UPCOMING WEBINARS:
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College Essay Masterclass: From Brainstorming to Hitting “Submit”
Learn how to write a standout personal statement from college essay experts
Expert college essay coaches Claire and Gary will take on the roles of student and tutor to recreate the process of creating an outstanding personal statement for the Common App.
In this masterclass workshop, our tutors discuss what makes a great essay and share tips they have picked up from their years of experience helping students brainstorm, outline, and edit compelling, one-of-a-kind personal statements.
Host
Sylvia Kates, Bespoke Webinar Moderator
Panelists
Gary Jaffe and Claire S., Bespoke College Essay Experts
Interactive College Admissions Workshop
Wednesday, July 19th, 6:30 PM
Review applications with Dickinson College admissions officers to learn firsthand what makes a standout college applicant.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a part of a college admissions committee?
Here’s your opportunity to learn about the admissions decision making process first hand in an interactive workshop Bespoke is offering with the Dickinson College Admissions Office for parents and rising 12th graders.
Seated virtually in groups, you will review “mock” student files with professional admissions officers and discuss the factors that lead to admission, waitlisting, and denial. To encourage open discussion, this interactive Zoom workshop will be limited to 45 participants and will fill up quickly. We encourage participants to join the conversation prepared with questions.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insight into the college admissions process.
Hosts
Antoine Hart, Director of College Counseling, Bespoke Education
Greg Moyer, Associate VP for Enrollment and Director of Admissions Recruitment, Dickinson College
Dickinson College Guest Panelists
Jesse McDonald, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Amy Hall, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Rebecca Chernyha, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Anne Brewer, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Everything You Need to Know About College Essays
What makes a great personal essay? How do you pick a topic? How important are supplemental essays? What is a parent’s role in college essay creation?
Bespoke college essay experts Sam Segan and Gary Jaffe are back for an updated version of their popular webinar on how to craft authentic essays for college applications. At the end of the webinar, Sam and Gary will invite questions and discussion from attendees.
PANELISTS
Sylvia Kates, Bespoke Webinar Moderator
Gary Jaffe & Sam Segan, Bespoke College Essay Experts
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- Why the personal statement is so much more than just restating your resumé
- How to maintain authenticity in your personal statement
- Topics and themes to avoid in personal statements
- Ideal timelines and levels of parental involvement in the essay creation process
Introducing the Digital SAT: Everything You Need to Know
Our panel of test prep experts will discuss the key features of the Digital SAT and share tips on how students, parents, and tutors can prepare for the switch to a digital format. Our test prep experts have years of experience, are updated with all the most current Digital SAT facts and stats, and will answer all your questions live throughout the webinar!
PANELISTS
Dan Cozzens, Bespoke Head of Tutoring and COO
Kara Havig and Ryan Dieringer, Bespoke SAT Experts
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- How the new Digital SAT compares to the current paper SAT
- What students need to know to master the Digital SAT
- Details about the Digital SAT’s 2024 rollout
- The best ways to study for the Digital SAT
Mastering the ISEE & SSAT with Bespoke Education
Join expert Bespoke tutors Greg Serebuoh and Lauren Singerman for an in-depth exploration of the ISEE and SSAT examinations. All are welcome and participation is encouraged, as our panelists will answer attendee questions live!
PANELISTS
Sylvia Kates, Bespoke Webinar Host
Greg Serebuoh and Lauren Singerman, Bespoke ISEE & SSAT Experts
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- Key features of the ISEE and SSAT tests
- How to decide which test to take
- Ideal test prep timelines
- Ways to support your student through the process
- How to decipher your student’s ISEE or SSAT scores
Stand Out in College Admissions: Uncover What Makes You YOU
What makes you YOU?
In this webinar, Bespoke Director of College Counseling Antoine Hart will be joined by college essay specialist Sam Segan and college interview specialist Carrie Kaplan for an engaging conversation about the importance of reflection and self-discovery in the college application process.
HOST
Sylvia Kates, Bespoke Academic Associate
PANELISTS
Antoine Hart, Bespoke Director of College Counseling
Carrie Kaplan, Bespoke College Interview Expert
Sam Segan, Bespoke College Essay Expert
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- Why finding your voice matters in college admissions
- What to expect from college essay and interview coaching
- What you can do NOW to set yourself up for success in the college application process
Experts Discuss Independent High School Admissions
Applying to independent high schools can feel at once exciting and daunting. Solid preparation now can help you navigate the path ahead with confidence and focus.
