Learning a language is complex and ongoing. You are never completely done! To achieve the high scores on the TOEFl and IELTS that are necessary for admission to college or university takes time and preparation. Test practice is very important to practice your speed and timing, but in between here are some tips to raise your general level of English.

• Increase your background knowledge through reading, listening and studying both in English and your own language.  High school students taking the TOEFL or IELTS are at a disadvantage because they have less general knowledge than adults.  All the sections are based around academic concepts and situations.  The more general knowledge you have, the more connections and comprehension you have. How you acquire the knowledge is less important than learning it, so watching You-Tube videos and reading articles in English and your own language are valuable.  
• Learn more about subjects that interest you, but also choose subjects that you know nothing about. 
• Great resources for increasing your background knowledge:
  • Ted Talks
  • Smarter Every Day
  • Phys
  • National Geographic
  • Smithsonian Magazine
  • A major newspaper such as The New York Times

What you can do to prepare if you want to major in voice:

You top priority should be building vocal and musical skills:

1. Join choirs in school, places of worship, and the community.
2. Get a private voice teacher who can guide you throughout your vocal development and help you prepare repertoire for pre screening recordings and auditions.
3. Gain solo experience by participating in school or extracurricular musical theatre productions.
4. Attend a summer voice program designed for high school students for further experience and training
5. Take piano lessons to develop your basic knowledge of music theory
6. Take dance or acting lessons – or join a community group which will be essential if you want to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Majoring in Music – what kind of degree should I pursue?

Do you want a specialized conservatory style program that focuses on the training needed for a professional performance career? Then look at BM programs.  Do you want to have more career options after you graduate?  Then look at BA degrees where you will be required to take more general liberal arts classes and may be allowed to double major or even double degree with another subject. Although, it may be challenging to complete double  programs in four years without taking classes in the summer. 

Here is a brief description of music degree options:

• BM (Bachelor of Music). This is a conservatory style performance degree and can focus on training in classical, jazz, and contemporary music.  BM  graduates  become free-lance performers and recording artists and members of orchestras and chamber groups.  Many graduates may choose to go to graduate programs to continue to build skills and develop their artistry. 

• BA (Bachelor of Arts) in Music. A BA gives students the flexibility to study music as well as other areas of interest. About one third of classes are in music. allowing space for a concentration or minor in a related or separate field which can lead to more career opportunities after graduation.

Music business or arts management are very popular related options.

• BME (Bachelor of Music Education). This is a music degree for elementary or secondary vocal music teachers and choir and directors and graduates are trained to go right into classroom music teaching and ensemble conducting.

• BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) This degree is offered at some universities  for  Music Theater.   BFA/BA Music Theater graduates audition for and may be hired by regional theater companies, touring companies, cruise ships, theme parks,  and maybe even Broadway.

• BMT (Bachelor of Music Therapy) This degree combines talent and interest in music with medicine and working with patients.  BMT majors often apply for internships at medical clinics and residential facilities.

Research schools and programs thoroughly before applying. 

Snapshot of The University of Hawaii at Manoa

Located in the residential Manoa Valley in Honolulu, Oahu, the expansive University of Hawaii at Manoa boasts a stunning backdrop of a forested mountain ridge. The campus is an accredited arboretum, which extends more than 300 acres and has extensive gardens with lovely flowering trees and colorful tropical flowers. The student population is extremely diverse and many commute from home. Adventure-seeking students love the location for its accessibility to mountains for hiking and ocean for water sports. This flagship university is one of only four US schools that is a land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant institution. These designations provide the university with funding, for example, for agriculture and engineering programs as well as for research in ocean conservation, space, and sustainable and environmentally friendly energy alternatives.

