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Episode Description

Dr. P shares her journey from teaching to starting Crimson Coaching, a test prep and college essay coaching business. She discusses her teaching style as a 'guide on the side' and the transition from academic tutoring to test prep coaching. Dr. P also highlights the changes in the test prep and college admissions landscape, particularly the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares the challenges of teaching online and the seasonality of her business. Additionally, Dr. P emphasizes the importance of essay coaching and the trends in test optional policies. In this conversation, Dr. Dominique Padurano discusses various aspects of test prep and college admissions. She emphasizes the importance of SAT scores for top schools and the need for students to submit their test scores unless they are exceptionally unique. Dr. Padurano also advises students to create a balanced college list to increase their chances of acceptance and discusses the importance of scholarships and managing tuition fees. She shares insights on finding the right essay coach and the role of coaching in addressing test anxiety. Dr. Padurano highlights the power of visualization techniques and offers guidance on pricing test prep services. Finally, she discusses the shift to digital testing and the tools that can aid students in their preparation.

Notes Section

Key Takeaways

Transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship requires flexibility and a willingness to explore new opportunities.
A 'guide on the side' teaching style, where students construct their own knowledge, can be more effective than traditional lecture-based teaching.
The test prep and college admissions landscape has undergone significant changes, including the shift to online learning and the rise of test optional policies.
Teaching online presents unique challenges, but one-on-one tutoring can provide a personalized and engaging learning experience.
Planning for the seasonality of a business and diversifying revenue streams is crucial for long-term success.
Essay coaching plays a vital role in helping students showcase their unique experiences and strengths in college applications.
While test optional policies have gained popularity, some students still choose to submit test scores to strengthen their college applications. SAT scores are still important for top schools, and students should submit their scores unless they are exceptionally unique.
Creating a balanced college list with a mix of reach, target, and safety schools increases the chances of acceptance.
Scholarships and managing tuition fees are important considerations when choosing between Ivy League schools and full scholarships.
Finding the right essay coach involves looking for someone who can guide students in developing their ideas and providing support throughout the writing process.
Visualization techniques can help students manage test anxiety and improve performance.
Pricing test prep services requires considering factors such as experience, expertise, and market demand.
The shift to digital testing offers advantages such as adaptive testing, but students should still practice traditional reading skills.
Desmos, an online calculator, is a valuable tool for SAT math, while traditional reading skills are essential for the reading section.

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