---
title: Online SAT / ACT Prep Blog by PrepScholar | Melissa Brinks (4)
description: Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education. (4)
---

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## Melissa Brinks

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

### Recent Posts

## [How to Get Help With Your College Application](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-application-help)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | February 21, 2019

[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_support-1.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-application-help) 

 College applications can be both difficult and stressful, especially if you don’t have someone in your life who’s familiar with the process. **But there are all kinds of resources for college application help—you just have to know where to look.**

Not all help with the college application process is created equal. Some are a little too hands-on, which can mean your application doesn’t sound like you. Others may not offer the kind of help you need. **When you’re looking for assistance, you need services that help boost your own skills, not ones that do the work for you.**

It’s perfectly okay to get college application help. **This guide will walk you through some options for assistance, including what you should seek help for, what you** ***shouldn’t*, and some of the best places to find reliable assistance with your college application.**

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-application-help)

---

 

## [Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos: The Modes of Persuasion and How to Use Them](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ethos-pathos-logos-kairos-modes-of-persuasion)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | February 3, 2019

[General Education](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/general-education)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_megaphone.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ethos-pathos-logos-kairos-modes-of-persuasion)

**Ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos all stem from rhetoric—that is, speaking and writing effectively.** You might find the concepts in courses on rhetoric, psychology, English, or in just about any other field!

The concepts of ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos are also called the modes of persuasion, ethical strategies, or rhetorical appeals. They have a lot of different applications ranging from everyday interactions with others to big political speeches to effective advertising.

**Read on to learn about what the modes of persuasion are, how they’re used, and how to identify them!**

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ethos-pathos-logos-kairos-modes-of-persuasion)

---

 

## [100 Easy Drawing Ideas to Spark Your Inspiration](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cool-easy-drawing-ideas)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | February 2, 2019

[General Education](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/general-education)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_pencil-1.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cool-easy-drawing-ideas)

Whether you’re an experienced artist or a beginner, one thing’s for sure: **drawing ideas are hard to come by.** Though it might be tempting to wait for the inspiration to strike you, many people recommend spending some time drawing every day to build your skills! **You don’t have to produce a masterpiece every day, but investing just a little time in honing your skills can make a big difference over time.**

But that raises the obvious question of *what* you’re going to draw. **Rather than letting yourself get frozen with indecision, let this list of cool drawing ideas be your guide!**

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/cool-easy-drawing-ideas)

---

 

## [5 Tips for Writing an Incredible FSU Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/fsu-essay-prompt)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | January 14, 2019

[College Essays](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-essays)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_fsu.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/fsu-essay-prompt)

Florida State University, or FSU, is a top-100 school and [ranked number three in Florida Colleges](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/fl). With a [25 percent acceptance rating](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/FSU-admission-requirements), they’re considered to be a competitive school. That means you’ll need to impress them in your application, and a well-written FSU essay is one great way to go about it!

**This guide will walk you through the FSU essay, including whether or not writing one is the right choice for you.**

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/fsu-essay-prompt)

---

 

## [Transfer Student Requirements: What Do Universities Look For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-universities-look-for-in-a-transfer-student)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | December 25, 2018

[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_university.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-universities-look-for-in-a-transfer-student)

Being a transfer student has benefits, but it can be even harder to navigate than applying as a freshman straight out of high school. Transfer student requirements can be tricky to figure out, as many college application guides are written with freshmen in mind.

Despite the difficulty, being a transfer student is worth it. Whether you want to transfer because you're ready to move from community college to a four-year university or because your school isn't the right fit, **this guide will help you learn what colleges look for in transfer students and how to make your application more appealing to colleges.**

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-universities-look-for-in-a-transfer-student)

---

 

## [College Interview Attire: What to Wear to Your Interview](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-to-wear-to-a-college-interview)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | December 8, 2018

[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_interview-3.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-to-wear-to-a-college-interview)

As if college applications aren't stressful enough, an interview with the admissions department can ramp anxiety up to eleven. Though an interview is a great way to make a lasting impression, it also introduces some new things to worry about in addition to your application, such as what you're supposed to wear.

**Like all parts of the college application process, you want to make a good impression, but also be yourself**. Not everyone is a fashion maven, and there are additional barriers for students experiencing academic hardship.

If you have questions about what to wear to a college interview, you're in luck—we've got answers. **From how to style yourself to how to afford business casual on a budget, this guide will help you look sharp and feel confident during your college interview**.

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-to-wear-to-a-college-interview)

---

 

## [How to Be Successful in High School: Complete Guide](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-be-successful-in-high-school-tips)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | November 24, 2018

[Other High School](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/other-high-school)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/body_eleventh.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-be-successful-in-high-school-tips)

There's a lot of pressure in high school to prepare for the future, but between classes, extracurriculars, and trying to have a social life, thinking about what comes after high school can feel like being told to climb a mountain with no help.

**Instead of fixating on the future, success in high school means thinking about what you can do *now***. Being on top of things in high school is a great foundation for success in the future.

But what does being successful mean? How can you get started today? What should you worry about, and what should you let slide?

**This guide will help you learn how to be successful in high school no matter where you are in your education**. With tips and goals to strive for, you'll be prepared for the future at any point in high school—it's never too late to start getting a plan together.

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-be-successful-in-high-school-tips)

---

 

## [Here's Exactly What to Wear on Your College Visit or Tour](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-to-wear-on-a-college-visit-tour)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | November 21, 2018

[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/body_outfit4.jpeg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-to-wear-on-a-college-visit-tour)

A college tour is one of the best opportunities you have to learn about what a campus is really like. Reading promotional material, or even student blogs, isn't the same as seeing and experiencing it for yourself, but, like any other aspect of applying to college, you need to make sure you're prepared for a college visit—and that means wearing the right outfit!

Most of the time, dressing for a college tour is a casual affair. **But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider the best way to go about it—comfort and classiness are key**.

**This guide will walk you through the best way to dress for many different college visit scenarios**. A bit of planning will help you have the best possible experience, as well as prepare you for interviews, auditions, and just exploring your dream campus. Read on to find out how!

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-to-wear-on-a-college-visit-tour)

---

 

## [What Are the Best Questions to Ask at a College Fair?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/questions-to-ask-at-a-college-fair)

![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/melissa.jpg)

Posted by [Melissa Brinks](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/melissa-brinks) | October 26, 2018

[College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions)

[![summary image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/feature_fair.jpg)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/questions-to-ask-at-a-college-fair)

A college fair may not feature popcorn and carnival rides—sorry, folks!—but they *are *a great source of information for prospective college students. Coming prepared with a detailed plan, including a list of questions to ask at a college fair, will make sure you get the most out of your experience. This is often your first chance to meet with a school's representatives, so use that time wisely!

[Read More](https://blog.prepscholar.com/questions-to-ask-at-a-college-fair)

---

 

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