Meet Our Team of Exceptional College and Graduate School Advisors

Educational consulting services

Best education consultant

About education consulting

our main goal? helping applicants gain acceptance to their top choices

Commitment To Excellence

You are spending extra years to become an expert in your field. Where you go to do that training matters – and we want to give you the best chance getting in. Optimize your essays, application, and interview skills in order to gain the best training you can have going forward.

Top Acceptances

Acceptance into elite programs can make a significant impact on future professional opportunities and job prospects – make the initial investment that pays off years into your future.

Application Advising That Makes The Difference

Our advisors and editors have inside knowledge of the college and graduate school admissions committee system, and the experience to get your application to the level needed in order to receive acceptance offers at top programs.

Our Best Team
Our Team

Prior Admissions Expertise

With inside knowledge of how the admissions committee process works, our advisors can help gear your application to be as visible and attractive to committees as possible.
preparation icon

Elite Preparation

Having graduated from some of the most competitive programs in the country, our advisors know what it takes to get there – and how to prepare you for success.
edit icon

Experienced Editing

Our editors have spent years reviewing applications, identifying mistakes and pitfalls to avoid, and enhancing each element of an application to shine once submitted. 

enhance icon

Tradition of Excellence

Many of our students have achieved acceptance to their top-choice programs, and some of the most competitive universities around the globe. 
Josh Chrisman

Joshua Chrisman, M.D., M. ED

B.S. - University of Washington; MD and Masters of Education - UT Austin

Marisa Werner

Marisa A. Werner, JD, MBA - Cornell University

B.A. - Dartmouth College, JD/MBA - Cornell Law School and Cornell Johnson School of Business

Monica Overturf

Monica Overturf, JD - University of Virgina

BS - Arizona University, JD - University of Virginia School of Law

Mihailo Miljanic

Mihailo Miljanic, M.D., MBA

B.S. - Boston College; M.D. - University of Texas at Austin

Ruth Sanchez, M.D., MPH

B.S. - University of Colorado; M.D. - University of Texas at Austin; MPH - UT Houston

Megan Herzon

Megan Herzon, MBA - Columbia University

B.S. - Boston College; MBA - Columbia University

Chetan Panda

Chetan Panda, MBA - Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania

B.A. - Georgetown University; MBA - Wharton at University of Pennsylvania

Jeffrey Traylor

Jeffrey Traylor, M.D. - UT Southwestern Medical Center

B.S. - Baylor University; MD - University of Texas at Austin, Residency - Neurosurgery at UT Southwestern

Micah Secor

Micah Secor - M.D., MBE, MS - University of Iowa

B.S. - University of Arizona MD - Dell Medical School, UT-Austin, Residency - University of Iowa General Surgery Program

Anatoli Bervosky

Anatoli Berezovsky, M.D.

B.S. - University of Wisconsin; M.D. - University of Texas at Austin

Ryan Middleton

Ryan Middleton, JD

B.A. - Cornell University; J.D. - Michigan State University Law School

Francisco Barrios

Francisco Barrios, M.D.

B.S. - Texas A&M University; M.D. - University of Texas at Austin

Isidora Filipovic

Isidora Filipovic, M.S. - Stern at New York University

B.S. - Brandeis University; M.S. Candidate - New York University

Akil Bhargava

Akila Bhargava, JD - University of Pennsylvania

B.A. - Vanderbilt University J.D. - University of Pennsylvania Law School

Yousaf Ahmed

Yousuf Ahmed, M.D., MBA - University of Texas at Austin

M.D. - University of Texas; MBA - UT-Austin McCombs School of Business

Akhil Surapaneni, Ph.D. - University of Texas at Austin

B.S. - Rice University, MD. PhD - University of Texas at Austin

Laith Enani

Laith Enani, M.D. - University of Texas McGovern

B.S. - Hawai'i Pacific University; MD - AUA COM; Residency - UT Houston

Saloni Naik

Saloni Naik, M.D., MPH - Dell Medical School at UT-Austin

MD - University of Texas at Austin, MPH - University of Houston

Trey Dodson

Trey Dodson, MBA - Stanford University

B.S. - Vanderbilt University; MBA - Stanford University

MFA application help

Elizabeth Kechejian, BA, MFA - Boston University

BA -Boston University, MFA - University of Florida

James Liao

James Liao, BA - Duke University

B.A. - Duke University, Public Policy Specialist and Advisor

Saurin Gandhi

Saurin Gandhi, DO, FACP - Acting Internship Director Dell Medical School

BS - University of California, Irvine , DO - Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Cira Puentes

