Ivy Wizard

It's especially rewarding to help a student win a full scholarship to a top-tier US institution. My student Kira was awarded a full scholarship this year to Amherst College ( #2 ranked Liberal Arts College in USA). Unlike Canada and Australia, the US boasts many prestigious need-blind universities - a wonderful option for international students who need financial aid. Here's a list of some of these universities:

20 U.S. Colleges That Offer the Most Financial Aid to International Students The average financial aid package for international students at these U.S. schools was nearly $82,000.

My student Hanga not only just got admitted to the M.S. in Management at Fordham, but also received a Dean's scholarship for $25,000! I am so proud of her achievement and of our work together. While funding for Master's programs tends to be very limited, a carefully prepared application with well thought out essays can bolster one's chances of receiving a scholarship. In addition, if you were looking for ways to fund your Master's program, it would be wise to talk to someone at the Career Services Center at your university and look through websites such as scholarships.com.

Send a message to learn more

Huge congratulations to my student Nikita, who got admitted to the Master of Finance program at Vanderbilt University. In addition, he was awarded a $10K scholarship - a rare occasion for an international Master's student!

International students must work very hard to adapt and thrive in the US educational system and culture. Many of them, like Nikita, also have to work to support their families back home.

Sincere congratulations, and best wishes for future success to Nikita and to all students who show grit, persistence, and positive ambition.

Send a message to learn more

There's nothing better than receiving a message like this out of the blue... I always give my best to students out of my own personal sense of responsibility and desire to help, but I have to admit that the feeling of being appreciated is unparalleled. A huge thanks to all my students who make my work a labor of joy and pleasure and cheers to their success in life.

Hey everyone, I have some incredible news to share! (Albeit, with a little delay due to my busy schedule). One of my students, Sofia, has just been admitted into Johns Hopkins University with a major in Chemistry! This has been her dream school for as long as I can remember, and I couldn't be prouder of her for achieving such a monumental goal.

It has been such an honor to work with Sofia on this journey and I am blown away by her dedication and hard work over the years. Seeing the tears of gratitude in her eyes when she received the news was beyond rewarding and reinforces why I think working with young minds is truly a privilege.

I am excited to see what the future holds for one of the most motivated and promising young scientists and future artists out there! Congratulations, Sofia - this is only the beginning of great things to come.

Who is The Ideal Applicant to Top US universities?

The profile of the ideal US university applicant can vary depending on the university, program, and degree level being applied to. However, some common characteristics of an ideal US university applicant include:
Strong Academic Performance: Good grades, high test scores, and challenging coursework are essential for admission to competitive colleges and universities.
Extracurricular Activities: Participation in clubs, sports, community service, research, and leadership roles set applicants apart and demonstrate a well-rounded character.
Passion for Learning: A strong curiosity and intellectual enthusiasm are essential traits expected of ideal university applicants.
Strong Writing and Communication Skills: The ability to write effectively and communicate ideas is crucial for success in college, and admissions committees prefer strong writers.
Cultural Awareness and Diversity: A diverse background, respect for cultural differences, and sensitivity to diverse issues are advantageous for applicants seeking admission to a diverse institution.
Letters of Recommendation: Recommendations from teachers, mentors, or supervisors that highlight academic achievements and personal strengths could make a significant difference.
True fit and interest in the university, program and environment: Demonstrating that you have researched the university’s core values, program, and plans, and that these align with your goals and interests show the admissions committee that you’re the right fit.
It is important to note, however, that no single trait or characteristic guarantees admission to any university. Each institution and program considers a comprehensive set of factors when assessing applicants.

Congratulations to my student Nikita for passing the coveted threshold of 1500 and scoring 1520 on his October 2022 SAT. While many colleges and universities offer Test Optional admissions, test scores are still an important part of the Admissions process for many top universities, especially those that put utmost priority on academic performance over personality fit, such as Northwestern. Good job to everyone who took the exam this October and good luck on your college applications!

The past admissions cycle has been very challenging for different reasons. The Pandemic necessitated Test Optional allowance in many universities, which has lead to an increasing volume of applicants and pressure on other parts of the application. A thought provoking article on the subject: https://www.wsj.com/articles/to-get-into-the-ivy-league-extraordinary-isnt-always-enough-these-days-11650546000?mod=e2fb&fbclid=IwAR10wNRRGdiwzLKaIfmQ8YT562oYpaVg4yZ2setgvAjO0rAn5eq6I2nRoiY

I believe in getting results. Also, I used to believe in natural intelligence but my experience with students has proven to me that Personal Motivation and Persistence is the highest indicator of success, rather than a natural "just being smart." There has been 1 common denominator among all my students who got great results: they were all motivated and hard-working.

The most recent example is my student Evdokia who went from 360 to 670 points on the SAT Verbal in 1.5 months. In the process, she reduced her reading time from 80 mins down to 65 mins. Last fall, my student Elizaveta, who got into UChicago, raised her score from 1000 to 1400 in 1.5 months as well.

Anything is possible with the right determination and usually the students who have pressure from more motivated parents than themselves do not fare the same results. 🤔

Huge congrats to my student Polina, who got into Pratt, one of the leading Arts institutions in the USA and received a $80,000 scholarship! Also huge congrats to my student Sofia for being accepted to UC Santa Barbara and Boston University! Also, huge congrats to my student Inal for also successfully applying to Bosto University! You are all such hard workers and it is always the greatest joy for a teacher to contribute to the success of highly motivated and talented students!🥳⭐️🥇