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Ivy educated Expert College Application, test prep tutor
Monica B.

4.9 (157 ratings)

600 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $165
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About Monica

Bio

I am an enthusiastic, experienced tutor with great reviews. I have helped dozens of high school and middle school students with their application essays, with amazing results. Most get into two of their top three schools. My style is flexible, and efficient, making the most of the time we work together. I teach specific strategies for each test, with identified targeted critical skills and tricks for taking the SAT, ACT, etc. I also teach essay writing and tutor for high school and college...

I am an enthusiastic, experienced tutor with great reviews. I have helped dozens of high school and middle school students with their application essays, with amazing results. Most get into two of their top three schools. My style is flexible, and efficient, making the most of the time we work together. I teach specific strategies for each test, with identified targeted critical skills and tricks for taking the SAT, ACT, etc. I also teach essay writing and tutor for high school and college courses, with expertise in psychology, history and English.

I have a Harvard BA in psychology, business training experience, and a law degree from Boston College. In addition, I have a masters in ESL. One non-negotiable element of being a successful tutor is establishing clear, honest and open communication, and knowing how to motivate each student. It's always best to get direct feedback from either you or your student, or both. My students get homework, and I only edit together with them. My goal is to offer long-term tips that the student uses throughout their careers. I need your support to make this a successful partnership.
I hope to hear from you and answer any questions you might have. I only take a few students each fall, and I have room for spring and summer students now.
Best,
Monica

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Education

Harvard College, Cambridge, MA
Psychology
Boston College Law School
J.D.
Simmons College
MEd

Additional Languages

French

Policies

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ACT English

ACT English

Many students find the ACT English section challenging. I have found several skill-building techniques that I share with my students, and they are happy to see their scores go up quite significantly. I would be happy to share my philosophy of ACT test prep with you, if you hire me.
ACT Math

ACT Math

The Math portion of the ACT is a perfect subject for tutoring. I enjoy preparing high school students for the ACT. In my experience, good students make tremendous progress when I can give them drills, strategies, and specific areas to work on, according to their own strengths and weaknesses. You are welcome to contact some of my references to hear success stories from previous students, who have improved their standardized scores dramatically after a few months of lessons. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
ACT Reading

ACT Reading

ACT reading requires concentration and good vocabulary. Because there is limited time, the pressure to read quickly is very clear. However, in addition, each student must realize that the details of the questions as well as the exact wording of the answers are very important. Learning to master the Critical Reading is a challenging task, but with my tips and strategies, my students find they gain confidence, skill, and many points as well.
ACT Science

ACT Science

For most students, once we work together on understanding the question structure for the ACT Science section, they find that this is a fun part of the test and their scores really go up a lot.
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I love teaching math, because there are significant building blocks that sometimes have been overlooked or skipped in prior lessons. So once I can teach the students how to approach class preparation, homework, test reviews and specific calculation methods, I often find a dramatic improvement. Especially for young women, gaining confidence in quantitative skills is so important and enhances their self-image and skills. Please contact me for a free consultation.
American History

American History

I am an experienced full-time tutor, and I have dedicated hours to mastering the curriculum in AP US History. Having a Harvard BA, a Law degree from BC, and loving US History, I have a strong appreciation of the subject. My experience includes tutoring college level, AP level and high school level courses. US History is always changing, and the AP exam has increased in difficulty in recent years. I find American History a fascinating subject that helps students appreciate the significance of current events, as well as developing a concept of how democracy functions. Students find my history lessons help develop memorization skills as well as strong writing skills. Please contact me for a free consult!
Bar Exam

Bar Exam

I am both an attorney and an experienced tutor. I graduated law school and passed the bar on my first try, in 1992. I attended BC Law School and took the BAR/BRI bar exam prep class and in fact acted as a BAR/BRI representative. The bar exam is a difficult hurdle to overcome, and it requires a different strategy than many of the exams a law student encounters in law school. I find that studying with the right approach makes the exam much more manageable.
College Counseling

