Expert College Admissions & Essay Guidance
At Tutor Doctor Santa Monica, we know that academic success is only one piece of the college admissions puzzle.
Maybe your student just needs support crafting a compelling essay.
Maybe you’re looking for full-spectrum guidance through the entire college admissions process.
Or maybe it’s a bit of both.
That’s why we’ve built a dedicated College Prep Team: seasoned experts who specialize in personalized college counseling, admissions strategy, and essay coaching. Whether your teen is finalizing their Common App or just starting their college search, we meet them where they are—with tailored, one-on-one support designed to bring clarity, confidence, and momentum to the journey ahead.
Meet Your College Prep Team
Meet Laurie Gross: Admissions Guru & Essay Whisperer
Meet Our IECA-trained College Counselor
Laurie Gross comes to Tutor Doctor with over two decades of experience in education. After graduating with a B.A. in English/Writing from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in English from DePaul University, she started by teaching high school English in Montgomery County, Maryland. A move to Chicago a couple of years later brought her a teaching position in the Chicago Public Schools where she taught high school English for all grades and varying skill levels. Laurie acknowledges it was here, as an Advanced Placement Literature teacher, she first began helping students with their college applications. In this capacity, she assisted the students with everything from essays to school selection. Given that many of these students could not afford the high cost of college, she also helped in researching need-based and merit aid funding.
Leaving the classroom was not an easy choice for Laurie, though when she chose to do so in order to have a family, she made sure she stayed current in education. One way she accomplished this was as a teacher in a weekend program for talented and gifted high school students at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Once again, Laurie found herself assisting students in their college applications. During this time she also became a reader for the SAT (Pearson) when it implemented the essay portion.
For the last decade, Laurie has been a private tutor in Los Angeles, though she admits requests for assistance with writing are by far the most popular ones she receives. Due to her experience in teaching writing, Laurie has continually been asked by friends and family to help with college application essays, however in the last few years many of these people recommended her to others, which is how she built solid experience in college application essays. Then after going through the process with her own son a few years ago, Laurie realized she also had an ability to match the student with the ideal school for them. She will be the first to tell you that it is more important for the student to find a college/university where they can thrive, rather than the most prestigious one. She aims to have each student she works with find their special school, a place that will become their home. As she attended the IECA’s (Independent Educational Consulting Association) intensive Summer Training Institute, she found this aligns with their philosophy as well. According to the students and families Laurie has worked with, she brings with her knowledge about colleges/universities, her ability to guide students in their writing, an understanding and patient nature and a quirky sense of humor.
Meet Victoria McHugh, Your Essay Alchemist: Turning Words Into Acceptances
With over 15 years of experience guiding students through the high-stakes world of college admissions, Victoria is passionate about helping young writers find their voice and stand out in the application process. A National Merit Scholar and graduate Cum Laude from Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales with a degree in Theater, she blends academic excellence with a deep understanding of storytelling to craft essays that captivate admissions teams.
Victoria’s career began with grading standardized exam essays, giving her insider insight into what evaluators look for. Since then, she has worked with hundreds of students through top test prep companies, specializing in SAT, ACT, ISEE, HSPT, GRE, and literature and reading comprehension. She has also earned a Level 5 TEFL Qualification with Merit, further expanding her ability to connect with diverse learners.
Parents value Victoria’s calm, encouraging approach and her proven track record of helping students not only improve their writing skills but also express themselves with authenticity and confidence. Her goal is simple: to help every student create essays that feel like them—memorable, polished, and powerful enough to open doors to their dream schools.