Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the Right Tutor for Your Student
As much as students stress about the college admissions process, I know that parents often worry just as much, especially when trying to determine how to help their child find the time and energy to write essays, in addition to their already busy lives.
Hiring a tutor can help minimize the stress both students and parents feel. But how do you know if you're hiring the right tutor?
Below are some of the questions you're probably asking yourself. If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to fill out the contact form below, including your question in the "how can I help" section. There's no obligation and I'm happy to answer any and all questions.
Do you write the essays for students?
No, never. My role is always to help students find good themes, to coach them on how they can best share and position those themes in a way that is compelling, interesting and relevant, and to point out structural, grammatical or spelling issues as needed.
How long does the process take?
Of course it depends. But for students starting from scratch, we'll usually have an initial meeting that lasts about an hour. After that meeting, I ask students to do some very rough outlines of the theme(s) we discussed. Future meetings will then review outlines and drafts and may only take 30 minutes. For the common app essay, expect 4-5 meetings, combining for a total of approximately 3-4 hours.
How do you meet?
We will meet via Teams (or sometimes Zoom). I provide the meeting link. I can, upon request, meet using Skype or FaceTime. I do requests students use video during all meetings.
How often do you meet?
When students start early, we may only need to meet every other week or so. For more rushed needs, we can meet weekly or even multiple times a week.
What times are you available?
I'm typically available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. I will also meet on Saturdays or Sundays, upon request. During the school year, times in the late afternoon or evening are in higher demand, so scheduling well in advance is recommended.
Can you help students write essays for elite or ivy league schools?
Yes. I even know this process from personal experience, as my oldest son applied to a wide range of ivy league and elite schools. The process is not necessarily different than drafting essays for other schools, but essays can be the deciding factor for elite schools, especially when so many of their applicants have high test scores and grades.
How do you bill?
I bill for each quarter hour. So, if a meeting only lasts for 15 minutes, that's all you'll pay for. I will track time and usually send an invoice for 2 or 3 hour increments (so that I'm not sending you multiple invoices for 15 minutes). I prefer Venmo or PayPal.
Can parents be on the calls?
Typically, it's better if I work directly with the student. I want them to own the process, and also to feel comfortable brainstorming, without the usual teen-parent vibe. I'm always happy to provide quick updates to parents via email or a quick phone call if requested. I also recommend that students use a shared Word document to draft their essays, and that they provide read-only access to their parents so that they can see the progress being made.
Do you guarantee your work?
I don't think most parents would expect a guarantee, but it's something I've been asked. Writing is always subjective. And each reader (admissions counselor) will react differently to different writing styles and themes. So there's no way to guarantee results. I do, however, believe that I can give your student constructive direction and assistance, that should lead to a better, more interesting essay.
Contact Me
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