Seven Hills 8th graders apply widely, to Bay Area independent schools like Athenian, Bentley, College Prep and Head-Royce, to Catholic schools like O’Dowd, Carondelet and De La Salle, and to boarding schools across the country. That can mean the ISEE, the SSAT, the HSPT, essays and interviews, sometimes all at once.
Tell us about your student, and we’ll match them with a UC Berkeley tutor who fits.
Our UC Berkeley tutors help students prepare for each test on its own timeline, write application essays that sound like them, and keep up with schoolwork through a busy fall. Sessions are one-on-one, at your home or online.
A tight calendar
For students starting 9th grade in fall 2027, the Catholic schools give the HSPT on Saturday, January 9, 2027. College Prep’s application is due January 5, and it wants ISEE or SSAT testing finished by February 1. Families looking at boarding schools such as Andover, Exeter, Thacher or Cate have a separate set of deadlines to track. A tutor can help your student plan the fall, so the work is spread over several months. Learn more about our admissions test prep.
Essays and interviews
Most of these schools ask for an essay and an interview as well. A tutor reads drafts with your student and asks questions until the essay says what they mean, and the writing stays their own. A practice interview with a college student helps too.
Every grade at Seven Hills
Seven Hills runs from preschool through 8th grade in Walnut Creek, and we tutor math, writing and science at every grade.
What Cardinal Tutors families say
“She was completely professional, organized, thorough and easy to work with.”
Melissa H. · Yelp review
Tell us about your student and the schools on their list, and we’ll find the right tutor.
Tell us about your student, and we’ll match them with a UC Berkeley tutor who fits.