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Preparing Students with Learning Differences
for Success in College

The college admissions process has never been more mystifying, especially if you have a student with a learning difference. That’s where we come in.

504U is a college admissions counseling practice that specializes in working with students who have learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD.

We are a full-service, one-stop-shop for all college-bound needs.

We work with students early, helping them position themselves for success.

We introduce students and families to the concept of “college fit” and guide them through the tedious business of college admissions.

We offer one-on-one test prep and essay coaching in-house in order to provide students with a seamless tutoring experience customized to their specific needs.

Finally, we coach students through the transition from high school to college to ensure a confident launch into the next phase of life.

Schedule a free consultation! »

I get it because I’ve got it. (Dyslexia, that is.)

Hello! I’m Tracy Coffin, and I founded 504U to help students with learning differences navigate the admissions process, find the right college fit, and make a successful transition into college life.

I earned my Master’s Certificate in College Admissions Counseling from UCLA and hold a certification from the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). I visit at least twenty college campuses each year and have guided over 100 students on their college-bound journey.

But for me it’s not just business, it’s also personal.

I have dyslexia. My husband and our two oldest kids have ADHD, and our youngest daughter got the double whammy — dyslexia and ADHD. We learned the hard way how to cope, compensate, and discover the hidden advantages our learning differences provide us. Today we have three happy, healthy, successful kids.

And now, I want to put those hard-earned skills to work for you.

Meet Elena: The Yin to Tracy’s Yang

Elena Zifkin brings her boundless energy and prodigious writing skills to 504U, specializing in standardized test prep, essay coaching, and resume support.

Elena has six years of experience working with students in various capacities – as a writing coach, PSAT/SAT/ACT tutor and instructor, and reading counselor. After graduating from Williams College, Elena worked at a leading college prep organization. While she loved working with students, she was dismayed by the lack of support students with learning differences received.

"These students were fighting an uphill battle with no understanding or support. That was my "AHA!” moment – it became my singular mission to embrace the students who learn differently, the ones who are misunderstood by their teachers and peers, the ones whose creativity is outside the box. I live to help these students uncover their magic!”

Together Tracy and Elena use their complementary skill sets to serve students in exactly the way they deserve. They have built structures and processes designed specifically for students with LD, empowering students and relieving stress for parents. At 504U, all students are met just where they are – with humor, patience, and an undying belief that they can do big things. Yay college!

What Can 504U Do for You?

The List to Launch Package
This comprehensive package is a two-year commitment designed for rising juniors who want to optimize their college planning with the full range of services: personality and interest assessments, LD accommodations evaluation and optimization, “college fit” assessment and list building, research techniques to help narrow the list, essay brainstorming, management of the application process, guidance with the final admission decision, and transition coaching to ensure a successful launch into college life.

The College Fit List Package
Designed for high school juniors, this short and sweet process takes only two weeks to complete. We use personality and interest assessments to help produce a list of 25-30 colleges that fit your student’s academic, social, and financial goals.

SAT/ACT Test PrepThis one-to-one test prep process starts 4-8 weeks before your student’s testing date. Our goal is to build critical thinking skills, self-awareness, confidence, and testing strengths through methods designed specifically for students with learning differences.

College Launch Kit
In order to ensure a smooth transition into college life, we work with your student to prepare a custom College Launch Kit complete with checklists, resources, accommodations support, and even a Freshman Goals Contract, so you can be confident your student is leaving the nest ready to fly.

Essay Coaching
This one-on-one essay coaching process takes 2-6 weeks, depending on the number of essays required. We help your student streamline the essay-writing process and teach them the narrative style of writing required for robust college essays.

Travels with Tracy

It’s hard to get a feel for a place unless you’ve actually been there. That’s why I spend my spare time touring campuses all over the country. As a part of my membership to IECA, I visit over 20 campuses a year. Keep ‘em coming!