Jennifer has a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and over 20 years of experience in higher education admissions. Most recently, Jennifer has served as the Director of College Counseling at Springdale Preparatory School. Previously, she has also served on admissions committees at Harvard University and Washington University in St. Louis.
In these roles, Jennifer was responsible for recruitment, making scholarship decisions, student credential evaluation, transfer credit evaluation, and interviewing applicants. This extensive experience gives Jennifer a unique, holistic understanding of selective undergraduate programs. She enjoys encouraging college applicants to maintain a big-picture view of their professional and personal goals and helping them understand the factors that will contribute to a deep engagement with the institution.
Jennifer’s greatest strengths as a coach include helping students articulate their strengths and unique attributes in their college essays, presenting a range of academic programs for consideration, and strategic planning stretching beyond the college experience,
When Jennifer isn’t coaching, she enjoys playing the harp, gardening, and hiking with her beagles. She also loves baking with her twin daughters, traveling, and watching sunrises over the Atlantic and sunsets over Lake Michigan.
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Junior holds a Master’s degree from New York University. He has nearly 20 years of coaching experience and has supported 1,000+ students through their journeys to higher education. Junior served on the Asia Pacific Leadership Program admissions committee at the University of Hawaii, helping review graduate-level applications. His work included reviewing their application materials, such as the application form, the essay for joining the program, the proposal for GIST (Group Independent Study Travel), and recommendation letters. Junior’s experiences have helped him learn to look at application material objectively while using his own knowledge to gauge the applicant's potential to succeed.
Junior has also held many support and service roles which have allowed him to support students in grades six through 11 in obtaining internships, getting into STEM related-programs, applying to summer programs, and earning scholarships. Students he has coached have been accepted to top schools, including Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Pomona College, and others.
Junior is a first-generation college graduate. This means that as a high school student, he could not go to his parents for help, which negatively impacted his college application experience. His journey led him to become a college counselor, working with hundreds of students through the college application process to help ease their anxiety and ensure they had the knowledge and tools needed to make well-informed decisions about their future without getting overwhelmed. Contributing to student success and helping them build confidence makes him passionate about coaching.
Junior’s greatest power as a coach is his listening skills. Active listening requires empathy and putting one's feelings and opinions aside, allowing the coach to listen to understand—not to respond. Active listening helps him be present and facilitates mutual trust and understanding, leading to a better experience for everyone. Understanding his students' needs, fears, dreams, and aspirations allows him to focus on what's important to them, making it easier for him to help applicants accomplish their goals.
Outside of work, Junior consumes a lot of art and intellectual content. He loves listening to Afrobeats, attending Afrobeats concerts, and reading fiction, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez, James Baldwin, and Salman Rushdie. He also enjoys visiting museums and art shows and saw the Whitney Biennial 2024 and the Met's Costume Institute’s spring 2024 exhibition. Junior also loves watching independent and foreign films, running and hiking in New York's Adirondack Mountains, or traveling to places like Belize, Portugal, and the Dominican Republic.
Kayla is a graduate of Brown University, where she earned two Bachelor's degrees, one in Theatre Arts & Performance Studies and the other in Modern Culture & Media. She has also worked for Brown University's Admissions Department. She regularly co-presented application information sessions for prospective students and learned how Brown evaluates candidates. This experience provided her with a unique understanding of what constitutes a strong college applicant. Kayla specialized in answering: "When applicants have similarly strong test scores and grades, what sets an admitted student apart from the others?"
Kayla excels at providing structure for both students and parents throughout the entire application process, turning the daunting task of applying to colleges into manageable, actionable steps. She supports her students in identifying and showcasing what sets them apart from other applicants. Kayla's past students have said that essays become easy with her guidance and have expressed gratitude for the sense of direction she provides.
Kayla is a passionate storyteller and has extensive professional experience as an actor, writer, and director. She is the recipient of the New Players Company Directing Award and the Brown University T. Carpenter Prize for Elocution.
Kayla has recently worked with students accepted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell, UC Berkeley, Pomona College, and Emerson College, among other top schools.
