Frequently Asked Questions

How are you different from other consulting companies?

Great question! One aspect of our approach that parents appreciate in particular is our comprehensive brainstorming, writing, editing, and revisions process. It’s an extensive, deeply-involved exploration of each student’s values, character, and experiences—not only is it paramount for admissions, but it’s also an eye-opening process for the student as they continue their journey into high school and eventually college.

Is there really homework after each session?

Definitely — whether it's completing a school research guide for their list of schools, taking next steps on a passion project, or brainstorming and drafting an application essay, students are expected to put in the work. That said, we adjust to each student's needs and routinely work with students who are unable to complete work outside of sessions—in those cases, we'll continue to tackle the applications at a slower pace.

When do parents typically begin private school consulting?

We recommend starting the process the summer before the application year — in most cases, this is the summer before eighth grade. While we regularly help students in the fall and even winter, starting the process sooner allows for less stress and a more thoughtful approach to the application essays.

But I have an eighth grader who decided last minute to apply to Potomac. Is it too late?

It’s not too late! But it’s going to be an uphill battle—we’d recommend starting the essay process as soon as possible.

Does it make a difference if I apply as a boarding vs. day student?

In short, yes. Boarding students often pay higher tuition costs, which gives them a slight advantage in the application process. That said, there are other factors involved—maturity, outside activities, even student culture—that should be carefully considered before making a final decision.

My student got a score of 2100 on the SSAT. Is this enough to get into Exeter/Andover?

While higher scores are better, schools typically use the SSAT (along with transcripts and teacher recs) to determine a student’s ability to handle a rigorous high school curriculum. Once a student scores above 2000 on the SSAT, we’ve found that schools will then look to other areas of the application—extracurriculars, essays, teacher recs, positive character traits—to assess what each student will bring to campus.

My student is very picky about who he works with—can we meet first?

We offer a free 20-minute information session for parents and students. If you’d like to set one up, please contact us at info@principiatutors.com.

I’m interested but only want to work with Elaina. Is this possible?

Elaina takes a handful of students each year on a case-by-case basis. If you’d like to discuss, contact her directly at elaina@principiatutors.com.

Does consulting include sessions focused on preparing for the SSAT or HSPT?

While test prep sessions are not included in these packages, we do offer 1:1 test prep for high school admissions exams, so we'll be happy to make instructor recommendations (maybe even your consultant) depending on availability and fit.

Do you offer consulting for students outside the northern Virginia area?

Yes, we have students across the country and as far away as Hong Kong and Seoul; we meet regularly over platforms like Pencil Spaces, Skype or Google Meet and can arrange in-person meetings where applicable. Feel free to get in touch below and we’ll arrange an initial consultation.

Questions? Get in touch at info@principiatutors.com or below.