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Harvey Mudd/Cornell grad; multi-subject, empathetic tutor
Ryan Y.

5.0 (515 ratings)

2,068 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $100
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Response time: 53 minutes
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About Ryan

Bio

Hi folks! My name is Ryan. I'm a full-time tutor and former physicist/astronomer with an excellent background in math, science, and English composition. I have 15 years teaching/tutoring experience with high school and college students. My primary subjects are physics, chemistry and math (from Algebra 1 to Calc II and Stats). I also consult with students on essays for college and scholarship applications.

I've recently tutored students from the following schools:

High Schools:
Brea...

Hi folks! My name is Ryan. I'm a full-time tutor and former physicist/astronomer with an excellent background in math, science, and English composition. I have 15 years teaching/tutoring experience with high school and college students. My primary subjects are physics, chemistry and math (from Algebra 1 to Calc II and Stats). I also consult with students on essays for college and scholarship applications.

I've recently tutored students from the following schools:

High Schools:
Brea Olinda
Canyon
Centennial (Woodstock, MD)
Cerritos*
Copenhagen International School (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Cypress
Damien
Diamond Bar
El Modena
Fairmont Preparatory Academy
Fullerton
Glen A. Wilson*
Hokkaido International School
Huntington Beach
La Canada Flintridge
La Habra
La Puente
La Serna
Los Altos
Oxford Academy (Cypress)
Rosary
Rosemead
San Dimas
San Marino
Servite
Sonora
Sunny Hills*
Troy*
Walnut
Walworth Barbour American International School (Even Yehuda, Israel)
Whitney*
Whittier Christian
Yorba Linda

*Typically tutor students from these high schools every year

Colleges:

CSU Long Beach
CSU Fullerton
Cerritos CC
Chapman
Claremont McKenna
Emory
Fullerton CC
Georgetown
Harvey Mudd
Johns Hopkins
McGill
Mt. San Antonio CC
San Francisco State
Scripps
UC Irvine
UCLA
USC
Whittier

I'm a National AP Scholar, National Merit Scholar, and NSF Graduate Research Fellow. I got a 1580 on my SAT and a 1520 on my GRE. I took and passed 10 AP tests (8 5s, 2 4s).

Perhaps most importantly, I've been told I am very empathetic. I am a product of public K-12 education and understand where kids are coming from who attend those schools. I also know that, particularly in math and the hard sciences, much of my work will be confidence building and challenging the negative self-talk about "not being a math person."

I love what I do! Please feel free to ask if you have any questions. Hope to hear from you soon!

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Education

Harvey Mudd College
Physics
Cornell University
Masters
University of Rome, Tor Vergata
Graduate Coursework

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $100
  • Rate details: Cancellation policy: 1/2 of rate for the scheduled lesson; increases to full rate after multiple cancellations.
  • Lesson cancellation: 36 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 2/7/2013

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ACT Reading

ACT Reading

I have tutored several students in ACT across all four subjects. My experience has been that students tend to find the English and Reading portions slightly easier than the corresponding sections on the SAT. However, despite its name, the science section tests quick reasoning and data interpretation, not scientific knowledge per se. Most students, even those with a strong science background, experience the most time pressure on that subject. I've also advised students and parents regarding the different approaches schools take with regard to accepting scores. Many schools superscore the SAT, while most schools do not do that with the ACT.
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

Teaching experience: taught course at the high school level in Algebra 2 Tutoring experience: private tutor of five students in algebra 2
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

Teaching experience: taught course in Algebra 2 at the high school level Tutoring experience: private tutor of algebra 2 Textbooks owned: Algebra and Trigonometry, 7th edition (Sullivan) Algebra and Trigonometry, 4th edition (Sullivan and Sullivan)
Astronomy

