Alec has a Bachelor’s degree in both Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Asian Studies from Rice University and an MBA from Stanford University. He has several years of experience helping college candidates get into their dream schools.
As a coach, Alec enjoys helping others find confidence and pride in what sets them apart. Essentially, he loves to see students embark on journeys to further cultivate their individuality. His greatest strength when working with Quad applicants is his ability to help them find their confidence and voice. Alec understands the difficulty in articulating the “why” behind your experiences and decisions when applying to college. He prides himself on his ability to help students dig deep so they can determine the motivations behind their choices, whether it's their reason for pursuing an activity, a school, or a program.
Students Alec has recently coached have gotten accepted into UC Berkeley, Yale University, Princeton University, MIT, Stanford University, Washington University St. Louis, Rice University, and Vanderbilt University.
In Alec’s free time, he enjoys taking courses online, making up games, and solving computer science problems.
Alec’s Pro Tip?
Students do better in the interview when they answer extemporaneously from the heart rather than when they memorize what "should be said".
Allan graduated from Cornell University with Cum Laude honors in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a concentration in Energy and Economics. After completing his bachelor's degree, he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Allan founded an admissions consulting program as the President of a national honor society at Cornell University. He also acted as an admissions mentor at a local high school. As an admissions ambassador, Allan provided feedback to the admissions board on the potential candidate's fit with the school. With over ten years of experience as an academic counselor, he has helped his students gain admission to Cornell University, the University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Texas, among many others.
As a first-generation college student, Allan has first-hand experience with how challenging and confusing the admission process can be. This fuels his passion for supporting and guiding his students through the application process. As a coach, he takes a personalized approach–highlighting each applicant's strengths and individuality. He is adaptable and flexible when it comes to what his students need, regardless of what stage in the application process they're in. Allan excels in helping his students develop a robust applicant profile that speaks to what admissions officers are looking for in an ideal candidate beyond test scores and grades. He helps his students turn their shortcomings into strengths, allowing them to shine through.
With his Quad students, Allan breaks down the application process into more manageable steps. He helps his students understand the rationale behind each aspect of their application–specifically, why the colleges ask specific questions and what they want to learn about the students. This, in turn, gives his students the opportunity to build a more meaningful and intentional application. Through coaching prospective college students, Allan hopes to pass on his knowledge and experience to ensure that his students can more easily manage the college application process. He finds great joy in seeing his students' and their families' happy faces and tears when they receive acceptance letters from their dream school. Allan ensures that his students feel confident in their application and works hard to get each of his students to that state of mind and having fun along the way.
When Allan isn't coaching, he mentors high school students and young professionals on career and professional development. He also enjoys playing competitive badminton–and winning!
Allan's Pro Tip?
Students often think they need the perfect resume and breadth of experience to be a competitive candidate. While having these experiences under your belt can be an asset, you can always find strength in your application through your weaknesses and shortcomings, making you much more resilient and competitive throughout the application process.
Allie earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master's in Public Administration at the Harvard Kennedy School. Professionally, she has worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.
She has deep experience in higher education admissions, having served as both a writing coach and alumni interviewer at the University of Pennsylvania. She has also supported the development of two courses, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, that help students translate their academic passions into professional career goals.
Allie’s students have received acceptance into top programs at Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, University of California – Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan. Her greatest strengths as a coach include assisting students with idea generation, identifying differentiating talents, and effectively creating a cohesive story across all elements of an application. Allie particularly enjoys helping candidates transform small anecdotes into a compelling narrative that highlights the unique contributions they can make to a college or university.
In her free time, Allie enjoys ashtanga yoga, hiking in New England, and reading the latest non-fiction books on the NYTimes Best Sellers list.
Alysia has a Bachelor’s from the University of Florida and a Master’s from St. Thomas University. She has spent over a decade coaching student-athletes, helping them transfer from 2-year colleges to prestigious 4-year institutions while securing athletic scholarships. Her extensive knowledge of intercollegiate athletics, the recruitment process, and a discerning eye for talent position her as a formidable coach, proficient in steering students toward their ideal university. Professionally, Alysia has served as Director of Athletics at Miami Dade College and as Stats Crew for The Miami Heat.
While at Miami Dade, Alysia also worked with the President's Cabinet, collaborating with esteemed individuals such as Deans, the Chief Campus Information Officer (CCIO), and Campus Presidents. In these high-level conversations about collegiate affairs, her insights and expertise were integral in shaping institutional strategies for enrollment growth.
