WyzAnt.com Site News Feed

WyzAnt Tutoring Announces Winners of the 2012 WyzAnt College Scholarship Contest

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Scholarships recognize ambitious students and their most important life lesson.

WyzAnt.com, the nation’s largest marketplace for private tutors and students, today announced the winners of the 2012 WyzAnt College Scholarship Contest. After several months of voting, three deserving students have been selected to receive a total of $10,000 in college scholarship funding.

In a short essay, applicants shared stories on WyzAnt.com about the most important lesson they had learned in their lives. During the preliminary round, site visitors could read the essays and vote for their favorites. In the final round, hundreds of current WyzAnt tutors voted to narrow the finalists to three outstanding winners.

“WyzAnt prides itself on the quality and selection of tutors available through our online tutor marketplace,” said Andrew Geant, WyzAnt.com co-founder and CEO. “But what this contest shows is that our tutor quality is equally matched by the amazing students across the country. It was truly inspiring to read these outstanding essays and the entire WyzAnt.com team wishes every participant the best of luck as they go forward and accomplish great things.”

The first place recipient, Jesse Barnes, a senior from Spencer High School in Spencer, Iowa, wrote about her family and the importance of selflessness. In her piece, titled “Know the Difference,” Jesse talks about growing up with her identical twin sister during difficult financial times and learning to appreciate the sacrifices everyone in her family made for one another. Next year, Jesse will attend the University of Iowa where she and her sister will major in Biology, with aspirations to attain PhDs in the subject.

Iman Seale, a junior at East Ridge High school in Clermont, Fla., took home second place with an essay about learning to embrace and value one’s differences. In her essay, Iman shares her experience with cultural diversity and her appreciation that “the world is not a place of uniformity.” Iman plans to study Graphic Design when she goes to college in 2014. Until then, she will continue to bolster her resume as she takes advanced English and Economics classes through Florida Virtual Schools, in addition to her standard high school curriculum.

Rounding out this year’s winners was Elena Chavez, a senior from Kempner High School in Sugarland, Tex. As the first member of her family to complete high school, Elena credits her achievement to the hard work and ambition of her youngest sister. “Witnessing my young sister’s adversity and accomplishments opened my eyes and gave me the push I needed to succeed,” she writes. Elena says she is proud to be a role model to her two younger sisters and looks forward to seeing them follow in her footsteps. Elena will attend the University of Texas next year, where she plans to study Dentistry and to continue pursuing her love of the arts.

WyzAnt would like to thank all participants in this year’s college scholarship contest. To read these three essays and thousands of other inspirational stories, please visit WyzAnt College Scholarships on the web.

About this Company: WyzAnt.com is the largest marketplace for tutors and students, offering an easy-to-use and secure environment designed to foster learning though one-on-one instruction. WyzAnt’s dedication to industry leading customer service has earned it an “A” rating with the Better Business Bureau. To learn more about WyzAnt, interested parties can find WyzAnt on Facebook or view WyzAnt’s LinkedIn page.

Study Shows Private Tutoring Increases Standardized Test Scores and Improves Chances of College Admission

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

With 2012 spring SAT and ACT test dates approaching, private tutoring company WyzAnt.com reports an increased demand for standardized test tutors.

WyzAnt.com, the nation’s largest marketplace for private tutors and students, offers in-home tutoring in over 250 subjects including SAT and ACT test preparation. As the 2012 spring SAT and ACT test dates approach, WyzAnt reported tutoring requests for the SAT and ACT exams have increased more than 30% from February to April.

While most students engage in school-organized preparation and personal study, working with a private tutor to prepare for standardized tests like the Sat and ACT is proven to increase test scores and likely the probability of being accepted to college. In a study conducted by the NACAS (National Association for College Admissions Counseling), standardized test takers were asked what they had done to prepare for the exam. Respondents who worked with private tutors reported the most significant improvements over previous scores with an average increase of .43 points for the ACT math section and .6 points for the ACT English Section. Similar improvements were reported for the SAT exam where students who worked with private tutors received 10-20 points higher on average for subject specific sections.

Although these reported improvements might seem insignificant, surveyed college admissions counselors stated that what may seem like small improvements can have a meaningful impact on college admissions decisions. According to the NACAC study, “More than one third of postsecondary institutions agreed that an improvement on the SAT Math section of 20 points, or a score increase on the SAT-CR of 10 points, would ‘significantly improve student’s likelihood of admission.’”

WyzAnt tutor Nicole Coffineau advocates long-term test preparation over a 10 to 12 week period, although she admits just a few lessons can make a difference in raising student confidence and awareness. “Having a few lessons definitely has an impact on students because the first big hurdle is getting past the format of the exam which is significantly different than a student’s normal school work and exams. Once students get used to the logic of the test, they become more comfortable.”

Standardized tests continue to be an important part of the application process for most colleges and universities, and as competition for admission increases, more students are turning to private tutors to help improve their test scores. According to college admissions professionals and tutors like Nicole, working with a private tutor for just a few lessons and receiving even small improvements on test scores can accomplish this objective and bolster a student’s chances of admission.

About this Company: WyzAnt.com is the largest marketplace for tutors and students, offering an easy-to-use and secure environment designed to foster learning though one-on-one instruction. Students and parents can visit WyzAnt.com to find tutors in a variety of subjects ranging from academics and test preparation to music instruction and computer and career training. Students and parents can review tutor profiles, subject certifications, background checks, and read WyzAnt student reviews to ensure they find the perfect match for their individual tutoring needs. Find WyzAnt on Facebook to learn more about the company and to hear what other users are saying.

WyzAnt Tutoring Featured in Chicago Tribune’s Sunday Edition

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Chicago Entrepreneurs Find Bootstrapping a Good Fit.

