Dear Lynn,
Thank you for making room in your Sunday morning review class in U.S.History with Bruce Desandre.
My son actually enjoyed the review sessions and found Bruce to be a very engaging teacher.
The test results speak for themselves: AP 5; SAT II 800.
Thank-you for providing this excellent service.
I.D.
Dear Bud, Austin, Robert, and Marshall,
As some of you know, although I was really happy with my January SAT score, I decided to take the SAT again in May because I thought I could improve my math score. I got my score back today - 2400! I am beyond happy, and wanted to share the good news, because all of your help made that score a possibility. Each one of you taught me somewhere along the way, whether it was in a PSAT or SAT class, and I thank you all for helping me achieve the perfect score!
Thanks so much,
C.T.
The professional service provided by Lindsey Pollak was beyond anything I could have imagined for my daughter. During this rather stressful preparation period, Lindsey and her staff not only had group reviews but were available for smaller one-on-one reviews as well as always being available through e-mail and telephone. They are extremely flexible and always accessible.
I truly felt this group cared personally about the students and would do anything possible to insure they did their best.
They continuously had a positive attitude .Lindsey was a source of comfort for my daughter (and her mother!!)
--K. H.
The superb teachers at Carnegie Pollack are the best in the area. I got ample individualized help from both my math and verbal teachers (Dan Bass and David Heyman) and both were quick to respond to emails. I felt they were always focused on seeing me succeed--something you don't always see from teachers nowadays! Thanks to their impeccable guidance and strategies, I was able to get the score I wanted the first time I took the SATs (and, thankfully, the last). I got 800 in Writing, 780 in Critical Reading, and 740 on Math--four questions wrong on the entire test! I couldn't have done it without them. Thanks, Carnegie Pollack, for providing me a truly enriching tutoring program.
--C.C.
Hey Dave Heyman,
I just got back my ACT scores and I did really well. I got a 36 on the writing and a 33 on the reading, and my composite score was a 34. Thank you very much for the Blitz sessions. I felt very prepared for the test.
C.M.
The SAT course was definitely a big help thanks to Lindsey Pollak's excellent teaching!
-J.K.
Dear Lynn:
My daughter came bursting through the door on Monday night after her first AP World History prep class and declared: "Mom, that was the best money you ever spent!" She was absolutely ecstatic about the course and the teacher David Heyman. It was amazing to see such enthusiasm following a full day of classes, a golf match, dinner on the run, and two and a half hours of World History! From my perspective, the best outcome was that she is now eager to take the subject test in World History.
Please be sure to share this feedback with David Heyman. Not only is he keeping the students' interest for two and a half hours, he is also building their confidence and enthusiasm for what is for many their first AP exam.
Thanks again!
J. K.
Hi Austin Lehn and Bud Pollak,
I just wanted to thank you again for all your help with the SATs. Austin, getting an 800 in Math was awesome! Those killer packets and plug-in-number strategies were great practice and I did not have any surprises during the test.
Bud, I can honestly say I learned more grammar in the ten weeks of your course than I did in the last eleven years of school. You were terrific at motivating me and getting me to study “vocabulary, vocabulary, vocabulary.”
You both really cared about my progress. My brother felt the same way when he took the course two years ago with Lynn and Bud.
Thanks again for making the SATs less stressful.
J.S.
Hey Marshall [Spooner],
I think I did pretty well on the math section! That's my favorite part by far. I had four sections of it and one of the sections was really hard but I figured out that that was the experimental one by asking those who only had three math which one they didn't have. The plug in numbers technique is so awesome. I was able to use this for nearly half of the problems and the killers became lovers! hahaaha Ill let you know how I do for sure and thanks so much for the help you've given over the past week. Your strategies and candy helped me so much. Also that final speech/ slow clap was inspiring.. up there with Lincoln and Obama. Thanks again!
D.O.
Hey Marshall,
I thought the test went better than I expected it to be. With math, I felt like I knew how to approach every single question I saw. I believe 9 out of your 10 hints were on the test. The only thing I didn't use was the hippity hop (I was upset no bunny). But I think the extra helps and just doing as many problems as I could really helped me.
Thanks and talk to you when I get my scores,
-D. S.
Hi Lynn,
Since the SAT course [my daughter] has been enrolled in is now finished, I wanted to make sure I let you know that it has been an amazing experience for her! She has such a great admiration for Bud Pollak and Austin Lehn. Their knowledge, communication skills, humor, patience, passion and most of all the warmth they have shown toward my daughter and I am sure all their students is something out of the ordinary. She actually said she will miss both of them and the time she has spent learning from them.
