Award-Winning Graduate Program Application Essay
Tutors
Who needs tutoring?
FEATURED BY
TUTORS FROM
- YaleUniversity
- PrincetonUniversity
- StanfordUniversity
- CornellUniversity
Award-Winning Graduate Program Application Essay Tutors

Certified Tutor
2+ years
Alana
Having written her own successful Fulbright and Master of Public Health applications to Imperial College London, Alana understands how graduate admissions committees evaluate statements of purpose — they want intellectual trajectory, not a résumé in paragraph form. She teaches applicants to connect ...
Yale University
Bachelor's

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Mimi
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 su...
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education
Dartmouth College
B.A.
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Aaron
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 e...
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Nina
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 ...
Columbia University
Masters in biostatistics
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)
Columbia University in the City of New York
Current Grad Student, Biostatistics
Certified Tutor
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...
Harvard University
PHD, Education
Wesleyan University
Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Certified Tutor
Christopher
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 tut...
Harvard College
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Solange
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 campu...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Certified Tutor
Michelle
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 Medici...
Baylor College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, M.D.
Rice University
Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Certified Tutor
Liz
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 ...
Simmons College
Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)
Certified Tutor
Charles
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 descr...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Justin
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 Com...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics
University of Chicago
Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Ingrid
I am exploring my creativity by pursuing a double major in Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus in Korean, studying abroad in South Korea as a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar, leading workshops that teach 3D printing and CAD for undergraduate students as the president of 3D4E, advocating for the fir...
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Certified Tutor
Elena
I am a graduate of McGill University (BA First Class Honors) and the University of Edinburgh (MSc First Class Honors with Distinction) with over eight years of tutoring experience. I am currently a curriculum developer for a company which creates relatable and culturally-literate courses for middle ...
University of Edinburgh
Masters, Biblical Studies
Mcgill University
Bachelor in Arts, Religious Studies
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Isabella
I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at t...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies)
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Current Grad Student, Operations Research
Certified Tutor
5+ years
Sabira
I am currently attending Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Applied Math and Statistics. I love helping students and I love the feeling I get knowing that I was able to use my knowledge to make someone else happier. My favorite subject to teach is math because t...
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics
Top 20 Other Subjects
Meet Varsity Tutors Experts
Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.
Justin
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects
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.
Ingrid
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects
I am exploring my creativity by pursuing a double major in Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus in Korean, studying abroad in South Korea as a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar, leading workshops that teach 3D printing and CAD for undergraduate students as the president of 3D4E, advocating for the first-generation and low-income student community as the Outreach Chair of the Quest+ Scholars Network, and getting involved with the Society of Women Engineers' outreach committee. I currently hold a work-study position as an administrative clerical aide in the Institute of Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern and was an undergraduate researcher in the John Rogers Lab. As I look forward with aspirations of applying to graduate school, areas of research in biomedical engineering and biotechnology that I am particularly interested in include biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and drug delivery systems. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy learning on my own and sharing my experience and knowledge with my peers and other students. I hope to make use of my experiences with academics and learning in high school and so far in my undergraduate career in order to effectively tutor students who may be experiencing the same struggles in learning that I also experienced.
Elena
Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects
I am a graduate of McGill University (BA First Class Honors) and the University of Edinburgh (MSc First Class Honors with Distinction) with over eight years of tutoring experience. I am currently a curriculum developer for a company which creates relatable and culturally-literate courses for middle and high-schools, and am particularly adept at communicating and explaining concepts in a quirky, engaging, and intelligent manner. I was named Scotland International Young Thinker of the Year 2014 for exactly that sort of work. Much of my tutoring background is in test-prep and essay coaching, which I enjoy because it allows the tutor and student to think strategically together, and work as a team to achieve concrete results. I have worked with students ranging in age from 6-32, and believe that, in an educational context, a few jokes never hurt anybody. I love reading and learning, and my educational approach is centered around making the material just as engaging to students as it is to me. I think J.K. Rowlings, the writer of Harry Potter, is just as brilliant as Stephen Hawking, and in my free time, I manage my (terrible) fantasy baseball team, write songs for my comedy band, and crack jokes about terrible science-fiction movies with my friends.
Isabella
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects
I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at the college level. I have also taught at summer programs for gifted middle school and high school students. I am passionate about tutoring kids in math and science because I think that a strong foundation in STEM at an early age can set the tone for their future. In my spare time I like to engage in athletics, and was a Division 1 rower in college. Hobbies: reading, swimming, writing, books, music, running, art
Sabira
Middle School Math Tutor • +35 Subjects
I am currently attending Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Applied Math and Statistics. I love helping students and I love the feeling I get knowing that I was able to use my knowledge to make someone else happier. My favorite subject to teach is math because there are so many ways to learn it and if one way does not help I can use another. I used to teach taekwondo and interacted with all kinds of students, and I'm excited to help out more! Hobbies: books, reading, music, writing, art
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.
James
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am currently a senior at Harvard College where I study chemistry, and I'll be attending Columbia Medical School next year. I have years of experience tutoring college students in math (mostly calculus) and chemistry including both general and organic chemistry. In addition, I am very familiar with all sections of the SAT and ACT having prepared several high school students for these tests. I believe that every student is capable of boosting his or her baseline score on these tests, so long as he or she works hard to get to know the format of the tests and the most popular types of questions. I tutor because I love seeing students develop a genuine passion for the subjects they once disliked (such as math and science), once they understand the power of these subjects and their applications to the real world.
