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SAT, ACT, college essays, writing, English, history, languages
Curt S.

4.9 (146 ratings)

841 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $50
Contact Curt

Response time: 7 hours

Curt S.'s Photo

SAT, ACT, college essays, writing, English, history, languages
SAT, ACT, college essays, writing, English, history, languages
Curt S.

4.9 (146 ratings)

841 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
4.9 (146 ratings)

841 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

About Curt

Bio

Hi, my name is Curt, and I'm an experienced tutor for high school students in SAT/ACT test prep, college essays, writing and academic subjects. I began tutoring for the SAT and ACT several years ago as a Ph.D. student in comparative literature at Harvard. I had several years of experience teaching university courses, and since I had had good success taking the standardized tests myself, I thought I might be able to share some helpful insights and strategies with students taking the tests now....

Hi, my name is Curt, and I'm an experienced tutor for high school students in SAT/ACT test prep, college essays, writing and academic subjects. I began tutoring for the SAT and ACT several years ago as a Ph.D. student in comparative literature at Harvard. I had several years of experience teaching university courses, and since I had had good success taking the standardized tests myself, I thought I might be able to share some helpful insights and strategies with students taking the tests now.

I love and have experience teaching students of all levels and abilities, including students with learning disabilities such as ADHD and Executive Function Disorder. There's no magic formula in tutoring. A good tutor, like a good teacher, will have a strong knowledge of the subject and ability to convey that knowledge, and will be dedicated, engaging, caring and efficient, and I would love to be that tutor for you! I am a high school English teacher by day, so generally my availability is nights and weekends now, except in the summer, but I am available for in-person lessons for students in the Denver metro area and for online students anywhere. Please send me a message, and I will be happy to set up a program that will be just right for you to help you achieve your goals. So send me a message!

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Education

Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio
Modern Languages
Harvard University
Masters
Harvard University
PhD

Policies

Schedule

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Subjects

Corporate Training

French,

French

I've been studying French for much of my life. I got a 6 (out of 7) the International Baccalaureate (IB) French exam in high school, and I was valedictorian of my college, with a major in Modern Languages, with French as my primary language of study. I just received my Ph.D. in comparative literature, again with French as my primary language of study. So if you need help in French class, or just with deciphering the label on an alarmingly stinky package of French cheese, leave me a message, I can help!
German,

German

I've been studying German for about 10 years now. I was valedictorian of my undergraduate college, where I majored in Modern Languages, with German as one of my main languages of study, and just completed my Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at Harvard, also with German as one of my main languages of study. So if Deutsch ist ein Problem for you right now, let me know, and I can help!
Grammar,

Grammar

I've been specializing in writing and grammar for much of my life. I was valedictorian as an undergraduate, majoring in modern languages, and I just completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature. I've tutored in writing and grammar all the way back to when I was in high school, when I used to volunteer in the writing lab. So even if the thought of diagramming a sentence makes you want to run screaming into the night, I can help!
Proofreading

Proofreading

I have a lot of experience with proofreading. I've been a university instructor of English, taught undergraduate courses as a Ph.D. student at Harvard, and have been a writing tutor on and off since high school. In all those capacities I've proofread students' essays and papers, and helped them achieve impeccable syntax and clarity. I can do the same for you!

Elementary Education

Grammar,

Grammar

I've been specializing in writing and grammar for much of my life. I was valedictorian as an undergraduate, majoring in modern languages, and I just completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature. I've tutored in writing and grammar all the way back to when I was in high school, when I used to volunteer in the writing lab. So even if the thought of diagramming a sentence makes you want to run screaming into the night, I can help!
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of my true passions in life. I have been a high school English/Language Arts teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature at Harvard, where I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, and I've been tutoring high school students in reading subjects for 8+ years. So whether you love reading too or whether you dread the very sight of "The Scarlet Letter" (or both), I can help!
Vocabulary

English

ACT English,

ACT English

As a student, I got a 34 on the ACT English section, and I have 4+ years of tutoring students for the test. Most of my students see a rise of 2-4 points on their scores. My belief is that while the concepts tested on the ACT are readily graspable for most students, the difficulty lies in rapidly determining what is actually being asked on a particular question, and my tutoring philosophy is based on that idea. Please contact me for to set up an appointment!
ACT Reading,

