Author Archives: Holly Spence

How To Deal With Procrastination

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Procrastination can strike us all, at any time and ahead of any task! 

One thing we hear from students a lot is that they struggle when it comes to procrastinating school work. So what can you do to break the cycle of procrastinating? 

Well, that is a hard question to answer! This is something that likely most people have dealt with at some point in their life and may not have a solution that works each time to overcome it. Below are four suggestions we have when it comes to how to overcome procrastination of a task, and hopefully one of these will help you next time you’re feeling stuck!

 

1. Make and use a schedule!

This seems very obvious but can be a small change you make that helps you procrastinate less. A very useful tool here is a printed planner where you can break up your day into timed sections and allocate tasks during those times. It makes it harder to not stick to your schedule when it is written down in front of you! The human mind is an incredibly powerful rationalization tool for bad decisions and you may find that if you haven’t made a plan and scheduled out how you’re going to spend your time, all of a sudden that one hour of Netflix becomes three (the shows do autoplay onto the next episode, after all!) 

However, if you’ve written down that you’re going to start your homework at 4pm, you have to at least ignore the plan that past-you made in order to procrastinate. In psychology this is called “externalizing” which is what you’re doing when you’re writing your plan down on an external source and making something that you are kept accountable by. If you don’t have a schedule or a planner it is much easier and more tempting to procrastinate. 

Read more: 5 Tips To Study Smarter – Not Harder!

2. Eliminate distractions 

In the time it’s taken you to read this blog, have you found your mind wandering elsewhere? Maybe to another tab in your browser to look at something else, or to the cell phone sitting on the desk next to you? 

Another one of those ‘obvious but we’ll still say it’ tips is that it’s much easier to get distracted by social media if you have the tab open on your laptop or your phone right next to you lighting up each time someone tags you in a meme on Instagram. Funnily enough, there are many apps you can use to help you eliminate the distraction that is your phone. Freedom.to is just one option (and there are many out there) that can help with eliminating digital distractions. 

Think about your work space and where you’re settling to actually complete tasks. It’s much harder to stay focused if you’re working in front of the TV or lying in bed when you’re already feeling tired. Find a space that is comfortable and has everything you need close by, but make sure it’s a space dedicated to getting work done and not somewhere that you associate with sleep or a movie night. 

 

3. Set unambitious goals 

This sounds a little crazy but has worked for me many times in my life. If you’re approaching a massive task and are feeling overwhelmed by it, it’s easy not to see how you can even start that task and therefore you put it off. Long term projects or large papers can create this kind of procrastination because every time you think about starting it, you think about doing the WHOLE project all at once, which is overwhelming. 

The key with procrastination like this is to make the starting point of your big project so small and so unambitious that it doesn’t take a lot of mental energy to start. It could be just writing the first sentence or writing an outline/ thesis statement. You will probably find that it’s much  easier to keep going once you’ve started with this small first step. 

 

4. Keep Trying!!

Remember that most of us struggle with procrastination when it comes to specific tasks and you probably have years of “bad” procrastination habits under your belt that will take time to work through. Be patient with yourself! Try some of these strategies and see what works for you – maybe different things will work at different times. 

 

All the best, 

Team Insight 

Should You Be Taking BOTH the SAT and the ACT?

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Today we’re going to be answering one of the most common questions we hear as counselors: “Do I need to take both the SAT and the ACT?”  

 

The answer to this question is “NO!”  You absolutely do not need to take both exams!

 

In fact, one of the common errors we see sometimes when students come in for the first time is that they will have spent the better part of 2 years taking & retaking both the exams. Here’s the truth – Colleges do NOT care which exam you take. Every college will accept either test, which means that your decision will depend on: 

 

Which test are you most comfortable with? 

Which test is the best fit from a timing perspective?

Which test can you score better on?

 

So, let’s talk about a few ways in which the tests are different. 

 

The ACT, which tends to be a little more straight-forward in its presentation of material, also contains a full science section which the SAT does not.  This section, which follows English, Math, & Reading in that order, makes up a quarter of your total composite score, so if you’re a student who is generally science focused, and you enjoy reading, graphs, & data, the ACT may be a good fit for you. Each of the 4 ACT sections is scored out of 36, and your total composite score is the average of those sections. There is also an optional writing section scored separately from the main composite score.  

