<![CDATA[Lucent Education - Blog]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:43:02 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2022 Update]]>Wed, 18 May 2022 16:40:17 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/class-of-2022-updateDespite this year's class having experienced high school through the thick of the pandemic, they've still accomplished amazing feats in these 4 years.  They're headed off to college to further discover the oceans, create code to save the world, dive into the intersection of biology and computer science, discover more on how nutrition affects our well being, pursue rowing on a division 1 team, learn more about the mind to help others, and take next steps in trying to slow climate change. Since we're more of a boutique shop, we've had the true pleasure of getting to know each and every one of our students throughout the years and through their essays.

They're headed to UCLA, UC Berkeley, Bucknell, UW Madison, Cornell, The New School, Boston University, Chapman, University of Rochester, University of San Diego, NYU, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgia Tech in the next steps of their life journey!  Congratulations!]]><![CDATA[Four Advantages of Alternative School]]>Thu, 01 Apr 2021 21:59:22 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/four-advantages-of-alternative-schoolGaining education and skills in a particular field is increasingly important, especially in the fast changing world. However, the traditional education system fails to offer the right platform for learners to gain the necessary education. Usually, the fact that students are different in terms of the speed to grasp concept makes it necessary to avoid the one-size-fits-all approach to education.
The extremely large classroom sizes, fixed teaching and methods, evaluation, and graduation requirements in traditional education system pose significant challenges to most learners. Such a setup makes it difficult for learners to get the required attention from their teachers. This approach equally limits learners in terms of when they can attend lessons, the subjects they take, as well as what it takes them to graduate.
With the rising challenges of the traditional learning system, alternative schools are significantly becoming important. Read on to learn more about what alternative school is and the associated benefits.
What is an Alternative School?
An alternative school is a nontraditional school whose focus is to help learners improve on different disciplines.  Often characterized with smaller class sizes, such schools teach aspects such as social rehabilitation, basic course work, and personalized programs. Usually, alternative schools embrace nontraditional educational methods and curriculum.
Initially, alternative schools were considered to be establishments for learners with behavioral problems. Presently, such schools have become important for learners who are not performing well in the traditional education system.
4 Advantages of Alternative SchoolThe alternative school model of education is highly beneficial in the modern world compared to the traditional education system. Here are some such benefits.
1. Access to Custom Educational Experience
Alternative schools are focused on changing the way learners receive education. With this approach, you get an educational experience that is customized to your liking or even to the needs of the job and career market.
Such schools provide learners with the chance to enjoy the benefits that come with small class sizes. In such a setting, you enjoy a smaller instructor-to-learner ratio guaranteeing maximum one-on-one interaction that is necessary in building one's confidence.
2. Various Teaching Methods
Traditional schooling system follows a definite teaching approach and curriculum. While this might be good, it may not work for all the learners. In alternative schools, you access a wide variety of teaching methods with the emphasis on interaction and creativity. Such methods are actually helpful to learners who have challenges with the traditional teaching methodology.
3. More Flexibility
Unlike in traditional school setting, alternative schools are highly flexible with schedules. For example, in a nontraditional school setup, you can schedule classes during optimal learning times. Other alternative schools have considerate graduation requirements and you are allowed to choose classes that you will take. This flexibility makes it easy for you to pursue your subject of interest without any restrictions.
4. Addresses Different Learners' Needs
One of the differentiating factors between traditional and alternative schooling system is the attention given to the learners' needs. Apart from taking care of your academic needs, the alternative school will address your emotional, mental, and social needs. Meeting such goals is possible because of the availability of resources and specialized teaching approaches.

Written by Nicole Bahbout at Futures Academy

]]><![CDATA[Summer Series: College Essay Writing Tip #3]]>Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:51:09 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/summer-series-college-essay-writing-tip-3Written by Lily McIntyre

Hi everyone! I hope you've all been enjoying your summer (keeping COVID-19 restrictions in mind, of course!). Unfortunately, this is the last college essay-writing tip in this series, but it's definitely an important one to remember. As always, feel free to scroll down to find previous tips that may be helpful to you during this process!

