Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who tailor their approach to your needs and timeline. In your first session, your tutor will learn about your college goals, review any essay prompts you're working with, and assess where you need the most support—whether that's brainstorming, drafting, or polishing. From there, you'll work together through multiple revisions, receiving personalized feedback on everything from argument development to sentence-level writing.

Many students struggle with writer's block when facing a blank page, or they write essays that feel generic rather than personal. Others have difficulty organizing their thoughts coherently, developing a compelling thesis, or striking the right balance between showing personality and maintaining a professional tone. Additionally, students often underestimate how much revision is needed—strong essays typically go through multiple drafts with targeted feedback.

Revision is essential—most admissions officers can tell the difference between a first draft and a polished essay. Working with a tutor gives you access to an experienced reader who can identify where your argument needs strengthening, where your voice shines through, and where unclear phrasing might confuse readers. This personalized feedback accelerates the revision process and helps you produce an essay you're genuinely proud to submit.

Absolutely. One of the biggest mistakes students make is trying to sound like what they think admissions officers want to hear, which often results in stiff, impersonal writing. Tutors help you find and strengthen your authentic voice by encouraging you to write naturally, share genuine experiences, and let your personality come through. The result is an essay that feels distinctly yours and stands out from thousands of similar applications.

Bring any college essay prompts you've received, along with any drafts you've already started—even rough, incomplete versions are helpful. If you haven't started writing yet, bring notes on potential topics or experiences you're considering. It's also useful to have information about the colleges you're applying to and any specific requirements or word limits. Your tutor will use this to create a personalized plan for your sessions.

The timeline depends on where you're starting and how many essays you need to write. If you're beginning from scratch, most students benefit from starting 2-3 months before their application deadline. If you already have a draft, even a few sessions focused on revision and refinement can make a significant difference. Your tutor can help you create a realistic timeline based on your specific needs and deadlines.

With 78 schools across Springfield's 8 school districts, students have diverse educational backgrounds and varying levels of essay support available at their schools. Personalized tutoring ensures that regardless of your school's resources, you get expert feedback tailored to your goals and writing style. Connecting with a tutor who specializes in college essays gives you a competitive advantage in the application process and helps you craft essays that authentically represent you.