College Counseling

I have been tutoring many students for the SAT and ACT, as well as assisting them with their college essays, for the past eight years. Helping edit the essays is one of my favorite tasks. In all, I have helped about 50 students with applications. In addition, I have tutored over 150 students in test prep, including goal-setting and college targets as part of the test preparation process. My knowledge of the college application process is extensive, as I have worked with several students from start-to-finish on acceptance, including the financial aid application process. I teach the use of college search directories, both online and in books. I also have access to aptitude evaluations and Naviance skills. My experience includes contact with high school and college admission counselors, who are very helpful to me and to my students' families. Please contact me for a free consultation.
English

English

Working with a student to improve their English is one of my favorite areas of tutoring. From grammar, spelling, sentence structure and critical reading skills, their basic communication improves. Also, working to develop the ability to read critically, and to analyze different types of literature are areas that my students enjoy learning.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

With a Harvard BA and a love of teaching, I completed an M.Ed. degree to become an ESL teacher. Over the past ten years, I have had worked successfully with teenage and adult students. Learning English reading, pronunciation and grammar are all very challenging, and I find that working one-on-one produces significant improvement. There are many good books available, but the best practice is speaking with a tutor. Please contact me and we can discuss more details.
European History

European History

I love both learning and teaching history. My ten years of full-time tutoring and especially my experience with the AP exam make me a valuable asset to my students. You will gain confidence and study tips, as well as advanced essay writing skills. Please contact me for a free consult!
Geometry

Geometry

Often students need reinforcement to truly master Geometry. I find that working one-on-one with a tutor makes learning Geometry fun, and can uncover the specific weaknesses that need correcting. Usually, a student makes terrific progress in Geometry if you work with them slowly and clearly, making sure they understand the building blocks. Geometry is one of my favorite subjects, and my students find it fun to study it with me.
GMAT

GMAT

I have ten years tutoring experience, as well as 15 years of business experience, and a JD plus an M.Ed. So I love to improve my students' test prep and academic performance. My expertise is math and vocabulary, as well as strategy and test taking tricks. Please contact me for more information, or for help with MBA coursework online!
Grammar

Grammar

I have always liked English grammar. It is an area that schools have neglected in the new middle school and high school curricula that I see, and I find my students are really happy to learn what I have to share. Each student finds that their reading, writing and general ability to express themselves really improves.
GRE

GRE

For the math, here is how I would approach it - we can review the types of problems, give you strategies to solve them, and practice, analyzing your mistakes so you can improve. Please let me know if you'd like to meet. For the verbal sections, we work on vocabulary, grammar, reading with strategic approaches, and various other necessary skills. I enjoy the challenge of helping talented students overcome the test barrier to be able to attend graduate school. And the analytic sections require specialized focus on the test itself.
Hebrew

Hebrew

I have lived in Israel and have worked with Israelis in Hebrew for over the years. Recently, I completed a M.Ed. at Simmons, and I have a Harvard BA that included two years of Hebrew. Speaking, reading and writing Hebrew give me great pleasure and I will pass that enthusiasm along to my students, to develop strong speaking and writing skills. I have tutored for Bar and Bat Mitzvah for years as well. My students and their families give me rave reviews!
IELTS

IELTS

I have been tutoring middle and high school students for the SSAT and IELTS for over ten years. My students enjoy the lessons, as I am able to make them fun while the students improve in leaps and bounds. The parents are included in communication about the progress we make, and my lessons are flexible and efficient. Please contact me for more details and see references on my account.
ISEE

ISEE

I have become acquainted with the ISEE and with its unique features. I have a Harvard BA, strong math and English skills, and 4 years tutoring through Wyzant and other services. My strengths include creative strategies for learning vocabulary, math tips, writing skill development, and more. I have investigated the ISEE and developed some specific strategies for that exam. I require students to work hard and practice, while I offer them support and encouragement. Preparing students for standardized tests requires patience, skilled listening as well as teaching, and the ability to motivate students and overcome their nervousness. In addition, I cultivate good relationships with both the parents and the young students, and they have been very satisfied with my help in all areas.
Law

