Testimonials

"Lisa is like a personal trainer for the mind. Our son is very athletic and very smart, but when it comes to academics, he tends to rely more on his natural abilities than any sort of preparation. His approach to athletics is the complete opposite. When not in season he works out regularly with a personal trainer and he spends countless hours repeating the skills he needs to succeed in the sport. His first attempt on the SAT was a disappointment and showed his lack of preparation. Moreover, it helped him realize that he needed some help, a personal trainer for his mind. Lisa became that personal trainer. She loves teaching in the same way that our son loves sports, and that passion is something that our son sensed immediately. Sessions weren't easy and the expectations were high. Lisa coached, corrected and directed him to an SAT score that improved by over 250 points (2060 combined)! And, there was the essay. Our son did not like writing papers. Lisa loves them! Demonstrating the value of a coach who is both passionate and knowledgeable, she taught him strategies for approaching a topic, tricks to use when constructing the paper and little tidbits to recognize when writing. He scored a 750 out of 800 on the writing portion of the SAT and, now, looks forward to writing assignments! It has actually changed what he's considering for his college major. Prior to this experience, having a tutor for college and academic prep was only an occasional thought. Now, I tell all my friends to send their kids to Lisa."
-Dad of Scituate student

"I am calling to let you know some good news: I got into Penn. I heard yesterday so I am very excited. I just wanted to thank you for all of your help and support and essay editing throughout the process. It was really helpful. I also wanted to give you a heads-up that my parents will definitely be calling you some time in the future about my little brother because he has SATs and all of that fun college stuff coming up in the next couple years. Thanks again for everything."
- Shipley student ’05, Penn ‘09

"Exactly what [My daughter] needed! Thank you for instilling confidence in her about her writing. She doesn’t dread writing any more. Even her school teacher noticed a great improvement. Thank you."
-Mother of Episcopal Academy student ‘06, Johns Hopkins '10

"Lisa, I hope that you can instantly know how hugely I appreciated your [essay] work with [my daughter ]... I have told a number of people how delicately and expertly you helped her at this crucial stage. She never felt that her work was not her own, but the tips and sounding board that you provided helped her to be her best. "
-Mother of Hill School student ’04, Williams ‘08

"Hi, Lisa. I had to call you to tell you that [my son] got his SAT scores online today and they are absolutely unbelievable! He scored a 2240 combined. He did unbelievably well. He talked to his college counselor today; she advised him not take the exam again. She said there is no reason. These scores are good enough to certainly satisfy the requirements of all of the colleges she is recommending he visit…Thank you for all of your help. He thanks you too. He said that bringing his Critical Reading score up was just unbelievable and in large part due to you if not entirely due to you and the tips you gave him and your instruction. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. I’ll be in touch when we feel that he needs your expertise again. It has been a pleasure. Take care, Lisa, and thanks again."
-Mother of Haverford School student ‘06

"Hello Lisa! I did much better than I expected! I went up 190 points from last time! My mom was literally screaming :-). Thank you very much for all of your help, it definitely was the reason why I went up."
-Harriton student ‘06, Penn ‘10

"Lisa, I just got your gift in the mail!! Thank you so much! I was so surprised! That is one of the sweetest things anyone has done for me! If anything, I should be sending you a gift, you helped me so much with my SATs and my essay. The book is so cute and hopefully I will learn a lot of witty repartees, I am definitely lacking in that area... Anyway, if you need any personal endorsements or if anyone is considering your tutoring you can give them my number or email address and I would be happy to recommend you. Thanks again."
-Lower Merion student ’06, Brown ‘10

"Jaimi is doing a great job with [my seventh grader]. Thanks for recommending her!"
-Mother of Radnor Middle School student

"My daughter loves Kerstin; She says she’s a wonderful teacher and is very smart."
-Mother of Baldwin student ‘07

"I am thrilled about the progress my daughter is making with Jaimi. She’s not only learning how to read but having fun too. She was so disappointed when tutoring was cancelled last week because of the snow storm."
-Mother of Gladwyne Elementary first grader

"Lisa, thank you so much for all your help on the writing SAT II. Preparing the subjects for my essay was so helpful. Thanks for everything!"
-Baldwin student ’05, Princeton ‘09

"[My son] got into [Boarding School] and he is going. We are very happy. Thank you for all of your work with him. He has really grown a lot this year. It has been a wonderful year. We really appreciate what you did. He really enjoyed the time you worked with him. We may need your services again sometime; I’m keeping your card."
-Mother of Haverford School student

"We love Seth. Thanks."
-Mother of Harriton student ‘07

"I just wanted to let you know that David got into St. Joe’s. Since he really wanted to go there he only applied to one other college. He used the essay for both. We just heard a few days ago. Thank you for all your help. The essay was great."
-Mother of Delaware County Christian School student ’04, St. Joseph’s ‘08

"Kerstin is a gifted teacher and a very nice person. [My daughter] has a good rapport with her and she’s making good progress. Thank you very much."
-Mother of Haverford High School student ‘06

