What Is High-Impact Tutoring? Can It Help You Get into College?
Everybody needs a little extra help from time to time – even the most dedicated of students. Given how competitive the college admission process has become, more students than ever are looking for ways to up their grade point averages, raise their SAT and ACT scores and improve their chances of admission to their preferred schools.
One strategy that’s been gaining ground and attracting attention for its overall effectiveness is called “high-impact” tutoring.
How Does High-Impact Tutoring Work?
High-impact tutoring is a structured, intensive approach that’s designed to significantly boost a student’s understanding of specific subjects and increase their academic performance in critical areas. Unlike general tutoring or casual study sessions with a friend or a group of classmates, high-impact tutoring has:
- Frequent Sessions: High-impact tutoring typically involves multiple sessions per week, making it a consistent part of a student’s schedule rather than occasional academic support.
- Data-Driven Focus: High-impact tutors work closely with the individual student to identify specific areas where there needs to be marked improvement. They help students set concrete goals and track their progress with objective data.
- Personalized Instruction: High-impact tutoring sessions cater to individual learning needs and sessions are flexible. As a student’s academic requirements or goals change, the focus of the tutoring can change, as well.
- Qualified Tutors: High-impact tutors are rarely other students who are simply further along in their studies. Instead, the tutors are often experienced educators, specialists in their fields or experts in college preparation methods.
Is high-impact tutoring worth the hype? Absolutely. Studies indicate that students can accelerate their learning by three to 15 months using this model of tutoring. Also, high-impact tutoring was found to be 15 times more effective than regular tutoring when it comes to improving reading comprehension ─ and an incredible 20 times more effective for improving math skills.
How Can High-Impact Tutoring Help Prep for College Admissions?
Essentially, high-impact tutoring offers a strategic advantage for students who avail themselves of this option. Students who are pursuing lofty academic dreams can benefit from:
- Higher Standardized Test Scores: SAT, ACT and AP test scores have remained significant benchmarks for evaluating student academic readiness. High-impact tutoring is especially good at giving students targeted practice in the areas specific to these exams. Tutors can analyze a student’s strengths and weaknesses and focus hard on the areas that need the most improvement.
- More Confidence and Reduced Stress: College preparation can be overwhelming, and stress can negatively affect a student’s performance. High-impact tutoring offers students a safe, supportive environment where they can grow. With each session, students may gain confidence and feel better equipped to tackle any testing challenges. This reduction in stress often translates to a clearer mind and better scores and performance.
- Stronger, More Effective Study Habits: The consistent, structured approach that is essential to high-impact tutoring can help teach a student how to prioritize their time and get deeply engaged in a topic. This is a skill that not only makes it easier to get into a good university, but one that will serve them well throughout their college education and later, in their chosen career.
Ultimately, high-impact tutoring is just one more tool in the academic toolbox – but if you’ve been struggling to get your test scores where you want them (or where they need to be) to get into the school that you desire the most, it is certainly one that is well-worth considering.