Law

I am an attorney who has passed the bar and practiced for several years and would be glad to help any student prepare for law school, etc.
LSAT

LSAT

I am an experienced tutor as well as an attorney. The LSAT presents many challenges in analysis and logic, and working with a skilled tutor will help maximize your score.
Proofreading

Proofreading

One of my favorite tutoring tasks is assisting students with their college essays. The essay is the best opportunity for each student to distinguish themselves, for the admissions officer. While there is no simple approach to writing the 'best' essay, I know some tips that are quite useful. I am careful to preserve the style and personality of each writer. While the essay writing process has potential to cause stress to parents and students, this is a task ideally suited to tutoring. Why hire me? I have read many essays and quickly assess what is important to include (and remove), as a professional emotions do not cloud my judgment, and most importantly, I have a good sense of humor and a positive attitude toward helping students do their best and reduce their anxiety (and yours, as a parent).
Psychology

Psychology

I majored in Psychology in college, and have followed developments since that time with great interest. The new developments in psychology have a significant neurological and biological basis, which sometimes makes it more difficult than other social science courses. I enjoy tutoring for college level and AP courses, and I have over 10 years experience with advanced students. Please call me for a free consult!
Reading

Reading

The opportunity to help a student improve their reading skills is a wonderful experience. I find that when students read more fluently and easily, all of their schoolwork benefits. It is necessary to read in order to write well, which is a skill that is badly needed for college level work. I enjoy teaching high school students the 'tricks' for the ACT and SAT Reading sections, as well.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I teach SAT math in two stages: first, reviewing the basic concept areas (and usually students need to review at least one topic in depth). Then, once the basic skills are reinforced, there are lots of tips and tricks that I teach to help in raising a student's SAT math score. I've had great success showing improvement in the total score, and the students have fun as well.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

The SAT Critical Reading section is one of the most challenging innovations that the SAT testers have developed. My approach includes working with the students to improve their vocabulary, reading and analytical skills. Many of the questions involve the application of inference, logic and careful reading of each word in a sentence. There have been several students who have used the skills that I teach them to not only improve their test scores, but also improve their classroom work. There are great resources to improve specific skills, although there is no substitute for the student doing some voluntary reading! I very much enjoy seeing my students improve and respond to my tips and tricks, so don't hesitate to give me a chance to share them with your student.
SAT Writing

SAT Writing

In my experience with students, I have found that the writing section on the SAT is very challenging, and there is a huge advantage to working one-on-one with a mature, qualified teacher. The need to master the complex question structure, as well as tips and tricks that I can share, combine to make my tutoring for this section very successful!
Social Studies

Social Studies

I have a BA from Harvard and a law degree from BC. I also have worked in the social change arena for over 5 years, with a specialty in the Middle East. I am very well-versed in current events, and an excellent teacher of essays, advocacy pieces, and general analytic papers. Also, I have tutored about 30 students in the past 3 years and some of them have needed help with history, current events, etc.
SSAT

SSAT

SSAT scores depend upon a thorough review of the questions, and the basic topics being covered. This is like a 'junior SAT' exam, and most students who invest time in private lessons are very happy to see the improvement they can achieve in their score. At the same time, my lessons give students basic skills that they can use for all future test-taking and learning.
TOEFL

TOEFL

I am an experienced language tutor, with over six years of experience with students preparing for standardized tests. Many of my students are speakers of English as a Second Language. Often they find that the TOEFL is more challenging than the SAT or ACT, for example. My skills include diagnosing weaknesses, strengthening reading analysis skills, and improving the score in the speaking sections. I am currently Studying for a Master's in Education in a program to get certification for Teaching English as a Second Language. I am excellent at finding areas of weakness and developing strategies for mastering each section of the test, depending upon the individual situation. My students have ranged from beginners to high school college applicants, and even some adults who want to perfect their accent and grammar, and/or take the TOEFL.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is a basic building block for reading, writing and spoken communication. I teach vocabulary to every student who is preparing for a standardized SAT or ACT exam, and the students are thrilled to see the impact it has on their performance.
World History