Most importantly she is going into the SAT testing tomorrow feeling very confident, which in my mind is the most important factor all due to Bud and Austin
A huge thank you to you and your team for the help and guidance!!
Enjoy your weekend.
Warm regards,
S.B.
To Dan Bass and Sarah Werner,
Now the good news. I wanted to let you know how positive [my son] has been about your class. This is huge. He has never done well in math, and he hated every second with his private tutor for the first SAT go-round. I guess she had never had quite as big a challenge as my son, and she pretty much killed what little confidence he had. It is an understatement to say he was extremely reluctant to take another course. The good news is that he got in the car after your first class and had incredibly complimentary things to say about you as a teacher and about the climate of the class. You have no idea how much this means to me (and to him). Thank you.
All the best,
B.G.
Hi Lynn,
Because of all the practice from all the classes, I was surprisingly calm on the day of my SATs. My clear brain was definitely the key reason I managed to make zero mistakes on the math sections. All of Austin Lehn's strategies, hints, and practices really kept me together!
Thanks to you and Austin for all the help!
K.R.
Hey Austin [Lehn],
So turns out I didn't make any of those stupid mistakes on the math section for the SATs! I got an 800!!! Thank you so much for everything!!!
J.M.
Dear Bud Pollak and Austin Lehn,
I just received my SATs through email this morning. I got a 2310 !!!
Here was the breakdown:
Writing - 800 (75 multiple choice + 12 Essay)
Reading - 790
Math - 720
I just wanted to thank you again for all your help. During the test, I felt calm and confident. I was ready for any question, and there were no surprises whatsoever. In this respect, your course was instrumental to my success. Vocab, grammar rules, "plug in #s", you name it, I felt like I knew it all! I couldn't have been any better prepared.
Thank you very very much,
C. W.
Hi Lynn,
Robert Shapiro (Critical Reading and Writing) always kept us awake Saturday mornings and told us what we needed to know. Robert gave us great advice. He took the extra time with me to go over stuff I didn't understand.
Rick Columbo (math) fine tuned my test taking skills and the hints he gave me allowed me to get an 800.
A. G.
Hi Lynn,
I hope you and your family are well! Happy New Year!
I wanted to make sure I mentioned to you again that [my daughter] really LIKES going to her SAT prep courses. I can not believe she does not complain about going or getting up early on Saturdays after a long week but does her studying without any comments. She really respects Bud Pollak and Austin Lehn and wishes they were her teachers! Whatever her scores end up being is secondary to the experience she is having and what she is learning. Please thank Bud and Austin for making it so easy for all of the kids to be so engaged. During this tough year it is certainly not an easy task.
Thanks for your continued help and guidance.
Best,
S.B.
Lynn,
Many thanks for the early Christmas present - - J's Math Level 2 SAT2
score is 800! He is relieved and thrilled!!
All the best,
G.B.
SAT II Math IIC Class with Marshall Spooner
Lynn,
I want to thank you for being so responsive to my questions and concerns regarding my daughter and the SATs. I appreciated hearing back from you so quickly whenever I had a question. Also, Teachers Rick Columbo and Robert Shapiro were great! My daughter truly enjoyed their classes and felt that they were so energized by their goal of helping each student. Please share this thank you with them.
Also, you recommended tutors, Anya Liftig and Jesse Bass who were very helpful. My daughter felt that they focused her approach to the test so that she was able to better analyze each question and put her knowledge to use.
In particular, Anya was very caring and supportive of my daughter. She quickly recognized that her biggest issue was overcoming her anxiety and she helped her address that difficulty as well as gain confidence in herself. As a mother I appreciated the fact that Anya was readily available to address my questions and discuss how best to help my daughter.
D.B.J.
Hi Robert!
Today I was listening to the radio when an advertisement began
playing. I don't recall what the advertisement was supposed to be
selling, but one of the phrases was that the product would make you
"feel differently" and I caught the grammatical error!
And I realize now that I never sent you an email after the SAT II
Literature exam. I got a 720! I thought it was very difficult, so I
am pleased with my results. Thank you so much for all of your help in
preparing me for the test! Happy Holidays!
A
Dear Lynn and Marshall,
Last night, my son J came home from his final SAT2 class, he was literally grinning from ear-to-ear.
Yes, he had had a practice test score of 800 and that is terrific!
But what I liked most was he was soaring with confidence.
J is a confident kid in general, but he was practically giddy last night, he looked like a massive weight had been taken off of his shoulders.
So thanks for the higher score of course.
