Hi there! My name is Ben, and I am a Political Science PhD student at UC Berkeley. I grew up in Houston, Texas, and I also have a B.A. in Politics from Princeton and an M.A. in Political Studies from Queen’s University. While my focus is on politics, I am passionate about all things related to the social sciences, from history to psychology to sociology. I am also an experienced writing tutor, having assisted numerous clients in the past with their college essays. Finally, I also have experience studying and teaching statistics as a Teaching Assistant.
I am studying for my PhD because I love teaching. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to transmit knowledge about a subject you think is important, and to be able to watch students come to their own understanding and appreciation of it. I believe any student can succeed given the right attention and if they are taught with the style that fits their needs best, and I am committed to tailoring my approach for each and every one of my students. This may mean adjusting pace, altering between review and the introduction of new material, and frequently communicating helpful feedback. My philosophy as a teacher is that every student requires a unique approach, and I am always excited to find the right method that helps students learn best.
Outside of tutoring and my studies, I enjoy hiking, reading, and open world video games.
Looking forward to working with you!
College:
Education: Princeton University
Undergrad Major: Politics
Other Degrees/Minors: Master's in Political Science (Queen's University), PhD in Political Science (UC Berkeley)
High School:
Awards & Honors: Honor Society, Honor Roll
Interests & Activities: Editor in Chief of Student Newspaper, Secretary of Student Council
ACT Scores: 34 Composite (36 Reading, 35 English, 34 Science, 29 Math)
AP Exams: 5 Biology, 5 Psychology, 5 World History, 5 Government, 5 English Language and Composition, 5 English Literature and Composition, 4 Chemistry
SAT Subject Tests: 800 US History, 800 World History, 730 Biology
Other:
Other Awards: Summa Cum Laude, Richard Challener ’44 Senior Thesis Prize in Canadian Studies
Other Interests & Activities: At Princeton, I was involved with the student newspaper, the Daily Princetonian, along with a student-run podcast called Policy Punchline. I also was the editor in chief of a student magazine on foreign policy, called The Princeton Diplomat. I also served as a dormitory assistant, acting as a liaison between administration and residents in order to address dorm-related concerns.
Since Princeton, I have studied for a Master's in Political Science at Queen's University, which I will receive at the end of the summer. At Queen's, I was a volunteer for a local soup kitchen and a union steward. I also worked as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant. This fall, I will begin a PhD in political science at UC Berkeley.
Location: Other
