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
Boost your SAT score with our expert SAT test prep tutors!
At HelloCollege we offer personalized, one-on-one private SAT tutoring with test prep experts and proven strategies to help you improve your scores, increase your chances of college admission, and unlock scholarship opportunities.
Our dedicated SAT tutors focus not only on test-taking strategies but also on building confidence, providing mentorship, and ensuring long-term academic success. Invest in your future with tutoring that delivers lasting results.
Is something keeping you from achieving the SAT score you know you can earn? We’ll help you uncover the solution and develop a tailored plan through:
Traditional test prep programs and generic courses 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 your needs—not to the test.
Frequent and regular sessions are the key to improving your SAT scores. Weekly sessions help tutors get to know you, hold you accountable, and track your progress over time.
Our tutors use regular practice tests to help you become familiar with the exam format, question types, and timing. Maintaining consistent practice will boost your confidence and reveal the areas that need more attention.
A big part of taking the SAT isn’t just answering the questions—it’s knowing how to navigate the test itself. We help you develop test-taking strategies to manage time, tackle different question types, and maintain a calm, focused mindset when it matters most.
HelloCollege's students average increase in SAT score
For help preparing for the SAT and learning its significance in the college admissions process, book a free consultation with a test prep expert. In your meeting, we’ll work with you to:
At HelloCollege, our SAT tutors work with a diverse range of students, including:
For students taking the 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.
Many students who have already taken the SAT feel stuck with their score—this is our specialty. We help assess your status and identify specific areas that need focus to create a customized study plan designed to help you get past the hurdle.
While we strongly recommend students begin SAT prep tutoring many months in advance, we do work with seniors looking to quickly improve their scores for college applications. We can customize our SAT strategies and meeting schedule to accommodate your needs and timeline.
To build a strong foundation, we recommend that students begin studying for the SAT by sophomore year. This early preparation will help you gain familiarity and confidence, setting the stage for more focused studying in junior and senior year.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking for some extra help in a specific test subject, we have plans a plan for you.
- Full semester of SAT tutoring - Recommended for first-time test takers and students aiming to reach their highest potential scores
- Approximately 2.5 months of SAT tutoring - Best for students looking to strengthen their foundation and make big improvements to their SAT score
- Approximately 1 month of SAT tutoring - Appropriate for students who have started SAT prep on their own and need personalized help in a particular subject
Speak with a HelloCollege tutoring expert to discuss your test-taking history and your SAT goals.
Select an SAT tutoring package and get matched with your best-fit SAT tutor.
Begin your test prep journey and improve 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 SAT score can open doors to top colleges, scholarships, and opportunities, making it a crucial step in your academic journey. Recently, the SAT went digital, with changing formats and questions that can be difficult to navigate on your own. These changes—combined with the pressure to perform—highlight the importance of expert test prep guidance.
At HelloCollege, we eliminate the uncertainty and anxiety surrounding standardized testing, clearing the way for you to earn your best score.
Our expert SAT tutors offer regular one-on-one-one attention, real-time feedback, and customized plans to target areas for improvement while building upon your strengths. We also ensure you’re fully prepared for the new digital SAT with tailored tips and strategies.
Beyond standard SAT tutoring, you’ll receive mentorship and guidance. By getting to know you personally, we implement strategies that align with your unique learning style, creating a path to both improved scores and long-term success.
With HelloCollege, you’ll develop the skills and confidence needed to approach the SAT with assurance, leading to meaningful score improvements and opening doors to a wide range of opportunities.
Read the latest articles about SAT on 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
Despite recent changes, the ACT continues to play a crucial role in college admissions. Start preparing early with our expert tutors, who will guide you through the test’s format, provide personalized strategies, and help you 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.
Schedule a consultation with us to get all of your answers, otherwise here are some most asked questions and answers to them.
The next SAT test days are:
The SAT can open doors to academic and financial opportunities. Many colleges—even those that are test-optional—still use SAT scores to evaluate applicants, making the test an important part of your college applications. Plus, a solid score could mean extra financial aid, which is always a win. If college is part of your plan, taking the SAT is a smart step toward achieving your academic and career goals. Here are some fast facts about the SAT test:
The best time to take the SAT depends on your individual timeline and college plans. However, we recommend taking the SAT as soon as you feel prepared. Ideally, you’ll take the SAT for the first time by the spring of your junior year. This allows time for retakes in the fall of your senior year if needed.
There is no limit on the number of times students can take the SAT. But it depends on the student, on average, it is recommended that a student should take the SAT test 2-3 times and choose the highest score for their college applications.
Either when you finish Algebra 2 OR at the end of sophomore year—whichever comes first. We recommend studying 3-6 months in advance of the test. At the very least, we recommend students spend 2-3 months studying, as that’s how long it takes on average to significantly improve your score.
The new digital SAT lasts 2 hours and 14 minutes: 64 minutes for the Reading and Writing section 70 minutes for the Math. If you choose to take the optional 50-minute Essay section, the total time increases to just over 3 hours. You’ll also have a couple of short breaks during the test.
SAT prep courses provide a general overview of the test, along with some tips and strategies. With a private SAT tutor, however, the focus is entirely on you. Your tutor takes the time to understand your learning style, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and target their approach accordingly. This personalized attention allows for personalized feedback that aligns with your goals.
We start with a diagnostic exam to identify which areas of the SAT need the most attention. This allows us to create a customized study plan focused on your specific needs and hit the ground running with a strategy that will have the greatest impact on your score.
© HelloCollege 2024. All Rights Reserved.
