My approach
I work as a guide, taking the time to understand each student’s intellect, temperament, and ambitions before helping them chart a course through an exceptionally selective admissions landscape. My role is to help students make deliberate choices that distinguish them through substance rather than excess.
I advise students on identifying institutions where they will be challenged and engaged, shaping demanding academic programs, and pursuing extracurricular, service, and summer experiences that demonstrate depth of interest and sustained commitment. Together, we research opportunities, assess their value, and build a coherent profile that reflects intellectual curiosity and purpose.
The process is methodical and steady. I rely on structured planning materials to bring focus and direction without creating pressure, and I work closely with students to develop writing that is precise, reflective, and grounded in experience. Essays emerge from careful thought and revision, not formulas.
Throughout, I provide clear-eyed, composed guidance that balances high standards with reassurance. Parents value my judgment and discretion, and students benefit from an approach that prepares them to meet the demands of elite admissions with confidence and clarity.
About Zelda
Zelda began her career teaching English in Japan after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College and later earned a Master’s degree in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she also completed doctoral coursework. She went on to teach high school English at Stamford High School in Connecticut and The Blake School in Minneapolis, advising award-winning student newspapers at both schools.
Through her classroom work, Zelda developed a rigorous, thoughtful approach to teaching writing and guiding students through the college admissions process. She later transitioned to full-time tutoring and guidance, bringing both professional expertise and the perspective of a parent who has navigated the process herself.
In addition to her work with students, Zelda has served as an editor for an Italian cinema company, founded two businesses, and is currently writing a nonfiction book. Parents value her intellectual seriousness, judgment, and ability to help strong students distinguish themselves in a highly competitive admissions landscape.
Meet Zelda's Family
Zelda is the mother of three, each with a distinct educational path that has shaped her perspective on how to guide students with care and strategy. Her eldest spent a year in Beijing through the School Year Abroad program, attended NYU Shanghai, and later transferred to Columbia University. Her second pursued a creative path, studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design and now is working as an architectural photographer. Her youngest is entering 8th grade and beginning to explore future academic options. The family spent a year living in Milan, where the youngest became fluent in Italian—an experience that reinforced Zelda’s belief in the power of immersive, intentional learning to shape a student’s future far beyond admissions.