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Expert College Tutoring amp Test Prep with MITHarvard Grad (BostonCambridge) hide this posting unhide
QR Code Link to This Post Academic Tutoring + Test Prep with MIT/Harvard Grad
Location: Boston or Cambridge
Rate: $150 hourly
Main Tutor Profile: http://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/MITHarvardTutor
Testimonials: more than 50 available; see below
Full Bio: see below
I'm a twenty-something independent private tutor, educated at MIT and Harvard, with thousands of hours of experience and hundreds of testimonials. I specialize in high-level academic tutoring and rigorous test prep for college and graduate students, but I also work with highly motivated high school students. For several years I've been the highest-rated Boston-based tutor on WyzAnt, an online tutoring marketplace. (See the link above for more than 800 5-star ratings and more than 50 reviews.) I focus on college- and graduate-level mathematics (and its applications in science and engineering), physics, statistics, and econometrics; logical reasoning, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and essay writing and editing; and test prep for all sections of the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. I also work with several students on general academic enrichment and mentoring.
I'm friendly, patient, eager to help you succeed. I'm the first person in my family to graduate from college, so I know what it means to work hard, and I don't take education for granted. My students are regularly admitted to elite schools, including Harvard, MIT, Yale, and the University of Chicago for both undergraduate and graduate studies.
SUBJECTS: college-level calculus, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, Fourier analysis, real analysis, complex analysis, probability theory, statistics, stochastic processes, mathematical methods for scientists and engineers, mathematical logic; physics (classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism); mathematical economics, microeconomics, and econometrics; essay and dissertation writing, editing, and proofreading; grammar, vocabulary, logical and critical reasoning, reading comprehension; logic and philosophy, especially philosophy of science, philosophy of math, philosophy of logic, and philosophy of language; SAT, SAT 2, AP subjects, GRE, GMAT, LSAT
MY EDUCATION: I studied theoretical math, literature, and philosophy at MIT and Harvard. I've sent experiments to the International Space Station and done labwork at MIT's Koch Center for Integrative Cancer Research, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research. I'm also an editor at a national magazine of politics, literature, and ideas. Besides my technical interests, I'm interested in nineteenth and twentieth-century intellectual and cultural history, especially the history and philosophy of literature, science, and math. I think it's not only possible but important for all students to be fluent in both the sciences and the humanities: the best way to learn how to think outside of the box -- how to become a creative, critical, articulate thinker -- is to think across many different disciplines and read constantly.
TEST SCORES: SAT I: 2400 800 Math, 800 Reading, 800 Writing. SAT II: 800 Math IIc, 800 Biology M. GRE: 170 Math, 170 Verbal, 6.0 Writing. GMAT: 790 (51 quant, 48 verbal).
MY EXPERIENCE: I have thousands of hours of professional teaching, tutoring, and mentoring experience -- ten years in the Boston metro area alone.
MY PHILOSOPHY: My overarching goal in all the subjects I tutor is to help students achieve real mastery -- not at all what you get from a tutoring company with a one-size-fits-all approach or from teachers who aren't experts. That means my focus is always on creative and critical thinking, never rote memorization. Real learning requires much more than looking up a fact or following a rule. True learning, and true teaching, is always exciting, always transformative -- never mechanical.
That said, I don't pretend that grades and scores aren't important. I give meaningful test-taking tips (which you won't find in any book) and teach with example problems constantly in view (which I make up on the spot to target the exact source of your confusion). But real understanding -- the kind that will not only lead to good grades or test scores, but also stay with you and serve you forever, even in other endeavors -- consists in the ability to organize and express that knowledge, to make and explain abstract connections, to name and describe relationships, to see a bigger picture. Those are the skills most people can't learn from a book -- because they're skills you learn only by doing (especially by talking and writing and teaching others). John Dewey put the point this way: "Practical skill, modes of effective technique, can be intelligently, non-mechanically used, ONLY when intelligence has played a part in their acquisition." I try to put intelligence and curiosity into the acquisition of new ideas.
MY STYLE: My sessions are relaxed, fun, but rigorous conversations. The emphasis, always, is on concepts and communication -- on your ability to explain what we're doing and why we're doing it. By sharpening their powers of analysis and explanation, my students not only refine their problem-solving skills and learn to ace exams, but also develop deep and lasting understanding.
TESTIMONIALS
"The best tutor imaginable!"
