How I Got Into Stanford
May 27, 2025
I studied at Stanford University for five years: four for my Bachelor’s degree and one for
Raise your standardized test scores with HelloCollege test prep tutoring.
In today’s competitive college landscape, strong test scores can play a crucial role in shaping your future. At HelloCollege, we provide personalized, one-on-one guidance with proven strategies to improve test scores, increase admissions odds, and unlock scholarships. Our ACT and SAT tutors not only focus on test strategies but also help build skills and confidence that extend well beyond the exam for a bright academic future.
Average increase in ACT score
Average increase in SAT score
Let us know how we can help and get connected with an ACT and SAT Tutoring expert to help your student with test prep.
Let our experts test prep tutors help you with:
Our test prep tutors genuinely care about you and are invested in your success.
HelloCollege removes the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding standardized testing. By equipping students with proven techniques and practice, we boost their chances for higher scores.
Our services specifically target and strengthen areas of weakness in SAT/ACT content. We ensure that no topic is left uncovered, making your preparation comprehensive and effective.
HelloCollege breaks down the barriers to significant score improvements. We implement personalized strategies that align with each student's learning style and test-taking abilities, paving the way for marked progress in their scores.
No matter what’s keeping you from getting the score you want, we’ll work with you to find the root problem and develop a plan to improve your performance.
Many traditional test prep programs provide “one size fits all” services. Our students receive 1-on-1 tutoring and a customized strategy to target specific areas for improvement. We teach to the student—not to the test.
We firmly believe frequent and regular meetings are the key to improved scores. Weekly sessions help tutors get to know students, keep them accountable, and continuously track progress.
Our tutors incorporate frequent practice tests to familiarize students with the exam format and timing. This regular exposure builds confidence and helps identify areas that need further focus before the actual test day.
Many students struggle with test anxiety and fear it will limit their scores. We equip students with effective test-taking tips to manage time and tackle different types of questions, allowing them to approach each exam with a calm and focused mindset.
At HelloCollege, we understand every student has unique strengths, needs, and goals. Which is why our SAT and ACT tutoring services support a diverse range of students, including:
Many students who have already taken the SAT or ACT feel stuck—this is our specialty. We will pinpoint specific areas that need focus and create a personalized study plan with test-taking practices to bump up your score.
For students taking the ACT or SAT for the first time, we provide essential support to build confidence and familiarity with the test format. Our tutors offer essential guidance in breaking down each section, covering key concepts, and conducting practice tests to ensure students feel well-prepared for test day.
While we strongly recommend students begin test prep tutoring months in advance, we do support seniors looking to improve their scores quickly for college admissions. We can customize our SAT/ACT strategies to meet your needs in an abbreviated amount of time.
To allow plenty of time to build early foundational skills, we recommend students start studying for the SAT/ACT by sophomore year. This proactive approach helps build confidence going into junior and senior year.
For busy students juggling school, clubs, part-time jobs, and other responsibilities, our highly flexible test prep tutoring services accommodate any schedule. We also help build executive functioning and time management skills that extend far beyond standardized tests.
Whether you’re looking for comprehensive support or help in a particular test subject, we have a plan to meet your unique goals. SAT and ACT tutoring packages range from 10 to 40 hours.
- Full semester of test prep tutoring - Ideal for first-time test-takers and students looking to achieve their best possible test scores
- Approximately 2.5 months of test prep tutoring - Recommended for students who want to build a strong foundation and significantly improve their scores
- Approximately 1 month of test prep tutoring - Best for students who have already started studying and need some extra help with a specific subject
Speak with our expert advisors so we can better understand your unique test prep needs
Get matched with the right tutor and package
Get to work and watch your scores skyrocket
Director of Tutoring
Ian has dedicated his life to helping others achieve their full potential and learn about the world around them. After graduating from UIUC with a BS in Electrical Engineering, he owned and operated a private tutoring business, where his team specialized in individualized curriculum development and helping students achieve their academic goals.
