Award-Winning High School Applications
Tutors
Award-Winning
High School Applications
Tutors
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.

Getting into a competitive high school requires more than good grades — the application needs to reveal a student's personality and potential in a very small space. Alana walks applicants through every component, from short-answer responses to interview prep, drawing on her own experience navigating selective admissions at Yale and beyond.

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 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'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 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 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 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 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.
Testimonials
Because the right High School Applications tutor makes all the difference.
Average Session Rating – Based on 3.4M Learner Ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
Students typically struggle with three core areas: crafting authentic, compelling personal essays that stand out to admissions officers; strategically positioning their academic record, test scores, and extracurriculars within their target schools' contexts; and managing the logistics of multiple applications with different requirements, deadlines, and essay prompts. Many students also underestimate how to effectively communicate their "why" for each school and fail to present a cohesive narrative across their application materials. A tutor experienced in applications can help students identify their strongest stories and present them strategically across essays, recommendation letter guidance, and activity descriptions.
A skilled applications tutor helps you move beyond surface-level storytelling by identifying moments that reveal character, resilience, or growth—not just recounting achievements. They guide you to answer the real question admissions officers are asking: "Who are you, and what will you contribute to our campus?" Rather than writing the essay for you, they ask strategic questions to help you uncover authentic narratives, organize your thoughts coherently, and revise for clarity and impact. They'll also help you avoid common pitfalls like trying to impress with vocabulary, over-explaining your accomplishments, or choosing topics that don't genuinely reflect who you are.
Each school has distinct values, culture, and priorities reflected in their prompts and "Why Us?" essays. A tutor helps you research what makes each school unique—beyond rankings—and authentically connect your goals, interests, and values to specific programs, professors, or campus communities. This involves crafting different versions of your story that remain true to yourself while emphasizing different strengths for different contexts. For example, your emphasis on research opportunities might be central to your MIT application but secondary to your community service focus in your application to a service-oriented school. Tutors help you develop this strategic flexibility without compromising authenticity.
The best applications tutors have direct experience with college admissions—either as admissions counselors, former admissions officers, or educators who've guided many students through the process successfully. They should demonstrate deep knowledge of how different schools evaluate applications, understand the psychology of admissions essays, and have a track record of helping students gain admission to their target schools. Look for tutors who ask thoughtful questions rather than dictating content, who understand that applications are about authentic self-presentation rather than "gaming the system," and who can speak specifically about how different schools evaluate applications. Experience with students from diverse backgrounds and toward varied school types (Ivies, state schools, specialized programs) is also valuable.
Ideally, start in the summer before senior year or early fall so you have time to brainstorm, research schools thoughtfully, and draft essays without rushing. This timeline allows your tutor to help you develop a strategic approach to your list of schools, identify your core narratives before you start writing, and revise multiple drafts with meaningful feedback. If you're already mid-fall, starting immediately is still valuable—tutors can help you prioritize your most important essays first, manage your timeline efficiently, and ensure quality over quantity. Starting too late (November or December) limits your ability to revise meaningfully and can result in rushed, less authentic applications.
A tutor helps you understand how different schools weight standardized tests and GPA relative to other factors, and how to address any weaknesses contextually without making excuses. For example, if your SAT score is below a school's typical range but your GPA is strong, a tutor helps you ensure your essays and activities demonstrate academic engagement and intellectual curiosity. They also guide you on whether to submit scores (especially with test-optional policies), how to explain grade trends or dips honestly, and how to highlight rigorous coursework (AP, IB, honors classes) that might not be reflected in raw GPA. The goal is presenting the most complete, honest picture of your academic potential and fit for each school.
Many students list activities but don't explain their impact or what they learned. A tutor helps you move from "I was president of debate club" to "Through debate, I developed the ability to research complex issues, articulate nuanced arguments, and listen to opposing viewpoints—skills I'll bring to [specific school's] community." They guide you to identify 2-3 "spike" activities that show depth and genuine passion rather than padding your list with surface involvement. They also help you use activity descriptions and essays to show how your involvements connect to your values, goals, and what you'll contribute to a college community—not just what you accomplished.
A strong application demonstrates genuine self-knowledge, strategic fit with target schools, and authentic voice—not perfection or impressive-sounding claims. A tutor helps you evaluate whether your essays answer the actual prompts, whether admissions officers will understand who you are and what you value, and whether you've made a compelling case for why you belong at each school. You should feel that your application reflects your real strengths and interests, that you've done genuine research about each school, and that someone reading your materials would have a clear sense of your potential contributions to campus. Success ultimately means admission to schools where you'll thrive—and a strong application, guided by a tutor, positions you authentically for that outcome.
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