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Flip Laffoon, Collegiate Edge

Flip Laffoon

One of the things I love about working with teenagers is that everyone is different, and everyone will bring a unique perspective to the table. I discover new things about the material all the time because of my students, and that brings me such joy! The admissions world is the same in that there is always an infinite amount to learn, and I love that aspect of my work because it keeps me engaged, excited, and humble. The variables are constantly changing, and I find it fun to track those changes, research and visit schools, learn about new programs, and attend webinars and conferences. All of this knowledge helps me to lessen students’ and parents’ anxiety about the process and to make it more fun.

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Throughout my college application process and SAT prep, I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher and supporter than Flip. He was so approachable and kind, and he brought the most fun, happy, and positive energy to every session. It was so clear how much he truly cared about me, my experience, and my growth, and I am forever grateful for everything he taught me. I couldn’t have navigated the college process without him.

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My favorite word is “serendipity.” I love the ebullient way it sounds, I love that it’s “serenity” with a “dip” in it, I love its joyful meaning, and I know that many of the important and happy events and changes in my life have been guided by serendipity. The career I’ve built working with students is but one example of this principle. I moved to Los Angeles after graduating from college and began working as a test prep tutor; it was a job that was recommended to me by my roommate at the time, so I think it’s fair to say that I found my way into this world serendipitously. What I discovered in my tutoring work was something both unexpected and wonderful: I love working with teenagers. I’ve been working with teenagers now for more than twenty years, and my enjoyment of my time and work with them has only increased.

I have tutored students for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, Subject Tests, and various academic subjects. For the most part, the material is the same, but every experience with it is unique because every student is unique. That’s one of the things I love about working with teenagers: everyone is different, and everyone will bring a unique perspective to the table. I discover new things about the material all the time because of my students, and that brings me such joy!

The admissions world is the same in that there is always an infinite amount to learn, and I love that aspect of my work because it keeps me engaged, excited, and humble. The variables are constantly changing, and I find it fun to track those changes, to research and visit schools, to learn about new programs, and to attend webinars and conferences. All of this knowledge helps me to lessen students’ and parents’ anxiety about the process and to make it more fun.

I am an Associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling (WACAC) and abide by their ethical standards.

I love learning and am intensely curious about the world. I am a wealth of useless information, and my party trick is that I can name all the countries and capitals of the world in under five minutes! My favorite hobby is traveling: I’ve been to all fifty states, forty countries, and six of the seven continents (all but Antarctica, which I’ll visit eventually!); I can talk about traveling all day long! I also love cooking, baking, and grilling; feeding myself and others brings me great joy!

I have two cats, Penelope and Riley, who seem to love me and whom I adore and have taught to sit for treats!

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