Cira Mollings Puentes, M.D., - MD Anderson Cancer Center

BS - Bates College, MD - UT Southwestern Medical School, Residency - Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Lucian Zhao

Lucian Zhao, M.D., - UT Southwestern Medical School

BA - Washington University in St. Louis MD - University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

law school application advisor

Richard White, JD - University of Columbia School of Law

B.A. University of Pennsylvania, JD - University of Columbia School of Law

Arleah Aguilar

Arleah Aguilar, M.D., - University of California, Santa Cruz

BS, MD Candidate- University of California, Santa Cruz

Kelly Song

Kelly Song, BA, M.Ed - Harvard University

B.A. - Peking University M.Ed. - Harvard Graduate School of Education

Tamar Alexanian

Tamar Alexanian, JD - University of Michigan School of Law

B.A. - Vanderbilt University, J.D. - University of Michigan Law School

Artem Osherov

Artem Osherov, BS – Yale University

Artem Osherov, BS – Yale University, MD Candidate– Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

Kaylie Stern

Kaylie Stern, JD - University of Maryland School of Law

BA - Loyola University Maryland, JD - University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Arjun MD, Medical Advisor

Arjun Aggarwal, M.D. - Columbia University

M.D. - UT Southwestern Medical Center Cardiology Fellowship - Wake Forest University

Mia Ellis

Mia Ellis, M.S. – Tufts University

Mia Ellis, BS – Tufts University, Research Specialist in Graduate Education

Kristie Wood

Kristie Wood, Ph.D. - University of Texas at Austin

BA - University of Texas, PhD - University of Texas at Austin

Emily Rodriguez

Emily Rodriguez, BA - Yale University

Bachelor of Arts in Literature - Yale University

Alexandra Goodman

Alexandra Goodman , JD – Brooklyn Law School

JD - Brooklyn Law School , LL.M – International and European Business Law from Université Jean Moulin

Amani Marshall

Amani Marshall, Ed.M, Ph.D. - Harvard University

B.A.- Florida A&M University, Ed.M. - Harvard University, Ph.D. of History at Indiana University

Claire Hong

Claire Hong, BA, MPH - Columbia University

B.A. - Psychology at Pitzer College , MPH - Columbia University

Brittany Somerville

Brittany Somerville , JD, M.S., – SMU

J.D. – Southern Methodist University, Master of Science - West Virginia University

Fiona Murphy

Fiona Murphy, JD, MPA - University of Arkansas, Little Rock

J.D., M.P.A. - University of Arkansas, B.A. - in Sociology at Sonoma State University

Anne Laure

Anne Laure, LLM - Fordham University

LL.M. - Fordham University, LL.B. - University of Plymouth in the UK

Mitch Bledsoe

Mitch Bledsoe, JD - University of Tennessee

JD - University of Tennessee, B.A. - University of Tennessee

Morgan Daly

Morgan Daly, JD, MPA - Indiana University

JD - Indiana University, BA - Purdue University, MPA - Indiana University

Mahesh Rajan

Mahesh Rajan, MBA - University of Chicago

MCS - Alagappa University , MBA - University of Chicago

Law school application assistance

Angela Rutledge, LLM, MSc, BFA - George Mason University

LLM, MSc, BFA - George Mason University Anton Scalia Law School

Mark Hoffman

Mark Hoffman , Ph.D. - University of Minnesota

PhD. - University of Minnesota; Advisor at Vassar College, Macalester College, and the University of Minnesota

Mehmet Kurt

Dr. Mehmet Kurt, Ph.D. - University of Washington

Ph.D. in Mechanical Science and Engineering - University of Illinois, Professor of Mechanical Engineering - University of Washington

