Award-Winning Tutors from Duke University

I am a senior at Duke University, expecting to graduate in May 2020. I have experience tutoring college students in Spanish and biology.I have personally taken many of the important exams needed to get in to college (ACT, SAT and IB) and so can very much understand what students are going through.I primarily tutor biology for high school and first year college students, as well as high school and college Spanish.I believe in letting the students explain the areas they are having difficulty with and working through examples together, before allowing them to show me what they have learnt by completing some examples alone.

My mission as a Varsity Tutor is to provide my students confidence in their academic abilities and provide mentorship and advice on their academic careers.

I'm a senior at Duke University double-majoring in English and Political Science. My favorite classes tend to be English and Social Studies classes, and I enjoy the unique perspectives that each student brings to the topics that they're studying. I decided to join Varsity Tutors because I've always been passionate about helping my peers keep up with their classes. Two of my siblings have ADHD, and I know that many people are better suited to alternate learning approaches rather than the education styles that are popular in most classrooms. I try to be empathetic and creative when listening to students' difficulties with their material, and I strive to be their partner in finding solutions to fill the gaps in their understanding.

An appreciation of education is a prerequisite for any great tutor, and I believe that I have this appreciation. As a student at Duke University, I recognize that it is my teachers and tutors who played vital roles in my academic achievement. I would love to have the opportunity to help other students the same way my teachers and tutors did for me.One of my strengths that contributes to my success as a tutor is my ability to work with all kinds of people. Growing up in Portland, Oregon and going to college in Durham, North Carolina, I have not only been exposed to a diversity of people, but I have also had the chance to work as part of a team in many different settings. From helping my peers with problem sets in my biochemistry class to conducting spelling and geography bees as a volunteer with the North South Foundation, I have had many opportunities to work with others in an academic setting.Perhaps it is these previous experiences that most significantly contribute to my ability to be an effective tutor. I currently volunteer as a tutor with America Reads & Counts in Durham (ARAC), and through this program, I work with students in the Durham community to help them get the most out of their education. I usually help my students with their homework, and my experience as a tutor with ARAC has taught me valuable lessons about communication and empathy that I believe have shaped my ability to be a successful tutor.

I am a graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with minors in Education and Documentary Studies. Before I went to college, I spent a lot of time in an elementary school classroom volunteering, especially in the summers, and that was when I realized I love tutoring. I spent all four years of college tutoring local students in the area in math, reading, and government. I am in the process of applying to law school, so I have experience in the admissions on process for both college and graduate school. In my spare time, I enjoy fashion, photography, reading, and yoga.

I am a rising senior at Duke University. I major in Computer Science and am also getting a minor in Physics. I have had experience tutoring/teaching as a teaching assistant for three classes: Intro to Databases, Electricity and Magnetism (for engineers), and Computer Network Architecture. I have had industry experience in software development as an intern for IBM and a cybersecurity analyst for TIAA. Outside of school/work, I play the piano and train with the Duke Taekwondo Club. I have a strong background in computer science, physics, and math, but I love learning about and helping students with a wide variety of subjects!

I am a current undergraduate student at Duke University seeking a major in neuroscience and a possible minor in literature or chemistry. I have been tutoring higher level courses since the beginning of high school, and although I tutor in a variety of subjects, I specialize in writing, English, and essay editing (especially IB Extended Essays or college essays). I also help students with standardized testing, particularly in the SAT Reading portion of the exam. My passion for tutoring comes from my love of learning and helping others learn, and in my free time I enjoy painting, poetry, and fashion design.

Hey! I am currently a student at Duke University studying Biomedical Engineering and Economics. Just a little bit about me and some of my interests. Some of my favorite academic interests include memoirs and modern classics. I think Catcher in the Rye is still one of my all time favorite books but Percy Jackson, a modern classic, is up there too. Beyond academics, I take great guilty pleasure in watching TV shows such as Westworld, Sherlock, How I Met Your Mother, and even The Bachelorette when I'm at a low point.Beyond personal interests, tutoring has always been a side project of mine. Even since middle school, at a local elementary school, I would help tutor students in basic arithmetic and spelling. In high school, while the curriculum changed from multiplication tables to Calculus, the idea was still the same: help as many people reach their full potential as possible. Now, through Varsity Tutors, I can help continue helping as many people as possible! I look forward to working with you.