But thanks even more so for building my son's confidence, it is a true gift!
All the best,
G.B.
Austin Lehn,
I would like to thank you so much for the preparation that you gave me for the math SAT. With your help on the challenging "killer" packets, I earned a 750 with only two questions wrong! Your ability to challenge my math abilities proved to be successful. I would recommend this course to anyone because you help every student succeed significantly.
Thanks again!
D.N.
Hi Lynn,
I hope things are going well for you and that you are enjoying this beautiful day!
In terms of feedback from my daughter regarding the PSAT course, she thought it was terrific. She claims to have learned a lot and found it extremely engaging. She loved the instructors, especially Bud Pollak. This is a child that HATES these kinds of things and thinks they are usually a waste of time and always wants to have private everything, so whatever you are doing keep it up!
As always thank you for your guidance and support.
Best,
S.B.
P.S. [My friend] and I have been raving to all mother’s we know about your company!
Lynn and Bud,
I just wanted to thank you both on behalf of all three of our boys for
your excellent guidance with this crazy process all these years. Our youngest son did
very well on his SAT I and II's last year and you and your recommendations for tutors
were a big part of all the boys' success with these tests.
I will continue to recommend you to whomever I can. We all wish you
continued success and many many thanks again.
Best,
C.M.
Hello,
I just wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude. My daughter reached all of her goals on the various tests that she took last year. The tests seemed never ending, and due to your teaching methods she managed to reach all of her personal goals-who could want more?
She is now in a wonderful position to start applying to the schools of her choice.
I plan on enrolling my son next year.
Thank you again.
Best regards,
S.V.
Hi Robert Shapiro,
I am writing to you very excited and thankful. I got a 2340 on the March SATS: 790 CR 790 Math and 760 Writing. I doubt I'll retake, and I'm hugely thankful I'm done with this process. I was so surprised at my CR score because I got a 66 on my PSAT and 720 on the practice; Thank you so much - your course really did make all the difference, and even though those Saturdays were long it was definitely worth it.
Thank you!
M.Z.
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro and Rick Columbo
Lynn,
I have been meaning to thank you and Bud Pollak for the helpful classes that [my daughter] enrolled with you over the past year. As you can imagine, news that I had enrolled her was initially met with raised eyebrows and a grumpy face, but [my daughter] tells me it was the best help she had! It gave her huge confidence to know that she was setting time aside each week to prepare herself and get practice in knowing how to tackle the questions. So please pass on my thanks to Bud also.
Best,
M.B.
Lynn,
First, in addition to being sure my children knew the material and understood the vagaries of the specific tests, I have been amazed that tutors were able to identify and help each of my three children with their very different and serious testing problems: 1. anxious, 2. abhors memorization (e.g. vocabulary and boring facts), and 3. works too quickly.
The kids really want to please the tutors and I find it hilarious and wonderful that the first person they call when they leave the test is their tutor!Second, Carnegie-Pollak uses high school tutors sometimes in addition to the lead tutor. Some people believe that's not a good idea. I completely disagree. Each of my children found that the high school tutors were an unanticipated bonus. The help from these students who had mastered the tests, eliminated big lines for many "private" questions for the lead tutor after class and they could offer a different approach to explaining solutions and answers.
I also tell people who are on their first child, and are freaking out about what to do and when to do it, that they have got to talk to Lynn because she will talk you through which tests to take and when. You will know your child is in the right hands. It will calm you down and you need to get calm!
Lynn, you really have an amazingly effective operation. You have much to be proud of. If you ever need me to talk to anyone, just call.
C.H.B.
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro and Rick Columbo
Lynn,
Cathy O'Reilly was extremely helpful for [my son]. He pulled out a 750 which is not bad for someone who can't slow down on a test to save his life! She was also extremely organized, communications went to the parents as well as the kids and very flexible which was wonderful.
His time with Peggy Siegrist also helped - he received the highest grade on the Honors Bio final in the entire school - even [his brother and sister] couldn't believe it. She really laid into him about slowing down. He's really bright but his energy gets the better of him sometimes so that was terrific news.
M.B.
SAT II Biology Course with Cathy O'Reilly
Private Tutoring with Peggy Siegrist
Robert,
I just wanted to thank you. The SAT classes, from what I have heard, have been terrific. [My daughter] has gotten SO much out of the class.
Fingers crossed for Saturday morning. And thanks for your support. I'll be sending more students your way for sure, now that I know 1st hand that New Canaan is worth the trip!
All the best,
M.S.
