Search
Paul C.'s Photo
Paul C.'s Photo Paul C.'s Photo

College Applications Specialist with Oxford MSc & Columbia MSW
Paul C.

5.0 (296 ratings)

762 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $199
Contact Paul
Response time: 12 minutes

About Paul

Bio

I’m an editor, teacher, and clinician with seventeen years of experience working with adolescents, twelve editing college applications, and a decade tutoring writing, philosophy, and the social sciences. Whatever the assignment, the work is the same: I help students figure out what they actually think and how to say it clearly, whether that’s a personal statement due in four months or a term paper on Thursday.

A college personal statement asks a seventeen-year-old to write honestly about...

I’m an editor, teacher, and clinician with seventeen years of experience working with adolescents, twelve editing college applications, and a decade tutoring writing, philosophy, and the social sciences. Whatever the assignment, the work is the same: I help students figure out what they actually think and how to say it clearly, whether that’s a personal statement due in four months or a term paper on Thursday.

A college personal statement asks a seventeen-year-old to write honestly about their faults, their passions, and who they are... all within 650 words on a deadline. That’s work I’m trained for as both an editor and an adolescent therapist. Most students arrive convinced they have nothing interesting to say about themselves, but they’re wrong, and my favorite part of this is proving it to them. I’ve edited applications here and as staff editor for Uncommon Apps, University Advisors, and Sentia Education, and most of my students were admitted to their first choice, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Chicago, and NYU. I also work with graduate, transfer, and nontraditional applicants.

Our first meeting explores the student’s interests, goals, courses, and background, and ends with at least one outline. I then facilitate and edit early drafts as they decide what to keep, cut, or expand, and we polish it down to the word, until one crisp story lands a clear message. Then we repeat this for supplements. I also assist with resumes, activity lists, recommendation letters, and submitting.

Beyond applications, I tutor high school, college, and graduate students in writing, philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology, religion, history, and literature. This includes making sense of a difficult reading, getting to a thesis worth defending, stress-testing an argument, or proofreading. I also build personalized 1:1 courses on a variety of social science and humanities subjects.

Read more

Education

Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Cultural Anthropology and Philosophy
University of Oxford - Department of Education
Masters
Columbia University - School of Social Work
Masters

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $199
  • Rate details: Message me before booking so we can talk through goals and confirm fit. I also offer initial consultation calls.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 6/1/2015

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Paul hasn’t set a schedule.

We’re having trouble loading this schedule right now. Please try again later.

Approved Subjects

Career Development

Career Development

I coach men in their twenties on career direction, purpose, and building the kind of life they actually want, particularly those who feel stuck or behind after a few years of jobs that went nowhere in particular. My background includes an MSc from Oxford, an MSW from Columbia, and seventeen years as an educator and mentor, including community organizing, youth development, and one-to-one work with young adults in the US and abroad. I often work with clients who are neurodivergent or dyslexic, with a specialty in ADHD, which I have myself. Sessions are practical and outcome focused: we identify what matters most, work out what's in the way, and set something concrete to try before the next one.
College Counseling

College Counseling

With fifteen years of experience as an educator and adolescent therapist, and over six years as an editor on Wyzant's platform, Uncommon Apps, and Sentia Education, I can promise to help your teen tackle every step of their college application and personal statement with confidence and creativity. Over the years, I've taught and mentored hundreds of students across the US and abroad. This includes working as a 10th grade English teacher, chess coach, curriculum developer, writing mentor, clinical social worker, social science researcher, wilderness guide, summer camp director, and even professional storyteller. As I hope you see in my Student Feedback section - I love teaching and aim to put my students first.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

Over the years, I've helped applicants not only through Wyzant, but also as a staff editor for Uncommon Apps and Sentia Education. During this time, dozens of my students have gone on to attend every Ivy league and top tier university in the country, including my alma maters Oxford, Columbia, Yale, and NYU. As one of the highest rated tutors on this platform, please see why by checking out reviews from my students.
Philosophy

Philosophy

I graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a BA in Anthropology and Philosophy, with highest departmental honors in the latter. While there I founded the Rutgers Undergraduate Philosophy Journal. I have also completed one year on a PhD fellowship at Yale studying Philosophy. My main areas of expertise are philosophy of ethics, epistemology, and religion.
Psychology

