- Note: This program is only available in Hsinchu. Please refer to the Writing and Reading for College Readiness program if you are in Kaohsiung.
- 注意:此課程僅限新竹地區提供。如果您在高雄地區,請參閱《大學入學準備寫作與閱讀課程》
The program consists of 14 sessions of class and authentic test questions for practice. All instructional sessions and course materials are included in the program tuition. Please see the student testimonials below for more details.
College Admissions Essay Workshop
To be well-prepared for college admissions, students taking our SAT course will also receive multiple writing lessons on the college application essay. We believe that writing can be a powerful, self-reflective process in which students can use envisioning language to set their goals in specific and concrete terms. During the college admissions essay workshop, students will:
- understand purpose of the college admissions essay
- analyze case studies of strong to weak college applicants
- identify personal strengths
- learn to use impactful language that highlight one's unique identity
- practice drafting and writing the admissions essay
- receive feedback from an experienced international school college counselor
Fast Facts
Who: International school students moving into 9th-11th grade.
When: Summer break. See the course schedule.
Where: All 14 sessions are in-person at the Hsinchu Science Park Hub.
How to Register:
When: Summer break. See the course schedule.
Where: All 14 sessions are in-person at the Hsinchu Science Park Hub.
How to Register:
- Complete and submit the registration form
- Pay a deposit of $2,000 NT
Program Highlights
- Quality Teaching: The program is co-taught by a Harvard graduate with over 14 years of experience teaching international school students. Students also receive guidance and feedback on their college admissions essays from an experienced international school college counselor.
- Focus on Foundation-Building Strategies: In addition to learning test strategies for the SAT, students will also strengthen their academic foundation in English and math, which will enable them to make significant and sustainable improvements over time.
- Timely Feedback and Targeted Learning: Using the latest educational technology, in-class practice questions are instantly scored to help students pinpoint their areas of weakness. Students also receive personalized feedback on their written essays.
- High Effectiveness: Upon completion of the program, most students make significant improvements in their scores. Based on the data from the previous summer cohort, over half of the students who completed the program increased their SAT scores by 230 points or more.
- Student-Centered Learning: Each time the course is offered, the content is slightly adjusted to suit each student’s needs, which are based upon his or her performance on the first diagnostic exam. The program is designed and taught in a step-by-step method that is enjoyable and easy to understand. Group discussions, class activities, and visual organizers are used to enhance the student’s learning process.
Student Reviews
Maxine Tseng, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
Although I was dismayed by my score on the first practice test, the work I did throughout this course really helped me learn new concepts and vocabulary as well as why a response is correct or incorrect. With the support of the teachers in answering all of our additional reading, grammar, and math questions, I've managed to improve a lot over the sessions. |
Albus Lai, Hsinchu International School
I learned a lot about the SAT through Teacher Tim's class. He teachers deep insights and analysis of the test and provides effective practice exercises and activities to the students. Additionally, he gives individual feedback to help each student with his or her own weaknesses. Teacher Tim's SAT class is very effective and helpful. I strongly recommend it. |
Patty Chwu, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
I took the SAT class in the summer of 7th grade. It was quite challenging at first, but Teacher Tim explained it in a way that allowed me to understand the strategies and vocabularies, which were useful because I know I would be using them later on. This course was very effective and useful. I think I gained a lot from taking this class. |
Jasper Wen, Hsinchu County American School
I've taken several SAT courses in Hsinchu, and the Firm Foundation intensive SAT program is the best of all. In a small to medium-sized class, Teacher Tim takes great care of all of his students, and I felt extremely comfortable learning in the class environment. After the course, I am able to spot my mistakes effectively and become more confident in taking the SAT in general. Overall, Teacher Tim incorporates his experience and knowledge into his lessons and assisted me in developing the test-taking skills and knowledge that I need to do well on the Redesigned SAT.