Andrew Geant and Michael Weishuhn met on the track team as undergraduates at Princeton University. Now, the two Chicago transplants have traded their track shoes for boots.

In entrepreneurial circles, "bootstrapping" means to self-fund a business. Geant and Weishuhn launched an online tutoring marketplace called WyzAnt.com in 2005. The initial money came from what Geant was earning as a math tutor to high school students and Weishuhn's income from his full-time job at a Washington-area software firm.

Today, WyzAnt is a profitable company with 32 employees based in a newly renovated Bucktown office. And the company has held on to its origins as a bootstrapped startup.

Most firms start this way out of necessity. Then, as the startup grows, financial self-reliance can evolve into a core tenet of the founder's business philosophy. Entrepreneurs who bootstrap say they enjoy the freedom of running their companies their own way, without intervention from outside investors who might have their own ideas on strategy and growth.

"We took a real practical approach to it," Geant said. "We weren't too familiar with (venture capital). Our approach was to keep control of the company as long as possible, and we were willing to compromise our lifestyle to a certain extent to do that."

Geant and Weishuhn pursued personal thriftiness with zeal. They lived in apartments or houses with extra bedrooms they could sublet at a premium to earn extra income. When going out, they looked for midweek happy hour deals — Geant has fond memories of going to Rock Bottom Brewery for $1 drafts and spending a total of $12 between the two of them.

The two friends also carefully monitored business expenses. Domain names using variations of the word "tutor" cost thousands of dollars, so they paid $20 for WyzAnt.com, a homophone for their combined surnames and a pun on "wise."

Read the full story at chicagotribune.com.

WyzAnt Tutoring Announces 2012 College Scholarship Finalists

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Twenty finalists to compete for $10,000 in college scholarship awards offered by WyzAnt.com.

WyzAnt.com, the nation’s largest marketplace for private tutors and students, last week announced the finalists for its second annual college scholarship contest. Out of thousands of applicants, 20 students were selected to move onto the final round of voting where three outstanding students will be awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarship funding.

Beginning in October, applicants composed essays about important life lessons they had learned and shared their essays on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to solicit votes on WyzAnt.com. This year, WyzAnt received essays from students in all 50 states.

“Every year the contest produces some truly inspiring and insightful stories that we’re honored to share with the WyzAnt community,” said WyzAnt director of marketing, Daniel Breiner. “I look forward to seeing who our tutors choose as this year’s winners and rewarding those students with WyzAnt scholarships.”

Throughout April, WyzAnt tutors will conduct the final round of voting and their collective votes will determine three winners from the remaining finalists. First place will be awarded $5,000 to the school of his or her choice and the second and third place winners will be awarded $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. WyzAnt.com will announce this year’s winners in early May 2012.

About this Company: WyzAnt.com is the largest marketplace for tutors and students, offering an easy-to-use and secure environment designed to foster learning though one-on-one instruction. Students and parents can visit WyzAnt.com to find tutors in a variety of subjects ranging from academics and test preparation to music instruction and computer and career training. Students can review tutor profiles, subject certifications, background checks, and tutor videos and blogs to ensure they find the perfect match for their individual tutoring needs.

Chicago-based Tutoring Company, WyzAnt, Partners with Local Charities to Give Back to the Community

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500

National tutoring company WyzAnt helps make private education more accessible and affordable while also serving local communities by working with non-profit organizations like Open Books and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

WyzAnt.com, the nation’s largest network of private in-home tutors, was launched in 2005 to make the segmented tutoring industry more efficient and accessible for students and tutors. In 2008, the company relocated to Chicago and became an active member in Chicago’s emerging technology industry.

Since moving to Chicago, WyzAnt’s tutor base has grown by more than 500% and now features a network of over 40,000 tutors serving students in all 50 states. Students and parents may visit WyzAnt to search for tutors in a variety of disciplines and review tutor bios, backgrounds, student reviews, and even WyzAnt tutor videos to ensure they find the perfect match.

As the company grows, WyzAnt continues to find innovative ways to make affordable private education accessible to as many people as possible. In 2011 WyzAnt established a non-profit organization called WyzAid, aimed at helping other non-profits locate qualified volunteer tutors for at-risk youth. Right now WyzAid serves the Chicago community by working with partners like the Illinois Education Foundation.

In 2010, WyzAnt announced the creation of its annual college scholarship contest and awarded three college students a combined $6,000 in scholarship funding. In May, WyzAnt will announce the winners of its 2011 college scholarship contest and award a total of $10,000 to three deserving recipients.

In recent months, the WyzAnt office has expanded its community involvement by working with local Chicago charities. Last fall WyzAnt employees collected over 200 items of non-perishable food for the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s holiday supply. In February, WyzAnt employees contributed more than 250 books and DVDs to Open Books, a resale store whose proceeds fund a variety of literacy programs.

“We’re honored to be able to work with local organizations that have such a positive impact on people’s lives,” said WyzAnt community outreach coordinator Katherine Brichacek. “Seeing the office rally together to meet our donation goals is really rewarding and we’re excited to expand our community involvement as we continue to grow.”

Committed to supporting the Chicago non-profit community year round, WyzAnt’s upcoming philanthropic efforts will support 826 Chicago, a volunteer tutoring center also located in the Bucktown neighborhood. Starting this spring, WyzAnt will collect office supplies and snacks to assist 826 Chicago’s after school programs.

About this Company: WyzAnt, Inc. is a national tutor-student matching service specializing in connecting students with qualified in-home tutors. Interested parties can learn more about the company on the WyzAnt Facebook page or comment on WyzAnt’s community involvement on WyzAnt’s Twitter Page.

Full-Time Professionals by Day, Private Tutors by Night: The Next Frontier in American Education

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

As states slash their education spending and classroom sizes continue to grow, a new study by national tutoring service, WyzAnt, Inc. shows former and current full-time professionals are meeting parents growing demand for qualified private tutors.