ACT Reading

I'm an experienced tutor with 4+ years of tutoring for the ACT Reading section. Most of my students have seen a 2-4 point increase in their scores. As a student I got a 36 on the Reading section, and I have a good understanding of how to crack the test. My tutoring philosophy is based on my belief that the hardest aspect of the test is determining what is actually being asked, so along with reviewing content, I focus on helping students to rapidly and accurately assess what they are being asked and to pick among the possible answers.
English,

English

Between reading, writing, and literature, English is pretty much my life. I have been teaching high school English for 3+ years, and have been an English tutor for 8+ years. In high school I received a 5 on the AP English test and a 7 (out of 7) on the International Baccalaureate (IB) test, and I received my Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard. I would love to help you excel in your English classes as well, just leave me a message!
Grammar,

Grammar

I've been specializing in writing and grammar for much of my life. I was valedictorian as an undergraduate, majoring in modern languages, and I just completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature. I've tutored in writing and grammar all the way back to when I was in high school, when I used to volunteer in the writing lab. So even if the thought of diagramming a sentence makes you want to run screaming into the night, I can help!
Literature,

Literature

Literature has been the love of my life as long as I can remember. I just completed my dream of finishing a Ph.D. program in comparative literature, and I have years of experience in teaching and tutoring it. So whatever your questions and difficulties may be, leave me a message, I can help!
Proofreading,

Proofreading

I have a lot of experience with proofreading. I've been a university instructor of English, taught undergraduate courses as a Ph.D. student at Harvard, and have been a writing tutor on and off since high school. In all those capacities I've proofread students' essays and papers, and helped them achieve impeccable syntax and clarity. I can do the same for you!
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of my true passions in life. I have been a high school English/Language Arts teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature at Harvard, where I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, and I've been tutoring high school students in reading subjects for 8+ years. So whether you love reading too or whether you dread the very sight of "The Scarlet Letter" (or both), I can help!
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

I have a strong understanding of how the SAT Reading test makers think and how to excel on this test. I got an 800 on it myself, I have more than eight years' experience tutoring students on it, and on average my students are able to raise their scores by 100-300 points. I help students to learn the tricks of how to read and process long reading passages, answer confusing and vague questions, build vocabulary skills, and much more!
SAT Writing,

SAT Writing

The SAT Writing action has a lot of strange things on it, from obscure vocabulary to tests of grammar rules that don't make sense. I have a lot of experience with the test and understanding of how the test writers think, so I can help you to master it all. So leave me a message and we can set up an appointment!
Writing,

Writing

Teaching writing has been a big part of my life for a very long time. I have been a high school English teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I've also tutored in writing for 8+ years, and I've been a university instructor in English. As a Ph.D. student, I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, where I've edited and counseled students extensively on writing. I can do everything from basic proofreading to assisting you generate and express ideas and construct an argument. So leave me a message, I'd love to help!
Vocabulary

History

American History,

American History

For some people history might be old news, but it's been a passion of mine almost as long as I can remember. In high school I got a 5 on the AP U.S. History test and an 800 on the SAT U.S. History test. I minored in history as an undergraduate and I just received my Ph.D. in the humanities. So I have the know-how to help you excel on American History, just leave me a message and we can set up an appointment!
European History,

European History

I've always loved studying European history, to the point that I took the AP European History test in high school and got a 5 on it despite the fact that my school didn't have an AP European History class. After that I minored in history as an undergraduate and just wrapped up a Ph.D. program in the humanities at Harvard. So you're having trouble keeping straight the difference between the Industrial Revolution and the Velvet Revolution, leave me a message, I can help you make sense of it all!
Geography, World History

Homeschool

English,

English

Between reading, writing, and literature, English is pretty much my life. I have been teaching high school English for 3+ years, and have been an English tutor for 8+ years. In high school I received a 5 on the AP English test and a 7 (out of 7) on the International Baccalaureate (IB) test, and I received my Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard. I would love to help you excel in your English classes as well, just leave me a message!
French,

French

I've been studying French for much of my life. I got a 6 (out of 7) the International Baccalaureate (IB) French exam in high school, and I was valedictorian of my college, with a major in Modern Languages, with French as my primary language of study. I just received my Ph.D. in comparative literature, again with French as my primary language of study. So if you need help in French class, or just with deciphering the label on an alarmingly stinky package of French cheese, leave me a message, I can help!
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of my true passions in life. I have been a high school English/Language Arts teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature at Harvard, where I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, and I've been tutoring high school students in reading subjects for 8+ years. So whether you love reading too or whether you dread the very sight of "The Scarlet Letter" (or both), I can help!
SAT Math,