Astronomy

Experience: Tutoring experience: tutored students at college level in introductory astronomy B.S. in Physics (high honors) with an emphasis on astronomy. Relevant coursework:introductory astrophysics, planetary astrophysics, x-ray astronomy, observational astronomy, optics, quantum mechanics M.S. in Astrophysics and Space Sciences Relevant coursework: galactic astrophysics; planetary astrophysics; infrared and optical instrumentation; electrodynamics. Field experience: Optical observations at Table Mountain Observatory; Near-IR observations using adaptive optics and aperture masking interferometry at Palomar Observatory. Textbooks owned: Introduction to Astronomy (Carroll and Ostlie) Planetary Sciences (De Pater and Lissauer) and many, many more.
Calculus

Calculus

5 on AP Calculus AB exam College coursework: Calculus; differential equations; linear algebra; multivariable calculus; Fourier series and boundary value problems (partial differential equations) Teaching experience: taught course in AP Calculus at the high school level Textbooks owned: Vector Calculus Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems Applied Complex Analysis with Partial Differential Equations Linear Algebra and Its Applications
Chemistry

Chemistry

Received a 4 on AP Chemistry test (independent study) College coursework: two semester courses of college chemistry Tutoring experience: private tutor of college-level chemistry Textbooks owned: Principles of Modern Chemistry (Oxtoby and Nachtreib)
College Counseling

College Counseling

I have worked with five separate high school students to help them prepare for the college applications process. Together, we generate a schedule and study plan that will improve performance on the required standardized tests. I also provide guidelines as to the content, tone, and structure of the personal statement. Finally, I also provide guidance about the heavier importance most students should place on financial aid, and guide them through this process. I do not discourage scholarship applications, but I manage expectations, and provide guidance about essay content tailored to the specific scholarship.
Geometry

Geometry

Experience: high school teacher of geometry Tutoring experience in geometry Textbooks owned: Discovering Geometry: An Investigative Approach Glencoe Geometry
Physics

Physics

Bachelors of Science in Physics (high honors) Teaching experience in high school physics Tutoring experience in high school and college physics Undergraduate coursework: Introductory mechanics; special relativity; electricity and magnetism; quantum mechanics (two courses); field theory; theoretical mechanics; statistical mechanics and thermodynamics; lab coursework in mechanics; quantum mechanics; electricity and magnetism; optics; electronics; observational astronomy; general relativity; fluid mechanics Graduate coursework: electrodynamics; quantum mechanics; various astrophysics courses Related coursework: calculus; differential equations; partial differential equations; linear algebra Textbooks owned: Physics. Vol. 1 and 2 (Halliday, Resnick and Krane) College Physics (Serway and Faughn) various others...
Precalculus

Precalculus

Teaching experience in high school precalculus Tutoring experience in precalculus Textbooks owned: Precalculus (Foerstter) Precalculus: 2nd edition (Blitzer)
SAT Math

SAT Math

I scored an 800 on SAT math. I was a tutor for both SAT I math and SAT II Math IIC. I was an SAT instructor at camp in South Korea - Summer 2013. I am a former high school math teacher.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

Total SAT score (2000) of 1580 (780 Verbal, 800 Math) SAT instructor at a Korean test prep camp during summer 2013
Statistics

Statistics

5 on AP Statistics test Tutoring experience in college statistics College coursework: Probability and statistics Textbooks owned: Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (Gravetter and Wallnau)
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have experience generating calendars, schedules, and programs of study for high school and college students. I instruct students on how to read a text, how to take notes, how to create formula sheets for their personal use, how to store information for later use and citation in a paper, and how to organize their answers on a page. As a student, teacher, and tutor, I have learned the art of focusing on the urgent and important (Stephen Covey's method) and prioritizing academic work.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

Trigonometry is typically not taught as a standalone subject. It is usually folded into a precalculus/math analysis class taken the year after Algebra 2. By far, student regularly cite this as the most challenging portion of a precalculus class. It requires a great deal of memorization and an ability to juggle multiple equations/identities. I usually spend a great deal of time drilling students in the unit circle. We then transition to the basic and intermediate identities. Proving an identity is typically the hardest task. Once students develop their basic knowledge sufficiently, I give them a set of guidelines that provide possible strategies against trig identity problems. Note that the nature of the problems means that there is not a strict hierarchy of superordinate/subordinate rules. Rather, there are a few things that students can try on each problem. I make certain to teach *how* a student can recognize which tools are more likely to work in a given situation.
Writing

