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College Essays, Writing & LSAT Tutor | Fulbright Scholar, PhD
David S.

4.9 (21 ratings)

39 hours tutoring

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About David

Bio

I offer expert guidance with:

- Academic essays and papers of all types
- Personal statements for college, graduate school, and professional school
- Fulbright, Rhodes, and other prestigious scholarship applications
- Proofreading and editing theses and dissertations
- College counseling
- LSAT prep
- Philosophy, the humanities, and the social sciences
- Study skills / time management.

I specialize in supporting students with ASD, ADHD, executive-function challenges, and anxiety...

I offer expert guidance with:

- Academic essays and papers of all types
- Personal statements for college, graduate school, and professional school
- Fulbright, Rhodes, and other prestigious scholarship applications
- Proofreading and editing theses and dissertations
- College counseling
- LSAT prep
- Philosophy, the humanities, and the social sciences
- Study skills / time management.

I specialize in supporting students with ASD, ADHD, executive-function challenges, and anxiety around writing and schoolwork.

I believe that every student is capable of success. What works for one student may not work for another, though, so my tutoring is highly individualized, collaborative, and tailored to the student’s strengths, needs, and goals. I create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, taking intellectual risks, and building confidence.

I am a former Fulbright Scholar with 30 years of experience as a teacher, advisor, and mentor. I have taught writing, philosophy, and the humanities, ran a tutoring center, served as a Dean of Students and a Vice President for Student Success. I have trained teachers, tutors, and advisors, and I have helped students earn prestigious awards such as Fulbright and Rhodes Scholarships.

As a first-generation college student, I understand the opportunities and the challenges higher education can present. I earned BA degrees in philosophy and political science and a a PhD in philosophy. I have taught and published in philosophy, humanities, and higher education, and I have experience working with traditional and non-traditional students, multilingual learners, and neurodivergent students.

I am TESOL-certified and a NACAC-certified college counselor.

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Education

SUNY Oswego
Philosophy, Politics
Bowling Green State University
Graduate Coursework
City University of New York Graduate School and University Center, Philosophy
PhD

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $50
  • Rate details: Free 15-minute intro call. Let's talk about how I can help you!
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

ADHD

ADHD

I have deep experience working with students with ADHD in both academic advising and disability support settings. I help students develop strategies to manage attention, initiate tasks, and sustain focus, particularly when facing procrastination or overwhelm. My approach includes breaking work into manageable steps, building accountability systems, and identifying techniques that align with each student’s learning style. Drawing on years of experience as a Dean of Studies and Disability Support Coordinator, I support students in improving accountability, consistency, confidence, and academic performance.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I began working with students with ASD about 30 years ago, when I became director of disability services a small liberal arts college. In that role, and in a series of advisory and administrative roles that followed, I provided individualized, practical support for both academic success and self-advocacy. I have helped students navigate social and academic expectations, develop strategies for successful time management and communication with instructors and peers, and develop strategies to manage sensory and social differences. I have also help students interpret assignments, plan work, and manage transitions between tasks and environments.
College Counseling

College Counseling

I am certified by National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and I work as a consultant for a college admission counseling firm. Drawing on three decades of experience as a senior college administrator, I specialize in helping students compile college lists and, drawing on my experience as a writing consultant and writing center director, I specialize in helping students draft compelling application essays.
Debate

Debate

I am a former award-winning policy debater with extensive experience in both coaching and academic instruction. I have coached debate and served on the advisory board for a collegiate debate team. I also hold a PhD in Philosophy and have taught multiple college-level courses where debate played a central role. In addition, I have taught courses in logic, critical reasoning, and argument analysis—core skills that underpin success in policy debate.
English

English

With three decades of experience in higher education, I have helped students develop strong skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking. My background includes teaching writing and in the humanities and hands-on work supporting students at all levels. I focus on helping learners improve clarity, organization, and confidence in their writing. I also offer practical guidance in grammar, study habits, and effective communication.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

