About Sarah
My name is Sarah, and I am an incoming freshman at MIT who will be studying computer science and entrepreneurship. I recently experienced the college admissions process, earning admission to 17 universities (including Columbia, Brown, Vanderbilt, Duke, Georgia Tech, etc) and accumulating over 3 million dollars in merit-based scholarships. I have attended one of the most highly-ranked private high schools in the nation for the past four years, earning distinction as one of the top ten students of my graduating class; have obtained a perfect score on SAT math and a near-perfect score on SAT English & Grammar; and have received both the Coca Cola Scholarship (awarded to 150 out of 91,000 applicants) and the LinkedIn Tech Scholarship (given to 40 students in the country).
The college admissions process has become extraordinarily competitive and complex in the past few years. As someone whose parents were not familiar with this college admissions process, I had to conduct several hundreds of hours worth of research as I searched for the best universities and scholarship opportunities. As I spent months attending college admission seminars, reading past successful essays, perusing university websites, and reading over professional guidelines to prepare for the admissions cycle, I gained a thorough understanding of the process’ complexities. After experiencing the process myself and observing the triumphs and shortcomings of those around me, I finally understood the key to the college admissions process for all the high achieving students who were struggling to gain acceptances to the nation’s best universities. It is not primarily about how successful or accomplished your child is, but about how they differentiate themselves and tell their unique story. It is about showing admission officers that they are the perfect “fit” for their university and about helping them to envision your child thriving on their campus.
I am here to help your child navigate the college process and present themselves as best as possible. Whether it is gaining admission to a private high school in preparation for college, studying for the SAT and PSAT, deciding which universities to apply to, crafting ideas for their personal statement or supplemental essays, helping them identify and apply to scholarships, or simply revising essays they have written, I am at their disposal in whichever way you need. I look forward to working with you and assisting your child in this journey!
Classes
I will offer 3 packages in 2023: College/Scholarship Application Advising, SAT/PSAT Test Preparation, and High School Entrance Exam Readiness (HSPT, SSAT, etc.)
-Each Package includes a complimentary meeting to define objectives for the package and to create tailored session plans for the student(s). A personalized schedule will be coordinated to ensure that each student is adequately prepared in time for their standardized tests (SAT, PSAT, HSPT, SSAT, etc) or in time for their college applications.
-The College/Scholarship Application Advising Class will consist of individualized guidance on college selection, application strategies, essay drafting and editing, resume building, scholarship search and applications, and interview preparation. A key focus of this package will be on personal branding and storytelling, helping students to present themselves in a compelling and authentic way to admission officers.
-The SAT/PSAT Test Preparation Class will cover all areas of the tests, including Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. The curriculum will be tailored to each student’s strengths and weaknesses, with a strong focus on test-taking strategies, time management, and mastering the type of questions commonly seen on these exams. Students will be given ample practice with real SAT/PSAT tests under timed conditions.
-The High School Entrance Exam Readiness Package is designed to prepare students for the HSPT, SSAT, and other high school entrance exams. The classes will cover all tested subjects and include test-taking strategies, timed practice tests, and personalized feedback on performance.
-Classes are provided online using Zoom, Facetime, or Google Meet. An IPad on the latest software update is recommended for most-efficient interactions.
-Days and times are to be coordinated with the teacher. However, the full package must be taken within the defined time frame of ten weeks. A consistent and disciplined approach is key to maximizing the benefits of these packages.
-Classes are designed to be interactive and engaging, with teaching methods tailored to each student’s learning style. Regular feedback will be provided to ensure students are making progress and to address any areas of difficulty.
-Parental involvement is encouraged, and regular updates will be provided to keep parents informed of their child’s progress.
Waiver
The teacher does not make any guarantee of any future results, rewards, success, or achievements as part of the tutoring package.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of the tutoring and/or advising sessions depends greatly on the effort, dedication, commitment, and past academic experiences of the student. While the teacher will provide comprehensive instruction and support during classes, the ultimate outcome of the sessions will be influenced by the student’s individual effort and engagement in the learning process. In regards to the advising sessions, no guarantee of admission to any specific college or university will be made. While the teacher will provide the necessary guidance, tools, and support to optimize the student’s college applications, the outcome largely depends on the student’s past accomplishments, qualifications, and experiences, as well as the general competitiveness of the applicant pool. The success of both the tutoring and advising sessions relies on the student’s active participation, practice, and willingness to learn and improve. It is important for the student to come prepared for each session, complete assigned tasks, practice outside of the sessions, and actively engage in the learning activities provided by the teacher.
