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James
Certified ISEE Tutor
James
BA Harvard University
1+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Michelle
Certified ISEE Tutor
Michelle
BA Yale University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am not tutoring, I enjoy baking, eating anything with chocolate, taking and editing pictures, reading, and singing.

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Bina
BA University of Pennsylvania
10+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a law student and am on the road to appreciating a new kind of study: that of various legal doctrines, statutory interpretation and methods of argumentation.

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Chelsey
BA Northwestern University
1+ Years Tutoring

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.

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Moriah
BA Cornell University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Cornell University and received a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Currently, I am working as an Assistant Director at a preparatory school managing and teaching students simultaneously. In the recent years at the school, I have been focusing more on the Reading portions of standardized tests but have at times assisted students in the math and science portions as well usually one-on-one. I strongly believe that every students has their own style of learning and must learn at their own pace. Although, sometimes giving them too much leeway may not always be the best solution, I am there to also provide encouragement and challenge to make the learning process enjoyable and beneficial. Apart from work, I do enjoy reading, jogging, exploring New York City, and playing the violin during my spare time.

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Micah
BA Washington University in St. Louis • Degree in Biology Washington University in St. Louis
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Biology. I have three younger siblings, so I have had experience helping children with their homework from a pretty young age. Throughout college I participated in several tutoring and mentorship programs, helping students who were behind in math and reading raise their test scores and grades. As an instructor I have worked with students in every age level in all kinds of academic subjects, from math and physics to brainstorming and re- drafting English essays, and am truly passionate about helping students achieve their potential.

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Zachary
BA Northwestern University • Studied Cognitive Science Northwestern University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am pursuing a career as an actor, but am thrilled to continue to flex my intellectual side and share my passion for learning with the next generation. In college, I studied Cognitive Science, not so much as a fallback career, but because I am fascinated by the subject. I succeeded in getting into Northwestern without the aid of any academic tutors or test prep classes. As such, I am confident in my standardized test-taking abilities, and happy to share the strategies I used for the ACT, SAT II, and AP tests. I am also prepared to tutor a variety of academic subjects as well, as reflected by my approved courses. I look forward to working with you!

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Mariya
BA University of Chicago
6+ Years Tutoring

I am a very patient tutor who tries to understand exactly where the student is struggling and how they can improve. Outside of the classroom, you can often find me baking or drawing!

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Margot
BA Dartmouth College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, where I attended Menlo School, one of the top private high schools in California. Given my educational background, I am no stranger to the pressures facing today's students--from schoolwork to extracurriculars to college applications and test prep, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. That's why one of my main goals as a tutor is to ease the stress in students' lives. I'm here to help your workload feel manageable (and hopefully fun!) and to encourage you to do your best work. I take this attitude and my teaching style and adapt it to the needs of each individual student. We'll work together to figure out how YOU learn best, what approaches work well for you, and ultimately, how we can achieve your goals. Whether you're a struggling student who needs a patient and a new way of explaining concepts, or a star student who wants a tutor who will challenge you at new levels, I can help you get there. I am passionate about making every student feel confident and prepared, no matter the academic situation.

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Laura
BA Princeton University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am committed to helping them reach their goals. I am excited to meet you and work with your student.

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Victoria
Current Undergrad Student, Anthropology Carleton College
5+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of The Brearley School and Juilliard Pre-College, as well as a current student at Carleton College where I am studying Anthropology and Archaeology. I have previous tutoring experience in both essay writing/editing and SAT verbal. The subjects I am most passionate about are History, English, Creative Writing, and Literature. I truly love everything related to history, and am constantly reading and learning about the subject on my own time. My tutoring approach is to make the sessions as helpful and comfortable for the student as possible. I strongly believe that a student's best work is done in an environment where they feel they can ask questions and learn at their own pace.

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Emily
BA Brandeis University • Current Grad Student, Medical Social Work Columbia University in the City of New York
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate student at Columbia University, working towards Masters degrees in Public Health and Social Work. I am a graduate of Brandeis University with Bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Environmental Science. I have been teaching students ages 9 and up for approximately 8 years, and I would love to help you reach your academic potential! My favorite subjects to tutor are reading comprehension, environmental science, and essay-writing.

