Abby

I am an enthusiastic educator with over a decade of experience tutoring, teaching, and mentoring students. I hold a master’s degree in Peace Education from the University for Peace. I specialize in personalized, student-centered support across a wide range of subjects, including college admissions and essay writing. I have done extensive research on the college admissions process and have helped many students get into their dream schools.

My tutoring style:

I am a compassionate and strategic college admissions coach who blends empathy, organization, and personalized guidance to support students through every stage of the application journey. From testing decisions and school list building to essay development, interview prep, and scholarship searches, I help students navigate the process with clarity and confidence. I prioritize authenticity, ensuring that each application reflects the student’s unique voice and values. I’m also highly skilled at researching what individual colleges prioritize in their applicants, so I can help tailor application materials to align with the specific values and expectations of each dream school. I maintain open communication with both students and parents, offering transparency and support every step of the way. My approach is student-centered, detail-oriented, and rooted in a deep commitment to helping each learner present their best self and find the school where they’ll truly thrive.

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Success story:

One of my most rewarding experiences was working with a student over the course of two years on her entire college application journey—from SAT prep to submitting applications and applying for scholarships. When we first met, she lacked confidence and was hesitant to aim high, despite her dream of becoming an immigration attorney. Together, we built a balanced list of safety, match, and reach schools that aligned with both her goals and her family’s financial considerations. I worked closely with her parents to explore scholarship and loan options and supported the student in discovering programs that truly inspired her. As her vision became clearer, her motivation and confidence grew. She ultimately earned admission to NYU—her dream school—and was awarded several private scholarships early in the process. Watching her realize what she was capable of was an incredible reminder of the power of personalized support.

I also worked with an ambitious student who was applying to a wide range of colleges through multiple platforms—Common App, UC, CSU, and several private school applications. On top of her academic goals, she was balancing a packed schedule as an athlete and musician, and navigating family pressure to apply to Princeton, her mother’s alma mater—even though she had no desire to attend. While being respectful of her parents’ hopes, I advocated for a student-centered approach, helping her clarify her own goals and guiding thoughtful conversations with her family. Together, we developed a targeted and authentic college list, and I created a strategic timeline to manage her heavy workload without compromising her mental health. In the end, she submitted every application on time—many of them early—and was accepted to all of her schools. She ultimately committed to her top-choice, UC Berkeley, with a scholarship. Supporting her in honoring her own path while balancing external expectations was a powerful and fulfilling experience.