Kerry holds a Master’s from Columbia University and a Master’s from Carnegie Mellon University. She has served as an international admissions consultant with multiple global companies, especially those that only hire Ivy League alumni. Kerry has worked on all aspects of admissions consulting, shepherding students through admissions season or working with special cases for over a decade. She has personally coached students accepted into prestigious institutions, such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, Rice University, Cambridge University, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, and more!
After working as an adjunct professor throughout her PhD years, sometimes teaching three-hour lectures to 80 students, Kerry realized that her one-on-one work in private tutoring and admissions consulting was her greatest passion, with real-life results always visible. She loves getting to know each student as an individual, helping them figure out how to stand out and their brand, who they are, and who they want to be. Kerry loves leading students through the process, helping make it fun, alleviating anxiety, and watching their admission acceptances roll in.
Kerry excels as a coach due to her ability to navigate substantial work and pivotal life plans with a blend of humor, infusing the admissions process with genuine enjoyment and excitement. Her strengths lie in authenticity, characterized by honesty and diplomacy when offering advice and openly sharing her successes and setbacks in admissions consulting. Thanks to a rich tapestry of life experiences in academia, journalism, diverse careers, and extensive travel, Kerry possesses a unique perspective that enriches her coaching approach. She also excels in her ability to read students well for what makes them unique and how to make them stand out in the admissions process.
Furthermore, Kerry's expertise extends to a comprehensive knowledge of various schools, programs, admissions intricacies, and effective strategies. Over her years as a private admissions consultant, Kerry has learned the intricacies of the systems of the various schools. She has also learned how best to help students depending on their personalities, profiles, goals, and strengths and to let them take a lead role in their own admissions process so that they can grow into the best versions of themselves.
Moreover, as an international writer with over sixty publications in both scholarly and popular outlets, Kerry offers students an unusual opportunity to collaborate and edit with a working writer.
As a journalist and digital nomad who has lived around the world, Kerry has an immense amount of knowledge to share about places, schools, degrees, and just about anything else, too. When she’s not working, Kerry enjoys studying languages and art. Kerry is extremely into fitness and training, and the gym is her happy place for stress relief.
Krystal received a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance at Colorado State University and pursued a Master’s in Economics following her undergraduate degree. She has 15+ years of admissions experience and has served as an Alumni and Scholarship Program Fellow and Coordinator at the Boettcher Foundation’s full-ride merit scholarship program and as a Leadership Coach for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. In these roles, she ran informational sessions for high school graduates, reviewed applications including resumes, short answer questions, essay questions, counselor recommendations, and teacher letters of recommendation, interviewed final candidates, and made final acceptance decisions. Students she has coached have been accepted into prestigious institutions, including MIT, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and many others.
Krystal is a prestigious scholarship expert, having graduated from several summer programs fully funded by the National Coca-Cola, Boettcher, Intel, Rotary, Masonic, Scientific Education, and Research Institute Scholarships, the President’s Leadership Program, and Honors Undergraduate Research Scholarships. She has also written and received multiple multi-thousand-dollar grants to conduct and present her scientific research at international conferences. She has led product marketing teams for Coca-Cola, partnered with university admissions, and spearheaded programming for state-wide scholarship programs.
Krystal is passionate about giving students the tools they need to succeed and holds a strong belief that knowledge is potential power. She loves helping students identify their pain points and utilize creative problem-solving to enhance outcomes as they navigate the college application process. By helping students at this stage in their lives, she helps them achieve their educational goals in pursuit of their career aspirations to help them build happy and successful lives. Krystal is extremely passionate about resume building, telling her students’ unique stories, and helping them find the university of their dreams.
Krystal thrives on making the application experience enjoyable for Quad applicants while still holding a sense of accountability and making it one of the best experiences of their lives. In addition to helping her students gain acceptance to top universities, she has coached, counseled, and worked with college students who have successfully navigated and accepted prestigious scholarships, including Fulbright, Coca-Cola, Gates, Marshall, Rhodes, Dell, Goldwater, and Boettcher. Krystal is passionate about giving students the tools they need to succeed.
