are largely discussion based courses. I only took three of those. Looking back, they were some of my most interesting classroom experiences, quite different from my language and lecture classes. The ones I took were all to fulfill requirements, but they really broadened my educational experience. We used to have a requirement called Science in Society, which they do not have anymore, partly because were half convinced no one really knew what that was supposed to entail anyway. But it was the last requirement I had by senior year, so I ended up taking a seminar on the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci; it just so happened to be full of really interesting students and taught by one of the coolest professors on campus, Dr. Bess from the history department. Our final project for the class was really open-ended, as per the multi-talented Mr. da Vinci, and we could create almost anything we liked so long as we could explain the connection to the course material or readings. Some people wrote research papers, one student built their own musical instrument and played a song based on a mathematical formula, another person painted, I wrote a short story. The final drafts of all projects were due at or before trivia night, which we mistakenly thought that as a bunch of really smart academic and creative people, we would doubtlessly win. We did not win trivia, because trivia night actually requires you to know a lot more about sports and pop culture than it does about history (even trivia night in Hillsboro Village, right next to Vanderbilt); we did have a lot of fun trying. Check out Emilys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

What is it Like to Attend Sarah Lawrence College

What is it Like to Attend Sarah Lawrence College The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teachtheyre sharing their college experiences as well. Hailey is a Manhattan tutor and 2012 graduate of Sarah Lawrence College. She holds a bachelors degree in English and theatre and tutors several subjects, including English tutoring, history tutoring, and writing tutoring. Check out what Hailey had to say about her time at Sarah Lawrence College: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Hailey: Sarah Lawrence College is, in many ways, the perfect combination of urban and suburban. The campus itself is completely walkable or bikeable, and there are grocery stores and the small town of Bronxville within walking distance. New York City is only a 25-minute train ride away. Its a beautiful, very safe campus. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants at Sarah Lawrence College? Hailey: Extremely! Every student is assigned an adviserwe call them donswho helps you chart your academic course over four years. You also have bi-weekly meetings with all of your professors. Professors teach all of their own classesyoull never be handed over to a teaching assistant. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Hailey: If they want (and are punctual about applying), its quite possible for students to live on campus all four years. Theres a huge variety of dorms, from the traditional-feeling 1970s-style hallways, to the campuss original 1920s dormitories, to remodeled early 20th century houses. Theres even a few rooms on the top floor of the admissions building, and another set attached to the presidents house! Many of these have kitchens so that students can cook for themselves. Otherwise, there are two main dining options, both of which have lots of variety. The Pub, which is open late, is best for quick lunches and late-night french fries. Bates Dining Hall is a more traditional dining hall, and its where everyone gets their weekend brunch. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Hailey: Sarah Lawrence College has an incredibly unique academic system. Rather than traditional majors, students create their own concentrations. This is primarily enabled by our conference system. I mentioned above that students have bi-weekly meetings with all of their professors. These meetings are when you talk about your conference project, an independent research project that is attached to every class (with the exception of some math and science classes). While the subject matter does have to relate to the course, it gives students so much latitude to pull in their other interests. So, for example, I was able to constantly intertwine my love of theatre, history, and literature in my conference projects, a blend of topics that eventually led me to get my MA in Shakespearean Studies, where performance practice, cultural history, and literary analysis were all equally important. 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? Hailey: There is no Greek life at Sarah Lawrence College. A full week is dedicated to orientation at the beginning of each year, which is an amazing time packed with activities, all of which are fantastic ways to either meet new people, or catch up with old friends. There are several days at the start of the year when only freshmen (and a few upperclassmen who are leading activities) are on campus, which helps you get a head start on getting to know your classmates. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services at Sarah Lawrence College? Hailey: Every spring there is a job and internship fair. One of Sarah Lawrence Colleges major advantages is its proximity to New York City, and lots of companies make the short trip up to talk to Sarah Lawrence College students. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Hailey: As I mentioned above, the dorms are so different, its impossible to generalize, but all of them have common areas of some kind or another. The library has tons of study space, not to mention a stock of beanbag chairs, so you can make yourself a little study nest wherever you find empty floor space. Lots of people like to camp out in the dining hall to study, or, when the weather is nice enough, just take their books out to the lawn. Describe the surrounding town. Hailey: Bronxville is a fairly small town, though it has all the staples: a movie theater, a mall, some grocery stores. Its a nice place to go to grab a coffee or to have an off-campus lunch, but most students who want to get away from campus for the weekend or the evening take the train into New York City. This doesnt mean that the campus empties out every weekend. There is still a vibrant campus social life, and lots to do every night. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Hailey: Sarah Lawrence College has a small student body, and it prides itself on its small seminars. I never had more than 12 people in a seminar, and I only took one large lecture-style class. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Hailey: One of my professors at Sarah Lawrence College has completely shaped the direction of my post-graduate education and my career. Its thanks to him that I was able to see how unhappy I was with the focus and goals I had entered college determined to achieve, and with his help, I was able to zero in on the areas of study that made me genuinely happy, and to have the courage and self-belief to take a leap of faith into seriously pursuing them. I cant express the extent to which attending Sarah Lawrence College is the reason I am where I am in my life, and the reason that I have had amazing education experiences. The freedom to explore my interests, rather than being locked into a major, was so incredibly important to my development as a student and as a person. Check out Haileys tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Ask an Admissions Expert Susan Goodkin

Ask an Admissions Expert Susan Goodkin Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Susan Goodkin is a national college consultant specializing in admission to highly selective colleges such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, and much more. She is a graduate of Harvard University, as well as Oxford University where she was a Rhodes Scholar. Susan has been featured in several well-known publications such as The Washington Post and The Miami Herald. She currently does college admissions consulting at the California Learning Strategies Center. VT: How far ahead of time should a student begin working on his or her college application? Susan: First, too many students think working on applications just means drafting essays. The list of extracurricular activities is extremely important in the application process, especially for schools such as the Ivies. A carefully drafted activities list can help a student strengthen his or her application, but too many students leave that part of the application for the last minute. Students can save themselves a lot of stress and can turn out much better applications if they start working on the essays and the extracurricular lists (as well as their list of honors and awards) the summer before 12th grade. Once the school year starts, finding quality time to work on applications is a lot harder. Students should also be aware that this year the Common Application will no longer have a topic of your choice option for the 500-word essay, but instead will offer five essay prompts.These new prompts have recently been released, so theres no excuse for not working on them during the summer! VT: What are the best ways to go about selecting a terrific essay topic? Susan: While there are many approaches to coming up with a good essay, Im going to suggest some easy approaches that have worked well for many of my clients who are stumped. Heres something that might surprise a lot of students, but Ive found that parents often have great ideas for essays maybe because theyve been focused on every up and down in their childs life from day one! So, my first suggestion for coming up with an essay topic is to spend time around the dinner table with your mom and/or dad and talk about possibilities. Students can also make a list on their own of the events in their lives that have been important to them. Those moments dont necessarily have to be big moments. As an example, I always tell my students that an essay talking about the day they won the science fair will often be less interesting to an admissions officer than an essay that tells the story of how they became interested in the topic of their science fair project. VT: Are there any essay topics you get tired of seeing or would warn students to stay away from? Susan: I dont get tired of any essay topic that tells me something truly unique about a student. But I see a lot of essays written about community service that could have been written by any of thousands of students (Volunteering at the homeless shelter made me see how lucky I am, and now I realize its very important to give back to the community.). Ive also read some terrific community service essays by kids who have explained how volunteering shaped their career aspirations, or shaped them in profound ways. One of the cardinal rules of essay writing is to ask yourself if anyone else could have written the essay; if the answer is yes, you need to start again. VT: What is the biggest mistake a student can make on a college application? Susan: Apart from the obvious glaring errors such as an application that includes lots of typos and misspellings, lately Im seeing students make another kind of critical error. Many students are now applying to well over ten colleges, and too often they try to recycle essays for different colleges. Sometimes that works, but often the recycled essay doesnt really fit the new prompt. Its critical that students answer the actual prompt! Relatedly, students often give generic answers to the question, Why do you want to come to our college? Students need to do their homework -- the strongest essays include specific details about the college. A strong why here essay helps convince an admissions reader that the student would be a good fit for the college, and vice-versa. For colleges that are concerned with yield rate the percentage of accepted students who end up enrolling a strong why here essay is also important because it suggests that if accepted, the student will likely attend. VT: What