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Award-Winning Writing Tutors

Ruth

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Ruth

PhD
Ruth's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Writing
History
High School Level American History

My teaching philosophy is focused on a single objective - that students learn. I have a Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Temple Law School. My GRE score was a 326, and my LSAT score was a 173. I've tutored over 60 students through Varsity Tutors. I'm co...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PhD

Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary

PhD

Melinda

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Melinda

PhD
Melinda's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Reading
ACCUPLACER WritePlacer
ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills

With a Ph.D. in Communications, I have dedicated my career to enhancing students' skills in visual, spoken, and written communication at the University of Maryland and various colleges in Pennsylvania. For over 3 years, I have specialized in online tutoring, focusing on preparing students for the ve...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PhD

Anne

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Anne

MED
Anne's other Tutor Subjects
Human Development
Public Speaking
AP English Literature and Composition
AP English Language and Composition

I hold a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in developmental psychology (with a focus on cognition) and a B.A. from Swarthmore College in theatre and English. I enjoy working with students who are looking to improve their executive function skills as a part of their overall goals fo...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

MED

Swarthmore College

MED

Abigail

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Abigail

BS
Abigail's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
ACCUPLACER ESL
ACCUPLACER WritePlacer
ACCUPLACER Arithmetic

I am a knowledgeable tutor with over 5 years of experience in SAT tutoring. While studying psychology at Yale, I focused on developmental psychology, early childhood education, and writing. I have a background in nannying as well, so connecting with kids comes naturally to me. I have a master's degr...

Education

Yale University

BS

Danielle

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Danielle

MS
Danielle's other Tutor Subjects
Applied Mathematics
Statistics Graduate Level
Pre-Algebra
Linear Algebra

I am an entrepreneurial travel-loving media professional living in New Orleans. I have a Master in Business Administration from Tulane University and I love teaching all sorts of subjects, especially math. In terms of hobbies, you can find me long-distance running, studying data science, exploring ...

Education

Tulane University of Louisiana

MS

Northwestern University

MS

Patrick

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Patrick

AM
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am a retired teacher who tutors and writes and who has had decades of success motivating and preparing people for a range of tests and tasks. I also walk/jog 50-plus miles a week, do yoga, and exercise my critical thinking skills regularly. My students since 1979 have ranged from middle school ur...

Education

Yale University

AM

Zach

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Zach

BS
Zach's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math
Geometry

The gap between having an idea and putting it on paper clearly is where most writers struggle, and Zach tackles that gap by teaching concrete techniques: thesis construction, paragraph architecture, and how to use evidence without letting quotes do all the talking. His scientific training at Yale de...

Education

Yale University

BS

Jacqueline

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Jacqueline

Doctorate (PhD)
Jacqueline's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Algebra

As a dedicated educator with a PhD in German Studies from Cornell University, I am passionate about nurturing student success through personalized tutoring. With over 7 years of teaching experience, I specialize in a wide array of subjects, including AP courses in Physics, English, and Calculus, as ...

Education

Cornell University

Doctorate (PhD)

Cornell University

Master's/Graduate

Yale University

Bachelor

Linford

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Linford

MDV
Linford's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
SSAT- Upper Level
SAT Reading
ACT English

Learning to write well means learning to think on paper — organizing a claim, selecting the right evidence, and revising until the prose actually says what you intended. Linford brings graduate-level writing experience from both Northwestern and Yale, where he produced extensive research papers and ...

Education

Yale University

MDV

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

MDV

Obada

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Obada

Master's/Graduate
Obada's other Tutor Subjects
Elementary School Math
ACT Math
SAT Math
SAT

I have been a passionate educator for more than 7 years. I completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and Pre-Med at the University of Michigan, a Master of Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and am completing a Graduate degree in Social Work at the University of Edinburgh. I have taugh...

Education

University of Edinburgh

Master's/Graduate

Harvard University

Master's/Graduate

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Master's/Graduate

Meet Our Expert Tutors

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Martin

SAT Reading Tutor • +46 Subjects

I have been teaching 18- to 22-year-old students at the college level since 1995. I love imparting to them my own passion for the English language and its literary heritage, from Chaucer through our best 21st-century writers. I am particularly absorbed by the history of fiction, drama, and poetry in English, and I hope to continue to teach such love of the written word to curious students today.

