Should I Go To University of Washington

Should I Go To University of Washington The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Bryce earned his Bachelors degree in Bioengineering in 2012 from the University of Washington. He is currently a New York City tutor specializing in Biology tutoring, MCAT prep tutoring, Chemistry tutoring, and much more. See what he had to share about his time at the University of Washington: 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? Bryce:The University of Washington is in its own enclave of Seattle. It is about three miles from downtown, and while it is still in an urban setting, the entire neighborhood revolves around the campus. The off-campus safety is sometimes questionable, but there is an incredibly low crime rate on campus, even very late at night. I had a bike all four years, and a car during my final two, but the bus system is good enough to get you where you need to be within 20 minutes. VT:How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Bryce:The University of Washington is a huge school; my largest class was 770 students. That being said, the professors are amazing at being available to students via office hours, email, and private appointments. Almost every class has at least one teaching assistant, and they are even more available than the professors. The key to getting the attention of your professors at the University of Washington is to, 1.) stand out in class (positively, obviously), ask questions, and go to office hours and/or, 2.) choose a strong but small major. For instance, my bioengineering class had 50 students in it, and I knew all of my professors quite well. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Bryce:Dorm life is so fun. There are a ton of dining options, the rooms are big enough for you to survive and have your own space, and Housing Services puts on all kinds of events for those living on campus, as well as off. 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? Bryce:The sciences are very strong at the University of Washington, especially those that stress research (because they are the ones that bring in national and private funding). I studied bioengineering because it was a beautiful mix of medicine and engineering, and it provided me with a fantastic perspective of medicine before I applied to medical school. 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? Bryce:I played on the ice hockey team, so I immediately had a group of 25 friends. For those not immediately joining a sports team, I would recommend joining a club or at least engaging in all of the social events put on by the dorms. You should definitely live on campus your freshman year; if you like it, you can stay, and if you do not, you can find off-campus housing or join a fraternity or sorority. Greek life is quite prevalent on/near campus, but if you choose not to join (I chose to avoid Greek life), it is pretty easy to avoid, as well. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Bryce:I did not use the Career Center much, as I was on a straight track to medical school. My friends and colleagues, however, went to several career fairs and got interviews/jobs as a direct result. The University of Washington is one of the most prestigious universities in the northwest, so all major companies (Boeing, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, etc.) recruit from it. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Bryce:The student union was just renovated, and it is absolutely gorgeous. They have a bowling alley, an arcade, ping-pong tables, a ton of dining options, a small bookstore, a bike repair shop, and more. The libraries are great, but the best and most beautiful ones are closed overnight. There is one 24-hour library, and they are currently renovating it, so it should be great when they finish. The best libraries have cubicles and big workspaces, but they do tend to get swamped during midterms and finals. There are a lot of off-campus study options, as well (e.g. coffee shops). 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? Bryce:Seattle is great. The music scene is fun, and there is always an event going on somewhere in the city. There are generally on-campus events every weekend. I did have some difficulty finding things to do on the weekends before I turned 21, but that can easily be changed by finding like-minded individuals willing to join you in exploring, going to movies, etc. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Bryce:The University of Washington has a huge student body the typical entering class is 5,500 students, and there are more than 40,000 students if you count graduate students. Entry-level classes are generally quite large, ranging from 100-770 students. I really did not like my large classes, but thankfully they were few and far between, and the bulk of my work was in classes that were 30-60 students. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Bryce: Dr. Scott Freeman taught my entry-level biology class. This man could not only captivate a 400-person audience each day, but he truly cared about each of his students. I was working on campus my first two years, and one day he bought coffee from me about two hours before his class. I introduced myself, and he proceeded to say hi to me and call me by name for the next two years. He somehow recalled the name of every student who introduced him or herself to him, and nothing made him happier than learning that one of his old students achieved a goal. When I told him I got into medical school, he smiled as if I were his own son getting admitted. I hope to teach one day, and I will do my best to care about my students as much as Dr. Freeman. Check out Bryces tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Looking for Online Tutors. Come to us