Jett Watson

Jett Watson, MA, JD - Harvard University

B.A and M.A. in English Literature - George Mason University, JD - Harvard University School of Law

Vahid Disfani

Dr. Vahid Disfani, Ph.D. - University of South Florida

PhD - University of South Florida, Professor - Center for Energy Research at the University of California San Diego

Julliet Ogu

Julliet Ogu, M.D. - Baylor College of Medicine

MD - Baylor College of Medicine, Specialty - Diagnostic Radiology

Taylor McCabe

Dr. Taylor McCabe, Ph.D. - University of California Irvine

PhD in English Literature - University of California Irvine

Tamjid Rajat

Dr. Tamjid Rahat, Ph.D. - University of California Los Angeles

Ph.D. in Computer Science - University of California Los Angeles

Abigail Meltzer

Abigail Metzler, Ph.D. - University of Pennsylvania

Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology - University of Pennsylvania

Nour Ahmed

Nour Ali Ahmed, M.S. - University of Maryland

M.S. in Information Management, University of Maryland

Grant Gueller

Grant Gueller, M.D. - University of Texas McGovern

MD - University of Texas McGovern Medical School, B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition & Neuroscience

Keeva Dedewo

Keeva Dedewo, MBA - University of Pennsylvania

B.S. in Human Development from Northwestern University, MBA - University of Pennsylvania Wharton

Qendrim Sopjani

Qendrim Sopjan, MBA - Babson College

MBA - Babson College, Entrepreneurship and Finance Graduate Teaching Assistant and MBA Mentor

Owais Aslam

Owais Aslam, MBA - Cornell University

MBA - Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management

Susan Comninos

Susan Comninos, BA, MFA - Cornell University

BA - Cornell University, MFA - creative writing from University of Michigan

Curtis Hier

Curtis Hier, BA, M.Ed - Middlebury College

BA - Middlebury College in Political Science, Master’s Degree - Vermont State University-Castleton

Sebastian Boensch

Sebastian Boensch, BA, MFA - Virginia University

BA - Virginia University, MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Florida

Michael Cavoto, JD - Boston College

BA - Boston College, JD - Boston College School of Law

Inbar Maayan, Ph.D. – Harvard University

BSc – Arizona State University (Honors), Ph.D. – Harvard University

Vishal Gandhi, Ph.D. - Vanderbilt University

PhD - Vanderbilt University Computational Biology Department

surgery residency application help

Ian Collier, M.D., MBA - University of Texas at Austin

MBA - McCombs Business School - UT Austin, MD - Dell Medical School

Brittanie Moore, Ph.D. – University of North Carolina

Ph.D. in Psychological Science - University of North Carolina Wilmington

PhD Advisor

Cianna Duringer, M.A., Ph.D. - University of Connecticut

M.A. in Economics and Ph.D. in Finance - University of Connecticut

PhD Admissions Advisor

Tiffany Zhao, BA, Ph.D. in Finance - University of Pittsburgh

BA - Syracuse University, Ph.D. - Finance, University of Pittsburgh

Tammy Spear, MSc, M.D. - University of Texas at Austin

MSc - University of Texas at Austin, MD - Dell Medical School - UT Austin

Masters program mentor advisor

Srividya Dasaraju, BA, MPD - University of Southern California

BA, Master's of Public Diplomacy - University of Southern California

Which application pathway is right for you?

Undergraduate Applicants

Give yourself the best chance of acceptance to elite colleges

Medicine and Residency

Prepare Your Application For Medical School And Residency Admissions

MBA Applications

Get Ready For The Next Step In Your Career Path

Graduate School Applications

Getting Into Your Top Choice Graduate Program Matters

Law School Applications

Pursue your true calling with our law school consulting services

Internship Applications

Get The Best Possible Offers Out Of Your Internship Search

Get In Touch

Every applicant has unique strengths to highlight – we look forward to making your application exceptional when the time comes for submission to your top choices!

Add a phone number if this is your preferred mode of contact
Add background regarding your application needs

Frequently asked questions

Why should I choose ExceptionalGrad?