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Tiffany Lee, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
As an eighth grader, I expected this course to be overly challenging for me, but I still took this challenge and enrolled. To my surprise, Teacher Tim made everything clear and detailed enough for me to fully understand the SAT. My scores also improved rapidly after an extensive amount of practice from the course materials. Overall, this course was very helpful and entertaining. |
Lydia Chen, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
This is the first SAT course I have ever taken, and it was far better than I expected. The Firm Foundation SAT program enhanced my skills in such a short period of time and through fun activities and jokes made by the teacher, this particular SAT course mad my learning experience interactive and enjoyable. The teachers are very well-prepared and the extra support sessions they provide furthermore prove so. I recommend this course to anyone who is worried that they are not prepared enough to take the SAT test! |
Allison Cheng, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
In Teacher Tim's class, it's guaranteed that you'll receive an effective, hands-on learning experience. From learning numerous different SAT strategies to participating in review activities and in-class practices, I feel that I am much better prepared for the actual exam. Although doing SAT practice questions can be tiresome, Teacher Tim puts in a lot of effort to make the classes fun and effective. I am most definitely walking away from his SAT program feeling much more confident about taking the SAT. |
Karen Tseng, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu To be honest, I underestimated the course before I signed up. Not only did Teacher Tim help me improve my SAT score, but he also taught us how to learn effectively--from methods for memorizing vocabulary for tips on structuring the perfect essay. In addition, all the practice activities we did in class were attuned to our needs and highly effective. |
Paul Lo, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu I improved a lot from taking this course and feel much better prepared to take the SAT. I learned more math in this program than I did in the past two years. Also, Teacher Tim's strategies for writing and reading were very helpful and allowed me to gain confidence in myself when taking the practice exams. This SAT program is indeed effective in providing what I need for the SAT exam. |
Annie Geng, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
Before taking the Firm Foundation SAT course, I was hesitant to even approach the SAT. But after taking the program, my anxiety toward the test complete diminished. Moreover, I learned many effective studying strategies that can be applied throughout my life and not just for the SAT. |
Sunni Chinjo Lin, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
Without an inkling about what the SAT encompassed, I dare say that I completed the course with a much higher level of interest and understanding of the test. Teacher Tim's organized yet flexible SAT course offered me insight into the basics of the SAT and invaluable advice and strategies that can be applied in school and beyond. His humorous classes provide a healthy and active environment to learn in. The reminders and hard work he put in further enhanced the sessions to a higher level. The SAT course is definitely one not to be missed! |
Alex Chuang, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu Obviously studying for the SAT isn't the most interesting topic ever, but in Teacher Tim's class, this process was engaging instead of tedious. Through several interactive activities, such as vocabulary games and essay discussion, I was able to prepare for the SAT while having some fun. Over the three weeks of taking this course, I have learned how to tackle long, confusing passages, use more sophisticated diction in my essays, and identify grammatical errors. I have benefited significantly from taking this course. |
Ayumi Suguira, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu I did not know much about the SAT. However, Teacher Tim explained the test very thoroughly. In his classes, he taught us important strategies, and carefully went over questions that the majority of us missed I strongly recommend his SAT class! |
Justin Chen, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu Being "forced" to take the SAT course the first year, I have to confess that I was happy to be able to have classes with Teacher Tim. I felt that he interacted with the class a lot and was able to connect with us, making the lessons really enjoyable. |
Jessica Kim, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
I decided to enroll in this course because I just wanted a better understanding of the SAT. However, I got much more than I bargained for. Teacher Tim used personal anecdotes and examples as a way for us to understand vocabulary words. He also made himself available to all students during and after class. His extra support sessions were especially useful. Teacher Tim’s class helped me greatly this summer! |
Thomas Kim, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
If I had to choose a class that provides the most effective preparation for SAT tests, I would choose Teacher Tim’s SAT program. His activities for vocabulary words bolstered our vocabulary foundation. He also taught us important strategies for tackling the SAT tests and assisted us to understand parts that we did not understand. Therefore, I strongly recommend students to take this class! |
Michelle Chang, Hsinchu American School
Among numerous SAT classes I have attended, Teacher Tim's SAT class is the most effective one. He encouraged us to memorize vocabularies and taught us important strategies. He was also available after class to assist us in parts that we needed extra support. His assistance was not only confined to SAT questions but also academic advice. I strongly recommend his SAT class! |
Albert Yu, Hsinchu American School
Before taking the Firm Foundation SAT course, I was uncertain and even slightly afraid of the SAT. I didn’t know what the SAT was like. In this course, I learned about all three areas: critical reading, math, and writing, including how to write a good essay in 25 minutes. By the time I finished this course, I was no longer afraid of the SAT. I knew exactly what to expect. In just five weeks, my total score increased by over 300 and my essay rating was increased by two points. The Firm Foundation SAT course really proved itself to be a rewarding learning experience. |
Jasper Yeh, International Bilingual School in Hsinchu
I was only going to ninth grade when I attended the Firm Foundation SAT class, but the way Teacher Tim teaches will definitely allow even the youngest students understand. The most valuable part about this program is the vocabulary lessons. Teacher Tim provides you with a booklet where long lists of words are organized by the meaning and usage, furthermore adding mnemonics to enhance your understanding. Overall, this summer program not only drastically improved SAT skills, but also furthered my understanding of grammar, developed my writing abilities more, and increased my knowledge of vocabulary words. |