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Ph.D- 20+ yr SAT/ACT/GRE experience

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About
Our business was founded by an Ivy League student- athlete who earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Neuroscience from USC in 2011. Transcend Prep was built on Marissa's collective experiences having worked for and with nearly every major test firm in LA and throughout the country. We know that the challenges students face are much broader than multiple choice questions. We know the limitations of our competition, and we stand out by offering our clients mentorship through the daunting college process (sophomore year-senior year), not just test prep. Time management, study skills, scheduling, admissions applications and essays, scholarships, athletics counseling, financial aid--the list goes on... There are no other organizations that do what we do, as comprehensive and integrative as we do it.
Overview

Hired 79 times

Background checked

2 employees

21 years in business

Business hours

This pro hasn't listed their business hours.

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Google Pay, PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Services offered
Services needed

Preparing for standardized tests

Writing essays

Selecting colleges

Completing applications

Student's grade level

High school Freshman

High school Sophomore

High school Junior

High school Senior

Work location

I work remotely (phone or internet)

Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

16 reviews

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Rich F.

Sep 17, 2016

Hired on Thumbtack

Our daughter has only done one session with Marissa at InSight so far but we are thrilled with how it went. We thought we were hiring an SAT tutor but Marissa is so much more. She is very experienced in the whole college application process as well and is coaching our daughter on how to apply for -- and get accepted to -- her favorite schools.
Test Prep Services
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Eleanor M.

Apr 6, 2020

As parents, we are all confronted with countless choices for test prep and help with college admissions. Each company claims to be the best with the most comprehensive program and choosing one over another seems like a roll of the proverbial dice. For us, the best way proved to be through word-of-mouth; we heard about Marissa from several close friends who all had worked with Transcend. While some firms have large, impersonal classes and claim to customize materials but don’t deliver, Marissa lived up to everything it promised: an individualized program, practice tests and strategies, a 240 point increase for my daughter, admission to 8 of the 10 schools to which she applied, including 3 reach schools, and completely in-home private tutoring. We couldn’t have been happier with Marissa and will 100% continue the word-of-mouth chain!
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Maureen J.

Aug 28, 2014

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Jessee E.

Aug 28, 2014

Marissa and IvyApproved was incredible! Not only was she so knowledgeable about the entire college admissions process, but she truly did care about my progress, both personally and academically. I worked with her and IvyApproved through the entire process— applications and college admission essays—and I can honestly say that I COULDN’T have done it or been accepted to 10 out of 10 schools without her guidance, care, and expertise. I cannot possibly recommend Marissa enough to any high school student with the goal to be accepted to the college of his or her dreams!
pro avatar
Christina S.

Aug 24, 2016

Hired on Thumbtack

Dr. Marissa Ericson was an excellent tutor! I saw her once a week for my statistics class. I was very nervous about this class because I had taken it before and failed. She was amazing! I couldn't have passed this class without her! She is very nice, welcoming and very intelligent! She made me feel so comfortable. I enjoyed learning this tough subject with her! I can not express enough how helpful she was! I am transfering to a four year because of her help. I would recommend her to anyone in need.
Statistics Tutoring
Credentials
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Marissa Ericson

FAQs

  • What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

    All of our tutors are required to take an SAT test and score over 1500 in Math and Verbal just to be eligible to join our team. Dr Ericson takes the exams several times each year. Our founder is passionate about her work, and keeps InSIGHT ahead of the curve. She is constantly evaluating new test preparation material, editing our custom materials, and revising our courses. In addition, she stays abreast of all the trends by actively reading the trade publications and maintaining an active presence in the industry community.

  • What types of customers have you worked with?

    Although we tutor for all high school subjects, we specialize in college-bound test prep--SAT, ACT, Subject tests-- and college admission essays.

  • What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

    Understand that you have a unique opportunity to make a BIG impact--in a short amount of time--on the overall value of your college applications by doing well on the standardized tests. College admissions utilize four main elements when comparing applicants to their current student body and other applicants. 1. Class rank 2. "Are you the right 'fit' for the institution?" - Character and qualities gleaned from your essays and/or interview as well as your extracurricular activities in high school 3. SAT/ACT scores 4. Essays and overall profile Numbers one and two were developed over the course of your whole life! Despite that, approximately 25% of what determines whether you follow your dreams will be defined by a four-hour test! The quality of your performance during those 4 hours equates to a fourth of your life in the eyes of college admissions. Take full advantage! Take inventory of your situation. What is your class rank? (Keep in mind that college admissions officers don't consider all GPAs equal.) This goes beyond the difficulty of the coursework outlined on your transcript. They factor in the difficulty of the school's curriculum. For example a student with multiple advanced placement credits and challenging electives with a 3.4 GPA that attended a private school with a reputation for competitive academics may be considered over a student with a 3.9 GPA that attended a large public school. Apples and oranges). Have you taken SAT/ACT already? Score? What is your intended major? Which schools are you considering? Have you researched their admissions history? Have you found any clues to the range of values they're looking for from potential students with regards to test scores, class rank, etc? What about numbers and qualities specific to the department or college of your intended major? How do your marks compare? Making accurate assessments of your current standing is difficult. But with variables like the application process, room for improvement on the tests, and the multitude of other novel and difficult choices faced by young adults, it would be nearly impossible to make choices with the indemnity deserved. Our advice: consult an expert. Even if your plan is perfect, you'll be able to execute it with greater confidence after confirming it with a veteran.