Our mentees and clients have been accepted to some of the nations top colleges and graduate programs. Instead of exorbitant fee’s that competitors charge in the thousands of dollars for advising, we offer straightforward and transparent pricing for industry-leading editing and application review, all with a guaranteed turn-around time of 48-72 hours.

Who are your advisors and editors?

Our editors and advisors are all leading specialists in their field, and many have served on admissions committees and application review boards. If you are applying to medical school for example, you will have your essays and applications reviewed by an MD physician, and many of our physicians have served on admissions committees for acceptance to medical school. This specialized approach extends to our MBA, Law, and undergraduate advisors as well. More importantly, we love what we do – giving you the best chance at reaching your goals as an applicant. 

How long is the turnaround time for the service?

The turnaround time from when you are paired with an advisor to when you will receive a thorough and edited review of your application or essay is within 48-72 hours. We pride ourselves on delivering consistently excellent results, and know that the combination of expedient timing and detalied review and feedback is of the utmost importance.

What is your refund policy?

Our highest aim is to provide an excellent value and experience, and most importantly to get you to your goal. If you are not satisfied with a service, we will do everything within our abilities to enhance your application further and close any missing gaps. If despite this you are not satisfied, you are entitled to an ExceptionalGrad credit of unused services within 30 days of your original purchase. View our Terms and Conditions page for full refund policies.

How will I be paired with an advisor or editor?

After completing your application questionnaire, we make sure to pair you with an advisor who specializes in your area and fits your specific needs. Beyond the incredible credentials of our editors and advisors that enhance your application, the longitudinal relationships and support network that develops has proven invaluable to our customers.

How do i get started?

After purchasing a service for your application, you will receive an email outlining the next steps in the process which include a detailed questionnaire, pairing with an advisor, and editing that is guaranteed to be completed within 48-72 hours.

Ready to Prepare Your Application?

Shopping Cart
Dr. Joshua Chrisman holds multiple undergraduate degrees, a B.S. in Biology and a B.A in Recreation from the University of Washington and Western Washington University, respectively. He earned his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Education concurrently at the University of Texas at Austin. Combining his passion for education, mentoring, and medicine while at Dell Medical School, Dr. Chrisman helped design the clinical skills curriculum, taught case-based learning course for underclassmen, and pursued research in applying educational psychology principles to improve study strategies for high stakes exams such as the MCAT and USMLE.
Dr. Chrisman is currently a resident physician in the combined Anesthesia/Internal Medicine training program at Loma Linda University in California. This rigorous program leads to board eligibility from both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Anesthesiology, a unique opportunity of which there are only two programs in the country.
Marisa Werner graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in French, Italian, and Spanish. Marisa worked as a legal assistant at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City prior to attending Cornell for her JD/MBA.

