Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Challenge yourself. Start early. Have an excellent GPA. Have excellent standardized test scores. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Volunteer. Lead

Answer: Seek out the most demanding and rigorous opportunities at your school, especially in the academic arena. It's often preferable to do well in a challenging program than to be exceptional in an average one. If your school offers advanced courses, especially those for which college credit is offered, an Ivy League school will expect you to have taken them. An example would be that working for an A in AP Physics is preferable to a straight 100 average in regular Physics.  Schools can't factor difficult teachers into their decision. They can only go off your transcript. Look for classes that will be recognized as difficult, but preferably without overly difficult grading. It's most helpful to take difficult classes and work hard in subjects you expect to continue with in college, because they'll also make good grades there easier. Aim to be a well-rounded achiever. A slacker who decides to start making good grades late in high school probably won't be admitted.  You should have a consistent history of high scholastic achievement. There are sometimes exceptions as colleges also love to see improvement. If your problems were due to circumstances beyond your control, you could attach a supplement to your application about what they were and how you succeeded in spite of them. Having a GPA in the top 5-10% of your class is essential, and being ranked among the top few students dramatically betters your chances. Keep in mind you're applying to institutions where many of the other applicants are valedictorians at their school. This is a critical part of your overall application because it's the one area where you're on equal footing with everyone else. Aim for attaining at least a 700 (out of a possible 800) points on each section of the SAT (and on individual SAT II tests), or a composite of 30 on the ACT for a reasonable chance of being admitted. Bringing these scores up to 750+ on each SAT section (meaning at least 2250 out of 2400 points in total), or a 33+ composite ACT, will give you solid scores that need not be improved.  Do not repeat the test more than three times. According to Chuck Hughes, a former senior admissions officer at Harvard, the admission panel will notice this and your repeated attempts to get a high score may come off as too focused on scores.  Get good before you take it. Take a test-preparation class or get a few books and practice. Speed and accuracy on these tests is a unique skill which needs to be learned.  Start preparing early and keep at it diligently until you can solve the problems without much thinking. Ivy Leagues want to see a well-rounded applicant who didn't lock themselves away for four years to get good grades. Join a sports team (even if it's just an intramural team), join a club or two and get involved with the theater department. Think on a national or international scale; don't just limit yourself to the opportunities in your hometown.  Spending a summer helping raise funds to build a school in Peru will mean more to them than raising funds for your local church. in the areas where you excel. Look for opportunities to take on additional recognition and responsibility as a leader. This can range from becoming class president to cheerleading captain, or even an officer for a club you participate in. Take your job as a leader seriously because the lessons you learn in this role can be the experiences that set you apart from the crowd when you write your essay or get interviewed.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Apply heat to help the mask penetrate your hair. Rinse the mask out in the shower and condition.

Answer: If desired, you may also apply heat to your hair using a hair dryer. Aim the dryer at your hair for a few minutes to open the hair cuticle and help the mask do its work. Wash out the mask in the shower, then condition your hair as normal to help remove any leftover products. You can shampoo as well, although if your hair is really dry, shampooing might draw out even more moisture. Use this mask once a week to ensure your hair stays healthy and smooth.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Organize your notes and files into categories. Write your assignment due dates in a planner. Prioritize your assignments. Plan ahead for lower-priority assignments.

Answer: Procrastinating is easy if your notes are such a mess that you can't find anything you need! Take the time to organize your notes and files. Keep one binder or file folder for each class, and put your notes and assignments in chronological order. Go through your class schedule or syllabus and record every due date in a planner. You can use a paper planner, an online calendar, or even an app on your phone. If you're prone for forgetfulness, put your calendar on your phone and set it to alert you before assignments are due. Not all assignments are equally urgent! If you have several assignments due at once, list them in order of urgency in your planner. Assignments that are due the next day or are for subjects you struggle with should be scheduled for the earliest dates. Do these assignments first! Schedule time in the future for assignments that aren't due for awhile or will be very easy for you to finish. Write down a time in your planner to finish each assignment. For example, if you have an English essay due in one month, you can schedule two hours a week to work on it until it's finished.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Get an internship at a wedding planning company. Volunteer at a wedding planning company if you have limited time. Plan free events for family and friends. Apply for entry-level jobs at public relations or event planning firms. Take classes in photography and wedding design. Check out wedding planning blogs, books, and websites. Take business or marketing courses if you are in college.

Answer:
Visit the websites of different wedding planning companies to see if they have any internship opportunities available. If you can’t find one, apply to a banquet or event planning internship at a major hotel to get some relevant experience.  Make sure your cover letter and resume are well written and up to date. If you’re interested in a particular company but can’t find any internship opportunities with them, don’t be afraid to reach out. Just make sure you’ve given their website a thorough search first. Internships can be extremely time consuming. If you’re working a full-time job while trying to learn the ropes of the industry, ask to volunteer as an intern at a reputable company a few times a week. It’s free work for them, and valuable experience for you! Experience is super important, so if you can’t get an internship or just want more practice, offer to plan birthdays, weddings, and parties for family and friends, free of charge. Treat these people like clients. It’s good practice for your future career, plus they can be valuable references down the line. Take pictures of the events so you can start building your portfolio. These jobs can help you develop your event planning and client management skills, both of which are key to breaking into the wedding planning business. As a wedding planner, you’ll need to help the couple pick out the decorations, the cake, and the wedding photographer. Taking classes in floral design, cake design, and photography can prepare you to make top notch decisions. Take online classes or see what’s available in your community. Read, read, read. While there’s nothing like learning from experience, reading advice from other professionals can give you valuable insights, tips, and tricks.   The FabJob Guide to Become a Wedding Planner by Catherine Goulet & Jan Riddell is a great book for beginners. Wedding Planning and Management by Carrie Loveless & Maggie Daniel has useful information about the planning process, plus some good case studies.  Check out blogs like Bayside Bride and Snippet and Ink for style inspiration.  Visit Brenda’s Wedding Blog for a vendor guide, creative wedding decor and food ideas, and marketing tips: http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/blogs/. As a wedding planner, you’ll be running a business, so a solid understanding of business is helpful. A degree in Communications, Public Relations, or Business can help equip you with the management and business skills that you’ll need in the wedding planning industry.  You can also take classes at your local community college or online. Don’t worry if you can’t take business classes. They’re helpful, but not necessary. Practical experience trumps all!