PhD College English Professor | AP English • IB Lit • Essay Writing

Scott D.

For the past 27 years, I've helped more than 2,500 students become stronger readers, writers, and critical thinkers. As a professor of English Literature with a PhD from New York University, I’ve taught, coached, and mentored students who have gone on to attend leading universities and graduate programs, including Dartmouth, Penn Law, and USC Film School. I have read and responded to thousands of student essays, from introductory composition to advanced literary research. My goal is to help you become a more confident and effective writer and thinker, not simply to finish one assignment.

Rather than focusing primarily on test strategies, I've spent nearly three decades teaching the very skills colleges expect students to master. My goal isn't simply to help students earn a higher grade; it's to teach them how to think, analyze, and communicate with confidence. Those skills translate into stronger essays, better AP and IB exam performance, greater success in college, and more effective writing long after the assignment is over. I also provide detailed coaching for college application essays, helping students discover meaningful topics, refine their voice, and avoid clichés and AI-sounding writing. Whether you are just starting out in college or need guidance on your senior honors thesis, I can help your college writing at any stage of development.

We'll meet conveniently and flexibly over Zoom. I welcome students from anywhere in the United States. Sessions are conversational, challenging, and encouraging. We'll work together to identify strengths, address areas that need improvement, and develop concrete strategies that you can apply independently. Whether you need help organizing ideas, interpreting literature, or need difficult concepts explained clearly, I understand and work with varied learning styles.