Writing

I have extensive experience tutoring high school and college students in writing essays. I also have experience teaching and tutoring high school ESL students in English writing. I received a 5 on the AP English Literature and Composition Exam, and a 5 on the AP English Language and Composition Exam. I have experience and a successful track record writing grant and funding applications.
ACT English
ACT Math
ACT Science
Elementary Math
Elementary Science
Physical Science
Prealgebra
Probability
Proofreading
PSAT
SAT Writing

Examples of Expertise

Ryan has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 14 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Ryan ’s answers ›
Ryan Y.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Ryan before you book.

Still have questions?

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Response time: 53 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (515 ratings)
5 star
(504)
4 star
(11)
3 star
(0)
2 star
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1 star
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Reviews

Knowledgeable and Patient!

Ryan has been an excellent tutor for my daughter. He has helped her in physics, AP Calculus, and SAT prep. She looks forward to his tutoring sessions and he is knowledgeable in many subjects. He is able to explain difficult concepts on her level. Ryan is helpful, patient, and punctual. He has been flexible with my daughter's busy schedule. I would highly recommend him.

Cori, 132 lessons with Ryan

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Ryan was able to help my daughter review the practice questions for her test and he taught her how to set the questions and let her think and find the way. She was ready for her test after this session. He asked questions to see if the subject was understood and he actually was very patient with her. Thank you Ryan.

Zehra, 1 lesson with Ryan
Tutor responded:

Thank you Zehra! Glad I was able to help!

Knowledgeable and Patient Educator

Ryan is the best! For every lesson, he came prepared with detailed notes, and after each session, he followed up with even more comprehensive written feedback. The best part is Ryan is very patient. Not only did he help my daughter earn an A in her astronomy class, but he also encouraged her to keep pursuing her interest in the subject. We’re so grateful for his dedication and support. Thank you!

Ellen, 9 lessons with Ryan
Tutor responded:

Thank you Ellen! It was a pleasure revisiting astronomy with your daughter. Hope she enjoyed it!

Excellent and Prepared

Ryan did an excellent job tutoring my daughter in Chemistry. He was knowledgeable, prepared, and kind. Thank you, Ryan! My daughter looks forward to her next lesson!

Becky, 14 lessons with Ryan

Effective Teacher and Highly Knowledgeable

Ryan provided tutoring for me in the area of Game Theory. I needed help understanding a complex Game Theory study for a research paper--he was able to decode the study's convoluted language and graphs for me, making the concepts tangbile enough for me to understand. I will definitely be booking sessions with him in the future!

Megan, 1 lesson with Ryan

Effective Teacher and Highly Knowledgeable

Ryan provided tutoring for me in the area of Game Theory. I needed help understanding a complex Game Theory study for a research paper--he was able to decode the study's convoluted language and graphs for me, making the concepts tangbile enough for me to understand. I will definitely be booking sessions with him in the future!

Megan, 1 lesson with Ryan

He is a knowledgeable tutor.

I think he is a conscientious teacher. I asked him to teach my son physics. I felt he was very professional and efficient. So I would like to recommend this teacher to you.

Elaina, 9 lessons with Ryan

Knowledgeable and flexible

My daughter attends college and was struggling with Statistics and now with Ryan’s help has been getting A's and B's. I appreciate his help with the amazing progress.

Rosita, 7 lessons with Ryan

Completely prepared and able to understand on the fly.

Ryan has a great grasp of calculus, and even with questions which are out of the ordinary or not what is used any longer, he is able to figure out how it is done and guide the student as to what should be done quick and efficiently.

Nadia, 2 lessons with Ryan

Outstanding tutor!

Ryan is an excellent Physics tutor! He is extremely knowledgable with the subject matter and very patient with our daughter. If you need a tutor, don't hesitate, contact Ryan and get started.

Richard, 4 lessons with Ryan
Tutor responded:

Thanks Richard! It's been a pleasure.

Hourly Rate: $100
Response time: 53 minutes
Contact Ryan