My first interaction with Upgrade Education came shortly after I had finished 10th grade when I signed up for the SAT Summer Intensive Study program. Although I was used neither to writing argumentative essays nor to participating in debates, thanks to my mentor’s observations I rapidly figured out that a well-written essay doesn’t consist of bombastic phrases, but of a strong introduction, a set of well-structured arguments, and clearly expressed straightforward ideas. My mentor went beyond what you would expect from an ordinary teacher and became a true mentor, at its very best: ranging from the Wish You Were Here album cover to the importance of introspection, through our discussions he encouraged us to think deeply and, more importantly, to always make sure our opinions are grounded on strong arguments. Those two weeks of the program played a very important role in achieving my target SAT score, as well as in my growth as a person unafraid to express her opinions. During the training sessions we had in the first months of 12th grade, as we were focusing on the essays needed for the US application, my mentor had always been receptive and kept encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone with every essay. At first, I used to feel somewhat reluctant and shy away from writing sincerely about my experiences. However, the fact that I never felt judged helped me loosen up and allow myself to write thoroughly about my parents, about my deepest fears, and the difficult moments I encountered throughout my teenage years. I always trusted that my mentor offers honest feedback, making sure that I get the most out of every single essay. I am convinced my US application would not have been so comprehensive and would not have reflected my personality this profoundly without my Upgrade Education mentor’s support and guidance. I also worked with Masha on my UK application: on the personal statement, as well as on the preparation for the interview. Throughout our discussions, he helped me refine my ideas and figure out which literary works, experiences, and activities determined me to wish to study Literature. Under her guidance, I approached an original perspective on the books I wrote about in the Personal Statement – a perspective that reflected my passion and interest in this subject. The mock interviews with Masha were very similar to the real ones, helping me to get familiar with the interview structure and with the specific question types. I warmly recommend Upgrade Education to any student who wants to discover himself or to apply to university in a foreign country, regardless of the field of study.