AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition are consistently ranked as two of the five hardest AP courses offered.

AP Literature and Composition is especially challenging. In fact, less than half (49.7%) of students who take AP Literature and Composition earn a passing score of 3 or higher on the AP exam.

Is AP Language and Composition easier? Not much. Only 54.3% of students who take the AP Language and Composition exam received a passing score of 3 or higher on the AP exam.

In part, these numbers reflect the inherent difficulty of the course material. But just as much, the numbers reflect inadequate instruction.

Advanced Placement (AP) teachers are required to deliver an enormous amount of content in a short period of time. As a result, some instruction is compromised, and there is simply no time to teach AP-level writing or to prepare students for the AP exam.

And yet the hard fact is that the more AP courses your child takes, the greater the chances of getting into a top college and winning scholarship money. In fact, given the unprecedented competition for college admission, many college admissions officers are quietly encouraging potential applicants to take two AP-level English courses as doing so significantly improves admissions chances.

 

How We Help You Get A Perfect Score

At WCP, Dr. Osborn improves college admissions chances and boosts your child’s chances at scholarship money by teaching your child the specific AP-level reading and writing skills needed to do well in class and on the AP exam. In addition, Dr. Osborn shows your child how to write quickly and under pressure, how to identify and analyze evidence, and how to use process of elimination to maximize the possibility of a perfect score.

Services

ASSESSMENT

Professional evaluation of your AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition reading and writing strengths and weaknesses, and evaluation of your test-taking strategies. Identification of specific areas that need improvement in light of your college admissions goals and aspirations.

REMEDIATION

Remedial work focuses on strengthening understanding of course material, improving reading speed and comprehension, and advancing AP-level essay writing skills.

Special attention paid to understanding rhetorical situations, identifying literary devices, improving ability to find and analyze evidence, and advancing ability to write cohesive thesis statements and debatable claims. In addition, techniques for improving organization and sentence structure are emphasized.

TEST PREP

Prep work focuses on accelerating reading speed and comprehension, advancing process of elimination skills, improving analytical ability, and honing timed writing skills.

REASSESSMENT AND REVIEW

Reassessment of test-taking strategies and test-taking behavior three weeks before the exam date.
Special attention paid to advancing ability to elaborate and analyze textual evidence and ability to write concisely, coherently, and quickly.

AP LANG AND AP LIT BOOT CAMP

Curriculum introduces students to the AP curriculum, fundamentals of AP-level essay writing, strategies for approaching multiple choice questions, techniques for improving vocabulary, and study tips. In addition, lessons teach essential close AP-level reading strategies and AP-level annotation strategies.

“When Amanda started working with Susan, she had a 68% in AP Language. But Susan broke the course material down step by step, and created personalized study guides for her. In the end Amanda got a perfect score on the exam, and a significant college scholarship!”

Arianna, West Windsor, NJ mother of Carnegie Mellon freshman

Schedule your free 20-minute phone consultation with Dr. Osborn to learn how The Writing Center of Princeton can help maximize your child’s AP score.

WCP works with students and college applicants from all over the world via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, phone, and Google docs.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT FROM OTHER AP LANGUAGE
AND AP LITERATURE TUTORS?

1. Experience

Dr. Osborn is a veteran educator and college counselor who has worked in Admissions at Vassar College, in the Writing Program and English Department at Rutgers University, in the lab at The New Jersey Center for Research on Writing, and as a private tutor.

In addition to her degree work, she has completed graduate work at Columbia University’s Teachers College, the University of Pennsylvania, and Bank Street College of Education.

Dr. Osborn is also an acclaimed and award-winning fiction, popular, and academic writer.

2. Personalized Service

Dr. Osborn helps you identify and clarify your AP Language and AP Literature homework needs and test prep goals, all while keeping your college admissions strategy in mind. At the same time, she nurtures and designs your tutoring plan based on what best fits your time frame, your personality, your schedule, and your college aspirations.

3. Set Your Own Schedule

Dr. Osborn doesn’t like package plans and she knows you don’t either. WCP doesn’t offer them and never has. You are free to schedule as many or as few appointments as you wish.

4. Unlimited, 7-day a Week Text Support with Dr. Osborn

Once you sign on with Dr. Osborn, you are welcome to text her whenever you wish, about whatever questions and concerns you have related to your application strategy, plan, and essays.

5. Emotional Support

Taking AP Language and Composition or AP Literature and Composition can be emotionally draining and often puts a strain on a family. One of Dr. Osborn’s most important responsibilities is to be here for you and your child and she takes that responsibility very seriously. Whether you need to vent or just need to talk things over, you can rely on her.

“After working with Susan, Jeffrey’s AP grade went up 20 points and he earned a perfect score on the exam. She really knows her stuff! She’s also a great coach and a great motivator! We will be using her again when Jeffrey applies to college.”

Laura and John, Montgomery, NJ parents of Montgomery High School junior

What to Do Next?

Schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation with Dr. Susan Osborn.

I look forward to speaking with you about the many ways we advance your child’s AP Language and AP Literature performance and boost your child’s college admissions chances!

Susan Osborn, Ph.D.

All instruction is conducted in a private, distraction-free environment.

The Writing Center of Princeton works with students and college applicants from all over the world via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, Google docs, and phone.

from the parents
“A month before the exam, my son had no idea to write for the test. Susan quickly discovered the gaps in his in-class education, and developed an intensive program for success. In the end, he scored a 5!”
– Sashi V., parent of 11th grader
“Susan’s dedication and support for my son was boundless. Words don’t express for the appreciation and respect we have for her.”
– Roopa and Aarav A., parents of 11th grader
“Though the number of sessions we had with Susan was limited, the outcome was amazing. She is a very patient and understanding writing tutor. Not only did she help my son improve his writing skills and strategy, she gave him the confidence to achieve his target.”
– Lakshmi, parent of 11th grader