Michael

After being trained in standardized test instruction by Kaplan (the leading test prep company), I have logged over 2,500 hours as a tutor. In addition to tutoring, I have over a decade of experience as a Philosophy professor, and I currently teach Philosophy at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia.

Tutoring Style

The students who come to me for help with the SAT, ACT, or GRE are taught the same test-preparation and test-taking techniques that I used myself to score 780 math/770 verbal on the SAT and to earn perfect scores on the GRE math and verbal. Whether a student is looking for help with algebra or reading comprehension, I always begin by identifying the areas in which the student needs to improve (by means of practice tests and conversation with the student) so that we can focus our time on strengthening these weaknesses from the very first lesson. By assigning challenging homework and reviewing it at the student’s own pace, I ensure that he or she makes steady progress without being overwhelmed. Ultimately, I believe that what most sets me apart as a tutor is the ability to break down difficult concepts into easily understandable terms and to adapt my explanations of these concepts for the specific student I'm working with. These traits are enhanced by my cheerful, friendly, and patient disposition, which helps both me and the student stay positive even when dealing with difficult subjects.

Success Story

Perhaps the biggest impact that I had on a student's life was when I helped an adult student get into physician assistant school. This student needed assistance both with earning a competitive score on the GRE and with writing his application essay. The first task required figuring out how best to express and adapt my test-taking strategies for this particular student, while the second required figuring out how to help my student express the remarkable story of his own life. Over the course of 26 lessons, I was able to help him raise his GRE score from a 306 (152 V, 154 M) to a 321 (161 V, 160 M) and to craft a deeply compelling essay about the story of his rise from poverty in the rural south, both of which helped him to gain acceptance into the P.A. program he was shooting for. It was a deeply fulfilling experience.

Hobbies & Interests

I enjoy singing, playing tennis, listening to stand-up comedy and audiobooks, watching and discussing movies, and building geometric solids out of magnets.