Alisa Gross
Location: Outside London
I predominantly teach:
SATI Critical Reading, SATI Maths
I also teach:
Application Essays, Application process, College choice
Experience
While at University, I volunteered for a company called Let’s Get Ready, where I tutored in the math, verbal, and writing sections of the SAT for secondary school students at inner-city schools in Harlem. Our curriculum was adapted from leading Test Prep and Admissions companies, such as Kaplan and Princeton Review. I had opportunities to teach both advanced students and students who had fallen behind in their classes. For the students who were struggling with the examination, I reviewed arithmetic, algebra, and geometry concepts. I helped them develop a broader knowledge of vocabulary and sentence structure through devising vocabulary games and pneumonics. For advanced students, I demonstrated test-taking strategies for each section of the exam, such as back-solving, picking numbers, creating bridges for analogies, and devising passage maps for reading comprehension questions. I was available for extra-help after class and via email. One aspect of the tutoring I particularly enjoyed was helping with admissions essay writing skills and giving advice on finding good academic and social environments for individual interests.
Biography
In secondary school, I was highly motivated through the help of both maths and SAT tutors, and I would like to encourage others to achieve. I want to pursue a career as a curator or lecturer. I am currently working on my PhD in the History of Art at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. I lived in England for a year after I received my Masters degree from the Courtauld Institute. I also studied the History of Art for my undergraduate degree, at Columbia University in New York. While my present academic pursuits are within the humanities, I also focused on maths while in my first few terms at University.
Personal Approach
Practice, practice, practice. I like to work on a student's strategy and time management skills from the very beginning, because they are just as important as knowing the answers!
Testimonials
In one class of 4 students, each of my students’ scores increased in between 150-300 points total on the SAT examination. My students have been admitted to Harvard and Columbia.