Make it personal: There is so much going on in the world, especially right now. You really don't need to write about how the world is; anyone can do that. But nobody except for you can tell a story from solely your perspective. What do your observations and thoughts offer that the media might not? How is your perspective unique, and how can it benefit the world? You might be worrying of seeming too ordinary, but that's okay! In fact, a bonus tip on writing your essay is to think of seemingly unordinary things (a famous essay which helped someone gain admission to five Ivy Leagues and Stanford was all about Costco...find it here). The key part of all of this is to perhaps make the unordinary seem extraordinary by talking about how it might relate to you and how you see the world. Only you have the power to do that. Remember that cheesy quote, "Be yourself because everyone else is taken"? It's more significant than you might think. 

Thank you for reading, and I wish everyone applying to college this year and the years to come luck in this process! You'll be on the other side of it before you know it.]]><![CDATA[Summer Series: College Essay Writing Tip #2]]>Tue, 28 Jul 2020 01:01:03 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/summer-series-college-essay-writing-tip-2Written by Lily McIntyre
​
Hi everyone! I hope you've all been holding up okay and have been taking care of yourselves. Keep reading for the second edition of our Summer Series on college essay writing, and feel free to browse through previous blog posts for more tips when it comes to perfecting your essay!

Show, don’t tell: I touched on this during last week's post using examples from my own college essay, but I really want to highlight the importance of showing, not telling in your story. The admissions officers should never explicitly read the words “driven”, “passionate”, and “enthusiastic” in reference to yourself and your abilities, but they should be able to read between the lines of your essay to decode that you’re driven, passionate, and enthusiastic. By providing examples in which you showcase these qualities instead of listing qualities, they can gain a greater understanding of how you’ll positively contribute to their school.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for the next tip! ]]><![CDATA[Summer Series: College Essay Writing Tip #1]]>Thu, 16 Jul 2020 20:23:23 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/summer-series-college-essay-writing-tip-1Written by Lily McIntyre

Hey everyone! I hope you’ve all been staying well and are taking good care of yourselves. For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be starting a series of essay-writing tips that may help you as you navigate the college essay/application process. Keep reading for the first tip, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the next edition of this series!

Your story should help, not hurt you: If you’re to get anything out of this post, I hope it’s this: Don’t let your story hold you back in your essay. You might have a really interesting story, but it might be too specific and limit you from talking about everything you want to in a coherent way. If this applies to you, maybe think of a general metaphor that you can weave mini-stories into instead. For my own college essay, I talked about my favorite word game, Bananagrams. I exhibited my personal growth by starting off with a scene from when I was a kid playing Bananagrams in which I traded in my hard letters like Q and X in for easier ones to make words with. I related this story to parts of my life in which I took the easy way out and shied away from challenges. Later in the essay, I gave examples from when I grew older that showed my rising up to challenges and facing my fears. Finally, I tied it all together by discussing a game of Bananagrams in the present day where I didn’t trade in my letters and made creative words with the more difficult letters I already had.

As someone who was going through this process a couple of years ago, I understand how difficult writing your essay can be. Remember to take care of yourselves and prioritize you ​throughout this process!]]><![CDATA[Interview with an Expert Tutor: Tackling the ACT and SAT]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:27:57 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/interview-with-an-expert-tutor-tackling-the-act-and-satPicture
Written by Lily McIntyre

Hi everyone! I hope you’ve all been taking good care of yourselves amidst the great change and upheaval going on in our country right now. I've been worrying about the world a lot lately, but my mom always tells me to focus on the stuff I can control instead of worrying about things I can’t. If you’re in high school and planning on taking the SAT or ACT sometime soon, something you can control is getting ahead on standardized test prep (...as terrible as that sounds). If you don’t have any idea where to start or are looking for resources, we’re here to help. Today’s blog post features an interview with Ben C., a top ACT and SAT tutor for a boutique tutoring company called MyGuru. Ben and I talked about study mistakes, tips, test prep resources, and information on standardized tests that might help give you all a leg up in this process!

I started off by asking Ben what kind of student would be a better fit for the ACT versus the SAT; I was confused myself when I was going through this process just a couple of years ago! According to Ben, “The ACT tends to be well suited for students who make a lot of distinctions between things they know, i.e. analytically minded students, where the SAT tends to be suited for students who reason well, or synthesize different kinds of information.” The tests themselves have gotten more similar over the years, so it’s not the end of the world if you’re not sure which test best suits you! Ben also notes that colleges don’t prefer one test over the other, so your decision can be completely based on which test you feel more comfortable taking.

