Hi, I'm Daniel, an undergraduate at the University of Chicago studying Mathematics and Physics. I chose to study math and physics because I'm drawn to the kind of reasoning where things can be modeled and explained by math, and must be understood from first principles. At UChicago I've followed the honors physics and math tracks, including a real analysis course, a rigorous, proof-based study of why calculus works the way it does. My long-term interest is in quantitative research and I'm currently doing undergraduate research in computational genomics, where I use statistics and programming to identify statistical associations across millions of genetic variants. Most of my tutoring experience has been informal but consistent. As team captain of my high school cross country and track team I qualified for the New York State Championships nine times, four of which were team relays. I regularly worked with younger teammates on pacing, technique, and race strategy, which taught me a lot about explaining something clearly without making someone feel behind. I've also spent years helping classmates and friends work through difficult problem sets in math and physics, and I've found that the best response to a question is often another question. I also competed seriously in piano through high school, which reinforced for me that real improvement in any discipline comes from focused, consistent practice, something I try to build into every session. My approach to tutoring is pretty straightforward: I ask a lot of questions before I explain anything, because I want to understand exactly where the confusion is rather than re-teaching what the student already knows. I try to make sure that a student doesn't just know how to solve a problem, but actually understands why the method works. I'm patient and direct, and I don't move on until the concept is fully understood. I'd love the chance to work with your student.
If you have a specific tutor in mind, you're welcome to request them directly — we'll confirm whether they're available and the right fit for your student. Otherwise, Ryan writes a personal email to understand your student's needs, learning style, and goals — then handpicks a tutor from the roster. You're not filling out a form and getting assigned randomly. If the first tutor isn't the right fit after the first session, we'll find you a better match at no extra charge.
Yes. Many families start with a single session to see how the tutor and student connect before committing to a regular schedule. There's no pressure to book in advance — reach out and we'll set something up.
Yes. Many of our tutors are strong across several subjects, and sessions can cover more than one if that's what the student needs that week. Flexibility is built into how we work.
Most of our tutors continue working through breaks, either online or in-person at the college if the tutors remain on campus during that vacation. We'll let you know in advance if a tutor has a gap in availability and arrange coverage with one of our other tutors — in-person or online — in the required subject.
Occasionally, if the student lives very close to the tutor's campus. Most sessions take place on or near the college campus or online. This keeps sessions in an academically focused environment — which tends to produce better results.
The families who see the biggest results are the ones who commit to a regular cadence — typically once, twice, or three times a week. One-on-one tutoring with a student from an elite college, who genuinely understands the material, is a fundamentally different experience from a tutoring center or an app. Most of our clients stay with us for multiple semesters.
Email Ryan@ShiresTutoring.com and mention which tutor and college town you're interested in, or fill out our Request a Tutor form. We typically respond within one business day.
That depends on where your student is starting and how consistently they show up. Daniel will identify the specific gaps, focus sessions on them, and adjust as the student progresses. Families who stick to a weekly schedule typically see meaningful progress within four to six weeks.
Email Ryan@ShiresTutoring.com and mention you'd like to work with Daniel at University of Chicago, or fill out our Request a Tutor form — you can also click the Request a Tutor button at the bottom of this page. We'll follow up within one business day to confirm availability and schedule your first session.