Homeschool Support: Supplemental Learning Today, Success Tomorrow

Zina has a Bachelor's degree in Theater Studies from Yale University and a Certificate in College Counseling from Columbia Teachers College. As a National Merit Achievement Scholarship Winner, Zina believes in education's power to create infinite opportunities. She has worked at Yale University as a part of the admissions team, corresponding with prospective theater studies students to answer questions and give personalized department tours. With over ten years of experience as an academic tutor and mentor, Zina has developed a deep understanding of the admissions process and what it takes to succeed. Whether working in career readiness or education access, she loves helping students of all ages reach their full potential and express their points of view. 

Throughout her college career, Zina has had incredible opportunities to travel, study her passions, and create art – and she is passionate about helping young people access these opportunities. Zina believes that the self-reflection and organizational skills students learn through college application will serve them during college and beyond.

As a coach, Zina prides herself on building strong relationships with her students by asking questions that help them grow, not just as applicants or test-takers but as people. Zina has coached international and domestic high school students through the college application process and has worked with current college students on graduate school, internship, and job applications. Her greatest strengths as a coach include providing accountability, essay editing, resume editing, SAT and ACT prep, and interview prep. 

With Zina's guidance, her students have gained admission to several top colleges across the country, including Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Northwestern University, Georgetown University, and Duke University, among many others.

In her spare time, she enjoys writing, traveling, cooking, and trying to find the best restaurants in New York City.

Zina's Pro Tip?

The admissions process is a two-way street. Students should think hard about what they want in a college to show how their perspective aligns with the school they're applying to!

Elizabeth graduated with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles, before completing her MBA from INSEAD. She has extensive experience supporting students through after-school literacy programs, high school SAT prep programs, and arts mentorship programs. She has also served in the FEMBA office for the UCLA Anderson School of Business, supporting MBA students.

Elizabeth has spent a large part of her life working with youth and tutoring in some capacity. She believes that maintaining a growth mindset and being curious about life and learning is important. Elizabeth also feels that it’s only through the furtherance of education that we can work to improve our lives, gain access to better opportunities, and make a difference in whatever way we desire. As such, she is passionate about helping students elevate their exposure and ability to receive a quality education. 

Elizabeth believes in a collaborative coaching approach, partnering with students to build upon their strengths and interests. As a coach, she is known for her positivity and upbeat demeanor. She prioritizes empathy, support, and patience, working closely with each student to develop the right approach. She values self-reflection and growth over speed, adapting her methods to fit each candidate's unique style and needs. 

Elizabeth also emphasizes the holistic promotion of a student's abilities, employing creative strategies to showcase their strengths through their application. She keeps students' interests and passions at the forefront during the application process, recognizing them as the most captivating part of the application. She also focuses on celebrating small victories and excels at breaking down the application process into manageable steps to reduce stress.

In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys baking, reading a good book, being active by playing soccer or going for runs, traveling, and learning new languages. She has traveled to over 15 different countries and is currently working on learning Mandarin, Spanish, and Portuguese!

Olivia holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and is pursuing a Master of Arts at the University of Florida. With her background as a college adviser with the Duke College Advising Corps and admissions advisor at Sante Fe College, Olivia has successfully guided 60+ students into esteemed institutions, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. With a deep commitment to education, Olivia also served as an Education Policy Fellow at the US House of Representatives.  

Olivia's passion for coaching springs from her own transformative college experience, which impacted her academically, socially, and emotionally. As a result, she strongly believes all students should have the opportunity to experience undergraduate life to the fullest.

As a coach, Olivia strikes a balance between an easygoing attitude and inspiring students to reach their full potential. She takes the time to understand their interests and hobbies before tailoring her coaching style accordingly. Olivia finds that collaborative coaching/learning environments are most productive, allowing students to retain their unique voices and authenticity during the application process. 

In her free time, Olivia enjoys staying active, listening to new music, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. She also loves being adventurous; she went skydiving with her dad when she was just 16!