Then, we discussed the prep period before taking the test. Personally, I started prepping for the ACT 6 months before I took it because I was freaked out about it. Ben says that if you’re comfortable with tests, you can start prepping 6-8 weeks before you take it. But for people who get nervous with tests (like myself), Ben agrees with beginning test prep around 6 months in advance. When you’ve started studying and are looking for online resources, Ben recommends test-specific materials. Specifically, “...most tests have numerous official copies that have been uploaded by HS programs and others who gain access to official ACT/SAT tests. It is always a better idea to practice with official materials than a secondary company if possible.” In the weeks leading up to the test, Ben recommends studying 2 hours a week with a tutor, spending 2 hours doing practice questions, plus 4 hours scattered throughout the week doing study work like flash cards, reading, etc.. However, you might have a different time frame and schedule that works for you! Studying for standardized tests is an individualized process; different methods work for different people.

When you’re studying, though, Ben warns against studying “too hard” in order to relieve test anxiety. It is just as important to rest while studying as well! In the weeks leading up to the test, Ben notes that there are certain types of problems that consistently appear on each test, and that there is usually a conventional “right way” to solve it. If grasping that one process is challenging for you, get creative! In Ben’s words, “The ‘wrong way’ can be easier [and] faster, and the test isn’t checking your work. See if you can make up a way to solve the problem that works for you.” 
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Ben and I also discussed the actual test-taking process. When asked about the biggest test-taking mistakes they see students make, Ben says, “Something I always preach is that we should always choose our own way through the test. Following the sequence of questions as offered… leads to a tendency to get stuck on questions or easily tripped up.” I agreed and reflected on my own experience of being stuck on some math questions while taking the ACT and inevitably wasting more time on those few problems rather than tackling the questions I immediately knew first. In our interview, I also asked Ben about how many times students should take the ACT or SAT. I remember talking to some of my high school peers who took the SAT seven times. Is this actually your best bet? According to Ben, “Taking the test is never fun, so the true ideal is 1 time, so prepare well and hit that mark on the first go. In my experience, though, the experience of taking the test is an essential teacher, and so usually the second or third time will be substantially higher. After the 4th it’s less and less likely, so you definitely don’t want to overdo it.” Similarly, I was satisfied with my score after my third time taking the ACT.

Finally, I really wanted to get a tutor’s insight on the new test-optional policy many universities have been adopting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Ben’s eyes, “The college application is a process that incorporates an array of information in the service of determining whether a student would be a good fit for a given school… It does make sense and feels fair to make the test optional in so many places this year, given that many students are not able to go to great lengths to take it under the pandemic - requiring it would unfairly benefit students with access to more resources.” Given this, Ben still believes that taking the test and getting a high score can positively affect your application. Looking to the future, Ben is excited to see how standardized tests will transform, whether there will be new kinds of tests or new ways to do testing at home, or something we can’t imagine right now. We hope that Ben’s insight has given you some guidance, and hopefully some relief, on the big, bad standardized test process! Find out more about Ben and MyGuru’s services below:

Ben C. is a top ACT and SAT tutor for a boutique tutoring company called MyGuru. They specialize in connecting students with experienced (at least 3 years) and impressive (at least 95th percentile test scores and bachelor's degrees) backgrounds at an affordable cost. They also stress the importance of mindset, strategy, confidence, effective study habits, and time management and organization skills in achieving superior performance in school and on standardized tests. Visit them there for more information on their ACT and SAT tutoring approach.
]]><![CDATA[Black Lives Matter]]>Tue, 09 Jun 2020 20:58:06 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/black-lives-matterby Lily McIntyre

We hope that everyone is staying healthy and safe during these troubling times. If you haven’t read our last blog post, I posted about some mental health resources and self-care tips that might be helpful given our current situation. Please check them out if you haven’t yet; you can find the post here. 

But this week, I wanted to share some thoughts on the situation as well as things that I’ve been learning throughout the past week or so. We at Lucent believe that the killings and abuse by the police, as well as the systemic racism that disproportionately impacts Black people, are unjust and need to end. We hope that people are educating themselves so that Black people may be treated as equals, with the respect and dignity that so many already have the privilege of having. Black Lives Matter, but “matter” is the minimum. Black lives are worthy and needed. Of course, I am unbelievably angry that this keeps happening, and that it ever happened in the first place. I’m even angrier that some people are morphing a human rights crisis into a political issue. 