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro and Rick Columbo
Dear Lynn,
I wanted you to know that my son took your ACT review course last fall. He got a composite score of 31, with a 36 in the reading portion. He was admitted to Boston College, his first choice. We are thrilled. Your course was clearly instrumental in his success.
Sincerely,
K.O.
ACT Course with Austin Lehn and David Heyman
Lynn,
Thanks for all your assistance over the years. The good news for us is that [my son] scored well and was accepted early to Dartmouth. He was just notified that he is a National Merit Finalist. He took the SAT twice as his calculator didn't work the first time he took them and he didn't like his 690 in math. So he got 800 both times on the Critical Reading, Math 690 then 770 and Writing 740 to 760. I think Rick and all your staff helped - no question.
Hi Marshall and Robert,
You were awesome - both of you. Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into the SAT prep course, and for the individual attention you gave to [my child].
C.Z.
Gratefully,
Lynn,
Thank you for your help in math!!!! My score went from a 680 to a 750! I am so happy and so grateful for your help.
Thank you again,
[My son] applied to Kenyon, got in early decision, and had a fantastic freshman year. All of this was aided by the 300 points added to his SAT scores as a result of your classes -- we consider you pivotal in helping him consider his options. All in all we have much to be grateful to you for and I sing your praises and make referrals at any and every chance.
With warmest wishes,
R.C.
I wanted to thank you for the great SAT course you gave me back in 2002. Your course helped me score a 770 in Verbal and 720 in Math, which in turn helped me get accepted into Cornell, Pomona, and Colorado College, where I ended up going. I had all but forgotten about the SAT until last October when I was surprised to find that the GRE is almost exactly the same test! Your wise advice and test cracking strategies all came flooding back to me and I ended up doing very well!
E.H.
Hi Robert!!
I wanted to let you know that I felt GREAT after taking the SAT Saturday morning! I did exactly as you said; I went early, found a comfortable seat, and prepared myself. We will see how my scores turn out, but I think I did really well. I cannot thank you enough for everything you taught me. You made me realize that it is just a 'stupid' test and everybody has to get through it. Without your help and the other teachers at Carnegie/Pollack, I would not have felt so prepared and confident as I did. I cannot imagine what I would have done without your help. Although several of my friends despised going to their SAT classes, I really enjoyed coming to St. Luke's and seeing you always with a positive attitude accompanied by a smile. You made my experience so much easier, especially with all the tension and vicissitudes of life surrounding me. Again, I thank you so much for all your help and I hope you have a great year!
Sincerely,
R.S.
Hello,
I just wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude. My
daughter reached all of her goals on the various tests that she
took last year. The tests seemed never ending, and due to your teaching
methods she managed to reach all of her personal goals-who could want more?
She is now in a wonderful position to start applying to the schools of her
choice.
I plan on enrolling my son next year.
Thank you again.
Best regards,
S.V.
SAT Course with Bud Pollak and Austin Lehn
770 Math SAT Score - WOW
Thanks so much Marshall for helping my son achieve this great score!! A very nice jump from his PSAT score of 67. He really enjoyed being in your class, and he will join up with you again for the SAT Subject Math IIC review in May.
Regards,
H.G.
PSAT and SAT Courses with Marshall Spooner
Marshall -
I would like to thank you for some excellent PSAT/SAT classes. Sophomore year, before the classes, I got a 540 on the math, and today, I got a 740 on the math SAT.
Thank you,
N.P.
PSAT and SAT Courses with Marshall Spooner
Marshall -
I hope you're having a great break!!! Checked my March SAT scores this morning before I went to school - 2220 overall, 740 on math! Good news is I won't have to retake them, bad news is you won't see me wrecking havoc at your extra help sessions. Thank you so much for all your help on these!!!
Wouldn't have done this well without you
S.N.
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner
Subject: June SAT!
I GOT AN 800!!!!!!!! :)
I was very pleased :)
thank you so much, you're the besttttt!
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner
Subject: June SAT
Hi Marshall!
I'm sorry I haven't been in touch lately--my junior year has been so busy. I wanted to tell you my math score from this past SAT.....I got a 740, that's 100 points higher than my March SAT! Thank you so much for all of your tips and ways to relax; I was able to do that this time around and it really paid off. I couldn't have done this without you!
Always,
M.W.
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner
Subject: Re: How was it???
I thought it was easy! I felt really prepared thanks to you!!!
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner
Subject: SAT scores
I know you guys wanted us to send you our scores as soon as we got them, so I just got my scores –
Critical 690
Writing 780
Math 790
I’m really happy with them so thank you guys a lot! Thanks!
