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Ivy League Admissions Essay & Writing Tutor
Xeni T.

5.0 (28 ratings)

73 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $50
Contact Xeni
Response time: 26 minutes

About Xeni

Bio

Hello, I'm Xeni (pronounced ks-enny, rhymes with penny!). I’m a passionate educator dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals. I coach students on the SAT Reading and Writing section and help them strengthen their analytical reading and persuasive writing skills. I also support students through every stage of the college application process, from strategizing school and activities lists to crafting impactful personal statements and supplemental essays.

My consulting...

Hello, I'm Xeni (pronounced ks-enny, rhymes with penny!). I’m a passionate educator dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals. I coach students on the SAT Reading and Writing section and help them strengthen their analytical reading and persuasive writing skills. I also support students through every stage of the college application process, from strategizing school and activities lists to crafting impactful personal statements and supplemental essays.

My consulting students have earned admission to top institutions, including Harvard, Brown, UC Berkeley, UCLA, the University of Southern California, the University of Washington (including the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering), Carnegie Mellon, Wellesley, Grinnell, Hamilton, Colgate, and Oberlin College & Conservatory.

I hold a B.A. in English Language & Literature from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard University, where I served as a Teaching Fellow and received the Derek Bok Center Award for Excellence in Teaching. Throughout my career as a graduate instructor, university lecturer, and home educator, I’ve worked with students from middle school through college.

I strive to create a supportive learning environment where students can ask questions and develop their authentic voice. Whether we’re preparing for a test, polishing a paper, or crafting a standout college essay, I tailor every session to each student’s unique strengths and objectives. I look forward to helping you grow in both skill and confidence!

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Education

The University of Chicago
English Lang and Lit, BA with Honors
Harvard University, Comparative Literature
PhD

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $50
  • Rate details: Flexible scheduling. Cancel at any time.
  • Lesson cancellation: 0 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 11/7/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

College Counseling

College Counseling

I have expertise tutoring students in the college application process, including matching colleges to student interests, high school course selection, extracurricular guidance, college application essay writing, and application support. I have helped students gain admittance to The University of Washington's prestigious Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, The University of Southern California's renowned Thornton School of Music, Carnegie Mellon, Wellesley College, Grinnell College, Hamilton College, Colgate University, Oberlin College and Conservatory, and Occidental College. I graduated from The University of Chicago with a BA (with Honors) in English Language and Literature and from Harvard University with a PhD in Comparative Literature. At Harvard, I taught hundreds of undergraduates as a Teaching Fellow, and I was a recipient of the Derek C. Bok Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching of Undergraduates.
English

English

PhD in Comparative Literature. 20+ years teaching experience.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

With over 20 years of experience in academic writing instruction, I help students develop the clarity, structure, and analytical precision required for strong scholarly essays and research papers. I work with students from middle school through college, tailoring each lesson to meet the student's skill level. Whether a student is learning to structure paragraphs or refine a college-level argument, I adapt my instruction to help them grow into confident, capable writers.
Literature

Literature

Harvard PhD in Comparative Literature, 20+ years experience teaching literature and writing
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

I guide students through every stage of crafting personal statements, helping them uncover authentic, compelling stories that stand out to admissions officers. Drawing on my background in teaching writing and literature at the univeristy level, I help students transform their experiences and ideas into essays that are emotionally resonant and strategically effective. My students have earned admission to top-tier universities and colleges and competitive summer programs.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

I have extensive experience teaching textual analysis to middle, high school, and college students. One of my specialties is helping high school students practice for the reading section of the SAT. I help students gain mastery that leads to peak performance on test day.
SAT Writing

SAT Writing

With over twenty years of writing tutoring experience and five years specializing in SAT prep. I enjoy helping students understand and master the exam. I’m committed to helping students raise their scores and perform at their best.
Writing

Writing

PhD Comp Lit
Grammar
Proofreading
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Response time: 26 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (28 ratings)
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Reviews

So thankful for her help!

She is a wonderful tutor—responsible, patient, and always willing to help, even with last-minute requests. She supported the college essay process with care and insight, bringing clarity and smooth flow to their writing. Her guidance made the experience far less stressful and truly elevated the quality of the essays.

Mingcheng, 4 lessons with Xeni

Great Writing Tutor!

She has been incredibly helpful with essay tutoring, guiding me to improve my writing significantly. Her patience and support have made a big difference in my progress!

Tara, 4 lessons with Xeni

BEST TUTOR EVER!!!

Xeni is brilliant!! I have had many writing tutors in the past but Xeni and I really clicked. She is incredibly patient and explains things in a way that is easy to understand. I had one online lesson with her and one offline; in both of them she was really helpful and gave me the guidance that I needed. I was a little nervous that I wasn't going to learn as much in the offline lesson, but she gave me a ton of feedback that was very understandable. She is so sweet and it is very clear that she genuinely cares about her tutees and wants to help them learn and succeed. I literally can't sing her praises enough. I definitely recommend!!

Emilia, 2 lessons with Xeni
Hourly Rate: $50
Response time: 26 minutes
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