I actually saw an analogy on TikTok recently that I think explains the situation clearly to those who might be having trouble understanding. Here’s the link: https://vm.tiktok.com/EsmYX6/. The woman in the video is talking about a conversation she had in which one of her friends said, “I just can’t support this because all lives matter.” The woman in the video then explains a hypothetical situation in which people are sitting down to eat and everyone gets a plate of food except for Bob. Bob is hungry and wants a plate of food, but Karen, with a full plate, says, “We’re all hungry, Bob.” Bob doesn’t have any food, though. “I deserve food!” Bob says. Everyone else keeps eating. Do we all deserve food? Yes! But saying that doesn’t change the fact that Bob still doesn’t have any. This next part really stuck with me and I hope it will stick with you too. The woman says, “Do all lives matter? Yes! But saying it doesn’t change the fact that Black lives haven’t mattered for years. Don’t be mad because you don’t have a movement. Be happy you don’t need one.” The time for us to step up has been long, long overdue. 

As a white woman, I am aware of my privilege and have been viewing each day as an opportunity to educate myself and confront the systemic racism that has burdened our country for over 400 years. Privilege is educating yourself about racism instead of experiencing it (@sirjohn on Instagram). Privilege is being encouraged to vote instead of being turned away from the polls. Privilege is feeling sympathetic for the people directly affected by this situation instead of truly empathetic, because as much as I educate myself, as often as I sign petitions and donate, I will never really know the pain and suffering the Black community is feeling right now and has felt for centuries.

Maybe you’re wondering how you can step up. Maybe you’ve seen posts online about protests, step-by-step guides on how to be actively anti-racist, or books and movies that bring awareness to the reality of being a Black person in America. Maybe you’ve seen bail funds to donate to or petitions to sign. We have our work cut out for us. Maybe you’re feeling pressured to do everything, which simply isn’t possible for one person! If I’m being honest, the sheer influx of information I have been seeing, while incredibly helpful, can get overwhelming after a while. But as long as we collectively keep our foot on the gas and make a habit of doing something meaningful that benefits this movement every day, that moves us in the right direction. Do whatever you can to make a tangible difference. Here is a compilation of resources for accountability and action for Black lives: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xa9Av-NfuFsWBHlsMvPiqJHdNedZgnCRW56qAS-7PGQ/mobilebasic. Also, you can still donate without actually spending mone (check this out for more information: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA7xa-gJ6To/?igshid=1q83y0muclfsg ) . But please keep in mind as more time goes by that this movement is not a trend. We have created great momentum and have to keep it going!
​
Check-in on your Black friends (here’s a guide if you don’t know what to say: https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-hlZwlz9s/?igshid=h05fdz84gm2). They are carrying an enormous weight on their shoulders. And to the Black community: We see you, we hear you, and we are here for you. ]]><![CDATA[Mental Health Resources]]>Wed, 03 Jun 2020 19:11:53 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/mental-health-resources
by Lily McIntyre

Hi everyone, and we hope that you’re all hanging in there throughout these times. Lucent wants to remind everyone that we see you, we hear you, we are here for you, and Black Lives Matter. A separate post regarding thoughts on the situation is in the works, but for now, we wanted to offer some mental health resources. Below is a slideshow of resources specifically aimed towards our friends in the Black Community. If you think these might be helpful to anyone you know, please spread the word and share this post!
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We also wanted to note that this has been a time of high emotion, which can be very overwhelming. There has been a lot of intense content on social media during the past couple days, so we want to remind everyone of a few tips if the media/situation at large has you feeling overwhelmed:

1. Write down your thoughts (@justgirlproject on IG). Doing this without judgement is very important. Feel whatever it is you feel.
2. Have productive conversations and express your feelings to friends and family (@justgirlproject on IG).
3. Read (especially before bed)! (@justgirlproject on IG)
4. Color, paint, or do paint by numbers.
5. Focus on what you can control (_@hi_anxiety_ on IG)
6. Continue to educate yourself and continually check in with yourself to be aware if you need a break.

We hope that you are all looking out for others and also yourself. We hope that you continue to stay healthy and safe. We are here to support you in any way we can.

