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Ivy League Tutor Specializing in Test Prep Skills & Math
Derek C.

110 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $60
Response time: 4 minutes

About Derek


Bio

Hi! My name is Derek

I’m an Applied Mathematics student at Brown University. I tutor high school math, SAT/PSAT prep, and introductory computer science.

I was accepted to several top universities, including Brown, Duke, University of Chicago, Columbia, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and University of Florida, where I received a full-ride scholarship. I also received likely letters from Yale and Harvard and have also worked closely with a student who received a full financial aid...

Hi! My name is Derek

I’m an Applied Mathematics student at Brown University. I tutor high school math, SAT/PSAT prep, and introductory computer science.

I was accepted to several top universities, including Brown, Duke, University of Chicago, Columbia, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and University of Florida, where I received a full-ride scholarship. I also received likely letters from Yale and Harvard and have also worked closely with a student who received a full financial aid package to Princeton.

Throughout my academic career, I've achieved:

- 1520 on the SAT: 770 Math, 750 Reading & Writing
- 1470 on the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Finalist)
- All A’s throughout the calculus sequence (Calculus I, II, and III)
- Java certification
- Completion of Brown’s introductory computer science sequence

I tutor:

- SAT Math and SAT Reading & Writing (as well as the PSAT/NMSQT equivalent)
- High school math: Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus
- College math: Calculus I & II (AP Calculus AB & BC respectively)
- Computer Science: introductory programming, particularly in Java
- College application strategy

I’m also the founder of Elevate Your Aptitude, a nonprofit organization focused on helping high school students build college-readiness skills. Through this program, I tutor students across a wide range of skill levels, give lectures to larger groups, and work to strengthen students' understanding of SAT and PSAT concepts. I have spent hundreds of hours studying, tutoring, and teaching these exams, and students I have worked with improved their SAT scores by an average of about 150 points.

As a tutor, I am known for being patient, clear, and highly reasoning-focused. My tutoring style is active and student-centered: Rather than simply giving students answers, I guide them through the thought process behind each problem so they can learn how to approach similar questions independently.

With all that said, I'd be happy to help!


Education

Brown University
Applied Mathematics

Policies


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Approved Subjects

Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I scored a 770 on the SAT Math section and a perfect score on the PSAT Math. I'm an Applied Mathematics student at Brown University with several years of tutoring experience through the nonprofit I founded: Elevate Your Aptitude. I’ve taught dozens of high school students in Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry, SAT Math, and advanced problem-solving skills. I specialize in breaking down difficult Algebra concepts clearly and helping students build long-term confidence in their ability.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

I scored a 770 on the SAT Math section and a perfect score on the PSAT Math. I'm an Applied Mathematics student at Brown University with several years of tutoring experience through the nonprofit I founded: Elevate Your Aptitude. I’ve taught dozens of high school students in Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry, SAT Math, and advanced problem-solving skills. I specialize in breaking down difficult Algebra II concepts clearly and helping students build long-term confidence in their ability.
Calculus

Calculus

I have taken AP Calculus AB as well as finishing my computational Calculus education at Brown in my freshman year (up to Calculus III), so I'm well adjusted to both AP-style questions as well as college-level rigor. I am skillful in simplifying complex concepts into more easily digestible bits.
College Counseling

College Counseling

I am qualified to guide students through the college admissions process because I have personally navigated highly selective admissions, earning acceptance to Brown University, Duke, University of Chicago, Columbia, University of Florida with a full ride, and more. As the founder of a nonprofit focused on college readiness and SAT/PSAT preparation I have helped students strengthen their academic profiles, test-taking skills, and confidence. My experience combines admissions knowledge with practical tutoring and mentorship. I have worked closely with students for years, and I am especially proud to have been a part in helping a student receive admission to Princeton on a full ride scholarship. I hope to be of some help!
Precalculus

Precalculus

I got a 5 on the AP Precalculus AP exam. I believe Precalculus is best understood, and explained by, people who fully understand the depths of computational Calculus. In freshly finishing the Calculus sequence in college, I now have a strong grasp on how Precalculus concepts work and where they come from. I would love to make these seemingly random concepts more understandable!
PSAT