is the typical process an admissions officer goes through to evaluate applications? Susan: The process varies widely depending on the school. Some large state schools, for example, hire outside readers to review the essays. Most schools including the more elite schools -- will have all parts of the application reviewed in-house. Heres a tip to find out more about the admissions process of a college youre interested in: go onto the colleges website and check to see whether there is an admissions blog. At many colleges, admissions officers (and/or students who work in the admissions office) will blog about the process, and applicants can learn a lot of useful information from such blogs. VT: What do you think is the single most important thing a student should make sure they present in the best possible way on their application? Susan: By the time a student applies to college, much of the information on their application, including their test scores, GPA, and activities, is pretty much set. Nor can they entirely control their recommendations. The essays are completely within students control, and offer students an opportunity to shape their application by telling admissions officers their story apart from the numbers. Students need to think hard about the story they want to tell, and make sure they tell it in a compelling way. VT: How should students go about determining the culture of a university, and whether they would be a good fit? Susan: Theres no substitute for visiting a college when school is in session. Once there, students must do more than just take the college tour. They need to sit in on a class (preferably in a subject theyre interested in as a major); check out the flyers posted on campus, which will tell a lot about what causes and activities students are interested in; eat in the cafeteria, and while there, chat with the some of the students about what they like and dont like about the college; check out a dorm room; and read the student newspaper. In addition or when a college visit just isnt feasible students should go onto the college website and read the student blogs, as well as perusing the Facebook pages of student groups they might be interested in joining. Ive learned that you can glean a lot about campus culture from the web! VT: Early-action, early-decision, binding/non-binding, regular decisionsWith so many choices when applying, what do you recommend to students? Susan: Applying early decision generally will increase a students odds of being accepted -- particularly at selective schools that routinely lose some of their most-impressive admitted students to even more selective schools because the colleges know all students admitted through early decision have committed to attend if accepted. However, students shouldnt apply early decision if theyre not absolutely sure their ED school is the one they want to attend; if they want the opportunity to compare financial aid offers from a number of schools; and if they arent a solidly competitive applicant. Applying EA wont help your odds of being accepted as much as applying ED, but there are fewer drawbacks since you dont have to commit to the college. Unless students think they will increase their odds of acceptance by applying later (perhaps because they think their senior grades, or some other achievement, will strengthen their application), I generally encourage them to apply EA to one (or where possible, more) of their college choices because its always a relief to hear early in the process that youve been accepted. Along those lines, I also advise students who are applying to schools with rolling admissions (that means the school reviews the applications, and makes decisions on them as they come in, so students can learn of the decision relatively shortly after they apply) to try to get their applications in early in the year. Again, hearing early in the process that youve already been accepted to one or more of your schools makes the long wait to April decisions much less stressful. VT: How important are grades and standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Susan: The importance of grades and standardized tests varies greatly between colleges. Large state schools are most likely to focus more on grades and standardized test scores, while giving less weight to activities and recommendations (some schools dont even require recommendations at all). At the most selective schools, unless youre a star quarterback or the like, great grades and test scores are merely a minimum requirement to be competitive for admissions. Many a valedictorian with impressive test scores is rejected. On the other hand, an increasing number of excellent schools no longer require SAT or ACT scores. VT: What tips do you have for students asking their teachers for letters of recommendations? Susan: Teachers recommendations can play a critical role in bringing students to life for the admissions committee. Colleges are looking for recommendations that say more than that the student is a hard worker who got an A in the class. Ideally a teacher recommendation will address topics such as the genuine interest the student showed in the class, what the student contributed to the classroom, and how he/she stood out from other students. Students should ask for recommendations from teachers who know them well, and who can share anecdotes that will illustrate the students strong points. It also helps if students give the teacher a resume, so the teacher has a sense of the students accomplishments and interests outside the classroom. You can reach Susan by visiting LearningStrategiesCenter.com or by calling 805-642-6686.The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

How to Describe the Past in Spanish Imperfect vs. Preterite

