I did not think I would need a counselor/tutor outside of the support I had from my school, but…read morewhat 1636 Review boiled down to was exactly what I ended up needing: not a motivational tool, but a great set of eyes. Linda, having seen a wealth of both successful and unsuccessful essays, knew where to push certain essays, where to retract, and when to change the focus of a piece entirely. She, and the few students she has working for her, have a strong set of healthy tips to offer students struggling (or not) with essays of any kind. Additionally, Linda was eager to check in -- by phone or by email -- to ensure that the process was going smoothly, that I was meeting our agreed upon deadlines, and that I liked the direction in which my essays were going. Collaboration and support happened not just during sessions, but all the time. I never lacked a newly marked up copy of an essay, and when I did, it meant it was time for another meeting. Beyond essays, it was actually Linda that pushed me to apply Early Decision, a choice that I could not thank her more for influencing. I had a good idea as to what schools interested me, but it was Linda who really pushed me to make the firm decision, and as a result, I had a head start on essays, an unmatched interest in a school, and a free winter break! Thanks to Linda and everyone at 1636 Review!

Linda was incredibly helpful with my business school application and with her help I was just…read moreadmitted to HBS! I met Linda through my aunt who suggested I seek her advice with my essays. Through phone conversations and emails, Linda helped me craft my story into an essay that captured both my experience and personality. I couldn't be more happy with the result and I don't think I would be going to Harvard Business School next year without her!

I've been working with Sara Denaro to help guide my son through the college application process,…read moreand I honestly don't know how I would have managed without her support. From building a smart college list to helping him brainstorm and polish his essays, she has been organized, encouraging, and incredibly knowledgeable every step of the way. My son feels more confident and less overwhelmed, and it's been a huge relief for me as a parent to know that he's in such capable hands. Sara has a great way of balancing honest feedback with positivity, and brings out my son's authentic voice in his writing--something I really appreciate. If you're looking for someone who is experienced, responsive, and genuinely invested in your child's success, I highly recommend Sara Denaro. This has been one of the best decisions I've made during the high school years!

Sara has been an incredible support for my four kids during the college application process. She…read morehas a unique ability to meet each kid where they are and provide personalized help in the areas they need most. All of my kids have talked about how easy it was to work with her and how much confidence they gained in navigating the process. As a parent, Sara's guidance has been an absolute godsend. Knowing she was there to help my kids every step of the way made the entire experience so much smoother and less stressful for all. I cannot recommend Sara enough to anyone looking for expert, compassionate help with college applications!

I worked with Stefan on test prep; he was outstanding. The 1.5hr sessions FLEW BY!…read more Stefan is so fun and passionate about test taking strategies. He is so knowledgeable and is someone I wish I would have found earlier in my application journey. I am so grateful for his support! I loved having the whiteboard and he always sends the PDF of the notes that you cover in class. Stefan makes everything super easy to understand and very accessible. If you don't understand it, he will try to flip the concept on its head and reteach it to you. He is super patient! This has been my favorite test prep experience. I have tried it all - Manhattan Prep and other test prep companies. I only wish I found him sooner.

I highly recommend Stefan Maisnier for MBA admissions guidance. When our son decided to pursue his…read moreMBA on a tight timeline, Stefan quickly created a clear, strategic plan. He objectively evaluated our son's strengths and weaknesses, identified gaps--especially in quantitative skills--and worked closely with him to address those areas. Stefan's deep knowledge of admissions and test prep ensured our son targeted schools that fit his profile and goals, and he provided invaluable support throughout the process. Stefan's professionalism and expertise made a real difference for our family. My wife and I would recommend him to anyone seeking high-level, personalized admissions guidance and GMAT prep.

We highly recommend Academic Approach. They always think of everything. Our first child used their…read moreservices and did great; now it is our daughter's turn, and 8 years later they are still just as good at what they do. From the very first day, Academic Approach delivered. You were awesome to work with, made these tests so easy to understand for us, and took care of all of my daughter's testing and academic needs. You are the best! Thank you so much.

Hands down would not be where I am today without Academic Approach. They helped me decide between…read moretaking the ACT or SAT. Once we decided on the ACT they helped me raise my score by eight points. I was able to get into the college of my choice early decision. It's within walking distance or a short bus ride from at 3-4 nearby high schools so it was super easy for me to get there after school on my own. I really appreciated being able to take a timed practice test about once a month. Come test day I was super comfortable with the timing and was able to perform my best. It's pricey but it's one of the bet investments my parents made.

This review is long overdue. I worked with Jody 10 years ago, and the experience still leaves a…read moresour feeling. I would not recommend her to a friend. She exploited my vulnerability, tearing me down instead of building me up. Maybe that approach works for some, but I found it to be rather cruel.

Jody is an excellent executive coach. I attended her Mind-Mastery and Accountability Mirror…read moreworkshops followed by a 6 month-ish coaching engagement. Just the workshops alone made me see and think differently, better. With the personalized sessions, I had Jody in my corner as my coach, cheerleader, and critic (in a good way). And it all made a real difference, not just professionally but also personally. I feel different. And people who know me have commented about that - I'm less stressed, more present. But, if you want empirical data... she does a 360 review with managers/peers/reports at the beginning of the coaching engagement and then at the conclusion, and I can tell you that she helped me move the marker to demonstrate my improvement in my skills including communication, engagement and leadership. All round excellent experience. Thank you Jody!

Very active non-profit helping academically promising students from under-resourced communities…read moreprepare for and complete college. Its mission is to train future Chicago leaders. Students must live and attend high school in Chicago and be a prospective first-generation college student.