 

Want to see a side-by-side table comparison of the ACT vs. the SAT? Check out ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

 

While the SAT also offers an optional essay, the exam is scored differently than the ACT, as students will receive a total score out of 1600 points. You can earn up to 800 points in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and 800 points in Math. The SAT also tends to present fewer timing challenges than the ACT, which has far more questions to complete. Where the ACT asks 215 questions it’s only 154 for the SAT, and the SAT allows more time to answer each of those questions on average. It also contains two math sections, one of which to be completed without a calculator, so how confident you feel as a math student may also impact your final decision.  

 

 

At Insight, we strongly encourage students who have not tried either test to take both for practice before making a decision. Doing this will expose you to the style and structure of both exams, & then we can establish which test you are more comfortable with in terms of content and timing, and ultimately which test you’re likely to score better on.  From there, we can plan for when to take the exam, which is important because the SAT and ACT are offered on different dates & in some cases, different months throughout the year.  We also want to establish a goal score for each student, as well an end date when we want students to be finished with testing altogether. Ideally, you should be done before the start of your senior year, b/c once senior fall starts, your college apps truly will become a full time class away from school, and you don’t want to have to give up valuable weekends completing diagnostic testing at that point.   

 

 

Overall, we want you to choose the right test at the right time, and we want you to be strategic, so that you don’t overload yourself. And the earlier we can begin to make both short and long term plans for testing, the more flexibility you allow yourself later on. 

 

All the best! 
Zach Pava and Team Insight 

To compare your ACT score to your SAT score, use our ACT – SAT Conversion Table.

An Insight to Northeastern University

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Northeastern University provides a unique balance of campus and city life that I’ve rarely seen equaled. Not only does the university offer an exceptional academic experience and incredible employment opportunities, but it’s also walking distance to the Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, Boston Common, the South End, Newbury Street, and more. 

 

In other words, you will NOT need a car as an undergraduate student.  And to make you feel even more at home among your peers, when combined with Harvard, BU, MIT and others, more than 25% of Boston residents are students.

 

 

 

Northeastern carefully considers the return on investment (ROI) for its students and wants graduates to be ready to succeed in the workforce after college. The university offers 175 majors, including more than 120 combined majors. 50% of students choose more than one, and the most popular areas of study include Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Nursing, Psychology, and Law. 

 

 

Admissions reviews for freshman applicants are based on two primary factors, academic record, and personal traits. While the overall admit rate at Northeastern is 19%, they offer considerable flexibility in terms of how and when to apply. High school seniors have the option to apply either Early Decision I (which is binding) or Early Action (which is not). The deadline for both options is November 1st. However, if you are not ready to commit to NEU as your top choice at that time, Northeastern also offers Early Decision II with a January 1st deadline, the same deadline as those who will apply Regular Decision.

 

 

Northeastern emphasizes innovative thinking and encourages students to apply what they are learning in the classroom in real-world settings. To help students along this path, they have an experiential learning requirement, which can be satisfied in four different ways: Cooperative education, Global experience, Service-learning, or Research. On tour, I even heard about one student who took part in a research internship in Antarctica.

 

 

Co-ops are offered starting in sophomore year, and they enable students to integrate classroom study with up to six months of full-time employment. Students do not have to take courses during the Co-op, and there is also no tuition cost during this period. How cool is that? In addition, students will typically take a course the semester before to educate themselves on the process and learn to build resumes and cover letters, interview, and research opportunities that will provide the best fit.  And here’s a stat that will make parents smile – 54% of Northeastern graduates WILL receive a job offer from a co-op employer.

 

 

Students at NEU enjoy a broad range of social and organized activities. There are over 400 clubs on campus, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, it only takes 12 students to create your own. The main gym is open from 5 am to midnight to accommodate every student’s schedule. Many students enjoy Broom Ball, and nearly 2000 students participate in the annual underwear run on parents weekend.  Yes, you read that correctly. When the weather is nice, you will see many students relaxing in colorful Adirondack chairs spread all over campus.  The President’s Public Arts Initiative has resulted in amazing outdoor murals that add to the inclusive environment, and each fall many students take part in the Husky Hunt, a city-wide scavenger hunt throughout Boston.