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Alex
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently working in a biochemistry lab at NYU Medical Center and applying to medical school, with hopes of training to be a pediatric surgeon in the future. I have worked as a teaching assistant for a Columbia biology lab course, taught ESL to immigrants from China, and tutored extensively in math, science, and test prep. I especially enjoy tutoring science because I believe that sometimes a little bit of personalized attention can go a long way when students are missing just one or two key points of understanding. I love seeing a concept click and inspiring confidence in my students as they advance through increasingly difficult topics. I also like tutoring test prep because there is no hiding behind the raw numbers, and I enjoy helping my students maximize their potential and achieve their goal scores. Sometimes, a little motivation is all that is needed for a student to excel, and I always work to relate what I am tutoring to a student's interests, both academic and extra-curricular. I rowed varsity crew for three years in high school and one year at Columbia; I also love learning new languages, exploring New York's culinary scene, and (attempting to) recreate some of the dishes on my own!

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Margaret
MS Middlebury College
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm currently an MA student in French at Middlebury College, after graduating with my BA from Barnard College at Columbia University in 2014. Overseas, I spent a year at the Sorbonne-Paris. I'm a passionate, patient tutor of both English and French with four years of experience. In both languages, I focus on grammar skills, essay writing, and standardized test preparation, especially the SAT and SAT II. I most often tutor high school and college students, but have found that young children are also some of my favorite to teach! I have additional experience with ESL students and those with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, ADHD and cognitive impairments. Language arts are a true passion of mine, both academically and professionally. As a bilingual writer for the State Department and two publishing companies, I've learned effective writing skills I love to share with students. I believe that each individual learns differently, so I tailor my teaching strategies to every student's needs. Seeing students overcome challenges and meet their goals is always the highlight of my day. When I'm not tutoring, I'm an avid film photographer and an enthusiastic yoga amateur.

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Allison
MS Columbia University in the City of New York • BA Colgate University
6+ Years Tutoring

I am a Master of Architecture candidate at Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Colgate University. While I tutor several subjects, I am very passionate about mathematics and physics because of the tangible progress which I am able to help students achieve, and I enjoy working with students of all ages and abilities. I have been a mathematics and physics tutor for the last eight years and have worked with students enrolled in middle school, high school, and university courses. As a tutor I work to build my students confidence and independence. In my spare time, I enjoy drawing and playing volleyball and tennis.

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Yoni
BA Princeton University • Current Undergrad, Economics Princeton University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of Princeton University, where I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. I am currently working in Chicago and will be starting medical school in Fall 2017. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Math and Science. I have also scored highly on multiple standardized tests, including the ISEE, ACT, SAT, and MCAT. I have extensive tutoring experience, having worked with students of all ages and in various subjects. I enjoy working with students and helping them to reach their full potential. I am excited to work with clients of all ages and backgrounds to assist them in reaching their goals. I look forward to working with you!

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Sara
BA Colby College
9+ Years Tutoring

I'm Sara, originally hailing from New York City though currently on a wild adventure backpacking around the world. But don't worry--I still have prime access to solid internet connection and the flexibility to help as much as needed. As a New Yorker born and raised, I'm very well acquainted with the intense demands of the NYC school system (both public and private). I'm here to help students understand that they have what it takes to be a solid writer, and as a result, hopefully, lessen the pressure and stress that I know that students today are under. After a two-year stint in high school leading a course aimed to help ease the transition of incoming freshman into my school, I knew I wanted to continue working with students in whatever way I could moving forward.

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Zoe
BA Northwestern University
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm obsessed with whales!), cooking a mean mac n' cheese

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Amanda
BA University of Edinburgh
9+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a Full-time student at the Atlantic Acting School. Before I took the leap into performing arts, I was an auditor for 3 years with Grant Thornton where I received my ACA qualification (British equivalent of CPA). It's been a challenging but exciting transition.

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Daniel
BA Virginia Commonwealth University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a focus in Journalism. Since graduation, I have worked as a writer and editor for several start up magazines, an English and Math tutor for students from pre-K through 12th grade, and a nationally touring stand up comedian. I tutor a wide range of subjects, but I am most passionate about reading, writing and public speaking. I believe in making learning fun, and showing students how the subject is relevant to their life in a very practical way. I'm also a big believer in self learning; whenever possible I try to guide the students to the point where they can find the answer on their own, rather than just telling it to them straight out. Outside of tutoring, I love reading, comedy, superhero movies, and music.

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Golddy
MS Columbia University in the City of New York • BA Johns Hopkins University
6+ Years Tutoring

I am a recent graduate of The Johns Hopkins University where I received a B.S. in Neuroscience and Visual Arts. Currently, I am studying for my Masters in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University. I have ample experience working with and teaching children of all ages. In previous years, I have tutored for the SAT, ACT, geometry, and calculus. Given my academic background, I also feel confident and readily prepared to teach high school and college-level Biology and Chemistry.

