Varsity Tutors is an online tutoring platform that connects students with personalized learning experiences. Founded in 2007, Varsity Tutors offers one-on-one tutoring, small group classes, and on-demand academic support in over 3,000 subjects ranging from math, science, foreign languages, test prep, and more. With a network of over 40,000 tutors, Varsity Tutors serves K-12 students, college students, and adult learners across the United States and Canada.
But is Varsity Tutors actually worth the cost? Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons, features, effectiveness, pricing, and overall value of Varsity Tutors to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your academic needs.
Pros of Varsity Tutors
1. Access to a huge network of vetted, expert tutors
One of the biggest advantages of Varsity Tutors is the sheer size and depth of their tutor network. With over 40,000 available tutors, you’ll likely be able to find an expert tutor that is a great match for your specific needs, goals, and learning preferences.
Tutors in the Varsity Tutors network go through a rigorous vetting and background check process before being approved to teach on the platform. All tutors must have at least a bachelor’s degree and tutoring experience in their subject areas. Many tutors are current or former educators with advanced degrees like master’s degrees or PhDs. This level of screening ensures you’re getting a highly qualified tutor.
2. Customized 1-on-1 tutoring
Varsity Tutors offers personalized 1-on-1 tutoring tailored specifically to you. When you first sign up, you’ll take a comprehensive diagnostic assessment that identifies your academic strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Based on the results, Varsity Tutors matches you with a tutor that can provide focused skill-building in your problem areas.
During tutoring sessions, your tutor will get to know your learning style and create custom lesson plans designed just for you. You’ll work collaboratively with your tutor, communicating directly throughout the session. This personalized approach can lead to faster improvement and a better understanding of the material.
3. Effective for diverse needs
Varsity Tutors can be an effective tutoring solution whether you need help mastering a challenging academic subject, preparing for an important standardized test, improving your grades, or gaining confidence in your skills.
If you’re struggling in a difficult high school or college course, tutoring is a great way to reinforce concepts and get the extra support you need to succeed. Varsity Tutors offers tutoring in over 3,000 subjects including math, sciences, English, history, foreign languages, and more.
For test prep, Varsity Tutors has specific tutoring programs to help you prep for important standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and more. Experienced test prep tutors will work with you on test strategies and improving your skills in areas like math, verbal, writing, and science reasoning.
4. Convenience of online platform
Varsity Tutors offers the flexibility and convenience of an online tutoring platform. As long as you have a computer or mobile device and internet connection, you can access tutoring anywhere, anytime.
You have the flexibility to schedule sessions that fit your availability, whether it’s evenings, weekends, or during school breaks. Tutoring takes place seamlessly over the online platform using tools like virtual whiteboards, file sharing, and face-to-face video. This makes it a convenient tutoring solution for busy students.
5. Resources beyond just tutoring
In addition to one-on-one tutoring, Varsity Tutors provides other academic resources like diagnostic assessments, practice tests, educator guides, and Learning Tools.
The diagnostic assessments and practice tests can give you meaningful insights into your academic proficiencies while helping you prep for important tests. Educator guides offer instructional resources to support learning. Learning Tools are short lessons, videos and quizzes covering foundational concepts across various subjects.
These extra resources allow you to take an all-encompassing approach by combining tutoring sessions with other effective learning tools.
6. Mobile app for on-the-go learning
Varsity Tutors offers a mobile app so students can access tutoring and learning tools on-the-go. The user-friendly mobile app makes it easy to schedule, reschedule or cancel sessions, communicate with your tutor, and participate in online sessions.
Whether you have a few minutes between classes or are traveling, the mobile app enables you to fit tutoring into your busy, on-the-go lifestyle. If you prefer learning from your mobile device, the app offers a seamless tutoring experience.
Cons of Varsity Tutors
1. Tutoring can be expensive
One of the biggest drawbacks of Varsity Tutors is the cost, especially for high schoolers or college students on a tight budget. Packages start at $100 per month for 4 hours of tutoring. Additional hours usually cost $60 or more per hour. Compared to free tutoring options, these rates can add up quickly.
While Varsity Tutors accepts some insurance plans that cover tutoring costs, most students will have to pay out of pocket. It’s one of the more expensive virtual tutoring platforms. You’ll have to weigh the value against the cost for your situation.
2. Quality of tutors can be inconsistent
While Varsity Tutors advertises that all tutors are ‘expert, vetted professionals,’ student reviews indicate that tutor quality can still be hit-or-miss at times. Some students have complained about tutors that seem disinterested, lack expertise, or can’t explain concepts clearly.
Since you likely won’t work with the same tutor consistently, there’s always a risk you may end up with a tutor that isn’t a perfect match for your learning needs. Be sure to read tutor reviews closely before selecting one.
3. Fewer group classes
While Varsity Tutors offers excellent personalized 1-on-1 tutoring, there are fewer options for small group tutoring or classes compared to some competitors. Many students find group learning environments beneficial for gaining different perspectives and collaborating with peers. But Varsity Tutors focuses predominantly on individual tutoring sessions.
4. Spotty customer service
According to some student reviews, contacting Varsity Tutors’ customer support can be difficult, with slow response times to issues or complaints. Effective customer service is pivotal when using any tutoring platform, so this feedback is concerning. Make sure to consider ease of communication before choosing Varsity Tutors.