 

 

 

Northeastern provides a different experience than most colleges, which is a major part of its appeal. I’d encourage anyone who’s considering Northeastern to schedule a visit at your convenience. Finally, for parents who are concerned about sending their child to an urban university, know that Northeastern not only uses the SafeZone mobile app, but they were also the very 1st college in North America to use it.  In more ways than one, Northeastern is a leader.

 

All the best, 

Zach Pava and Team Insight 

Reasons Why Summer Study Can Be A Great Thing

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I know most of you are probably looking forward to those days off just lounging around and relaxing all summer long, so someone like me who is telling you to study and prep for a test is a real party pooper.

 

However, there are some big advantages of studying for the SAT or ACT during the summer that are important to consider as you’re planning out your break. Here are just a few reasons why you may consider using those warmer months to hit the books: 

 

Firstly –  you can use it as your excuse to go do a really fun thing that you want to do.  So for example, your mom says no you can’t go to “Great America” theme park on Saturday with your friends, you say, “but mom, I’ve spent all week studying for the SAT/ACT and I just want to relax!” She’s more likely to let you go!

 

Secondly, It’s the easiest to study during the summer break when that is the only thing you have to focus on.  You won’t have an 8 hour day of school to attend, plus the homework, plus the extra-curricular activities that may keep you from giving the SAT/ACT your full attention. When you study in the summer time, you are most likely to focus on the specific test and what you need to do to reach your score goal. 

 

Thirdly, the best way to prepare for the test is to practice, practice, practice! And practice means taking diagnostic tests and reviewing them so you can better understand and fix your mistakes. Insight offers full-length diagnostic tests to allow students to take the test in a real testing environment – no cell phones or technology, a quiet room and the ability to see how you perform with no distractions. This is something you can do during the summer! You can also try to mimic that environment at home by putting your technology in another room and shutting out distractions while you take a practice test. 

 

Practicing a full test is also helpful because just understanding your body’s limitations and learning how to focus during the grueling four hours can really help you know what to expect on test day. Think of it like running a marathon – you wouldn’t decide one day to wake up and go run 26 miles right there and then, you practice with short and long runs over time to build up to the marathon. Taking a four hour test is the same! Ideally, you wouldn’t wake up one day and say “Ok, today I take the official SAT”. You want to practice what it feels like to sit and focus on the test for four hours so by the time you take the real test, your body and brain are used to that kind of pressure. 

 

Lastly, doing tutorials for the subject matter that you need to get more familiar with will also help you feel less anxiety on the day. You may still suffer from some form of mild test anxiety – don’t worry, this is normal! Knowing what it is for you, be it butterflies in your stomach, sweating, tapping your pencil, or erasing every imaginary stray mark – being aware is the first step in finding ways to cope. Taking deep breaths, focusing on something specific, going through a phrase in your head before the test may be what helps you. Whatever it is, having the opportunity to identify and practice is the best way to calm your nerves before test day, and why not utilize the summer to be able to do all of this and reach the goal you’ve set for yourself!

 

I hope that some of these reasons will be helpful when planning out your summer study! If you’re looking for a structured way to study for an upcoming test, Insight offers SAT and ACT classes throughout the summer. 

 

All the best, 

Jenny Bloom and Team Insight 

Summer Plans for High School Graduates

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This is it! You are finally graduating high school and getting ready for that next step of your life, whatever that may be.

 

You have made it through high school, hopefully unscathed and excited for the future. For those of you that will be heading off to college in the Fall, you have the next few months of summer to celebrate all that you have accomplished so far in your life and also to prepare for future challenges. This is also a great time to get ahead and cross many things off your to-do list.

 

First let’s get the technicalities out of the way. Make sure that your high school knows where to send your final transcript. Colleges will need this to verify that you graduated, met all the requirements, and kept your grades up. If you have ever taken Advanced Placement exams, request scores to get sent once you receive your final scores in July. Colleges will need this report to properly place you in courses. And make sure that you have submitted all required forms to the college you will be attending. If the school requires you to attend an Orientation session, schedule one as soon as possible so that spaces don’t fill up.