"Thank you, Lisa. I wish I would have known about you before summer! My daughter appreciated Kerstin’s low-key approach—She was very comfortable. I feel Kerstin helped her to gain more confidence in math."
-Mother of Rosemont Holy Child student

"I just wanted to e-mail you to tell you that I got into Emory Early decision so I will be heading down south this fall. I also want to thank you so much for all of your help with my essays!! All of your advice was invaluable. Thanks again!"
-Baldwin student ’06, Emory ‘10

"Thank you very much for all of your help. I believe that [my son’s] association with Apt Tutoring & Test Prep is extremely beneficial to him."
-Father of Lower Merion student ‘07

"Hi Lisa! It's so wonderful to hear from you. I did pretty well in the college
application process (thanks in large part to your assistance I'm sure)…I was accepted at the following places: Penn (The Huntsman Program), Harvard, Georgetown, Tufts, Wesleyan, Hopkins. Next year I will be attending The Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business at Penn, as a Ben Franklin and Joseph Wharton Scholar at Penn. Can't wait! How are things with you? I hope you and yours are well and enjoying the spring, and I expect of course that your students are still working their pants off."
-Penn student ‘10

"Tutoring with Nancy is going very well. She’s lovely, smart, and knows her stuff."
-Mother of Bala Cynwyd Middle School 7th grader

"I’m writing is to tell you how much [my son, my wife] and I liked Tim.  He is an exceptional match for [my son] given [my son’s] interest in Philosophy and Literature Arts.   [My son] feels that his summer school experience was extremely positive.  Honors Geometry is very difficult during the summer at LM.    [My son] took the final today going into it with an average slightly above the cutoff for a B and he feels he did very well on the final.    He met his objectives of learning a lot as well as earning a B grade.  We very much appreciate Tim’s help…He was exceptionally committed to helping [my son] achieve his goals as well as being an excellent tutor."
–Father of Lower Merion student ‘09

"We thought Derek was great!  We would love to line him up for the fall if possible."
-Mother of Bala Cynwyd Middle School 6th grader

"Thank you so much, Lisa, for helping me with the SAT and ACT and always being there to help me go over the grammar on my English essays.  I love to write but grammar is not my specialty.  Thanks to you and everything you have taught me about grammar, I have been getting Bs or better on all of the English papers I have written my freshmen year of college."
-Lower Merion student ‘06, American University student ‘10

 "[My son] and I are crazy about Andrea - she knows the right amount of encouragement and "push"!"
-Mother of Malvern Prep student ‘07

 "[My daughter] got a ten on the ACT essay and a 32 and a 33 on the English and Reading. She did amazing and we wanted to thank you so much because it was fabulous, everything you did for her. Thank you for all of your tremendous effort. "
-Mother of Harriton student ‘08

 "[My daughter]  called me from school where she checked her SAT scores. We’re really pleased with how she did…I wanted to let you know that she’s so happy and so am I. Thank you so much I know she could not have done it without you. "
-Mother of Radnor student ‘08

 "[My daughter] just got her ACT scores back. She got a composite of 32! 36 math, 35 English, 28 Reading, and 28 Science! Yea! Thanks to Leah! "
-Mother of Haverford High School student ‘08

 "I can’t begin to tell you what a huge help Andrea and Danvers have been.  I could see [my son] brighten up every time one of them had an appointment with him! Their support instilled him with so much more confidence than he had, which we can attest to from his continued improvement on his test scores.  Thanks again."
-Father of Friends Central student ‘08

 "Jack was terrific with Tom. He passed and graduated from St. Joe’s Prep. Thank you and thank you to Jack!"
-Mother of St. Joe’s Prep student ‘07

 "I know I probably would not have been accepted to Stanford without your help"
-Friends Central student ‘07, Stanford ‘11

 "Thank you for helping me achieve my college goals and getting accepted to my first choice school"
-Harriton student ’07, University of Michigan ‘11

 "I truly appreciate those countless hours we spent reading passage after passage, and filling in many, many fill-in-the-blanks. I couldn’t be more excited for next year and the beginning of the next chapter in my life."
-Penn Charter student  ‘07, Penn ‘11

 "Lisa, I am certain I could not have done it without you. I wanted to go to Syracuse and now I am. Thank you." 
-Harriton student ‘07

 "Hey Lisa, So yesterday at 4:00 am I checked the scores of my last standardized test in high school.  I was overjoyed: 770M, 750R, 800W (79 m/c and 12 essay).  Thank you so much for the help, ESPECIALLY with the writing: it is hard to believe that just last January I had a 590 with an 8 on the essay.  The score has definitely exceeded my expectations.  What a great way to conclude my relationship with the SAT! I can get into college now! Once again, thanks a lot."
-Harriton student ‘07

