Why Letters of Recommendation Matter More Than You Think in College Admissions

April 22, 2025 by Jen Foldvary

Teacher recommendation letters can make a powerful impact on your teen’s college applications—if they’re handled the right way.

In this post, our expert college consultant breaks down what parents need to know to help their student secure standout letters.

College Planning this winter for high school juniors

Winter College Prep: Expert Tips for High School Juniors

January 31, 2025January 3, 2025 by Ann Dolin

With less than a year until application deadlines begin, now is the perfect moment for 11th graders to solidify collegiate goals, craft an admissions plan, and take actionable steps to set themselves up for success.

In this blog, we asked one of our expert college consultant what juniors should start prioritizing this winter to stay ahead in their college admissions journey.

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Educational Connections Tutoring, Executive Function Coaching, and College Consulting

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Peter Glantzis

The team at Educational Connections is fantastic! We used them for both test prep and college selection/application advising. Both services were top notch, exceeded our expectations, and we definitely saw a great return on our investment. The test prep quickly uncovered where the gaps were in my son’s preparation, and focused on those specific areas. The result was 100 point increase in his SAT score. Having already done a lot of work on college selection, our college advisor validated our work, recommended a few additions, and then we spent the majority of the time working on the application, with a heavy focus on the essays. While we’re still waiting on the majority of the decisions, I can say that we were much more confident in his applications when he submitted them than we otherwise would have been without Educational Connection’s services. I highly recommend working with this team.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Peter! We're so proud of your son for his 100-point SAT increase and thrilled that both our test prep and college consulting exceeded your expectations. Our team works hard to provide targeted, personalized support, and it's incredibly rewarding to know you felt more confident with his applications. We're keeping our fingers crossed for great news! Thank you for trusting Educational Connections with this important journey and for recommending our services.

Steve Chappell

We have utilized this service for both our son & daughter.

Through Educational Connections, our son has been able to better organize his train of thought towards his school work, specifically it helped him map out his approach to getting into college and now progressing through the first semester. Maria has both provided a foundation for him in college and created the courage that his professional goal is attainable through organization.

Our daughter is preparing to take the SSAT in order to get into boarding school. Not exceptionally gifted at standardized tests, Megan has been helping her strategize how to both attack topics she is comfortable with and address challenges she encounter.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Steve, for sharing your son’s journey with Educational Connections! We're so glad to hear that working with Maria has helped him build the organizational skills and confidence needed for both his schoolwork and the college application process. It's wonderful to know that these skills have not only laid a foundation for his future but also empowered him to believe in his professional goals. We’re honored to be part of his success, and we wish him all the best as he heads to college. Thanks again for your trust in our services!

Julie Mirecki

An excellent resource and great support for a student with ADHD. Our teen son was reluctant to work with a tutor but after his first session with Amber he was so happy and more confident. His grades have been steadily improving and our tutor graciously supports both our son and us as school challenges arise. We feel this is the best investment we could make. Definitely try this if you need support.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Julie! It’s wonderful to hear how your son’s confidence and grades have grown with Amber’s support. Many families come to us with teens who are hesitant at first, especially those with ADHD, and it’s always inspiring to see how the right tutor match can turn things around. We’re so glad your family has had such a positive experience!

Coty Bush

We started with a smaller package to try it out. My kid has really benefitted from the extra coaching he has received both in a subject he struggled with and with his overall executive functioning skills. He’s acknowledging on his own where he’s been not applying himself and has been more organized and motivated. We added on more sessions to continue his growth. His coach has been great and we are happy we decided to invest in this program.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing, Coty! We're so glad to hear about your son's progress, especially with his organization and motivation. Those EF skills make such a difference. We appreciate your trust and look forward to continuing to work with your family!

Jodi Gould

Response from the owner:Thanks for your review, Jodi!

Emily Sayre

EF tutoring has been going very well so far. The free webinars have been a great tool for me, too.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the review, Emily! We're happy to hear that your EF sessions are going well and that you're finding value in our free webinars. Student success is our priority, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your positive experience!

Jodi Weslow

My family has worked with Educational Connections for several years now - utilizing their ACT prep, college counseling and EF skills training services. Each person we have worked with has been warm, knowledgeable and very relatable to my kids. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Jodi! It means the world to us that your family has trusted Educational Connections across so many areas over the years. We're especially proud that each person you've worked with has connected well with your kids because building those genuine relationships is at the heart of what we do. Your recommendation means everything to us, and we're grateful to be part of your family's journey!

Carolina Arias

Response from the owner:Thanks for taking the time to share your review, Carolina!