- Amy from Wellesley Hills, MA on 5/27/12
According to my son, Matt is the best teacher he's ever had for anything, anywhere. And he is not prone to overstatement! Matt helped him get back up to speed on Algebra I after he'd missed a fair amount of school for health reasons, and the results could not have been better. My son loved the way Matt explained concepts, had my son articulate his reasoning to be sure he'd really grasped those concepts, and keyed right in to when my son had mastered something and was ready to move on. We would use Matt again in a heartbeat!
"Absolutely the confidence boost I needed!" - Andrew Boston, MA on 7/11/2015
Matt is a lifesaver. After taking of the major test prep courses I was woefully under-prepared for the GMAT, scoring a 620. I was too focused on answering individual questions and did not have an understanding of the concepts essential to getting a high score on the test. When I began searching for someone who could help me, the countless positive reviews from people in my exact situation led me to working with Matt. Matt was just what I needed to get my score to where I needed it to be. His math prep packets (which he prepares himself) are amazing - they're focused on making sure you understand the fundamentals underpinning the GMAT questions, an approach that I needed (as a history major undergrad, I always lacked confidence in the quant section). He has a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of the test (for those of you who verbal may be an issue, he is great here as well), and, most importantly, is someone who genuinely cares about making sure you have the tools you need to tackle any problem come test day. He boosted my score by 100 points - and my math section alone rose from 40th percentile to 73rd. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to get the score they need.
"Excellent Tutor!!!" - Trip Boston, MA on 6/29/2015
My experience working with Matt was phenomenal! He has incredible patience and a real gift for teaching. Matt tailored his proprietary GMAT study guides and drill sets to my specific needs. This customized approach helped me increase my score by 140 points and by 40 percentile points! I strongly recommend Matt to any student attempting to reach their potential on the GMAT.
"Superior tutor in every aspect" - Nathaniel Boston, MA on 1/12/2015
Our son had an extremely positive experience with Matt as his tutor. It was obvious from the beginning that Matt knew the material and how to prepare to achieve a high score. In particular, our son experienced significant improvement on the SAT reading section which increased from 680 to a perfect score of 800. Additionally, our son scored 790 on the writing section and his math score increased from 680 to 720 after tutelage from Matt. Our son appreciated Matt's demeanor, methodical and enjoyable approach to tutoring. I would definitely employ Matt again to tutor our other children.
"Outstanding teacher! Four weeks with Matt raised my GRE by 20 percentile points."
- Dan from Belmont, MA on 1/24/14
I contacted Matt in mid-December with a tall order: improve my GRE Quantitative Reasoning score by 20 percentile points in four weeks. Matt responded immediately and was very accommodating despite a busy schedule.
I found Matt's approach to teaching unique and very effective. Instead of providing questions and correcting my answers, he insisted on watching me work through each problem. I was initially skeptical that this was the best use of our time together, but Matt quickly proved me wrong.
Matt wanted to understand how I approached a problem and derived the solution. He constructed problems on the fly to refine our understanding of my strengths and weaknesses and hone my skills. His ability to quickly gauge my cognitive and intuitive math skills and individual learning style was phenomenal. This allowed us to leverage my strengths and make the best use of my limited study time by focusing on specific methods and subject areas.
After each session, Matt provided me with a variety of his custom packets which he designed for his students. Each packet is very thoughtfully constructed and forced me to think critically about the material. Throughout the packets, and during tutoring sessions, Matt prompted me to develop a narrative to explain math concepts and problems. This was very useful. Each of Matt's packets typically elicited several "ah-ha" moments -- those wonderful breakthroughs in learning.
Perhaps the best way to describe Matt's approach is this: rather than provide a list of ingredients and set of recipes to cook from, Matt helped me understand how the ingredients interact together, why the recipes work, and what my unique cooking strengths are. And this proved less complicated and time-consuming than one might think. I was surprised at how quickly he was able to help me begin to master the material using this approach.
Matt's combination of an extraordinary intellect; a passion (and talent) for teaching; and a friendly, patient, and unassuming personality make him an exceptional tutor and a delight to work with. As a kid, I struggled with school. If any of my teachers had been like Matt, I expect my life would have taken a different trajectory.
Oh, and not only did I have a lot of fun working with Matt, but I also met my goal and improved my GRE score by an impressive 20 percentile points in a month!
"Straight up miracle worker."
