Testimonials

“Julia was our son’s English tutor from middle school until his graduation from high school. Through multiple classes and assignments, Julia helped our son to fully realize his potential as a writer, which he continues to benefit from to this day. The individual attention she provided allowed her to focus on the specific areas that needed to be addressed. We would not have worked with Julia for all those years if she wasn’t continuing to aid our son in all his writing endeavors.”

— Parent, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA

Julie has been coaching my daughter for the past 7 months. My daughter struggled with writing and lacked confidence. Julie quickly identified areas for improvement to build a stronger foundation that my daughter was lacking. Julie challenges her to think critically and wants to see growth and results.

This past week my daughter had an in-class essay due. Julie took the time out of her vacation to meet with my daughter virtually the day before to ensure she was prepared and ready. My daughter felt she did well and the first person she proudly texted was Julie.

Julie communicates with parents to share feedback, areas of improvement and asks how she can best help the student. As a parent I appreciate Julie’s expertise, professionalism, and effort to help her students succeed with confidence.

— Parent, St. Francis High School, Mountain View, CA

“I first started working with Julia when I was in eighth grade. I had always struggled with writing and was never able to get help. I was told repeatedly to just get over writer’s block. Julia’s tutoring was noticeably different from anyone else I had worked with, because you could sense that there was a passion for the material that she really wanted to help me learn as well as a passion to develop my confidence. I have dysgraphia, which made any essays or school assignments feel ten times more terrifying, but when I worked with Julia, she was able to help me find the good in the struggles — all while showing me better methods to help myself so I no longer dreaded my assignments.”

— Student, Westridge School in Pasadena, CA and Fusion Academy, Arcadia, CA

“Julia recently worked with both of my children (one of whom is a Poly student) on their college essays.  Some of them were quite demanding, but Julia deftly guided them through the writing process to end up with compelling and polished essays.  As they worked through drafts, Julia would ask pointed questions designed to focus them on the most powerful way to tell their story.  Both of them will be attending their top choice school, and we are all convinced that Julia’s help was instrumental.”

— Parent, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA

“Julia worked with my daughter when she was in 8th grade, and with my son when he was a senior. My daughter was super creative and so bored by the writing assignments for school. I wanted her to have someone in her life to affirm and channel her creativity. Julia was the perfect audience for her imagination, letting my daughter lead but also providing feedback and structure so that her stories made more sense and had greater depth. We had tried to find classes for her but there was nothing out there for someone her age.  This was truly the perfect way for her to learn and grow as a writer. 

I then hired Julia to work with my son on his college essays. We had an independent college counselor, but we wanted focused guidance and feedback in order to get through multiple drafts of the main essays and numerous supplements. I can’t believe my incredibly independent son agreed to let anyone near his essays! Because Julia worked with him gently and respected his quirky writing style, he totally bought in to the process — and ended with great essays that reflected what is true about him.  Even the process itself of self-reflection and back and forth discussion with editing was so good for my son.  I could not be happier that we had her guidance!  Best investment - worth every penny!”

— Parent, Moreland Middle School and Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose, CA

“Before meeting Ms. Davis, my child always struggled a bit with writing.  Ms. Davis was terrific in helping my child develop effective strategies for tackling writing assignments, from brainstorming and organizing thoughts into an outline to editing.  She also taught my child to dig deeper in approaching analytical assignments.  With Ms. Davis’s help, my child was able to earn a solid A in English and score a 5 on the AP English exam.  Most importantly, my child feels much more confident now about the writing process.  We are grateful for Ms. Davis’s patience and dedication.”

— Parent, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA

“The process of preparing  college applications was daunting and overwhelming for my daughter. Initially, capturing her entire essence into a college essay seemed impossible for her. After her first session with Julia, she was VERY excited to revise and add new things to her essays! She looked forward to each meeting. Thank you, Julia, for keeping her joy of writing alive ❤️”

— Parent, Glendora High School, Glendora, CA

“My daughter is currently a freshman at USC Marshall School.  Julia worked with her on college application essays in the fall of her senior year. My daughter is an average writer, but Julia was instrumental in helping her organize, develop and create a beautifully written and well-structured essay. The essay was the only opportunity to highlight her unique personality in a way you cannot describe through GPA or test scores.”

— Parent, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA

“My rising senior daughter greatly benefited from meeting with Julia over the summer.  It enabled her to preview, discuss, brainstorm, outline and begin drafts of her common application essay.  By the time senior year resumed, she had a good working draft that helped reduce the college application pressure in the Fall.  Julia/Ms. Davis was simultaneously patient, encouraging, efficient and productive.”

— Parent, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA