Independent College Counseling & Tutoring
I read the applications.
Now I'll help your student write one that gets read.
College admissions has never been more competitive, or more confusing. I guide a small number of families with students of all ages through it with a perspective almost no counselor can offer: I've just come from inside the admissions office, where I read the applications myself.
After graduating from Princeton herself, Sydney Spector spent her days inside Princeton University's admissions office, reading real applications and admitting students. She knows, first-hand, what makes a reader lean in and what makes them quietly move on to the next folder.
Now attending law school at Georgetown University, Sydney brings both sides to the table. A Princeton graduate who came up through the competitive private-school world, Sydney has felt the pressure your student feels now, and she has seen exactly how admission decisions are made. After extensive experience working with students in test prep and subject tutoring, Sydney is now able to guide your student through the college application process.
Why families work with a counselor
A great student can still get lost in the pile.
Every year, more and more accomplished applicants compete for the same handful of seats. Successful applicants set themselves apart. A qualified counselor calmly guides students through this process.
The bar keeps rising
Selective schools now read tens of thousands of excellent files to fill very few spots. Top grades and scores are the starting line, not the finish.
Personality is everything
A reader spends only minutes with each application. What sets admitted students apart is a clear, honest narrative, not a longer list of activities.
Confidence is rewarded
School lists, timelines, essays, recommendation planning. Families who start planning early and make deliberate choices hold a real, compounding advantage.
How we work together
A calm approach, from our first call to application submission.
Discovery call
We start with the student, not a template. Goals, strengths, worries, and where they are in the timeline, creating a unique plan to fit the real person.
Academic preparation
Success in the classroom is the base of your student's application. We will work together in classroom subject tutoring, advanced course selection, and standardized test prep to strengthen your student's academic portfolio.
Strategy and school list
A balanced list that's ambitious and realistic, paired with a term-by-term plan for coursework, testing, and activities.
Essays and the application
We draw out the student's real story and shape essays that are true to them. Every part of the application creates a cohesive image of them as a person, not just a student.
Final review
Before anything is submitted, the whole application gets a reader's-eye pass, the same read it will get on the other side of the desk.
Services offered
Support that meets your student where they are.
Pricing
Custom packages available — reach out to discuss your student's needs.
Tutoring
Classroom subject tutoring
- Elementary and Middle School core curriculum$100/hour
- Advanced and High School English$125/hour
- Advanced and High School Social Studies$125/hour
- Standardized test preparation tutoring for SAT/ACT$200/hourSydney's scores: 36 ACT, 1560 SAT
- University-focused extracurricular, internship, and course selection$175An hour-long planning session with focus on long-term goals
College Counseling
Comprehensive College Counseling Program
Customized support for every step of the application process. Each session will focus on your student's current needs. Together we can build a school list, fill out the common application, perfect the personal statement, prepare school-specific supplements, plan recommendation letter strategy, and finalize any additional portfolios. Completed applications can get a full review prior to submission.
- 10 hours$225/hour
- 20 hours$200/hour
- 30 hours$175/hour
- Personal Statement Brainstorming and Editing$275An hour-long brainstorming session, up to three rounds of edits, and a 30 minute follow up session.
- School Specific Supplement Support$250/supplementAn hour-long planning session and up to three rounds of edits per school supplement.
- Building a School List$275An hour-long call to determine student's needs and preferences and a follow-up call to share a tailored list of recommended colleges and universities.
What families say
Contact
Let's talk about your student's next chapter.
Tell me a little about your student and where they are in the process. I'll be in touch to set up an introductory call.
spectorcollegeprep@gmail.comOpens your email app with the message ready to send.