In a recent survey of more than 1,100 independent tutors conducted by leading in-home tutoring provider WyzAnt, Inc., 69% of tutors held professional positions prior to becoming private tutors. Ranging from bond traders and business consultants, to physicians and lawyers, respondents with backgrounds in a variety of trades are drawing on their professional experience to offer students private tutoring in a variety of subjects.

Private tutoring has long been a part of the US education system and is becoming even more popular growing by more than 5% annually according to executive director of the Education Industry Association, Steve Pines. As the demand for tutors continues to rise, individuals without formal teaching backgrounds are joining the tutoring community. “I imagine you’ve seen a real increase in demand from parents and students who are unhappy with the state’s education system,” said California tutor, Mary Kelsky, in an interview with WyzAnt. Mary was referring to California’s public education system which along with Arizona, Hawaii and South Carolina has slashed its education spending by more than 20% of its pre-recession budget.

After selling her condo in Chicago and moving to California in 2008, Mary, a former VP of sales, and her husband started their own business but found their clients had difficulty acquiring financing for projects. Mary later looked into teaching jobs, but with depleted state budgets, districts in her area were forced to trim resources through service cuts and teacher layoffs. As a result, Mary decided to list her tutoring services privately as well as with tutoring services like WyzAnt.com where she tutors elementary students 14-15 hours each week. “The extra money is nice,” said Mary, “but the real reason I tutor is to keep busy while doing something I’m passionate about which is teaching children.”

While Mary picked up tutoring following a distinguished career in business, other tutors offer their services in addition to their daily trade. Matt Caire, a bond trader with Linscomb-Williams in Houston, Texas, tutors 5-10 hours a week through WyzAnt, helping undergraduates and MBA level students with their statistics and finance courses. “Tutoring allows me to stay fresh on the material I learned in my master’s courses, said Matt. “If you’re going to teach a subject, you have to know the material really well. I think the best way to learn and stay sharp is by teaching.”

WyzAnt co-founders Andrew Geant and Michael Weishuhn were not surprised to find current and former professionals outside the education industry becoming private tutors. “When we started WyzAnt in 2005 we did so with the understanding that individuals of various backgrounds had acquired skills and resources in their careers that they could share with students,” said Geant. WyzAnt’s web-based platform allows students to review tutor backgrounds, professional experience, WyzAnt tutor videos, student reviews and more to ensure they’re able to find an appropriate match for their individual needs.

About this Company: WyzAnt, Inc. is a national tutor-student matching service specializing in connecting students with qualified in-home tutors. The company was founded in 2005 and has provided educational services ranging from academic tutoring and test preparation, to WyzAnt’s college scholarship and career training. Interested parties can learn more about the company on the WyzAnt Facebook page or by visiting WyzAnt.com.

Teaching and Tutoring Jobs Abound at Leading In-Home Tutoring Provider WyzAnt.com

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0600

With school back in full swing following the holiday season, parents and students are turning to private tutors in record numbers.

WyzAnt, Inc., a nationwide tutoring service specializing in matching students with qualified in-home tutors, reports a recent surge in requests for private tutors. WyzAnt, which boasts a network of nearly 35,000 active tutors, offers instruction in a variety of subjects ranging from math and science tutoring to English and language tutoring. In 2011, WyzAnt received over 250 thousand tutor requests throughout the country, and that number is steadily increasing. As students return to the classroom in 2012, WyzAnt’s network of qualified tutors are fielding an abundance of new tutoring jobs.

In order to tutor with WyzAnt, candidates must complete an online application which is carefully reviewed by members of WyzAnt’s staff. Tutors must also prove their proficiency in the subjects they wish to teach by successfully passing individual certification exams. WyzAnt maintains an updated directory of available tutors who are required to respond to student requests within 24-48 hours in order to maintain an active listing. When hiring tutors through WyzAnt, parents and students can easily review the local tutor profiles that include detailed background information, education, customer reviews, photos, blogs and more. Other useful tools include real-time background checks and convenient payment methods.

WyzAnt has been connecting students with qualified tutors since the company was founded in 2005, and each year the company has witnessed a significant uptick in tutoring activity in January. “Every year we see a significant increase in the number of tutoring requests we receive following the holidays” says WyzAnt’s Director of Marketing and Communications Daniel Breiner. “Students return to school after the New Year either facing finals or having just received last semester’s grades. Some students look for help closing the semester strong while others look to start off on the right foot going into the New Year.”

Fortunately, this demand for tutoring is being met with an increase in the number and quality of people who are offering private tutoring services. Several factors such as the difficult job market and teacher layoffs are involved. “Private tutoring is an increasingly pervasive part of the US education system,” said Breiner. “When WyzAnt was founded in 2005, the goal was to make the process of finding the most qualified tutors as convenient and affordable as possible for parents and students, while helping talented educators find quality jobs.”

The approach seems to be working as parents and educators alike continue to leave rave reviews about the effectiveness of WyzAnt’s matching process.

“I’ve been with WyzAnt for all of one full week and already have 4 students that I've scheduled sessions with. I am receiving more emails from potential students than time I have to tutor them. WyzAnt has allowed me to re-enter the tutoring world with an ease I thought was unachievable. This truly is a fantastic online forum to make contacts, with not only a myriad of tutors with a multitude of experiences and skills, but more importantly, eager students seeking knowledge and help. WyzAnt has, without doubt, made tutoring easy for tutors and students.” - Vimal, WyzAnt tutor from Alexandria, VA

“My son has been using WyzAnt since last January and I wish I had found out about them sooner! I love how easy it is to find a tutor, read about their backgrounds and make the connection with them. It is so easy to pay for the lessons and I appreciate the discount if you sign up for a package.” - Kim, parent from Pleasanton, CA

In 2012, WyzAnt intends to continue strengthening their industry leading tutor-student matching process. A newly developed search algorithm serves to bolster the experience for both tutors and students by ensuring students will be able to quickly find the right tutor for their needs while notifying tutors of the most relevant, up-to-the-minute job opportunities. As the post-New Year’s tutoring requests continue to roll in, WyzAnt tutors are poised to benefit from a substantial influx of tutoring and teaching jobs in 2012.