When Krystal isn’t coaching, she enjoys teaching Aqua Zumba, mountain biking, SCUBA diving, and painting large murals.
Marlee has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University. She has served on the admissions teams at Northwestern University and University of Illinois Chicago. In these roles, Marlee has been a part of scholarship review committees and has been responsible for overall enrollment management, especially for international students.
Marlee is a staunch advocate for higher education and believes it is a critical access point for all students. She feels that education presents an opportunity for students to grow personally, professionally, and academically to become important members of society supporting change, innovation, and progress in the world.
This passion is what led Marlee to coach Quad applicants. Marlee is committed to getting to know her students and working with them to present their best representation of themselves. She thoroughly enjoys learning about and identifying what makes each student unique and helping them share these qualities and strengths with their chosen colleges. Her greatest strengths include helping students identify goals, create a strategic and organized plan to meet those goals, manage their time effectively, and craft powerful resumes.
When Marlee isn’t coaching, she loves to run, dance, and travel.
Max has earned a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Vermont. Max has many years of experience as an Admissions Coach and SAT/ACT Tutor. Additionally, Max has served as a Newspaper & TV Journalist, identifying compelling stories and spicing up the written prose. He feels delighted when a student can channel his/her/their authentic inner voice and cares deeply about working with young people.
Max is passionate about guiding students through the college admissions process — from requesting recommendation letters, and editing resumes to crafting heartfelt essays, strategizing over Early Decision versus Regular Decision, and weighing financial aid packages.
Max’s greatest strength as a coach is his ability to establish a personal-professional rapport with his students. He partners with Quad applicants to break down tasks, working systematically to overcome any fears surrounding the college application process. Max also uses his journalism chops to interview the student and solicit essay-ready insights.
Students Max has recently coached have gotten accepted to Princeton University, Yale University, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Columbia University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Duke University, University of Chicago, Washington University, and Northwestern University.
In his free time, Max enjoys pushing himself to the limit at CrossFit and running half-marathons. He also likes to read novels and non-fiction and sit in a coffee shop arguing politics with friends.
Max’s Pro Tip?
Don’t underestimate the importance of brutal honesty in the essay writing process. Students need to be blunt and write profoundly and deeply.
Naiara was born in Brazil and raised in Somerville, MA. She attended Somerville High School, where she played soccer and tennis. She then attended Tufts University on a Doris York Scholarship. Naiara was the first recipient of this scholarship, which provided full tuition to girls from Somerville who attended Somerville High School for four years, graduated in the top 20% of their class, and demonstrated financial need. Naiara was the first generation to attend college in her family. While at Tufts, Naiara majored in International Relations with a focus on global conflict and cooperation in South Asia and the Middle East.
She took classes in many subjects, ranging from sociology, anthropology, and political science, to biological anthropology, astronomy, and French. Naiara played intramural soccer with friends, she was part of the multicultural organization of students at Tufts, and she was a peer mentor at the Latino Center. She also studied abroad in Paris during her junior year. After graduating, Naiara worked as a college adviser at Somerville High School, where she worked with hundreds of students on their post-high school education plans. Naiara worked with students to figure out what they wanted to do post-high school, helped them create lists of potential schools, and helped them craft personal statements and school-specific essays.
Naiara's goal was to provide overall support and guidance to high school juniors and seniors by listening to their specific needs and wants and helping them craft a plan that made sense for them. She also planned a college campus visit and tour for every first-year student to introduce them to the concept of college. Naiara then became an admissions counselor at Tufts University, where she worked for two years. While at Tufts, Naiara worked with and read applications from students all over the country and the world (specifically South America, which she also traveled to for work). Other than reading and evaluating thousands of applications, Naiara was part of diversity recruitment which included hosting a wide range of students on campus.
She also assisted in creating a bridge program for first-generation students. Using the advocacy skills she learned as an admissions counselor, Naiara applied to law school and attended Suffolk University Law School. She was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2016 and currently works as an attorney for the state of Massachusetts.
