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Admissions Expert, Test Prep, TESL| Yale Grad | 30+ years experience
Susan R.

5.0 (5 ratings)

15 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $130
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About Susan

Bio

I’m Susan, the founder of A Fair Chance, with a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Yale University and an M.S. in Teaching English as a Second Language from Georgia State University (4.0 GPA). Born and raised in the U.S., I spent 22 years living and working in Peru, giving me a truly global perspective on education. Since 2008, I’ve managed my own university counseling business, helping more than 100 students per year from around the world with college counseling, essay editing, test prep, and...

I’m Susan, the founder of A Fair Chance, with a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Yale University and an M.S. in Teaching English as a Second Language from Georgia State University (4.0 GPA). Born and raised in the U.S., I spent 22 years living and working in Peru, giving me a truly global perspective on education. Since 2008, I’ve managed my own university counseling business, helping more than 100 students per year from around the world with college counseling, essay editing, test prep, and ESL instruction. I provide comprehensive support across U.S., Canadian, European, and U.K. university systems—aligning students’ aptitudes and interests with optimal college selections, preparing them for SAT, ACT, and TOEFL exams, and guiding them through resumes, interviews, and cover letters. I also specialize in brainstorming and editing essays for university applications, IB Diploma Program tasks, and academic assignments. My approach is personal and adaptive: I work to find the teaching style that best suits each student’s learning style.

In the words of one former student: “Susan’s reputation precedes her: diligent, plain-spoken, and quick-witted. At times an editor and a mentor; at others, a psychologist and a friend. Susan is, indisputably, the best in the game. Words will never successfully convey how grateful I am.”

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Education

Yale University
East Asian Studies
Georgia State University
Masters

Additional Languages

Spanish

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $130
  • Rate details: Buy 8 hours and get a 10% discount. My rate may vary depending on the level of instruction. Advanced coursework, college admission essays, or intensive test prep may be billed at a higher rate.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 7/3/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ACT English

ACT English

I make ACT English simple by breaking down tricky grammar and reading rules into clear, easy-to-remember steps. With a Yale degree and a Master’s in Applied Linguistics, plus 18 years of experience tutoring students, I understand the importance of knowing the top-tested error types. My goal is to have students walking into the test with confidence.
ACT Reading

ACT Reading

I know ACT Reading can feel overwhelming with so many long passages and tricky questions, but I make it manageable. With 18 years of experience, a Yale degree, and a master’s in Linguistics, I’ve helped students all over the world learn how to spot main ideas quickly, pick out key details, and manage their time so they don’t feel rushed. My goal is to give students a clear game plan so reading feels less stressful—and their scores go up.
College Counseling

College Counseling

I hold a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Yale University (cum laude) and an M.S. in Teaching English as a Second Language and Applied Linguistics from Georgia State University (4.0 GPA), which provide both the academic rigor and cross-cultural perspective I bring to my work as a college counselor. I've been teaching students for over 30 years, and over the past 17 years, I’ve guided students from the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia through every step of the admissions process. My specialty lies in helping students craft compelling essays and personal statements that authentically capture their voices, a skill that has helped hundreds gain admission to top universities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

With a B.A. from Yale University, an M.S. in Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language, and 30+ years of teaching experience, I specialize in making grammar clear and approachable. I break down complex rules into simple patterns that students can understand and remember, whether they’re preparing for standardized tests, improving schoolwork, or strengthening overall writing and speaking skills. Having worked with students from diverse educational systems around the world, I adapt my methods to fit each learner’s needs—building accuracy, confidence, and long-term mastery of the English language.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

If I had to highlight my greatest talent, it would be essay writing. I specialize in helping students find their authentic voice and uncover compelling personal narratives—even when they feel they have “nothing to write about.” Each year, I guide 100+ students in crafting essays not only for undergraduate and graduate applications, but also for assignments, cover letters, U.S. visa statements, and even LinkedIn bios. Many of my students have been admitted to Top 20 U.S. universities, and I maintain a collection of their successful essays to give new students a clear sense of the standard admissions officers expect.
Grammar

Grammar

With a B.A. from Yale University, an M.S. in Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language, and 30+ years of teaching experience, I specialize in making grammar clear and approachable. I break down complex rules into simple patterns that students can understand and remember, whether they’re preparing for standardized tests, improving schoolwork, or strengthening overall writing and speaking skills. Having worked with students from diverse educational systems around the world, I adapt my methods to fit each learner’s needs—building accuracy, confidence, and long-term mastery of English grammar.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

With a B.A. from Yale University, an M.S. in Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language (4.0 GPA), over 30 years of writing experience, and 17 years of college counseling experience, I specialize in guiding students to write compelling personal statements. Each year, I work with 100+ students from around the world, helping them uncover their unique voice and shape authentic narratives that resonate with admissions officers. My expertise lies in showing students that even ordinary experiences can become powerful stories, and in refining those essays so they meet the high standards of top universities. Over the years, my students’ personal statements have played a pivotal role in their acceptances to leading institutions across the U.S., U.K., and beyond.
Proofreading

Proofreading

With a strong background in linguistics and teaching English, I bring both technical expertise and a keen editorial eye to proofreading. I've taught writing for over 30 years, and over these past 18 years, I’ve helped students and professionals refine everything from college essays and academic papers to cover letters and business documents. My focus is on catching the details—grammar, punctuation, and word choice—while also ensuring clarity and flow. Whether a student needs a light polish or a careful line-by-line review, I make sure their work is error-free, professional, and ready to make the right impression.
SAT Writing

SAT Writing

I have done ACT, SAT, and TOEFL test prep for 18 years and have worked through hundreds of tests. My Master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language & Applied Linguistics has given me a solid foundation in English grammar, and I am an avid reader, so I am particularly fond of the Writing/English portions of the SAT and ACT. I believe in working from past tests that are made by the test makers themselves, as these tend to best replicate what the student will actually see on test day.
TOEFL

TOEFL

With an M.S. in Teaching English as a Second Language and Applied Linguistics (4.0 GPA) from Georgia State University, I am highly experienced in preparing students for the TOEFL exam. For more than 18 years, I’ve worked with international students from Latin America, Europe, and Asia to strengthen their English skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. My approach focuses on practical strategies to boost scores while also building overall language confidence, ensuring students are well prepared not just for the exam, but for academic success in English-speaking universities.
Writing

Writing

As a Yale graduate with a Master’s in Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language (4.0 GPA), I bring both academic rigor and practical experience to my writing. For the past 18 years, I have specialized in helping students and professionals craft clear, compelling texts—ranging from college essays and graduate applications to cover letters, visa statements, and professional bios. My work emphasizes precision, clarity, and storytelling, skills that have enabled hundreds of students to earn admission to top universities worldwide. With this blend of elite training and extensive hands-on experience, I am well qualified for writing roles that require both creativity and a sharp editorial eye.
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Ratings and Reviews

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Reviews

She's fast and knowledgeable

Susan makes sure not to waste the time you paid for, and goes through your essay straight away. She provided me with great feedback that made my essay look so much stronger.

Hamad, 1 lesson with Susan

Susan is very positive

Susan helped my son with his college essay. She helped him rephrase his college essay. She corrected and edited his essay. She was very encouraging and motivated my son a lot. If my son needs, he will again take lessons from Susan.

Fahima, 1 lesson with Susan
Hourly Rate: $130
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