FAQ
Learn more about us, our approach, and our founder.
What types of colleges have your advisees gotten into?
My students have earned admission to Harvard Medical School, the Ivies, NESCACs, and UCs all the way to community college. Some of my students realize they want to take a gap year. I firmly believe students end up where they are supposed to, even if it's not the "dream school" that they initially envisioned. Trusting the process is important.
How do you help with a college essay?
Similar to writing a cover letter, the college essay is a very specific type of writing that many students are not used to. In addition, there are several tropes and "no-no" categories that students must be coached away from. With years of experience, I am able to extract from students their very best stories and composition skills to ensure they are representing their optimal selves to admissions. Finally, I help students edit "just enough" (it's an art) so that the essay is not too worked-over and still retains a youthful voice—as it should.
How do you know so much about colleges?
I have been a college consultant for about 10 years, during which time I've just about seen it all! From in-person visits to deep research, all the way to proactive networking, I remain on the cutting-edge of what's going on in the college world—even amid a (sometimes wacky) post-Covid climate.
Another parent said you're different than other college consultants/tutors. How so?
It's no secret that pockets of the college consulting world can be seedy. (Did you see Varsity Blues on Netflix?) However, I am a professor and educator before I am a "college consultant," and I treat my students as students—not clients. We operate on an hourly basis, no fancy packages or minimums, because students are individuals; anyone who is a teacher understands that you can't put one-size-fits-all packages on young people. My team and I are paid for time spent, and not a penny more. Plus, built into working with us, you get young adults who actually care about you/your child and who will write back to panic texts as soon as humanly possible. We have relationships with all our students, and their problems are our problems. We go above and beyond, 100% of the time.
I hear that many colleges are reinstating the SAT/ACT requirement. What's your philosophy on test prep?
Regarding the whole standardized test climate, there really isn't an easy answer. Yes, some schools are implementing mandatory SAT/ACT submission (MIT and the Florida state school system come to mind). However, others are moving to a "test-blind" policy, whereby they do not even view the test scores (WPI and the UC system, for instance). It's important to consider a student's goals for college, their GPA, and their potential "ceiling" for how high they can perform on their chosen test. These factors will help us all decide the right path forward.
You teach at two universities, manage a team of 13, and tutor & consult yourself. How do you have the time?
I'm an academic weapon!