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Feedback From Students

I entered New York University as a freshman one year after I first visited. Last spring I fell in love at first sight with New York University in Manhattan, but the world-famous high admission requirements made me think that I could never study at NYU. Soon after, Dr. Gao and Elizabeth saved me from the struggle of deciding whether I should give up my dream or keep trying.

Most people tell me: "SAT critical reading is too hard to improve in a short time; you should just give it up." But using myself as an example, I can prove that's not true. At first, I was using the traditional way of completing the critical reading sections that most people did. I read the questions first, then read the passage. After working with Elizabeth, I figured out that this way was not the best way for me. I always forgot about the question while reading, or I would choose the wrong answers without fully understanding the passage. After discovering this, we found another way of reading that fit me better. The new method was for me was to skim the passage first to get a general idea of the author's purpose, then read the passage again after going over the questions. The day after we implemented this method, my score went up by 60 points. After a few months’ of practice, I achieved an improvement of 100 points in my final SAT test.

Even though I had huge improvement in critical reading, my total score was still not good enough to reach NYU. Working with Dr. Gao helped me raise my test score to a whole new level. Dr. Gao gathered all the practice problems from all kinds of books and materials, and then re-sorted them by different question types. Therefore, I could focus on the type of questions that I didn't understand. By my final SAT test, I received a 300 point improvement, which helped me get closer to NYU.

To bring me even closer to my dream, Dr. Gao also helped me with my math. He had me take a preliminary math test so that he could determine what level I was at. Based on the test, he found out that I couldn't understand probability problems, so he gave me a lesson of very basic strategies and tips to solve these kinds of problems. After one month of intense training, I got a perfect score of 800 points on the SAT math subject test.

After all the painful training, I finally stand on the brink of realizing my dream. I will never forget the experience of working with Elizabeth and Dr. Gao, and I will use what they have taught me in my college studies as well.

— Tian

"I got my SAT scores yesterday, and I got an 800 on critical reading despite skipping a question and a 770 on writing. Thank you so much for all of your help; I definitely would not have been able to get as high a score without it."

— Alex, Framingham

"You are such an eloquent and incredibly talented person, and I have really learned so much about writing from you in these past couple years."

— Peter, Newton

"I'd just like to say thanks again for tutoring me in the SATs and editing my college essays. More importantly, I witnessed the trademarks of a great teacher, one who not only teaches but also befriends. You were someone who not only corrected but also explained, deepening my understanding on the subject at hand. Thanks to you, I will be attending Duke next fall."

— Kevin, Lexington

"Thank you for all of the help you have given us these several years. You have been such a calming presence and your expertise has been such a help, especially in this last year where there has been so much pressure!"

— Claudia, Newton 

"Steven got his SAT scores this morning and he was really happy with them. He got an 800 in the writing with an 11 on the essay (up from 730 with an 8 on the essay when he took them in December) and a 770 on the Critical Reading (up from a 690 in December). Thank you so much for all of your help. Feel free to use us as a reference and I will certainly recommend you to friends who ask."

— Iissa, Wellesley 

Hi, Songping:
I checked my score report this morning. I got a 2360 total.
Critical reading: 800, Math: 800, Writing: 760 
Thank you for all your helps.

— Jenny

Hi Songping!
Thank you! I wrote you an e-mail when I first heard from Cornell. Thanks again for all of your help!

— Debbie

Hi Professor Gao,

Allan got into Tufts through the Early Admission program. He is very happy and excited. He could not have succeeded without your teaching and inspiration. Xiaorong and I would like to express our sincere gratitude to you. Allan's performance in freshman year was far from ideal. I remember his attitude change after taking Sunday classes with your. You not only taught him math and English, but more importantly, you inspired him to do the best he could in academics and actively participate in extra curriculum activities. Since then, he performed better year after year. He felt more comfortable being friends with "smart kids". We thank you for your great service. I am sure many parents will say the same. You are an invaluable asset of our community.
Best holiday wishes to you and your family!

— Xiaorong & Yi

Hi, Songping,

We have been feeling so lucky that Jenny has you a great mentor for her college career and further for her professional endeavors. We would thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We have observed, from Jenny's every step forward, that you have given her the excellent combination of teaching, coaching and guiding not only in the aspect of academic performance, but also in other important aspects of life in future. That be, we believe strongly, the uniqueness and effectiveness of the program. We also think that her school performance reflects the quality of your training and the integrity of your program design. It is impossible to see those without your hard-work, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness. We wish her keep it up to succeed and wish your program the great growth.
Happy Chinese New Year,

— Mingfang