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Would you benefit from extra time on the SAT, or other accommodations?

Megan breaks down everything you need to know about accommodations on college prep testing. Together with Gretchen, she discusses:

• who can receive testing accommodations
• what accommodations are possible
• how should families approach this process
• common reasons why your request for accommodations might be denied
• and more!

The post 409 – How to Get Accommodations on the ACT / SAT appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Too often educators teach specific note taking strategies like Cornell Notes without teaching students WHY they work.

Tune in to hear Gretchen outline a straightforward approach to helping take better notes.

Specifically, she discusses:

• Review the Study Cycle, which summarizes the three steps the brain needs to learn
• Understand where good note taking fits into the Study Cycle (hint: encoding!)
• Discuss the two steps to note-taking
• Learn tips for how to put each of these steps into practice.

At one point in this episode, Gretchen references the excellent graphic organizers at www.ThinkingMaps.com.

This episode original ran February 18, 2019.

The post 408: Two Straightforward Steps to Taking Great Notes appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

Recently the New York Times shared an article questioning how binding early decision admissions truly are to families. Megan shares more about the controversy that erupted, and shares her own two cents about how families can navigate early decision with integrity and smarts.

Specifically she and Gretchen discuss:

• What Early Decision (ED) is and what does “binding” really mean?
• How to understand ED terms and your family’s priorities
• How to research costs and aid BEFORE you apply (keep in mind the #1 form of financial aid is still loans)
• The importance of applying to other schools, including more affordable options or schools where scholarships are likely
• If you don’t think your ED school has offered adequate aid, reach out. Open communication allows you to act with integrity

Here is the New York Times article that we referenced in the episode.

The post 407: Controversy – How Binding Is Early Decision & What You Should Know appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.

It’s the start of a new semester, which means time to hone your study skills!!

Tune in while Gretchen breaks down her three step study cycle, and explains how to use a very specific study tool to rock your learning and teaching.

Specifically, she and Megan discuss:

• An overview of the science of learning in three easy steps
• Why a white board is such a good study tool
• How to use a white board to “test yourself” (or have your students test themselves)
• How to use a white board to teach yourself new material
• And more!

Feel free to download Gretchen’s free guide to the Study Cycle at www.gretchenwegner.com/actionguide.

The post 406: The Study Tool That Every Classroom & Home Needs NOW! appeared first on The College Prep Podcast.