Area of Expertise
Director of Essay Services
Chris Bench, the Director of Essay, is a seasoned essay coach with a decade of experience. Holding an BA from Kenyon and an MA from University of Chicago, Chris's expertise shines through, particularly in the realm of commas, where his opinion is unwavering.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Paul is an experienced educator with a background in math and science, critical thinking, ELL education, standardized test prep, international education, and individualized learning. Paul holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and science education and a master’s degree in teaching and learning.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Rees is a mathematician, software engineer, and lawyer with degrees from Duke University and the University of Georgia. He loves sharing his enthusiasm for all things learning to connect people’s education to their interests.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Asma recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a major in Biology. Over the past 3 years, Asma has worked with elementary, middle, and high school students on all subjects and has helped students prepare for standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT, and PSAT.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Tyler Pohlman is currently attending University of Colorado Boulder where he is double majoring in Physics and German. While attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, he was an undergraduate research assistant at the Center for Plasma-Material Interactions. He has a passion for math and teaching and has a year of tutoring experience under Ian Simon.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Theofanis (Theo) Yianas is currently a second-year honors student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying Data Science and Business Administration. Over the past couple years, Theo has tutored students in various levels of math and has helped others to prepare for the SAT and ACT.
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Daniel is a mathematical biologist. He holds a PhD in evolutionary biology from the University of Chicago, during which he studied tropical forests. Daniel loves teaching and simplifying concepts for students at all levels.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Amulya is a sophomore at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a biology major in the BS/MD program with acceptance into Albany Medical College. She has not only tutored students across a wide range of ages and subjects but has also built meaningful connections with each of them.
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Shelley has an M.S. in mathematics with a concentration in statistics, as well as 27 years of teaching and tutoring experience. Her passion is helping students achieve those dreams which seem impossible to them.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Jose moved to America from the Philippines at the age of 2. Through his love of piano, salsa dancing, speaking, and writing, he found his way to Stanford University, where he studied computer science. From giving college tours to tutoring students of various ages, Jose now loves sharing knowledge to learners of all backgrounds.
Area of Expertise
Academic Tutor, Test Prep Tutor
Darryl has over 17 years of experience as a teacher of wide-ranging math content, teaching students from the middle school level all the way up through college. He has a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Houston, in addition to a B.A. in Economics and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Virginia.
Academic Tutor & Essay Coach
Brian has a B.A. in International Studies along with a minor in French from Miami University and an M.Ed. with a focus on Social Studies and Global Education from the Ohio State University. He has taught, mentored, traveled with and coached students in a wide variety of settings including high school and outdoor education for over twenty years.
Academic Tutor
Deme Yianas is a college senior, set to graduate from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in May 2025, earning a BS in Biochemistry with a concentration in Cancer Biology, and a minor in Public Health. For three years, she has served as an undergraduate research assistant in the CWRU School of Medicine Biochemistry department, and she loves to share all she learned while pursuing her degree with her HelloCollege students!
Academic Tutor
Lauren has always had a passion for education. Lauren has a PhD in Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Education. She has conducted research across many topics and is currently teaching Engineering subjects at the college level.
Academic Tutor
Automotive engineer and weekend mechanic with a passion for solving complex problems through mathematical precision. When not fine-tuning engines, I am exploring the art of exceptional coffee and various cuisines.
HelloCollege has been immensely helpful in navigating college apps and prep. My tutor, Asma, was particularly helpful in preparing for the SAT and ACT. She was very patient and helped me get the score I wanted on the SAT.
Student
Oak Park and River Forest High School
Hello College really got my daughter to college! She was questioning and grades were not great in the beginning, but she used the tutoring program, ACT prep, the essay writing portion, and finally the application process, and now she is going to the college of her choice! I have so much gratitude and appreciation for this program and a very special place for Kevin and Alison and everyone else that has worked so hard to help her!
Parent of Amita
Naperville Central High School
Arizona State University
I had a great experience! My tutor Asma was very patient and helpful. She was always ready to work through any questions I had, and ensured that I understood everything.
Student
Rickards High School
New York University
I spent 10 hrs this summer working with Asma over zoom on ACT prep. In just four weeks, I raised my overall ACT score by 3 points. If you do the assigned homework, she delivers proven results and is a kind person.
Student
Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep
Auburn University
HelloCollege tutoring, and more specifically Director of Tutoring Ian Simon, has been an incredible asset in my children’s college-bound journey. As each child has different strengths and weaknesses, I was amazed in how Ian adjusted his approach to match each of their needs and targeted goals. Ian’s abilities to create an individualized approach to growing confidence in a supportive, non-judgmental environment, while teaching successful approaches to anticipated questions and overall test taking strategies, truly are gifts that make him an elite teacher. With Ian as the guiding light for HelloCollege’s tutoring culture and spirit, I cannot say enough about this organization and the benefits that it has provided for my family.
