FAQ

DO YOU OFFER IN-PERSON TUTORING?

Yes. In addition to providing tutoring and essay consulting online, I am also available for in-person individual meetings with students near Sherman Oaks, California, including Studio City, Beverly Glen, Encino, and Van Nuys. At this time, our group classes are only available online.

CAN WE TRY ONE SESSION BEFORE COMMITTING TO MORE?

Yes. I offer a discounted 1st session for online as well as in-person meetings. If you decide that I’m not a good match for you, that would be our only meeting.  If, on the other hand, you feel like I am a good match and would like to sign up for weekly tutoring or essay coaching, you would just be committing to one month at a time.  You can cancel anytime. In addition, if you only need to meet part of a month (because your SAT/ACT is coming up or your college essay is almost complete), we can modify the monthly schedule accordingly.  I don’t want students to have to pay for hours that they don’t need.

WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS?

If you are interested in individual tutoring or essay coaching, please reach out by phone or email to schedule a free consultation.  I will ask you about your test-prep or essay goals, your learning style, and your timeline. Based on your responses, I will suggest the options that seem best-suited to your goals. When you feel ready to move forward, we can schedule a first session.

HOW DOES A GROUP CLASS WORK?

Group classes are ideal for students seeking a detailed overview of the strategies for success on the SAT, ACT, or College Essay.  If you are interested in a group class, please reach out to let us know your available times and test-date/deadline.  We will send you an email with group class options, and, once you decide, we will send you the Zoom link for the first class. Group classes deliver 8 hours of instruction over the course of 4 weeks.

WHEN SHOULD I BEGIN STUDYING FOR THE SAT OR ACT EXAM?

If you plan to take the SAT or ACT Exam–which can be advantageous because the majority of colleges are now “Test Optional”–we recommend setting aside 3 months for prep time. By meeting with a tutor for 1-2 hours per week and taking one practice exam on their own, most students see steady improvement in their test score. Our Comprehensive Test Prep begins with a 4-week SAT/ACT Group Class before transitioning to Individual Test Prep. Of course, every student learns at a different pace, and some students begin studying 6 months prior to an exam while others start much closer to the exam date.

WHEN SHOULD I START ON THE COLLEGE ESSAY?

Traditionally, students begin writing their Common App and supplemental essays in the summer between junior and senior year.  For many students, summer offers an ideal opportunity to plan their Common App Essay. However, for students with an intensive summer or fall schedule, it may be wise to begin outlining the college essay even earlier, in the spring of junior year. (A scheduled SAT or ACT in the fall of senior year, a demanding sport, extracurricular, or internship over the summer, plans to apply Early Decision or Early Action to certain schools, or some combination of these factors, can significantly impact the decision on when to begin.)

Because of the Common App Essay’s importance in showcasing your identity and experiences to colleges, it requires careful planning and revision. While every student has their own unique writing process, we usually recommend a minimum of 4-6 weekly meetings to brainstorm, plan, and revise the Common App Essay. In addition, since most students apply to 6 or more schools on average, you might want to allow extra time to complete Supplemental Essays as well. For more detailed recommendations on when to begin, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.

DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION?

Please call or contact us through the form below, and we will get back to you with an answer.