Introducing Oxford-Style Tutorials
One of the most educational and enriching experiences I had as a student was studying abroad at Oxford. There, I completed a tutorial – one-on-one courses between a student and a professor that are designed collaboratively for each individual student – in gifted education.
In response to COVID-19, I have partnered with graduate students and postdocs at some of the nation's most prestigious universities to offer you the opportunity to continue growing and exploring, even in these strange times.
If you are interested in learning more about Paved With Verbs Tutorials, contact me, or check out some of the FAQ below:
What is a tutorial?
Oxford University is distinguished for its tutorial system, which is an integral to the development of critical thinking and niche expertise among students. Having benefitted tremendously from my experience with Oxford tutorials, I have adopted this system of learning into an 8-week, COVID-friendly format.
During tutorials, graduate students and postdocs engage students in dynamic academic discourse in all academic disciplines.
After discussing your unique interests and goals for the course, your tutor will design a curriculum for you and assign weekly readings. Essays will be presented weekly and form the basis of tutorial discussions. Depending on your topic, you may be given a written examination at the end of the course.
All tutorial students will prepare a presentation at the conclusion of their course, to be shared over Zoom with your tutor, other tutorial students, and guests (friends, family, other mentors). Please allow time for questions.
What are the benefits of a tutorial vs. a standard online class?
There are so many learning opportunities available online, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
The primary reason to take a tutorial is for the individualized attention. Even at the most prestigious universities, even in the most intimate seminar-style settings, it is rare for a high school, gap year, or undergraduate student to spend eight entire hours engaged in rigorous academic discussion with someone who may become a future advisor, mentor, or recommender.
As I've written on the Paved With Verbs blog, you won't get accepted to a prestigious institution without great (not good – great) recommendations. Top universities want proof that you are someone who will take advantage of their single greatest resource: their Genius Grant, Nobel Prize-winning professors who can either give you the same lecture they give everyone else... or help you do something no one's ever done before.
Another benefit of tutorials is that they are designed for you. I know from both research and personal experience that "genius" is seldom born in a classroom. Genius comes from cultivating your specific interests and developing niche expertise in a topic that may only be interesting to you. I will never forget how one single guest lecture, "The Importance of Play," changed my life forever. It made me realize that I can study anything, even playfulness, in a scholarly way. This turned into a master's degree from Stanford ("The Happy Talent: A Prototype of the Playful Adult"), a revenue-generating blog, and the ability to touch thousands of lives across the globe in a meaningful way.
Combining the ultimate academic freedom to explore what interests you, combined with the mentorship and knowledge of an expert in the field, can truly help you unlock your genius.
What can I study during my tutorial?
When it comes to your tutorial topic, the sky is no limit.
I have already teamed up with distinguished scholars in several academic departments at top universities; if none of them is a good match for you, I will find someone who is.
How much work is it?
I won't lie – it's going to be a lot.
Your tutor will assign you at least seven hours of reading per week, and you will write essays about each reading, each week. You will also present your tutorial to a group of peers and educators at the end of your course.
Many gifted students have learned the art of "bullshitting" during their time in high school or college. In a one-on-one setting, that strategy isn't going to fly. In order for your meetings to be successful, rather than extraordinarily awkward, you will need to put in the work.
The good news is, your course will be designed for you, based on your interests. That means that, hopefully, this is going to feel a little less like work and a little more like play.
What will colleges think about my tutorial? Can I put it on my application?
Yes – you should absolutely include this on your application.
In addition to requiring successful applicants to have great (not good) recommendations, top universities want students who have shown maturity, ownership, and self-directedness in their pursuit of learning.
Anyone can sign up for an online course and receive learning.
But very few students show the curiosity, passion, and initiative to actively design their own course and learn something perhaps no one else in the world (or at least, no one else in the world who is applying to the colleges, grad schools, jobs and internships you want) knows.
Can I sign up for more than one tutorial at once?
As previously noted, tutorials are very demanding. If you sincerely believe you are up to the challenge, contact me to discuss your situation.
How much does it cost?
The cost of an eight-week Paved With Verbs tutorial is $1,300.
Yes, this is more expensive than your typical online class, which can cost anywhere from $0-400. However, as previously stated, even at the most prestigious universities, it is rare for a high school, gap year, or undergraduate student to spend eight entire hours engaged in rigorous academic discussion with someone who may become a future advisor, mentor, or recommender.