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Zoe

Elementary School Math Tutor • +29 Subjects

Hello, I hold two soon-to-be three Ivy League degrees, an undergrad and graduate degree from the University of Pennslyvania and I am currently getting a second Masters from Harvard in Education Leadership. I know what it takes to write an essay or application to get into your dream school and specialize in college application support. I guarantee if your student has a complete essay draft we can polish it in a single two-hour session. Additionally, I am a licensed elementary school teacher with a Master's in elementary education I have educational experience as a kindergarten teacher, second-grade reading tutor, and college readiness tutor. I am skilled in reading and math help in the lower grades K-2 for children who need support in those subjects.

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Thomas

AP English Language and Composition Tutor • +12 Subjects

I love literature and reading and writing -- they've been central to my life since early childhood -- and I hope as a tutor not only to help students improve their skills in these areas but to instill in them a similar kind of lifelong affection for these pursuits. I believe that reading and writing are key not only to enjoying a broadly fulfilling and exciting life but also to performing effectively in virtually any kind of serious job. As a kid, my dream was to become a writer of fiction -- novels and stories -- and I majored in English and creative writing in college. But then it was literature that led my life to take a different, unexpected path. At Princeton, I had to write a senior thesis, and the topic I chose was native American prose literature -- novels, poems and other writings that hugely enhanced the love of nature and wilderness that I had already acquired through hiking and camping trips with my father. Instead of wanting to write fiction, I became an environmental advocate, and wanted to write about wilderness and environmental issues. So, I moved from the East Coast to Montana for graduate school, where I studied wilderness and wildlife management issues and earned a Master's degree in natural resource conservation. For decades ever since I have made my living primarily as a communicator, through writing as well as public speaking. Every job I've had depended on my ability to write well, from working as an editor of technical research papers for the US Forest Service; as communications director for an environmental protection group; as a press secretary in a Presidential campaign; as an international publicist for a PR firm in New York City; as an aide in the Montana Governor's Office; and as a self-employed lobbyist and campaign manager for numerous large corporations and small nonprofit groups. I also taught public and media relations at Carroll College in Montana and have done a fair amount of freelance writing along the way, with essays published in diverse outlets including Western Wildlands, the Journal of Soil & Water Conservation, Range magazine and Playboy. My love of reading and literature has never ceased. I am always reading at least one good book at a time, and I still write almost daily. On the side, I recently have edited two books for publication and have written several grant proposals. I look forward to sharing my passion for learning with students through the Varsity Tutors program.

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Theodore

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +62 Subjects

I am a Master of Divinity student at Princeton Theological Seminary. I graduated Harvard College in 2016 and was a peer tutor at Harvard. Before Divinity School, I taught high school and middle school debate and was an SAT/ACT tutor in Birmingham, Alabama. I then taught middle school debate at Success Academy in Harlem and served as a healthcare advocate. I have extensive experience tutoring English, math, science, and SAT/ACT at the middle school through college level. I have tutored students who went on to be accepted into Ivy League universities. I also am highly skilled at working with students with learning differences such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia as well as students from under-resourced communities. I look forward to helping your student not only excel but also enjoy learning!

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Stephanie

Essay Editing Tutor • +24 Subjects

I have found purpose in tutoring for as long as I can remember. It's meaningful to partner with others to solve problems together. I believe in providing trauma informed and customized learning sessions for diverse students.

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Stella

Middle School Math Tutor • +75 Subjects

I'm a current PhD student in the history department at Georgetown University who is also an experienced instructor with Varsity Tutors. As a recipient of several degrees, the most recent being a BA in history from Hillsdale College and a MA in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies from Stanford University, I have long sought to make teaching my profession. Meanwhile, as a volunteer grade school teacher and a tutor with this company, I have many years' experience helping students reach their full potential. I am capable of teaching students in many subjects, including reading, mathematics, test prep, Latin, and especially writing, history, and literature. In practice, I am comfortable adapting to different learning styles and specific student preferences. Outside of my academic and career endeavors, I enjoy cooking, reading, and listening to and making music.