]]><![CDATA[The Dreaded College Essay: Staying Ahead of the Game]]>Fri, 29 May 2020 16:48:41 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/the-dreaded-college-essay-staying-ahead-of-the-gamePicture
written by Lily McIntyre

With most (virtual) graduations in full swing, we start to look forward to the rising seniors who will be in a cap and gown a year from now, all of their hard work towards school and college/job applications having finally paid off. However, all graduates will tell you that it can be a long road to get to that point. The college application process can seem to be a daunting one, especially when coming up with your personal statement. Based on my own experience and my friends’ experiences, I can tell you firsthand that it takes a weight off of your shoulders if you write a rough draft of your college essay sooner rather than later. Even if you re-read your essay later and cringe, or decide to make lots of revisions, and it doesn’t matter. You’ll already be done with the hardest part: starting. Social distancing may be a pain in many ways, but you can actually use it to your advantage this time. It’s not very often that you’re left with little to do but think! Use this time as an opportunity to reflect on your past experiences and what you’ve learned from them. 
Want some tips for your essay? Here are 3 ideas that might be useful for brainstorming:
  1. Leave your inner critic behind. A lot of college essay writers have trouble coming up with an idea because they immediately judge themselves for not being “interesting” enough. In reality, the actual subject matter isn’t as important as how you convey you through it. Don’t believe me? My college essay was about the word game Bananagrams and I got into some great schools! Stay true to you and it will be enough.
  2. Use your opening sentence to hook your reader. Just like how your teachers might instruct you in English class, it’s so important that the first sentence of your college essay grabs the reader’s attention immediately. Sometimes, this can be done through an action word (e.g. “Wham!”) or through a unique quotation that gives readers an inside look at the story you’re about to tell.
  3. Don’t shy away from some of those “not my finest moment” stories. College admissions officers look for a number of things in each applicant’s essay, especially personal growth. If you can show (not tell) how you’ve developed and matured from the beginning of your personal statement to the end, that lets the college admissions officers know that you’re more than capable of thriving at their school and growing even more.
Like I said before, the college admission process is definitely daunting at first. But really, it’s a checklist of multiple smaller tasks to form your whole application. If you can check off the personal statement part sooner rather than later, it can save you a lot of potential stress down the road. ​

Looking for a fresh set of eyes to look over your essay or someone to brainstorm with? Lucent Education offers essay revision services that tailor to each student’s individual needs. Whether you’re applying to an undergraduate, graduate, or MBA program, Lucent is committed to helping you showcase the best, most genuine you. For more details on our services, click this link: https://www.lucenteducation.com/store/c5/college-gradschool-services.
]]><![CDATA[Using Mindfulness to Manage School and Career Stress during COVID-19]]>Wed, 13 May 2020 18:31:22 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/the-importance-of-mindfulness-during-covid-19Picture
written by Lily McIntyre

​Staying mindful and present amidst the uncertainty relating to the pandemic’s impact on career and education-related opportunities is more important than ever. Mindfulness, otherwise known as focusing on the present moment, is “not the answer to all of life's problems. Rather, it is that all life's problems can be seen more clearly through the lens of a clear mind” (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). If school, career, or any life-related stress is taking a toll on you, here are three easy tips that can boost your mindfulness experience:
MyLife Meditation app: If you’re new to meditation, check out this free app for quick and effective guided exercises to tap into your feelings in a healthy way.

Four Square Breathing: If you’re feeling especially anxious, “Four Square Breathing” is a great grounding tool that lowers both psychological and physiological stress.
  1. Inhale deeply for four seconds.
  2. Hold your breath for four seconds.
  3. Exhale deeply for four seconds.
  4. Hold your (lack of) breath for four seconds.
  5. Repeat this process 3 more times. As you do, try to focus solely on your breath and block out any intruding thoughts.

Exercise: Yes, the idea of exercise might seem annoying! But if you’re able to, even taking a walk or run outside for a half an hour a day is a great tool to clear your head and focus on the present moment.
 
​We at Lucent Education hope that these tools make this uncertain time a little bit easier to navigate. We are committed to supporting our clients in any way we can, and hope that everyone is staying safe, healthy, and present during these times.

