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Award-Winning College English Tutors

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
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
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
13+ years
MaryAnn
I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to t...
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor of Science, English, Psychology

Certified Tutor
Tony
I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, Engl...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science in Biology

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Sharon
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 classro...
Columbia University in the City of New York
Master of Science, Journalism
University of Chicago
Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor
9+ years
I am excited to be working with Varsity Tutors because I enjoy teaching and getting to share some of my academic experience. I have done a little tutoring, but most of my teaching experience is in the university setting as a TA. I'm particularly excited about biology and psychology, where I have the...
University of Chicago
Associate in Science

Certified Tutor
8+ years
Justin
I am a college instructor with ten years experience in the classroom as a teacher and tutor. Originally from South Carolina, I went to school in Pennsylvania and currently live in Alabama. I believe that students learn best through practice and approaching learning through a relaxed lens, thinking a...
University of South Carolina
Bachelor in Arts, English
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Doctor of Philosophy, English

Certified Tutor
Andrew
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, class of 2012. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature and Theater and Performance Studies. Since graduation, I have continued to live in Chicago. I am a founding member of First Floor Theater, a Chicago storefront theater com...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and Theater and Performance Studies

Certified Tutor
Molly
I am an Illinois certified Teacher in grades K-9. I attended Northwestern University and received a Master's of Science in Education. I have ample classroom experience and expertise in elementary Math and Reading intervention. I have several tools and resources from various curricula to work with an...
Northwestern University
Master of Science in Education
Columbia University in the City of New York
Bachelor in Arts, History
Top 20 English Subjects
Meet Our Expert Tutors
Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.
Yusef
Calculus Tutor • +15 Subjects
I am a Gates Cambridge Scholar and recently completed my MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge. This fall, I will begin my legal education at Yale Law School. I believe that my achievement on the LSAT and in the law school application process, as well as my two years’ worth of part-time tutoring experience, have enabled me to help others successfully navigate the process of preparing for a legal education. Hobbies: art, books, reading, writing, music
Eric
12th Grade math Tutor • +71 Subjects
I am patient and collaborative. I work with my students to help them come to the answers on their own, and I find creative and fun ways for students to think about the material in a new light.
Michael
Calculus Tutor • +24 Subjects
I am currently a fourth year medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Yeshiva College with a BA in Biology and Music. As a Writing Center tutor, I worked with undergraduate and graduate students looking to improve their writing, and have also tutored Regents-level biology and chemistry. Most recently, I tutored for Kaplan, teaching an MCAT preparatory course and working one-on-one with students. When not studying, I like to ride my bike, train Taekwondo, play blues guitar (or bass, or piano, or saxophone, or drums), and read a good book.
Asta
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +74 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago where I received my undergraduate degree in political science. Right after graduation, I worked as an academic and test prep tutor as well as admissions consultant in Hong Kong. For the past two years, I worked with a number of students to help prepare them for college in the United States.
Allan
12th Grade math Tutor • +85 Subjects
I'm a big Boston Celtics fan and I speak three languages. I can get you the test results you need to succeed because I went through the exams myself and performed well. The first time I took the SAT I actually wasn't satisfied with my score, so I spent 2 months working hard to get my score to where I wanted it to be. The second time I took the exam I saw a 200-point increase. Previously, I have had experience teaching the SSAT and the SAT. The student I tutored in SSAT successfully passed the exam is now attending a private high school abroad. With VarsityTutor's online learning platform, I will be able to transfer knowledge in a visual, easy-to-understand manner. I look forward to being your tutor and helping you reach your academic goals. :)
Rebecca
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +48 Subjects
I am a graduate of Northwestern University where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I am currently pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or one test, but rather that it sticks with you to build a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence that you can carry forward. My favorite subjects to tutor include English, SAT test preparation, math, and psychology. My approach to tutoring is to meet the student where they're at and go from there. I find that this way we can build a productive tutoring relationship where I can help individualize learning to each person's particular learning style. Outside of academic interests, I enjoy cooking, being with friends and family, traveling the world, and looking as ridiculous as possible doing Zumba.
Katie
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +33 Subjects
I am happy to help students prepare for these exams. I enjoy students of all ages and am excited to tutor a wide range of subjects, although my first loves are math and English (especially grammar). I truly believe my sincere energy and enthusiasm can help make students excited about learning. I welcome questions and value honesty while tutoring. My personal interests include international education, traveling, hiking, camping, and Notre Dame football.
