Adelle L., Swimming
Minisink Valley High School Class of 2021
SUNY Maritime
Division III Swim Team
The SAT and ACT was very intimidating for me when it came to applying to colleges. ACT and SAT tutoring helped me increase my score dramatically. The tutors helped me not only better understand the questions in the standardized tests, but how to use tips and tricks to move through the test quickly and with confidence. They also related the many topics with my interests like sports and food, which kept tutoring entertaining and fun.
The conversations we had involving high school courses and college admissions helped guide me through the rest of school and set me up to stand out when applying to colleges. By being advised to take AP courses and college courses my high school had to offer, I started my freshman year in college almost a full semester ahead. This also made my application stand out and increase my chances for scholarships.
With the tutoring and guidance help, I was accepted to my top three colleges including Binghamton University, Maritime College, and University of Delaware. I am now at my number one school, Maritime College, and studying Mechanical Engineering with an academic scholarship. I also compete on the Division lll swim team at Maritime as well. SAT and ACT tutoring helped my college testing and application process go in the best direction it could have.
Carly L., Lacrosse
Goshen High School Class of 2022
American University
Division 1 Lacrosse - Verbally Committed
Working with Joe, Sid and Galia through College Station of the Hudson Valley was easy and productive. I took a live review course before the testing sites closed due to the COVID pandemic. I later took a refresher zoom course once SAT testing began again at the end of 2020. The study tricks and insights I learned helped me feel ready and comfortable to take the test and achieve the score I wanted for the college of my choice. I also attended a seminar that Joe ran for student athletes. The information I learned helped me prepare for conversations with college coaches and understand what those coaches would expect me to achieve in terms of test scores and complete in terms of coursework before applying to college. I have verbally committed to play Division 1 lacrosse at American University starting in the Fall of 2022.
Maggie L., Scholar
Goshen High School Class of 2019
Lafayette College Marquis Scholar
When I was in high school I took the SAT and ACT prep course offered through College Station of the Hudson Valley. The skills I learned helped me strategize and achieve the test scores that I wanted to get into my top schools. The course was the best way to understand what to expect on the tests and learn how to manage my time to do the best that I possibly could. I was accepted into and now attend Lafayette College as a Marquis Scholar. I was also accepted into Boston College, Bucknell, Binghamton and Villanova’s Honors Program.
Isaac J.,
Pine Bush Class of 2021
Messiah University
I am a former participant in Mr. Connell's SAT/ACT tutoring and college admissions programs through Hudson Valley Tutoring. The SAT/ACT program was phenomenal and it helped me raise my test scores significantly, with my SAT score a 1430 and ACT a 33. I never would have achieved those scores if it wasn't for this program. Mr. Connell and his staff also held conversations with my family and myself on high school courses and college admissions plans. These discussions really cleared up a lot of questions I had and gave me a good path to follow. Additionally, he gave great insight into which degrees and majors that I should look into, based on my personal skills and interests. Not only did he provide me with a solid admissions plan, he also guided me while I wrote my college admissions essay by reading my essay and suggesting revisions on two separate occasions. No doubt this helped me get accepted into my top college choice Messiah University, where I will be studying mechanical engineering. I was also accepted into Cedarville University and Liberty University. Mr. Connell and his expert staff were welcoming, insightful, and a joy to be around. They were always available to help me with questions I had with the different subject materials. I could not be more grateful for the impact they have had on my life. These programs from Hudson Valley Tutoring have been extremely beneficial for me and I would highly suggest them to anyone planning on taking the ACT and SAT and pursuing an education beyond the high school level.
Jack R.
New Paltz High School Class of 2021
Union College Class of 2025
Joe’s tutoring completely changed my entire view of the college process. Helping boost my SAT score 200 points from my first practice test, it made me able to apply to some of the best schools in the nation, and I am grateful for that.
Adam K., Scholar
New Paltz High School Class of 2021
Accepted to SUNY Binghamton & University of Georgia (Honors)
Joe’s tutoring completely changed my entire view of the college process. Helping boost my SAT score 200 points from my first practice test, it made me able to apply to some of the best schools in the nation, and I am grateful for that.
Erin R., Mom of Luke
Homeschooled Student Class of 2019
Liberty University Honors Student
As a homeschooling parent, I rely heavily on standardized tests to validate my child's academic abilities. Mr. Connell's SAT class and private tutoring sessions taught my son how to apply his already attained math, reading, and writing skills directly to the SAT style and format. As a result, my son gradually increased his SAT score over 200 points to a 1450. Achieving such a high score helped award my son two generous scholarships as well as a place in his college's honors program. I am grateful that Mr. Connell and his staff significantly helped launch my son on a path of academic collegiate success.
Kelly K., Mom of Nick
Goshen High School Class of 2022
Lacrosse Recruit
My son has taken a SAT Prep course with Mr. Connell and his associate, Galia. He has since taken his first SAT and received a 1220. I do not believe my son would have achieved such a good score if it were not for Mr. Connell's course. Mr. Connell and his staff helped my son, Nick, not only with his SAT preparation, but also high school course selection that would be most beneficial for Nick's college goals.
Further, after Nick took the SAT prep course, Mr. Connell advised me that Nick should have a tutor for Algebra. NIck had four tutoring sessions with Galia, Mr. Connell's associate, at the beginning of this school year and has received 90 the first quarter and a 93 the second quarter in Algebra 2. His final grade in Algebra 1 was a 78. Since our experience with Mr. Connell, Nick's grades had improved significantly. He has made honor roll both quarters this year.
I first heard about Joseph Connell and College Station from a friend at church who highly recommended Joe.
Mark and Danielle J., Parents of Isaac
Pine Bush Class of 2021
Messiah University
My wife and I benefited greatly from the time we spent with you discussing the various steps along the college application journey. Your expertise in the area of college admissions brought a lot of clarity to the process and helped us narrow our focus in the search process. The tutoring helped our kids to excel on the SAT and ACT as well, for that we are extremely grateful. We would highly recommend your services to any high school student and their family
Sarah R
New Paltz High School Class of 2016
University of Chicago Class of 2020
Joe worked with me to increase a specific section on my ACT through one-on-one tutoring. Throughout each session, Joe was incredibly kind. He understood that as a student, I had a busy schedule with coursework and extracurriculars. He worked with me to provide a feasible but effective plan that helped me increase not only the section I needed help with, but my score in entirety.
I attended the University of Chicago where I studied chemistry and biochemistry.