Looking for Online Tutors. Come to us 0SHARESShare Hey!   School holidays are over and its your time to go back to school now. How do you feel about this back-to-school season?   Generally students are given adequate quantity of homework from school before vacations. At times students find it difficult to get their homework done independently or even don’t feel like studying at home alone. Students these days are getting increasingly familiar with technology. Online Tutoring is a dependable platform that helps students to get their homework done comfortably and gives parents a sense of relief. Online Tutors for School is a popular option these days. The process attracts students because it’s interactive, informative and interesting. Some of the most favored features of this process are: Reasonably priced and hence affordable Charges are hourly or on number of sessions One to one mentoring Use of advanced tools to make session attention-grabbing Internet has given students the opportunity to make the task of studying easier through online tutoring. K-12 Tutor Online is considered as the most interactive means to impart education as it magnetize students and they enjoy learning. Students ranging from k-12 are taken care of by Online Tutors. Tutor Pace, a leading online tutoring portal is a reliable platform providing highly experienced Online Tutors. [starbox id=admin]

Top 10 Things A Tutor Needs To Understand To Intensify Student Learning

Top 10 Things A Tutor Needs To Understand To Intensify Student Learning Tutoring is a noble activity and it involves sharing of knowledge and positive attitudes. To intensify students’ learning and help them gather right insights in subjects, teachers need to understand the following things. 1) Tutor attitude Tutors need to keep student attitudes in focus and get ahead with classes accordingly. A good teacher does not show interest in covering the syllabus but tries to capture the attention of students through questioning, fun jokes etc. Without gaining the attention of students, you cannot get into their minds and share knowledge with them. 2) Student’s attitude Same way, bringing student minds into focus and getting them engaged in the class with a positive attitude is in the hands of the gurus. Once they know how to introduce a topic and captivate the attention of the students, they are half way through as the other end responds automatically from thereon. College online tutoring centers need a special mention here for motivating students to learn subjects via their custom made services and personalized tutoring sessions. 3) Being passionate about tutors and learning When the classes are filled with fun and joy via proper attitudes for teaching and learning, students start to like the classes, go beyond regular learning routines and take learning as their passion. Passionate tutors can create this situation. 4) Importance of in depth knowledge Teachers should make their students understand that cramming and rote memorization would not take them in the right path of knowledge. It is not knowing a concept but understanding it that will fetch them real knowledge. 5) Use of multimedia Multimedia tools help students gather clear insights in topics and learn with interest. Tutors should use them in the proper context to make the learning process interactive. 6) Searching the net For detailed understanding of complex topics tutors can browse the net with their students. It comes in handy for students while doing homework. College homework help is available for students to do their homework tasks online effortlessly. 7) Techniques of tutoring Teachers should understand that recapitulation, revising and repeating the ideas are essential tools for helping kids retain the learnt material in their memory. Students find it useful for easy catch of ideas while writing assignments. College assignment help online is also an available resource for effective assignment writing. 8) Every student is different Tutoring is a unique experience in the sense tutors have to take into account the individuality of each student and prepare their classes accordingly. When they personalize their tutoring, they get into the mind of each student and impart knowledge successfully. 9) Joy of teaching It is joy of sharing knowledge that kindles inspiration in every tutor. When the tutor understands that her mission of sharing knowledge is in the process, she feels inspired. 10) Tutoring is a noble profession Every guru holds the responsibility of shaping student minds, developing positive attitudes in them and imparting knowledge. In such a case, any tutor should feel proud of her profession and understand the nobility of being a tutor. Summary Teachers are the backbone of successful learning for students. They need to understand this factor for conducting meaningful, stress free and unique sessions and enhancing student learning.

Examples of Phrasal Verbs with UP and their meanings

Examples of Phrasal Verbs with UP and their meanings We have already looked at Phrasal verbs using the preposition AROUND earlier this week. There are many more prepositions in English we can use to form phrasal verbs. So today lets take the preposition UP and study phrasal verbs with UP.UP is a very commonly used preposition in English. UP usually refers to something above us.The ceiling is  above my head. I am going up the stairs to my room.But when used in a phrasal verb it has many  different meanings.  Here are some examples of English Phrasal verbs with UP and their meanings. Examples of Phrasal Verbs with UP BREAK UP  The usual meaning here is to destroy or dismantle something.Examples:I broke up the Lego model I  made.  I broke up the old wooden table we had in the garden. However, to break up can also mean to end. Usually it refers to  relationships. When a relationship goes badly we say that couple who lived next door have broken  up. He has moved out of the house.Example: The pop group who had all those major hits a few years ago have announced that they are breaking up. They will have their own careers now.SEX UP  When someone wants something to look or sound a little more modern then we can use  this phrasal verb.Example: Irina had to make a very important presentation to her bosses the following week. She spent 2 days writing it and showed it to her boyfriend for his comments. He said it was ok but a little bit boring. He suggested to sex it up a little to make it more interesting. He suggested inserting (putting in) a few graphs and charts and a couple of pictures to make it look attractive.PICK UP  Literally this means to lift something off the floor/ground or from the table and carry it somewhere  else.ex. I picked up the package and put it in the cupboard.Several other meanings of PICK UP are:1. to improveex. The weather has been terrible, rain and winds for at least 10 days. However the weather  forecast says it will pick up by the weekend and the temperature will rise considerably.2. to collect someone from somewhereex. If you tell me what time your flight is arriving I will come to the airport and pick you up.3. to catch an illness or a bugex. Last week John picked up a stomach bug and missed 2 days of work. Phrasal Verbs with UP - Image to share CUT UP  Literally to  CUT UP  something is to take a knife or scissors and cut something in to pieces.ex. I  cut up that old dress as I never wear it now. I can use it to clean the windows.However, it can also  have some metaphorical meanings.ex. Sergei has broken up (split) with his girlfriend. They were  together for ages. He is very cut up about it (very upset).DO UPThis is quite informal and refers to improving or renovating something.ex. Peter  and Jane and been living in the house for 6 years. They hadn’t done any decoration in that time. As  spring was approaching Jane got some paint and designs and they decided to do up (decorate) the  house one room at a time before the summer.MAKE UPto become friends again after a quarrelex. We made up after our argument but it still feels like there is some tension.Next time when you are speaking English try and use some of the phrasal verbs with UP in your conversation.   English Phrasal Verbs with WORK - Video Lesson