Students Applying for Admittance to the Country’s Most Selective Colleges Expected to Face Fierce Competition in 2012

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

The number and caliber of students applying to four year colleges and universities has risen steadily in recent years and reports from private tutoring company WyzAnt.com suggest the 2012 applicant pool will be even more competitive.

The application deadlines are rapidly approaching for most American universities, and high school seniors are working feverishly to put the finishing touches on their applications. Reports gathered from leading tutoring service provider WyzAnt.com and several other sources all indicate that the quantity and quality of the year’s applicants are likely to rise once again; the result—students applying to the nation’s top colleges in 2012 face astoundingly long odds.

In 2011, many of the nation’s most selective schools saw a dramatic increase in the number of applicants resulting in some of the lowest admissions rates on record. The New York Times reported that applications to Harvard rose more than 14% from 2010 to 2011 and as a result the school admitted just 6.2% of applicants. Columbia University was the second most competitive school in 2011 admitting just 6.4% of applicants. Many schools reported similar figures as the number of applications from 2010 to 2011 rose as much as 47%, as was the case for Trinity College, a small liberal arts school located in Hartford, Connecticut.

As the number of college applicants continues to rise, so too do the caliber and diversity of the overall applicant pool. According to the College Board, the number of high school students taking the SAT exam has increased by 48% since 2001. The most significant growth over that time period came from students who identify themselves as Hispanic/Latino (up 150%), Asian (up 80%) and Black (up 79%). The College Board also reported an increase in student GPAs over the past 10 years stating that 45% of SAT test takers reported a GPA of an A- or better in 2011, a 9.8% increase from 2001.

Students today are better informed about the college application process and are taking extra steps to get ahead including hiring private guidance counselors and tutors. Jacqueline Grazette, an independent college counselor in the Washington DC area, credits both increasing competition and decreasing school resources for the surge in demand for her services. “There just are not enough counselors in most public and private schools to give students the individualized attention they need to plan and prepare for testing and college applications.” On the topic of standardized tests she adds, “Few students are able to score well on standardized tests without some form of test preparation. Highly specialized tests such as the AP, IB and SAT II exams cover a breadth and depth of content that many students have not been exposed to in school. Tutors help address these issues, if contacted early enough in the process.”

A new survey by WyzAnt.com confirms that even top students are looking to get an edge by hiring tutors. The recently completed poll of 283 WyzAnt tutors from 43 different states indicates that over 25% of students who hire private tutors are already honor roll students before they commence tutoring. Only 1/3 of the independent tutors surveyed say that their work is primarily for remedial purposes.

In response to the surge in applications, some schools like Harvard, Princeton and The University of Virginia have chosen to reinstate their early admissions programs in 2012 and allow students to apply early in the hopes of improving their chances for admittance. In November, The Boston Globe reported that the number of early applications submitted to Harvard in 2012 was up 5.8% from 2006 when the program was discontinued. Many schools reported similar findings for their 2012 early applicant pool including Princeton which received three times as many early applicants as there were spots in the entire freshmen class.

While 2012 may go down as the toughest year to apply to college, the future of this trend is less certain. Tuition, which is already at record highs, is projected to continue increasing for the foreseeable future even though Americans have less disposable income to put towards education as a result of the slow economy. Robert Vellani, PhD, is a teacher who has instructed at both the high school and college levels, and he is also a private test preparation tutor. He acknowledges the recent increase in competition but also suggests that it may not be permanent. “Many believe that a four year college is mandatory while others believe we need more trade schools and the four-year college is for a select few. Look at the Occupy Wall Street movement - many complain that the degrees they struggled to earn are worthless in the current economic climate.”

Whether the role of America’s four-year universities changes in the future remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—today’s young people are faced with more pressure than ever to perform in school and distinguish themselves from their peers, both for college admission and beyond.

About this company: WyzAnt, Inc. is a national tutor-student matching service specializing in connecting students with private tutors. Parents and students can visit WyzAnt.com to find a tutor that meets their individual needs. Whether it’s a qualified math tutor or a private SAT tutor, visitors can review tutor profiles, rates and student feedback to ensure they find the perfect private tutor

WyzAnt.com Launches Charity to Provide Free Tutoring to Deserving Students

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600

Less than one year after announcing plans to develop a platform for volunteer tutors, WyzAnt, Inc. has launched a non-profit called WyzAid, and students in the Chicago area are already reaping the benefits.

WyzAnt.com is a Chicago based company that uses internet technology to help millions of students and parents find qualified, local tutors in all fifty states. Last January, WyzAnt CEO Andrew Geant announced his intentions to use what he and co-founder Michael Weishuhn have learned building WyzAnt to create a non-profit organization that would grant deserving students free access to quality tutors.

“We believe every student deserves access to a quality education, but unfortunately, many students cannot afford the supplemental help they need.” says Geant. “Our tutors share that belief and have made WyzAid a reality by volunteering their time to work with students who otherwise would not have access to personalized instruction.”

The Illinois Education Foundation (IEF) also believes that quality education should be available to motivated students, and in September, the nonprofit began partnering with WyzAid to help fill their tutoring needs. The IEF empowers low-income, highly motivated community college students to succeed in work, school, and life. The IEF provides its scholars with comprehensive student supports which help ensure that they achieve their degrees and reach their full potential.