Students that Naiara has recently coached have gotten accepted at several top-tier schools, including Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Emory University.
In her free time, Naiara loves watching soccer (and playing when possible), traveling, and spending time with her nieces.
Noel earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MEd from NC State University, an MA from UCLA, and is currently pursuing a PhD from UCLA. Noel worked for the international student office at UNC as an essay reader and liaison for newly admitted students and coached students through the admissions process at UCLA, providing feedback on prospective graduate students’ essays. Students Noel has coached have been accepted to Duke, Emory, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UNC at Chapel Hill, among others.
Through his experience, Noel learned that admission truly is a holistic process—every part of an essay can make a difference. His experience as an essay reader helped him gain much insight into how important these items can be, especially when serving as "tie-breakers" for students with similar GPAs and test scores. Successful students, from his experience, presented themselves confidently and authentically, grounded in their own unique, specific experiences. Noel has been a writing instructor and coach at UCLA in recent years and excels at helping students develop and present themselves and their accomplishments in a memorable way they can be proud of.
Noel’s passion for coaching stems from his love of celebrating the moments when students achieve the goals they have worked so hard for! He loves to see how students grow during the process, learn new things about themselves, and be able to embrace their strengths along the way, even if the process is stressful. He believes we learn from stress as long as it is managed well; Noel hopes to be a stress mitigator and support system for students.
Noel takes an assets-based approach to student counseling, which focuses on each individual's strengths and accomplishments rather than what they haven't done. He knows it can be easy for students to compare themselves to others and lose sight during competitive processes like admissions. Noel sees his job, first and foremost, as identifying, developing, and helping students present the strengths they already have in the most effective way possible.
Noel’s greatest strength is his positive and pragmatic outlook. His approach helps students build confidence, leading to tangible results on their final application materials and setting them up for success beyond college. While positive, he understands the many complicated steps required for acceptance in the current highly competitive admissions landscape; Noel breaks down these large tasks into more manageable items for students. He delivers honest and direct feedback to push students to develop themselves and their materials in a healthy way, but one that requires work on both ends of the counseling partnership.
When he’s not coaching, Noel enjoys cooking, running, and hiking, traveling to new places, practicing language skills (French, Spanish, Italian, and a little Arabic), and watching a wide variety of movies.
Rachel has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. She also has a JD from Boston College Law School.
Rachel's educational experiences are invaluable to her, which is why she decided to use her talents to help others achieve their educational aspirations. Rachel understands how overwhelming and anxiety-ridden applying to college can be. She loves taking the complicated college application process and breaking it down so that it becomes straightforward and understandable. Her goal as a coach is to reduce stress from applicants and their family members, allowing students to focus on highlighting their strengths and achieving their educational goals.
When working with Quad applicants, Rachel strives to keep the mood light and the environment calm and relaxed. Once Rachel has achieved a relaxed environment and the trust of her students, she works to break down material so it is manageable and can be completed in an organized and efficient manner. Rachel’s greatest strengths as a coach include creating realistic timelines and organized schedules and helping students create stand-out personal statements and resumes.
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys home decoration and organizing, trying new exercises, and spending time with her husband, daughter, and dog.
David graduated with summa cum laude honors from the College of the Ozarks, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. He has been actively involved in the education realm since 1999; he began tutoring in 2005 and successfully owned and operated his tutoring business, HELP Tutoring, from 2009 to 2020. He has tutored approximately 500 students over the last couple of decades. David’s enduring commitment to tutoring stems from his joy in witnessing students succeed and the realization that tutoring is a powerful avenue to facilitate that success. David specializes in tutoring at all levels of math, up to Calculus 1 and SAT and ACT prep.