Why Applying to College Starts Freshman Year

Why Applying to College Starts Freshman Year Academic Performance Explained Podcast In this episode of our podcast, MyGuru founder Mark Skoskiewicz talks to Wendy Friedman of CollegeBound Admissions. Friedman is an independent college counselor who helps students plan for, apply to, and get into college. When does the college application process start? Many people believe that the college application process starts in junior or senior year of high school, but that is too late for someone to start becoming a great college applicant. As a student, you build your academic and personal record from the moment you start high school. Colleges care most about your academic record (grades and test scores), and every class counts from ninth grade on. You should always choose the most rigorous classes you can handle and then work hard to perform well. What should high school students keep in mind as they move towards college to ensure that they will get accepted to their dream school? Get to know yourself; most students do not really know who they are by the time they are ready to apply to college. You can do this throughout high school by finding classes, extra-curricular activities, and friends that you love. This often means trying things that are initially outside your comfort zone and then sticking with the things that really excite you. Admissions officers at selective schools report that about 80% of their applicants are academically qualified, so students need to distinguish themselves from the competition in other ways. By developing your personal profile, you can show colleges that you will make a valuable contribution to your future campus community. What strategies can students use to improve their grades and academic performance? Always come to class on time. Tardiness can only bring negative attention, and you might miss valuable in-class discussion. Be prepared to participate in class; let your opinions and ideas be heard. Sitting in the front of the class can help you maintain eye contact and pay better attention, which will also improve your participation. You can go above and beyond teachers’ expectations by going to a local college library and searching for books or articles about subjects being covered in class. Reading professional articles can help you with your writing, and you will be armed with new ideas and theories to bring up in class and incorporate into your papers. Why is it important to talk to your teachers? Teachers are an underutilized resource. Many students do not ask their teachers for help, often because they are afraid to admit that they do not understand something. Instead of seeing teachers as people who are just there to evaluate you, see them as people you can actually talk to and get feedback from. Most teachers will make an extra effort if students make an extra effort; you will not be penalized for asking for help. In fact, your teachers will become your biggest cheerleaders, because they will know you tried really hard. As they get to know you, they will be available to write you letters of recommendation or otherwise help you with the college application process. What are some common mistakes that college applicants make? Students often choose schools for the wrong reasons (such as parents, friends, or college rankings) and they forget to form their own opinion. It is never too early to start looking at schools, especially online. Keep an open mind; try not to go by name recognition. When the time comes, you should really know about the schools’ course offerings, communities, professors, and student bodies, and you should have a clear picture of how you might enhance the community. Students also make the mistake of not showing schools enough interest â€" colleges like to know that they are wanted. If they admit you, they want to know that you are going to say yes. Once you know that a college is a serious one on your list, you need to demonstrate that interest through communications. Finally, watch your social media presence. 40% of colleges now check social media during the admissions process, so make sure there is nothing about you on social media that could be perceived negatively. Friedman suggests the “grandma rule” â€" if you would not want your grandma to see it, then it should not be on social media. To hear the full interview, check out the episode on iTunes.