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Benjamin
BA New York University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am most passionate about psychology, statistics, and writing, and also enjoy helping students learn how to be better test takers. In my experience, preparing for Standardized Tests such as the SAT and ACT can be empowering. By ensuring that students master both the content and format of the test, they will be able to walk in on test day feeling calm and confident. My endeavors, domestic and abroad, have taught me to identify how a student best learns and help them approach conceptual roadblocks with creativity. I strongly believe in the importance of education. I consider it to be not only necessary to one's success, but also something that can be fun and extremely rewarding. When I'm not dancing or teaching, I love to read, visit museums, practice yoga, and watch independent films.

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Laura
MS Relay Graduate School of Education • BA Columbia University in the City of New York
1+ Years Tutoring

I am always seeking out new adventures in New York!

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Jessie
BA Cornell University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am comfortable tutoring all subjects ranging from Math, English, Foreign Languages (beginner to advanced Mandarin or French, beginner Spanish), Social Studies, History, Science and test-preparation.

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Pia
Current Undergrad, Plan II/Environmental Science The University of Texas at Austin
10+ Years Tutoring

I am a college senior at Columbia University studying Political Science with a focus on quantitative methods (regression, applied econometrics, experimental methods). My teaching experience in the past has included SAT/ACT prep, essay revision, mathematics tutoring, and specific SAT Subject Test tutoring. Now that I've almost finished my time as a college student, I would be happy to walk other students through ways to read an academic text, study methods, and specific college coursework questions. I am a previous teacher through Americorps in their summer program for future first gen college students. I look forward to getting to know you!

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Jed
BA Middlebury College
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a chemistry major in my last semester at Middlebury College in Vermont. Besides chemistry, I offer tutoring in all high school math levels and specialize in writing/essay editing and SAT/ACT test prep as well. I am a creative writing minor and really enjoy using a variety of methods to help you develop a sense of conciseness, organization, and rhythm in their writing. Some of my favorite writers/poets include Langston Hughes, John Steinbeck, and Peter Matthiessen.

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Ayomide
Current Undergrad, Anthropology Brown University
10+ Years Tutoring

I am a fourth year student at Brown University. I am currently pursuing my Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology. I enjoy reading, writing, traveling and cooking. I have worked at multiple tutoring organizations and while I teach all age groups, I am very passionate about teaching younger children. I enjoy coming up with creative ways to make learning fun for children. This passion stems from teaching my 8 year old sister. I tutor a broad range of subjects but I am especially passionate about math, English and essay writing. As a writer myself, I understand the importance of developing proficient writing skills and I am passionate about helping students develop a interest in the art form that is writing. I like to come up with ways to make learning fun for students. I understand that some subjects are frustrating for students and tutoring can sound like more school and does not always sound like fun. I believe that if a student is relaxed and excited for a tutoring session, they learn a lot more and are more engaged in the lesson. Especially with test prep for standardized exams, which can be a lot of pressure for students, I like to come up with individualized test-taking strategies for each student I tutor. If I can help a student feel more self-confident and self-assured about their classes and exams, then I am doing my job right.

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Emily
BA Connecticut College
9+ Years Tutoring

I'm passionate about providing the best and most individualized tutoring possible to students of all ages through Varsity Tutors.

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Maggie
MS New York University • BA New York University
9+ Years Tutoring

I am a freelance editor and researcher in New York City passionate about social justice, immigrant and refugee rights, and education reform. I hold a Master's degree from New York University in Latin American Studies, and I love history, grammar, and writing. I have worked as an educator for many years, both as a remote writing and test prep tutor, and also as the Managing Director of an educational mentoring program for NYC immigrant and refugee youth. I'd love to help you prepare for exams, write a research paper, or complete your college application essays!

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Damani
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
9+ Years Tutoring

I'm currently a student at Columbia University studying Economics. Before I switched majors halfway thru my sophomore year, I was a pre-med student. I love still being a college student because all these classes are still fresh in my mind! I've also been tutoring for 3+ years in everything from high school math and science to standardized tests and because of that, I'm confident that you'll experience fast improvement (not to mention a relaxed atmosphere).

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Bronwen
BA Columbia University in the City of New York
8+ Years Tutoring

I'm able to relate to students and provide a current perspective on education.

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Jillian
BA New York University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am a recipient of an award from the French Department at NYU.