 "Many thanks for your fine services in the form of tutoring by Kerstin in October. [My daughter] both learned from her and enjoyed working with her.  Please let her know that she just received her scores from the SAT IIs she recently took and is happy about them. Physics: 790, Math 2C: 800."
-Mother of Harriton student ‘07

 "It was wonderful to have you on my side helping me throughout the college process, and for always thinking of me throughout the year.  Without your support and guidance I would not have been so successful. Thank you again for everything."
Harriton student ‘06, Muhlenburg ‘10

 "Please know how thrilled we were with Katie. She is a good soul in addition to being an outstanding teacher. We imagine that she’ll be seeing more of [our son]."
-Mother of Conestoga student ‘08

"…I have no doubt that your assistance with the essay: motivating [my son] to sit down and write it and the editorial feedback you offered on it, helped him enormously…The whole essay process seemed completely overwhelming to him and you somehow made it seem manageable.  If his English SAT had not gone up by 100 points with your instruction I am not sure he would have been accepted regular admission.  I feel so glad I took the initiative to move him away from his other tutor (give myself a pat on the back for that!).  So, thank you again for all your help!"
-Mother of Penn Charter student ‘07

"Jen was absolutely fabulous. She came very prepared before each session and was extremely able in explaining difficult topics. She made me very motivated to do all the problems and made sure I was making flashcards each week, which was very helpful in memorizing a lot of dense information. The sessions were very interesting to me, and the class-like atmosphere with the dry erase board was great….Thanks for your recommendations!"
-Pomona College student ‘10

"Just a note to say that we have just adored Katie.  She’s the dream tutor, and you can quote me on that to anyone who asks about her.  [My son] felt safe with her, had fun with her, learned from her, and is a better student because of her.  We will miss having her in our lives."
-Mother of Conestoga student ‘08

"Melissa, thanks for all you do!  You helped out is so many ways, we could not have done this with out you and Lisa on board.  It takes a village.  I hope things settle down in your life and everyone remains healthy. Take care and thanks so much!!!"
-Mother of Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy student ‘08

"Katie, how are you doing? I've got something to tell you. On Tuesday night, I found out that I have been accepted into Syracuse in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. I'm really excited about that ‘cause it's my first choice and I'm definitely going to enjoy myself there. And I also want to thank you for helping me get there. I've learned strategies that really helped me do well on the SAT so thanks."
-Conestoga student ’08, Syracuse University ‘12

"Jennie was awesome. We’re almost done, I think, and I can’t speak highly enough about the process and the end result. I am so thankful that Steph led me to you and your company. Now, I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed that I am accepted."
-Law School Applicant, Salt Lake City, Utah

"Dear Leah --Happy New Year!  I had been wanting to write to you to tell you [my daughter’s] good news – She applied early decision to Washington University in St. Louis, and she was accepted!  We are all very excited…It’s quite a hard school to get into these days, so needless to say, she was really excited to be accepted.  We want to thank you again so very much for doing such great work with [her] – her test scores in the verbal section really went up thanks to your work together! You made a great team!  Thanks again so much, Leah!"
-Mother of Haverford High School student ’08, Washington University ‘12

"Thanks, Lisa. I just wanted you to know (although you must already) how terrific Melissa is. Obviously she's great at what she does, but she also got right into [our son's] head, and that's been our hardest obstacle. But she's no nonsense, gets to work, and whisks him away - although I do hear them laughing often."
-Mother of Great Valley student, '10

"I was introduced to Apt Tutoring & Test Prep through one of my good friends, and I’m so glad that I was!  Jennie was extremely supportive during the preparation of my personal statement and application to law school.  She helped me clarify what I was trying to say without re-writing my essay.  Her comments were always useful and positive and she was very timely with her reviews and edits.  I appreciate all the help that she gave me during the application process, and I do believe that it was with her help that I was admitted."
--Laura, Salt Lake City, UT.

"I came to Apt Tutoring & Test Prep basically knowing what I wanted out of a graduate program but overwhelmed but the graduate admissions process. Jennie helped me clarify my school choices and was very instrumental in helping me to organize myself-- which relieved a lot of the angst. Most importantly, she expertly guided me through the essay portion of the application. Although I am a skilled writer and the ideas were all mine, she provided excellent feedback, organizational tips, and ideas on what to include. Throughout my time working with Jennie, she took a deep interest in my case and did a great deal of background research on my field (education/ psychology). Although we worked remotely (I am overseas.), she was always accessible, professional and encouraging. Working with her was not only hugely beneficial, but very enjoyable. Ultimately I was accepted to excellent programs at William and Mary, Harvard and Columbia. I know that I earned my own admittance to Columbia, but without her guidance, I am unsure if I would be starting this exciting new chapter in my life. Needless to say, I am a very satisfied client. I think the main benefit of working with someone on grad school admissions is that they can help you organize your ideas and priorities. They can't make a star out of nothing, but I really believe they can help you highlight your attributes so you can take yourself to the next level. It was absolutely worth it." 
--Michelle, Oman