Introducing Steven, one of the founders of Hillhouse

For nearly a decade, Mr. Steven has been dedicated to "cultivating thoughtful, articulate young minds through reading and writing." He curates engaging content from renowned publications such as The New Yorker and TIME, as well as selected short stories and novels, and independently develops comprehensive tutorial series (8–10 sessions each) tailored for students in Grades 5–12 (see course list below).

With a distinctive teaching style and sharp analytical insight, Steven inspires students to explore current social issues, analyze literary techniques, and enhance their powers of observation, critical thinking, and written expression. His students have shown marked improvement in their school English grades and have earned awards in a variety of writing competitions.

Writing Contest Results:

Exceptional Outcomes in Writing and College Admissions

Every year, Steven’s writing instruction helps students—many of whom start with average academic performance, ranking in the 40s or 50s in their grade—gain admission to top universities such as Stanford and Columbia. These achievements consistently exceed expectations, especially considering the fierce competition in science and business programs, which are highly selective even for top-ranked applicants.

Through years of structured writing courses and personalized essay coaching, Steven helps students uncover meaningful personal stories and craft standout application materials. His thoughtful and persistent mentorship has enabled many students, particularly Chinese boys with STEM and business aspirations, to gain admission to elite institutions.

Writing Competition Successes

Under Steven’s close guidance, students have advanced through rigorous school-level selections and earned top awards in prestigious competitions, including:

• North American Teachers Association Writing Competition – Grand Prize

• World Scholar’s Cup – Writing Section – Top Honors

• The New York Times Editorial Contest – Finalist and Honorable Mention

• John Locke Essay Competition – High Distinction

• The Concord Review – Published Essay

• International Economics Paper Competitions – Medalists

• Poetry Awards – National and International Recognition

• International History Olympiad (Essay Division) – 2nd Place, Global Ranking

Steven’s teaching continues to empower students to express themselves with clarity, creativity, and confidence—skills that serve them far beyond the classroom.

In Steven’s writing courses, students consistently demonstrate remarkable progress in their writing abilities. Many have achieved top rankings in school English classes, with several students earning first place in English for Grades 10–12.

In one standout example, a student from Steven’s writing program placed in the top ten out of tens of thousands of participants in a national writing competition held in April. That summer, the student continued with intensive essay training—and ultimately earned admission to Stanford University’s School of Science.

Beyond college applications, Steven’s students also excel in academic enrichment programs. Many have completed high-level summer research camps in subjects such as economics, English literature, and history, earning A and A+ evaluations for their research papers. Students have also delivered impactful TED-style talks, received Outstanding Paper Awards at Model United Nations conferences, and gained recognition for their strong analytical and communication skills.

Some students go on to publish their work, deliver TED-style talks, and even secure summer editorial positions at renowned publications, showcasing the real-world impact of their writing and communication skills developed through Steven’s mentorship.

3. SAT, ACT, and Science Fair Coaching

In addition to college essay guidance, Teacher Steven also leads weekly SAT and ACT preparation courses. Known for his clear, engaging, and easy-to-understand teaching style, Steven helps students build a strong foundation in test-taking strategies and subject mastery.

Hillhouse offers a comprehensive, adaptive computer-based SAT system, which includes:

• Vocabulary and grammar series

• Reading comprehension modules

• Full-length, computer-based practice tests

Our students have consistently achieved exceptional results, with many scoring around 1540 on the SAT. Steven himself earned an outstanding SAT score of 2380 (under the previous 2400-point scale), demonstrating both his expertise and ability to model excellence.

Steven also provides coaching for Science Fair projects, helping students refine their research questions, improve their presentations, and build confidence in academic communication.

Recent SAT scores:

Congratulations to all Hillhouse students for their high scores on the August SAT exam!

Hillhouse High Score Guarantee: Computer-delivered SAT Adaptive Test

02 Steven's writing-related work and personal awards

1. Writing-Related Work and Awards

Academic and Research Contributions

• Received research funding to work with a renowned dean and professor in media studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC), exploring ideas in media entrepreneurship.

• Assisted in teaching large-scale graduate-level writing courses at UBC.

• Represented Yale University in the Worldwide Science Research Design Competition, earning a team gold medal.

• Earned an A in Yale’s advanced writing course; his final paper was recommended by the professor for submission to TIME magazine.

Editorial and Publishing Experience

• Served as an editorial assistant at The New Yorker, contributing to several high-profile special features.

• Commissioned to write and edit an entire issue of a leading Canadian magazine similar in scope to The New Yorker, which received significant acclaim on social media.

• Contributed as an editor for Yale Business Week Magazine, an international journal distributed to readers worldwide.

• Wrote market analysis and research reports for consulting firms focusing on North American and European markets.

• Provided promotional writing for a luxury retail development in downtown Vancouver and supported the company president in preparing for media interviews.

Early Recognition and Academic Excellence

• Achieved a perfect score of 7 (98%) in IB English HL, the highest in the course’s 30-year history according to the head English teacher. His essay was selected as a model for the entire grade—a rare honor in Western schools.

• Acted as an English teaching assistant, providing feedback and reviewing literature for IB classmates.

• In middle school, won top awards in provincial essay competitions, and was selected by teachers to compete in the National Association of Teachers Writing Competition and the Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition—both among the most prestigious contests at the middle school level.

2. Other Awards

In Grades 11 and 12, Steven was selected as one of only four students nationwide to represent Canada at the International Biology Olympiad, earning a Bronze Medal. Being chosen two consecutive years reflects both his deep academic ability and sustained excellence in the biological sciences.

From Grades 8 to 12, Steven won the Gold Medal at the BC Science Fair for five consecutive years, a record of sustained excellence in scientific research. He also received Gold Medals at two National Science Fairs, where judges noted that he was the first student in history to win the national gold two years in a row.
His outstanding performance earned him selection to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), one of the world’s most prestigious science research competitions for high school students.

Steven was named a finalist in both the United States Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad (CMO)—the highest national-level math competitions in their respective countries. These Olympiads are just one tier below the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), and selection as a finalist reflects exceptional mathematical talent and problem-solving ability.

Academic Excellence and Competition Achievements

• Award-Winning Competitor in Physics and Chemistry: Steven has received multiple awards in national and regional physics and chemistry competitions, demonstrating strong analytical and scientific reasoning skills across STEM disciplines.

• IB Curriculum – Perfect Scores Across Eight Subjects: Completed eight International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, earning full marks (7 points, over 96%) in all subjects, including:

  • English HL

  • Mathematics HL

  • Further Mathematics

  • Physics HL

  • Chemistry HL

  • Biology HL

  • History

  • French

• Advanced Proficiency in French: After entering Yale, Steven placed into junior-year French courses during his freshman year through placement testing. He is fluent in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and has used French in both academic and professional contexts.

• Reach for the Top – Provincial Champion: As a member of his school’s academic team, Steven competed in the prestigious Reach for the Top quiz competition, helping his team win the provincial championship, a recognition of wide-ranging knowledge and quick reasoning.