]]><![CDATA[Ongoing list of resources for high schoolers during college application process (COVID19)]]>Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:02:03 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/ongoing-list-of-resources-for-high-schoolers-during-college-application-process-covid19High School from in-person to remote & mental health:
  • Curated materials from Stanford ChallengeSuccess group for remote learning:https://www.challengesuccess.org/resources/covid-19-resources-for-remote-learning/
  • Connecting with friends - video, text, calls - will be important to find a way to keep connected to the high school community (or other activities communities); it might be different from the usual house-device rules!
  • Online classes - if possible, chunking up classes to max 1-hour sessions at a time and completing studies, readings, snacking in between
    Spring break - this should still be honored as spring break; doing something different, getting out for more walks/hikes, etc
Other ways to experience colleges at this time:Extra Curricular Activities:
  • Continuing to condition or work on activities that are interesting to you - but switching gears; also good opportunity to consider options if summer programs shut down due to the pandemic
  • Sports - conditioning at home, getting into a regimen to keep fit for varsity teams; studying strategy (depending on the sport)
  • Club leadership - planning for future events or consideration of events that move online instead (online conference or panel of speakers)
  • Find a relevant outlet (as it relates to your interests) to support or adjust activities for pandemic (e.g. interest in fashion design might equate to sewing cloth masks; interest in eating out might mean learning to cook at home; interest in food bank/poverty issues might equate with online fundraising for the same groups locally)
APs
SATs
 For current high school seniors:
  • Pay close attention to communication from the colleges to which you’ve been admitted
  • College admission officers are still working (many from home), so don’t hesitate to still reach out to them and email them with questions
  • The cancellation of admitted student events and campus visits is difficult; most colleges are replacing those activities with online events like live chats, web panel discussions, and virtual live tours
  • ​Many universities have already extended their reply deadline from May 1st to now June 1st, in order to give students more time to make their college decision. Watch for emails from the colleges or contact each school for updates; National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has also created a for colleges to report any changes to deposit deadlines and visit opportunities, as well as how to connect with each admissions office: here; the list will continue to grow real-time
  • Please READ letters and notifications from colleges on how to communicate with them; there are deadlines (many extended) and specific ways in which college wants to be communicated with (e.g. for wait list letters etc)
  • ​Suspect that wait lists will be longer than in the past (and more generous than in the Fall) as colleges will be protecting themselves from any fallout that might occur from covid19
  • As you are notified of college acceptance and financial aid, it's common for questions to arise. If you have questions about a financial aid package, don't hesitate to contact the college; though I’m not an expert in this particular realm, I have heard of negotiations on financial aid packages in the past or clarifications on how schools calculate their need; here are some other resources which may help: Accepting Financial Aid, How to Break Down Financial Aid Award Letters, and Award Comparison Worksheet



]]><![CDATA[COVID-19 & College Applications]]>Mon, 23 Mar 2020 20:12:32 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/covid-19-high-schoolInfo on how COVID-19 might affect your high school experience as it relates to college applications:

For seniors receiving decisions letters back from colleges:
  • Pay close attention to communication from the colleges to which you’ve been admitted.
  • College admission officers are still working (many from home), so don’t hesitate to still reach out to them and email them with questions.
  • The cancellation of admitted student events and campus visits is difficult; most colleges are replacing those activities with online events like live chats, web panel discussions, and virtual live tours. 
  • Many universities have already extended their reply deadline from May 1st to now June 1st, in order to give students more time to make their college decision. Watch for emails from the colleges or contact each school for updates. The National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has also created a for colleges to report any changes to deposit deadlines and visit opportunities, as well as how to connect with each admissions office: here.  This list is likely to grow as time passes.
  • Please carefully read letters and notifications from colleges on how to communicate with them; there are deadlines (many extended) and specific ways in which college wants to be communicated with (e.g. for wait list letters etc)
  • As you are notified of college acceptance and financial aid, it's common for questions to arise. If you have questions about a financial aid package, don't hesitate to contact the college; though I’m not an expert in this particular realm, I have heard of negotiations on financial aid packages in the past or clarifications on how schools calculate their need. Here are some other resources which may help: Accepting Financial Aid, How to Break Down Financial Aid Award Letters, and Award Comparison Worksheet.