Psychology

I have an interdisciplinary Masters in Science degree from Oxford studying Comparative and International Education. My research focused on both sociology and psychology. I have tutored a number of psychology students, including working on the new Sociology and Psychology section of the MCAT.
Sociology

Sociology

I graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a BA in Anthropology and have an MSc from Oxford University in Comparative and International Education, an interdisciplinary degree focusing on issues of sociology and psychology in education. I am also a Fulbright grantee (Indonesia) and a Humanity in Action Fellow (Germany). I have worked with a range of organizations, including as a volunteer researcher with the UN NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion and Belief and an assistant researcher with the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy.
English
Literature
Writing

Examples of Expertise

Paul has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 3 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Paul ’s answers ›
Paul C.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Paul before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Paul
Response time: 12 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (296 ratings)
5 star
(293)
4 star
(0)
3 star
(2)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Best Writing Tutor

Paul is arguably the best writing tutor on wyzant! Whenever he edits my papers, I’m always shocked by how he’s able to take what I’ve written and mold it into something that I’m more than satisfied with. Paul edited all 4 of my grad college app essays. I finished these papers in no time with his help and learned a lot through his tutoring style. He is very patient and edits papers in minutes. Paul is the tutor I’d recommend all of my friends, classmates and colleagues to work with!

Kaylin, 8 lessons with Paul

Fantastic editor and reviewer

Paul was super great with a last minute project. He was patient, prompt and very insightful. We will use him again soon!

Iris, 5 lessons with Paul

A very thoughtful, engaged, and collaborative tutor

Paul was uniquely attentive to my needs during my PhD application process. He saw innovative solutions to problems and wasn't afraid to offer truly out-of-the-box ideas, all while being completely accessible, personable, and collaborative. Paul deeply cares about his students, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's one of the absolute best tutors on Wyzant within his many specialties. His extensive time in academia has clearly been a tremendous asset in this regard. I would highly, highly recommend reaching out to Paul for your tutoring service needs.

Triston, 1 lesson with Paul

Extremely kind and skilled tutor!

Paul helped my daughter with her college application essay, and supplemental materials, and went above and beyond with his support, suggestions and generosity.

Vivian, 2 lessons with Paul

Passionate!

I was interested in learning more about philosophy and considering applying to Master's programs. Paul was one of the first tutors suggested on the website. As a complete beginner in philosophy, my lessons with Paul immediately immersed me in the subject, making every moment engaging and enlightening. His passion for teaching and encouraging students was evident throughout. He provided a structured curriculum along with supplemental readings, and he thoroughly reviewed my papers, adding helpful notes. Paul is an excellent educator and dedicated tutor. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to learn more about philosophy, college applications, and similar pursuits. Thank you, Paul!

Sina, 5 lessons with Paul

As advertised.

Professional, prepared, insightful and patient. Only one lesson so far, but it is definitely heading in the right direction...helped to clarify and organize my thoughts.

Matt, 3 lessons with Paul

Paul helped me get into the honors college!

I didn’t know what to expect when I first talked to Paul. I was unconfident about my writing, unsure on the essay topic, and most importantly, embarrassed by my background as a nontraditional student. Paul started the editing process with helping me decide on a topic and creating an outline for the essay. After working on a few drafts, we moved on to polishing and editing out grammatical errors and inconsistencies in the essay. Additionally, my drafts were all saved in a google doc. It was very easy for me to go back and track my progress. Paul is not only an experienced essay editor, but also a supportive college mentor. He encouraged me to learn more about the academic curriculum at the honors college, and he helped me explore creative ways to make a difference in campus as well as in the community. With Paul’s help, I’ve gotten accepted to the honors college, and I feel more comfortable with starting school in August as a nontraditional student now. Paul is a very wonderful individual. I highly recommend him for essay editing and college counseling.

n, 9 lessons with Paul

Excellent Tutor

Paul is very very knowledgeable and helpful. He reviews and edits my College essays. His comments and directions are easy to follow. He always responds in timely manner. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Eter, 17 lessons with Paul

Very professional tutor

Paul is very honest and upfront about what kind of work he's willing to do, focusing on the areas where he has real passion and expertise. We used him for a psychology brush-up and he was very reasonably priced for a high quality tutor!

Tim, 1 lesson with Paul

Great tutor for college essays

Paul is very helpful with my daughter's college essays. he gave very good feedback and always responds in a very timely manner.

Cecilia, 13 lessons with Paul
Hourly Rate: $199
Response time: 12 minutes
Contact Paul