- Sarah from Boston, MA on 12/9/13
I've been studying for the GMATs on and off for over a year now. Throughout the course of my studies I've two tutors: One from MGMAT and another that I found on craigslist. I wasn't particularly impressed with either tutor. I felt like I could study more effectively on my own so I chose to do so. I soon discovered that my quantitative deficits were beyond me though (I scored in the 33rd percentile on the quant section of the gmats). For the third (and final) time, I searched the internet for a gmat tutor. It was during this time that I came across Matt's profile on wyzant. His claim of being one the best tutors a student would ever find was alluring, but I wasn't actually convinced until I met him. I knew from our first session that if there was anyone who would be able to help me break a 700 it would be him. He teaches things in what I would best describe as a "for dummies" format. He is able to break up complex and seemingly daunting topics into smaller, digestible pieces that even I (someone who could barely add fractions prior to meeting Matt) can understand. I've made more progress in the last three months than I made in the past year. I owe this progress to two things: 1. my tutoring sessions with Matt and 2. The homework he assigned to me out of HIS OWN PACKETS. His packets I could literally write another paragraph about because they were so life changing to my studies, but they are basically chapters that he wrote himself on each major topic of math (algebra, combinatorics, word problems, etc.). They aren't like the other prep company books which give you tips and tricks either. Each packet goes back to the basics and builds your knowledge page by page. Without those packets and his tutoring I'd still be one of those people on the beat the gmat forums wondering why I was studying so much and not seeing results. I wouldn't have ever attained the level of knowledge that I have now because I would've continued to memorize formulas and strategies rather than gain an understanding of the deeper themes. If you want to score over a 700 on the GMAT's and are willing to put in the work, Matt can make that happen for you. GUARANTEED. He is without a doubt the best tutor you will ever find. If my written review doesn't convince you then maybe my change in scores will.
Before my sessions with Matt my scores were as follows:
Verbal 34/70%
Quant 34/33%
Total 570/ 52%
After working with him for 5 months I took the exam again and received the following scores:
Verbal 41/93%
Quant 48/81%
Total 740/97%
"Up 26 percentile points on the GRE in less than a month!"
- Michelle from Somerville, MA on 10/29/13
I had originally been prepping for the GRE using only the Kaplan and Barron's books, but that method clearly did not work when I received a very low math score the first time I took the test. I was thoroughly confused because I had spent so much time prepping, but the results did not show. Unclear of what to do next, I came to Matt with a nearly impossible goal: I had to increase my math score about 20 percentile points within one month. After meeting with him for one weekend, my score the next time I took the test increased by 14 percentile points. And after 2 more meetings, my score increased by another 12 percentile points. So working with Matt increased my score by 26 percentile points in less than a month. I am so happy with my score now, and I have to say that working with Matt made all the difference.
During my first couple meetings with Matt, I immediately realized that I had wasted so much time working with the Kaplan test prep material, and should have just worked with Matt from the beginning. He really has a deep understanding of all the math concepts on the GRE, and teaches you to understand the material and background concepts, not just to memorize facts and formulas. My problem before was that I was just memorizing, but that can only get you so far. While working with Matt, I felt like I was truly learning how to do math, and not just how to take a standardized test.
Matt was also really quick to pick up on which areas I should focus on studying, and gave me valuable material that specifically targeted my weaknesses. I worked really hard at improving those areas, and it all paid off in the end! I have to say that working with Matt saved me so much time.
To anyone who is taking the GRE, please avoid those silly test prep books and work with Matt instead! Achieving a high score on the GRE is not just about brute effort and spending lots of time studying. You need to be working with the right material from the beginning. And you need to understand WHY you are having difficulty on certain problems, and build a solid foundation to achieve true understanding. The results will show!
"BEST TUTOR AROUND!!"
- Rives from Cambridge, MA on 9/14/13
Matt is not only incredibly intelligent, but he is also a better teacher. His foremost strength is "dumbing" down the information so one can properly understand it. He is extremely invested in his students, and will do everything in his power to help one understand the material at hand. I asked to team me advanced algebra and calculus from scratch in about a two week period after having no experience since high school (I am a college grad student)! I highly recommend Matt for any subject that he is willing to help you out with- you will absolutely not be disappointed!!
"Perfect GMAT tutor for all stages of the preparation cycle"
- Giuseppe from Malden, MA on 7/22/13
I have been utilizing Matt for nearly a month now, and since we started working together my GMAT score and confidence has positively progressed. Matt properly and quickly assesses at what stage you are at "skill wise," and designs an immediate / effective approach at attaining whatever your desired score is.
Not only does he have an in depth / true understanding of all of the GMAT prep material out there (and hand picks whatever exact material you need based on weaknesses), but he also produces HIS OWN material that cuts through all of the other approaches out there and focuses on the fundamentals needed to master each respective topic, for both the Quant and Verbal section(s). He will literally sit with you, show you effective problem solving strategies, and draw out new problems on demand until you truly have mastered a particular topic. Matt's aggressive strategy has aided me in mastering certain topics, and I continue to master topics that I never could have imagined mastering.