Alysia's passion for coaching college applicants is fueled by her unwavering belief in the power of education to fulfill lifelong dreams. She finds immeasurable joy in knowing that her guidance and mentorship pave the path for applicants to cross the stage at graduation, a culmination of their aspirations. With nearly half a lifetime devoted to higher education, Alysia recognizes her unique ability to coach, guide, and mentor, reflecting her overarching desire to aid individuals in pursuing personal and academic growth.
An enduring belief in the significance of teamwork underscores Alysia's approach to her profession. She wholeheartedly embraces the idea that "teamwork makes the dream work." Her philosophy emphasizes that there is no "I" in team and that collaborative efforts create the most innovative and impactful solutions.
Alysia firmly believes that every student possesses the potential to achieve their collegiate dreams. With her extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and passion for mentorship, she stands ready to guide aspiring college applicants toward their academic and athletic goals.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Alysia maintains a well-rounded life. She enjoys staying active, frequently engaging in workouts, weightlifting, and playing basketball. She also relishes outdoor adventures with her loyal canine companion. In her leisure time, Alysia channels her creativity into customizing and painting sneakers, demonstrating her personality's multifaceted and artistic dimension.
Amanda has a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a Master’s in Education. She has over 14 years of counseling experience, having coached her students at top universities such as Dartmouth College, Cornell University, and Georgetown University, among others. Amanda also holds a certificate from Columbia Business School’s Executive Education Developing Leader’s Program.
Amanda is a strong project manager; she meets every deadline and ensures it feels doable for her students and their families. She is also highly perceptive and can understand her students’ strengths and character to tell powerful stories that showcase these character traits. Amanda has applied these skills with her Quad students by helping them develop strong essays and resumes, coaching her students through interviews, and ensuring that their applications are impactful. Amanda knows how important getting into college is for her students; she hopes to honor the importance of this process through her work ethic, commitment, and follow-through.
Her passion for working with students and guiding them through the admissions process comes from her experience of getting into her dream school. Amanda has spent her entire career working in education because she knows how powerful education is as a tool for transformative change. Spending time with her students – hearing their stories, learning more about their skills and passions, and being part of their educational, professional, and civic journeys – is incredibly special to her. She is committed to her students and wants to see them have their moment in the sun when they receive their acceptance letters.
When Amanda isn’t coaching, she loves reading books, starting book clubs, volunteering, kayak, and playing trivia.
Amanda’s Pro Tip?
It’s most important to reveal who you uniquely are as a student. This will allow you to connect powerfully with admissions staff and build personalized strategies for each element of your application.
Amethyst has earned a Bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She served as an Alumni Representative Committee Member at Columbia, conducting interviews and writing reports for Columbia University applicants. She has also taught and advised at high schools and coached many college applicants applying to top-tier schools. Additionally, Amethyst has extensive experience reading college application essays as an academic writing teacher.
For Amethyst, college was a landscape of great opportunity. She was a small-town girl from Kansas who could live in the beauty of New York City for four years. She feels lucky to have experienced so many beautiful moments through her undergraduate years. Amethyst wouldn't have been exposed to the opportunities that have followed without the support of knowledgeable and caring coaches who guided her through a complicated process. She is excited to help students on this journey and be one of the many keys that can help unlock doors to a bright future.
Amethyst's greatest strengths as a coach are her dedication to learning about students holistically and helping them find their passions, not just for an application or even four years, but for life. She listens deeply and cares about the impact students hope to have on the world. As a coach, she is excited to guide students as they discover their unique strengths and interests.
Amethyst has learned that when it comes to college admissions, universities are looking for intellectually curious students who will contribute to the community, have clear values and interests, and are a good fit for the school. Amethyst understands the importance of identifying these unknown institutional priorities and helping students showcase their best selves.
In her free time, Amethyst loves to stay active with yoga, dancing, cycling, and hiking in Colorado. She also enjoys reading, painting, blasting music, and spending time with her little cousins.
Anthony has a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies from the University of Chicago. He also has earned a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology from Harvard University. While at Harvard, Anthony served as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies. He interviewed prospective students interested in majoring in Classics and the humanities and wrote letters of evaluation for the admissions committee. Professionally, Anthony has over ten years of experience as an educator.