For the past 30 years, I have taught and advised college students for whom English is a second or other foreign language. This includes the development of conversational English skills for the college classroom and on the skills required for producing academic English in writing and speech. I focus on helping students improve their abilities to understand what they read and hear, and to produce writing that is follows the conventions of American college writing at the levels of sentence, paragraph, and essay. Above all, I am to instill in my students greater confidence in themselves as as writers, readers, and speakers.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

I have over 30 years of experience teaching writing-intensive college courses and working with students on essays across disciplines. As a former director of two college writing centers, I have helped writers at all levels develop stronger arguments, improve organization, and refine their clarity and style. I work collaboratively with students to plan, draft, and revise their essays, drawing on writing-to-learn pedagogy to strengthen both critical thinking and expression. My background, including a PhD in Philosophy, allows me to support students in constructing clear, well-reasoned, and effective written work.
Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning

I have extensive experience supporting students with executive functioning challenges in both advising and disability services roles. As a Dean and academic adviser, I have worked with students to develop skills in organization, time management, goal setting, and task completion. In my role as a Disability Support Coordinator, I helped design and implement individualized strategies and accommodations to support student success, and I also supervised staff in providing these services. I work with students to build practical systems and habits that improve follow-through, reduce overwhelm, and promote long-term academic independence.
Grammar

Grammar

I bring over 30 years of college teaching experience, with a strong focus on grammar and clear written expression. I have worked closely with students to strengthen sentence structure, punctuation, and overall language accuracy. My approach emphasizes practical understanding, helping learners apply grammar rules confidently in their writing. I also tailor instruction to individual needs, supporting both foundational skills and advanced refinement.
Literature

Literature

I have over 30 years of experience teaching college-level humanities classes, with a focus on close reading and textual analysis. My background in philosophy strengthens my ability to guide students through complex themes, structures, and arguments in literary works. I help students develop clear interpretive skills and stronger written responses to texts. My approach emphasizes careful attention to language, meaning, and evidence-based interpretation.
Logic

Logic

I am a PhD-trained philosopher with extensive formal training in logic, including three graduate-level courses covering symbolic logic, predicate logic, and advanced topics in formal reasoning. My academic background has given me a deep understanding of logical structure, argument analysis, and proof techniques. As a tutor, I specialize in helping students develop clarity and confidence in working with logical systems. I break down complex concepts—such as truth tables, formal proofs, quantifiers, and symbolic translation—into clear, manageable steps. I also emphasize the practical side of logic: how to recognize valid arguments, avoid common fallacies, and apply logical reasoning across disciplines. I have experience working with students at varying levels and I adapt my approach to fit each student’s learning style. My goal is not just to help students complete assignments, but to build a strong foundation in logical thinking that will benefit them across academic and professional contexts.
LSAT

LSAT

I draw on decades of experience teaching philosophy to help students master the reasoning skills central to the LSAT. My background in logic and argument analysis equips me to guide students through complex passages and challenging question types. I work one-on-one to develop effective strategies, improve accuracy, and build test-taking confidence. My approach emphasizes clear thinking, disciplined practice, and steady score improvement.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

I have extensive experience guiding students through the personal statement writing process for both undergraduate and graduate applications. As a Dean of Studies and adviser for prestigious scholarships and fellowships, I have worked with hundreds of students applying to programs such as the Truman, Goldwater, Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell. I help students develop compelling narratives, clarify their goals, and revise their essays to reflect both authenticity and strong structure. In addition, as a NACAC-certified college counselor, I have supported high school students in crafting effective personal statements for a wide range of colleges and universities.
Philosophy

Philosophy

I hold a PhD in philosophy and have over 30 years of experience teaching a wide range of philosophical topics at the college level. My work emphasizes close reading, careful argument analysis, and clear articulation of complex ideas. I help students understand major figures, texts, and concepts in ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, and logic, and I help them develop, construct, and evaluate arguments effectively.
Proofreading