How to Describe the Past in Spanish Imperfect vs. Preterite Maile Proctor When youre taking Spanish lessons, you may be confused by new concepts and grammar rules. In Spanish, there are two different ways to describe the past; the imperfect and the preterite. Here, Carmichael,  CA Spanish teacher Joan B. shares some helpful hints to help you describe the past in Spanish As a beginning Spanish speaker, it can be difficult to determine which form of the past tense you should use: imperfect vs. preterite. Once you learn the following simple tricks, however, you should be able to figure out which tense to use in any situation where you need to describe the past in Spanish. Lets start by looking at the differences between the imperfect and the preterite. The Imperfect The imperfect is used to describe past actions that have no clear beginning and end. This includes descriptions, age, weather, time, and emotions. It also refers to repeated action (translated as used to) such as, iba todos los veranos  (I used to go every summer). Learn more about conjugating the imperfect tense. The Preterite The preterite is used to describe a completed action in the past, with a clear beginning and end. For example, ayer fui al cine  translates to yesterday I went to the movies. This is an action that occurred once, instead of many times over a period of time. Learn more about conjugating the preterite tense. How to Decide? Sometimes, sentences in Spanish will only use one form of the past tense, and you will have to decide between imperfect vs. preterite. Other times, there are contextual clues that will allow you to use both forms in the same sentence. When to Use Both A common use of the preterite and imperfect within one sentence is when the imperfect describes an ongoing past action, and the preterite describes an action that interrupted the ongoing action.  For example,  mientras leía el libro, ella me llamó  (while I was reading the book, she called me). Whenever you see the word mientras  in a sentence describing the past, you can be sure that the imperfect will immediately follow mientras, and that the preterite will be used to describe any subsequent action that interrupts the ongoing action. Watch out for sentences that use the word  cuando. Some sentences with  cuando  function similarly to mientras  in the sense that theres an imperfect followed by the preterite, for example, cuando caminaba en el parque, vi un accidente (when I was walking in the park, I saw an accident). In other cases, however, the order of tenses can be reversed, cuando llegué a casa, mi madre estaba cocinando (when I arrived home, my mother was cooking). Understanding the imperfect and the preterite can be confusing, but if you identify the type of action being described and watch for contextual clues, you should be able to recognize which form of the past tense to use. Interested in learning more about imperfect vs. preterite? Taking lessons with a private instructor is a great way to get customized and personalized help on your way to becoming a fluent Spanish speaker! Sign up with a Spanish tutor hoy! Joan B. lives in  Carmichael, CA  and has been teaching high school Spanish for more than 18 years. A lover of language, she’s studied French, Arabic, and Italian and spent time living in Spain. Joan aims to help students improve on tests and increase their conversational ability when traveling to Spanish-speaking countries.  Learn more about Joan here! 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  Zachary R

My Experience at Yale University

My Experience at Yale University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Murat earned his Bachelors degree in Religious Studies from Yale University in 2014. He is a Washington, D.C. tutor specializing in many subject areas, including Spanish tutoring, SAT prep tutoring, and Algebra tutoring. Check out his review of Yale University: 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? Murat: The Yale University campus is located in New Haven, Connecticut. While the university maintains close ties with the city, the campus is a world unto itself. Most buildings are located within walking distance of one another. The farthest section of the campus is Science Hill, where most of the science lab and lecture courses are taught. It is located about 10-15 minutes from the residential areas (called residential colleges). All the other buildings are located very close to the residential colleges, so everything can be reached by walking. There is a free shuttle service that takes you to most places around campus, and it comes in handy during the cold winter months, especially for students who take a lot of science courses. A car is not needed, and while a bike might be useful, most students do not use them during the winter months. Yale University is a safe campus, and while crime does occur in New Haven, the Yale Police Department does a fantastic job of keeping students s afe. At night, there are free door-to-door shuttle services that any student can use. They are useful when you are visiting friends who live far from your residential college. The Yale University campus is beautiful (perhaps the most beautiful college campus in the United States), and walking its grounds every day is a treat that I know I would not have gotten at any other college. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Murat: The faculty at Yale University is as available as a student wants them to be. All professors are required to hold office hours, and most are willing to meet with students at other times as long as an appointment is made in advance. Professors love meeting with students and helping them not only with course material, but also with academic and career counseling. Freshman year, your residential college dean is your main academic adviser, and they are fantastic when trying to navigate Yale Universitys abundant resources, from choosing an adequate course load to thinking about study abroad experiences. Sophomore through senior years, you get to choose your own academic adviser, and he or she can be any professor at Yale University. Each major also has a Director of Undergraduate Studies who serves as the main academic adviser for seniors. In addition, those students writing a senior thesis have thesis advisers who meet with them several times throughout the entire writing process. Most, although not all courses, have teaching assistants, who teach one section (in addition to the lecture/seminar hours) every week. Teaching assistants are also readily available via email and in person, and they really make an effort to create a positive class environment. For some of my courses, my teaching assistants were actually much more interesting and engaging than my professors. I would like to emphasize that it is really up to the students how much advantage they take of the facultys availability. Even if you are not taking a class with a professor and you want to meet to talk about career paths or potential future classes, he or she is always happy to talk to and advise students. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Murat: Yale Universitys dorm life is unique in that it is divided into 12 residential colleges (soon to be 14). Each student is randomly assigned to a residential college at the start of his or her freshman year. Each college has its own courtyard, dining hall, gym, library, recreational areas, laundry room, movie screening rooms, and many other amenities that make residential life very fun and practical. Each residential college holds between 200-400 students, and most are very centrally located. The thing that I liked about the colleges was their sense of community. Colleges compete against each other in intramural sports, and each college has a particular color and mascot/symbol. While most of your friends will probably be those in your college (simply because you live so close to them from freshman year on), inter-college socialization happens all the time, and most students have many friends outside of their colleges. Each college has a Master, who is in charge of the social and emotional well being of all students. Masters organize events, such as barbecues, field trips, shopping trips, and workshops, that all students can participate in. Yale Universitys residential units are called suites, and each suite has a bedroom and a common room. Juniors and seniors can live in co-ed suites, while freshmen and sophomores can only live in single-sex suites, although most floors are also co-ed (single-sex floors are available for people who require it for special reasons). Students are required to live in a residential college their freshman and sophomore years, and they have the option of living off-campus their junior and senior years. 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? Murat: While most students major in the humanities and social sciences, Yale University has been investing millions of dollars into its science department, which is one of the most sophisticated and advanced in the world. I undertook a unique career path, in that I pursued pre-medical studies while majoring in something related to the humanities (Religious Studies). I wanted to be a doctor, but I did not want to limit my undergraduate education to just social sciences. Like most majors at Yale University, the Religious Studies department gave me a lot of flexibility in assembling my own set of courses and in molding the major to my own interests. I took a lot of courses in the Latin American Studies and History departments, and was even able to take PhD-level classes that counted toward my major. Very few people major in Religious Studies (there were only eight of us in my class), but that makes for a better learning experience because each student has much more access to the faculty . The advising that takes place is also much more personalized. The advantage of other larger majors, such as History, Political Science, Biology, or English, is that those departments have a lot of money available for students to use for their research. One of my close friends, for example, was able to travel to France for two weeks (paid for by the English department) to do research on Albert Camus for his senior thesis. I would say, however, that there is room for improvement in certain area studies. Most humanities and social science programs have strong offerings in courses related to Europe, East Asia, and America, but there are very few courses that focus on Latin America and Africa. 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? Murat: Yale University students are very hard working, but also very sociable. The residential college system makes it very easy to establish friendships from day one. Extracurricular student groups are extremely active on campus, and they make a good effort to attract and recruit freshmen. There are also cultural groups that facilitate friendships between students of common heritages. While Greek life exists at Yale University, the majority of students do not rush fraternities or sororities, and it really does not play a significant role in campus social life. Yale Universitys unofficial motto is work hard, play harder, so most students do take the time to have fun and enjoy their college experience, especially during the weekends. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Murat: It really depends on the career you are pursuing. From personal experience, I can say that Yale University has a very poor pre-medical advising center, and pre-medical students often end up feeling confused and dissatisfied when seeking the Career Centers services. For students wanting to go into a career in consulting and finance, the Career Center is a great place to go, as most counselors have a lot of experience dealing with large firms like J.P. Morgan, Deloitte, and McKinsey Company, all of which do heavy on-campus recruitment. For students pursuing a career in the public sector, while public firms/organizations do not really recruit on campus, counselors have a lot of knowledge in this area, and they will advise you properly on potential fellowships and jobs that you might want to pursue. The Career Center also has a fantastic International Experience section, which does a great job in advising students who want to pursue a semester, or even a career, abroad. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Murat:It also depends. Most of the year, there will be plenty of space in libraries and recreational areas to study comfortably. When finals come, however, libraries do tend to become overcrowded, and many students prefer to study in their dorm rooms. Libraries have private study rooms that students can book in advance, but they tend to be overbooked (during finals, its impossible to get one). Most classroom buildings are also left open throughout the night, and students can freely wander into different classrooms to study by themselves or in groups. All students have ID access to two main libraries, the libraries of the different professional schools, and their own residential college libraries (more than 10 libraries in total). On a side note, the Yale University libraries are a great resource for all students. Each student has a personal librarian that is readily available to guide students through the millions of sources that exist. One time, for example, I asked my personal libr arian if Yale University had access to Chilean newspapers between 1973 and 1976 for an essay that I was writing. A couple of hours later, I was in the library going through digital microfilm that included every single issue from a Chilean paper called El Mercurio from 1970 to the present. 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? Murat: Despite the fact that New Haven has a bad reputation, it really is what you make of it. While most of my friends who did not go to Yale University do not believe me when I tell them this, New Haven has one of the best restaurant scenes in the country. Most restaurants are located within a short walking distance from the central campus, and they offer delicious (although expensive) options from all around the world. The city also has a good shopping scene, with brands such as Urban Outfitters, Apple, and J. Crew right on the heart of campus. Yale University has a lot of museums that are open to the public, and a wonderful theater scene that offers shows year-round. New Haven also has a great natural environment, with pleasant hiking trails and lots of forest space. For those students over 21, the bar scene is very varied (and its growing at a fast pace), and while expensive, it is a lot of fun. Most parties and socializing, however, take place on campus, not in the city. Yale University also offers many opportunities to get involved with the New Haven community at large. There are many student organizations that are devoted to improving the life of people in the community in various ways, from offering free health services to undocumented migrants, to tutoring students in middle school, to working in soup kitchens to help the poor. In fact, many of my friends who were very involved with New Haven loved the city and ended up staying afterward, working for grassroots or political organizations. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Murat:Each class has about 1,400 students. Classroom sizes vary, depending on whether you take a big lecture course or a small seminar. Because I was both a pre-medical and Religious Studies student, I ended up having a combination of both. I highly preferred small seminars to large lecture courses because they allowed me to participate more actively and to get to know the professor better. My largest biology course, for example, had more than 200 students, and interactions with the professor during class were very limited. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Murat: Like any other school, Yale University has wonderful professors and bad professors (thankfully, more wonderful than not). I will begin by describing the class that I liked the least: Organic Chemistry I. Not only was this a huge lecture course with more than 100 students, but the professor also made no effort whatsoever to create an engaging class environment. The one time that I went to see him for office hours, he fell asleep as I was asking him a question, so I awkwardly stood up and left without disturbing him. Naturally, for such a difficult subject, having such a horrible professor made the experience even worse. But most of the time, I felt incredibly lucky for being at a place like Yale University. For one of my favorite courses, Tibetan Buddhism, my professor decided to hold class one day at the Beinecke Rare Book Manuscript Library. Inside one of the seminar rooms in the library, my professor uncovered ancient Buddhist paintings that had been saved from Tibet prior to the Chinese occupation and that only existed in few other places in the world. That day, my professor also invited a Tibetan Lama (spiritual leader) to speak. As I sat in class that day, listening to the Lama unlock the secrets of the Tibetan paintings, I knew that only at Yale University would I ever have an opportunity like this. Check out Murats tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

English Vowel Pronunciation Exam - with Audio

English Vowel Pronunciation Exam - with Audio Assessment by Kate YoonVoice by Teauna PetersHow isyour English pronunciation?LOI English has created a self assessment, with recordings that you can compare yourself to.Instructions: Read aloud the sentence. Ask yourself the question. Your answer should be yes.Rate the level of difficulty 0-5 (0=Not difficult, 5=very difficult).1. Please believe that meat, beans, and cheese are good to eat. Eat them at least three times a week.Q: Are your [i] sounds long? Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?2. Jims big sister swims a little bit. It keeps her fit, slim, and trim.Q: Are your [?] sounds short?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?3.Babe Ruth was a famous baseball player. He became a baseball legend.Q: Does each [ei] vowel sound like ay in day?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?4. Ten times seven is seventy. Seven times eleven is seventy-seven.Q: Are your [?] sounds short?Does it sound like the recording? Level of di fficulty (0-5)?5.The Titanic was a grand and elaborate ship that had over 2,000 passengers.Q: Do you open your mouth more for [æ] than for [?]?