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PhD Writing Tutor|Academic Essays, College Papers, Personal Statements
David S.

4.9 (60 ratings)

93 hours tutoring

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About David

Bio

PhD Writing Tutor | College Essays, Academic Writing, Scholarship Applications, Personal Statements

I help high school, college, and graduate students become stronger, more confident writers.

With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, I have taught writing, philosophy, and the humanities; directed two college writing centers; and served as a Dean and Vice President at a liberal arts college. I have also advised students on academic work, college applications,...

PhD Writing Tutor | College Essays, Academic Writing, Scholarship Applications, Personal Statements

I help high school, college, and graduate students become stronger, more confident writers.

With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, I have taught writing, philosophy, and the humanities; directed two college writing centers; and served as a Dean and Vice President at a liberal arts college. I have also advised students on academic work, college applications, fellowships, graduate, medical, and law school application essays, and graduate-level writing.

My approach is different from simple proofreading or editing. I work with you to understand what you are trying to say, develop and organize your ideas, construct a persuasive argument, and revise your writing effectively. My goal is not simply to improve one paper—it is to help you become a better writer.

I can help with:

College and high school essays
Academic and research papers
Personal statements and application essays
Thesis and research writing
Argumentative and analytical writing
Grammar, organization, clarity, and revision
Graduate and professional-school application writing
Philosophy and humanities courses
Logical reasoning and argumentation

I am an experienced academic adviser and I have worked extensively with neurodivergent students (Executive Function, ADHD, ASD, etc.)

I have a PhD in Philosophy and am a Fulbright Scholar. My background in philosophy has given me particular expertise in critical thinking, argumentation, logic, and analytical writing.

Students often tell me that I am patient, encouraging, and good at explaining difficult ideas in ways that make them easier to understand. I meet students where they are and adapt my approach to what they need.

Free 15-minute introductory conversation: Tell me what you're working on, where you're stuck, and what you hope to accomplish. We'll discuss how I can help.

I look forward to working with you.

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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: $60
  • Rate details: Free 15-minute introductory conversation: Tell me what you're working on, where you're stuck, and what you hope to accomplish. We'll discuss how I can help.
  • Lesson cancellation: 12 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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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.
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.
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.
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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (60 ratings)
5 star
(59)
4 star
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3 star
(1)
2 star
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Reviews

Knowledgeable and Talented Teacher

David is truly the best admissions advisor I have worked with. He is incredibly knowledgeable and has a remarkable ability to see what makes a student’s story unique and compelling. His brilliant and insightful feedback has been invaluable in helping my daughter develop a strong personal statement. We are very grateful for his guidance and look forward to working with him.

Willow, 9 lessons with David

Knowledgeable and Talented Teacher

David is truly the best admissions advisor I have worked with. He is incredibly knowledgeable and has a remarkable ability to see what makes a student’s story unique and compelling. His brilliant and insightful feedback has been invaluable in helping my daughter develop a strong personal statement. We are very grateful for his guidance and look forward to working with him.

Willow, 9 lessons with David

Invested Grad School Advisor

David was incredibly understanding and nonjudgmental from the beginning, particularly when discussing challenges that can make academic or professional planning more complicated. I appreciated that he was willing to work with the details of my situation while also helping me step back and see the bigger picture. Our conversations have helped me think more clearly about both where I am now and how to approach the longer-term direction I’m trying to build. I would especially recommend David to someone who wants thoughtful, individualized guidance rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Ashley, 3 lessons with David

Intuitive Writing Mentor

Two sessions in (and counting), I have gained a lot from David as a tutor. He is exceptionally knowledgeable and unafraid to share criticism, which has been extremely valuable and on point. When it comes to writing, David is a craftsman at work at helping you peel back the layers to find your true voice.

Glenn, 10 lessons with David

Great Tutor

David is one of the best admission advisors I’ve spoken with so far. He always asks thoughtful and insightful questions that help me gain more clarity about my current situation.

Zhi Wei, 3 lessons with David

Great Tutor

David is one of the best admission advisors I’ve spoken with so far. He always asks thoughtful and insightful questions that help me gain more clarity about my current situation.

Zhi Wei, 3 lessons with David

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

David is very organized and takes the time to explain the situation related to how college planning works, and why its important for student success. He helps setup a proper plan for the semester so that the student can plan ahead and not get overwhelmed.

Raghu, 5 lessons with David

Knowledgeable and helpful tutor

I worked with David on discussing essay topic ideas and which would have the best reception from an admissions officer standpoint. He also helped me edit essay drafts and make my words more intentional and clear to my reader. He has great insight and writing advice and was very helpful in guiding me through the Common App personal statement process!

Aruna, 3 lessons with David

Scholarship Advisor

David S. reviewed my resume and grades to determine if I was a good candidate for the Goldwater and other scholarships. I found his insight on multiple different scholarships very helpful and I look forward to working with him in the future as I begin to pursue the Goldwater and other scholarships.

Alan, 1 lesson with David

Great tutor for personal statements

David really took the time to talk to me about my academic career, life goals, and passions. He wanted to get to know my story so he could help me create a meaningful personal statement that truly reflects who I am. He was able to schedule a meeting quickly and provide feedback both on a call and on my document.

Natalie, 5 lessons with David