“The Illinois Education Foundation was founded under the principal that given the right resources, motivated students can achieve success in their academic, professional and personal lives,” said IEF Program Manager Nina Sanchez. “Tutoring is one of the resources we offer our students which helps them achieve their goals.”

WyzAid is currently providing IEF with private English tutors and Math Tutors who work with community college students one to two times per week. Geant is optimistic about WyzAid’s outlook and the impact it could have. “Our work so far has proven two things: first, there are countless organizations like The IEF that have an urgent need for private tutors, and second, many excellent tutors are willing to donate their time when they know their efforts are making a difference. WyzAid seeks to mobilize these tutors using technology, ultimately on a large, national scale.”

“Tutoring my two college students is very rewarding for me,” said one WyzAid tutor working with IEF students. “I feel [my students] need a tutor on many levels, and I’m more than convinced that I’m doing something extremely worthwhile with my time.”

The WyzAid web platform will be available to qualifying organizations in early 2012. By partnering with top-tier non-profit organizations, WyzAid aims to help students of all backgrounds experience the benefits of private tutoring.

For more information on the WyzAid tutoring program, contact info@wyzaid.org.

WyzAnt Announces 2nd Annual College Scholarship Essay Contest Featuring $10,000 in Awards

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

With college tuitions on the rise, WyzAnt, Inc. offers students an opportunity to offset cost by sharing their inspiring stories for scholarships.

WyzAnt, a nationwide home tutoring service, has announced its 2nd annual college scholarship contest. This year’s contest features $10,000 in available awards and encourages applicants to solicit votes for their essay submissions. Responding to the prompt, “What was the most important lesson you have learned in your life?”, applicants will write a short essay and advance to the finals based on popular vote. Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2012 and winners will be announced in May.

Last year’s contest winners took home $6,000 and were selected from a pool of over 4,500 applicants. Daniel Breiner, Director of Communications for the Chicago-based tutoring company, said the overwhelming engagement in last year’s contest encouraged WyzAnt to make the college scholarship contest an annual tradition. “We received thousands of great applications last year and read some truly remarkable stories.” WyzAnt’s scholarship is unique in that it encourages applicants to leverage the power of social media by sharing their essays with email contacts, Facebook friends and Twitter followers to receive votes and enhance their chances of winning. “As a company that uses technology to create a highly engaged education community, we wanted to give our scholarship applicants access to tools that will help them share their inspiring stories with friends and family,” said Breiner.

Applicants who receive the most votes for their essays will advance to the finals where WyzAnt’s network of nearly 40,000 tutors will choose three winners. This year’s contest asks applicants to reflect on an important life lesson they have learned. “WyzAnt tutors work with students on a daily basis, providing one-on-one lessons,” said Breiner. “That kind of personalized attention impacts a student’s growth, and involving our tutors in this scholarship allows them to witness the importance of their work.”

About this company: WyzAnt, Inc. is a national tutor-student matching service specializing in connecting students with in-person tutors. Parents and students can visit WyzAnt to find a tutor that meets their individual needs. Whether it’s a qualified math tutor or a private SAT tutor, visitors can review tutor profiles, rates and student feedback to ensure they find the perfect, private tutor.

WyzAnt Announces Winners of 2011 College Scholarship Contest

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The votes are in and three winners remain! Thanks to all participants and to all the tutors who helped select the winners. Click here to view the winning essays: http://www.wyzant.com/scholarships/v1/winners.aspx

New Survey Reveals Immediate Impact of Private Tutoring

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0600

On average, students improve by more than a full letter grade in just 10 hours with an in-home tutor according to a national survey of 269 independent tutors conducted by tutor-student matching service, WyzAnt.com.

According a recent survey, 72% of students improve their scores between one and two full letter grades after just 10 hours of private tutoring compared with only 4% of students who see minimal improvement. 12% of students see an improvement of 2 or more full letter grades.

Tutors cite several major reasons for the great results, first of which is the individualized instruction. John Park, a math tutor and chemistry tutor from New Jersey, explains, “Tutors are better able to assess a student’s needs and weaknesses and target the instruction to fulfill the gaps in their knowledge. We can also do it in fun and interactive ways that cannot be accomplished in a classroom setting.”

Many tutors also cited improved comfort level and confidence as key factors. “With a tutor, the students are able to talk about issues that they are having with the material, make mistakes, correct them, and not have to worry about being judged by peers or dismissed by a teacher,” says Taylor Blake, an elementary education and Spanish tutor in the Atlanta area.

According to the tutors surveyed, the degree of improvement depends on a number of factors including the subject area (math and science are especially receptive to tutoring), grade level, how far behind the student is, the student’s personality and, most importantly, the student’s attitude and work ethic.

Says Jason Billings, a math and physics tutor from Connecticut, “Students that are self motivated typically do the best. Issues with understanding concepts and test taking techniques are fairly easy to fix; issues with actually doing the work and putting forth effort are much more difficult to overcome.”

In many cases an unmotivated student can turn into a motivated one with increased confidence, according to Mr. Park. “Many students report being able to answer the teachers’ questions in class the very next day,” he remarks. Several tutors said witnessing a student’s renewed excitement for learning is their greatest professional satisfaction.

For families hesitant or unable to make a large financial commitment, it’s great news that so much progress can be achieved with just a few hours of private tutoring, and many tutors indicate that once students get back on track, they require a minimal amount of tutoring to maintain their improved performance.

Mr. Billings explains that “the bulk of the improvement is seen between six to eight hours. By this time, they’ve usually had about a month of tutoring. Most students go into more of a maintenance mode after this point rather than playing catch up.”

WyzAnt’s CEO, Andrew Geant, is quick to point out that staying current in class in the first place is the real key to success in school and that, “it’s best to use tutoring to supplement classroom instruction rather than for emergency damage control.” Mr. Geant also notes that tutoring is about much more than improving your GPA. “Let’s not overlook the other advantages of private tutoring,” he says. “Self-esteem, knowledge, study skills and mentorship are also major benefits of private tutoring. Much of the learning that occurs is not measurable in terms of grades.”