Andrew
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am comfortable tutoring math subjects up to multivariable calculus and differential equations, as well as college physics. Hobbies: books, music, art, reading, writing
Daniel
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am excited to be home and help fellow straphangers on their educational paths! My largest wealth of tutoring experience is in foreign languages--particularly French--but I also feel very comfortable editing essays of any kind and working through standardized test concepts. My availability is extremely flexible, and anywhere in New York City works for me. I look forward to working with you.
Henry
Calculus Tutor • +41 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.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate application essays typically follow a compelling narrative arc: a strong opening hook that reveals something meaningful about you, a body section that demonstrates how your background and values align with the program, and a conclusion that articulates your specific goals and why this program is the right fit. The key is balancing personal storytelling with professional clarity—admissions committees want to understand not just what you've accomplished, but why those experiences matter and how they've shaped your thinking. A tutor can help you identify which experiences are most compelling and structure them to create a cohesive narrative rather than a list of achievements.
In academic papers, a thesis is a specific, arguable claim about a text or topic. In graduate application essays, your implicit thesis is more personal: "Here's who I am, why I'm pursuing this field, and what I'll bring to your program." Rather than defending an argument about external ideas, you're making a case for yourself as a candidate. This means your thesis needs to be specific enough to guide your essay (not just "I want to study engineering") but personal enough to reveal your authentic motivation ("My experience rebuilding computers led me to pursue electrical engineering because I'm driven to solve problems at the intersection of hardware and sustainability"). A tutor can help you craft this central claim so it feels genuine while still addressing what admissions committees actually want to know.
Graduate application essays require what we call "professional intimacy"—writing that's polished and articulate but still distinctly yours. This means avoiding overly flowery language or clichés ("I have always been passionate about...") while also steering clear of the casual tone you'd use with friends. The sweet spot is conversational sophistication: clear, direct sentences that reveal personality through word choice and specific examples rather than trying to sound impressive. For instance, instead of "I was profoundly impacted by my volunteer experience," try "When I spent a summer teaching coding to middle schoolers, I realized I learn best when explaining concepts to others." A tutor can give you real-time feedback on whether your voice feels authentic to you while remaining appropriate for an academic context.
The biggest pitfalls are: (1) focusing on what the program offers rather than what you'll contribute, (2) telling instead of showing—summarizing your qualities rather than demonstrating them through specific stories, (3) trying to cover too much ground and diluting your message, and (4) using generic language that could apply to anyone ("I'm a hard worker who loves learning"). Admissions committees read thousands of essays, so they can spot when someone is performing rather than being authentic. Another common issue is burying your most compelling story or insight in the middle of the essay instead of using it to hook readers immediately. Tutoring helps you identify which mistakes you're making and develop strategies to avoid them during revision.
When you've been working on your essay for weeks, it's nearly impossible to see what's unclear, what's clichéd, or what's missing entirely. A tutor acts as a fresh reader who can identify where your logic breaks down, where you're telling rather than showing, and where your authentic voice comes through strongest. They can ask clarifying questions like "Why does this experience matter to you specifically?" or "What would a reader not understand from this paragraph?" that help you recognize gaps. Rather than just marking grammar errors, experienced tutors provide developmental feedback on structure, argument flow, and voice—then guide you through revision so you maintain ownership of your essay while making it significantly stronger.
Specific prompts (like "Describe a challenge you've overcome" or "Why do you want to study in this program?") require you to directly address what's being asked while still revealing something authentic about yourself. The risk is being too literal—answering the question but not giving admissions committees insight into how you think or who you are. Open-ended prompts give you freedom but require you to make strategic choices about what story to tell and why it matters. With either type, the best approach is to use the prompt as a framework for your narrative rather than a constraint. A tutor can help you analyze what the prompt is really asking for (sometimes it's not just the surface question) and develop an approach that answers it fully while showcasing your genuine voice and motivations.
Telling is claiming a quality about yourself: "I'm a creative problem-solver." Showing is demonstrating it through a specific example: "When our lab's equipment failed the week before our deadline, I sketched out a workaround using spare parts and salvaged code from an old project—it worked well enough to get us preliminary data." The second version proves you're a creative problem-solver through action rather than assertion. Graduate admissions committees are skeptical of self-descriptions because anyone can claim anything; they trust what you show through concrete examples, specific details, and the reasoning you reveal. A tutor can train you to recognize when you're telling and help you develop the specific, vivid details that make your stories convincing and memorable.
Most strong graduate essays focus deeply on 2-3 key experiences rather than skimming across many. Admissions committees learn more about who you are from one fully developed story—with context, your internal thinking, and the outcome—than from multiple surface-level anecdotes. That said, if the prompt asks you to address multiple aspects of your background or goals, you may need to touch on several experiences. The strategy is to have one central story that anchors your essay and reveals something essential about you, then use shorter supporting examples to illustrate specific points. A tutor can help you identify which experiences are most revealing of your character and goals, then develop those deeply while trimming less essential material.
Connect with Graduate Program Application Essay Tutors
Get matched with expert tutors in your subject


