"Hello, I would like to work with you to whet your interests, sharpen your skills, and deepen your knowledge in critical reading and thinking. I have a B.A./ M.A. with First Class Honours from Oxford University and have been published 65 times in The New York Times. I am passionate about literature, language, philosophy, history, and politics. I have mentored a young man through the SAT and college application process and will be glad to work with you, especially if you are interested in an Ivy League or Liberal Arts College or the Honors College of a public university. I always teach beyond the test; learning is always an end in itself, and there are no mere tricks. If you have an inherent interest in ideas, if you are highly motivated and courteous, I will work with you, not just to help you get a better score or a prestigious acceptance, but to begin a lifetime of learning.

Together, we will read passages (not just from SAT practice tests but from real books!) and learn to spot the pivot sentence and the structure of the argument. It is real understanding that will make it unnecessary for you to play guessing games with the SAT multiple choices -- and that will be essential not only for a very high score but also for your reading comprehension in school, college and when you read for interest and pleasure. I'll be glad to work with you on a conventional vocabulary list (every word is fascinating if you look at its origins and development), but I also have made a "Conceptual Vocabulary" list (I'm writing a book on philosophy and politics), so we can talk about ideas such as "nostalgia," "irony," "complexity," "triage," and "utilitarianism" that I think will awaken your curiosity and serve as the springboard for essays. As we work together, I'll have suggestions of what colleges might be a good fit and how you can make a compelling presentation to them. I will be glad to send you information about my academic, professional, and character credentials." less...