I was chatting with another tutor the other day, and he happened to mention his favorite metaphor (ok, technically a simile) for the results people get from tutoring.
Tutoring, he said, is like a magnifying glass. If someone can raise their score 20 points by studying seriously on their own, I can probably raise them 200 points. But if they put in nothing, that’s what they’ll get back. It doesn’t matter what you multiply zero by; it’s always still going to be zero.
I think that’s the most eloquently I’ve heard anyone put it.
Hi Ms. Meltzer,
I’m reaching out as a high school junior who has been working through your Critical Reader materials, which I’ve found incredibly helpful. I recently scored a 1370 on my first SAT (710 verbal) and am aiming for a 1500+ on my next attempt. I have my eye on highly selective universities, including the Ivies and Ivy+.
I attend a public high school in a small town in Oklahoma where the average ACT is around 20, and I’ve developed a strong interest in improving my verbal reasoning and writing precision — areas I know you specialize in. Given my background and goals, I would love to know if you’re currently accepting any new students for tutoring.
If not, would you recommend anyone trained in your approach?
Thank you so much for the resources you’ve already created — they’ve made a big difference in my prep so far.
Warm regards,
Abhi
Hi Abhi,
Be sure to check out our FAQ page for information on tutoring.