During her time in graduate school, Marisa was elected president of her class and completed five different internships, including working at the Supreme Court of New Jersey, The Verticale (an e-commerce startup), EY-Parthenon, Warby Parker, and Rent the Runway. Marisa is also a member of the New Jersey Bar.
Currently, Marisa works as a consultant at EY-Parthenon, where she specializes in M&A, leveraging both her business and law degrees to advise healthcare, industrial, and retail corporations.
Monica Nicholls graduated summa cum laude from Northern Arizona University with a B.S. in Political Science and minors in English and Law, Rights, & Justice. She earned a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Virginia School of Law and graduated with her J.D. in 2021. As an undergraduate, Monica developed a passion for helping fellow students achieve their educational goals. Throughout her higher education career, Monica worked in her schools’ Writing Centers, where she assisted students with resumes, personal statements, and interview preparation for graduate school programs.
Monica is now a practicing attorney in Washington, DC. While she loves being a lawyer, she also finds joy and fulfillment in working with students aspiring to attend college and law school. In her spare time, Monica enjoys playing soccer, watercolor painting, and taking long walks with her dog Ackley (who is named after a court case).
Dr. Mihailo Miljanic graduated magna cum laude and as a phi beta kappa scholar from Boston College with a B.S. in Biological Science, and earned his M.D. at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas. Upon his entrance to Dell Medical School, which boasts among the lowest medical school acceptance rates in the country, Dr. Miljanic co-founded the Health Career Collaborative, which has served as a mentorship program to hundreds of students.
In addition to graduating medical school with honors, Dr. Miljanic has extensive experience tutoring and mentoring medical students for USMLE exams. He has served as both a college advisor and an interviewer for medical residency admissions during the rigorous medical interview process. Dr. Miljanic is currently a resident physician specializing in the field of radiation oncology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and has authored several publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Ruth Sanchez earned her undergraduate degree in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado at Boulder before earning her Doctorate of Medicine and Master of Public Health concurrently at the University of Texas at Austin.
In college and medical school, Dr. Sanchez focused on her passions for equity in medicine, mentorship, and education. In addition to tutoring and individual peer mentorship, Dr. Sanchez organized, created content for, and directed mentorship open houses for pre-medicine college students to prepare for and successfully apply, interview, and matriculate into medical school. Dr. Sanchez is currently an Internal Medicine resident physician at the University of Texas Southwestern, a top ranked program in her field.
Megan Daley Herzon holds multiple degrees including a B.S. in Education and Organizational Studies from Boston College, in addition to a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia University. She is currently a senior manager in business development at the Jones Lang Lasalle firm, leading teams of agency brokers managing over $60M in revenue.
Combining her passion for education and advancing technology-based learning, she has also served as the business development lead for a web-based learning platform utilized by 140,000 teachers nationwide. She has led multiple leadership and entrepreneurship ventures along with projects for the betterment of the surrounding community in New York City, where she currently resides.
Chetan Panda graduated magna cum laude and as a phi beta kappa scholar from Georgetown University with a B.S.F.S in International Economics. Currently, Chetan is a first year MBA student at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most selective business schools in the country, and a recipient of the Sue & Douglas Rosefsky Endowed MBA Fellowship. Between his undergraduate and graduate education, he spent seven years managing billions of dollars in U.S. equities at Dimensional Fund Advisors, a globally recognized mutual fund company.
Additionally, Chetan ran for U.S. Congress in his home state of Texas, earning approximately 10% of the vote in a five-way primary. Chetan has worked with several campaigns and social impact organizations – for instance, he served on the board of the Indian American Coalition of Texas and is currently working with the Urban League of Philadelphia.
Dr. Jeffrey Traylor graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University with a B.S. in Anthropology and a minor in Biochemistry and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He earned his M.D. at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with honors and was selected for induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. During his time in medical school he achieved a research distinction at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas studying machine learning applications in low and high-grade glioma and laser interstitial thermal therapy for primary and metastatic brain tumors.
Dr. Traylor is currently a resident physician specializing in the field of neurological surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and has authored several publications in peer-reviewed journals. Outside of medicine, he is an avid guitarist and enjoys skiing, running, and reading.

Micah Secor, M.D. graduated from the University of Arizona with bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience and Physiology, where she conducted research focused on gene silencing and circadian rhythm analysis. 

Micah went on to attend Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her M.D. and a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. During medical school, she was actively involved in the Latino Medical Student Association and served as National Diversity Chair, advocating for greater diversity and inclusion within medicine.

Today, Dr. Secor is a practicing surgeon in Iowa and brings years of firsthand experience helping students successfully navigate the medical school and surgical residency application processes. Drawing from her own journey through medical education and surgical training, she provides personalized guidance to applicants looking to build competitive applications, communicate their unique strengths, and pursue admission to medical schools and surgical residency programs.

Dr. Anatoli Berezovsky graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science, and thereafter joined Teach for America where he was an AP chemistry distinguished teacher for several years. Dr. Berezovsky completed his medical education at University of Texas-Austin, where he graduated with the prestigious gold humanism award and achieved a distinction in Design and Innovation in Health Care.
He is also the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Health Career Collaborative, an organization that he helped initiate in Austin, Texas and has served for mentorship to hundreds of students interested in the pre-medical track. Due to these efforts, he was the recipient of the United States Excellence in Public Health award from the United States government. Dr. Berezovsky is currently in residency fulfilling his passion for primary care and family medicine for the underserved at John Peter Smith hospital in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ryan Middleton graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in Psychology and earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law. With over a decade of experience in public service at the federal, state, and local levels, Ryan brings a unique perspective to law school admissions advising, combining his legal education, professional experience, and firsthand understanding of competitive application processes.