Motivated by a passion for inspiring students and helping them unlock their potential, he strongly believes that having a caring mentor invested in students' success yields benefits beyond the academic realm. As a tutor, David actively engages in his students' educational journeys. His genuine care for their success is evident from the start, as he assists them in charting a clear path to achievement. Employing a direct and uncomplicated tutoring style, David effectively identifies what truly contributes to student success and what doesn't. He identifies the root of students' challenges and fills in any learning gaps. Beyond immediate academic concerns, he emphasizes the broader perspective, aiding students in recognizing the significance of their education—whether it be meeting graduation requirements or acing standardized tests.
David ensures students grasp the real-world applications of these concepts and the enduring advantages of mastering them for long-term success.David excels at customizing his tutoring approach to suit the age and specific needs of his students. He has discovered that maintaining a blend of casual yet professional interaction is most effective, particularly when working with teenagers.When he’s not tutoring, David enjoys spending time with his wife and six kids. He also enjoys playing Madden football and has been DJing at various gigs for the past eight years.
Randee holds a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany and Master’s degrees from Long Island University and the College of New Rochelle. With over 20 years of experience as a professionally trained SAT and ACT tutor, she has guided 250+ students to excel in their standardized tests.
Randee’s extensive background gives her a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs involved in the SAT/ACT prep process. Her passion for mentoring students and helping families navigate the journey shines through in her approachable and upbeat tutoring style. She knows that the path to success starts with building confidence and breaking down seemingly larger tasks into manageable steps. Randee aims to make learning engaging and stress-free by infusing enthusiasm and encouragement into her sessions. This tutoring style ensures students approach these high-stakes exams with calm determination.
As a tutor, Randee excels at meeting students where they are. Whether they are just beginning their test prep journey or aiming to refine their skills to achieve a top score, she customizes her approach based on each student’s unique needs and skill levels. Fluent in all sections and question types of the SAT and ACT, her sessions focus on delivering clever strategies, practical techniques, and test-specific tips to build students' confidence, knowledge, and preparedness to excel on test day. Her lifelong learning mindset also ensures she stays ahead of the curve on test prep strategies, making her an invaluable resource for students aiming to reach their full potential.
Aside from helping students achieve their SAT and ACT goals, Randee loves spending quality time with family and friends, attending her kids’ sporting events, solving puzzles, traveling, soaking up the sun at the beach whenever possible, and enjoying Broadway shows. Her well-rounded interests and personable nature, combined with her love for learning, problem-solving, and making a difference, make her a relatable and inspiring coach for students and families alike.
Michael graduated summa cum laude with a 3.9 GPA and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. He owes much of his success as a tutor to his time at UMichigan and his rigorous course load. After achieving a 99th percentile score of 1530 on the SAT, Michael launched his tutoring career, guiding students nationwide to excel on both the SAT and ACT—he has over three years of tutoring experience.
Michael strongly believes that succeeding on the SAT and ACT is more than just studying content—it's learning how to think, especially on exams where the same concept could be tested hundreds of different ways.
As a coach, Micael excels at adapting his approach to their learning style. He is friendly, patient, and genuinely wants to see each student succeed. He ensures he is readily accessible and goes above and beyond to support students in achieving their academic goals.
In his free time, Michael enjoys cooking, playing tennis, and cross-country skiing. He is also an avid traveler and has visited Portugal three times.
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Alice holds a Bachelor's degree from UCLA and a Master's from The University of Chicago. With over seven years of tutoring experience, she has honed her skills in test preparation, specializing in the SAT and ACT.
Alice is a dedicated educator passionate about guiding students toward academic success. Having worked in various tutoring agencies since completing her undergraduate studies, she has developed a unique approach to instruction. Alice excels in connecting with students, whether in a classroom setting, small group, or one-on-one, both in-person and virtually. Her strength is breaking down complex problems into manageable steps, making even the most overwhelming tasks approachable.
Her goal extends beyond preparing students for tests; she strives to instill a deep understanding of the subject matter, ensuring students can apply these concepts beyond the classroom. With a motto of meeting students where they are, Alice is committed to guiding them through their academic journey, helping them achieve their desired test scores and beyond.
Outside of tutoring, if Alice isn't reading a book in one of the many cafes in the Chicagoland area, she is exploring the rich food and music scene Chicago has to offer. She likes to attend intimate shows and eat good food with good company!