Join high school admissions and testing experts from Bespoke Education and Smart City Kids, a leading NYC education consulting organization, for a lively discussion on navigating high school admissions. The panelists will:
- Share best practices, tips, and advice for students applying to independent high schools and boarding schools
- Provide an overview of the applications and admissions timeline
- Answer your questions about any element of the admissions process
About Smart City Kids
A Black-owned business founded by a mother of two, Smart City Kids advisors have since 2001 successfully guided parents and students through the admissions process for entry into all grade levels.
Panelists:
Matt Weir, Bespoke ISEE/SSAT Prep Expert
Jackie Sirgo, Smart City Kids Education Consultant
Sylvia Kates, Bespoke Academic Associate – Host
What you will learn:
- How and when to tackle the core elements of high school applications
- What admissions experts wish parents knew going into the process
- Concrete ways to support your student through the transition to high school
Boost Your Grades? First Learn How You Learn
“How” students learn often determines ”what” they learn–and what they don’t.
Join Neill Seltzer, Chief Tutoring Officer at Mindprint Learning, and Dr. Jacqueline Reina, licensed clinical psychologist and Bespoke Executive Function consultant, as they discuss how to understand students’ cognitive strengths and how to transform these insights into academic success and college readiness.
Guided by the proprietary Mindprint Learning model, the panelists will discuss the different components of how students think and process information. They will share concrete strategies to tackle common issues like disorganization, homework-related stress, inconsistent grades, test anxiety, and procrastination.
Panelists:
Dr. Jacqueline M. Reina, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Neill Seltzer, Chief Tutoring Officer, Mindprint Learning
What you will learn:
- The executive function science underlying the “Mindprint” learning style assessment and how it can help unlock a student’s academic potential
- Practical study and organization tips and techniques that work best for different learning styles
- How to incorporate learning techniques into daily study habits that will improve student grades for the rest of this school year – and beyond
The Big 3 Test Matchup: The Digital SAT, SAT, ACT
Bespoke test preparation experts will compare and contrast the new digital SAT, the current SAT, and the ACT to help students find their “best fit”
Deciding to take the SAT (which will begin the move to a new digital format this fall) or ACT is among the first big choices students will confront as they begin the college admissions process. Bespoke test preparation experts Jon DiMaio and Sam Segan will explain how the tests differ, how to make a “best fit” choice, and how to begin preparing right now for test day.
Panelists:
Jon DiMaio & Sam Segan
Bespoke Test Preparation Experts
What you will learn:
- Recent changes in the testing landscape, including the Digital SAT
- A subject and skill overview of the two tests
- How to choose which test to take based on academic strengths and goals
- Preparation strategies: short-, medium- and long-term
The Road to College: Exploration, Preparation & Planning
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of colleges, universities, and post-graduation options but not sure where to begin?
Join us for a virtual roundtable led by Bespoke Director of College Counseling Antoine Hart that will focus on college selection, college tours and visits, and planning out your spring to set yourself up for a smooth admissions cycle.
Panelists:
Antoine Hart, Director of College Counseling
Sarah Hartmann, College and Graduate School Admissions Counselor
Claire Siebers, College Essay Specialist
What you will learn:
- “The List” – Timing, researching, and building your college list
- Sophomore and Junior Spring – Key wayposts and planning ahead
- Summer Plans – Tips for continuing to explore your interests
- College Visits – Do’s and Don’t’s
Cracking ACT & SAT Reading & Grammar
Test prep experts unpack essential ACT and SAT essential reading skills and strategies
Reading comprehension, critical text analysis, and grammar mastery. When it comes to these core skills, is your student prepared for the ACT, SAT, college, and beyond?
Our expert panelists will demonstrate reliable methods for developing reading confidence, competence, and efficiency which students can apply to the standardized tests and carry with them as lifelong learners.
