Jennifer completed a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago before earning an MBA from the University of California, Davis. While at the University of Chicago, Jennifer served as an interviewer and project coordinator for prospective students. She has played a vital role in the admissions process for thousands of applicants and has helped them get into the University of Chicago and UC schools.
Jennifer's coaching approach is deeply rooted in her own experience navigating the college application process. Having been through it herself, she understands the stress and challenges students face. She strives to be the mentor she needed during that time, believing that with the right guidance and support, students can approach their applications with confidence and ease. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of process and structure to ensure each student has the right infrastructure and support to succeed.
As a coach, Jennifer is personable, cares deeply about students on an individual level, and values open communication. She takes the time to understand what excites them, what drains them, and what they're curious about, believing these inputs are key to uncovering their strengths, growth opportunities, and the environment that best supports them. She meets students where they are, taking the time to tailor her approach effectively.
Despite her friendly demeanor, Jennifer maintains a strong level of discipline in reaching goals and commitments. She treats her students with respect, allowing them autonomy as emerging adults. Considering this, Jennifer adopts a blended coaching style, checking in frequently to ensure students feel confident about their goals while also holding them accountable, ensuring they can navigate challenges on their own with resilience and determination.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys exploring new coffee shops and cafes in her neighborhood and the broader SF Bay Area, attempting new crafts and DIY projects, and spending quality time with her toy poodle and husband.
Ryan earned his bachelor's degree from Seton Hall University (SHU) and is currently pursuing a JD at SHU on a full-ride scholarship. He has mentored students in various capacities, including SAT tutoring and his current role as a peer advisor at SHU. His tutoring journey started in a study group where he was inspired to help his friends gain admission to their dream schools, a goal he successfully achieved.
For Ryan, tutoring is a means of empowering students to reach their aspirations. He is passionate about facilitating student advancement and helping them reach their academic and professional goals. He specializes in SAT tutoring, driven by the recognition that this test often poses a significant obstacle to students' academic paths.
As a tutor, Ryan emphasizes an interactive approach, allowing students to actively demonstrate their understanding of question processes while he explains new strategies and concepts as necessary. When students hit learning blocks, he makes sure to take it step-by-step to dissect the problem and fill in any knowledge gaps.
One of Ryan's standout qualities as a tutor is his empathy. Acknowledging the complexities of admissions processes, he prioritizes establishing a connection with students' goals and visions. Through this understanding, Ryan helps students forge unique paths to realizing their educational objectives.
In his free time, Ryan loves traveling, hiking, thrifting, and taking the train to Manhattan with my friends. Speaking of his friends, Ryan was part of a viral video in high school that garnered 15 million views—a video his friends still tease him about today.
Sarah completed her Bachelor of Arts in Language and Cultural Studies and Plant Biology at Sarah Lawrence College. She boasts five years of professional teaching experience but began her tutoring journey early in her high school career, fueled by the gratifying experience of witnessing students grasp challenging material.
Sarah's enthusiasm for tutoring stems from her belief that any subject can be enjoyable when presented in an appealing way to students. She is proficient in a diverse range of subjects, including K–6 math, all levels of biology (including AP), reading, writing, English Language Arts (ELA), ESL, AP Language and Literature, creative writing, and SAT reading and writing.
At the core of Sarah's tutoring philosophy is the empowerment of students through consistent encouragement. She believes students have been programmed to fear failure instead of embracing it as a part of the learning process. So, she takes a unique approach by celebrating mistakes, considering them stepping stones for growth rather than obstacles. Sarah's adaptability in the face of these stepping stones shines in her lessons, where she breaks down complex problems into manageable pieces for better understanding. Beyond being informative, Sarah’s lessons are also highly engaging; she connects academic concepts with students' interests to keep them motivated.
Sarah is adept at guiding students towards becoming confident and independent learners. Instead of simply providing them with answers, she equips students with the tools and information necessary to independently solve problems, fostering a sense of self-assurance.
Besides tutoring, Sarah is deeply interested in plant biology. She even worked as a research assistant at the New York Botanical Garden on an algae-based project! She also enjoys reading, creative writing, and spending time with her cat, named President. When he misbehaves, she likes to pretend to be a member of the Secret Service—Mister President, don't climb on the fence!