Anthony’s passion for coaching stems from his drive to ensure that deserving students get access to quality education, regardless of their background. Anthony knows how valuable guidance during the college admissions process can be, especially for those with limited means or those who lack access to formal guidance. He strives to do everything in his power to help students access quality education and unlock their full potential.
When it comes to coaching, Anthony’s greatest strength is his ability to holistically approach students as human beings, identifying their premier qualities derived from every facet of their lives that have contributed to their growth and development.
When Anthony isn’t coaching students, he enjoys woodworking, especially the notion of creating sophisticated objects from raw materials.
With over twelve years of experience in higher education, Anthony is au fait with the admissions process. Anthony has served as an admissions reader for UC Berkeley. Additionally, he was also an Admissions Counselor at Syracuse University, Assistant Direct of Admissions at University of Richmond, and Assistant Director of Admissions at Earlham College. He has interviewed prospective students, overseen diversity recruitment, and rendered both scholarship and admissions decisions. These experiences have allowed Anthony to gain a strong understanding of what admissions officers are looking for and in turn, what candidates can do to make themselves stand out.
As a coach, Anthony strives to empower his students, ensuring they make an informed decision on which college to attend. Anthony is aware of challenges and hurdles in the admissions process and works diligently with students to overcome them. Anthony feels that every student has a unique story to tell and helps students identify their unique strengths and weaknesses, allowing their individual voices to shine through. He loves helping students navigate the entire application process: from building college lists to crafting personal statements to preparing for the interview, Anthony’s goal is to be with Quad applicants every step of the way.
Outside of Quad, Anthony enjoys singing, playing piano, and traveling.
Anthony’s Pro Tip?
You must constantly learn and unpack the things that prevent you from succeeding.
Arianna is a counselor at Quad Education and has been on the admissions team at Dartmouth College. She loves being able to help guide students and lessen the anxiety that the process causes. Arianna likes to inspire students and help them reach the goals they were unsure were attainable prior.
Arianna was heavily involved in interviewing candidates at Dartmouth, leading to her greatest learning in admissions: interviewing a candidate is just as much on the interviewer as the interviewee. Later in her admissions journey, she realized how this also applies to other aspects of the application. If you search for the candidate to fail, they will, but if you have no expectation, then the candidate's performance will be their own. Arianna incorporates this philosophy into her coaching style as a consultant at Quad.
Arianna is an expert at guiding students throughout the application process. She really enjoys helping students determine their strengths, guiding them through each step in an understandable way, college list creation, and helping students discover their theme to utilize for their application and personal essay. Although she loves helping all students, she is particularly passionate about helping diverse and POC candidates, STEM, LGBTQ+, women, and disadvantaged candidates.
Arianna loves to play the violin, learn languages (she's currently working on Portuguese and Italian), and write poetry and short stories.
Ashley attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Mathematics, and Economics. Ashley strongly believes in making education more accessible to all, which sparked her desire to coach college applicants.
Professionally, Ashley has worked at Google. In this capacity, she has consulted with C-suite executives, agencies, and marketing directors to assess marketing goals, analyze campaign performance, and pitch new brand, targeting, and campaign initiatives.
Ashley understands how daunting the college admission process can be. Still, she feels the benefits of having a world-class higher education, from networking and personal self-actualization to post-college earning potential, are immense. For this reason, Ashley strives to help relieve stress and make the application process as smooth as possible.
Ashley’s greatest strengths as a coach are delivering a customized approach to uncovering candidates’ strengths, helping to compile a balanced list of universities, and making meaningful contributions to the essay-writing process.
Candidates that Ashley has recently coached have gotten accepted at several top-tier colleges, including UPenn, Washington University in St. Louis, Rice University, and Duke University.
Ashley is a huge Formula 1 fan, so you can always find her watching live races or highlights when she’s not coaching. She also loves traveling and painting!
Ashley’s Pro Tip?
Be sure to share your authentic self beyond your GPA and test scores and ask insightful questions to express genuine interest in the respective school/program.
UC Irvine- Master's
Andy has a Master’s degree from UC Irvine and has over a decade of experience in SAT, ACT, and GRE tutoring. Andy loves to see learners push themselves out of their comfort zones and gain the confidence to reach their goals. In working with students of all backgrounds and abilities, from first-generation students to children of Ivy League alumni, their favorite tutoring moments are when candidates spot patterns in tests and therefore realize they have the skills to ace the ACT or SAT. This is why Andy focuses on strategy first, personalizing each learning plan to the candidate's unique strengths and goals.
