College Applications

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College Application Services: Your Path to Success

At Graybill Literacy & Learning Studio, we equip high school students with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence needed to navigate the college admissions process successfully. Our 1:1 coaching helps us get to know your student personally, so that we can help them showcase themselves as a unique individual with talents, passions, and a desire to grow as they apply to colleges and universities as the next stage of their educational journey. We can support your student in mastering the SAT test with personalized preparation as well as crafting standout college applications and writing compelling essays. Graybill Literacy & Learning Studio provides personalized expert guidance every step of the way.

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College Applications

Applying to college can feel overwhelming, but our 1:1 College Application Support breaks the process into manageable steps.

  • 4-hours of support:

    • Expert feedback based on your academic history, along with upcoming schedule discussion, and considerations. 

    • Discuss goals, requirements, and practical considerations using a predesigned formula with proven results. 

    • Identify key factors in choosing the right college by demonstrating the use of the best websites to search effectively. 

    • Provide checklists for students and parents with timelines and deadlines. 

    • Provide spreadsheets to help keep track of the college list and each college’s requirements, deadlines, etc. 

    • Outline next steps for a strategic college search.

  • 7-10 hours of support:

    • Discuss goals, requirements, and practical considerations using a predesigned formula with proven results. 

    • Identify key factors in choosing the right college by demonstrating the use of the best websites to search effectively. 

    • Provide a detailed testing plan (SAT/ACT). 

    • Provide checklists for students and parents with timelines and deadlines. 

    • Provide spreadsheets to help keep track of the college list and each college’s requirements, deadlines, etc. 

    • Provide a Glossary of College Terms. 

    • Outline next steps for a strategic college search. 

    • Explain and sign the FERPA and waiver for Letters of Recommendation. 

    • College Essay Assistance: Craft an outline, write a compelling draft, and refine it with 2-3 rounds of edits.

    • Common Application Support: Complete the application, including supplemental essays for up to 3 colleges. 

    • Strategize and request letters from educators using a provided template. 

    • Support using the student’s school’s College Platform (Scoir, Naviance, etc.) to organize next steps and send Letters of Recommendations to colleges. 

    • Explain Early Decision and Early Action, and decide if that is the right option for the student.

  • 11-15 hours of support, including everything in the Basic College Application Package, plus:

    • Provide sample emails for teachers for Letters of Recommendation. 

    • Provide a resume template to help students create resumes needed for Letters of Recommendation.

    • Customized College Exploration: Match students with ideal schools based on size, programs, and career goals. 

    • Supplemental Applications: Assistance with 3 additional school-specific applications.

    • Sending test scores to colleges using Collegeboard.org

    • NCAA support, if applicable, and cross-referencing of courses to ensure eligibility.

    • Financial Aid Support: Filling out the FAFSA and navigating the scholarship process.

At Graybill Literacy & Learning Studio, we believe every student has the potential to succeed in college and beyond. Let's make your college dreams a reality!

Let's make your college dreams a reality!

Standardized Test Prep Services to Help Your Student Master the Exam with Confidence

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Explore our Standardized Test Prep Services

Our Test Prep Tutoring Method Works!

Personal Connection

Because our tutors are experts on all sections of secondary school admission exams, you’ll work with just one professional tutor to prepare for the SAT and ACT.

Test Prep Materials

Our curriculum is based on official, released tests, so your tutoring sessions will focus on middle and upper-level practice questions that closely model the real test.

Free Practice Tests

You will complete a number of SAT modules as well as an initial full-length practice test to build confidence for test day. Once your initial practice test results are evaluated, your tutor will customize the best test preparation plan for you, including additional recommended practice for home.

  • “Ruthie was an absolute lifesaver during the college application process—and we don’t say that lightly! Not only did she help our son stay on track (no small feat), but she also managed to keep our whole family sane and still speaking to each other by the end. That alone deserves a medal. Our son genuinely loved working with Ruthie, which says a lot. She had this amazing ability to motivate him without nagging, guide him without overwhelming, and somehow—even with his expert-level procrastination—get everything done on time. Looking back, I only wish we had contacted her sooner. We might’ve even gotten those applications in early! (A parent can dream…) Ruthie brought real insight to the process, gave honest and thoughtful feedback on college choices, and her input on his essays was spot-on. Thanks to her, our son is heading off to study Engineering at Trinity College in Dublin this fall—his first choice! We truly couldn’t have survived this process without her, and we’re endlessly grateful.”

    — The O’Donell Family, Milton, Ma

  • "I highly recommend GLLS for SAT Prep. Thanks to their expert guidance, my score increased by 150 points. They taught me how to approach each section with the right strategies, making the test feel much more manageable. Their focused and effective teaching style greatly impacted my confidence and performance. If you’re looking for an SAT Tutor who truly knows how to get results, GLLS is the best choice!"

    -Ella, Hanover

  • “Going through the college process with the guidance and expertise of Ruthie was so beyond helpful. The anxiety of making sure I was going about everything correctly was completely stripped and turned into an exciting experience. I can't recommend enough to others preparing to go through the college application process.”

    -Wil Hington (Merrimack Alumni - currently in nursing school at Endicott)