N.B.
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner
Marshall and Dave,
Thanks a lot for all of your help. I nailed it, got a 2310, 800 math, 750 reading, and 760 writing.
Thanks again.
P.H.
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner and David Heyman
Subject: Re: Get your March scores now!
Hi guys! I’m really happy with my scores! Thanks so much for all your help!
K.H.
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner and David Heyman
Subject: RE: Get your March scores now!
Dave and Marshall-
Just got SAT scores!
Directions: Choose the set of fill-ins that, when inserted in the sentence, best describes the March SAT results.
"MP was delighted to find out that he received a __(i)__ on critical reading, a 780 on the __(ii)__ section, and a 720 on the math section thanks to the help of his two terrific SAT prep teachers __(iii)__ and __(iv)__. "
A) 650, math, Marshall, Dave
B) 680, writing, Eric, Michael
C) 680, math, James, Robert
D) 730, writing, Marshall, Dave
E) 730, reading, Eric, Michael
The correct answer is D!!!!
Thanks so much guys!!
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner and David Heyman
Subject: Re: Get your March scores now!
Hey!
I think my mom emailed you guys, but I wanted to write one anyways. 2180!!! I'm so happy! I got a 750 on reading and 740 on verbal and a 690 on math. You guys definitely helped me so much, many many thanks!
L.D.
SAT Course with Marshall Spooner and David Heyman
Subject: IIC class
Marshall –
I just wanted to thank you for the Math IIC class. The test went well – and Trisolve was a lifesaver. I got an 800! So, thank you so much!
C.T.
Math IIC SAT II Subject Test Course with Marshall Spooner
Subject: My SAT II result
Mr. Spooner,
I just wanted to let you know that I ended up getting an 800 on the SAT II Math 2C test. Thank you very much for all the help you gave me in the course. It ended up being extremely helpful. Maybe I will see you in the future at some point.
Thanks again,
A.K.
Math IIC SAT II Subject Test Course with Marshall Spooner
Marshall - I took your review class for the SAT Math Level 2 test in June. Just wanted to let you know that I got an 800! Yay! Thanks for your help. I signed up for the PSAT review class with you in the fall. See you then!
LT
Math IIC SAT II Subject Test Course with Marshall Spooner
Hi Mr. Shapiro!
I hope all is going well. I received news from Princeton today ... and I got in early decision! I am positive that the writing SAT II's that you helped me prepare for made a big contribution to my application. You are a great teacher (1 class brought up my score from a 660 to a 790!).
Thank you!
Best wishes and Happy Holidays,
A
ps: my brother is a freshman in High School. He looks forward to attending your classes, and prepping with you for SAT's (PSAT's, etc).
Literature SAT II Subject Test Course with Robert Shapiro
Thanks for everything. On the second try- 800 verbal. Your course was more helpful than anything else I can imagine. Without your course, I would not have had the inclination to practice as necessary, and would not have had the confidence that you so frequently 'inculcated' (Yay vocab!)
I'll make sure to keep in touch.
Sincerest gratitude and appreciation
J
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro
Hi Mr. Shapiro--I know you talked to my mom already but I just wanted to let you know again that i got a 770. Thank you so much, the class was so helpful. My score went up 110 points. Thanks again.
K.R.
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro
Hey Robert,
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but I just wanted to let you I got 700. I’m extremely happy with this. I have not received the breakdown yet so I do not know how I did on the essay but I would guess pretty well. Anyway, hope you had a good thanksgiving.
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro
Mr. Shapiro -
Thank you so much! I got an 800 on the test and can't imagine having done it without your course. The prep/review work was fantastic and helped with my school work as well. I'm so relieved. Thanks again!
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro
Mr. Shapiro,
I wanted to thank you for helping me dramatically improve my score. I was very exciting to get a 790, and I give all the credit to your course. You have also helped me review grammar, which has already helped me in English class. Thanks again.
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro
You probably don't remember me but I was in your course at Greenwich Country Day. I found your card under my desk and thought you might like to know that after your course I went up by 220 points. From a 490-710, so thanks.
-D
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro
Hey Robert it's L.H., just wanted to tell you I got a 780 on the test =))))) that class helped me sooooo much and I know I wouldn't have done nearly as well without it...thanks soooooooo much for all your help!!!!
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro
Hey Mr. Shapiro,
Just wanted to let you know I got a 750. Your course was awesome, thank you so much.
Happy Holidays,
D.W.
SAT Course with Robert Shapiro