SAT Math

As a student, I got an 800 on the SAT Math section, and I have 4+ years of tutoring students for the test. Most of my students see a rise of 100-300 points on their scores. My belief is that while the concepts tested on the SAT are readily graspable for most students, the difficulty lies in rapidly determining what is actually being asked on a particular question, and my tutoring philosophy is based on that idea. Please contact me to set up an appointment!
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

I have a strong understanding of how the SAT Reading test makers think and how to excel on this test. I got an 800 on it myself, I have more than eight years' experience tutoring students on it, and on average my students are able to raise their scores by 100-300 points. I help students to learn the tricks of how to read and process long reading passages, answer confusing and vague questions, build vocabulary skills, and much more!
Writing

Writing

Teaching writing has been a big part of my life for a very long time. I have been a high school English teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I've also tutored in writing for 8+ years, and I've been a university instructor in English. As a Ph.D. student, I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, where I've edited and counseled students extensively on writing. I can do everything from basic proofreading to assisting you generate and express ideas and construct an argument. So leave me a message, I'd love to help!

Language

French,

French

I've been studying French for much of my life. I got a 6 (out of 7) the International Baccalaureate (IB) French exam in high school, and I was valedictorian of my college, with a major in Modern Languages, with French as my primary language of study. I just received my Ph.D. in comparative literature, again with French as my primary language of study. So if you need help in French class, or just with deciphering the label on an alarmingly stinky package of French cheese, leave me a message, I can help!
German

German

I've been studying German for about 10 years now. I was valedictorian of my undergraduate college, where I majored in Modern Languages, with German as one of my main languages of study, and just completed my Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at Harvard, also with German as one of my main languages of study. So if Deutsch ist ein Problem for you right now, let me know, and I can help!

Math

SAT Math

SAT Math

As a student, I got an 800 on the SAT Math section, and I have 4+ years of tutoring students for the test. Most of my students see a rise of 100-300 points on their scores. My belief is that while the concepts tested on the SAT are readily graspable for most students, the difficulty lies in rapidly determining what is actually being asked on a particular question, and my tutoring philosophy is based on that idea. Please contact me to set up an appointment!

Most Popular

English,

English

Between reading, writing, and literature, English is pretty much my life. I have been teaching high school English for 3+ years, and have been an English tutor for 8+ years. In high school I received a 5 on the AP English test and a 7 (out of 7) on the International Baccalaureate (IB) test, and I received my Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard. I would love to help you excel in your English classes as well, just leave me a message!
French,

French

I've been studying French for much of my life. I got a 6 (out of 7) the International Baccalaureate (IB) French exam in high school, and I was valedictorian of my college, with a major in Modern Languages, with French as my primary language of study. I just received my Ph.D. in comparative literature, again with French as my primary language of study. So if you need help in French class, or just with deciphering the label on an alarmingly stinky package of French cheese, leave me a message, I can help!
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of my true passions in life. I have been a high school English/Language Arts teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature at Harvard, where I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, and I've been tutoring high school students in reading subjects for 8+ years. So whether you love reading too or whether you dread the very sight of "The Scarlet Letter" (or both), I can help!
Writing

Writing

Teaching writing has been a big part of my life for a very long time. I have been a high school English teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I've also tutored in writing for 8+ years, and I've been a university instructor in English. As a Ph.D. student, I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, where I've edited and counseled students extensively on writing. I can do everything from basic proofreading to assisting you generate and express ideas and construct an argument. So leave me a message, I'd love to help!

Other

Geography

Science

ACT Science

ACT Science

I bring experience and knowledge to students studying for the ACT Science section. I've been tutoring for it for 8+ years, and on average students are able to raise their scores on it by 4-6 points with my help. Along with reviewing content I focus on helping students to filter out extraneous information and concentrate on what is actually being asked in each question and the vital information they will need to answer it correctly, which I believe to be generally the biggest obstacle to success on the test.

