I’m Michael — a senior at Cornell University studying Biological Sciences and Nutritional Sciences on the pre-med track — and I help students dramatically improve their grades, confidence, and test scores.Since 2021, I’ve worked with students one-on-one for: SAT Prep (1420 scorer) Biology Chemistry Physics Statistics Middle & High School MathWhat parents consistently tell me:• “My child finally understands the material.”• “Their confidence completely changed.”• “They actually look forward to sessions.”I specialize in breaking down complex concepts into simple, intuitive steps. My goal isn’t just to get homework done — it’s to help students think clearly, master the material, and feel capable walking into tests.Many of my students have improved multiple letter grades and raised their SAT scores significantly after working together.If your student is:• Feeling stuck• Losing confidence• Preparing for the SAT• Or aiming for competitive collegesI’d love to help.I’m currently taking on a few new students in Ithaca, and spots fill quickly during the semester.
Michael works with students from the following schools:
Michael offers in-person tutoring on or near the Cornell University campus for families across Ithaca New York, Lansing New York, Dryden New York, Trumansburg New York, Cayuga Heights New York, Tompkins County New York.
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. Michael 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 Michael at Cornell University, 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.