Award-Winning Private High School Application Essays Tutors
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Award-Winning Private High School Application Essays Tutors serving Manhattan, NY

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Bilge
Private school admissions essays ask younger writers to do something surprisingly difficult: be genuine and specific in a very short space. Bilge approaches these essays by first drawing out the details that make a student memorable — a particular curiosity, a moment of growth, a quirky interest — t...
Wesleyan University
Doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Middle East Technical University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Private high school applications ask young writers to do something surprisingly difficult: be reflective and specific about who they are at twelve or thirteen years old. Eric excels at drawing out a student's genuine voice through targeted questions, then teaching them how to organize those ideas in...
University of Chicago
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Alana
Having navigated the admissions process at Yale and later earned a Fulbright to Imperial College London, Alana knows firsthand how a well-crafted personal essay can open doors — and she brings that insight down to the middle school level, where the challenge is distilling a young person's personalit...
Yale University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Alicia
Private school admissions essays ask young writers to do something surprisingly difficult: sound mature without sounding rehearsed. Alicia is particularly skilled at drawing out a middle schooler's genuine interests and personality, then coaching them to express those ideas in clear, confident prose...
Columbia University
Master's/Graduate
University of Saint Joseph
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Jai
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rhea
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
Erika
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...
Harvard University
Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
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Frequently Asked Questions
Essays are often the most personal part of your application—they're where admissions officers get to know you beyond grades and test scores. A strong essay can be the deciding factor, especially when applicants have similar academic profiles. Private schools in Manhattan use essays to assess your writing ability, critical thinking, and how well you articulate your values and goals.
Many students struggle with finding their authentic voice—trying to sound "impressive" rather than genuine. Others face organization issues, unclear thesis development, or difficulty connecting their experiences to why they're a good fit for a specific school. Writer's block and over-editing are also common, leaving students stuck between wanting to perfect every sentence and actually finishing the essay.
Tutors provide targeted feedback on your essay structure, helping you develop a compelling thesis and organize your ideas logically. They work with you on finding your authentic voice, refining your arguments, and ensuring each paragraph serves a purpose. With personalized instruction, you'll also get guidance on revision strategies and learn how to balance showing rather than telling your story.
A strong essay has a clear, compelling thesis that answers the prompt directly, well-organized body paragraphs with specific examples, and a conclusion that reinforces your main idea. It demonstrates your personality and values through concrete details and honest reflection rather than generic statements. The writing should be clear and engaging, with varied sentence structure and vocabulary appropriate to your grade level.
Bring the essay prompt(s) from the schools you're applying to, any drafts you've already written, and notes about your ideas or experiences you want to include. If you haven't started yet, bring a list of topics you're considering. It's also helpful to share your school's guidelines or any feedback you've received from teachers—this helps tutors understand your starting point and tailor their guidance.
Ideally, start 2-3 months before your application deadlines to allow time for brainstorming, drafting, receiving feedback, and revising. If you're closer to the deadline, tutoring can still help you strengthen your essay quickly by focusing on the most impactful revisions. Even a few sessions can make a significant difference in clarity, organization, and overall impact.
Tutors help you move away from overly formal or generic language by encouraging you to write naturally about what matters to you. They provide feedback on which parts of your essay sound most like you, then help you apply that authentic tone throughout. Through revision exercises and discussion, you'll learn to balance professionalism with personality—letting your unique perspective shine while maintaining the essay's credibility.
Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have experience helping students craft compelling application essays. You can share your specific needs—whether you're starting from scratch, refining a draft, or preparing multiple essays—and get matched with someone who's a great fit for your goals and timeline. The process is straightforward, and you can start working with a tutor as soon as you're ready.
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