SAT/ACT News

By Dr. Wayne Adams

Now that fall is in full swing, high school students are caught up in a frenzy of studies and activities.

MOST SENORS are in the throes of college applications and making preparations to take a final reound of SAT/ ACT Exams in December, or after the first of the year.

MANY JUNIORS are wondering about their PSAT Exam results and when they should start preparing for the real SAT and ACT Exams.

MANY SOPHOMORES have started thinking about how they will prepare for the rigors of college applications and exams in their futures.

EVERYONE is thinking about Bright Futures’ Scholarships – which can mean around $18,000 - $25,000 for tuition and some additional costs at UF, FSU, USF, UCF, and other public universities in Florida.

Plus, this award can be a powerful negotiating tool when talking with private universities inside and outside of Florida when my families know how to use it.

Shortly after the last SAT Exam, I received this email from one of my students: “The SAT went well today for me. I followed all of our plans and your mental coaching was especially effective today (I felt like I was in control and I used our vision imagining mind clearing technique). I finished every section with time left and there were very few questions I didn’t understand, so I feel great about this attempt. Thank you for all your help this far, and I look forward to our future work.”

EXAM BLUES

Also, I always receive many calls at this time about what I call the “EXAM BLUES”. The cause is that a strong student, often in IB, multiple AP classes, or dual enrolled; did not score at the level expected on their SAT or ACT Exam earliler in the fall; or on their PSAT in October.

THE GOOD NEWS

I consistently find that students respond incredibly well and improve when they become both teacher and student as in a college seminar at the junior or senior level where I am their coach. My role is to quickly help them determine where they need to work and to be a resource as they progress. Lecturing is no substitute for determining a student’s baseline level and then structuring their learning around their needs. It very satisfying to see their motivations soar when their perspective changes from “Can I do this?” to “I can do this well.” and then to “Let me show you how well I can do.” They discover that real competition is internal and - when they do their best - external results take care of themselves. Learning the strategies often result in comments like, “Cool” and “That makes it a lot easier”. More important, they learn how to “learn for a lifetime”.

REWARDING COMMENTS

“I wanted you to know that my SAT score just came back and I got a 1430. What a jump. Thanks so much for all your help with the exam, and the many ‘life lessons’ we discussed during classes.

“In one of my high school classes, the teacher asked how we had done on the ACT. My classmates were very surprised when I said ‘32’. Several asked who had helped me, and I gave them your name and phone number.” “I actually qualified for 100% Bright Futures with the ACT. Biggest surprise, Science jumped from 24 to 32.

“My college essay is far better now. Thank you!”

If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-253-0639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com.

Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve around 200 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math; and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 9 of the top 10 universities in the country, 18 of the top 25, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Naval - Air Force - Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England - and Berkley Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. He has also had three students who were National Merit Finalists. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.

3rd Annual Concert Gala- story continued from page 1 first gala was at the Westchase Golf Club, and we sold out all 175 seats. It was amazing. We showcased different young musicians, from singers to jazz dancers, drummers to choruses, and it was such an incredible, unique show. People said you’re going to need a bigger venue. Moving forward, we started holding our gala at the Bayanihan Center, a big beautiful, elegant venue.” At the last Concert Gala in September 2019, Dr. Pham said, “it was such a success and we sold out all 300 seats, and we hope to do it again this year. My guests were anxiously waiting for my next concert, and I am excited to WOW them again this year.”

On Saturday, December 3, 2022, she’s excited to return to hosting her Third Annual Charity Concert Gala, benefiting the Crisis Center, held at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center here in Westchase, at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL, from 6 – 11 pm, along with an After Party featuring live music from the amazing Red Ruckus Band.

“This is a semi-formal, get-all-dressed-up, fancy, put-your-high-heels-on-andsuit-on event. It’s going to be a sit-down dinner gala and concert, an elegant special night,” she said. “These days, it’s not that often that you get all dressed up and go to a beautiful gala, especially among the community.” Though Dr. Pham claims not to be musically inclined, she is creative and philanthropic and has an eye for talent in her Westchase community. The beauty of her story is she transformed a family tragedy into a way of honoring her young nephews and providing her community with information about depression and suicide while fundraising for the Crisis Center. “It’s so devastating and heartbreaking as a family to experience that loss. My mission for my concert is to bring awareness to teenage mental health. Somehow or another, somebody knows somebody who has been affected by mental health. It’s a really sad, difficult topic, but it’s my why for doing these concerts. I want to make people aware of the national 9-8-8 hotline for those in crisis, to spread the message that it is OK to feel sad or anxious, and that there is help and support out there. If there is one person or family that is positively affected by my concert, then I have accomplished my goal.” Dr. Pham’s concert benefits the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which answers all the suicide crisis numbers for the entire Hillsborough County with the local 211 and 988 national hotline numbers. This year marks their 50th anniversary of providing support, service, and outreach programs to those in crisis.

They have such an amazing line up of performers for the 2022 gala event to include ten-year-old Jacob Pham, of course, along with Ovations Dance Academy, The Dance Haus Dance Studio, VYB Dance Studio, Alonso High School Band and Theatre, among many other singers, contemporary and hip-hop dancers, violinists, pianists, and other performers of all ages. “I tell people it’s like America’s Got Talent right here in Tampa,” she said.

The event is familyfriendly, with the recommended age as middle school and above. Her goal is to raise $20K for the Crisis Center.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to share the stage with other talented local performers. There are so many talented people in our community that we don’t

always get to see. It makes me happy to give them this spotlight and allow them to share their talents for such a great cause. “

Tickets are available at CharityMusicConcert.simpletix.com. Tickets are $30 for ages ten and under, $45 for 11-17, and $80 for adults. Tickets need to be purchased in advance online. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

If you would like to become a business sponsor, please send an email to : DrPhamMD@yahoo.com

If you would like to make a donation to the cause, please visit: https:// square.link/u/3yiHm38q