Testimonials

“Sam is an exceptional tutor who not only knows the subject matter inside and out but also has a calm, reassuring presence that really helped my son. My son was feeling anxious and unsure about how to approach the material, but Sam provided clear examples and explanations that made everything click in a way it hadn't before. What really stood out was how Sam took the time to get to know my son, which made the sessions more engaging and personal. I highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for a thoughtful, knowledgeable and supportive tutor.”

“There were a slew of tutors to choose from and we hit the jackpot with Sam! He’s helping my son prepare for his upcoming APUSH exam. My son went from feeling certain he had no chance to pass to feeling very confident and motivated. Sam is fun, engaging, and has a knack to connect with teens. We’re looking forward to more sessions with him.”

“We’ve had a wonderful experience with Sam as the tutor for my son - he’s been an incredible addition to my son’s learning journey. He built a strong rapport with him right away, which made sessions enjoyable and engaging. We've seen immediate improvements, not just in academics but in my son's confidence as well. His support has made a world of difference. Thank you Sam.”

“I was really struggling to write my personal statement, and I was trying to look for writing help super last minute. Sam is a GODSEND. He is truly patient, knows what personal statements really need, and knows HOW to write an EFFECTIVE personal statement. Definitely worth every penny, and he is also super personable, flexible regarding timing, and has great availability. He truly wants to help his students and is very dedicated to what he does.”

“Meeting Sam was an absolute joy! From the moment we connected, I could tell he was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about what he does. He makes you feel comfortable, supported, and empowered every step of the way. His patience and kindness make all the difference. I cannot recommend him highly enough!”

“Sam has been working with my 11th grader, overcoming some executive function and preparing him for his AP exams in US history, psychology, and literature. He has shown remarkable insight in meeting my son where he is at in his learning, and a passionate educator who demonstrates both flexibility and thoughtfulness in the way he approaches tutoring. We will continue to retain Sam to work with our son, and we believe he will reap the benefits for years to come. He has been very communicative, keeping us updated on how our son is progressing. I cannot recommend Sam highly enough.”

“Sam has been such a delight for my family and our initial search to find a tutor to prep our two teenage boys for their AP exams. Getting our kids to read is like pulling teeth and the idea of getting them through AP prep filled us with dread. When we found Sam, we were expecting non-stop resistance. Instead, we've found that the kids look forward to their lessons, STAY LATE and come away talking about how "enjoyable" they were. We're completely gobsmacked about the whole experience. If you can't tell by now, we couldn't give Sam a higher review. He builds rapport quickly and seems to have a knack *ahem* for teenage humor. It serves him well as an instructor and has made our kids receptive to the subject and maybe even some newfound joy of reading (even stodgy classics). :-) Instead of just doing AP prep work, working with Sam has evolved into a course--or even a journey--for our boys to appreciate literature. They get to move at their own pace and Sam continues to create opportunities for them to deepen and explore their interests. We're no longer worried about APs and now seeing where this new interest will take them. Thank you Sam!”

“Sam was an incredible mentor who truly helped me grow as both a student and a person. He prompts you to think independently, always encouraging original thought rather than handing you the answers. His feedback is thorough and thoughtful, and he takes the time to guide you not just through the material, but also through your personal development as a writer and thinker. He gave me valuable advice that extended far beyond the assignments at hand. Because of his support, I became a more confident writer and gained a clearer understanding of myself and my goals. With his help, I was accepted into UNC Honors and Georgetown. I highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for a mentor who is insightful, supportive, and genuinely invested in your success.”

“Sam is an excellent history teacher—deeply knowledgeable across a wide range of topics. He’s engaging and knows how to motivate my son, helping him grasp complex material by offering clear, practical tips. Beyond his subject expertise, Sam is personable and incredibly patient, always answering questions—no matter how small—with kindness and understanding. After each session, my son not only has a better grasp of the material but, more importantly, learns how to think critically and approach problems effectively. In short, Sam is a highly experienced, insightful, and patient educator.”

“In the New York area, where there’s no shortage of elite tutors, Sam Schotland truly stands out. His brilliance is undeniable—his voracious intellect spans an extraordinary range of disciplines, and he seems to know something meaningful about everything. But what sets Sam apart isn’t just his encyclopedic mind—it’s his heart. As a child and adult psychiatrist and a Harvard Medical School honors graduate, I’m trained to recognize not only cognitive excellence but emotional presence. Sam brings both in full measure. He has a rare ability to support others not just academically, but emotionally and imaginatively. He helps people grow—not just in what they know, but in how they see themselves. People love working with Sam because they feel smarter, more confident, and more deeply understood. If you’re looking for someone who can elevate the learning process with intellect, empathy, and genuine connection—Sam is that person.”

