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Finding (and filling) the cracks in your student's education

     Just like with anything in life, when you do something long enough, you start to notice trends. With Fairchild into its 13th year, we know where the cracks tend to be in a student’s education, no matter how fantastic their schools are! Those cracks are even more apparent in a year like the one we’ve had.       The big pieces of the puzzle are of course reading, writing, and arithmetic, followed closely by foreign languages. Math and language skills are “use ‘em or lose ‘em” type skills. If your student has a lengthy break between those subjects, like this year when some of our students may go most of a full year between them, those skills will be fading fast by the time the next textbook is opened.       Reading and writing go hand in hand. Our students are encouraged to read as much as possible, on any subject they’re interested in. We find that it not only helps their regular schoolwork, but it gives them a huge boost when it comes to the SAT and ACT. Writing is a hard concept f
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Show Me The Money (and by money, I mean financial aid)

Applications are in, acceptances are starting to arrive. Now, the question becomes how to pay for it all: books, room & board, food, and tuition plus all the extras. It can feel overwhelming. It’s not a secret that a college education is costly. The conversation regarding student debt is one that is constantly in the news, and while a degree is going to be important for almost every career path, there is no reason to take on more debt than you actually need to.  Here are a few of our favorite tips: Get that FAFSA done. It’s frustrating because it’s really only one view of your family’s finances, but it is absolutely necessary to qualify for aid. Don’t be afraid to make a phone call. Colleges give you financial aid packages based on the information in front of them. If your situation is a little different, or if there’s something that the FAFSA isn’t presenting well, don’t be afraid to call your top school’s financial aid office and ask to discuss things further. Find out if work-st

Is "test optional" really an option?

  To take a standardized test (ACT/SAT) or not: that is the big question these days.  In this new “test-optional” world we’re living in, does it really make a difference if your child takes the SAT or ACT? In a short answer, it does, and not just because there is a test prep tutor writing this blog.  When the pandemic hit and test dates were canceled worldwide, over 700 universities went test optional for Fall 2021 applicants. Some of those schools are now announcing 1 or 2-year extensions on the policy, begging the question of whether the SAT and ACT are on their way out. The SAT has already ended their subject tests and optional essay section, citing that the application essays and AP exams offer colleges a view of the student’s abilities in those departments. (Don’t worry, we’ll discuss both of those in later blog posts or you can email Hillary with questions!) Here’s the reality: your child may not need a test score to be admitted to the college of their choice. But many colleges a

A Fresh Start: Organizing the New Year

      “New Year, New You,” right? Even if it’s the middle of a semester for a lot of students, January 1 is a great time to reset and restart. For most students, that could mean a much-needed check-in on their organization and study skills. Here are some of our favorite tips to keep a student on track:      1. Use a calendar. Whether it’s paper or electronic, a calendar is crucial for keeping track of assignments, tests, and extracurriculars . This is also a great way for students to start seeing how they’re spending their time… and where that extra study session could fit in.     2. Note-taking . Study skills aren’t always a focus during school hours, so make sure your student is developing a system for note taking and reading. College will be so much easier if your student knows how to study! (Note: this looks different for every student and varies depending on their learning style.)     3. When school is in session, set up a weekly schedule for cleaning out and organizing backpacks

January Update from Fairchild

  January 3, 2021 I’m writing from my office at the new space in Highland: sunlight floods the space, the new ActivePure air purification system is running and the Keurig is plugged in. I am so excited for the start of a new year for Fairchild.  Our new address is: 13366A Clarksville Pike, Highland Maryland 20777. As we make the move to Highland, please note the following:  We will offer Sunday and Wednesday morning practice tests starting again January 3rd in the new office.  All tutoring and test prep will remain virtual through February 1, 2021, we will watch the virus numbers carefully after the holidays. Well fitting masks will remain a requirement for students and tutors until further notice.  Billing: Reminders of overdue invoices will be sent this week, please make sure your account is current.  We thank Pam Saul of Farm & Equine Business Services for all of her help with billing and collections. Please remember that we bill at the beginning of the month and payment is due

2020/2021 ACT and SAT Dates

SAT DATES 2020-2021 Registration Late Registration  December 5 2020 November 5 2020 November 17 2020 March 13 2021 February 12 2021 February 23 2021 May 8 2021 April 8 2021 April 20 2021  June 5 2021 May 6 2021 May 18 2021 August 28 2021 TBD TBD ACT DATES 2020-2021 Registration Late Registration  December 12 2020 November 6 2020 November 7-20 2020 February 6 2021 January 5 2021  January 6-20 2021 April 17 2021 March 12 2021 March 13-26 2021 June 12 2021 May 7 2021 May 8-21 2021 July 17 2021 June 18 2021 June 19-25 2021

November 2020 Notes

     As we monitor the Covid numbers locally, please note that Fairchild will go fully virtual following the Thanksgiving break and the office in Sandy Spring will be closed. If you have a tutor coming to your home, please touch base with Hillary as soon as possible to discuss a plan. Hillary will still offer practice tests in office on Sunday mornings.  Please make sure, whether in home or in the office, that ALL children and adults must wear well fitting masks when they are with a tutor.   Important Holiday Scheduling Updates: We know the schedule gets challenging this time of year, please let us know as soon as possible about changes to your schedules so we can adjust on our end.  We will be CLOSED the following dates for the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays, reopening permanently in our NEW office in Highland.  Nov: 25th - 29th Dec: 23st - Jan 2nd Limited test prep and college guidance appointments will be available during the Christmas break. Traditional 1:1 Tutoring: Tutorin