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?6.During Thanksgiving, children eat turkey and learn about the early settlers who journeyed to America.Q: Do ur, ear, and our sound the same when you say them?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?7.Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief!Q: Do er, or, ier, and ar sound the same when you say them?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?8.Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America comprise five of the continents. South America is another continent.Q: Do all of the boldfaced letters sound the same when you say them?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?9.New Orleans is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. It has good food and music.Q: Are your [u] sounds long?Does i t sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?10.Little Red Riding Hood is one of my favorite childhood books. When I was little, I would read it whenever I could.Q: Are your [?] sounds shorter than your [u] sounds?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?11.Turn the oven up to three hundred degrees and bake one-half hour or until done.Q: Does each boldfaced letter sound like the u in fun or sun?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?12.I dont want to go to Rome. We dont know anyone there. Lets go to Arizona instead.Q: Are your [o?] sounds long?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?13.He talked to an audience of more than fourteen thousand. According to newspaper reports, his speech was lauded.Q: Do al and au sound the same when you say them?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?14.The U.S. Constitution is the basis of U.S. democracy. It has been constant but responsive to change.Q: Does your [?] vowel sound like ah when you say it?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?15.Did you hear the loud sounds outside last night? Our neighbors were shouting and howling.Q: Is your mouth wide open when you say [a] in [a?]?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?16.Good liars can be quite likeable, have a charming style, and can look you right in the eye.Q: Is your tongue near the roof of your mouth when you say [?] in [a?]?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?17.We have quite a choice of toys. Let me point out this train. Your boy will enjoy it, Mr. Lloyd.Q: Do your lips start out oval shaped and quickly flatten when you say [??]?Does it sound like the recording? Level of difficulty (0-5)?How did you do? Any soundsthat you scored 3, 4, or 5 on are the ones you should be studying. LOI English offers individual English pronunciation classes with native speakers who are trained to help you.You can study 7-10 vowels with up to 3 review lessons in a 5-hour pronunciation course or 12-17 vowels with up to 5 reviews in a 10-hour pronunciation course.Click here to learn more and register. Write down your scores and share them with the teacher, and well be able to start quickly!

The Importance of Routine and Organization

The Importance of Routine and Organization Youve probably heard before that students who embrace regular routines are more successful, organized and effective. Studies prove this to be true as well. Here is what some of the research says about the positive impact that routines at home can have on childrens school performancedrawing on studies recently completed: Reading routines help students develop early literacy skills and set the stage for continued enjoyment of reading into the school years. Family routines provide children with a model for structure. Family routines during the early childhood years get students involved in activities that contribute to vocabulary development and social skills building as well as academic achievement later on. A study showed that families with a stable, high level of commitment in rituals at home have children with higher scores on standard tests of academic achievement than children of families with a low level or decline in routine. In a study of children with divorced parents, regular bedtime predicted academic performance two years after the initial assessment. An early literacy study said that book-reading routines promote future academic success. At Huntington Learning Center, our experience echoes these findingswe see every day that students are more organized and capable of achieving their goals when they know what to expect at home and in the classroom. Routines help children build independence, teaching them to set small goals and complete tasks. Through our work with thousands of children, we have found that: Structure and routines teach children responsibility and inspire them to take pride in and ownership of their work. Children who embrace routines and organization tend to do better in school. Routines teach children about self-discipline and working toward goals. Children who are empowered by parents and teachers to take primary responsibility for their daily tasks build the confidence to try new things without fear of failure. Consistency in the daily and homework routine helps children make the most of their time, leaving more time for hobbies, activities and socializing. Routines reduce anxiety about the unknown and help children feel safer in the classroom. At home, routines reinforce what teachers do in the classroom and help children understand that being organized saves time, minimizes stress and reduces unnecessary chaos. In the classroom, routines minimize disruptions and wasted time, making transitions from activity to activity smoother and easier. Most parents know from experience that routines are a good thing, but the great news is that educational researchers and teachers alike agree. Continue to work on creating and upholding reliable routines for homework, study time and daily tasks and youll notice that your child is a more organized, efficient and happy student. Huntington Learning Center drew from the article, Family Routines and Rituals in Infants Young Children, Vol. 20, No. 4, for this article. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.