Applying to college can be difficult for students and their families. In addition to being a complex, high stakes process, applying to college can also be a highly emotional process. In our college guidance program, we consult directly with parents and students every step of the way to achieve goals and mitigate anxieties. ibidPREP customizes school lists and creates application checklists that include all the necessary websites, forms, applications, supplements, short answers and essays required. We also schedule testing, tours and informational meetings, make calls, and maintain the peace among all parties throughout.
Over and above the technical and emotional support we provide, perhaps our greatest contribution to the college application process is the work we do with students on their essays. As a published journalist (e.g., Art in America, Esquire, Time Out New York), Stuart knows how to help students find their voices. He helps shape their writing by constantly participating in the editing of however many drafts are necessary to achieve a truly personal statement. Throughout the revision process, ibid shows students how to strip away many of the platitudes and lackluster mannerisms their writing may have accrued through high school. Ultimately, students learn how to express themselves in a real and gripping manner that is unique to them.
ibidPREP's college admissions guidance is highly involved with every aspect of our student's applications, and our founder, Stuart Servetar is personally involved in most of it. We recognize how important this process is, and we take great care with that responsibility. To that end, ibid only accepts a handful of students per year for college admissions.
Initial Consultation
Parents and student meet with Stuart Servetar to review student’s high school and extracurricular history, standardized test history and preferences and goals for college. Discussion includes scheduling future standardized tests, best prep options, rough college wish list and schedule of college visits and application processes. Consult followed up with email outlining details of consultation and laying out schedules and options for family.
School Research
Based on college wish lists, student’s profile and preferences, and our own further research, ibid generates a detailed spreadsheet of colleges and universities. Schools are ranked by percent acceptance rates and color coded as Reaches, 50/50s and Likelys. We further granulate percent acceptance differences between regular and early admission and chart SAT and ACT scores by incoming freshman stats.
Our lists evolve as students hone their interests and choices through visits and research. Families are given access to our USNEWS account and other links, so they may do their own parallel investigations.
Punch Lists
Once a student's list is solidified, we build a punch of all input necessary for applications. When the Common Application is released (usually in August), we add in all supplemental prompts the student will have to respond to. Then we begin helping them knock them out!
Interviews and Campus Visits Facilitation
ibid arranges tours and interviews with schools as needed.
Interview Training
Interviews have diminished in relative import in admissions, but we never pass up an opportunity to make a positive impact on our students' applications. To that end, we are happy to help prepare students for any interviews that may come their way.
Parent & Student Follow-up Consultations As Needed
Anytime throughout the process, parents and students may avail themselves of further sit-down time with Stuart.
Personal Statement & Supplements
The writing process begins, usually by end of junior year, with a session with Stuart to plan an overall approach to the writing. Brainstorming begins here and the student is encouraged to produce free-flowing, super-rough first drafts. Part of the initial sit-down is used to urge students to begin to write without worrying about self-censoring or word counts. Everything is on the table to start!
The writing process continues with Stuart helping students through every piece of writing and suggesting which pieces to use where. Writing is done to a reasonable but strict schedule with copious back and forth until every word sparkles.
Deadline Assistance
When it comes time to submit applications, we sit with student to insure that everything is done properly and that every line in every application is filled out perfectly. Then we hit SEND!
Stuart is an amazing tutor, counselor and guide for our son and family - from SAT all the way to application. He is knowledgeable, personable, and kind. He personalized the approach to guide our son, who trusted him 100% and excelled under his guidance. He aced the SAT (1580 in one shot!) and prepped his application materials with no help from his parents (so far). We are extremely thankful and recommend him without reservation whatsoever from the bottom of our heart. We plan to ask him to take care of our daughter.
Hiroo T.
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• Qualified instructor with solid academic background
• Fully trained in proven test prep strategies
• Expert guidance for score improvement
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We recommend 1-hour sessions for 4th-7th graders (except Hunter test), and 1.5-hour sessions for the Hunter, SHSAT, ACT, SAT, and beyond.
| Hours | Remote | In-Person |
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| 3h | | |
| 6h | | |
| 9h | | |
| 12h | | |
with our founder, Stuart Servetar.