I seriously recommend Matt to anyone that is serious about improving their GMAT score. He is worth every penny because he will literally cut to the chase with what you need to improve your score, and he will help you every step of the way as you prepare to improve your score. Aside the tutoring, his own proprietary material that he provides in and of itself is worth the cost of hiring him!
"Best tutor I've ever had."
- George from Milton, MA on 5/31/13
I am a rising junior at a prestigious university majoring in economics. Matt has been extremely helpful in tutoring me through very difficult classes such as Statistics and Econometrics. Matt always comes to our meetings extremely prepared and timely. He is also very easy to contact which makes working with him even better. He has a gift of teaching very difficult material in a clear and concise way. I have been very impressed with his ability to teach me material that I never thought I'd be able to fully understand. Needless to say, I look forward to continuing my sessions with Matt.
"Best Tutor Around"
- Drew from Chestnut Hill, MA on 5/23/13
I recently started working with Matt on SAT prep. He is hands down the best tutor I have ever worked with. I have worked with other tutors in the past and found that I didn't really get much out of their lessons. With Matt, I feel like both my knowledge and confidence for the SAT grows exponentially with every session. After the very few times I have worked with Matt, my test scores have increased by upwards of a 100 points in each section. Today my SAT scores came back for the second time and I received a 2330 overall. The first time I took the test, before I started working with Matt, I received a 2070. My scores increased over 250 points and I could not have done it without him. He is truly amazing at what he does and he never ceases to amaze me with his incredible intellect. Anyone who feels like they are really struggling with the SAT, or anyone who just wants to bump up their scores should not hesitate to work with Matt. He is truly the best tutor around!
"Stop looking, and pick this tutor, NOW!"
- Andrea from Hingham, MA on 5/23/13
My daughter took the SATs after studying on her own, and although she did well, she was frustrated and felt she could have done better. All her friends have tutors, so I decided to search for someone, and stumbled across the WyzAnt website. My daughter is super critical, both of herself and of anyone who would have the dubious honor of trying to coach her, so I had not a little trepidation when I chose Matt. However, with his glowing reviews, his impressive background, and humble demeanor, I decided to take a chance. He responded promptly, and we had set up out first meeting within a few days. My daughter instantly liked him, feeling both challenged and encouraged (which is a feat), and she worked hard at the variety of tasks and exercises he assigned her. We only had a few weeks before the retake, but Matt met with us every week, even increasing the weekly time spent with her. He provided packets and pointers, essays and evaluations, all with an eye to not only learning the appropriate material, but mastering technique, as well. Her anxiety level was much reduced prior to the retake, and afterwards she felt confident she had improved, all attributed to the time spent with Matt. Her scores came back today - 99th percentile, with a perfect score in Math! She is over the moon, and her mother is even more so, for as I am sure all parents who read this can relate, although I clearly want my child to excel academically, the joy and relief evident on her face today is worth far more, and not really repayable to Matt. I recommend him absolutely, without hesitation.
"Terrific Experience!"
- Julia from South Hamilton, MA on 5/17/13
With Matt's help, I went from failing my class to getting an A in it! Matt was an unbelievable tutor - not only was he very knowledgeable about the subject (econometrics), but he was also patient, flexible, and clear. He answered all my questions, and created great review sheets to study from. I am very happy to have chosen Matt as a tutor and I really encourage everyone to do the same!
"Very Cool Guy, Amazing Tutor!"
- David from Chestnut Hill, MA on 3/29/13
When I first started with Matt, I wasn't just stuck in low scores; I was also stuck in low confidence. I was nervous, and too unmotivated to sit down and study. I just couldn't do it all on my own. The Critical Reading section was especially hard for me, which never broke higher than a 730. After two weeks with Matt, I noticed a 100 point jump overall, and while it took another month of hard work to fix my critical reading, I finally got the scores I was looking for. After taking the SAT on March 9th, I got the 800 in critical reading. There's no doubt in my mind that I couldn't have gotten there without Matt. He invigorated me to work, learn, and study. Now, Matt and I are working on AP statistics, and soon we'll start working on my other SAT 2/AP tests. His intense, profound knowledge and general expertise with College Board's standardized tests aren't just impressive on paper. Matt will help you as a thinker, as a student, and as a test taker. But best of all, if you're willing to put in the work, Matt can boost your scores like no other tutor can. I highly, highly recommend him to anyone looking for standardized test or academic help!!