5. Cancellation and refund policy
Varsity Tutors requires clients to cancel sessions at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged. While this is a typical policy for tutoring services, it also means you can’t get a last-minute refund if an unexpected schedule conflict comes up. Ensure you understand the cancellation policy before signing up.
Key Features
Some of the standout features of Varsity Tutors include:
Tutor Matching Algorithm
Varsity Tutors uses an advanced algorithm to instantly match students with just the right tutor based on their academic needs, goals, proficiencies, and availability. This helps remove the guesswork from picking a compatible tutor.
Dashboard
The online dashboard allows you to easily schedule, reschedule or cancel sessions, communicate with tutors, monitor progress, leave tutor reviews, and access billing – all in one place.
Virtual Whiteboard
The online whiteboard allows you to actively collaborate and work through problems together in real-time, just like an in-person session. You and your tutor can both write, draw, graph, and interact with the board.
Screen Sharing
Screen sharing makes it easy to work through practice problems together by giving the tutor view-only access to your screen and walk you through step-by-step solutions.
Live Face-to-Face Video
Video chat with your tutor adds an interactive, human element to online tutoring. You can communicate just like an in-person tutoring session.
File Sharing
Easily upload documents like essays, homework assignments or tests to review and get feedback from your tutor.
Practice Tests
Varsity Tutors offers full-length practice tests for major standardized exams to help students prep under realistic testing conditions.
Flashcards
Digital flashcard decks make it easy to memorize key terms, concepts, formulas, and more through spaced repetition. Flashcards can be accessed on your computer or mobile app.
Effectiveness
Independent research into Varsity Tutors’ effectiveness shows promising results:
95% of students improved their understanding of academic concepts with Varsity Tutors according to internal surveys.
Students experienced an average letter grade improvement after working with a Varsity Tutor.
In an independent case study by Beta Bridge, students using Varsity Tutors for SAT prep saw average score improvements of +19 points and as high as +150 points.
The key to getting the best results with Varsity Tutors is consistency. Students who attend tutoring sessions regularly (at least twice per week), stay actively engaged during sessions, complete homework assignments, and use the practice tests and other resources tend to see the largest gains.
While results can vary, independent research and customer reviews suggest Varsity Tutors can provide an effective boost when students put in the effort.
Varsity Tutors Pricing
Varsity Tutors offers flexible packages. Keep in mind that discounts may be available for longer subscriptions:
Pay-As-You-Go
– $60+ per hour of 1-on-1 tutoring
4 Hour Packages
– $240 per month for 4 hours ($60 per hour)
– $480 per month for 8 hours ($60 per hour)
– $960 per month for 16 hours ($60 per hour)
Unlimited Tutoring
– $399 per month of unlimited 1-on-1 tutoring
Specialized Packages
– ACT Prep: $399 per month
– SAT Prep: $399 per month
– College Admissions: $399 per month
Varsity Tutors also offers custom packages for enterprise clients and organizations. Custom packages allow groups to purchase tutoring hours in bulk at discounted hourly rates.
Many students can access Varsity Tutors at discounted rates or 100% free through government education programs or insurance providers like:
– Military Families: Up to $3,500 in free tutoring for U.S. military families through Tutor.com.
– Schools and Districts: Free and subsidized tutoring may be available through public school districts.
– Insurance Providers: Many insurance plans cover online tutoring, with copays as low as $0 with eligible plans.
Is Varsity Tutors worth the cost?
Whether Varsity Tutors offers a worthwhile investment depends on your individual needs and budget. Here are some key points to consider:
Varsity Tutors is best for:
– High school or college students who want to improve their grades in difficult classes. One-on-one tutoring is an effective way to strengthen weak areas.
– Students prepping for major standardized tests like the ACT, SAT, LSAT, MCAT. Varsity Tutors offers tailored test prep programs.
– Visual learners who benefit from interactive tools like online whiteboards.
– Busy students who need a flexible tutoring option to fit their schedule.
Varsity Tutors may not be the best fit if:
– You need tutoring for less common academic subjects. While Varsity Tutors covers over 3,000 subjects, availability may be limited for some.
– Your budget is very tight. More affordable options are available through community centers, non-profits, schools, etc.
– You strongly prefer small group classes. Varsity Tutors focuses mainly on one-on-one tutoring.
– Your learning preferences lean toward self-guided programs. Varsity Tutors is a more hands-on, interactive platform.
While it comes at a fairly high cost, independent research shows Varsity Tutors can deliver real results in terms of better grades, improved test scores, and mastering challenging academic material. It’s one of the most comprehensive and effective virtual tutoring platforms available.
Conclusion
Varsity Tutors can provide personalized, expert tutoring to help students improve their grades, test scores, and academic skills. Key advantages include its extensive network of vetted tutors, customized 1-on-1 learning, and convenient online platform. However, the tutoring does come at a relatively high cost that may not fit all budgets.
Students who take advantage of the full suite of features, engage actively during sessions, and use the practice tests and other resources tend to see the best results. But realistically, effectiveness ultimately depends on each individual student’s level of commitment. Overall, Varsity Tutors offers a feature-rich virtual tutoring solution for students who can benefit from 1-on-1 academic support.