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Welcome to the first edition of ICON+’s University Access Newsletter. You are receiving this e-newsletter because you inquired about our test prep and/or admissions consulting services.

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We hope you enjoy this edition, and wish you the best of luck with your university application process!
 

1. Our Stamford Court, City Hall branch is scheduled to open in September!

Visit us at:
61 Stamford Road
Stamford Court #01-01

2. Reduction in prices of TOEFL & IELTS Full Prep Courses and TOEFL & IELTS Personal Training Programs. To learn more, click here and navigate the links on the left.

3. New College Admissions Workshops (6 interactive lessons of 3 hours each to put together a successful application package) beginning October, 2009

4. New Test Prep Courses: SAT II Subject Tests (Math Levels 1 & 2, Literature), LSAT and MCAT

5. Test Prep Books now available for purchase at the ICON+ Online Store

6. Blog, Forum, and Monthly Contest available in ICONmunity

When I think back to my sophomore year of high school (secondary 4 in Singapore-speak), my mind flutters. I look back and find: dusty images of ancient Egyptian history, late night cram sessions until 4:00 am; fierce competition within close friendships - and, most of all - a blinding obsession with the Harvard brand.

There's nothing wrong with Harvard. Or Princeton, or Oxford, or any one of the world's famous academic institutions. The students at these schools have amazing talents, the teaching and research facilities are ingenious; of course the resources available to students are top notch.

I'll even admit this: Harvard's crimson sweaters are pretty snazzy. Actually, there are so many things right with these prestigious universities that I can't possibly do them justice here.

But a decade later, I find myself in question:

Why was I so hypnotized by the Harvard brand that I turned my snobby nose up at the other 4,000+ colleges and universities in the US? Why did I drastically limit my social life, physical activity, and leisure in order to look perfect on paper? Was getting into Harvard and only Harvard more important than my health and happiness?

Read the full article.

Consistency, expressing ideas logically, using clear and precise language, and following conventions are areas for common mistakes on the SAT I Writing Section. Click here to read examples.

School Type:
Private, Co-ed, Urban, NCAA Division III

Location:
Greenwich Village in New York City

Size and Student Body:
• 21,000+ Undergraduate
• 17,000+ Graduate
• 40% Men
• 8% International

Admissions:
• Fall 2010 Application Deadline: January 1, 2010
• Applicants Admitted: 32%
• 68% in top 10% of graduating class
• SAT I Range for Middle 50% of First Year Students:
           SAT Critical Reading 620-720
           SAT Math 630-720
           SAT Writing 620-720 

Cost:
• In-State/Out-of-State Tuition & Fees US$38,765
• Room, board, and other expenses US$15,028
• Total US$53,793

Highlights:
Located in the very heart of Manhattan, NYU drums to a unique, vibrant rhythm. It graduates highly globalized world citizens, making use of its 11 campuses overseas including a complete liberal-arts campus in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and boasting one of the highest percentages of international students among US colleges and universities. The institution is highly regarded for its programs in business, law, the sciences, and the performing arts.

Go to NYU’s website.

Source: http://www.collegeboard.com/

Both the TOEFL iBt and TOEFL PBT examine your knowledge of English in an academic setting. However, they have different formats.

TOEFL iBT measures reading, listening, speaking and writing skills and takes approximately 4½ hours. TOEFL PBT measures listening, structure (grammar), reading and writing and takes approximately 3½ hours.

Read more.

ICON+ welcomes feedback or suggestions for next month’s newsletter.  Please contact natsuko@icon-plus.com.