New Payment Options

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500

In response to growing demand and in an effort to more efficiently deliver tutor payments, WyzAnt recently released a daily direct deposit option. Tutors who elect to have daily direct deposits will have funds for each lesson deposited in their bank account five days after the lesson. By default, tutors will continue to receive semi-monthly payments, so if you’d like to learn more or sign up for the daily direct deposit option, you can do so by changing the Payment Method on your My Account page.

Find Tutoring Jobs on Twitter

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Are you looking to find tutoring job opportunities in your area? Now you can use Twitter to stay up-to-date on all the tutoring job opportunities in your metropolitan area! Whether you check Twitter on the go from you handheld device or from your home or work computer, WyzAnt Twitter Jobs can help you find and land new tutoring assignments. Give it a try today!

WyzAnt Unveils Plans for New Charity

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt recently announced plans for WyzAid, a program where deserving students can receive free tutoring.

The program, which will first be rolled out in the Chicago metropolitan area, hopes to ultimately affect the lives of many thousands of students across the country. WyzAnt plans to utilize its community of over 20,000 tutors to deliver the tutoring, making the program highly scalable.

Crain's Chicago Business and other online news sites have recently featured the WyzAid program. Please see the following links to read more:

Crain's Chicago Business
Examiner.com
WayneLiew.com

WyzAnt Surpasses 20,000 Tutors

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0600

After years of growth, nationwide tutor-student matching service WyzAnt reaches new milestone.

WyzAnt, which began with a few Washington DC area college students tutoring local k-12 students, now offers over 20,000 qualified instructors. These tutors teach more than 130 different subjects covering academics, test prep, musical instruments, foreign languages, computer instruction, and sports. Today, the tutors are not just college students; teachers, musicians, professors and professionals all use WyzAnt to offer expert instruction on a part-time basis. Students of all ages benefit from the individualized instruction in the comfort of their homes.

WyzAnt has continually refined its tutor-student matching process. "It starts with having great tutors," says Andrew Geant, President of WyzAnt, Inc. "From there, we utilize our full service website to make the matching process and the ongoing relationship as easy as possible. Our prices are fair and we have great customer service to make sure all parties are well-informed and fully satisfied with their experience."

The combination seems to be working. Thousands of new students are turning to WyzAnt every week find a the perfect tutor.

WyzAnt Partners with Lexis-Nexis to Offer Background Checks

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:38:47 -0500

In cooperation with Lexis-Nexis, WyzAnt now offers the ability for interested students and tutors to run background checks. Tutors looking to improve the visibility of their profile can elect to order a check on themselves through the new system. Moreover, students may run a background check on a potential tutor prior to beginning lessons. To learn more, please review the background check policy.

Personal and Custom RSS Feeds Now Available

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:02:19 -0500

WyzAnt now offers site updates via RSS! Using your location, travel willingness, and subject interests, we have created a personalized job feed for all WyzAnt tutors. You can also subscribe to some of our other feeds or create your own custom job feed. Check out our RSS feeds page to get started!

WyzAnt Now Enables Tutors to Post Videos on Their Profile

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:11:45 -0500

As an added feature for the WyzAnt community, earlier this month WyzAnt enabled tutors to post videos on their profile pages related to education and tutoring. So far videos have included musical performances, video introductions, short films, and more! Do you have a great idea for a video? Signup or login to your tutoring account and visit My Videos.

WyzAnt Introduces Tutor Articles

Tue, 05 May 2009 11:19:14 -0500

In response to growing demand, WyzAnt has launched a blogging section of our website where tutors can submit articles about tutoring and education. The articles range in content from stories about successful tutoring relationships to specific tips about how best to communicate difficult concepts to students. By reviewing these articles, students can learn more about potential tutors or pick up new tips for success. Be sure to check out some of the great articles today!

WyzAnt Launches Mobile Website

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:17:39 -0500

Earlier this week, WyzAnt launched a mobile version of our website at mobile.wyzant.com. Use any web-ready mobile device and navigate to mobile.wyzant.com. Once you have logged into your account, you can check your WyzAnt email, search for tutoring jobs in your area, and contact potential students. Manage your tutoring account when you're on the go with mobile.wyzant.com!

Text Message Alerts

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:22:24 -0600

At WyzAnt, our goal is to help you connect with current and new students as quickly and easily as possible. If you are interested in receiving immediate updates by text message anytime a current or new student emails you, and anytime a new job is available in your area, than sign up for text message alerts. Simply login and go to your My Account page. Under Tutor Info next to your profile picture, you will see a link to sign up for text message alerts. Please not that standard text messaging fees set by your carrier will apply.

WyzAnt Introduces the WyzAnt Rewards Program

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:07:28 -0600

WyzAnt Rewards is a new points-based incentive program available to registered tutors who are interested in taking a more proactive role in the WyzAnt community. Through the program, tutors can earn rewards like cash prizes, vacations for two and much more.

The initial iteration of WyzAnt Rewards is called the WyzAnt Advocate Program and is available to all registered tutors. Tutors can earn points for leaving a testimonial about WyzAnt, encouraging students to leave feedback after lessons, and for referring new students and tutors. The WyzAnt Rewards Program is based on the idea that the more the WyzAnt community grows and the more vibrant it becomes, the more valuable it will be to both tutors and students. With a growing student population, tutors will have greater opportunity to teach, and with a growing tutor population, students will have more opportunities to learn.

As the WyzAnt community continues to grow, so too will the WyzAnt Rewards Program and the opportunity for tutors and students to earn points. Stay posted for new ways to earn points including contributing educational materials to the website, entering to win fun contests, providing helpful feedback and more. To learn more about the Rewards Program, login to your account and click onWyzAnt Rewards

WyzAnt Offers New Discount Package!