World History

World history is a broad subject, and many students find that the amount of material is challenging. The methods I use include getting students to create a basic study method, to take notes, to use memorization strategies, and to develop confidence that they can learn history with success. Historical analysis involves both reading and learning to summarize the key points, and these skills are fundamental. Once a student masters the method of learning and making history into storytelling, then the lessons become fun and memorable.
Writing

Writing

As an experienced tutor and with several years working as a lawyer, I take great pleasure in helping students improve their writing skills. Editing is a collaborative process, and I make sure that each student's authentic voice shines through in the final product. I believe that essays and other written materials should be the result of the student's own work, not that of the editor or tutor. I would be delighted to help with whatever writing or editing assistance you may need.We can work in person, or have remote lessons. The minimum lesson time is one hour per session. Multiple sessions can get a discount.
Government & Politics
Microsoft Word
Prealgebra
PSAT

Examples of Expertise

Monica has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Monica ’s answers ›
Monica B.'s Photo

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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (157 ratings)
5 star
(143)
4 star
(11)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(2)

Reviews

Thanks for editing Monica

We had excellent communication and advise regarding collge admission essays. Monica was truely competnent and in accordance with our wishes that the essays should reflect the students Work. Thank you very much Monica.

Jonas, 2 lessons with Monica

Great tutor!

Monica help my son with the reading and verbal parts of the SSAT. He was struggling with those parts and Monica taught him strategies to get better at test-taking. She is very detailed, professional and helped my son building his confidence. Monica is excellent and we are happy that we found her.

Esteban, 2 lessons with Monica

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Monica is patient, creative and kind. She is helping my daughter develop strategies to do well at the SSAT test. She is detail oriented, professional and compassionate, all the qualities you need for an outstanding teacher.

Sandra, 6 lessons with Monica

Patient and Creative Tutor

Monica is an excellent tutor whom I would recommend enthusiastically. She worked with my son on his high school application essays. She is a patient and creative teacher who helped my son articulate his thoughts clearly and confidently. He really enjoyed working with Monica, and he got into his first choice school.

Donna, 4 lessons with Monica

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Monica is very knowledgeable in many areas. She shares her expertise in a supportive way. She works well with overwhelmed teenagers as they prepare for college entrance exams and the application process. Excellent tutor.

J., 6 lessons with Monica

Great tutor. Knowledgeable and flexible

My daughter worked with Monica for a few months and was very pleased with her approach, focus, and flexibility. Good strategy tools, and overall great experience. I would highly recommend her.

Ellen, 8 lessons with Monica

Positive Tutor

Monica was able to immediately alleviate my daughter's anxiety and frustration with writing and organizing her junior thesis! She helped steer her to wonderful research sources as well help to organize her project outline! She was very positive and was a terrrific help through this overwhelming endeavor for my daughter !

MaryFran, 3 lessons with Monica

Confidence Builder

Monica did a great job sizing up my son's strengths and weaknesses and building his confidence. She was very good at determining the best way to motivate him - balancing challenging him and building his confidence. She developed a very good rapport with him very quickly. His SAT scores improved almost 200 points from his PSAT scores.

Judy, 16 lessons with Monica

Determined and resourceful

Monica is making a big difference in helping my daughter understand the mechanics and analysis required to write a good paper.

Kelly, 8 lessons with Monica

Excellent--she is patient, sensitive to the individual child

We decided at the last minute to pursue the ISEE-We were lucky to find Monica. She was flexible, available, responsive. She jumped right in with clear experience and expertise- She made our child feel comfortable and engaged immediately. Monica is mature and understanding and has a warm, supportive style.She was able to quickly figure out an intensive but non-threatening plan focused on consolidating knowledge, building confidence and developing a logical approach and effective strategy to studying for an intensive test at the eleventh hour.

Suzanna, 1 lesson with Monica
Hourly Rate: $165
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