I am a graduate of Duke University. I received my Doctorate in Nursing Practice, Executive Leadership. I am also a graduate of George Washington University where I received my Masters of Science in Nursing with a focus on Health Care Quality. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Arts in Biology from DeSales University with a minor in psychology. Additionally, I have certifications as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, Certified Professional in Patient Safety, and Six Sigma Green Belt. I am a professional mentor at my organization for beginner nurses looking to advance their career and also provide academic guest lectures at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. I have been blessed with many wonderful mentors and teachers in my academic journey and will always strive to enhance others academic or professional journey as well. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two children, hiking, Philadelphia 76ers, gardening, and reading Harry Potter.

Tutoring was a central fixture of my extracurricular life during high school and college prior to my entering the business world as an entrepreneur. I missed the experience of instructing and mentoring in the years since I last tutored, and out of a desire to recapture the sense of fulfillment that comes with being a teacher, I began privately SAT tutoring in the local area a few months ago and was reminded of how well suited my personality and my intellectual curiosity are to teaching. I always loved taking standardized tests; I thought of the problems as fun puzzles. And I love sharing that outlook and enthusiasm with students who are trying to improve their SAT performance. I find it completely invigorating to see students grasping the concepts that underlie the problems we work through together, and it is so fun to develop a unique relationship with each pupil. There really is such nuance to helping each student overcome his or her unique set of test taking-related challenges, and I think it's a captivating experience each time.

I am a professional tutor specializing in academic writing and verbal/writing SAT and PSAT prep. I graduated in 2014 from Duke University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Theater Studies. My past tutoring experiences include a year with the Duke Athletics Department tutoring undergraduate athletes in anthropology, critical reading, and college-level writing. I have tutored with America Reads/America Counts (ARAC) and co-founded a tutoring program that continues to serve the language education needs of refugee youth in Durham, NC. I’m passionate about not only teaching students the material they need to be successful, but also how to think critically and independently.I start my tutoring sessions with a simple and individualized evaluation—sometimes I will look over students’ past work or practice tests to supplement a discussion about goals for our time together. Once we move on to subject material, my approach is to start with what students already know. When we’re faced with a seemingly impossible essay prompt or test question, we always have piece of knowledge that can help. I help students learn how to use their existing bodies of knowledge to find a way to a solution. We then work on building a toolbox of techniques they can use to handle the kinds of questions and tasks that are particularly challenging for them.I have two big picture goals for my students. First, I want them to leave my sessions feeling heard. I want to address my students’ most pressing questions and concerns, so I strive to create an environment where they’re comfortable articulating them. Second, I want them to walk into their tests or classrooms feeling confident. Even if they won’t know every answer, they'll have strategies and some tricks up their sleeves that will allow them to reach their personal education goals.

I am a student at Duke University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with Chemistry and German minors. On campus I am involved in the Bilbo lab, which focuses on neuroimmune interactions in abnormal brain development. I am very passionate about helping others enjoy and learn about various fields in STEM.My role as a tutor is to help students navigate any difficulty they may have in the classroom. I strive to help students reach their academic potentials and gain confidence in their ability in the classroom. As a current undergraduate student, I can assist students in finding balance between achieving their academic goals and extracurricular activities. In my free time, I enjoy running, cooking, and cycling.

I graduated from Duke University with a BS in Economics and a BA in Linguistics. I was also on the Duke Dance Team, studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, speak Spanish and Chinese, and have worked on a couple start-ups. I will be starting a job in August in finance in New York and have worked as a tutor for 6 years, both privately and with America Reads and Counts. I love working with motivated students and always see great improvement. I am especially strong with SAT and PSAT test prep tutoring. I am excited to work with students in NYC!

Hello! My name is Charlie, and I am a student at Duke University studying Economics and Computer Science. I specialize in tutoring high school math (from Algebra through Calculus) and SAT prep. My tutoring style is flexible and low-pressure. I focus on building real understanding, not just memorizing steps. Whether you're preparing for a big exam or just trying to keep up with class, I'll meet you where you are and adjust each session to your pace and learning style. Looking forward to meeting you!

I enjoy empowering students by making learning fun and believe that everyone has an "inner genius" that just takes the right technique to unlock. I bring a patient and friendly approach to teaching, specializing in the sciences, technology and math, and believe in teaching students to "learn for themselves".

I am a rising freshman at Duke University, where I will be majoring in Economics and Public Policy. I have extensive tutoring experience through opportunities such as Kumon, local educational summer camps, and serving with my school's National Honor Society (NHS) club. I am most passionate about helping students through classes English, Literature, and History, especially Advanced Placement (AP) courses. As a recent high school student, I hope to use my relevant experiences to help students prepare for the Reading and Writing portions of Standardized Tests (SAT, PSAT), as well as to tackle the college admissions essay. I am a firm proponent of the value of education, and believe it to be crucial in allowing for a brighter and better future.

Hey, my name is Nitin Nagarajan, and I am a rising senior studying biomedical engineering. Orginially from Gadsden, AL, I excelled in many AP classes and the ACT and PSAT in high school. I only took the ACT once and received a 35 in my sophomore year, and became a National Merit Finalist the following year. I also have gotten 5s in APUSH, English Lit and Lang, and have high scores in a number of other AP courses. In college, I have taken several STEM classes, and are quite comfortable with a wide variety of topics.

I love teaching. I have been a tutor in various subjects since my freshman year of high school when I tutored students in Pre-Calculus. Since then, I have always been a math tutor and have continued to tutor in other subjects as well, including Spanish and U.S. history as well as tests such as the SAT and ACT. I have also tutored students from ages 5-17.My teaching philosophy entails a lot of practice and self-discovery. From my own experiences with challenging subjects, I know that going the extra mile by doing more practice problems than are actually assigned or watching videos on certain concepts helps reinforcement and allows students to thrive in the classroom. As a tutor, I like to guide students in the correct direction and help them gain footing when learning a new subject; however, I also like to give students independence so they can determine their best method for learning.

PhD Mathematics. Undergrads in Physics and Maths. Duke University and NYU alumni.

Hello, I'm Richard and I love teaching. There are few things more rewarding than being able to create enthusiasm for a subject area. My favorites are math, physics and music. I grew up Spanish bilingual and can teach in both languages having TA'd college level Spanish courses. I also lived in Germany for a year and can help students with that. I have a B.S. in Math, B.S. in Physics and a masters degree in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space sciences. I also work as a professional musician and am a very organized and dedicated freelancer.

Hello! I'm Jordan Davidson, a graduate student in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, with a Bachelor's in Applied Physics and Humanities from Yale University. With over 5 years of tutoring experience, I specialize in subjects like English, college essay writing, creative writing, and physics. My approach to tutoring centers on each student's unique interests, transforming academic concepts into engaging projects that ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning. I've successfully guided students to improve their understanding and performance (often doubling test scores!), and I'm dedicated to creating a supportive environment where they can thrive. I believe that every student has a distinct academic entry point, and I'm passionate about helping them discover and cultivate their passions. Let's embark on this learning journey together!

I have taught high school mathematics for the past 7 years and have loved every minute of it. Throughout those seven years I earned my second Masters in Math Education and began pursuing my PhD in the field. I have had the pleasure of being nominated as a honor teacher five times by the top ten students during various years. I am a teacher leader in my community and I enjoy sharing the wealth of knowledge.

I am an analytically-driven in Duke University's Class of 2023 pursuing degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics. I have a thirst for knowledge in mainly the mathematics and sciences, and I thoroughly enjoy conveying my passions through tutoring. My experiences in student-tutoring began in High School where I tutored SAT, Mathematics, and Physics. My favorite subjects to tutor are SAT and ACT Math, Physics, Calculus at all levels, Algebra, and Statistics. One of the many reasons I enjoy tutoring is because I can utilize my effective communication skills to illustrate complex concepts to students in relatable and interesting ways.

I am a graduate of Duke University with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering and Economics. I started tutoring in high school, working with Spanish-speaking ESL students in their native language as volunteer service. Due to my exceptional academic performance, family friends and members of my local church would often ask me to tutor their children, a request I would grant as much as my schedule allowed. My professional experience with tutoring only began in college, when I was hired as a teaching assistant for the Duke TIP summer program. After graduation, I worked for an international test prep company for two years. In addition to teaching classes on the SAT, ACT, and SAT II Subject Tests, I also provided private tutoring services in high school-level math, statistics, and physics.

I have dedicated a significant amount of time teaching all sorts of subjects ranging from tennis to ACT to dance to finance. I currently work for Kaplan teaching ACT, SAT, and MCAT. I have worked as a teaching assistant for computer science and even have taught finance to high school students. I love teaching because I believe I can connect well with the students. I am able to create short-cuts, tricks, and other useful methods that students love because I, myself, am a student. Therefore, I can relate well with all my students. Since my experiences range far and wide, I am confident that I can provide the best services as a tutor in my subject areas.Besides tutoring, I love to dance, play tennis, draw, and just have fun in general. I think of myself as the jokester of my friends group, so I'll always try to put a smile on your face!

Duke University graduate and experienced SAT tutor, including mentoring students at my high school to improve their scores and strengthen their confidence as learners. I focus on building strong foundations first, then developing speed, strategy, and test-taking endurance. My approach is supportive, patient, and goal-oriented, helping students grow their skills and believe in what they're capable of achieving.