 

While you have just finished four years of schooling, summer can be an ideal time to get ready for the academic rigors of college. If you are already feeling anxious about a certain course, take it over the summer to either get it out of the way or to just build your confidence. Alternatively, if you want to get some other general education courses out of the way so that you can focus on your core classes during the year, take one or two over the summer. Before you enroll in any courses, you should check with your college to make sure that the courses will be accepted. If you are feeling stress free about your academics, then skip the courses and spend your time on other endeavors.

 

If your calendar is completely free for the summer, use this time to try something new or learn something you have always wanted to learn. Pick up a hobby or go back to one that you had to give up because you did not have enough time before. These activities make you well rounded and bring some balance to your life. And hobbies can be learning experiences too! They can also introduce you to ideas and people that will serve you will in your life.

 

If you have a job or are planning to get one, you can use this time to save up some money and get some experience. Any type of job can help you develop strong skills.  Working in any place that requires you to interact with customers on a regular basis, can teach you strong interpersonal skills. Working with people is something you want to learn well and early because it is something you will do throughout your life.  Jobs also force you to be responsible and accountable  – two traits future employers will want to know you have.

 

These days of summer will go by in what seems like an instant. Make the most of every day, but make sure to also have some downtime. You are about to embark on a journey that will change your perspectives and impact your future. Taking a breather will help you to reflect on where you are and contemplate where you are headed.

 

More than anything enjoy this time in your life. And congratulations!

 

All the best, 

Team Insight 

An Insight to Saint Mary’s College

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I was lucky enough to be able to recently tour Saint Mary’s College, a welcoming gem of a school tucked away just an hour and a half from the South Bay area. 
 

Saint Mary’s College has been in Moraga for over 100 years, yet few have heard of this small Catholic college located between Berkeley and Walnut Creek. 

 

For California students hoping to stay local, Saint Mary’s College offers a number of major differences from the typically UC/CSU experience: 

 

January Term – They have only one (yes, you read that right!) class in January. Students will often choose to talk this class abroad, discover an interest outside their major or dive deeper into their volunteering, internships and extracurricular activities. Since the whole school is structured this way, this doesn’t even delay time to graduation. 

 

Faith and Service: The school is undeniably Catholic from the large chapel on campus to its two religious class requirement. While 52% of students identify as Catholic, it is welcoming to people of faiths. The school’s 2000+ undergraduates contribute a remarkable 15,000 – 20,000 of community service hours annually, and this respect for all people is reflected in the many campus clubs and speakers of diverse viewpoints, like the founders of the #metoo movement or the social entrepreneur behind Numi tea. 

 

Collegiate Seminar Classes– Much like a Socratic seminar filled with lively debate, Collegiate Seminar Classes consist of a series of required courses that give every student a firm foundation in the liberal arts. The program is made up of four courses that examine major works of Western civilization: works of literature and philosophy, history and political theory, art and science. 

 

Small, Welcoming Community: With an average class size of 19, at Saint Mary’s there’s no hiding in the back of the room when you haven’t done the reading! Yet this intimate setting is one of the strengths of a Saint Mary’s education. At this school, you’ll find a the university president makes regular office hours to meet with students, many clubs and welcome events like the Freshman ‘Weekend of Welcome’, an infectious school spirt from the school’s division I athletics program, and even inter-house competitions just like in Harry Potter. 

 

While a liberal arts school, Saint Mary’s also has a strong business program, and undergraduate research opportunities and a cadaver lab for students interested in science or medicine. 

 

Wondering if you can afford this private school? They give merit based scholarships ranging from $6,000-$25,000 a year, and this can be in addition to departmental scholarships that offer up to $13,000 in scholarships to students seeking certain specialties, from business to history.  Interested students should strongly consider signing up for an optional admissions interview. 

 

Overall, Saint Mary’s is a small, supportive environment that offers an educational experience far removed from a large state school. In the words of the university, Saint Mary aims to ‘engage the intellect and the spirit with exceptional academics… to change lives and inspire the desire to transform society.’ 

Help! I Got A D – Can I Still Go To A UC?

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We have been asked the question “If I get a D grade in Freshman year, does that mean I can’t go to a UC?” 

