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What We Do
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Summer 2013 unveils our brand new College Preparation Program, which includes College Admissions 101A: The Application, College Admissions 101B: The Essay, and Intro to College Research Papers. These courses aim to help students research colleges and majors, build proper resumes, and create pristine admissions essays as well as develop college-level writing abilities before they even set foot in a university. Many students have no idea how to begin deciphering or researching what major and career fields that best suit them, let alone which universities specialize in those areas. These summer courses are intended to walk students through that application process and prepare them for college-level writing, so they can get into their #1 Choice College and be prepared for the increased work load BEFOREHAND. Also, by focusing on completing their college applications during the summer, students can spend more time studying for the SAT/ACT, AP tests, and most importantly enjoying their senior year of high school!
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Course Descriptions
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For a printable version, click here
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ACES College 101A: The Application is the very basis of the College Preparation portion of the curriculum, focusing on helping students discover important aspects of different majors and career fields and how that leads to choosing particular Universities. The goal of the class is for each student to have at least 3 College Applications completed by the end of the course. The course meets three times a week for 2 1/2 hours at a time. Topics include making your application stand-out, principles of application interviews, the importance of campus visits, researching majors and colleges, financial aid, extracurricular activities and study abroad as well as guest presentations from people working in popular career fields and a campus visit to UT.
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College 101B is an extension of College 101A, focusing specifically on application essays and providing a structured timeline with constant feedback in order to create unique and articulate pieces of writing that will make students’ applications stand out. Therefore we begin with writing a proper resume and then delve deeper into personal statements and essays particular to separate universities by providing lectures, in-class writing time, one-on-one conferences on first drafts, and finite deadlines for final drafts. This class meets twice a week for 2 1/2 hours at a time.
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While the College 101 series amply prepares students for the long process of applying to college, we at ACES felt it was necessary to provide students with the skills needed to succeed once they are admitted. The most overlooked skill that is the fundamental basis of universities, especially top-tier research institutions, and often takes students by surprise is the College Research Paper. Therefore in Intro to College Research Papers, students learn how to take a topic, develop their own questions and arguments, provide well-ground evidence through college-level research, become familiar with analyzing academic articles, and presenting that information in a progressive and articulate manner. By the end of this class, students will not be overwhelmed by college-level writing assignments as many students are their freshmen year of college.
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