Campus Vibe:

• True to the reputation of the state, students report a laid back social atmosphere
• Given that the temperature hovers around a tropical 78 degrees make sure you don’t forget your flip-flops, shorts, and T-shirts!
• Expect to see many students coasting around campus on longboards or skateboards
• UH is also considered, in many school rankings, as a great environment for outdoors sports and adventure! Students appreciate the nearby mountainous state forest reserve with its trail network and fabulous view of Honolulu (as well as various other hidden gems within the tree’s…)

Food and Life on Campus:

• The University has a diverse student population with a large number (over 50%) of Asian descent and Native Hawaiian students
• With a mere 24% of students living on campus, UH is known to be a commuter school
• About 50% of classes have fewer than 20 students
• More than 60% if the student population is female
• First years are guaranteed housing if you apply in May
• The campus is reputed to be sleepy after dark and on weekends
• The Greek community is a scant 1% of the population
• There are over 200 recreational activities available, including sailing, surfing, kayaking, hiking, as well as snorkeling and are popular student activities
• Along with dining halls, local vendors offer delicious Hawaiian specialities. Enjoy 16 flavors of shaved ice at the Just Ice Food Truck, and super fresh poke bowls at Ono Seafood
• Sistah Truck, serving popular Korean-inspired local cuisine, rotates between different buildings during the week
• Students also talk excitedly about Kanikapila, which is a popular festival of Hawaiian music, dance, and culture!

Noteworthy Programs & Tips on Academics:

• Classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a top tier research institution (Research 1), UH at Manoa has excellent programs in such fields as oceanography, astronomy, Pacific Islands and Asian Area Studies, linguistics, cancer research, and genetics
• The Hawai’inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge – the sole US college of indigenous knowledge in a Research 1 institution – offers undergraduate and graduate degrees

• Faculty and students at the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technologies conduct research on topics such as renewable energy, oceanography, coral reef ecology, volcanology, remote sensing, tropical meteorology, and climate modeling. Undergraduates can major in atmospheric studies, earth science, and environmental sciences. Students receive training on SOEST’s specialized facilities, an impressive fleet of research vessels, deep-ocean observatories, and field and research stations.
• The Shidler College of Business emphasizes international business with a specific Asia-Pacific focus.
• In the tropical agriculture program at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, among other studies, students conduct research on the interaction between agriculture and the environment with a focus on the tropics. 
• Students gravitate to UH for Asian studies as well as Pacific Island studies. The School of Pacific and Asian Studies helps coordinate more than 300 faculty who teach roughly 600 courses related to Asia and the Pacific across the campus.

• Faculty and students at the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technologies conduct research on topics such as renewable energy, oceanography, coral reef ecology, volcanology, remote sensing, tropical meteorology, and climate modeling. Undergraduates can major in atmospheric studies, earth science, and environmental sciences. Students receive training on SOEST’s specialized facilities, an impressive fleet of research vessels, deep-ocean observatories, and field and research stations.
• The Shidler College of Business emphasizes international business with a specific Asia-Pacific focus.
• In the tropical agriculture program at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, among other studies, students conduct research on the interaction between agriculture and the environment with a focus on the tropics. 
• Students gravitate to UH for Asian studies as well as Pacific Island studies. The School of Pacific and Asian Studies helps coordinate more than 300 faculty who teach roughly 600 courses related to Asia and the Pacific across the campus.

University Lore:

• An Echochamber on campus? Go to the top level of the main parking structure adjacent to the law school, find the circle of bricks, stand in the middle, and speak, shout, or sing! You’ll be treated to your own voice echoed back.
• A castle in Korea inspired the design, by Korean architects, of the Center for Korean Studies. The building was constructed in Korea, shipped in pieces to Oahu, and reassembled on campus.

Getting around Campus and Beyond:

• Commuters arrive at school by bus, car, rideshare and bike.
• For a nice off-campus treat, Morning Glass Coffee & Cafe is a step up from Starbucks
• Housed in a tiny hole in the wall walking distance from campus, Ahi Assassins Fish serves the freshest and best poke bowl around. Get there early, there is usually a line out the door!

Applying from another country? Here’s what you need to know!

• Students at UH at Manoa represent 115 countries and regions.
• The International Student Services office gives orientations and guides those coming from abroad through visa clearance and other requirements.
• The International Student Association provides a support system for students coming from abroad, offering academic assistance, leadership development, social opportunities, and a chance to explore issues and places in Hawaii.
• The Hawaiʻi English Language Program (HELP) provides extra English language instruction for students whose first language is not English. Some  students attend this program if they are admitted to UH at Manoa conditionally if they have not demonstrated sufficient English proficiency.