 

Here’s the good news: YOU CAN STILL GO TO A UC!! So exhale, take your hand off the panic button and let that sink in.

 

(Prefer a video instead? Check out our Senior College Admissions Counselor Zach’s advice HERE)

Help I got a D Can I still go to a UC

But before we talk about how to fix the D, I want you to dig deep and ask yourself why you got a D in the first place, especially if this is in freshman year. School only gets harder, and it’s only going to get harder in college.

 

Perhaps you took a class that was way too hard for you in the first place, which is a common reason why someone might get a D. If that’s not why you got the D, then you really need to consider the behaviors and influences in your life may have led to this outcome. WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE??? These are deep questions, but important ones to consider so that you can be sure not to repeat the same mistake again. 

 

Ok, so let’s assume you answered those deep existential questions, how do you “fix” the D? Now, know that you DO need to retake the class. A D is NOT considered a passing grade to colleges. This is a little confusing because sometimes my students will hear that either the class is not required for college and they, therefore, do not need to retake it, or that D is considered a “passing” grade.

 

For your high school, a D is passing. You can graduate with Ds, but you cannot go to college with Ds. Colleges will give you ZERO credit for the class, just like you got an F. This is true no matter what the class is, even if it is not a required class. 

 

Insight counselor Jenny H reflected on her studying for the ACT test prep

You need to find a way to retake the class either over the summer or online or by repeating the class in school. Ideally, you want to take the EXACT same class to be sure that colleges will consider this class an adequate replacement for the class you failed. Be sure to verify in writing with a counselor at your school to confirm that the class you are signing up for will qualify as a replacement. 

 

On your college applications, you will have space to address this grade and discuss what you learned from it and how this experience made you a better student. Which is WHY you cannot skip asking yourself those deep questions of why you got the D in the first place. Retaking the class shows colleges that you care about learning and that you’re trying to fix your mistake, and discussing what you learned from the experience is a very important message to address in your college apps. 

 

All the best,

Team Insight 

 

 

 

 

An Insight to The University of Massachusetts Amherst

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Recently I had the good fortune to visit UMass Amherst for a campus tour. The public research university, located in Western Massachusetts, is the commonwealth’s flagship campus.  UMass has approximately 22,700 undergraduate students and another 6,500 graduate students. It is also a member of the Pioneer Valley’s five college consortium along with liberal arts colleges Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith.  As part of this consortium, UMass students can take up to 8 credits every semester at any of the 4 schools at no extra cost.  They also provide a free bus system between campuses to make transportation a non-issue.

 

The average class size at UMass is 36, but ranges from smaller classes with fewer than 10 students to intro classes with more than 100 students.  Class size tends to decrease as you get closer to completing your major. The university features 10 specific colleges and schools, including the Colleges of Education, Engineering, Humanities and Fine Arts, Information and Computer Sciences, Natural Sciences, Nursing, and Social and Behavioral Sciences, as well as the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Isenberg School of Management, and the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.  Students are placed into each school or college based on their major.

 

During final exams the campus library, named after W.E.B. Du Bois, is open 24/7.  There is a wonderful sense of camaraderie as students access the most modern technology and fall asleep in Men in Black style egg-shaped chairs.  There is also a free tutoring center that is complimentary to all students. UMass students can become certified tutors through the training program, and earn money while helping their peers. 

 

Beyond the classroom, UMass has more than 300 different student organizations to get involved in. In addition to traditional clubs focusing on sports, music, politics, community service, theatre, and religion, UMass also offers less common options, such as squirrel watching, bee keeping, and skydiving.  And if you are a sports fan, good news!  Students are granted free admission to home games for all sports.  All students are also allowed free memberships at Planet Fitness.

 

UMass as a whole is constantly looking to improve and is currently in the process of renovating the Student Union and building Worcester Dining Commons, set to open in Fall of 2020.  The prestigious Isenberg School of Management is currently undergoing a $62M addition, while the brand new Innovation Hub opened this past January.

 

In addition to offering study abroad options, UMass is also proud to be a part of the Domestic Exchange program, which allows students to travel to over 180 other schools all over the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. But while students have the opportunity to spend a full semester at a different state school, UMass Amherst itself is actually the second most requested school in the entire program, right behind the University of Hawaii.  That’s pretty impressive company considering the climate differences.