Anaheim English Tutor Using an Em Dash - TutorNerds

Anaheim English Tutor Using an Em Dash - TutorNerds Anaheim English Tutor Tip: How to Use an Em Dash Anaheim English Tutor Tip: How to Use an Em Dash Tutorsâ€"especially English tutorsâ€"frequently see punctuation misunderstood and misused. There are a few pieces of punctuationâ€"semicolons, colons, and dashesâ€"that are common culprits of causing these student mistakes (our private Anaheim English tutors are here to help you succeed). We’ve previously discussed how to understand and use the semicolon and the colon, but we still have to discuss the dashâ€"another important piece of punctuation. Among students, the dash isn’t the most common in essaysâ€"in fact, it is seldom used at all. Here, we will discuss some simple pointers about how to use the dashâ€"specifically; we’ll talk about the em dash and its ability to make your sentences and paragraphs flow more naturally and convey information more effectively. Like the piece on the colon and semicolon, we’ve started this post with a paragraph that includes the dash in every sentence.   While this is not the preferred way to incorporate any punctuation into your writing, it is a helpful way of using numerous examples to showcase the versatility of the punctuation. In my experience, the dash is taught even less than the semicolon in Kâ€"12 English classes.   It is also likely the least used of the three punctuation marks discussed so far.   I personally find the em dash to be particularly effective in my writing, but I do recommend focusing on the colon and the semicolon first; they are more commonly seen in typical reading and also more easily incorporated into your writing. If you’ve done that, let’s now go into detail with these four points about the em dash: Don’t confuse with hyphens This is a hyphen: This is an en dash: â€" This is an em dash: â€" Notice the difference in lengths.   “En” dash is named because it is the length of the capital letter N.   “Em” dash is named because it is the length of the longer capital letter M.   Note that both are longer than a hyphen. Hyphens are used mainly for combining two words like “hard-working.”   En dashes are used for ranges, such as the Kâ€"12 in the paragraph above or like in April 2nd â€" March 3rd. The “em dash” is the more versatile punctuation that we are talking about.   This is the longest of the three.   Mixing up the en dash and em dash likely will go unnoticed, but you should be particularly careful to not use a dash interchangeably with a hyphen. Use it as more powerful parentheses Parentheses can be used in the middle of a sentence to add supplementary information to the content of the sentence.   However, parentheses tend to diminish the importance of the content inside the parentheses.   It is treated as secondary as well as supplementary, and often readers will even ignore reading parentheses altogether and simply continue with the sentence. The use of dashes can prevent this.   Using two dashes instead of parentheses is telling the reading that this supplement is important and should be emphasized.   You can see this usage in the first two sentences of the first paragraph of this article. Use it as an easier semicolon Using a semicolon is a way to connect two closely related sentences.   The caveat is that they both have to be complete sentencesâ€"not just an incomplete phrase like this.   With a dash, you are not constrained by this limitation.   You can connect two sentences that are both complete sentences, or you can connect a sentence with just a phrase or thought. It is important to note that there is still a difference tonally between the dash and the semicolon.   Semicolons tend to show that the two sentences are a pair of equally significant, similar content.   Dashes are more often used to show a contrast or to present an interjection to the content of the first sentence.   You will get used to these nuances the more you practice using them.   You can see this usage in the final sentences of the first paragraph above. Use it as the emphasis in a colon The last tip is to use it similarly to how we can use a colon: for emphasis.   This is a very similar usage to how the colon is used.  The subtle difference is that the colon usually precedes a list of objects or a simple object.   You describe a category, then use a colon, then provide the item or items in that category. With a dash you more often see this done in reverse.   For example, look at the third sentence in the first paragraph of this article.   Here, we wrote, “… but we still have to discuss the dashâ€"another important piece of punctuation.” If we were using a colon, we likely would have written “… but we still have to discuss another important piece of punctuation: the dash.”   Notice the difference? The dash has more subtle nuances to it than many other pieces of punctuation.   It also has a lot of versatility in how you use it.   Here, we’ve presented some of its uses in a simpler way for beginners.   Other rules for the dash, such as making sure to have the proper length em dash and to not use spacing before or after it, are technically grammatically true but practically they are not well followed.   In modern usage, we often see a space before and after the em dash.   We also often see the en dash length used instead. These are not aspects you should worry about as you try to incorporate it into your writing.   First, learn how to properly use punctuation like the semicolon, colon, and parentheses.   When you’ve mastered these three, you can begin to use the dash in similar ways to improve your writing even more. Michael C. is currently a private math, science, and standardized test tutor with TutorNerds in Irvine and Anaheim. All blog entries, except for guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Teaching English with the Cultural Ambassador Program in Spain