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.
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.
A biomedical engineer by training, Zach developed a passion for global health and emergency medicine after becoming licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) through the United States NREMT. He has since worked with emergency medical response teams in Missouri, Arizona, and California, and earned certifications in FEMA Incident Command and Management Systems (IS-100/200/700) as well as EMS instruction through the National Association of EMS Educators. In 2018, Zach co-founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization LFR International, with the goal of alleviating the global burden of traumatic injury in low- and middle-income countries.
Since 2012, he has had experience with executive structuring and nonprofit management through Play it Forward , a 501(c)(3) organization, as a member of the Youth Advisory Board. He has developed several biomedical devices including a low-cost prosthetic, and a univentricular assist pump, as well as conducted metabolomics research at the UCLA Semel Institute of Neuroscience.
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Undergrad: Amherst College
4th Year Medical Student at University of Michigan Medical School
I played cello on radio as part of an interview with WEMU about the University of Michigan Life Sciences Orchestra.
Whit is a 2020 graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School, where he was involved in student government, joined the Path of Excellence in Medical Ethics, and was Editor-in-Chief of the Michigan Journal of Medicine, among other activities.
Prior to medical school, he studied at Amherst College, earning a BA with Distinction while double-majoring in Mathematics and Economics. He conducted research at the University of Michigan's Michigan Cardiovascular Outcomes Research and Reporting Program (MCORRP), played in the Amherst Symphony Orchestra, and qualified for the NAQT National Tournament with Amherst College Quizbowl.
While in medical school, Whit decided to pursue a career in healthcare policy, electing not to continue to residency. While this puts him in a small minority of MDs without further clinical training, his nontraditional path affords a unique perspective on the key decisions facing students who may not know exactly what they want as they head into the medical school applications process.
Whit enjoys board gaming, crossword puzzles, and cooking.
Medical School: UCSF
Undergrad: Harvard College
MD Candidate at UCSF
I learned how to cut my own hair several years ago, and I also help cut other people's hair occasionally! A minor dream of mine is to run an informal barbershop for my colleagues when I work in a hospital/clinic.
Maxwell is currently working as a medical assistant in Massachusetts during his gap year while applying to MD programs. Maxwell studied Computational Neuroscience with a minor in Ethnicity, Migration, Rights at Harvard for undergrad. His teaching experience started in high school as a teaching assistant and tutor for chemistry, biology, and math courses. In college, he was a course assistant for an advanced integrated science class and a tutor/afterschool counselor for children in Boston's Chinatown. Maxwell has over a year of MCAT teaching experience, both working with students 1-on-1 and co-teaching larger classes.
He's excited to make the MCAT at least a little more fun and engaging by thinking about conceptual connections and real-world applications! Maxwell's also happy to answer any questions about applying to medical school as a first-generation college and medical student.
Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D School of Medicine
Undergrad: Grand Valley State University
MD Candidate at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D School of Medicine
I am serving as a Christian missionary in Spain this Spring. I am fluent in Spanish, and love hiking, running, craft coffee, and studying theology.
In December of 2021, Kayla graduated with distinction from The Fredrick Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with an emphasis in Microbiology and a minor in Spanish. While there, she was accepted as a junior at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D School of Medicine, through the early acceptance partnership (EAP) track. She was the only student in her cohort to be accepted to the EAP class of 2026.
Kayla earned the Grand Valley Award for Excellence and The Presidential Scholarship, which covered the full cost of attendance. She was nominated for the I Am Grand Valley Award, which highlights students’ commitment to leadership and on-campus initiative, three years in a row. In addition, she was selected by the faculty of the Department of Biomedical Science as a graduate of distinction - an honor attributed to less than 2% of the graduating class.
During her time as a student, Kayla served as the president of the Ethics Bowl Team, and was proud to represent her university at national competition twice. She was actively involved in undergraduate research, and completed her honors thesis on role of carbonate in mediating yeast to hyphae conversion in the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans. She then went on to conduct immunology research at The University of Iowa.