Panelists:
Julianna Tauschinger-Dempsey, Bespoke Test Prep Expert
Conrad Schott, Bespoke Test Prep Expert
What you will learn:
- What to expect on the English, Writing and Language, and Reading sections of the ACT/SAT
- How to make consistent progress toward raising your score
- How to employ core analytical and time management strategies
- How our expert test prep tutors can help your student improve their reading skill
Mastering ACT & SAT Math
Experts Explain Strategies and Skills to Raise SAT & ACT Math Scores with Confidence
Hoping to improve your ACT or SAT math score but not sure where to begin? Join our test prep experts as they unpack math skills, strategies, and content for the standardized tests and demonstrate proven ways to strengthen math competency and build test-taking confidence.
Panelists:
Lauren Singerman and Jeremy Russial, Bespoke Test Prep Experts
What you will learn:
- What to expect on the math sections of the ACT and SAT
- How to set goals and make consistent progress toward raising your score
- How to employ core problem solving and time management strategies
- How our expert test prep tutors can help your student find success on the standardized tests
5 Ways to Become Better Learners Now
5 Proven Executive Function Techniques for Students to Become Better Learners in 2023
DOES YOUR STUDENT…
- Always do work at the last minute and struggle to complete assignments before the deadline?
- Frequently lose or forget about assignments?
- Do well on homework but perform poorly on exams?
- Struggle to make a connection with teachers or ask for help?
Improving the organizational and learning skills associated with Executive Function is key to addressing these concerns. Join Bespoke Executive Function Coaches as they discuss common executive functions gaps and demonstrate concrete ways students can strengthen these important life skills.
PANELISTS
Sylvia Kates and Julia Saunders
Bespoke Executive Function Coaches
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- How to determine the type of support your child needs
- How parents and educators can provide this support
- What students and parents can do NOW to help raise grades, lower stress and fatigue, and improve organization and study skills!
SAT or ACT? How to Choose
Deciding to take the SAT or ACT is among the first big choices students will confront as they begin the college admissions process. It’s crucial to know all the facts before making a “best-fit” decision.
Bespoke test preparation experts Jon Di Maio and Katie Patterson will explain how the two tests differ, how to make a “best fit” choice, and how to begin preparing right now for test day.
- Recent changes in the testing landscape
- A subject and skill overview of the two tests
- How to choose which test to take based on academic strengths and goals
- Preparation strategies: short-, medium- and long-term
PANELISTS
Jon DiMaio & Katie Patterson
Bespoke Test Preparation Experts
Mock Testing for SAT & ACT Success
Mock Testing is essential to any student’s test preparation process: when done right, it will increase their endurance, their resilience, their focus, and their scores. In standardized tests, just as in athletics or music, you must practice like you play. There are far better options out there than taking an untimed SAT at your dining room table. Come and learn from Bespoke’s test prep experts as they explain the importance of mock testing and how students can master the process.
- How to use the principles of targeted and reflective practice to get the most out of every test.
- How to manage time and mitigate time pressure.
- How proctored tests match the real experience, and why it matters.
- Why mock tests increase test-taking confidence and develop test taking skills.
- What practice test scores really mean.
- When to test for best results.
- What to take away from your mock test results.
PANELISTS
Dan Cozzens – Bespoke COO & Head of Tutoring
MaLeeKa Saunders – Bespoke Director of Mock Testing
Mitchel Kawash – Bespoke Test Prep Expert & Head of Online Instruction
Sylvia Kates – Bespoke Test Prep Expert
Say What?? Common College Admissions Myths Debunked
The (over) abundance of information on college admissions can make the process feel overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be this way! Join Bespoke college admissions experts as they debunk some common myths surrounding college admissions. Our panelists will encourage attendees to drive the discussion through live participation via Zoom’s chat and Q&A features. We will answer questions like:
- Does applying to all the Ivy League colleges increase my chances of admission?
- Does applying Early Decision increase my chances of admission?
- If I am being recruited, does that mean I’m guaranteed to get in?
- What is the impact of attending a pre-college program?
LEARN ABOUT OUR WEBINARS
Welcome to our ongoing free webinar series! These are live webinars, built from the ground up, drawing on the talent and expertise of our tutors, coaches, and advisors, and founded on Bespoke’s combined decades of tutoring experience. With each webinar, we’re trying to answer the questions every parent has about critical moments in their child’s educational journey. Our webinars also offer an informal welcome and introduction to Bespoke Education itself: helpful and friendly and, above all, informative and invaluable. So please explore – browse our collection of past webinars, sign up for an upcoming webinar, or subscribe to our ongoing webinar mailing list. We look forward to including you in the conversation!