How do I learn more or get started with my tutorial?
Just fill out this Contact Form and I will be in touch.
In response to COVID-19, I have partnered with graduate students and postdocs at some of the nation's most prestigious universities to offer you the opportunity to continue growing and exploring, even in these strange times.
If you are interested in learning more about Paved With Verbs Tutorials, contact me, or check out some of the FAQ below:
What is a tutorial?
Oxford University is distinguished for its tutorial system, which is an integral to the development of critical thinking and niche expertise among students. Having benefitted tremendously from my experience with Oxford tutorials, I have adopted this system of learning into an 8-week, COVID-friendly format.
During tutorials, graduate students and postdocs engage students in dynamic academic discourse in all academic disciplines.
After discussing your unique interests and goals for the course, your tutor will design a curriculum for you and assign weekly readings. Essays will be presented weekly and form the basis of tutorial discussions. Depending on your topic, you may be given a written examination at the end of the course.
All tutorial students will prepare a presentation at the conclusion of their course, to be shared over Zoom with your tutor, other tutorial students, and guests (friends, family, other mentors). Please allow time for questions.
What are the benefits of a tutorial vs. a standard online class?
There are so many learning opportunities available online, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
The primary reason to take a tutorial is for the individualized attention. Even at the most prestigious universities, even in the most intimate seminar-style settings, it is rare for a high school, gap year, or undergraduate student to spend eight entire hours engaged in rigorous academic discussion with someone who may become a future advisor, mentor, or recommender.
As I've written on the Paved With Verbs blog, you won't get accepted to a prestigious institution without great (not good – great) recommendations. Top universities want proof that you are someone who will take advantage of their single greatest resource: their Genius Grant, Nobel Prize-winning professors who can either give you the same lecture they give everyone else... or help you do something no one's ever done before.
Another benefit of tutorials is that they are designed for you. I know from both research and personal experience that "genius" is seldom born in a classroom. Genius comes from cultivating your specific interests and developing niche expertise in a topic that may only be interesting to you. I will never forget how one single guest lecture, "The Importance of Play," changed my life forever. It made me realize that I can study anything, even playfulness, in a scholarly way. This turned into a master's degree from Stanford ("The Happy Talent: A Prototype of the Playful Adult"), a revenue-generating blog, and the ability to touch thousands of lives across the globe in a meaningful way.
Combining the ultimate academic freedom to explore what interests you, combined with the mentorship and knowledge of an expert in the field, can truly help you unlock your genius.
What can I study during my tutorial?
When it comes to your tutorial topic, the sky is no limit.
I have already teamed up with distinguished scholars in several academic departments at top universities; if none of them is a good match for you, I will find someone who is.
How much work is it?
I won't lie – it's going to be a lot.
Your tutor will assign you at least seven hours of reading per week, and you will write essays about each reading, each week. You will also present your tutorial to a group of peers and educators at the end of your course.
Many gifted students have learned the art of "bullshitting" during their time in high school or college. In a one-on-one setting, that strategy isn't going to fly. In order for your meetings to be successful, rather than extraordinarily awkward, you will need to put in the work.
The good news is, your course will be designed for you, based on your interests. That means that, hopefully, this is going to feel a little less like work and a little more like play.
What will colleges think about my tutorial? Can I put it on my application?
Yes – you should absolutely include this on your application.
In addition to requiring successful applicants to have great (not good) recommendations, top universities want students who have shown maturity, ownership, and self-directedness in their pursuit of learning.
Anyone can sign up for an online course and receive learning.
But very few students show the curiosity, passion, and initiative to actively design their own course and learn something perhaps no one else in the world (or at least, no one else in the world who is applying to the colleges, grad schools, jobs and internships you want) knows.
Can I sign up for more than one tutorial at once?
As previously noted, tutorials are very demanding. If you sincerely believe you are up to the challenge, contact me to discuss your situation.
How much does it cost?
The cost of an eight-week Paved With Verbs tutorial is $1,300.
Yes, this is more expensive than your typical online class, which can cost anywhere from $0-400. However, as previously stated, even at the most prestigious universities, it is rare for a high school, gap year, or undergraduate student to spend eight entire hours engaged in rigorous academic discussion with someone who may become a future advisor, mentor, or recommender.
How do I learn more or get started with my tutorial?
Just fill out this Contact Form and I will be in touch.