Quick Facts:

• Total enrollment: 17,490; undergraduate enrollment: 12,.631
• The acceptance rate is 83%.
• Division 1 sports college in the Mountain West Conference.
• Member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, allowing students in Western states to request reduced tuition costs
• The university has two official languages: Hawaiian and English. Students graduate with a bilinguar diploma.
• The University of Hawaii has its own marine research island called Coconut Island, which is less than a mile off the coast of Oahu.
• The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources was founded in 1907 as the first college of UH at Manoa.

The SAT, ACT and other standardized admissions tests such as the TOEFL and IELTS required for university applications, have all been impacted by the Coronavirus, just like every other part of our daily lives around the world.

Here is a quick update for the testing information. Of course, check the website for each test organization for the most up-to-date information at bestfitedu.com

SAT and Subject Tests:

• Exams in April and May are canceled
• June 6th: The SAT test is still scheduled for this date, but a decision will be made in consultation with test centers about the feasibility following the public health situation. You will be able to reschedule and get a refund if you are already signed up for this test date and it is canceled.
• New U.S. and international test administrations will be added to makeup for the canceled administrations. The college board is looking at creative solutions to respond to the increased demand.
• Updates will be provided on their school website as soon as the public health situation allows. We’re looking at a range of creative solutions to address increased demand and are in direct conversations with states and districts about School Day administrations. Throughout, we’ll continue to place a special focus on students with fee waivers and those with accommodations
• If, unfortunately, schools cannot reopen in the Fall, we are pursuing innovative ways to ensure all students can still take the SAT this Fall. We’ll provide updates about those plans if they become necessary

http://pages.collegeboard.org/sat-covid-19-updates

ACT:

• In the U.S., the April 4th date was rescheduled to June 13th (but may-be canceled) and the July 18th test is still scheduled. Find the latest updates below. http://www.act.org/content/act/en/covid-19/html
• Internationally, ACT has rescheduled its April 3rd & 4th dates to June 12th & 13th. The latest updates for international students can be found below. http://global.act.org/content/global/en/covid-19-international.html?_ga=2.81889055.840856585.1586213929-2143092579.1585867577

TOEFL:

• TOEFL has temporarily moved to an at-home format. the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test, which is available everywhere that TOEFL iBT testing is usually available, except in Mainland China and Iran
• ETS is working with NEEA in Mainland Chine to assist test takers affected by test cancellations. Additional test dates will be added once regular testing resumes.
• This new at-home test format has the identical content, format, screen experience, and scoring to the TOEFL iBT test that is taken at a test center. Live-remote proctors along with artificial intelligence technology will monitor at-home tests

Follow this link to learn more

IELTS:

• IELTS testing has been suspended in many locations, following official requirements of each country’s health care authorities
• In the locations where tests have been canceled, detailed plans are being put in place to ensure that test-takers are able to take their tests as soon as possible once the official restrictions are lifted
• At this point, testing is continuing where it is permitted and still safe, however, the situation is changing very quickly and it is possible that testing in other locations will be canceled with very short notice.
• If you have signed up for a test, contact IELTS organization to register for a future date or receive a refund

Follow this link to learn more

How do you choose which school to attend?

This year it will be very difficult to determine which of the schools on your list of acceptances are the best fit for you. Usually, we encourage in-person visits to any school you haven’t toured so far, but this year that approach is just not possible and you will need to be creative and resourceful.

Here are some ways to approach this decision:

• Stay Informed. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) has provided an up-to-date online tool as a resource for students and families to find information about changes in college admission events, and deposit dates; these have all been impacted as a result of the CoronaVirus pandemic. Click here for more information
• Connect with the college representative and counselors. Visit the school website for current information from admissions
• Follow the school’s various social media platforms to learn what other future and current students are saying about the school
• Take Virtual Tours and attend virtual accepted students events to remind yourself of the college’s special programs and opportunities. Remind yourself of the reasons you applied to the school in the first place
• Wait-Listed? Don’t count on getting off the waitlist of your reach school. Although many colleges have created longer waitlists and there may be more movement off the waitlist than in normal years, our advice is to embrace your current choices and commit to one of the school on your list of acceptances by the deadline. Remember all of the schools you selected are best-fit colleges for your short list
• Contact Financial Aid offices in mid-April with any appeals to your financial package. This is your opportunity to negotiate for more aid, especially if your financial situation has changed due to COVID-19