Teaching English with the Cultural Ambassador Program in Spain As you start searching for ESL jobs, you may notice that it’s tough to land a teaching gig in Western Europe if you don’t have a European Union passport. But if you’ve been dreaming of tapas, flamenco dancing, and vibrant fiestas in Spain, you could still be in luck. We want to tell you about an ESL teaching program in Spain called theCultural Ambassadors Program. Run by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, this initiative hires up to 2,500 American and Canadian citizens to teach English in Spanish primary and secondary schools. During the program, you’ll work as an auxiliare de conversaciónâ€"or a conversation assistantâ€"meaning you’re an assistant language teacher. It’s a great introductory job to ESL teaching if you’re recently TEFL certified and looking for your first job teaching English in Western Europe. To learn everything you need to know about becoming a Cultural Ambassador in Spain, just keep scrolling down the page. All the exciting details await you! How Long is the Cultural Ambassador Program? In most Spanish cities, the Cultural Ambassador Program runs from October until May 31. Madrid is a notable exception, as their program spans October 1 to June 30. Certain schools will extend the offer to renew your contract for the following year. So, if you’re having a blast teaching English to Spanish kids, you might not have to say goodbye in May or June! Who is Eligible for the Cultural Ambassador Program? To be eligible for the Cultural Ambassador Program in Spain, you need to meet the following requirements: Canadian or American citizenship and a valid passport for that country. Speak English or French as your first language. Education requirements include: having a BA or BS degree by the end of the academic year prior to the program’s start date, be enrolled in a university program as a junior or senior, or be a university graduate. Basic Spanish language skills. (Applicants should submit any relevant documents as proof, such as transcripts showing Spanish language credits.) Applicants must be between 21 and 60 years of age. If you wish to teach in Madrid, you must be 35 or younger. You must be deemed physically and psychologically healthy. (A signed letter from a physician is required.) You must pass a background check. The Cultural Ambassador Program’s official application guidelines also state that you should be “open-minded and have a flexible attitude,” as you’ll be working as an assistant in a classroom setting with children. Do Applicants Need a TEFL/TESOL certificate? While the short answer is no, you’re going to want to hear the long answer. Spain’s Cultural Ambassador Program doesn’t formally require that you have a TEFL/TESOL certificate, but being certified could give your application an extra advantage. In recent years, the program has become increasingly competitive, so applicants with TEFL/TESOL certification are likely to be favored over those without. After all, the certificate shows your commitment to learning and mastering the best methods for teaching English. By completing your TEFL/TESOL training, you’ll also find it easier to teach English to your ESL students in Spain. Thus, the experience will be more rewarding and fun for everyone involved. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. Applying for the Cultural Ambassador Program Applications for Spain’s Cultural Ambassador Program typically open in mid-January and close in mid-April. However, we strongly recommend double-checking with theirofficial website! The Cultural Ambassador Program uses an application portal called PROFEX. Using PROFEX, you create a username and passport, input manually your passport information, and complete the resume section. Afterward, you must attach the following documents: A scanned copy of your Canadian or American passport’s main page. Your university transcript or copies of your degree(s) and/or diploma(s). A signed 250 to 300-word statement of purpose or cover letter, written in English or French, that details your reasons for wishing to participate in the program. A signed 250-word reference letter from a professor or employer. If you also hold an EU passport, the program requests that your doctor submit a signed letter that attests to your physical and mental health. What is the Salary for Cultural Ambassadors? Cultural Ambassadors receive a modest monthly salary of €700 ($796 USD) in most Spanish cities. However, if you are working in Madrid, you may earn up to €1,000 ($1137 USD) per month. They also receive basic medical insurance, offered through Spain’s national healthcare system. While many Cultural Ambassadors live comfortably on their salaries, others opt to supplement their incomes by offering childcare services or private tutoring in English. The choice is ultimately yours! It’s also prudent to arrive in Spain with a few thousand dollars in savings. Does the Cultural Ambassador Program Cover Flights and Housing? No, successful applicants are responsible for covering the cost of their flights to Spain, along with paying the rental costs on accommodations. Cultural Ambassadors are also tasked with finding their own housing. If you can’t find accommodations prior to departing for Spain, we recommend staying at a hostel or with friends until you can find more permanent lodgings. Do I Have Other Options for Teaching English in Spain? Yes! Licensed teachers can teach English in private international schools, providing they have 2-3 years of teaching experience. Individuals without prior teaching experience can apply to paid volunteer positions in classrooms. Otherwise, Spanish parents often hire private English teachers for their children and numerous cities in Spain offer English language summer camps, which hire teachers. Regardless of the position you pursue, we strongly recommend earning your TEFL certificate before applying to teach English in Spain. Spain hires ESL teachers at various points throughout the year. The two peak months for hiring are September and January. Meanwhile, the English language summer camps begin to employ instructors in the springtime. Having a European Union passport makes it much simpler to find a teaching job in Spain. However, Canadians and other non-Europeans (with the exception of Americans) are sometimes successful at procuring working holiday visas. In rare instances, an international school may sponsor a work visa for non-EU teachers.