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:22:11 -0600

Wyzant is excited to announce a new tutoring package for purchases of $2,500 or more. With a discount rate of 20% and savings starting at $500, this new lesson package is our best value offer yet. Have a child heading back to school? Looking to learn a new language? This package is perfect for curious minds who want to make a serious commitment to education. Remember, your WyzAnt credit is good for any number of students, with any of our tutors, anywhere in the country!

Leading Student-Tutor Matching Service Deploys Quova's IP Geolocation Data to Localize Web Content and Advertising, Increasing Conversion Rates by 50%

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Quova, Inc., the leading provider of Internet geolocation data services, today announced that WyzAnt, a national provider of private tutoring services, is using the Quova On-Demand IP geolocation service to localize content, seamlessly connecting students with tutors that match their location, need and budget. Implemented as part of a major Web overhaul initiative, Quova's geolocation data enables WyzAnt to pinpoint the IP address of each visitor, down to a zip code level, and display a landing page featuring tutors in their local area, greatly improving WyzAnt's conversion rates.
Read More

Fox News Chicago Features WyzAnt, Inc. as one of the Cities Best Part-Time Jobs

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

On December 24, 2008, Fox News Chicago ran a story featuring the best part-time jobs in the Chicago area. With the help of local tutor Sarah Southcott and student Rachel O'Donnell, the Fox team conducted an interview explaining how WyzAnt allows people to make money while helping students in their community achieve their academic goals.

In-Home Tutoring Service WyzAnt.com Partners with Chicago’s Crane Tech Prep High School to “Give the Gift of Education” this Holiday Season

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – Wyzant.com, a Chicago-based website where students find local tutors with expertise in more than 150 different subjects, announced today it will donate $10 for each student who registers on Wyzant.com to help Chicago’s Crane Tech Prep High School. To register on WyzAnt.com, students simply search for and contact local tutors, but no purchase is necessary.

The new “Give the Gift of Education” program is already increasing the website’s traffic and registrations. The program will also offer one free tutoring lesson to all new students who visit WyzAnt.com and contact a tutor between December 15 and January 15.
Read More

Wyzant.com In-Home Tutoring Service Launches New Website Interface

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt Tutoring - a national provider of private tutoring services,
released the latest version of the company’s leading tutor-student matching website on Tuesday, November 1. The newly optimized site will allow WyzAnt to increase its presence; the tutoring and test prep industry estimates 2008 sales of over 40 billion dollars (2009 Barnes Reports: US Exam Preparation and Tutoring Industry)
Read More

Wyzant.com Online Tutor Matching Service Sees Remarkable Growth as Parents Seek Tutors to Help Kids Improve Grades

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Parents seeking tutors to help their kids improve their grades
are turning to WyzAnt's private tutoring service, an online matching service that connects local college students, teachers, retirees and other professionals with students who need tutors to improve their grades.
Read More

WyzAnt Tutoring Service Celebrates Milestone with Free In-Home Tutoring Lesson

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WyzAnt.com, a tutoring service that matches students with tutors, now has 10,000 certified tutors and is celebrating by offering all new customers a free lesson with the tutor of their choice. WyzAnt offers homework help, test prep tutoring, music instruction, foreign languages and more.
Read More

WyzAnt Tutoring, Teaching and Coaching

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WyzAnt (pronounced "Wise Ant") has a fully searchable database of over 10,000 tutors who teach over 140 different subjects. These certified tutors come to your home to teach you any academic subject, musical instrument, foreign language or test prep. With WyzAnt, every lesson is guaranteed. We are so confident in our tutors that if you are unsatisfied in any way with your lesson we will provide you with a different tutor and the next lesson is on us. WyzAnt provides a way for you to search for a tutor, pay for a lesson, and schedule it all online. Please visit WyzAnt Tutoring Service online or call (703)945-1835.

How Tutors can use WyzAnt

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

This article will introduce the WyzAnt service. This is unlike most online tutoring services. WyzAnt connects tutors with students and the tutoring occurs in the students home or other safe places.
Read More

Now Accepting Amex

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:43:29 -0500

Good news if your an Amex user. In addition to Visa and MasterCard, we are now accepting American Express. Current clients are welcome to change their billing preferences if they'd rather have their Amex card as the primary credit card on the account.

Direct Deposit Now Available

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:43:29 -0500

All WyzAnt tutors now have the option of receiving their paychecks via direct deposit. Registering is simple and can be done via the link on the My Account page. Stay tuned for more helpful features to be released in the near future.

Over 5000 Tutors!

Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

WyzAnt.com recently surpassed the 5,000 tutor mark for the first time, further distinguishing itself as the largest directory of certified tutors on the internet.

WyzAnt now boasts over 50+ tutors in 26 US markets. New York City has the most tutors (444) followed closely by Los Angeles (403), Chicago (372), Boston (311), Washington DC (290), Portland OR (246), San Diego (205), San Francisco (204) and Atlanta (190).

By subject, WyzAnt currently has 500 or more tutors in 26 different subjects ranging from SAT test prep to French instruction. Other popular subjects include piano, English, elementary education, ESL, algebra, reading and biology.

WyzAnt’s customer base is growing in step with its tutors; the company has attracted over 1,000 new customers in 2008 year to date. Particularly notable is the company’s growth in West Coast markets, Texas, Florida and Atlanta.

The company’s rapid growth is good news to those people who are seeking an in-home tutor or are interested in being a tutor part-time.

