I work with students with non-standard learning profiles, including students who are:
- gifted
- artistic
- diagnosed with ADD
- dyslexic
- dysgraphic
- anxious (esp. on tests)
- challenged by executive function
- standardized-test-phobic
- poorly served by traditional teaching approaches in other ways
I identify and implement approaches that will allow my students to successfully navigate their academics and develop permanent, successful problem-solving and academic strategies.
My methodology focuses on developing skills with verbal input and output, primarily reading and writing. Since quantitative achievement also depends on verbal ability, our work in math is critical as well.
I work with teachers and college counselors to help my students achieve their goals. I also petition the College Board and ACT Board for student accommodations.
My emphasis on language structure means that I work with students on essentially all of their major subjects:
- English language and literature
- Math K-12
- Science
- History
- Second language
I am qualified and experienced with AP exams in language and history and am happy to help students who are struggling with these courses.
Standardized Testing
I specialize in helping my students take standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP, GRE, SSAT, HSPT, and ISEE.
Students with learning challenges are typically not a match for the expectations of standardized test designers. We work toward making the tests work for them as much as possible. This requires programs that are tailored to both the talents of the particular student and the requirements of the particular test.
I have 20 years of experience preparing students to take standardized tests. My students have achieved great improvements in their performance on these tests.
College Application Counseling
I am also happy to help my students with their college applications. We talk at length about their goals and ambitions, and coordinate with parents, recruiters, and college admissions offices to offer the students the best chance of acceptance to a college of choice.
My students have been accepted to a very wide range of colleges and universities, including:
- Harvard U.
- Stanford U.
- Columbia U.
- UC Berkeley
- UCLA
- Cornell U.
- Johns Hopkins U.
- U of Maryland, College Park
- MIT
- RPI
- U Wisconsin, Madison
- U Michigan, Ann Arbor
- UNC, Chapel Hill
- U of Pennsylvania
- Dartmouth
- USC
- Loyola Marymount
- UC Davis, Irvine, Riverside, Santa Barbara
- U of Arizona
- ASU
- Boston U
Susan McCormick, Ph.D. 