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Megan

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +55 Subjects

Hello parents and future students! I've been tutoring for more than six years now and have tons of experience working with learners of all ages. My teaching focuses on building confidence and encouraging vulnerability- we all make mistakes and tutoring helps us fix them! As for some background on myself, I'm a recent graduate of the University of Florida with a BS in Microbiology and Cell Science as well as two minors, one in history and one in Spanish. I'm currently pursuing an MS in Biomedical Sciences from Vanderbilt University before attending medical school in the future. I hope to get to know each and every one of you to help you reach your goals and achieve your dreams!

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Erika

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +50 Subjects

As an experienced tutor, I see myself in an important supporting role: there to help the student shine! Whether looking for help completing homework, preparing for tests, or building solid foundational knowledge to build upon in the years ahead, I am ready to tailor my support to your particular needs. I can help explain concepts, walk you through specific problems, or give you hints to help you score better. Let me know how I can best help you achieve your goals!

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Emily

Middle School Math Tutor • +65 Subjects

I am an Ivy-league graduate (Princeton summa cum laude) and an editor for an academic publishing press. I have years of experience teaching and mentoring at the university level (University of Notre Dame), and I've also tutored students in chemistry, math, the arts, and humanities from elementary school through high school. I've worked and lived in over seven different countries with international colleagues and I'm very understanding of different cultural backgrounds. I fell in love with teaching years ago while serving as a librarian for children and teens, and I enjoy working with students to reach their full potential.

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Patrick

Elementary School Math Tutor • +82 Subjects

After serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force for seven years, I completed a doctoral program in American Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since then, I have edited a literary journal, managed a research center, and published several peer-reviewed articles on American autobiography, fiction, and poetry. I live with my wife and three daughters in Durham, North Carolina.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A writing tutor provides personalized feedback on the elements that matter most—thesis development, argument structure, evidence integration, and revision strategies. Rather than just correcting grammar, tutors help you understand why certain choices strengthen your writing and guide you through the process of developing your own voice and style. With one-on-one instruction, you get targeted feedback on your specific weaknesses, whether that's organization, clarity, or supporting your claims effectively.

Grammar is the foundation—correct punctuation, sentence structure, and word choice ensure your ideas are clear and professional. Style, on the other hand, is about how you express those ideas: your tone, sentence variety, word selection, and overall voice. A strong writer masters both. Tutoring addresses both elements, starting with grammar fundamentals if needed, then helping you develop a distinctive, compelling writing style that engages readers and communicates your unique perspective.

Writer's block usually stems from one of a few issues: unclear thinking about your topic, perfectionism, or not knowing how to start. Tutors help by breaking the writing process into manageable steps—brainstorming ideas, creating outlines, drafting without judgment, and then revising. They also teach strategies like freewriting, asking guiding questions to clarify your thinking, and building momentum by focusing on one section at a time rather than the whole essay at once.

Absolutely. Many students find citation formats confusing, but they're learnable with clear guidance. Tutors can explain how MLA and APA differ, show you how to format in-text citations and works cited pages correctly, and teach you the reasoning behind these formats. More importantly, they help you understand why proper attribution matters—not just as a rule to follow, but as a way to acknowledge sources and build credibility in your writing.

Literary analysis requires you to move beyond summarizing a text to interpreting what it means and why the author made specific choices. Tutors guide you in developing strong analytical claims, finding textual evidence that actually supports those claims, and explaining the significance of that evidence. They teach you how to read closely for literary devices, themes, and character development, then help you organize those observations into a coherent, persuasive essay that demonstrates genuine understanding.

The best writing tutors combine subject expertise with strong teaching skills. Look for someone who understands essay structure, argumentation, and grammar thoroughly, but also listens carefully to your specific challenges and adjusts their approach accordingly. They should ask questions that help you think deeper about your own writing, provide clear feedback with specific examples, and encourage you to take ownership of your revision process rather than simply fixing errors for you.

Improvement depends on how frequently you work with a tutor and how actively you apply feedback. Many students notice better organization and clearer thesis statements within 2-3 sessions. Developing a more sophisticated writing style and consistently strong essays typically takes longer—usually several weeks of regular practice and feedback. The key is consistent practice between sessions, applying what you've learned to new assignments, and building confidence in your ability to revise your own work effectively.

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