We help students make things happen for themselves. Our clients frequently include students with ADD and LD, kids whose grades don’t quite reflect how cool and smart they are, students passionate about performing arts, serious athletes, the smartest STEM students in the country, and people whom nobody else has been able to help. Click here to schedule your free consultation!

Study Skills

  • D1 baseball is a grind. The SMITH RIVAS course designed specifically for MLB hopefuls gave me the skills and confidence I needed to excel in the classroom, which helped me achieve my dream of being an early-round draft pick.

    Shane Bieber
    Shane Bieber 2020 MLB Cy Young Winner
  • Thank you for working with our daughter this week. After the first day, I knew this was a good investment to help her accomplish whichever path she decides to pursue.

    L.T.
    L.T. Parent of an Elon University pre-med student
  • SMITH RIVAS taught me the study skills and time management I needed to take my college academics to the next level, allowing me to devote maximum time and energy to becoming a professional basketball player.

    Alan Williams
    Alan Williams NBA Power Forward
  • Thank you, on many levels, for your work with my son. I think an objective, firm coach and counsel was just what the doctor ordered. You helped tremendously in bringing back his moxie, confidence, results and drive. I greatly appreciate that from both an academic and life standpoint.

    J.D.
    J.D. Mother of a Georgetown University freshman
  • I highly recommend parents utilize SMITH RIVAS. Mr. Rivas' presentation on study skills was informative, innovative, and out-of-the-box. The expert strategies from his workshop can be instantly implemented, are practical, and make a lot of sense.

    Whitney Minnis
    Whitney Minnis Co-Founder, Capital Futbol Club, Washington DC
  • Thank you for teaching Emilie such important study skills in a fun, engaging way last summer. I just wanted to reaffirm how much she got out of those sessions with you. And we've still got one more year of high school to go!

    Maria Mahoney
    Maria Mahoney Mother of a Texas Christian University Founders Scholar
  • For travel volleyball coaches and parents who are serious about academics, SMITH RIVAS teaches the time management and study skills players need to not only become successful college student-athletes, but to thrive in the real world after graduation.

    Kathy Gregory
    Kathy Gregory 38-year NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Coach
  • My son is fortified and excited by all that you taught him. Thank you for your excellent instruction.

    M.C.
    M.C. Father of a Williams College sophomore
  • The SMITH RIVAS system made it possible for me to be academically successful in college and focus on my dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player.

    Peter Maris
    Peter Maris Infielder, San Francisco Giants Organization

Academic Coaching

  • You were a tremendous influence in our son’s academic and emotional world during the last 11 weeks of his 8th grade year. Our only wish is that you had been a part of our team earlier in the year. You have the gift of getting a student motivated with your ability to connect with them to gently guide them into realizing that they can and will succeed in their own unique way. We are grateful that our paths crossed and that you had such a strong impact!

    L.W.
    L.W. Mother of an 8th grader in crisis
  • Paul, 是一个耐心专业的资深教育顾问,多年在美国名牌大学校园从事专业的学习指导,协助国际学生成功转学、升学。他可以根据您的期望和条件,从职业规划和个人发展的角度为您量身定做留学计划和个性化服务方案,指导并帮助您选择最合适的学校和专业。Paul 提供的不仅是留学咨询,更为您设计职业和人生,帮助您走向成功的彼岸。

    Jiabao Peng
    Jiabao Peng Chinese International Student
  • We can't begin to explain the gratitude we feel towards you. We dearly appreciate all that you have shared with us throughout these six months, as you have played a significant role in not only helping us adapt to American culture, but also in showing us how we can make the most of our college years. We are privileged to have had the opportunity to learn so much from you: from what television shows to watch to how to make the most of a study abroad trip. But most importantly, we have learnt how to fully grasp the value of college. Your words of wisdom will always be with us.

    The Veloz Fellows
    The Veloz Fellows South African International Students
  • I didn't have a lot of confidence in myself and my abilities as an undergrad, but you motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and try something that I never thought I could be successful at. Because of you, I don't let other people's opinions of me affect me as much and I’m more confident in myself and my public speaking skills. The world is a better place because you help students with their academic problems and see the best in people and their abilities.

    Erin Gray
    Erin Gray Transfer Student, now Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  • My son couldn't stop raving about your leadership and inspirational wisdom. It's amazing how 60 minutes of talking with the right person can change the course of one's life! He's decided to keep his classes and try his best to turn everything around. Thank you for taking the time to talk to him and guide him on the right path.

    J.M.
    J.M. Mother of a college student in crisis
  • I want to thank you because you were there for me during my college career when I started questioning what I was doing, for whom I was doing it, and why! Everything you said to me is still very present. I'm studying abroad now, and it has indeed been a life changing experience like you said. I've been doing things that I've never imagined myself being capable of doing. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me, I'll always be tremendously grateful for that.

    Evalejandra Chávez
    Evalejandra Chávez Mexican International Student
  • Thank you for the hours of help with my statement of purpose; I'm heading to Stanford! I got accepted to the ADVANCE summer program that lets you do an early summer rotation and has workshops and journal clubs to help with grant apps and transitioning to actual school in the fall. Thought you'd like to know!

    Erin Sanders
    Erin Sanders Stanford Medical School Developmental Biology PhD
  • Paul帮助我发掘了自己独特的闪光点. 这不仅可以很好地写进我研究生申请的自荐信,同时还增加了我作为一名英语非母语学生日后可以在美国取得成就的信心. Paul非常乐于帮助别人. 非常有帮助并且很有耐心. 相信Paul有能力帮助更多国际学生申请到他们梦想的学校.

    Xue Wang
    Xue Wang New York University Master's in Economics
  • Thank you so much for helping me go through these two essays. You helped me develop ideas and organize my thoughts to express the information in the best way possible. With your help, I feel more confident in my writing. I really appreciate your time and instruction. You are a really good teacher!

    Wenjie Xie
    Wenjie Xie Economics MA applicant