Summer

French,

French

I've been studying French for much of my life. I got a 6 (out of 7) the International Baccalaureate (IB) French exam in high school, and I was valedictorian of my college, with a major in Modern Languages, with French as my primary language of study. I just received my Ph.D. in comparative literature, again with French as my primary language of study. So if you need help in French class, or just with deciphering the label on an alarmingly stinky package of French cheese, leave me a message, I can help!
German,

German

I've been studying German for about 10 years now. I was valedictorian of my undergraduate college, where I majored in Modern Languages, with German as one of my main languages of study, and just completed my Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at Harvard, also with German as one of my main languages of study. So if Deutsch ist ein Problem for you right now, let me know, and I can help!
Reading,

Reading

Reading is one of my true passions in life. I have been a high school English/Language Arts teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I completed my Ph.D. in comparative literature at Harvard, where I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, and I've been tutoring high school students in reading subjects for 8+ years. So whether you love reading too or whether you dread the very sight of "The Scarlet Letter" (or both), I can help!
SAT Math,

SAT Math

As a student, I got an 800 on the SAT Math section, and I have 4+ years of tutoring students for the test. Most of my students see a rise of 100-300 points on their scores. My belief is that while the concepts tested on the SAT are readily graspable for most students, the difficulty lies in rapidly determining what is actually being asked on a particular question, and my tutoring philosophy is based on that idea. Please contact me to set up an appointment!
Writing

Writing

Teaching writing has been a big part of my life for a very long time. I have been a high school English teacher for the past three years, teaching courses like American and World Literature. I've also tutored in writing for 8+ years, and I've been a university instructor in English. As a Ph.D. student, I taught undergraduate courses in literature and philosophy, where I've edited and counseled students extensively on writing. I can do everything from basic proofreading to assisting you generate and express ideas and construct an argument. So leave me a message, I'd love to help!

Test Preparation

ACT English,

ACT English

As a student, I got a 34 on the ACT English section, and I have 4+ years of tutoring students for the test. Most of my students see a rise of 2-4 points on their scores. My belief is that while the concepts tested on the ACT are readily graspable for most students, the difficulty lies in rapidly determining what is actually being asked on a particular question, and my tutoring philosophy is based on that idea. Please contact me for to set up an appointment!
ACT Reading,

ACT Reading

I'm an experienced tutor with 4+ years of tutoring for the ACT Reading section. Most of my students have seen a 2-4 point increase in their scores. As a student I got a 36 on the Reading section, and I have a good understanding of how to crack the test. My tutoring philosophy is based on my belief that the hardest aspect of the test is determining what is actually being asked, so along with reviewing content, I focus on helping students to rapidly and accurately assess what they are being asked and to pick among the possible answers.
ACT Science,

ACT Science

I bring experience and knowledge to students studying for the ACT Science section. I've been tutoring for it for 8+ years, and on average students are able to raise their scores on it by 4-6 points with my help. Along with reviewing content I focus on helping students to filter out extraneous information and concentrate on what is actually being asked in each question and the vital information they will need to answer it correctly, which I believe to be generally the biggest obstacle to success on the test.
SAT Math,

SAT Math

As a student, I got an 800 on the SAT Math section, and I have 4+ years of tutoring students for the test. Most of my students see a rise of 100-300 points on their scores. My belief is that while the concepts tested on the SAT are readily graspable for most students, the difficulty lies in rapidly determining what is actually being asked on a particular question, and my tutoring philosophy is based on that idea. Please contact me to set up an appointment!
SAT Reading,

SAT Reading

I have a strong understanding of how the SAT Reading test makers think and how to excel on this test. I got an 800 on it myself, I have more than eight years' experience tutoring students on it, and on average my students are able to raise their scores by 100-300 points. I help students to learn the tricks of how to read and process long reading passages, answer confusing and vague questions, build vocabulary skills, and much more!
SAT Writing

SAT Writing

The SAT Writing action has a lot of strange things on it, from obscure vocabulary to tests of grammar rules that don't make sense. I have a lot of experience with the test and understanding of how the test writers think, so I can help you to master it all. So leave me a message and we can set up an appointment!

Ratings and Reviews

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Student/Athlete Test Review

I hired Curt to work with an athlete on my track team who needed help preparing for the ACT. He really appreciated Curt's teaching style and learned several techniques that immediately provided him with the confidence needed to prepare for and face the exam.

Wayne, 2 lessons with Curt
Hourly Rate: $50
Response time: 7 hours
Contact Curt