MCS Tutoring FAQs (click to expand + collapse each section):
[+] 1) I know nothing about you.
| A. |
Why would I want to work with you or have you tutor my daughter or son?
|
Good question. About myself: I am a National Merit Finalist, a member of MENSA
and a graduate of Pomona College. More importantly, many of my students have been accepted to and have attended Ivy League and Ivy League caliber schools. I have had a student achieve a perfect score on the SAT I and many students score 800 (perfect) on SAT II subject tests. I have the PDFs to prove it. |
||||||||||||||||
| B. |
Where are you located?
|
I conduct tutoring sessions here (also see FAQ 3C below):
|
||||||||||||||||
| C. |
What are your rates?
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| D. |
What days and times are you generally available for tutoring?
|
|
||||||||||||||||
| E. |
Why no testimonials?
|
At most times the internet is a bastion of balderdash. As enticing and seductive
as some testimonials seem, too often they are apocryphal. That's the reason I do
not include testimonials. Rather, I prefer to speak with you (so that I know you're
a human being and not a spammer) so I can furnish you with the phone numbers of families
I've worked with in the Orange County area during the past 12 years. They will be able
to give you better insight into the value and nature of my services than any
testimonial. These families are willing to address your questions.
|
||||||||||||||||
| F. |
My kid isn't headed to MIT. Is that OK?
|
While some of my students are overachievers, most have come to me trying to pass a
class or secure a B over a C. Others have been brought by their parents hoping for
improvement. So please don't be put off by the accomplishments of some of my
students. While it would be great to make the claim that X% of my students get into
the Ivy League, it has at times been more rewarding to me (and to the student and
his family) that Johnny passed Geometry or Jenny was able to get through calculus
without great sleep loss.
|
[+] 2) I'm interested, tell me more.
| A. |
Which subjects do you tutor?
|
I tutor math from pre-algebra to calculus 2 and statistics. As for standardized tests,
I prepare students for the SAT 1, ACT and SAT 2 Math 1 and 2. I also assist students with
their college applications, even though this is not a subject.
|
| B. |
How does subject tutoring work?
How often and for how long ought a student meet with you for math help?
|
I will meet with a typical student on a weekly basis from 1 to 1-1/2 hours per session.
Shorter sessions of 1/2 hour are fine in some cases and longer sessions of up to 2
hours are fine in others. Generally, the younger the student and the shorter the
tutoring relationship, the shorter the session. Once rapport is built between us
and math confidence has been restored, longer sessions can be more worthwhile.
|
| C. |
How does the SAT 1 or ACT preparation work?
|
First, we will determine which test highlights the strengths of the student. To do that,
the student will take a practice test of both the SAT 1 and ACT. The tests will be taken
from these guides (
SAT 1
or
ACT
) as they are tests from the real test makers and will give the most accurate score.
I prefer to use these guides because most test prep companies provide tests that are both
harder than the real thing and scored lower. (
Wall Street Journal article elaborating on this point
)
Next, we will set up a schedule for sessions. We will want to start from 8-10 weeks out from the test date and meet once weekly. Between sessions, a student will need to take a practice test on their own time, a task taking approximately 3 hours. There are more details about both the test and test preparation in later FAQs available to current students only. |
| D. |
What are the benefits of tutoring with you?
|
Once we've met for the preliminary session (see next FAQs in section 3), your son or
daughter can email, text or call me about any and all math questions free of charge.
I have most of the math texts used in the local public and private high schools,
either the student or teacher edition (see
books I own).
This allows a student to cite a page and problem number so I know exactly which
problem the student is working on. If it is a question from a worksheet or other source,
a student can use her smartphone to take a picture of the problem and email it to
me as a file attachment. Please don't send a pic to my phone...I'm still 3G.
|
[+] 3) I'm interested in setting up a session.
| A. |
What is the best way to contact you?
|
Texting is the best way to contact me.
However, calling or emailing may be better depending on the situation.
|
| B. |
How do I set up a preliminary session?
|
Just call me so that we can set up a time that works. The first session will be for
one hour. This allows us to get situated in the study room and commence tutoring.
|
| C. |
Where do we meet for the preliminary session?
|
Meet me in front of the Circulation Services desk. The Circulation Services desk is about
40 feet toward the right after you enter the library. From there we will proceed to Study
Room B on the lower level.
|
| D. |
What do we need to do for the preliminary session?
|
It is important that a parent or guardian accompany the student this first time to
the study room so that this selfsame parent/guardian can return to the room about
45 minutes into the hour-long session. At that time I can address specific questions
about tutoring. It also allows time to review the tutoring agreement.
|
| E. |
What does the student need to bring for the preliminary session?
|
For the first session, the student will want to bring recent homework, tests and quizzes
from his math class. If possible, also bring a laptop so that we can access online grades,
homework, etc. Please also bring a syllabus or assignment sheet so that we can work on
upcoming homework and see what's going on in class presently and in the near future. It
is imperative that the student bring the class textbook. If no textbook, then bring
worksheets that have been worked on recently or are presently assigned. In the case of
Mater Dei style classes, bring the iPad. It's helpful to bring a laptop as there is free
wi-fi in the library and power outlets in the study room should you need a charge. Certainly
have the student bring a pencil/pen, paper, and calculator.
Payment will be due at the beginning of the first session. I do not conduct sessions without payment. Checks can be made out to Martin McSweeney or MCS Tutoring. Either way is fine. |
| F. |
What happens during this preliminary session?
|
The student will be able to complete part of an upcoming homework, ask questions about certain
types of problems or review a recent test or quiz. The more prepared the student is with
questions, the more effective we will be. This holds true not only for the preliminary
session, but also for all other tutoring sessions.
During this session, I will observe how a student works through his or her math problems. For some students, the primary problem is conceptual as they are uncertain when to apply certain methods or formulas. This is more common for those with math anxiety. For others, the difficulty is primarily the details of working through problems. Many adolescents make small calculating mistakes. The solution is showing your work. This is simultaneously the simplest and most overlooked cure for math ailments. This single modification yields amazing results. |
| G. |
Can I cancel the preliminary session with impunity?
|
Yes, so long as you give me 48 hours' notice.
|
[+] 4) I'm interested in using the site.
| A. |
How does the Calendar tab work in setting up a session?
|
Once we've met and you've decided you want to continue tutoring I can set up an account to
enable site access. Simply, send me an email with the following information: - email address of one or both of the parents - email address of the student - the full first and full last name of the student - the first three (3) choices of a username. After I have set up a username and password that will give you access to the entire site, you will receive an email notification from me. The most important features of my site are setting up and cancelling sessions on the calendar. Please ask if there are any questions about further features or functionality. The site has grown both out of what the students have asked for and what I have determined to be necessary and useful. |
[+] 5) Test Preparation (ACT vs SAT 1) [available for students]
[+] 6) SAT 2 Subject Tests [available for students]