“We've had such a positive experience working with Sam. He's incredibly intentional in his approach, takes the time to really understand the individual, and is methodical in how he structured the lesson. He has a great way of capturing and holding attention, making learning feel both focused and engaging. We're truly happy to be working with him!”

“We are so grateful for Sam's incredible support and guidance! Our son had been struggling with math and, more importantly, with his confidence. From the very first session, Sam focused not just on teaching the material, but on truly connecting with him and tailoring the lessons to how he learns best. Sam made math feel approachable and even fun, and the personalized attention made a huge difference. After just a few sessions, our son’s confidence soared — and he got an A on his first test after starting with Sam! We couldn’t be happier with the progress he’s made. We like Sam so much, he's now working with our daughter too. She has different needs and he is meeting them as well.  We highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for a tutor who genuinely cares and delivers real results.”

“Finding a good English tutor for my daughter was not easy—we tried several before finally discovering Sam. From the very first class, it was clear that his teaching style stood out. He is interactive, engaging, and consistently encourages active participation, which has helped build my daughter's confidence and interest in the subject. She truly enjoys each session and always looks forward to learning something new. Sam’s ability to explain concepts clearly and connect with students has made a real difference in her learning. I’m glad we found a tutor she can continue with throughout high school. Sam is an excellent educator, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for quality English instruction.”

“Mr. Schotland is an exceptional tutor. He has been phenomenal and consistently provides precise and detailed feedback on papers. He is very knowledgeable and very clearly well-equipped. Mr. Schotland is able to assist with high-level nuanced papers, from brainstorming to the final review and improving structure and clarity. If you have any upcoming English assignments, do not hesitate to reach out to him!”

“Sam has been nothing short of a miracle for our 13-year-old son. Before working with him, English was a constant struggle—he would spend hours at his desk, frustrated and disengaged. But under Sam’s guidance, everything changed. Not only did our son's grades improve dramatically in a short period of time, but more importantly, he started to genuinely enjoy reading and writing. Sam’s approach is patient, creative, and incredibly effective—he managed to unlock a confidence in our son that we hadn’t seen before. We’re beyond grateful for the impact he’s had.”

“Sam helped my daughter with her history essay writing. From beginning to end, Sam was very patient and helpful. Not only that he knows about his stuff, he made sure that my daughter understood the assignment and rewrote the whole essay to improve it. Through and through he was one of the best tutors I have found so far. Thank you Sam for being so patient with her!”

“Sam gives practical and actionable advice based on his own wide-ranging experiences. He helped me carefully consider different options at a pivotal moment in my career with patience and kindness, and ultimately to choose Harvard Medical School. I strongly recommend working with him!”

“Sam quite literally swooped in and saved the day.....actually, the whole semester....for my daughter in AP U.S. History. We were dealing with a disastrous teacher situation and a notoriously grueling exam, and her midterm grade was sitting at a 50. Thanks to Sam’s guidance, support, and unbelievable teaching skills, she pulled it up to an A-. I only wish we had found Sam earlier in the year. But even in the short time leading up to finals, he made an extraordinary difference. My daughter is not the easiest student to teach—she’s strong-willed, easily disengaged, and vocally dislikes history.  Sam managed to speak her language. He matched her pace, challenged her thinking, and somehow made her excited to learn.  What truly sets Sam apart is his unshakable enthusiasm. He brings this bright, magnetic energy into every session—an energy that makes history feel alive and relevant. He doesn’t just teach facts.  He teaches how to think about history and apply it in testing and questions.  I was hoping he would be able to cram everything into her head, but she actually understands everything.  His excitement is so genuine that it becomes contagious, and my daughter found herself looking forward to their sessions.  Sam is also an excellent communicator, which was crucial for me as I juggled her complicated schedule. He was flexible, reliable, and incredibly organized—always quick to respond, clear about expectations, and proactive in suggesting next steps. Working with him was seamless on every level. Sam also helped build her confidence in a way that no one else has before.  He treated her like someone capable of mastering even the toughest material, and she rose to meet those expectations for the first time. For a student who did not have a lot of faith in herself, that kind of trust and encouragement made all the difference. Sam is a genius and a wonderful human / tutor.   I’m genuinely proud of the work they did together, and I highly and enthusiastically recommend Sam to anyone looking for a truly gifted teacher.”