Laura
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects
I am a good "fit" for that student, so that we are able to work together to reach the student's goal.
Chelsey
Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects
I'm a recent graduate of Northwestern University, a native New Yorker, and a recent addition to Varsity Tutors. I grew up in Westchester County, where I volunteered as an assistant creative writing teacher in high school. After high school, I moved to Evanston, Illinois for school. I studied a wide variety of subjects in college: from Medieval Literature to Buddhist Psychology. I moved back to New York after graduating to pursue a career in the arts. I currently work as a reader for the literary director of an Off-Broadway theatre company.
Jacob
Calculus Tutor • +33 Subjects
I am eager to help students thrive because I'm still very much a student myself, and will be for the foreseeable future. Though I enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student in Literature, and learned quite a bit during my time at Vanderbilt, there's still more work to be done. I am working towards a Master's degree, and will continue on from there.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
College English students most commonly struggle with thesis development—crafting arguments that go beyond surface-level observations—and organizing complex ideas across multi-page essays. Many also find it challenging to balance academic voice with personal style, especially when transitioning from high school writing. Additionally, students often underestimate the importance of revision; they view it as proofreading rather than as an opportunity to restructure arguments, strengthen evidence, and clarify thinking. Personalized tutoring addresses each of these by working through the writing process step-by-step rather than just reviewing final drafts.
A tutor works with you to move beyond summary-based thesis statements toward claims that require evidence and analysis. They'll help you identify your argument's scope, ensure each body paragraph supports that central claim, and recognize where your reasoning might have gaps. Rather than telling you what your thesis should be, an expert tutor asks clarifying questions to help you discover and refine your own argument, then guides you in structuring evidence logically so readers follow your thinking. This personalized approach means your thesis emerges from your own ideas, making your writing more authentic and persuasive.
College English tutoring focuses on the entire writing process—brainstorming, drafting, organizing, and revising—not just catching errors in a finished draft. A tutor can help you overcome writer's block by breaking down assignments into manageable steps, work with you on early drafts to strengthen your argument before you've invested in polishing, and teach you revision strategies like reading aloud to catch awkward phrasing or mapping your essay's logic to spot structural issues. This process-focused approach means you develop stronger writing skills over time rather than relying on someone to fix your work after the fact.
Summary describes what happens in a text; analysis explains how and why it happens and what it means. In College English, instructors expect you to move beyond plot summary to examine literary devices (symbolism, tone, structure), character motivation, and thematic significance. A tutor helps you ask deeper questions about a text—like why an author chose specific word choices, how a scene's structure creates meaning, or what a symbol reveals about a character's internal conflict. Learning to identify and interpret these elements transforms you from a reader who understands a story into a reader who can build arguments about its meaning.
The basic rule: cite whenever you use someone else's words, ideas, or data—whether it's a direct quote, paraphrase, or summary. College English often requires MLA or APA format, each with specific rules for in-text citations and works cited/reference pages. A tutor can help you understand not just the formatting rules but the logic behind citation (giving credit, allowing readers to verify sources, and distinguishing your ideas from others'). They'll also help you integrate quotes smoothly into your own sentences rather than dropping them in awkwardly, so citations support your argument rather than interrupt it.
Academic writing doesn't mean sounding stiff or robotic—it means being clear, precise, and purposeful with word choice while maintaining a tone appropriate to your audience and purpose. A tutor helps you recognize the difference between casual voice ("The book was really good") and academic voice ("The novel's complex characterization reveals....") while encouraging you to maintain authenticity within that register. They'll work with you on sentence variety, word choice, and tone so your writing sounds like you—thoughtful and engaged—rather than like you're imitating a textbook. This personalized feedback helps you find the balance between sounding authoritative and sounding like yourself.
Your professor evaluates your final work and assigns a grade; a tutor works with you during the writing process to improve before you submit. A tutor can spend time explaining why a thesis isn't quite there yet, help you brainstorm stronger evidence, or work through multiple revisions without the pressure of a grade. This lower-stakes feedback environment means you can ask "dumb questions," experiment with different approaches, and focus on learning rather than just getting points. Many students find that regular tutoring sessions improve their relationship with their professor's feedback too, since they've already internalized revision strategies.
Absolutely. The skills you develop in College English—thesis development, evidence-based argumentation, clear organization, and revision strategies—transfer directly to papers in history, political science, psychology, and other disciplines. While each field has specific conventions (a lab report looks different from a literary analysis), the core writing skills are universal. A tutor who understands College English fundamentals can help you adapt those skills to discipline-specific assignments, making you a stronger writer across all your coursework.
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