Yale Graduate | Veteran SAT/ACT/College Essay Tutor | 1570 SAT | 36 ACT
About
If you're looking for expert instruction from a passionate tutor, I'm your guy. I scored in the 99th percentile on all the tests I teach, and, perhaps more importantly, I have many years of experience helping students prepare for standardized tests. Standardized tests can be tricky, yet predictable. Over the years, I have developed a tested method that will streamline your ability to reach your full potential on any test.
I offer test prep tutoring for the SAT, ACT, and College Essay Services.
I am an Economics Graduate at Yale University. During my application times, I was admitted Early Action to Princeton, and Regular Decision to Yale. As I am only a few years out of the college application process, I will have insights that none of the older tutors on this site will have. With a 1570 SAT and 36 ACT, the strategies I teach are proven to be successful. My understanding on the College Essay goes beyond that of basic structural and grammatical edits, which is the standard service in the industry. I will help you give that extra “oomph” that the admissions officers are looking for.
Consistently, my students have raised their scores on the SAT by over 100-150 points and ACT by 4-7 points. My students have also been admitted to the top universities in the country, including: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Stanford.
I know how important these tests mean to you, and I’m dedicated to helping you improve your scores. Any tutor that promises instant improvement is a fraud. It will take time and dedication from your part. But if you decide to work with me, I will help you along this journey with the techniques I have acquired over my years of experience.
All of my students receive support throughout their entire test prep process: structured lessons that include lesson materials and homework assignments; regular practice tests; and 24/7 access to ask me questions or request feedback.
I know this process is stressful, and my goal is to make the process as smooth as possible.
Good Luck, and Stay Strong!
My favorite part of teaching is making a difference in students' academic success through test scores and improved grades. I strive to give my students the confidence to succeed on their own and cultivate a sincere passion for learning.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
SAT/ACT: First, I will give each new student a diagnostic test from my extensive database of past official tests I have licensed with the College Board and the ACT. These can not be found anywhere else on the internet. Then we will have a 20-minute zoom session where we will go over the test together, look at their strengths and weaknesses, and draft a personalized plan that will most efficiently increase their standardized scores. All of this is free of charge. After that, during each 2-hour session (I like 2 hours at a time, as it gives us optimal time to go over each section of the respective test), we will go over each section on an official test passage by passage. I am a firm believer in practicing only on past official tests, where you can get an accurate grasp of the questions on test day.
College Essay: I work with students during every phase of the writing process, whether it's brainstorming ideas, polishing essay structure, or adding the finishing touches. We will have a 20-minute zoom session, free of charge, so I have a brief idea of what stage your essays are at, and give you a personalized plan and estimated timeline of how long each university's essays will take.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
This is my bio on my company website, https://www.ivyguru.org/college-counseling-experts/:
Kevin Fang is a college counseling expert and veteran test prep instructor. Unsatisfied with the current standard of college consulting services, Kevin founded Ivy Guru. His belief that premier consulting services should not be limited to America’s elite has resonated with admissions committees across the nation. In a sea of thousands of private college counselors, his name is synonymous with helping students of all backgrounds beat colleges at their own game and earn admission to the colleges of their dreams. Prior to founding Ivy Guru, Kevin was a private college consultant based in New York City with over a decade of experience. Over the years, he has cracked the secret to the college essay, helping thousands ofstudents express their aspirations andbackgrounds in a way that impresses admission officers behind hidden gates. He is a former perfect scorer on the SAT and ACT, and gained admission to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford during his application years. A member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), he regularly conducts workshops on college admissions for corporate and educational events. For those parents and students interested in working directly with Kevin, know that he works with only 30 selected students every year. An online interview process in mid-July is conducted annually to determine who is lucky enough to work with him, as almost all his students get into their top choice university.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My SAT/ACT rate is $80/hour and my College Essay rate is $100/hour. I have dropped my rate of $160/hour to help students during the coronavirus outbreak. There will be no in-person tutoring until October 2020.
How did you get started teaching?
I first started teaching when I was a Yale student to pay for my student loans. I didn't think much of it, but after seeing the joy in my student's faces after they exceeded their score improvement goals after months of hard work, I believe I formed a new passion. Since then, I have been in the tutoring industry for over a decade.
What types of students have you worked with?
Every student I teach is different. I have had students with a 1500+ SAT/33+ ACT wanting to just get a few more points and later gain admission to Ivy League universities and students scoring below the 25th percentile, wishing to get a signigicant score improvement to meet the qualifications to get into their dream state university.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
A few months back, I worked with Jake on the ACT. He is autustic with severe ADHD. I had to develop new techniques to help him understand the standardized questions better. In the end, he raised his score from a 21 to a 28, and I am super proud of him. I think I have become a much more patient tutor after this experience.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Unless you are living in a major city, I would recommed hiring a tutor online. I can honestly say a high-quality tutor from NYC of San Francisco will be much more efficient than a local tutor in rural Arkansas. Of course, there are alwats exceptions, but this is a general rule of thumb.
Look far and wide. I recommend platforms such as Wyzant and tutors.com over established curriculum companies like Crimson Education and Veritas Prep. This way, you can get personalized instruction 1-to-1 for half the price.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Tell the tutor your score improvement goals, what you think are your weakest sections, and your availablity. Ask what their lesson plan is like:
What strategies do you employ?
Which section are you most proficient in, and which section do you enjoy teaching the most?
What advice would you give to a student struggling with time?
In the end, find a tutor that fits YOUR needs. A great tutor for someone else may not be compatible.