Kayla has been a tutor for over 6 years, and is passionate about crafting personalize success plans for her students. After taking the MCAT in September, 2020, she went to develop a six-week study program, which she taught online during the height of the COVID19 pandemic. She also offered numerous one night CARS crash course sessions, in addition to tutoring college biology, microbiology and genetics. She was the top tutor at The Grand Valley Tutoring Center in 2021, having conducted over 250 sessions in one semester. She has served a diverse range of students, including veterans, adult-learners, and those with disabilities.
Once in medical school, Kayla plans to pursue an academic distinction in global medicine and public health, as well as continue research in infectious disease and immunology.
Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine at UPenn
Undergrad: Columbia University
MD Candidate at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
I am an avid baker and love trying out new restaurants/dessert spots! I am a classical pianist and amateur biker!
Katherine graduated summa cum laude from Columbia University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 2020. She is currently in her first year at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Katherine was inducted in the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi, and received the Robert Edward Reiss Award in Chemical Engineering for outstanding promise in biochemical engineering.
In college, Katherine conducted clinical research at the Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center and the New York Presbyterian Neurological Intensive Care Unit. Katherine was a teaching assistant for chemistry lab and lead a clinical research program at the Mt. Sinai hospital system. She also served as president for her Greek organization and was a pianist in a classical chamber ensemble.
In medical school, Katherine has already joined clinical research projects, community clinics, and interest groups. She is interested in pursuing a career in a surgical subspecialty. Katherine is actively involved in the admissions process as an interviewer and has spent much of her time mentoring others applying to medical school. Over the years through tutoring, teaching and mentoring, Katherine has been passionate about helping others. Having just recently gone through the medical school admissions process herself, she is dedicated to helping others navigate applying, and she is very excited to work with students.
Medical school - UT Southwestern Medical Center
Undergrad - University of Kansas
Grad student at University of Pennsylvania
I was the ranked as the fourth-best pole vaulter in the state of Kansas when I was a senior in high school.
Joseph grew up in a small town in Kansas, where he was the only student from his graduating class of ~70 to “make the leap” to a legitimate, 4-year university.
Fast forward four years: Joseph graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Neurobiology, addended with an awkwardly long list of honors. For instance, in his junior and senior years, he received the annual award recognizing the biology department’s top student, per faculty consensus. In addition, he was also honored with more than a handful of semi-redundant accolades for “excellence in biomedical research”. Outside of the biology department, Joseph was named as 1 of 20 University Scholars in my graduating class of >5,000 students. Concurrently, he worked jobs as a teaching assistant in biochemistry and physiology courses, and played an integral role in establishing a pre-med advisor faculty position within the university’s honors program. Joseph also published a first-author study elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying a phenomenon of paradoxically prolonged vasoconstriction largely responsible for downstream infarctions secondary to vascular insult.
Three months after graduating from KU, he began medical school at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. This is where Joseph felt he really refined a lot of the studying and test-taking strategies he expects to explore en route to masterminding an individualized game plan with every nuance uniquely dedicated to identifying and exploiting the challenges (aka, opportunities) wedged between you and your full potential- which, in his experience, frequently exceeds students’ initial goals.
He has also been an MCAT tutor for three years; helping over hundreds of students crush the overly lengthy exam and, ultimately, get into medical school. All these years of MCAT tutoring have uniquely positioned him to guide future physicians along what is ubiquitously regarded as the most treacherous segment on the truly lifelong journey of medical education.
Undergrad: University of Alabama
Master's: University of Alabama
Research Specialist at Medical University of South Carolina
When I am not working, I am working on my antique truck, cycling, cooking, or watching Alabama football!
Harrison graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA from the University of Alabama in the spring of 2021. During his four years in college, Harrison completed his undergraduate degree while simultaneously enrolled in an accelerated master's program, enabling him to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Master of Science in Biology in the same four-year stint.
