The Next Step for Victory Step

About Eric Rosenbaum: Eric Rosenbaum is a blogger and is currently pursuing his M.A. in Humanities at University of Chicago.  

The Next Step for Victory Step

Looking back at the success of Victory Step after only two years, founder and CEO Varun Tewari is pretty happy. His organization has tutored hundreds of Dallas-area high school students, many of whom saw dramatic improvements in grades and test scores. And Victory Step has received outspoken praise from parents and students alike, for its quality, price, its communicativeness, and its results.

But Varun still sees a lot of progress to be made. His three-year plan, which he designed alongside his management team and by taking advice from VC firms, will take the Victory Step model in new directions. The plan, when it goes into effect, will give more students access to the program and provide new resources for everybody.

The new frontier—or one of the new frontiers—is the internet. In designing an internet campaign, Varun wants to learn from, but also improve upon, online options offered by competitors. Victory Step will eventually offer online classes and digital homework assignments. “If someone in Oklahoma, California or any other state wants to take an SAT class, we want to be able to offer it for a very reasonable price.”, says Varun. Their new website, to be launched this week, is another leg of this strategy, and is designed to make it easier for students and tutors to communicate with each other and share documents.

With online classes, more people than ever before will be able to receive help from Victory Step, but they are not the only way to expand access to resources. Varun and his team also plan to create new Victory Step locations to widen the company’s physical presence. Currently, Victory Step has offices in Dallas, Irving, and Fort Worth. Within three years, they plan to open up offices in Houston, and in Virginia and California as well.

Varun also wants to reach outside of the company’s offices and place tutors directly inside schools. “We have been talking to different schools right now,” Varun says. “Nothing has been set yet.” Having locations inside schools will be much easier for students, because they will no longer have to worry about the commute from school to the Victory Step office.

If everything goes according to plan, Victory Step will no longer be a company only targeted at high school students. Within three years, Victory Step wants to begin classes for the GRE, MCAT, and LSAT exams, among others. The Curriculum Director of the company has been busy developing a lesson plan for these tests. Adding college-level tests to the Victory Step curriculum is yet another way to expand access to Victory Step.

The three-year plan is only part of an even longer, more ambitious plan for Victory Step. Ultimately, Varun would like to set up whole schools under the Victory Step banner; he would like to advertise more widely, for instance in television spots; and he would like to offer more free classes for low-income students.

There is another reason the expansion of Victory Step is good for its current students: the bigger the company gets, the more people it will need to hire. “Whenever we have classes we talk about jobs, and I always put that out there: maybe if you’re in college and you have a really good SAT score, you can come work for VS,” Varun says. “We prefer smart people with degrees. So that’s your motivation. Finish college. Get it done with, and then come find me.”

Why Do I Need to Study Math?

Why Do I Need to Study Math?

As long as I’ve been in school, people have told me I needed to study math. It never made sense to me. I mean, it would make sense if I was an accountant or an engineer, but I had always been an English person. My dream job was to be an author. What author ever needed calculus?

Then, on Thanksgiving during my freshman year of college, my parents asked me how many potatoes they needed for a recipe. The original recipe—which served about twenty people—called for something like eight pounds of potatoes. We only needed sixteen servings. I figured a potato weighed about half a pound. So that’s sixteen potatoes in the original recipe. And the adaptation is sixteen out of twenty, which is three fourths, and three fourths of sixteen is….

As I did the math in my head, slowly, I could feel my family looking at me and at each other. Even though I eventually got the right answer, the judgment came fast. I was a good student, and of course my parents knew that. But math is almost universally, almost unconsciously, seen as the definitive sign of intelligence. There is a reason that the name “Einstein” has become synonymous with genius.

Last week I wrote that grammar is a “code” of the adult world, a way of letting people know that you’re educated. That’s true. However, in my experience, people are pretty willing to let grammar rules slide—when you see enough inter-office emails, you’re bound to catch a few dangling participles or subject-verb disagreements. Arithmetic mistakes, on the other hand, can really stand out. Most people will never know if you write a mean essay, but messing up a simple arithmetic problem can be a public embarrassment.

That’s not all. Even though when I was first starting college I couldn’t imagine why an English major would need math, it turns out math is incredibly relevant to literature, and becoming more and more relevant as time goes on. Revolutions in computer science, astrophysics, and neurobiology have inspired a lot of young authors to write about these topics, challenging their readers and their critics to follow their mathematical language. The novelist Don DeLillo claims that his fiction is inspired by mathematics books[1]. The Pulitzer Prize winning poet Rita Dove was inspired by her father, a research chemist who helped her with math problems[2]. And Pulitzer Prize winner Cormac McCarthy has been said to know more about math than many professionals[3].

