High School Advising

The ConnectPrep Approach

From the moment you begin high school the grades and class choices will impact your college application. Our students that receive our mentoring and support make well informed choices and learn about strategies that will help them throughout their high school years. We have students join our program beginning in 9th grade and in the subsequent years that follow.
9th Grade Program

9th Grade Program

Step by step, we build a solid foundation with our freshmen. Now is the perfect time to develop strong study habits and organizational skills. Our students excel and grow by building fundamental skills from the onset. We put together a program that builds your academic and extracurricular foundation. We teach our students how to grow into a high school curriculum and identify academic as well as extracurricular activities that will help differentiate them when it’s time to submit their college applications.
10th Grade Program

10th Grade Program

During the sophomore year, our coaches continue to assess whether our students are maximizing their Study Skills, are grasping the material being taught in class, making sound class choices. Your coach will ensure you are aware of all the current and upcoming opportunities (AP, IB, test prep) that will lead to a smooth transition into their junior year. We will also begin discussing extracurricular activities that separate you from your peers as well as learning a proactive approach.

11th Grade Program

11th Grade Program

Junior year is when we put it all together. For juniors, we provide support for academics, establish a test-prep schedule (ACT,SAT,SAT Subject Tests, AP exams), and discuss extracurricular, internship, and research options. If you discover that you may have needed to take a class, we can help with summer or online options. Our team will also teach you and assist with applications for summer internships that can make a difference with college applications. We also prepare you for the college entire application process, and recommend school options.

12th Grade Program

12th Grade Program

During your senior year we’ll prepare you for the road ahead and make sure you’re set with the ACT or SAT, will review your grades, recommendation letters, internships, and extracurricular options. We’ll build a college portfolio, discuss your interests, dig into all of the specifics that differentiate colleges and recommend schools that fit all of the aforementioned criteria. Additionally, we’ll build a Plan of Action and list all of the steps between now and the submission of your application. Your CP Coach will review as well as Early Decision (ED), Early Application (EA), and Regular Decision (RD), and scholarship/financial aid strategies.

Core Elements of All ConnectPrep Mentorship Programs

YOUR PERSONAL COACH

YOUR PERSONAL COACH

We match each of our students with a personal coach. Using a team approach, we build a foundation of trust, communication, and find the best “FIT” for you.

TEACHER /PEER DEVELOPMENT

TEACHER /PEER DEVELOPMENT

An essential part of our program is helping students develop strong social skills to build excellent relationships with teachers, counselors, and external figures. We teach students the core elements of relationship building and how to stand out within a community.

(POA) PLAN OF ACTION

(POA) PLAN OF ACTION

We want you to know your options and our we incorporate a very proactive approach with our advising program. Our students work with his or her mentor to develop a full academic and extracurricular/internship plan. We dial into our students talent and passion from 9th – 12th grade. Each year we map out academic and extracurricular options based on your specific goals.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Our coaches create a personalized visual map based on the curriculum of your school. We will guide you with your class choices and test prep options. Whether you are interested in taking AP/IB classes, deciding between science, math, and english classes, other electives, or deciding between the ACT/SAT, we will discuss all scenarios, and make sure you are set up to succeed.

EXTRACURRICULAR ADVISING

EXTRACURRICULAR ADVISING

It’s important to differentiate and begin building (networking) important relationships. We help our students with every application component (emails, letters, applications, mock interviews, etc.) Additionally, we will begin reviewing some interesting internships and summer programs that will take your college applications to the level.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELING

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELING

During a student’s junior year, our seasoned admissions team not only works on all application components, but reviews/recommends colleges based on your interests. We implement strategies and assemble a college portfolio to ensure our students choose a school that aligns with their future goals.

The Foundation Starts Here

If you need a little extra push in the right direction, than you are in the right place. Our students excel and grow by building fundamental skills from the onset. The ConnectPrep Study Skills program assists students toward academic success:

LEARN MORE

Reduces stress and anxiety

Improves grades and time management

Builds confidence and motivation

Allows kids to have more time to be kids

A Real Game Changer

School is so competitive and I wanted to discover some options that would both strengthen my academic profile and be something I enjoyed. ConnectPrep presented so many options I never thought of before such as forming a non-profit, taking online college courses, and applying to internships that mesh with my interests. They opened up a world that has provided growth and a new perspective. Asahi M.

