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Community Corner

This Summer: Get Ready for College at the JCC Academic Center

The Academic Center at the JCC of Mid-Westchester adds new workshops to its portfolio of college-prep classes for high school students, which will complement ongoing JCC courses such as SAT Summer Intensive, ACT Boot Camp, and College Application Essay Workshop.  Two new classes in August are Common App/Activities Resume Workshop, and Portfolio Prep.  New September classes are a Diagnostic SAT and ACT test class, and College Interview Essentials. 

Summer Courses for Applying to College: 

·         NEW: Common App/Activities Resume Workshop:  In this workshop, students will work in small groups and one-on-one with an independent college counselor to get a jump start on college applications. Students will work through the basics of the Common Application, organize and draft the Activities Section, with tips for tackling the writing supplements as well. Workshop meets on Tuesday, August 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Class is limited to 10 students. Fee is $95.

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·         NEW: Portfolio Prep: This class will provide an opportunity for students to create artwork for their portfolios. Taught by artist Brian Kelly (www.briankellyartist.com) each three hour class will offer techniques and individual guidance, leading to the completion of at least one finished project per night. Students will create landscapes, portraits, mixed media collages and more that are appropriate for any college application. The workshops take place Monday through Thursday, August 4 to 7, 6:30-9:30pm.  Fee is $200. 

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·         Summer 2014 SAT Intensive: Taught by highly experienced, expert faculty, this course will guide students through the test, giving them the tools and strategies they need to excel. Class meets 4 Tuesdays and 4 Thursdays, July 8- July 31 from 7:30-9:30pm.  A diagnostic exam will be given on Monday, July 7; and a practice exam on Monday, July 28, 5:30-9:30pm.  Register by June 23 and save $100.  Course is taught by Alex Weiner, Principal and Lead Instructor at Breakaway Prep, who has been teaching at the JCC since 2010.  

·         ACT Boot Camp: Students prepare for the September 2014 ACT test over five days: Monday – Friday, August 18 to 22, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Practice exam takes place on Wednesday, August 20, 10:00am-2:00pm. Fee for the 5-session program is $895.  Instructor Alex Weiner receives high marks from parents and students: "I am truly grateful to Alex Weiner for the second time for his test prep prowess. Alex has been there to answer all of my questions and provide the advice on SAT vs. ACT and everything else that I have needed. If I had a third child he/she would be going to Alex as well,” said parent Robyne L. And Jasmine, a JCC Test Prep student says:  "This course was incredibly helpful, due almost entirely to Alex, the instructor. The skills I learned were invaluable."

All students enrolled in JCC SAT and ACT classes will have the opportunity to attend Get Calm & Test Smart TM workshops, led by Dr. Juna Bobby. For information, visit www.jccmw.org 

  • College Application Essay Writing Workshop: This course on creating the personal essay required for college admissions is offered on Monday and Wednesday, August 4 and 6,  6:30-8:30pm, and again on twoSundays, September 28 & October 5, from 10:00am-12:00pm. The workshop will explore what makes each student unique and help them to craft that into a narrative they can use to communicate about themselves to potential colleges. If time allows, students will work on supplemental essays (also part of the admission process). According to one parent whose child recently completed the class: "The course is a definite winner. The instructor provides expert guidance and encouragement for writing the essay.”  Class limited to 10 students. Fee for either the August or the September sessions is $195. 

New Courses Coming This Fall: 

·         Which Test is Best for Your Student? SAT or ACT?:  This course will help students get a feel for what test day will be like as they take a practice, proctored SAT and ACT under test-like conditions. After these exams are scored, the instructor will discuss the results and help students determine which test is best for them. The practice SAT is on Sunday September 7, 8:45am-1:00pm, and the practice ACT test is on Sunday, September 21, 8:45am-1:00pm. Pre-registration is required for both tests. Test review with the instructor is on Sunday, September 28, from 9:30am. Each diagnostic is $20, and there is no fee for the review with the instructor. 

·         College Interview Essentials: This workshop will teach students critical interview skills to help them in both the college interview process and beyond.  According to research done by workshop leaders Kyrie Stillman and Peggy Marx, founders of College Interview Counselors, a common myth insists that college admissions interviews are simply a formality. Interviews for admission are offered and encouraged at 95% of the top 75 colleges and 88% of the top 25 universities. Parents are invited to attend the program as an observer, free of charge, with a registered student. Class meets on Sunday, September 21, 1:00-3:00pm. Fee is $125.

            Pre-registration is required for all JCC Academic Center classes. The Center offers private tutor quality and results at a fraction of the cost. SAT, PSAT, ACT, SAT II, Regents prep and Speed Reading, and Stress Management workshops and college admissions programs are designed to help high school students reach their greatest academic potential. Classes are small, allowing for individualized attention and are led by dynamic, experienced instructors. “Our goal is to go beyond offering only test prep courses by providing programs for students and parents through small classes that help students with all components of the college application process, including learning how to manage stress,” said Lisa Itzkowitz, Director of the JCC Academic Center. Pre-registration is required for Academic Center lectures and workshops. For information, visit www.jccmw.org, or contact Itzkowitz at 914-472-3300, ext. 275; email: itzkowitzl@jccmw.org.

 

            The JCC of Mid-Westchester, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, a proud beneficiary of UJA-Federation of New York, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the community by providing cultural, social, educational and recreational/fitness programs, human services and Jewish identity-building opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds without regard to race or religion. www.jccmw.org.

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