In fact, mathematics is relevant to all kinds of disciplines. Businesspeople obviously use math on a day-to-day basis. Some of the most influential painters and sculptors use complicated calculus and physics in their works. Architecture and music are essentially math by another name. Some of the greatest philosophers in history were mathematicians or used math in their writings, including Plato, Aristotle, Rene Descartes, and Bertrand Russell.

Of course, we do live in the age of calculators and the internet, and those tools will be useful for solving almost any arithmetic problem that comes your way. The point is, you just never know when you will have to dredge up differential equations or trigonometry. It’s better to have the knowledge prepared than to need it and not have it.

The mathematicians are inheriting the earth. It wouldn’t hurt to be one of them.

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[1] http://quomodocumque.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/don-delillo-to-david-foster-wallace-on-reading-math/

[2] Ratiner, Steven and Rita Dove. “A Chorus of Voices: An Interview with Rita Dove.” Agni 54 (2001): 175.

[3] http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/02/12/cormac-mccarthy-on-the-sante-fe-institute-s-brainy-halls.html

Why Do I Need to Study English?

Why Do I Need to Study English?

Below are some excerpts from job descriptions I’ve come across in the last few years:

From a consulting firm: “Requirements include highly sophisticated writing and editing skills.”

A teaching job: “Qualifications include superior writing and editing ability.”

Healthcare: “Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills and strong analytical skills required.”

Among a list of qualifications for a marketing position: “Well-developed ability to write and edit copy.”

In fact, it’s rare to see a job application which doesn’t ask for some kind of demonstration of writing ability. You think colleges really care which fictional character most influenced you? Not so much. College statements of purpose, like cover letters for job applications, exist to give the application reviewer an opportunity to evaluate your skills as a writer.

           

I don’t mean to overstate my case here. You don’t have to be William Faulkner to get into college. And of course employers look for other qualities besides writing ability: talent and experience, for example. While basic writing skills—like the ability to construct effective paragraphs, use punctuation correctly, and employ a wide vocabulary—are rarely enough by themselves to make somebody stand out to an employer, the lack of these skills is definitely a dealbreaker. Businesses know that it’s hard to do well in any field without speaking the language of public life.

It’s not at all fair that making a positive impression means mastering grammar rules that were written centuries ago. In a fascinating book about the difficulties of teaching, Other People’s Children, Lisa Delpit tells the story of an Alaskan middle school teacher trying to explain to her students why learning the rules of conventional English is so important. Making a distinction between her own classroom and the world around it, she says:

We listen to the way people talk, not to judge them, but to tell what part of the river they come from. These other people are not like that. They think everybody needs to talk like them. Unlike us, they have a hard time hearing what people say if they don’t talk exactly like them. Their way of talking and writing is called ‘Formal English.’ We have to feel a little sorry for them because they have only one way to talk. We’re going to learn two ways to say things.[1]

Personally, I think this teacher is a bit too hard on the promoters of Formal English. I have to admit that I myself am one of “these other people” who make judgments based on speech, but that doesn’t make me closed minded or oppressive—at least I hope not. The essence of this statement, though, is absolutely right. We all have a hard time understanding speech and writing that flouts Formal English. As arbitrary as some of the rules may be—although many of them are not arbitrary at all—knowing the rules of Formal English is like a badge which proves your belonging in a club of professional English speakers. It’s a club in which you have to renew your membership every day, but it’s also a club that’s very worthwhile to be a part of.

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[1] Delpit, Lisa. Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom. New York: The New Press, 2006. (41)

How to Write Well Quickly

            Writing a paper is hard enough, but writing a whole paper in twenty-five minutes can seem like a nightmare. On the SAT, it’s not enough to be a great writer. You also have to be able to think quickly and avoid distractions. The best way to prepare for the writing portion is to practice, practice, practice. But practice aside, here are four tips which could alleviate some of your stress and maybe earn you a few extra points.

Editing is Everything. Of course, editing is the last part of the writing process, but I mention it first because it’s so important to remember that the best writing is actually done in editing. You’ll maximize your score if you go into the exam expecting to spend a large chunk of your writing time in the editing phase.

Knowing that you will have time to edit gives you the chance to put your ideas on paper without having to deliberate for fifteen minutes about your first sentence. On top of that, it’s only in editing that you can step outside your own head and start to imagine how your sentences will sound to others. If you don’t understand your own writing when you read it back, how can you expect your readers to understand it?

“As Abraham Lincoln Said…” You may have heard this one before, but it’s still good advice: go into the exam with a little bit of Abraham Lincoln already in your back pocket. Or Albert Einstein. Or your sixth-grade English teacher. The point is, you know that the SAT wants you to back up your claims with specific examples from history or from your life; why not come to the test with examples at the ready?

Remember, the essay readers don’t care what examples you use, they care how well you construct your sentences and paragraphs to get your point across. Coming to the test with examples in mind isn’t a form of cheating. It’s a form of thinking ahead. It saves you time during the exam, and you end up with a stronger paper as a result.