WyzAnt.com Helps Tutors Connect with Students

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt and Tutorz: the perfect match when it comes to connecting tutors and students.
The web services of Tutorz.com have teamed with the professional tutoring expertise of WyzAnt.com to generate an academically effective online connection between students and tutors. Now that Tutorz and WyzAnt have joined forces, it is simpler than ever for tutors and students to find each other online.
Read More

WyzAnt.com and Tutorz Partner to Help Students with Homework and Academic Performance

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Leading Tutor Directory, WyzAnt.com, Enters New Markets

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

WyzAnt's
new markets include San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chicago. Previously, WyzAnt has restricted its business primarily to Boston, Washington DC, New York City. WyzAnt President, Andrew Geant, cites the company's "improved marketing and recruiting techniques and more sophisticated web systems" as the catalyst behind its decision to expand into these new markets.

More New Cities

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

WyzAnt is now highly active in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. We’d like to welcome our new West Coast customers and tutors. We are also making inroads in Portland, OR and Sacramento, so if you’re in one of these markets, keep an eye out for our new tutors being added daily. WyzAnt offers you a highly searchable directory of in-home tutors in all academic subjects, musical instruments, computer instruction, foreign languages and more.

Other growing markets include Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Orange County.

To search tutors in all our cities, visit us at WyzAnt.com.

XML Feed

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

WyzAnt has created an XML feed so that other websites can easily access our tutor data and list it on their sites. This is a great tool for websites who rely on content to drive traffic. We’ve made it easy for you to gain access to our data on over 15,500 tutors. Just go to WyzAnt.com/feed.aspx.

New Email System

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0500

All WyzAnt tutors now have a new, internal email system to help manage their clients. The new system means that tutors now can do all their messaging, lesson-logging, and job-searching from one website. We hope you find the new system useful.

WyzAnt Grows Into New Markets

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:45:19 -0600

WyzAnt has taken several large steps this month towards expanding its operations, primarily into the greater New York, Boston and Chicago markets. WyzAnt has been active on a national scale of over a year now, and it has now committed substantial resources to penetrate its satellite markets more thoroughly.

So if you're a client in one of these new markets, be on the look out for a much greater selection of tutors. And if you're a tutor, now is a great time to join the WyzAnt team.

WyzAnt Works Closely With Educational Charities

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt,Inc (www.WyzAnt.com) forged two close partnerships with educational charities in 2006. WyzAnt’s recruiting and tutor management systems have made the company an asset to these
charities in their search for and management of qualified tutors.
Read More

WyzAnt Works Closely With Educational Charities

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt forged two close partnerships with educational charities in 2006. WyzAnt’s recruiting and tutor management systems have made the company an asset to these charities in their search for and management of qualified tutors.

In August, WyzAnt began providing tutors for Catholic Charities in Hartford, CT. Catholic Charities helps immigrant children in East Hartford. WyzAnt’s tutors provide SAT prep, homework assistance and guidance to these children.

In October, WyzAnt became a major recruiting resource for the Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) in New York City. WyzAnt provides the HCZ with over 30 tutors, all of whom work approximately 24 hours per week. These tutors help Harlem Children prepare for New York State tests. They also provide homework assistance, encouragement and mentorship.

WyzAnt intends to increase this contract-based aspect of its operations in 2007.

New Features for Tutors and Students

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt continues to improve its user experience by adding helpful new features to its website. For tutors, these include a revamped homepage with more useful data about earnings, schedules, etc. For students, we’ve revamped the payment process and added a “My Tutors” feature. Students now also have the option of alerting multiple tutors at once about their needs.

We hope you enjoy these new features. There are plenty more to come in 2007. As always, we encourage your feedback and ideas.

WyzAnt Will Find You a Tutor

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500

WyzAnt’s network of partner Universities and recruiters has grown to enable us to find customers the exact tutor they need.

With over 1000 tutors listed on WyzAnt.com, WyzAnt can usually provide enough options for customers in its major markets. However, in more obscure subjects or less populated areas, customers may not find a tutor that suits their needs. In these cases, WyzAnt is now encouraging customers to contact us and let us know what type of tutor they want.

Let WyzAnt do the work for you…and for free. WyzAnt calls upon local universities and various recruiting resources to find its customers the perfect tutor. Often times, the search is complete in just a few days. If you or someone you know is having trouble finding a tutor, send WyzAnt an email today!

Elementary Education

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0600

You may notice some new faces on our website. We’ve been doing a lot of recruiting lately in order to provide with you even more qualified tutors from which to choose. We have focused especially on recruiting experienced elementary education instructors for our customers with children in grades K-6. It is critical to get children started on the right track from the very beginning; our elementary education tutors have degrees in elementary education studies and all have great experience teaching children. To learn more about these tutors, do a search for "Elementary Education" in your zip code.

WyzAnt Inc., a tutoring company in Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland, is now providing free tutoring to deserving students through its charity, WyzAide

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt, Inc., a tutoring company in Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland, is now providing free tutoring to deserving students through its charity, WyzAide. WyzAnt, pronounced 'wise-ant,' is a tutoring company that has over ninety part-time tutors teaching more than eighty subjects. The company offers an advanced website (www.wyzant.com) that allows visitors to search for a tutor by a number of criteria. Once you find a tutor on WyzAnt.com, you can schedule and pay for the tutor right online, simplifying the often-troublesome task of hiring a tutor.
Read More

WyzAnt Expands

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600

WyzAnt is pleased to announce its expansion into Metropolitan Chicago and Central New Jersey. If you are looking for a tutor in these markets, let us know! Someone from our office will be happy to help you get started. Customers in New Jersey and Chicago can expect the same outstanding instruction and customer service as our Mid-Atlantic customers have grown to know us for.

Package Deals

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Now is the perfect time to sign up with WyzAnt! We’ve just introduced several limited time specials. When considering which package to buy, keep in mind that your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. So go ahead and save more money by purchasing a bigger package; you have nothing to lose!

School Papers

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0600

Did you see our ad in your high school newspaper? Call us