Kiley A.

Kiley A. teaches SAT/ACT Writing and leads College Application Workshops at Elite Prep Rowland Heights. As the Elite Community Scholars Coordinator, he also works to spread this college preparation guidance to low-income, first-generation students who may not otherwise have access to such support. Above all, he wants his students to know the far-reaching power of their own self-assurance.

Articles by Kiley A.

College Admissions
7 Things Sophomores Can Do to Prepare for College
Tenth grade may seem a little early to think about college, but doing so can give you a real advantage when it comes time to fill out those college applications. Here are a few action steps you can take right now, this year, to make sure you are on track.
September 12, 2020Kiley A.
College Admissions
Colleges Are Looking At Your Instagram
When was the last time you looked at your own online presence? Not just the latest Instagram “story” you posted, but the entire constructed story of your virtual persona. How might all your comments and posts, in their gloriously incomplete representation of you, be interpreted by a stranger?
January 14, 2020Kiley A.
College Admissions
7 Great Ways to Develop Your Leadership Skills
Leadership can teach you all sorts of helpful skills and result in a significant impact, sometimes on just one other person and others, on the entire world.
November 26, 2019Kiley A.
The Parent's Role in Preparing for the SAT or ACT
If approached with care, test preparation can actually be a constructive, rewarding experience. Here are some suggestions for supporting your teen in getting ready for the SAT or ACT.
October 27, 2019Kiley A.
Study Tips
4 Benefits of Setting Academic and Personal Goals
Once your goals emerge, you will be on your way to living your best life. Let’s look at some key benefits you’re likely to experience by setting goals.
May 30, 2019Kiley A.
College Admissions
What High School Juniors Should Be Doing to Prepare for College
With a little organization and planning, you can handle junior year. Here are seven things you can do to smooth your road to college.
April 25, 2019Kiley A.
ACT SAT
6 Things to Do After Taking the SAT or ACT
So now that you’ve finally taken the test (and hopefully recuperated from any dizziness from the ride), here are six ideas for where to put your focus next.
March 24, 2019Kiley A.
AP Classes
How Many AP Classes is Enough?
There’s no doubt that AP classes offer a number of benefits. But how many AP classes should you take?
March 10, 2019Kiley A.
College Admissions
10 College Interview Questions and How to Prepare for Them
Meeting with a college representative, who’s often an alumni, is a great way for you to demonstrate interest in a school, gather more information, and nudge your admissions chances in the right direction. To ensure you showcase your best, true self, here are the top 10 college interview questions an
December 24, 2018Kiley A.
College Admissions
Does Getting Less than a 1500 on the SAT Mean I'll Never Get into a Good School?
With all the pressure from family and peers swirling around, it’s common to stress about SAT scores and getting into college. Plus, admissions is getting more and more competitive each year, so you may be wondering, can you get into a good school these days with less than a 1500 on the SAT?
December 10, 2018Kiley A.
College Admissions
7 Tips for Answering the University of California Personal Insight Questions
The UC admissions staff wants to know who you are, and they want to understand your background and life circumstances so that they can better interpret the rest of your application. Through the UC Personal Insight Questions, you have the opportunity to fill them in…
October 29, 2018Kiley A.
SAT
Are Some SAT Test Dates Easier Than Others?
The main purpose of the SAT is to provide a fair, “standardized” means of evaluating students, offsetting any inherent variations among various high school class difficulty levels and teacher grading styles…
October 2, 2018Kiley A.
SAT Test Prep
How to Develop Positive Relationships with Your Teachers
Sometimes being a student can feel a little more like being an audience member in a show you’d probably rather get a refund for, except that you can’t because you’re mandated by law (and probably your parents) to be in class five days a week where you are expected to pay attention, complete assignme
June 5, 2018Kiley A.
SAT Test Prep
When Should I Take the SAT?
Although you have considerable freedom regarding when to take the SAT, being strategic could help you achieve your best score, not to mention save you some money. The decision of “when” depends mostly on two things: your academic situation and your preparedness. Here are some considerations to help
April 16, 2018Kiley A.
SAT Test Prep
How Important is Vocabulary on the SAT?
The SAT is known for testing difficult vocabulary, or so-called “SAT words,” so studying for the SAT tends to evoke images of long lists of definitions and teetering stacks of flashcards. However, the latest version of the SAT (updated in 2016) no longer tests high-level words in isolated vocabulary
March 26, 2018Kiley A.
College Admissions
Do I Need to Know My Major Before Applying to College?
November 6, 2017Kiley A.
College Application
Am I Oversharing in My College Essays?
October 25, 2017Kiley A.
SAT Study Tips
4 Great Techniques for Handling Test-Day Stress
September 13, 2017Kiley A.
Study Tips
6 Ways to Stay Engaged in Class
May 12, 2017Kiley A.
College Admissions
Dealing with College Decisions: Why Rejection Isn't the End of the World, but More Like the Opposite
April 14, 2017Kiley A.
SAT Writing
7 Ways to Boost Clarity and Upgrade Your SAT Essay
February 9, 2017Kiley A.