I am a current student at Duke University School of Medicine pursuing my MHS degree in Physician Assistant studies. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care with which I practiced as a Respiratory Therapist with focus in Adult critical Care. I have several certifications and I am a certified clinical simulations instructor. While I tutor a broad range of courses, I am passionate about Algebra, biology, anatomy & physiology, Medical terminology, medicine, ACLS, BLS,NRP, Respiratory board exams prep and pharmacology.Assisting students through tutoring is a desire of mine. I believe that every student has what it takes to excel academically if given the right resources and attention they deserve.

I have tutored many people in the past - from elementary school kids to Duke University athletes. I really enjoy the challenge of helping students understand material that was previously foreign to them. I am highly dedicated, make my own lessons and try to make learning as fun as possible.

I have been a personal tutor and have also taught in group settings for over 5 years covering topics ranging from math and science to Korean and computer science. This emphasized the importance of being adaptable and using different teaching methods for different pupils.My philosophy is positive reinforcement as a motivational technique and a way to bond with the student.

I am a recent magna cum laude graduate of Duke University and a full-time educator in North Carolina. I have a passion for helping young people figure things out and have experience writing professionally.

I have taught ten different philosophy courses at the university level, plus independent studies and Honors College courses. I also have experience teaching and tutoring the LSAT. Finally, I have experience teaching philosophy to high school students through the North Carolina Governor’s School, East Campus and the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP), both of which were residential summer programs.I am committed to helping students acquire skills necessary for life-long learning. I prize education as an occasion for student development, discussion, and the refinement of communicative and analytical skills. I enjoy my role as a tutor and I anticipate increasing fulfillment as the scope and depth of my skills are expanded and refined.I understand my role as a tutor to be a facilitator of the academic and intellectual development of students. I firmly believe that students should be provided with opportunities to achieve success every class. Materials should be organized as much as possible to accommodate diverse learning dispositions, so I try to vary my teaching methodology according to the needs of my students. My experience teaching philosophy has helped me develop the crucial ability to awaken the analytical skills and evaluative abilities in students. My goal is to empower students to become responsible, successful, and productive members of a multicultural society.

I am an incoming first-year medical student with a deep passion for the human body and mind. As a student who thrived with tutoring, I love teaching students how to think about problems and answer tough questions.

I am a recent graduate of Duke University, with a Master of Science degree in Global Health. I spent the six previous years working for Novartis as a Head of Communications in the Vaccines and Diagnostics division. I joined Novartis after completing my undergraduate degree with honors in English language and literature from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.I can help both students and professionals with all ranges of English writing and reading skills, including grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension and retention, English as a second language, essay writing and editing, higher level literature analysis, thesis writing and editing, business writing, and presentation and public speaking skills.I have taught and tutored students from elementary school through the graduate and professional levels. I have served as a professor's assistant in British Literature and Dramatic Arts classes, and have conducted caregiver classes on the Picture-Exchange Communication System for children with speech disorders.I have also tutored on the tools needed to becoming an exceptional student, including organizational skills, memorization and mnemonic devices, study-to-the-test techniques, responsible speed reading, and time management.My philosophy toward tutoring hinges on two primary goals: 1) to tutor in a way that not only meets the student's academic goals in the near-term, but also imparts a methodology that will carry the student toward future and continued success, and 2) to foster self-motivation in a student by making English fun!I love sharing my passion for language and literature with others, especially in helping overcome the "fear of the blank page" and other anxieties. Its never too late to learn to write well, to enjoy reading, or to apply these important skills to achieve your academic and professional goals.Personally, I love the time to enjoy a good book, but I also love traveling, attempting challenging recipes, kayaking, hiking, and taking my dog Cali to the beach.

Hi! My name is Maggie, and I have been tutoring since high school. I graduated Cum Laude from Duke University in just 3 years, and I graduated with a Distinction Thesis. I have a psychology major and a certificate in Human Development. Since graduation, I have been working in an elementary school as a special education paraprofessional. This job was exciting to me because I was able to focus on the special needs children (ADHD, ASD, Down Syndrome, EBD), but I also got to teach some classes and help the general education students. The job was perfect for me!I recently moved to St. Paul, and I now want to become a full time tutor. What I really love about tutoring is the relationship that is formed between student and tutor. I like to really get to know a student so I can learn how to help him or her best. It is important to me that a student is able to enjoy his or her work. That will make learning more fun, and it will make the student more successful. I am so excited for the opportunity to tutor your child! I look forward to helping him or her achieve and find confidence in abilities and intelligence.

