Award-Winning ISEE-Upper Level Writing Tutors
serving Dayton, OH
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Award-Winning ISEE-Upper Level Writing Tutors serving Dayton, OH
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Lena
The ISEE Upper Level essay gives students roughly 30 minutes to produce a coherent, well-organized response to a prompt they've never seen — a challenge that rewards preparation over raw talent. Lena teaches a repeatable structure: a clear thesis, two to three developed examples, and purposeful tran...
Brown University
Current Undergrad, Political Science and Environmental Studies
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Nicole
ISEE Upper Level Writing asks younger students to do something surprisingly sophisticated: produce a coherent, well-structured essay from a single prompt in a short window. Nicole walks students through planning techniques — quick thesis construction, paragraph mapping, strong closing sentences — th...
University of Michigan-Flint
Master of Arts, Education
University of Innsbruck
Bachelor in Arts, Linguistics
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Samantha
The ISEE Upper Level essay asks students to take a position and defend it in a short window, which can feel overwhelming for younger writers. Samantha teaches a simple framework: one clear claim, two specific reasons, and a conclusion that doesn't just repeat the introduction. Her background teachin...
Princeton University
Current Undergrad Student, Psychology
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Francesca
The ISEE Upper Level essay asks students to take a clear position and defend it in a short window — a skill that looks simple but trips up even strong writers who ramble or lose focus. As a current law student at Chicago-Kent, Francesca knows how to build a tight argument under time pressure and tea...
Loyola University-Chicago
Bachelor of Economics, Political Science and Government
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Victoria
The ISEE Upper Level essay asks students to build a coherent argument under time pressure, which is exactly the kind of writing Victoria has been teaching and editing for years. As a Brearley graduate and current Carleton College student, she knows what selective schools expect from young writers an...
Carleton College
Current Undergrad Student, Anthropology
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Ben
The ISEE Upper Level essay asks students to take a position and defend it in under 30 minutes — a task that rewards structure over style. As a creative writing MFA candidate and high school teacher, Ben teaches a repeatable essay framework: clear thesis, two evidence-driven body paragraphs, and a co...
Ball State University
Bachelor of Science, History
Northwestern University
Current Grad Student, Creative Writing
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Kaitlyn
The ISEE Upper Level essay trips up strong writers who don't know how to organize an argument under time pressure. Kaitlyn teaches a clear thesis-and-evidence structure that works for any prompt, then drills students on transitions and specific supporting details that elevate a score from average to...
Fairfield University
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Certified Tutor
7+ years
Maddie
ISEE Upper Level Writing asks students to produce a polished essay under tight time pressure, which means having a reliable structure before the clock starts. As a Classics major at Yale, Maddie teaches students to outline an argument in under two minutes and develop each paragraph with specific, co...
Yale University
Current Undergrad Student, Classics
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Nicole
A strong ISEE Upper Level essay needs a clear thesis, organized body paragraphs, and specific examples — all produced in about 30 minutes. Nicole's English degree and her experience coaching college-level writing translate well here; she teaches students to outline in under five minutes and develop ...
University of Miami
Bachelor in Arts, English
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Alessia
Scoring well on the ISEE Upper Level Writing section means producing a clear, organized essay under time pressure — a skill that's very different from polishing a paper at home over several days. Alessia, who recently navigated competitive admissions herself and now studies at Penn, teaches students...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
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Frequently Asked Questions
The ISEE-Upper Level Writing section assesses your ability to write a clear, well-organized essay in response to a prompt. You'll have 30 minutes to plan and write an essay that demonstrates strong thesis development, logical organization, and effective use of supporting details. While the essay isn't scored, independent schools use it to evaluate your writing skills alongside your other test performance.
Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, though this depends on your current writing level and test date. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, tutors can assess your strengths and target specific areas like essay structure, thesis clarity, or time management. Regular practice with timed essays and personalized feedback accelerates improvement significantly.
Students often struggle with thesis development—creating a clear, specific argument rather than a general statement—and organizing supporting paragraphs logically. Time management is another frequent challenge; with only 30 minutes, many students rush through planning or run out of time for revision. Personalized tutoring helps you develop a reliable essay framework and practice strategies to write confidently under pressure.
Tutors work with you to analyze sample prompts, develop a consistent essay structure, and practice writing under timed conditions. You'll receive detailed feedback on your drafts—not just what to fix, but why it matters and how to apply those lessons to future essays. This personalized approach builds both writing skills and test-specific strategies that transfer directly to test day.
Your first session focuses on understanding your current writing level and test goals. Tutors typically review a practice essay you've written, identify your strongest skills and areas for growth, and discuss your timeline and any specific concerns. From there, they'll create a personalized plan that addresses your needs—whether that's thesis development, organization, or building confidence with timed writing.
Ideally, you should write 2-3 full practice essays per week during your preparation period. Between tutoring sessions, independent practice with timed essays helps reinforce the strategies you're learning. Your tutor will review these practice essays, provide feedback, and adjust your focus based on patterns they notice—this cycle of practice and personalized feedback is what drives real improvement.
Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ISEE preparation and have experience helping students master essay writing. Tutors work with you to understand your goals and learning style, then deliver personalized instruction tailored to your needs. You can get started by sharing your timeline and any specific writing challenges you're facing.
Yes—while the writing section isn't scored numerically, independent schools carefully review essays as part of your application. A well-written, thoughtful essay can strengthen your overall profile, especially if schools want to see that you can articulate ideas clearly and organize your thinking. Even strong students benefit from targeted writing preparation to make sure their essay reflects their best work.
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