CUTTA offers a full range of tutoring and test-prep services to students of all ages in New York City, both at home, or onsite at Columbia's Morningside Heights campus. Our tutors are graduate and undergraduate Columbia students who have demonstrated a strong scholastic ability in their subjects. Many of our tutors are focusing their own degree-seeking studies in their area of expertise, providing the high level of proficiency that has become the hallmark of the CUTTA experience. We serve individual students or parents of students who seek out CUTTA's help in mastering basic competencies and obtain the edge needed in today's competitive educational environment.
CUTTA offers tutoring in disciplines such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English, Foreign Languages, Literature, History, Mathematics, Music Theory, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, Social Studies, Writing and more. We also offer auxiliary tutoring services including homework support and study skills.
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Summer is a great time to get a head start on preparing for standarized tests. CUTTA is offering group and one-on-one SAT and ACT Prep tutoring. Please call or email us to learn more!
- Our Test-Prep services can help lead you to greater success on upcoming examinations such as SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, ESL, GED & MCAT, ISEE SSAT, Regents, AP and IB exams.
- To request or obtain more information about our tutoring and test-prep services, please visit our Contact page.
Meet some of our tutors:
CUTTA's talented team of tutors engages students in a unique way. Often coming from international backgrounds, accustomed to academic rigor, goal-oriented and versatile, our tutors will know how to adapt their teaching style to the needs of every student. Get to know a few of them below!
Tareq Abuissa
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Program of Studies: B.A. in Mathematics-Statistics and Music
Areas of Expertise: ACT and SAT test preparation, Mathematics, Writing, French
On tutoring: “Tutoring is extremely rewarding and a constant opportunity to cultivate knowledge, conversations, and relationships. I strive to be a friend and a listener in each of my sessions, and to arrive on understanding by helping students to realize the answers are already inside of their own minds."
Fun fact: “I love to play stringed instruments and recently purchased a sitar from New York Craigslist."
Aaron Shin 
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Program of Studies: B.A. English Literature from Boston University '10; M.F.A. Creative Writing at Columbia University '12
Areas of Expertise: Writing of Creative Non-Fiction, Fiction and Poetry, Composition, and Rhetoric.
On tutoring: “Effective tutoring is all about communication. When I teach, I try to first understand the student's specific needs and then cultivate a learning environment that addresses those needs. I am an amicable guy, which I find helps students retain information, since I am not trying to cram their minds with knowledge, as much as flex the intellectual muscles they already possess. I also try to maintain a casual report with my students through email or social media, in order to let them know that I am always available to answer their academic questions, even when I am away.”
Fun fact: “Once upon a time, I wanted to be a stand-up comedian.”
Kevin Zhang
Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL and Shanghai, China
Program of Studies: B.Sc. in Financial Engineering ‘12
Areas of Expertise: Math, Physics, Economics, Standardized Test Prep, and Chinese
On tutoring: “I am an avid believer that students are able to better appreciate the hardships other students undergo than professors and teachers and as such, are better equipped with the knowledge and empathy needed to aid other students. Regardless of whether you’re learning to play the piano, solve differential equations, or even bake cupcakes, the key is to understand the basics.”
Fun fact: “I once played a single Pokémon game for over 500 hours in an attempt to catch them all. I did."
Nehali Nanawati
Hometown: Lodi, NJ
Program of Studies: Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies (expected 2012), Columbia University, NY.
Bachelor of Architecture (2010), Pratt Institute, NY
Areas of Expertise: Chemistry, Physics, Algebra, Calculus, English, Elementary French
Design Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, AutoCAD, Maya, 3dsMax
On tutoring: “If I can explain a concept or problem that a student is struggling with in a different way, then I know that I have accomplished something. Teaching is an enriching experience because I can help students tackle advanced work and develop strong problem solving skills by creating a solid foundation in the fundamentals. Also, as a life-long learner, tutoring gives me the opportunity to constantly learn new things.”
Fun Fact: "In high school, I worked for Donna Karan New York, the design company, not the store."
Francesca Trianni 
Hometown: Modena, Italy
Program of Studies: Columbia College, Political Science with a concentration in Sustainable Development
Areas of Expertise: Homework help and translations
On tutoring: “As a child, I was lucky enough to be supported by capable teachers. My tutors not only helped me in becoming a better student but also encouraged me to see learning as an incredible journey, regardless of my grade point average. This balance, between learning for the sake of enriching your mind and studying to reach better grades, is what I strive to give to my students.”
Fun fact: “I’m a fearless adventurer of the culinary world and trying new recipes is a hobby of mine.”
Mila Rusafova
Hometown: Nowhere and everywhere. My family’s originally from Bulgaria but I was born in Charlottesville, Virginia and have lived in Seattle, Washington, Prague, Czech Republic, Singapore, and New York.
Program of Studies: BA. Major is still undecided but I’m planning to declare in Political Science and French with a possible concentration in English.
Areas of Expertise:
English, French, History, Biology, etc.
On tutoring: “I enjoy teaching and working with students in areas I feel I can explain well and help them improve. The look of realization on a student’s face and seeing their grades and confidence rise makes it really worthwhile.”
Fun fact: “Since I was 12 years old, I’ve never lived anywhere longer than three years.”
Justin Martin