AP and SAT/ACT Exams:
College visits:
  • Most admissions offices are closed to gatherings (tours, admit days, open houses, etc) and most schools are closed for in-person classes as well.
  • There are a few other resources to get a feel for specific college campuses especially as you're deciding where to apply (or choosing where to attend): https://www.youvisit.com/ is one option.
  • Don't hesitate to reach out to colleges if you have specific questions; many colleges also have photos and videos of their campuses on their websites; and you can always do a google image search (insight into dorms is easily found here!)
]]><![CDATA[CANCELLED Free Workshop: College Admissions A-Z]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2020 16:44:14 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/workshop-college-admissions-a-zPicture
We're teaming up with Learning Center again to hold FREE college admissions prep workshops.  These are great for parents of middle and high schoolers (and teens are welcome to join).  

Presented by: Agnes Chan, Lucent Education
Date: Saturday, April 4, 2-4pm
Location: Learning Center, 333 W Maude Ave #110, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Who: Great for parents of middle schoolers/high schoolers; teens are welcomed to join

We’ll navigate through the high school timelines for each of the main components of a high school portfolio that are considered during the admissions process.
  • Academics: trends, rigor, and performance
  • Extra-curricular activities: exploration, depth, leadership
  • Standardized testing: timelines and strategy
  • Applying to school: school selections, preference/fit, teacher recommendations

    Workshop RSVP


​More info about the Learning Center

​Tutoring: Learning Center offers individualized tutoring in Math and English for kids and adults in a small group setting. 
​STEM Coding: Learning Center offers technology-focused camps and classes for students in Scratch, Python, 3-D printing, Java, and Robotics. Our offerings include coding classes and camps throughout the year including Saturdays. Students code computer games/projects, and construct engineering models. They build and program robots. Our program features use of computer technology under the supervision of qualified and experienced teachers. We provide all the technology and tools necessary to enhance students coding learning.

Founder/Instructor: Sanjay Agarwal brings in more than 25 years of experience as a Hardware and Software Engineer and has worked with many technology companies.  He holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering and an MBA. He has a passion for teaching science and technology to school children in fun filled learning environment. Sanjay believes our children should learn how to program, because it helps the way they see and think. He caters to the passion, creativity, and curiosity of the child using projects and games that are both educational and fun.

]]><![CDATA[Introduction to College Loans]]>Tue, 28 Jan 2020 01:16:38 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/introduction-to-college-loansBlaine at Financial Aid Coach gets tons of questions about college loans this time of year.  Here are his thoughts and expertise laid out as a primer.  ​
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This time of year, once families have decided where their high school seniors will attend college for the upcoming fall, a new set of questions come into play. Admissions applications and financial aid forms have been completed, but parents are often left with wondering how they will cover the balance remaining. Let’s take a look at something that’s commonly used to help bridge the gap of remaining cost; college loans.

Considering the rising cost of college, loans come into play more and more. These are made available through the Federal Government, private banks and credit unions and sometimes even schools themselves. It’s common for families to need to utilize college loans. Students are graduating from college with over $20,000 in loan debt, on average. That’s not accounting for loans that are in their parent’s name.

Here are some of the more common loans that are made available to families:

FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS
These loans, formerly referred to as the Stafford Loans, are loans in the student’s name provided through the Federal Government. There’s no application process. Students become eligible for this loan by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

These loans are provided in specified amounts to college students. They come in subsidized (government pays the interest) and unsubsidized (families are responsible for the interest) forms based on need as determined by the FAFSA and other financial aid forms. While a family may not qualify for subsidized Federal Direct Loans, you can’t be turned away from the unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan because you make too much money or have too much in assets. This is a common misconception.

Here’s a bit more info on Federal Direct Loans. The interest rates for the 2016-17 Federal Direct Loans will be announced later in the summer.

PARENT PLUS LOANSBecause the Federal Direct Loans have a maximum amount that can be borrowed, which is commonly not enough to cover the full remaining balance, parents are left to look into other options. One of the more common loan options is the Parent PLUS Loan.

This is another loan through the Federal Government. The difference between this loan and the Federal Direct Loan is that the Parent PLUS Loan is a loan in the parent’s name, as the name of the loan would indicate. This loan is applied for on a pass/fail basis at a fixed interest rate provided by the government each new school year. Parents can apply for the maximum needed to cover any remaining balance.

Check out a previous article on common loan myths to avoid confusion when it comes to repayment of the Parent PLUS Loan.

