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Reaching goals: How INTO PREP helped one lacrosse player find his dream college

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/26/21

Conestoga 2022 faceoff specialist Ian Kim wanted to improve his SAT scores as a sophomore and get his test done early so he could focus more on his lacrosse skills and classroom grades.

So when he began taking classes at INTO PREP and learned of its Program Guarantee, he was sold. Now, as he gears for his senior season at Conestoga, with a recent commitment to NESCAC school Williams College, he can reflect on the many advantages he gained from INTO PREP.

“I was a little skeptical at first and I didn’t know how much it would help me, but I wanted to get the whole testing stuff out of the way,” he said.

Ian Kim has committed to Williams College

“The first time I went in I took the baseline and the score wasn’t particularly where I wanted it to be. But each week it got progressively better. I had a teacher for each section and they’d break down the test and go through whatever problems people had on certain questions.”

Kim said his baseline test started at 1110 and early in his junior year he got a brilliant 1490 on the test – an improvement of 380 points. An Honorable mention All-Central League performer in 2021, Kim committed to Williams – long considered one of the top liberal arts schools in the country – during the summer. He was accepted to the early decision process and hopes to gain admission in January.

How did the INTO PREP teachers help him improve so much?

“They gave basic tips for each section; each teacher had his or her own method of teaching and a way to approach that section of the SAT,” he said. “Having those different perspectives helped me get my score up.”

“My 380-point improvement is ridiculous. I was going to take it in my sophomore year but because of COVID I took it early in my junior year. They had virtual sessions and they were just as efficient.”

INTO PREP, the official sponsor of Phillylacrosse.com Girls’ Recruits, offers in-person and virtual courses each season for SAT/ACT Prep as well as tutoring for many AP classes. Classes are offered at INTO PREP’s Malvern and Upper Darby offices or online.

Kim admitted the program is intensive and students need to commit to the time and demands of the teachers. But he believes students at all levels can find great benefits.

“A large part of it is that you have to be committed,” he said. “You can’t go in and expect expect your scores will shoot up just by attending.

“They don’t just give your papers. They teach you study strategies and skills in how to break down reading passages that really help you with comprehension. Or what tricks you could use for certain math problems and what grammar rules you needed. I use some of these rules when I am writing papers for classes at Conestoga.

“I thought all the teachers were really nice and it was easy to talk to them. It was easy to reach out to any teacher.

Does Kim recommend INTO PREP for lacrosse players trying to improve their scores in hopes of getting into the college of their choice.

“Yes, 100 percent,” he said. “And it’s not just for kids trying to get into Ivy league or NESCAC schools. It’s for anyone that wants to improve their scores and be a better student.”