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
Improve your score with our personalized ACT tutoring and test prep!
Strong standardized test scores remain a key factor in college admissions. At HelloCollege, we provide one-on-one ACT tutoring specifically designed to help you achieve your highest score, improve your college prospects, and maximize scholarship opportunities.
Our team of dedicated tutors are more than just test prep experts—they’re educational mentors committed to your long-term academic and personal success. We understand how pivotal this moment is, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way…
Are you struggling to reach the ACT score you desire? We’ll pinpoint your obstacles and design a step-by-step plan to overcome them with:
Most ACT prep classes and programs offer a “one size fits all” approach. HelloCollege students benefit from regular one-on-one tutoring and a customized strategy focused on addressing their unique challenges. We tailor our teaching to your needs, not just the test.
Frequent sessions are pivotal to significantly boost your ACT scores. Consistency allows your tutor to understand your learning style, accurately track your progress, and hold you accountable.
Practice tests are the best way for you to familiarize yourself with the ACT’s format, questions, and timing. These tests also serve as essential diagnostics, helping us identify and address problem areas and refine your strategy for success.
A big part of succeeding on the ACT is about having the stamina to prepare thoroughly and effectively. We help you develop a consistent study routine that strengthens your endurance, ensuring you stay focused and ready for test day.
To learn more about the ACT and its importance in college admissions, schedule a free consultation with a HelloCollege test prep expert to:
Our ACT tutors work with a wide range of students, including:
Many students who’ve already taken the ACT feel stuck, unable to overcome a specific hurdle to improve their scores—but that’s our specialty. We assess your current performance, pinpoint areas for improvement, and craft a personalized study plan to help you break through to achieve your target score.
For students taking the test for the first time, we offer support at every stage of the study process. Our tutors will guide you by breaking down each section, teaching key concepts, and evaluating your performance on regular practice tests, ensuring you feel confident and fully prepared for test day.
To establish a strong foundation, we recommend students begin studying for the ACT as early as sophomore year. Getting an early start allows you to develop familiarity and confidence that you can only achieve through time and consistent practice.
We work with high school seniors looking to improve their scores on an accelerated timeline for college applications, adjusting our strategies and meeting frequency to accommodate your schedule. We do, however, strongly recommend students begin prepping for the ACT months in advance.
Whether you’re looking for extra help with a specific subject, in need of extra accountability, or just starting your test-prep journey, we have a plan for you.
- Full semester of ACT tutoring - Ideal for first-time test takers and students striving to achieve their highest possible scores
- Approximately 2.5 months of ACT tutoring - Recommended for students looking to strengthen their foundation and make significant improvements to their ACT scores
- Approximately 1 month of ACT tutoring - Best for students who have already started to prepare for the ACT on their own and need subject-specific help
Speak with a HelloCollege test prep tutoring expert to discuss your experience and your ACT goals.
Choose an ACT tutoring package and get paired with the tutor who best suits your needs.
Begin your ACT test prep journey and boost your scores!
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
We used Hello College for our college prep/application process for both of our boys. They were a life saver and helped us to navigate every step along the way. It never felt overwhelming in terms of the tasks one needed to accomplish because they had a unique way of segmenting it and helping both boys with timelines that worked with their unique style. One of my kiddos is a planner while the other can be a bit of a last-minute deadline procrastinator. The counselors really tailored each journey to be unique to each one of them. One counselor in general really stood out for us, Raymond Gonzales. Raymond is described as “the man” by my youngest. He was always very direct with Will but also very positive. He never made Will feel like something was not possible and would focus on the unique traits of my son that might help him get in to even the biggest of stretch schools. He was always available when we needed him and very engaged. I am not sure there was ever a question we had that Raymond could not answer. He was knowledge on colleges across the county and in a variety of majors. He truly is a gem.
If you decide to use a college prep service, choose Hello College, and better yet, ask for Raymond Gonzales. You won’t be disappointed. 5 Stars.
Parent of Will
Hinsdale Central High School
Northeastern University
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.
A strong ACT score is a gateway to prestigious colleges, scholarships, and countless opportunities, making it a vital step in your college planning journey. However, recent changes to the ACT—including updates to timing, questions, and sections—have made the test more challenging to navigate on your own. These adjustments, combined with the pressure to excel, underscore the importance of support from a test prep expert.
HelloCollege removes stress and uncertainty from the test-taking process, allowing you to focus on what matters to achieve your best score. You’ll work one-on-one with a personal ACT tutor to receive customized plans and real-time feedback to target your weaknesses while building on your strengths.
More than just test prep, we offer mentorship and personalized guidance. By understanding your unique learning style, we use strategies that not only boost your score but also encourage long-term academic success.
With HelloCollege, you’ll gain the knowledge and guidance needed to tackle the ACT with confidence, paving the pathways to top colleges and exciting opportunities.
Read the latest articles about ACT Tutoring on HelloCollege Blog
I studied at Stanford University for five years: four for my Bachelor’s degree and one for
Every year, high school students prepare for a rite of passage: their college entrance exams. A
Navigating the world of college admissions tests can feel like deciphering an enigmatic code, especially when
Navigating the vast ocean of academic preparation, one question looms large on the horizon: “When is
We are here to cater all of your college admissions needs.
SAT scores continue to play a crucial role in college admissions. Begin your test prep early with our expert tutors to learn the new digital test format, gain personalized strategies, and tackle challenging sections.
HelloCollege offers private academic tutoring for everything from AP exam prep to executive functioning, equipping students with essential skills for success. Our tutors provide personalized strategies and mentorship tailored to each student’s unique needs.
Our team of expert Essay Coaches guides students in crafting engaging and authentic essays that add a necessary personal context to their college applications. We support you throughout the entire process, from brainstorming to the first draft to the final version.
See below for some of the most commonly asked questions. And if you have specific questions about your specific test prep journey, schedule a consultation with one of our experts.
The next ACT test days are:
The cost of ACT tutoring can vary widely depending on the provider, the tutor’s experience, and the type of tutoring program you choose. Private one-on-one sessions typically range from $50 to $200 per hour, while group classes and online tutoring offer more affordable options, starting around $20 to $30 per hour.
To learn more about test prep tutoring at HelloCollege, schedule a consultation for a personalized quote.
We recommend students take the ACT at least twice: once to familiarize yourself with the test and once after preparing to improve your score. Many students take it in their junior year and again in the fall of their senior year.
ACT prep courses are good for a general overview of the test, along with some tips and strategies. But with an ACT tutor, the focus is entirely on you and your needs. Your tutor will take the time to get to know your learning style, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and customize their strategy accordingly. This personalized attention allows for personalized feedback that aligns with your goals.
You should start studying for the ACT by the end of sophomore year. We recommend studying 4–6 months in advance for the best results. At the very least, spend 2–3 months studying, as that’s how long it takes on average to significantly improve your score.
The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long without the optional Writing section and 3 hours and 35 minutes with the Writing section. Breaks are included during the test.
The SAT and ACT are both standardized tests used for college admissions, but they differ in structure and focus. The ACT includes a Science section and emphasizes content knowledge, while the SAT focuses more on reasoning and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the ACT is scored on a scale of 1–36, while the SAT uses a 400–1600 scale.
To learn more about whether you should take ACT or SAT, read this blog post.
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