"Incredible GRE Tutor"
- Myra from Boston, MA on 1/7/13
I've had the opportunity to work with Matt for just under a month now, and it's been nothing short of incredible. Matt is thoughtful, brilliant, and patient. He is a natural teacher, and a devoted tutor. In fact, his lessons are so impressive that someone at the table next to us interrupted to comment on Matt's teaching style as one in which his son/daughter could greatly benefit.
After every lesson, Matt follows up with concept drills and practice materials which he has created. They are thorough, and far more helpful than any commercial resource on the GRE. He has materials on every imaginable sub topic, and without fail, emails after every lesson with the relevant materials. His lessons are organized and meaningful - I feel like I'm learning for 2 hours straight. Matt is far and away the most impressive tutor that I've come across. It's obvious that he has mastered anything that could possibly come up on the GRE. Matt teaches theory behind the practice, but not in a pedantic sort of way. In a way that really helps you understand and wrap your head around some of these topics that at one point were relatively familiar, but have since been lost. I had a relatively negative experience with a tutor previous to Matt (and not from WyzAnt) so I was hesitant to spend more money, but Matt has made every penny count and then some.
"Inspiring"
- Linda from Bedford, MA on 12/2/12
Matt can really tell what I get and don't get in pre-calculus and draws me to the next level by explaining the meaning and logic of what is behind the formulas. He is fluent in every topic that comes up no matter how obscure. I tried working with other tutors, but none were as knowledgeable or understanding of my particular needs in math. His enthusiasm for the subject is infectious and I leave feeling inspired and smarter. I'm really grateful to have found him.
"Great Tutor, even for the most reluctant of students"
- Debbie from Sudbury, MA on 6/26/12
My son is a high school junior, and taking the typical pre-college standardized tests (SAT, SAT subject tests). He didn't want to take a standard prep class or use a tutor, and swore up and down that he could prepare himself for the tests. We bought him an SAT prep book so he could work through it. After a couple of months and a lot of nagging on our parts, he took the SAT and did very well, but his math score was not quite where he wanted it to be for the colleges he wanted to apply to. He insisted that he could bring his math score up when he retook the SAT, but being a typical teenager, he was interested in improving his scores, but not in actually doing any more prep work. Out of a desire to reduce the nagging and stress in the house, we began to consider hiring a tutor.
We found Matt, saw his excellent reviews, and thought he was worth a try. My son initially tried to refuse to use a tutor, but eventually agreed to try one session with Matt.
Well, that one session was enough to convince my very reluctant teen that he was wrong to continue to drudge through the prep work on his own, and he happily agreed to more sessions with Matt. He was completely sold by Matt's teaching technique and innovative insights on the tests themselves.
After just 4 SAT prep sessions and 1 SAT subject test session, my son's Math SAT and Math Level II subject test scores climbed to the level he wanted. We would not hesitate to recommend Matt to anyone.
"Great teacher"
- Linda from Lincoln, MA on 2/26/12
My kids have had 3 sessions with Matt so far. He is exceptionally talented. My daughters have been in high level math classes throughout high school. Unlike their high school teachers, they feel Matt explains things so that they really understand - not just how to get the answer, but why it works.
"Fantastic Tutor, Great Learning Experience!"
- Jillian from Cambridge, MA on 11/14/11
Matt is a very smart and accommodating tutor. He utilizes every minute of the study session effectively and provides great resources for extra study. He truly cares about the student's needs, and zones in on weak areas of study, providing great insight, hints, and tricks to solve problems. He tailors his lessons to the student's learning style and ensures the student is comfortable with the material and pace of the lesson. I would definitely recommend Matt to anyone who needs extra help!
"The Absolute Best!"
- Erin from Cambridge, MA on 10/6/11
Matt is an exceptional tutor. He is kind, patient, funny and beyond knowledgeable. He was able to give me the confidence I need to do well on the GRE's (in all three subjects). He was able to assess my current ability and determine what would be the best use of our time. He is able to create practice problems on the spot and has a great way of simplifying seemingly complex problems. If you are serious about getting a tutor you should not pass up Matt L.! He is the best and will help you to reach your goals!
"Cracker Jack!"
- Deborah from Belmont, MA on 3/28/11
Matt is really just the best. We contacted him a month before our daughter was going to take the SAT, after finally having to fire another service. Matt saved her!! He is absolutely right-on in his knowledge, style, preparation, focus, ease, sensibility and sense of humor. SAT scores come out this week, and we're sure she has improved as she felt very good about the actual test. You will be sorry if you don't choose Matt to tutor your.
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