Andy is passionate about helping students understand different ways to approach a problem or understand a concept - there's never one right way because everyone learns differently. They are skilled at helping students spot the differences between what they learned in classes at school and what to pay attention to on a standardized test. Andy also likes creating graphic organizers and other tools to help applicants stay organized and break the work down visually. Nothing makes them happier than congratulating a graduating senior – especially one who was nervous at the beginning of the school year – and seeing the excitement in their eyes when they talk about what's ahead of them.
Andy's greatest strengths as a tutor include empathizing with students, respecting their learning styles, and developing customized tools and strategies to help applicants stay organized and focused. Andy has helped students gain acceptance to several prestigious schools, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, NYU, and Northwestern University.
Outside of their work, Andy enjoys walking around Los Angeles, learning about local history, reading, and watching horror movies.
UCLA - Bachelor’s
Georgetown University - Master’s
Claudia holds a Bachelor’s from UCLA and a Master’s from Georgetown University. She has been a professional SAT/ACT tutor for almost 10 years. Students she has tutored have gone on to attend several top-tier universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Georgetown, Princeton, Columbia, and Yale.
Professionally, Claudia is a Clinical Research Consultant for the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In this role, she embarks on various projects with her team so that up-and-coming medications and scientific devices can enter the market. Despite having a fulfilling career in research, Claudia dedicates time to education because she wants to nurture academic interests in young students.
In college, Claudia discovered her love for traveling. She studied abroad in England for two months and then backpacked through various European countries for a month. She also volunteered in Guatemala to provide medical care for the local community, where she discovered that she would like to pursue healthcare as a career.
As a tutor, Claudia is personable and friendly. She prioritizes establishing a relationship with her students and believes a good relationship between the tutor, student, and parent/guardian is necessary for trust and effective communication. She understands that each individual is unique, so she adjusts her teaching methods to accommodate each student.
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Claudia spends most of her time exploring the outdoors, discovering great restaurants, practicing yoga, playing the piano/guitar/saxophone, reading fiction novels, or watching anime. She is always looking for new anime to watch, so if you have recommendations, let her know!
Harvard University - Master’s
With a Master's degree from Harvard University, Eric is a supportive and effective tutor focused on helping students achieve their academic goals. He has over seven years of tutoring experience, working with students from diverse backgrounds, educational goals, and personalities.
Specializing in ACT studies, Eric has traveled the USA giving full-day lectures to schools of students on how to ace the ACT. He has studied psychology (including test construction/test making) and is ready to give students specific help on individual questions and test-taking tips that make taking the ACT much easier. So whether students aim for mastery, just enough for their dream school, or just a little advice, Eric is always happy to meet and work with students to achieve their goals.
When Eric isn't tutoring, he studies for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and plays board games. He loves board games, probably too much. Okay, too much (says his wife). Oh, and he makes a mean cheesecake.
Emory University - Bachelor's
Gabriella holds a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University. She is an expert in SAT and ACT test prep and is experienced in tutoring students one-on-one and teaching SAT workshops.
Gabriella’s passion for tutoring grew while working part-time in elementary school classrooms as an undergraduate. Since then, she has been committed to supporting students in their academic growth and helping them achieve their goals.
Gabriella approaches test prep by targeting students’ weakest subject areas and arming them with the necessary strategies to improve their comprehension and pacing on the test. As a positive and patient tutor, she builds on students’ foundational knowledge while also building their confidence. Her goal is to convert her students into empowered test takers by providing them with all the tools and support they need to succeed. Gabriella’s methods have produced positive results and feedback from students with increased scores and confidence.
In her spare time, Gabriella enjoys reading, writing, singing, and spending quality time with friends.
Vanderbilt University - Master's
Isaac is pursuing a Master's degree from Vanderbilt University. He has over three years of tutoring experience in STEM and the humanities, specializing in the ACT and SAT.
As a lifelong learner and storyteller, Isaac has spent the past decade working in many educational roles, including at nature centers, community non-profits, and in the classroom. He has also worked in mental and behavioral healthcare, offering services at a dual-diagnosis treatment facility, neurofeedback clinic, behavior analysis center, and jail.
