Award-Winning Physical Chemistry Tutors
serving Chicago, IL
Award-Winning
Physical Chemistry
Tutors in Chicago
Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
UniversitiesSchools & Universities
DeliveredHours Delivered
ProficiencyGrowth in Proficiency
Who needs tutoring?
No obligation. Takes ~1 minute.

As an MD/PhD student at Northwestern with a chemistry PhD focus and a B.S. in Chemical Science from Michigan, Austin has gone deep on the thermodynamics and quantum mechanics that form p-chem's backbone — and he's still actively working through advanced coursework in these areas. He tackles derivations by building chemical intuition first, so when a student hits a wall at, say, a Legendre transform connecting internal energy to Gibbs free energy, the math follows naturally from understanding what each variable physically represents.

I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old electronics, playing Pokemon, or picking at my guitar.
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant at Columbia University in my department and also have tutored graduate students and undergraduates privately as well. My primary areas of tutoring are math and statistics coursework in addition to math sections on standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT. I am very passionate about helping students feel more confident and excited about math. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing.
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals!
I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends.
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.
I'm eager to help you in your education. I'm a recent graduate of Harvard College looking to apply to law school. My senior thesis was written on John Dewey's ideas of education, which I deeply believe has incredible power to transform individuals and society.
Testimonials
Because the right Physical Chemistry tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
Nearby Physical Chemistry Tutors
Other Chicago Tutors
Related Science Tutors in Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
Physical Chemistry bridges chemistry and physics by focusing on the quantitative relationships between matter, energy, and molecular behavior. Many students find it challenging because it requires strong math skills, abstract thinking about molecular-level phenomena, and the ability to connect equations to real chemical behavior. Rather than memorizing facts, Physical Chemistry demands understanding why reactions occur and how to predict outcomes using thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum mechanics. A tutor can help you move beyond formula-plugging to truly grasp the underlying principles.
Stoichiometry and balancing equations are foundational skills that require both systematic practice and conceptual clarity. Many students memorize steps without understanding conservation of mass or mole ratios. Effective learning involves working through varied problem types—from simple molecular equations to complex redox reactions—and connecting each step to the underlying chemistry. Personalized tutoring helps identify where your understanding breaks down, whether it's mass-to-mole conversions, limiting reactants, or yield calculations, so you can build genuine confidence rather than rely on patterns.
Abstract Physical Chemistry concepts become manageable when broken into visual and conceptual frameworks. Expert tutors use diagrams, molecular models, energy diagrams, and real-world analogies to help you "see" what's happening at the molecular level. For example, understanding entropy is easier when you visualize particle distribution, and molecular orbital theory makes sense when you see how electron density shapes bond strength. Tutors also connect these concepts to observable phenomena—like why certain reactions are spontaneous or why catalysts speed up reactions—so the abstractions feel grounded in reality.
Physical Chemistry exams typically test two skill sets: calculation accuracy (thermodynamic calculations, rate laws, equilibrium problems) and conceptual understanding (explaining why reactions occur, interpreting graphs, applying theory). Effective preparation involves practicing problems across both categories, not just drilling calculations. A tutor can help you develop a study strategy that includes working through past exams, identifying common mistake patterns, building intuition about when certain laws apply, and explaining concepts aloud to check your understanding. This two-pronged approach ensures you're ready for both computational and conceptual questions.
Since Physical Chemistry is heavily math-dependent—involving calculus, logarithms, exponential functions, and unit conversions—weak math skills often create a bottleneck. Rather than struggling through both new chemistry concepts and unfamiliar math simultaneously, a tutor can help you strengthen the specific math tools you need: derivatives for reaction rates, integrals for thermodynamic work, or logarithms for pH and equilibrium. By addressing the math foundation alongside the chemistry concepts, you build confidence and can focus mental energy on understanding the chemistry itself.
The gap between theoretical equations and actual lab results frustrates many students. Personalized tutoring bridges this gap by connecting concepts like thermodynamics, equilibrium, and kinetics to what you observe in the lab. For example, understanding Le Chatelier's principle becomes vivid when you've seen how temperature shifts an equilibrium; reaction order makes sense after analyzing experimental data. Tutors help you interpret lab results through the lens of theory, troubleshoot unexpected outcomes, and understand the scientific method beyond just following a procedure—turning laboratory work into reinforcement of Physical Chemistry principles.
Finding the right tutor match is crucial for Physical Chemistry, since the subject spans thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum mechanics, and more—and you may only need help with specific areas. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have expertise in your particular challenge areas, whether that's statistical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, or molecular spectroscopy. You can discuss your specific curriculum, upcoming exams, and learning goals, ensuring you get matched with someone who understands both the depth of Physical Chemistry and your individual needs as a Chicago-area student.
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.