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Katherine
Current Undergrad, Environmental Biology Columbia University in the City of New York
1+ Years Tutoring

I am currently an undergraduate studying at Columbia University in the City of New York. I am pre-med as well as studying environmental science at Columbia College. I have experience in tutoring all ages, ranging from elementary school to high school. My strongest subjects are in the maths and sciences, but I also have a lot of experience with reading and writing.

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Margarita
BA University
1+ Years Tutoring

I am very patient and persistent, and I like to find an individualized approach to each student I work with. I am very familiar with different available materials, and I cater the resources to each student's abilities and learning method.

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Scott
BA Swarthmore College
15+ Years Tutoring

I am applying to graduate school in the field this fall. I've always loved Biology and while in college I did research both in the fields of Molecular Plant Biology and Neurobiology.

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Emma
BA Vassar College
9+ Years Tutoring

I am passionate about literature and writing and want to help make these subjects come alive for students. I want to teach students how to eventually teach themselves so that they may excel at a particular subject in the future. I would love to read students' essays, help students through difficult readings, and with reading comprehension. I am patient and there for the students' needs.

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Ruth
BA Sarah Lawrence College
1+ Years Tutoring

I'm an avid reader, everything from literary classics to genre fiction

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Testimonials

Because the right ISEE tutor makes all the difference.

4.9

Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings

Worked with an ISEE Tutor

Your customer interface is A+, being your agents or your site, The tutor you found for me is perfect, no formulas or canned lectures but easy flowing lecture addressing my needs. Congratulations for a job well done.

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Julio Aranovich
Worked with an ISEE Tutor

Heejin has been very patient with me. I work a full time job sometimes even on the weekends. It has been a slow process with my Korean classes, but Heejin has been wonderful and patient.

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Angela Hussein
Worked with an ISEE Tutor

My son has had many quality tutors through this convenient service, and he can hop on at any time of day to get support for a homework assignment or test. It's very convenient and effective.

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Tara R
Worked with an ISEE Tutor

I've been working with my tutor for a few months now and the progress has been remarkable. The personalized attention and tailored lessons made all the difference compared to in-classroom learning.

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Michael Chen
Worked with an ISEE Tutor

The flexibility of scheduling combined with the quality of instruction is unmatched. I can get help exactly when I need it, whether that's late at night or early in the morning before a test.

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Priya Patel
Worked with an ISEE Tutor

My daughter went from dreading her sessions to looking forward to them. The tutor made the material engaging and built her confidence in ways I never thought possible. Highly recommend.

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Rebecca Williams

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Frequently Asked Questions

ISEE scores range from 760–940, with most competitive NYC independent schools looking for scores above 850. However, acceptance depends on your target school's specific admissions criteria, your academics, essays, and recommendations. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand New York's selective school landscape and can help you work toward your target score.

Most students benefit from 3-6 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on your starting level and target schools. Since New York's independent school application cycle typically closes in January, starting preparation in the fall gives you adequate time to practice and improve. A tutor can assess your baseline and create a personalized timeline based on your specific goals.

Many students struggle with the ISEE's Verbal Reasoning because it requires both vocabulary knowledge and the ability to understand context clues quickly. Effective strategies include learning common roots and prefixes, practicing inference questions, and timing techniques. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows a tutor to identify your specific weak areas and develop targeted strategies for improvement.

Math Achievement focuses on computational skills and procedures you've learned in school, while Quantitative Reasoning tests logic and problem-solving with less emphasis on formal operations. Students often find Quantitative Reasoning harder because it requires creative thinking rather than straightforward calculations. A tutor can help you master both sections by building computational confidence and teaching logical reasoning strategies.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction focuses entirely on your individual strengths and weaknesses, whereas classroom prep moves at a standard pace for all students. A tutor can adapt to your learning style, spend extra time on sections where you struggle most, and create a study plan that fits your timeline. This targeted approach typically leads to faster improvement and better results on test day.

Most New York students take the ISEE in grades 4-6 when applying to independent middle schools, and in grade 8 when applying to independent high schools. The test adjusts in difficulty based on grade level, so content coverage and pacing strategies vary. Understanding your specific grade-level test format and expectations is key to effective preparation.

Reading Comprehension on the ISEE is timed and requires balancing thorough reading with efficiency—most students have 35 minutes for multiple passages and questions. Effective strategies include previewing questions before reading, annotating key details, and practicing under timed conditions. A tutor can teach you pacing techniques and help you practice full-length sections to build speed and accuracy.

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