A True Mentor

We needed help for our son who was overwhelmed with school. Jeremy came to the rescue with study skills program that reduced his anxiety, and built his confidence. Jeremy provided the guidance to succeed in school. He was a wonderful instructor and now our son has taken off, reaching his goals. Thanks you so much Jeremy and ConnectPrep! Rachel W.

Reached My Goals

ConnectPrep has guided me through my Junior year. My school counselor was not very accessible. CP showed me a plan of action to help me confidently navigate all of my academic and test-prep options. I feel so confident now and can't wait to begin applying to colleges! Kendra P.

ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

START PREPPING NOW
ConnectPrep is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and subscribes to its high standards of integrity and professional practices to better serve our students.
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Our Core

Academic Instruction

Test Prep

College Advising

General

ACT Essay

  • The ACT decided to make a small change to the Writing section (essay). Although not drastically different, there are a few changes to point out.
  • Analysis of three perspectives on an issue. Instead of just focusing on the question, your new task is to look at the prompt and evaluate three perspectives of an issue.
  • Your opinion Does Matter. The new ACT writing section will ask you to make an argument to support your position.
  • Be specific. The prompt will only provide perspectives on the issue. In order to deliver a stronger essay, you’ll want to provide as much detailed and specific info as possible to support your argument.

REDESIGNED SAT ESSAY

  • The new SAT essay is transitioning from asking the test taker to make an argument to an analysis of the content.
  • Analyze and Analyze. This is now the focus as you will be asked to break down an argumentative essay. Your score will be based on these three areas: reading, analysis, and writing.
  • Opinions DO NOT MATTER. There is no need to offer your thoughts about the topic. The only area of focus should be an explanation of the other side makes his/her point.
  • Aligned more English class and on AP tests. The new essay is a more direct reflection of the essays taught in school.

ACT Reading

  • The ACT focuses more on reading comprehension rather than an analytical approach with the SAT.
  • Many more questions which are random. Not only are there many more ACT English questions than on the SAT Writing, finding this information can be a bit of a scavenger hunt. The SAT navigates you towards specific sections of the passage where the information can be obtained.
  • Less time per question. You need to move through the questions at a fairly brisk pace as test takers have approximately eight and half minutes per ten question passage for the ACT reading vs. 13 minutes per 10-11 minute passage on the SAT.

New SAT Reading

  • All of the questions are now aligned with the passages.
  • Inclusion of classic texts. Reading text are now more aligned to a schools curriculum such as two texts from Science, US and World Literature, History(2), and Social Studies. Language can be more challenging with old text excerpts.
  • Charts and figures in science passages. Two of the five passages on the redesigned SAT will cover scientific topics, and these will include charts and figures.
  • Different Types of questions. New evidence, vocabulary in context, constructing logical arguments, and scientific reasoning questions are included in the test. , which ask you to indicate which part of the passage supports your answer to a previous question. These questions can be challenging.
  • Less emphasis on challenging vocabulary words
  • Questions go in chronological order. Questions are in chronological order which carries over from the Pre 3/16 SAT.

Connor Barth

IT Team
Connor is a senior Electrical Computer Engineering student at the University of Rochester. He is currently employed as a IT Consultant at the Simon Business School. His main interests include computer technology and wireless communications. As the son of a college professor Connor not only enjoys the benefits of an engaged educational experience, but also understands the importance of learning and finding the correct educational environment. Connor looks forward to using his skills, passion and experience to help the ConnectPrep team succeed.

Yiyuan Wu

Data Analyst Team
I graduated from University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics. I have tutored Algebra and Calculus I for undergraduate students throughout my undergraduate years. I am currently studying statistics at Rutgers University. I have a deep passion for education and believe that my mathematical and statistical skills can help improve the quality of education greatly.
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Sam Callis

Social Media Team
Sam is a junior at the University of Rochester studying History with a minor in English literature. He has a deep passion for education and hopes to work in the field for the rest of his life.
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Borja Rojo

Development Team
Borja Rojo is an Electrical and Computer Engineer at the University of Rochester, ’17, and also studies Computer Science and Audio Engineering. He has a passion for starting projects from the ground up and becomes inspired from reverse-engineering many kinds of systems. Now, he is helping design a portable ultrasound system to help with medical imaging on-the-go. Apart from his academics, you might see him designing a video game or recording his latest song. Here at ConnectPrep, he will be working on creating a web-based platform that automatically generates questions for students to study with and practice their skills.
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Philip Fenimore