PSAT

I specialize in SAT and PSAT preparation: I scored a 1470/1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT, became a National Merit Semifinalist and later a National Merit Finalist, and scored a 1520/1600 on the SAT with a 750 in Reading & Writing and a 770 in Math. I also founded Elevate Your Aptitude, a nonprofit focused on helping students build college readiness skills, including SAT/PSAT preparation. Through that work and my experience tutoring with my school’s National Honor Society, I’ve helped students approach academic challenges with more confidence. I currently attend Brown University, and I bring both strong academic qualifications and a patient, encouraging teaching style to my tutoring.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I specialize in SAT and PSAT preparation: I scored a 1470/1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT, became a National Merit Semifinalist and later a National Merit Finalist, and scored a 1520/1600 on the SAT with a 750 in Reading & Writing and a 770 in Math. I also founded Elevate Your Aptitude, a nonprofit focused on helping students build college readiness skills, including SAT/PSAT preparation. Through that work and my experience tutoring with my school’s National Honor Society, I’ve helped students approach academic challenges with more confidence. I currently attend Brown University, and I bring both strong academic qualifications and a patient, encouraging, thinking-based teaching style to my tutoring.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

I specialize in SAT and PSAT preparation: I scored a 1470/1520 on the PSAT/NMSQT, became a National Merit Semifinalist and later a National Merit Finalist, and scored a 1520/1600 on the SAT with a 750 in Reading & Writing and a 770 in Math. I also founded Elevate Your Aptitude, a nonprofit focused on helping students build college readiness skills, including SAT/PSAT preparation. Through that work and my experience tutoring with my school’s National Honor Society, I’ve helped students approach academic challenges with more confidence. I currently attend Brown University, and I bring both strong academic qualifications and a patient, encouraging teaching style to my tutoring.
Geometry
Prealgebra
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Ratings and Reviews


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5.0 (49 ratings)
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Reviews

Highly effective tutor with outstanding results

Derek has done a fantastic job teaching Geometry to my son. I set a tight timeline, asking him to cover the material in just one month, and he absolutely delivered. He is incredibly thorough and makes sure his students genuinely understand the concepts rather than just memorizing them. He also utilizes excellent textbooks and materials that support learning perfectly. Beyond his teaching skills, Derek’s communication with parents is outstanding. He keeps me consistently updated on my son's progress. We are so grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a top-tier math tutor!

Hima Bindu, 17 lessons with Derek

A tutor who delivers real results!

Derek is an absolute elite-tier tutor, and hiring him for my daughter’s Algebra 2 prep was the best decision we made! He proactively introduced the entire Algebra 2 curriculum to her this summer. Because of his excellent teaching, she has grasped the concepts phenomenally well. Even though the school year hasn’t officially started yet, she is already successfully flying through the textbook practice tests and other advanced study apps completely on her own. Derek has a rare gift for taking intimidating mathematical concepts and breaking them down into crystal-clear, digestible steps. He has given my daughter a massive head start, completely removing the usual stress that comes with this course. She is entering the school year full of confidence and ahead of the curve. Derek is professional, encouraging, and deeply invested in his students success.

Wande, 25 lessons with Derek

Extremely Smart and Patient Tutor

Derek worked with my younger brother really well. He was able to identify key gaps that needed to be addressed and gave a route to handle them efficiently. He really is a great guy and is very organized and communicative. Couldn't ask for a better tutor!

Cyrus, 5 lessons with Derek

Outstanding Geometry Tutor!

Derek was highly knowledgeable, patient, and informative. My daughter really enjoyed being introduced to new geometry concepts. Though she had previously self-taught some of the material, Derek brought fantastic strategies to reinforce and bolster that existing knowledge whenever she struggled. He also assigned homework. Great session overall!

Wande, 25 lessons with Derek

Outstanding Geometry Tutor!

Derek was highly knowledgeable, patient, and informative. My daughter really enjoyed being introduced to new geometry concepts. Though she had previously self-taught some of the material, Derek brought fantastic strategies to reinforce and bolster that existing knowledge whenever she struggled. He also assigned homework. Great session overall!

Wande, 25 lessons with Derek
Hourly Rate: $60
Response time: 4 minutes
Contact Derek