Founder’s Circle Packages

When used for test preparation, Founder's Circle packages include ALL necessary textbooks and materials (including a GE strategy guide, official study guide, silent stopwatch, binders of additional exams, and a Quizlet set of flashcards for SAT/ACT review) as well as unlimited proctored exams (typically $39.99). Proctored exams are valid for the duration of the package and should be used prior to the package completion. We strongly encourage students to sign up for our proctored exams on as many weekends as possible.

Our test prep tutors scored in the 98th percentile or above on the SAT or ACT and have received extensive training; many also have either their teaching credentials and/or a graduate degree in their areas of expertise.

The number of hours you'll need depends heavily on three factors:

1. Grasp of the material being tested. If you already know all of the grammar rules and math formulas/concepts that show up on a standardized test, it will clearly require fewer hours to prepare you for the exam! That being said, most students have unexpected gaps in both (perhaps comma rules, function problems, etc), which will take time to both identify and address.

2. Application of good test-taking strategies. Do you pace yourself well? Do you know when to read carefully and when to skim? Are you comfortable with which questions to answer first, second...or even last?

3. Test-taking anxiety, distractibility, and mental endurance. Most teenagers have never had to focus for nearly 4 hours in a single sitting, nor have they taken an exam that carries so much weight. Learning to stay focused, build endurance, and minimize stress are key to succeeding on these standardized tests.

Don't know how many hours you want?  Our Test Prep Diagnostic allows students to take one of our proctored exams and then meet for two hours with an elite Founder's Circle tutor to break down the results. Additionally, once we know how well you are scoring to start and how well you WANT to score, it gives us a better sense of how much help is needed and in what areas.

Classic packages include ALL applicable books and materials that your tutor assigns. While many of our tutors have either their teaching credentials and/or a graduate degree in their areas of expertise, all of them have received extensive training and have years of experience.

Our experienced college counselors can help young students create a plan to maximize their high school years or high school seniors perfect their admissions essays and tackle the application process as a whole. We also have specialists on staff who work with transfer students and graduate school applicants, so our counseling staff will be able to help you reach any of your higher education goals.

Founder's Circle packages include a copy of the updated Fiske Guide to Colleges, our very own GE College Application/Deadline Tracker, and any necessary additional supplies/books, as needed.

The number of hours you'll need depends heavily on three factors:

1. Which parts of the process a student wants help with. We offer a wide range of college counseling services and start with some students as early as seventh grade and others as late as senior year. Clearly, the more guidance a student wants, the more hours will be necessary.

2. How many schools a student is applying to, as well as which ones. Some college applications require zero essays while others require as many as twelve, so it's nearly impossible to anticipate the workload without a fairly firm college list in place.

3. How much involvement/guidance you would like. Some families only want us to tell them what needs to be done, and then they'll do it; others want us to oversee the process from start to finish, confirming receipt of every set of test scores and letters of recommendation, read every draft of every essay, et cetera.

For information on the various aspects of the college application process, please visit our Counseling page.

Still want more guidance in choosing a package?  Set a Counseling Consultation (1.5 hours) with an elite Founder’s Circle counselor and discuss the options.

Remember, there is no “right” way to tackle this process — it simply depends on what will make it the least stressful and most manageable for you and your family!

Students who often find themselves in situations in which test results are not reflective of the time invested in studying can also benefit from our study skills services.

Our tutors can help students identify areas of weakness in their study, time management, and/or organizational skills, create a focused plan for improvement, and implement strategies and systems.

In the first session, we will assess the student’s predominant learning style and determine strengths and weaknesses in areas such as note taking, time management, and organization, to name a few.

Subsequent meetings will be used to teach new methods, suggest strategies, monitor progress, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. Because every student is unique, these sessions sessions are tailored to each individual’s specific needs. While some students will readily adopt new approaches, others require more trial and error or time to master unfamiliar practices. The tutor will work with the student at his/her own pace until they have found the specific tools that work for them and have integrated these tools into their study routines.

For more information, please visit our Study Skills page.