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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
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

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
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Quinn
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Tiffany
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Pinelopi
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you :)
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Trigonometry Tutor • +35 Subjects
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Pre-Algebra Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classroom with middle-school students who were in approximately the 10th percentile for math (meaning they score lower than 90% of students). One-fourth of those students were able to grow around 15 percentile points by the end of the year! Hobbies: reading, cooking, gardening, music, art, nature, books, writing
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AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects
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Frequently Asked Questions
A compelling application essay typically follows a clear arc: an engaging opening that hooks the reader, a body that develops your main idea with specific examples and reflection, and a conclusion that reveals something meaningful about who you are. Strong essays avoid generic templates and instead show authentic voice through specific details, genuine moments, and personal insight. Rather than listing accomplishments, the best essays demonstrate your character, values, and thinking through concrete storytelling.
The best topics are those that reveal something true about you that the admissions committee won't learn from your grades or test scores. Look for moments that shaped your perspective, challenges you've overcome, passions that drive you, or experiences that changed how you think. Avoid topics that feel like you're checking a box (like "winning the big game") and instead focus on what you learned about yourself. Many students benefit from brainstorming sessions where they explore different moments and ideas before committing to one that feels both meaningful and unique.
Your voice emerges when you write honestly rather than trying to sound "smart" or impressive. Use vocabulary and sentence structures that feel natural to you, include specific sensory details and dialogue that bring moments to life, and let your personality shine through word choices and humor if it fits. Many student writers accidentally adopt a formal tone they think sounds "academic," but admissions officers want to hear from the real person behind the application. Tutors can provide personalized feedback on where your authentic voice comes through strongest and where you might be reverting to generic language.
Common pitfalls include trying to impress rather than connect—using overly complex language, name-dropping achievements, or telling rather than showing. Many essays also lack specificity; saying "I learned to work hard" is forgettable, but describing exactly how you struggled with a problem and what that struggle taught you is memorable. Other frequent issues include unclear focus (trying to cover too much), repetition of information that's already in the application, and missing the essay's core purpose: helping readers understand who you are beyond your resume.
Most strong essays go through at least 3-5 meaningful revisions, each with a different focus. Start with a "discovery draft" where you get ideas down without worrying about perfection. Then revise for clarity and structure, ensuring your main idea comes through and examples support your point. Next, focus on voice and style—cutting clichés, varying sentence length, and strengthening word choices. Finally, do a careful edit for grammar and flow. Personalized feedback during this process can accelerate improvement; tutors can identify patterns in your writing and guide you toward stronger choices rather than just fixing surface errors.
"Telling" is stating a conclusion directly ("I am a good leader"), while "showing" is using specific examples and vivid details that let readers reach that conclusion themselves (describing a moment when you took charge during a group project, including dialogue and specific actions). Showing is more powerful because it's concrete, memorable, and lets admissions officers see your character in action rather than just hearing claims about it. Strong application essays balance reflection with specific scenes—you need both the moment itself and your insight about what it meant.
A tutor works with you on the specific challenges in your writing—whether that's finding your authentic voice, tightening your focus, developing stronger examples, or strengthening your argument. Rather than generic writing tips, personalized instruction means feedback tailored to your essay and your growth areas. Tutors can help you brainstorm authentic topics that feel fresh, guide you through the revision process by asking questions that deepen your reflection, and provide ongoing feedback that helps you recognize patterns in your writing. This individualized approach accelerates improvement and helps you submit an essay that truly represents you.
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