Proofreading

I am a PhD in philosophy with over 30 years of college teaching experience, bringing a deep understanding of academic writing across disciplines. I have served as a dean and vice president and directed writing centers, where I specialized in helping students refine and polish their work. My expertise includes one-on-one coaching in editing, proofreading, study skills, and time management. I have extensive experience guiding students through high-stakes projects, especially senior theses, ensuring clarity, precision, and strong argumentation.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have 30+ years of experience helping students build effective study habits and manage their time with purpose. My work includes one-on-one coaching focused on organization, goal setting, and strategies for tackling complex assignments. I help students develop systems that improve focus, retention, and academic confidence. My approach is practical, personalized, and designed to support long-term success.
Thesis Writing

Thesis Writing

Students working on a thesis often need support managing a long, complex project, and I guide them through each stage of that process. I help with refining research questions, organizing large amounts of material, and maintaining steady progress from proposal to final draft. My experience includes advising and reading hundreds of senior theses, as well as completing my own dissertation and publishing academic work. I also bring specialized training in thesis advising, which helps me support students in producing clear, well-structured, and sustained arguments.
TOEFL

TOEFL

For the past 30 years, I have taught and advised college students for whom English is a second or other foreign language. This includes the development of conversational English skills for the college classroom and on the skills required for producing academic English in writing and speech. I focus on helping students improve their abilities to understand what they read and hear, and to produce writing that is follows the conventions of American college writing at the levels of sentence, paragraph, and essay. Above all, I am to instill in my students greater confidence in themselves as as writers, readers, and speakers.
Writing

Writing

I have spent over 30 years teaching college students how to develop clear, persuasive, and well-structured writing. My experience includes working one-on-one with students at all levels, from basic essays to advanced research projects. I help writers strengthen their ideas, organization, and voice while maintaining academic rigor. I also provide practical strategies for drafting, revising, and polishing work with confidence.
ACT English
ACT Reading
Reading
SAT Writing
Vocabulary
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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (21 ratings)
5 star
(20)
4 star
(0)
3 star
(1)
2 star
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Reviews

Great Guidance for Discussion-Based Assignments

I had a really positive experience working with this David. He did a great job helping me think my discussion board questions rather than just giving me answers outright. He took the time to explain concepts in a way that actually clicked for me. I especially appreciated how they guided me step-by-step and asked questions that pushed my thinking a little further. Overall, I felt much more confident in both the subject and my ability to approach similar assignments on my own. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for thoughtful and effective academic support.

Dominique, 6 lessons with David

LSAT Tutor

Would definitely recommend David as a tutor. He takes the LSAT and breaks it down so I can easily understand what I need to do to succeed with this test. Always on time for our lessons and makes use of the time we have for tutoring.

Wendy, 3 lessons with David

Knowledgeable tutor

While I only had a single experience with David as my tutor, he did provide a very basic and easy-to-understand breakdown of how logic works, which is supremely important, especially in the LSAT, given that two-thirds of the score part of the test is literally titled "Logical Reasoning!"

Eric, 1 lesson with David

Eric from Omaha, NE

David taught me rhetorical strategies of SOAP & Habits of Mind. He helped me to draft my essay. I would recommend scheduling a tutor session with David. He’s understanding & easy going, very confident in his ability to help others.

Eric, 8 lessons with David

Eric from Omaha, NE

David taught me rhetorical strategies of SOAP & Habits of Mind. He helped me to draft my essay. I would recommend scheduling a tutor session with David. He’s understanding & easy going, very confident in his ability to help others.

Eric, 8 lessons with David

Eric from Omaha, NE

David taught me rhetorical strategies of SOAP & Habits of Mind. He helped me to draft my essay. I would recommend scheduling a tutor session with David. He’s a nice guy.

Eric, 8 lessons with David

LSAT study

David is patient and assists in ensuring I understand the material before we move on. He catches cues of confusion and tires a different approach. His teaching style is intuitive and very helpful.

Sophia, 9 lessons with David

Informative, and Patient Tutor

He helped me go over my Philosophical essay prompts for my undergraduate courses. After explaining the difficult concepts of the texts and ensuring that I had a strong understanding of it, he helped me narrow down my ideas in order for us to form an outline for my essay together. He was very kind and personable and made me feel confident in my work.

Natalie, 3 lessons with David