Additionally, Harrison was awarded the University of Alabama’s Presidential Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship; the Grantland and Louise Scholarship for outstanding performance as a microbiology student; and full funding for his graduate research project. Throughout his time in college, Harrison was both involved in and led a variety of integrative research projects that investigated topics such as deforestation and the neuroendocrine stress response, sex change in hermaphroditic fish, and the interplay of disease and microbiome assemblage.
His participation in these projects earned him first, second, and third authorship in prep on three different publications. Outside of the classroom and laboratory, Harrison co-founded an organ donation awareness club, obtained an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license while enrolled in classes, and tutored local students ages K-12. Over the course of his preparation for the MCAT, Harrison focused on collecting a variety of high-value, low-cost resources and crafted a study plan that was unique to his needs.
After achieving his goal score in the 97th percentile on the MCAT, he decided to pursue tutoring as a professional endeavor. Harrison’s tutoring system centers around open communication with his students that allows them to work together to diagnose problems, curate detailed MCAT preparation plans, and compile pointed content review. He looks forward to working with you, side-by-side, as you achieve your goal score and gain admission into your dream medical school!
Undergrad: St. John's College
Full-time GRE tutor
I perform with the sketch comedy group Punchline Loading in New York City.
Audra is a GMAT/GRE tutor based in Brooklyn, New York. With over six years of experience teaching hundreds of students both one-on-one and in the classroom, Audra helps business school and graduate school applicants maximize their testing performance with personalized instruction focused on their areas of need. Audra has achieved a 98th-percentile score of 750 on the GMAT and a 335/340 on GRE. She loves sharing her knowledge and helping each client reach their potential!
Audra received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland in 2013. The degree is equivalent to a double major in Philosophy and the History of Mathematics and Science, and a double minor in Classics and Comparative Literature. She is currently attending the online Master of Computer and Information Technology program at the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, Audra enjoys reading and performing with the sketch comedy group Punchline Loading... in New York City.
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Undergrad: Northwestern University
3rd Year Medical Student at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Cinical Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital
I once lost my wallet on a trip to DC and had to beg 3 TSA agents to let me on the flight back home with no ID.
Akhil was raised in the Greater Chicago and Philadelphia areas. Beginning in high school, he worked as a tutor for Kumon Learning Center, performed hepatocellular carcinoma research at the Baruch Blumberg Institute, and became certified as an EMT. He then attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and graduated with a degree in Economics and Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Neurobiology as well as a Certificate in Leadership. During his time at Northwestern, he participated in peer-tutoring, basic science research, and was the President of the largest cultural organization on campus. In addition, he was an active member of the dance community, serving as the captain for the University’s bhangra dance team. During his senior year, he worked as a Business Analyst for ExplORer Surgical, a surgical startup in Chicago that solidified his passion for pursuing orthopaedics in the future. Following graduation, he matriculated to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and obtained his MBA at the Fox School of Business at Temple University.
In medical school, he continued to teach, mentor, and advise undergraduate students. He currently serves as a USMLE Step 1 tutor for Inspira Advantage. He conducted interviews for prospective undergraduate applicants and served as an advisor for prospective medical school applicants. Throughout medical school, he pursued orthopaedic surgery research at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute and Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, and was able to publish his research and abstracts. He has over 20 abstract presentations and publications, many of them as first author. He received a 257 (~95th percentile) on USMLE Step 1 and is currently on his clinical rotations.
Altogether, he has been teaching a wide range of subjects for more than 10 years and has tutored for several board exams including the SAT, MCAT, and USMLE Step 1. He has a strong commitment to education and mentorship and believes that hard work, passion, and a willingness to ask for help are the keys to reaching one’s goals. He understands the complexities of the medical school admission process, and wishes to work closely with his students to form an individualized plan and provide personalized attention and guidance.
He is currently a third-year medical student and is interested in pursuing a residency in orthopaedic surgery. He recently completed a prestigious orthopaedic research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, trying out new recipes, rooting for the Sixers and Bears, and discovering new coffeeshops in Philadelphia. BEAR DOWN!
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.
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.