Parent of John
We signed up with Hello College the beginning of our son’s junior year. We were assigned Allison as his counselor and could not be happier. She has a great personality and connected with our son instantly and is very encouraging and supportive! She was on top of everything our son needed to do to apply to a competitive major. He received help and guidance throughout SAT/ACT testing, essay writing, and finally the Common App. We are so glad we hired Hello College and have Allison to guide us through the college application process!
Parent of Ethan
Sandburg High School
Indiana University
Ready to get started? The best way to target areas for improvement and strategize a study plan is to take a practice test. Request a diagnostic exam to assess your current knowledge.
Read the latest articles about Standardized Testing on the HelloCollege Blog
I studied at Stanford University for five years: four for my Bachelor’s degree and one for
You’ve put in the hours, taken all the practice exams, and learned all the tips and
Every year, high school students prepare for a rite of passage: their college entrance exams. A
Since March 2024, the Desmos calculator is integrated directly into the SAT’s test-taking software for every
We are here to cater all of your college admissions needs.
Our experienced college admissions counselors work with students every step of the way, helping them find the right schools, stay on top of deadlines, and submit applications that truly stand out.
We offer academic tutoring for everything from AP exam prep to life skills that students will carry into the future. Our focus is on building strong relationships and creating personalized strategies for success.
Our team of expert Essay Coaches helps students create engaging and heartfelt essays that add a personal touch to their college applications. We provide support throughout the entire process, from the rough draft to the polished final version.
Schedule a consultation with us to get all of your answers, otherwise here are some most asked questions and answers to them.
Yes. If a student follows our curriculum and completes the work we ask of them—including regular meetings and homework assignments—they can expect to see a sizable jump in score. In our experience, we see the biggest improvement in students who start with a median score and are motivated to make significant improvements.
For more information on the value of test prep tutors, read our blog post: Is Test Prep Tutoring Worth It?
Given the level of test material, we recommend beginning standardized test preparation either 1) when you finish Algebra 2 OR 2) at the end of your sophomore year—whichever comes first. At the very least, we recommend students spend 2-3 months studying for the test as that’s how long it takes to see significant improvements, on average.
Not all students need help with SAT and ACT subject material, but most students need help with the process of studying, preparing for, and taking the test. Even if you feel prepared, a tutor can provide personalized guidance and identify areas for improvement you might overlook.
It depends! Some students perform better on one test over the other due to differences in format and types of questions. We start with a diagnostic test to determine specific strengths and which test to take.
You can learn more by reading our blog post: Should I take the SAT or ACT?
The best time to start test prep tutoring is as soon as you’re ready to begin studying for either test. Working with a tutor from the beginning can help you build skills, identify weaknesses, and create a realistic study plan to keep you on track. Starting early gives your tutor more time to help you reach your goals.
The cost of ACT/SAT tutoring depends on a number of factors, including meeting frequency, type of service, and the tutor’s experience. On average, families generally spend between $50 to $200 per hour for personalized, one-on-one tutoring.
For more information, visit our blog post, How Much Does ACT/SAT Tutoring Cost? And to learn more about the cost of ACT/SAT tutoring at HelloCollege, visit our website to view our test prep tutoring plans and request a personalized quote.
Our tutors are a diverse set of highly experienced educators from all walks of life, but first and foremost, they are mentors with genuine interest in seeing you succeed. HelloCollege team goes above and beyond to connect with our students, offering consistent, personalized, and dedicated attention that builds confidence and lifelong skills.
It’s a matter of personalized attention vs. a one-size-fits-all approach. Tutors adapt their teaching methods to match your learning style, focus on specific strengths and weaknesses, and offer immediate feedback targeted to your specific goals and timeline.
To learn more about finding a tutor that best fits your needs, check out: How to Choose the Best Test Prep Tutor.
Most colleges prioritize GPA and course rigor as the most important academic factors, but SAT and ACT scores remain a significant consideration. While many colleges have gone test-optional, strong scores can still enhance an application and, importantly, play a crucial role in scholarship eligibility and awards.
In our experience—and depending on the student—2-3 times is ideal.
Yes. PSAT test prep is the same as SAT test prep.
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