Start with an Outline. As far as the outline goes, the important thing is that you have one—it doesn’t really matter what it looks like. It may seem like you don’t have the time in a twenty-five minute period to write a complete outline, but believe me: having an outline makes the writing portion of the test that much easier. In my experience, the five-part structure is a great model: introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion. Three clear body paragraphs is a solid amount of writing for a twenty-five minute period. It’s enough space to build an argument but not so much space that you run out of things to say.

But no matter what outline structure you use, introductions and conclusions are key. The specific arguments of your essay should be mentioned in your introduction, and the major themes should be represented in your conclusion.

And how do you make sure your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion relate to each other? You guessed it: editing.

Talk to Yourself (But Not Literally). So you’ve brought your Abraham Lincoln, you’ve written your outline, and you remember to leave time to edit. What about the actual writing? Strangely enough, this is the easy part. You make clear arguments every day without even thinking about them. Really, all it takes to write well is to forget you’re writing at all—to tap into your everyday eloquence. One way to do this is to imagine explaining your essay to an invisible audience, preferably someone you trust.

There’s no such thing as a magic formula for writing a great SAT essay. But if you come to the test prepared with examples, write a solid outline, treat your argument like a conversation, and remember to edit, you can’t go too wrong.

Why are standardized tests so important? (SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, etc.) - Part 2

Why are standardized tests so important? – Part 2

As an SAT and  ACT tutor I've encountered many students who think that college entrance exams are truly evil, or are government conspiracies, or are more painful than root canals. While I can definitely sympathize with these beliefs - it wasn’t too long ago that I was a High School student who clung to similar theories - I've come to really appreciate in recent months the logic of standardized tests (for instance the SAT and ACT for undergrads, and the MCAT, LSAT, and GRE for grads.) More and more I understand the role they serve in the admissions process. Obviously, they give institutions a concrete, although imperfect, measure with which to group students. But I also appreciate the linearity and innate logic within the exams. Indeed, to be perfectly honest, I've developed an admiration, that's spilled over into love, for standardized tests. Like many whirlwind romances, I never anticipated this fiery passion I'd develop. We started out merely as unknown acquaintances -then they charmed me and stole my heart.

Now give me a moment to explain myself. It may seem odd that I've developed a love for inanimate objects that I hated not too long ago. So I'll explain.

 I truly enjoy teaching the ACT and SAT, and I find it fulfilling to impart knowledge to others. Whenever I'm teaching, I feel like I'm improving the world in my own little way. So in this respect, it makes sense that I've grown to like the SAT and ACT in part because they've been the subject matter of my teaching. It's like the experiments with the rats - rat hears bell at feeding time - bell is associated with food. So under this theory, teaching is interesting to me - therefore the SAT and ACT become something I like.

Still though, I think there are innate characteristics that I enjoy about the ACT and SAT. Here are the big ones: firstly, they are more or less predictable - the more practice tests you take, and prep sessions you complete, the more familiar and predictable the exam becomes. In time, you can see these tests tricks coming from a mile away. Improving then is simple - the more you study, the more you understand the test.

Furthermore, while I think the SAT and ACT each have their own shortcomings, they do a fairly good job accomplishing what they say they do, something I can appreciate about anyone or anything. They DO give colleges a crude approximation of a student’s level of understanding of some basic academic concepts. Students who get 10’s, 11’s, and 12’s on their SAT essays (out of 12 points) are generally better writers; they show a greater proclivity for language and writing, and will probably have an easier time in college classes. Students who score well on the Math section similarly show a mastery or a competency in basic algebra and geometry that will serve as a vital foundation for college level mathematical thinking.

Importantly, standardized tests don't exactly convey true intelligence; if they did, how would an almost instant jump in scores afforded by prep classes be possible? A few tutoring sessions and classroom lectures can bump a student’s overall SAT score by more than 200 points. Also many variables - like amount of sleep before test day, level of distraction, blood sugar levels, etc. - wildly affect performance. Neither do the SAT and ACT measure interpersonal intelligence, diligence, or study habits, factors perhaps more important to college success than reading and writing skills. Again though, they do offer a crude approximation of college readiness.

So they're easy to master, if you put in the time, and yet they're still useful for colleges.

Can there be an easier set up for students? A test that is at first difficult, but can be understood by anyone who puts in the time, and yet that is still viewed as important by the gatekeepers of your future.

So while the SAT is an imperfect exam, it's not a bad deal for students, if you weigh it all out. Plus I find it fun (does that make me a nerd?)

So, a student hoping to gain admission into a competitive college, or pay for college with scholarships, must understand the realities of a situation, and prepare for the realities, ideal or not.  There are definitely worse things in life.