I Graduated with Distinction with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Global Health and Chemistry from Duke University. I am now a graduate student studying Psychology, with a specialization in child psychology. I am comfortable working with students of all ages. I have extensive experience tutoring and volunteering with kids, especially those in elementary and middle school, both here and in India. I also have experience tutoring adult English Language Learners. I consider myself to be strongest in English (literature, critical reading and writing, grammar/spelling), K-12 Mathematics, History, Spanish, and Psychology. I am also comfortable supporting in college-level essay writing and standardized test preparation including SAT, ACT, GRE, several AP Examinations, and MCAT. I consider myself to be kind, empathetic, culturally-sensitive, and patient, holding a soft spot for working with young children. I like to make learning both fun and meaningful. I value education deeply as a way of shaping our worldview and empowering us with the confidence to reach new horizons! In my free time, I like to dance, read books, cook, travel, and spend time with loved ones.

I am a rising sophomore at Duke University. My dream is to become a doctor someday, so I am currently on the pre-med track and taking several chemistry and biology courses. Although my current focus is in science, I have a passion for history and culture. This past summer I participated in a study abroad program in Costa Rica, where I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with people from several different backgrounds, such as an indigenous tribe and the "ancianos" from a senior living home. Because this invaluable experience, I am continuing my studies in Spanish language and culture. Because I graduated high school only a year ago, the subjects that I was taught are still fresh in my mind, especially AP courses. I am very familiar with the AP curriculum, as I have taken 10 AP classes over the course of high school, and spent a fair amount of time preparing and learning strategies for taking the tests. I enjoy learning and teaching a broad range of subjects, but I have the most experience tutoring in Algebra, Spanish, and History. My primary concern is to foster a positive environment for the student, so they feel confident in asking me questions and comfortable making mistakes. In my free time, I play badminton, read fiction, serve the community, and go on the occasional hunt for Pokmon.

I graduated from Duke with double majors in Biology and Spanish and a minor in Chemistry. I have extensive experience working with children of all ages, in both childcare and tutoring. In high school, I launched a book club in a local elementary school, where I helped tutor elementary school students in reading comprehension. I also tutored a middle school student in Spanish and helped improve his knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Since coming to college, I've continued to help elementary school students with reading, writing, and math.

I recently graduated from Duke University with a BA in Public Policy. I am in New York City studying acting, and I want to bring the same energy, enthusiasm and compassion that is required on stage to my students. I have experience tutoring for the SATs, and I have had significant experience serving as a mentor to younger students, particularly in the university setting. I love coaching and helping students discover their intellectual passions. Most importantly, I am thrilled by the prospect of helping a student set concrete goals and progress towards actualizing them in an academic realm. But above all I want to work with students to help them develop strategies that are personally effective and furthermore that link their passions with their education.

I am a professionally trained tutor with over five years of tutoring experience. I am currently a medical student at Columbia University. I graduated with high distinction from Duke University, receiving the honors of Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. I majored in Biology with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology and a minor in Chemistry.In addition to tutoring math and science, I also greatly enjoy helping students with SAT prep and college essay writing. I worked as a writing tutor for undergraduates for several years and have received extensive professional training in this capacity.I personalize my sessions to match each student's unique learning style and needs. I am enthusiastic about empowering each student to reach his or her full academic potential!

My tutoring career formally began six years ago--since then, I have been gradually developing my own personalized collection of tips and tools for effective learning in a large range of disciplines.My journey began in high school as a tutor for a handful of middle school students struggling with mathematics. The private sessions instilled within me an appreciation for the power of conceptual connections. I found that each individual student's network of knowledge was vastly different, and so the connections they drew in order to arrive at solutions differed as well. It became my goal and pleasure to guide these students along their own intellectual pathways towards a better understanding.During my undergraduate career at the University of Texas at Dallas, I continued to fortify this skill. Employed by the on-campus Student Success Center as both a Peer Tutor and Supplemental Instruction Leader, I led sessions for advanced engineering mathematics, statics and dynamics, mechanics of materials, physics, and calculus. Through these programs, I was introduced to new methods for helping students attain their own understanding of course materials with only minimal guidance from myself. These methods relied upon the fact that, oftentimes, students already possess the foundational knowledge to arrive at correct conclusions--they simply lack the confidence and/or the roadmaps to get there. That's where I come in.After finishing my B.S. in Mechanical Engineering last May, I moved back to the Raleigh-Durham area to continue my education at Duke University for an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. As aforementioned, much of my tutoring experience has been in STEM fields (calculus, physics, chemistry, etc.)--but as a student who has prepared for, agonized over, and ultimately suffered through the SAT and GRE standardized tests, I would love to be able to impart my own knowledge and strategies for these as well.If it's nice out and 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.