College test prep and AP classes can be enormously stressful, but they are also opportunities to close knowledge gaps and develop the skills necessary to excel in higher education. I tutor students one-on-one and let them lead the way, working to boost confidence, problem solving, and repeatable test outcomes.
Let’s work together
University of Chicago Alumnus
Summa Cum Laude·Phi Beta Kappa
“David was proactive about getting to know me and understanding exactly what I needed help with. He made difficult concepts much easier to understand and actually made me excited to learn physics for a change.”
RC, Senior
“You helped so much on this test, and I’m really happy with the results.”
GP, Junior
“I improved in all areas!”
KO, Junior
Subjects
What I teach.
Test Preparation
The SAT and ACT are similar, but reward different inclinations (e.g. the ACT gives less time per question and the SAT can only be taken digitally). We train for the one your student is taking, or help identify which is the best fit.
SAT · ACT · AP exams in the subjects below
Math
All high school and introductory college math topics.
Algebra I · Geometry · Algebra II · Precalculus · Calculus AB · Calculus BC · Multivariable Calculus
Physics
All high school and introductory college physics topics.
Honors / Intro Physics · AP Physics 1 · AP Physics 2 · AP Physics C: Mechanics · AP Physics C: E&M · Introductory College Physics
Humanities
Intentional reading, critical analysis and essential study habits.
AP English Language and Composition · AP English Literature and Composition · AP U.S. History · AP European History · AP World History: Modern · AP Psychology · AP Music Theory
Writing
Natural and effective writing, distilling and organizing ideas, speaking to target audiences (like admissions officers).
Personal Statement · Supplemental Essays · Academic Writing
Who you're hiring
David DeMichele Feigelson
I earned dual degrees in physics and philosophy at the University of Chicago, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.95 and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Studying both STEM and humanities allowed me to develop broadly and intentionally. I learned how to clearly express ideas while also refining my technical problem solving, simultaneously improving study habits and organizational skills that I now encourage my students to follow.
My academic experience guides my tutoring, knowing that the recipe for long-term success lies in building confident intuition and developing repeatable academic habits. When I teach, I let the student lead the way. What are their first instincts for approaching the problem? What about the question feels daunting? I’m here to teach them how to get results, not do it for them.
I’ve been tutoring test prep and high school academics professionally for two years, and before that I led numerous Model UN and chess extracurricular programs. I’ve worked with students with many different learning styles and know that there is never a one-size-fits-all instruction method. Now that I exclusively tutor one-on-one, I’m able to intentionally build programs around each student’s particular strengths.
Beyond teaching, I work as a writer (copywriting and journalism), a musician, and in live event production (hospitality and audio/visual programming). These interests enriched my academics — for example, learning about physical waves underpinned my exploration of musical synthesizers. Accordingly, I take care to learn about my students’ passions, to bring our work to their home turf and make studying as exciting as possible.
How it works
Four steps.
Free Consult
Twenty minutes, ideally with both the parent and student. We’ll discuss your student’s goals and difficulties and chart a path forward. I’ll elaborate on my teaching style and what resources we’ll use, and you can ask any questions about the process.
Diagnostic
Before our first session, a full-length practice test or a problem set in the course. It helps us identify problem areas and hone in on what needs the most attention.
Weekly sessions
One- to two-hour meetings, over video with a shared whiteboard. Homework between sessions is short and specific. We’ll often work with my library of worksheets and practice tests, which cover general practice and specific skill builders.
Progress notes
After each session I send a short recap to the parent. This usually includes progress updates, what we focused on that day, and updated goals for the following week.
Private one-on-one session
Billed after each session. Twenty-four hours' notice to reschedule at no charge.
Or send a note.
Tell me what’s going on. I usually answer within a day.
AI Use
Prepare for the future.
We can’t control the world we live in, but we can control how we live in the world. I do not use AI in my instruction, but teach how to use it intentionally and how to value imagination without it. AI is an inevitable part of academic and professional life, so we should know how to use it to our benefit, but we can’t let AI deprive our students of essential developmental experiences that lead to self-realization and long-term success.
Questions
Before you book.
Is remote tutoring as good as in person?
For many students, it is often better. A shared digital whiteboard keeps everything neatly organized so students can easily look back and find specific review topics and problems. Flexible scheduling allows students to easily incorporate sessions into their busy, often variable calendars.
How many sessions will we need?
For a course grade, usually weekly through the term. For test prep, most families start about two months out from the exam date. We'll design an individualized plan dependent on your student's exact needs.
What do you need from us?
A quiet room and a laptop. A tablet with a stylus is helpful for using a collaborative whiteboard, but it is not required.
Do you guarantee a score?
I’d love to, but everything depends on individual circumstance. We’ll carefully look together at where your student stands and what improvements we can aim for in the timeframe available. If you have specific point goals, we can outline what kind of program would be best to achieve them. I don’t make promises I can’t deliver on, but can say that all of the students I’ve taught so far have been pleased with their outcomes.
Which time zones do you cover?
All U.S. time zones, as well as others depending on the circumstance.
Do you work with students who are already doing well?
Often. Some of the best work happens with a student sitting on a 1450 who wants a 1550, or one who has run out of math at their school and wants to go further.