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Writing Haiku

History Haiku originated in Japan in the 9th century and was originally a form of poetry for peasants. A haiku usually features an image that depicts the essence of a specific moment. The Japanese used haiku to clear and refresh their minds and connect with the natural world. In fact, all haiku are related to … Continued

Poem of the Week: Emily Dickinson

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,And Mourners to and froKept treading – treading – till it seemedThat Sense was breaking through – And when they all were seated,A Service, like a Drum –Kept beating – beating – till I thoughtMy mind was going numb – And then … Continued

Know Your Verbals

What’s a verbal you may ask? Well, a verbal is a verb that’s not really a verb. I know this all sounds counterintuitive, but stick with me for a moment–it’ll all make sense soon. Verbals can be nouns, adjectives, or even adverbs. So how can a verb be words that aren’t verbs? It’s easy. Verbals … Continued

A Guide to Superscoring

What’s Superscoring? Imagine this: you’ve taken the SAT twice, once in August and once in October. On your first try, you score a 600 on the verbal section. On your second try, however, you receive a 550 on the verbal section. You’re understandably bummed, but at least your math score went up on the second … Continued

ACT Will Allow Individual Section Retesting

Big changes are coming to the ACT. Starting September 2020, the ACT will offer three new testing options to students—individual section retesting, online testing, and superscoring. Students who have already taken the ACT will have the option to retake individual sections of the test, rather than retaking the whole exam. They’ll also have the option … Continued

Alpha College Prep Wins Best of Albany Education Award

We are pleased to announce that Alpha College Prep has been selected by the city of Albany as the winner of the Best of Albany Education Award. Every year the Albany Award Program honors the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the city. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability … Continued

Best Study Guides for the SAT

Each year test-prep companies produce hundreds of books and study guides for the SAT. But how do you know which ones are the best? How do you wade through the hundreds of options? The answer is you don’t have to–we’ve done the work for you.  Here are some of the best study guides for the … Continued

Top California Colleges

Everyone knows that choosing a college can be one of the most tedious and stressful tasks for any student. It’s a tiresome period in which students struggle to select a college that suits both their personality and learning style. If you’re still unsure about where to apply, check out some information on some California colleges … Continued

The College Application Process

The college application process is one of the most stressful and daunting challenges a student will face during their high school career. Hyper-competition among selective universities has students aiming for perfect test scores and grades. These high expectations in high school not only pressure students to decide on a declared major for college but also … Continued

Writing a Successful Essay

Many students struggle with writing a successful essay, and most of those students will procrastinate and avoid writing altogether. What’s an introduction supposed to look like? How do you organize your thoughts and ideas? If you’re struggling with structuring your essay or putting your ideas to paper, then this is the guide for you.  Writing … Continued