Development Team
Philip is an undergraduate at the University of Rochester studying Computer and Electrical Engineering. He enjoys realizing ideas through coding, like creating a 3d interactive environment with C# and modeling complex mathematical systems with Matlab. Philip is excited to work for ConnectPrep, using his set of skills to maximum effect on the data analytics team.
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David Giannella

Development Team
David is attending the University of Rochester, pursuing a BS in Physics and Astronomy as well as a minor in Computer Science. He has gained knowledge of a number of programming topics including application development, data structures, and rendering. David is eager to use his programming skills to help ConnectPrep vault onto the web.
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Matt Dombroski

Development Team
Matthew currently attends the University of Rochester studying for a degree in Computer and Electrical Engineering. He loves to design and build anything that catches his interest, from using only digital logic chips to construct a calculator or verilog code to design and test a CPU. He has also lead one week long science camps for the past two years, teaching young kids the basics of chemistry, physics, and electricity. Matthew is excited to put his talents and interests to use in helping implement the data analytics and graphics engines for ConnectPrep.
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Jon Aho

Development Team
Jon is a Electrical and Computer Engineering student at the University of Rochester. He’s been coding for nearly 7 years, and has a number of comprehensive software and hardware projects under his belt. Currently employed as a Research Fellow at his university, he also works at implementing the ConnectPrep Analytics website.
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Jon Aho

Development Team
Jon is a Electrical and Computer Engineering student at the University of Rochester. He’s been coding for nearly 7 years, and has a number of comprehensive software and hardware projects under his belt. Currently employed as a Research Fellow at his university, he also works at implementing the ConnectPrep Analytics website.
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Deanna Thompson

Data Analyst Team

Deanna recently graduated from the University of Rochester with a BS in chemical engineering and legal studies minor. During her time as an undergraduate, she served as a writing tutor, speaking tutor, trained prospective tutors, and eventually served as the tutoring group’s president. Deanna is excited to work for ConnectPrep, continue to assist the tutoring process, and use her engineering background to help develop ConnectPrep’s analytic programs.

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Jason Altabet

Analytics and Social Media Team

Jason has always had a thirst for education, whether it be for himself or for others. He is currently training to be a public speaking tutor for his university colleagues and, in addition, plays a central role on the Committee for Political Engagement, where he works to educate the student body on all matters political. At ConnectPrep he serves as the point man for social media, but when he gets the chance likes to try his hand at everything from analytics programming to web development. In his spare time you can expect to find him practicing fake law as a member of his school’s mock trial team, promoting class council initiatives, or working on his soccer “skills.” Jason currently attends the University of Rochester, majoring in Economics and Political Science.

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Scott Luntz

IT Team
Scott is a senior at Purdue University studying Cybersecurity.He works with the IT team and has a passion for Internet security and threat detection. His goal is to use his knowledge in information technology to improve vulnerability analysis and fix any potential cyber issue before it becomes a problem.
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Michelle Fine

Director of Operations
Michelle spent several years of her career in the fashion industry, learning about emerging trends in marketing and various aspects of planning a wholesale business. Michelle has had several opportunities to work directly with students, and her most recent transition into the field of education was inspired by her devotion to investing in the future of our youth and the fulfillment she experiences in this pursuit. She is eager to bring her experience and skill set to ConnectPrep to help all students reach new heights. Michelle graduated from the University of Florida with honors.
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Kevin Bretthauer

COO
Kevin is the co-founder of Connect Prep, specializing in technology and online services. Kevin is an Oregon native and Stanford University graduate. He has years of experience working in sales and marketing in the petroleum industry and has managed projects involving the promotion of bio-fuels and emissions reducing products. When he’s not working, Kevin enjoys playing golf, traveling, and watching college football. He has a passion for education as well as creating interactive educational software that will be able help more students reach their educational goals.
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Jeremy Fine

CEO

Jeremy is our education guru. He has years of experience working as an educator with students of all ages, using cutting-edge academic and test-prep curricula to take learning to a new level. He has helped students score in the top percentiles on SAT’s, ACT’s, and receive top marks in many academic subjects. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our company, with a dynamic vision for innovation and market growth. Jeremy earned a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.

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Overview of New SAT changes:

  • The old scoring format returns (1600 point scale, Math/Verbal 800 point maximum)
  • 3 hrs instead of 3hrs 45 mins
  • Vocab less intense
  • Majority of questions will be 4 answer choices rather than 5
  • More straightforward Math and Vocab
  • Optional Essay
  • The NEW SAT will resemble the current ACT