To read the rest of the article: ​http://financialaidcoach.com/introduction-to-college-loans-2016/
]]><![CDATA[Regular Decision College Notifications (2020)]]>Tue, 17 Dec 2019 02:02:39 GMThttps://www.lucenteducation.com/lucent-ed-blog/regular-decision-college-notifications-2020Please double check with schools as decisions notifications can change!
Agnes Scott College - April 15, 2020
Allegheny College - March 15, 2020
Amherst College - April 1, 2020
Babson College - April 1, 2020
Barnard College - Late March 2020
Bates College - April 1, 2020
Belmont University - Mid-February 2020
Boston College - Late March 2020
Boston University - Late March 2020
Bowdoin College - Early April 2020
Brandeis University - April 1, 2020
Brown University - Late March 2020
Bryn Mawr College - April 1, 2020
Bucknell University - Late March 2020
California Institute of Technology - Mid-March 2020
Carleton College - Late March 2020
Carnegie Mellon University - April 15, 2020
Claremont McKenna College - April 1, 2020
Colby College - April 1, 2020
Colgate University - April 1, 2020
College of Charleston - April 1, 2020
College of William & Mary - April 1, 2020
Colorado College - Late March 2020
Columbia University - Late March 2020
Cornell University - Late March 2020
Dartmouth College - Late March 2020
Davidson College - April 1, 2020
Denison University - Mid-March 2020
Dickinson College - Late March 2020
Duke University - Late March 2020
Emory University - Late March 2020
Fordham University - April 1, 2020
Franklin and Marshall College - April 1, 2020
Georgia Tech - Mid-March 2020
George Washington University - Early April 2020
Georgetown University - April 1, 2020
Grinnell College - Late March 2020
Hamilton College - Late March 2020
Hampton University - Rolling admissions
Harvard University - Late March 2020
Harvey Mudd College - April 1, 2020
Haverford College - Early April 2020
Howard University - April 12, 2020
Johns Hopkins University - March 15, 2020
Kenyon College - Mid-March 2020
Lafayette College - Late March 2020
Lehigh University - Late March 2020
Macalester College - Late March 2020
Middlebury College - Late March 2020
MITMid-March 2020
Morehouse College - April 1, 2020
New York University - Late March 2020
North Carolina State - Late March 2020
Northeastern University - April 1, 2020
Northwestern University - Late March 2020
Pomona College - April 1, 2020
Princeton University - Late March 2020
Reed College - April 1, 2020
Rice University - April 1, 2020
Sarah Lawrence College - Late March 2020
Scripps College - April 1, 2020
Southern Methodist University - Late March 2020
Spelman CollegeApril 1, 2020
Stanford University - Late March 2020
Syracuse University - Late March 2020
Swarthmore College - March 15, 2020
Transylvania University - March 1, 2020
Tufts University - April 1, 2020
Tulane University - April 1, 2020
University of California-Berkeley - Late March 2020
University of California-Los Angeles - Late March 2020
Tuskegee University - Rolling admissions
University of Chicago - Late March 2020
University of Colorado at Boulder - April 1, 2020
University of Delaware - Rolling admissions
University of Kentucky - Mid-March 2020
University of Maryland - April 1, 2020
University of Massachusetts Amherst - Early March 2020
University of Miami - Early April 2020
University of Michigan - Early April 2020
University of Minnesota - Late March 2020
University of North Carolina - Late March 2020
University of Notre Dame - Late March 2020
University of Pennsylvania - Late March 2020
University of Richmond - April 1, 2020
University of Rochester - April 1, 2020
University of San Diego - March 2020
University of San Francisco - February 15, 2020
University of Southern California - April 1, 2020
University of Texas - March 1, 2020
University of Vermont - February 22, 2020
University of Virginia - April 1, 2020
University of Wisconsin - Late March 2020
Vanderbilt University - April 1, 2020
Vassar College - Late March 2020
Villanova University - Late March 2020
Virginia Tech - March 5, 2020
Wake Forest - April 1, 2020
Washington and Lee University - April 1, 2020
Washington University in St. Louis - April 1, 2020
Wellesley College - Late March 2020
Wesleyan University - Late March 2020
Wheaton College - April 1, 2020
Whitman College - Late March 2020
Willamette University - March 1, 2020
Williams College - April 1, 2020
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - April 1, 2020
Yale University - Late March 2020
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