His clinical and educational training supplements his academic abilities: his tutoring approach is a unique blend of clinical techniques and interpersonal skills combined with knowledge and expertise. Isaac’s philosophy is recognizing the whole person, not just a student. Isaac understands that each student has their own motivations, personality, strengths, and weaknesses. Recognizing these perspectives, building a collaborative approach attuned to each student’s style, and capitalizing on their motivations are the keys to success.
Furthermore, Isaac’s perspective extends to standardized testing. The ACT and SAT are knowledge tests, and he encourages students to think about how these tests are designed since it’s just as valuable as knowing the material. Being a storyteller trained in many roles has enabled Isaac to hone this skill, so he can connect to others and help them understand and tap into the proper mindsets to excel on these tests. He aims to empower students to achieve their academic (and other) aspirations!
A fun fact about Isaac is that he hates chocolate! But he loves roller skating, murder mysteries, and puns! One of his favorites? Do you know what you call an upset exam? A: Test-y.
University of Pennsylvania - Bachelor's
Matthew is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an accomplished academic tutor and college admissions consultant with a wealth of experience and a passion for helping students succeed. Matthew has achieved a perfect score on the ACT and SAT subject tests and specializes in the mathematics and science sections. He also serves as a tutor and teaching assistant in various STEM subjects, including data structures and algorithms, machine learning, linear algebra, and calculus.
Matthew’s achievements include qualifying for the American Invitational Math Exam (AIME) four times during high school. He also served as a teaching assistant for Olympiad math courses at a renowned summer camp and has a deep passion for teaching higher-level mathematics.
One of Matthew's most notable accolades is his recognition as a U.S. Presidential Scholar by the Department of Education, one of the highest honors awarded to only 161 high schoolers nationwide.
Outside of academics, Matthew currently works in quantitative trading. He can offer valuable insights and guidance to students interested in pursuing careers in quantitative finance and software engineering.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Matthew has lived in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Australia, where he bartended, surfed, and coached tennis. He's passionate about finding personal development through traveling, and he’s also a creative enthusiast in electronic music production.
Duke University - Bachelor's
Saumya graduated from Duke University, where she received the AB Duke scholarship. She has over a decade of tutoring experience, mostly focused on the ACT and SAT. Saumya taught her first math class when she was 14 years old and has been tutoring ever since. Professionally, Saumya works at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as a clinical researcher in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. She leads several initiatives to improve reproductive health equity, and in her free time, she is an adolescent health educator. Her passion for education and access to education drives everything she does.
Saumya started tutoring the SAT/ACT shortly after taking the tests herself in high school. While preparing for the exams, she learned tips and tricks that helped her "crack" the exams and wanted to pass this information on to others. Saumya believes there is a clear difference between understanding the content tested on the SAT/ACT and how to take the exam. Instead of just teaching "exam hacks," Saumya loves helping students understand the "why" behind the solution and then employing exam hacks to help them solve problems more quickly.
Saumya loves teaching and seeing students reach their "breakthrough" moment. She is excited to get to know Quad students and help them through this process!
Outside of professional pursuits, Saumya loves spending time with her dog, Mallard. Mallard is a 10-year-old rescue and has always had the name Mallard, but Saumya thinks he was named because of his duck noises. Mallard will sometimes say hi through Saumya's computer screen! Saumya also loves trying new coffee recipes, playing guitar, and singing.
Tersoo is pursuing a Bachelor’s from Princeton University, where he excels and consistently holds a 3.9+ GPA. He is deeply passionate about education and learning in his personal and professional life, having undergone training as a tutor at Princeton's Learning Center. He broke the 1500+ threshold on his first and only SAT attempt, so he’s no stranger to a rigorous, skill-based approach to preparing for this exam.
Tersoo has a rich understanding of learning psychology which he constantly leverages in his pursuit of studying Computer Architecture and Quantum Engineering. Above all, Tersoo takes the utmost pride in his work as an SAT tutor as he seeks to enrich his clients with knowledge on tackling the SAT conceptually and time-efficiently.
While Tersoo is deeply academic, aspiring to attain a PhD in Computer Architecture, he also holds many creative interests, notably in fashion, graphic design, music, and photography. Whenever he is back home in Calgary, one of his favorite activities is finding vintage clothing at his local Goodwill with friends. He also prides himself in physical health as an avid weightlifter and recreational athlete.
When Tersoo isn’t studying, drafting new pieces for his up-and-coming clothing brand, or listening to music, you'll find him attempting a new squat PR or playing pick-up soccer with grad students.