 

UMass is well worth considering this upcoming college application season, whether you live in Massachusetts, California, or somewhere in between. In fact, 30% of enrolled students now come from out-of-state. In addition to allowing students to apply early action in November (which is not binding), every student who applies is considered for acceptance into the school’s honors program.  But don’t worry, even if a student is not admitted in the first year at UMass, you can apply to be reconsidered. 

 

 

And for the cherry on the sundae, upon graduating from UMass you will join a long list of notable alumni including NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, singer Natalie Cole, actor Richard Gere, and basketball legend Julius Erving!

 

All the best, 
Zach & Team Insight

 

Studying In A Group Is Scientifically Awesome

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Fact: Studying in a group can be much more effective than studying alone! 
 
 
 
We’re not just saying this because of what I’ve observed as a teacher and counselor, but this is actually what years of scientific research are showing. Studying in a group allows us to use a couple of techniques that can be harder to do when it’s just us on our own.
 
 
 
For one, studying in a group helps us do something we call retrieval practice. This is the process of making flash cards, quizzing each other, asking questions to your study group members. This makes you actively fish back into your brain to come up with the answers, and is a very active way of studying. This kind of studying is far more effective than what we typically do when we’re alone, which is simply highlighting pages in the textbook or re-reading lectures and scanning notes. 
 
 
 
Additionally, a study group can be effective because it can hold us accountable! It forces us to study at a certain time and place, rather than saying “I’ll study Spanish sometime next week” but then procrastinating and not getting it done.  Knowing you have a group of friends that are all working on the same thing means you have to keep up with the rest of the group – no procrastination allowed! 
 
 
 
Beyond accountability, studying in a group that meets once a week works well because it’s spaced out. This is another tip we understand from learning science that cramming last minute doesn’t allow our brains to remember as much as consistent learning over a spaced out time period. 
 
 
 
 
The final important tip is to make sure you’re working with a group of like-minded studiers!  Together, by consistently using retrieval practice and space practice we get faster and faster at remembering critical concepts, avoid cramming and can even make the study more enjoyable by doing it with the group!  
 
 
 
All the best,
Team Insight 
 

Happy College Signing Day, Insight Class of 2019!

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Today, May 1st, 2019, we celebrate our amazing Class of 2019! 

 

It has been our privilege as a team to work with the students and families that entrusted us during this process. We are so proud of all the hard work and dedication shown by our Class of 2019. 

 

Below is a snapshot map of some the colleges our Class of 2019 will be attending in the Fall! It looks like some California based students are ready for the snow over on the East Coast, while our Boston based students are looking forward to some sunshine here in Ca! 

 

Below is a snapshot of some of the colleges our Class of 2019 were accepted too! 

 

As it’s very challenging to fit all the logos of these great schools onto our map, below is a list of schools our Class of 2019 were accepted to and will be attending! A huge congratulations again to our wonderful group of students, and all students that are celebrating #CollegeSigningDay today! 

  • American University
  • Arizona State
  • Baylor 
  • Cal Poly Slo 
  • Columbia
  • UC Berkeley 
  • UC Davis
  • UCLA 
  • UC San Diego
  • UC Santa Barbara
  • UC Riverside
  • UC Merced
  • UC Santa Cruz
  • Boston University
  • Brown 
  • Carnegie Mellon 
  • Case Western
  • Cornell
  • De Anza College 
  • Drexel
  • Duke
  • Emory
  • Fordham 
  • Harvard 
  • Georgetown
  • Indiana Bloomington
  • Johns Hopkins
  • MIT
  • Middlebury
  • Northwestern
  • NYU
  • Pitzer 
  • Pomona
  • Purdue
  • Rice 
  • San Jose State
  • San Diego State
  • Santa Clara University
  • Smith College
  • St. Mary’s College
  • Stanford
  • Temple
  • Tufts
  • Tulane
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Florida
  • University of Maryland 
  • University of Massachusetts
  • The University of Texas at Austin 
  • University of Portland
  • University of Washington
  • UIUC
  • Vanderbilt
  • Yale
  • Washington University