Ryan specializes exclusively in helping applicants gain admission to T14 law schools. He has extensive experience reviewing and preparing applications, personal statements, and essays, with a particular focus on helping candidates develop compelling narratives that clearly communicate their strengths, experiences, and potential as future attorneys.

His experience evaluating applicants extends beyond advising. Ryan serves on the Maryland State Bar Character Committee, where he investigates and interviews applicants to the Maryland Bar and evaluates their fitness to practice law. Having experienced the application process as both an applicant and an evaluator, Ryan understands what reviewers look for and how applicants can effectively present themselves to an admissions committee.

Dr. Francisco Barrios graduated from the University of Texas A&M summa cum laude with a B.A in Biology and minor in Psychology, and thereafter joined Teach for America where he was an AP biology distinguished teacher for several years. Dr. Barrios completed his medical education at University of Texas-Austin, where he graduated with a distinction in Design and Innovation in Health Care. He is also the Co-Founder and Co-Director of Health Career Collaborative, an organization that he helped initiate in Austin, Texas and has served for mentorship to hundreds of students interested in the pre-medical track.
Due to these efforts, he was the recipient of the United States Excellence in Public Health award from the United States government. Dr. Barrios is currently completing a residency in internal medicine at the University of Texas – Austin, where he has been nominated multiple times as resident educator of the term.
Isidora Filipovic graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University with a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics, graduating with Honors. She has pursued additional graduate education with enrollment in the Master of Science program at New York University, where she is obtaining her M.S. in Data Science through completion of advanced calculus and machine learning.
Between her undergraduate and graduate studies, Isidora spent several years as a third-party risk analyst, assessing and managing financial, cybersecurity, legal compliance and business continuity risks at Bloomberg LP. While there, she was the co-author of internal information systems for the Bloomberg internal newsletter that reached over 200 employees at the company.

Akila graduated from Vanderbilt University with her bachelor’s degree and earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, one of the nation’s most competitive law schools. She has built her legal career at some of the country’s most prestigious law firms, including Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

With firsthand experience navigating the admissions process at a highly selective law school and succeeding in the competitive legal profession, Akila brings a strategic and informed perspective to law school admissions advising. She specializes exclusively in helping applicants develop compelling applications for T14 law schools, with a focus on presenting each candidate’s unique experiences, accomplishments, and goals in a way that resonates with admissions committees.

In addition to her legal practice, Akila has provided admissions advising and pro bono application assistance to students pursuing law school. She is passionate about helping applicants thoughtfully approach every aspect of the application process and position themselves as strong, distinctive candidates for admission to the nation’s top law programs.

Yousuf Ahmed, M.D., MBA is a dedicated medical school and residency admissions advisor with a unique combination of clinical training, academic experience, and strategic insight. A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Ahmed completed his residency training in Neurology at NYU, giving him firsthand experience navigating the highly competitive medical education and residency application process.

For more than five years, Dr. Ahmed has helped aspiring physicians strengthen their applications, present their experiences effectively, and develop compelling strategies tailored to their individual goals. His advising focuses on helping applicants maximize their competitiveness for admission to leading medical schools and top residency programs.

Drawing on his own experience as a medical student, physician, and MBA-trained professional, Dr. Ahmed offers applicants a practical and personalized perspective on everything from application strategy and personal statements to interview preparation and overall positioning.

Akhil graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering before completing his M.D./Ph.D. at The University of Texas at Austin. His interdisciplinary training has given him a unique perspective at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and biomedical research.

Akhil’s commitment to mentorship began in high school, when he founded and led a program designed to mentor students from underserved middle schools through science courses and expand access to STEM education. That passion for mentorship has continued throughout his academic and professional career.

Having successfully navigated the rigorous MD/PhD application and training process himself, Akhil now mentors applicants pursuing admission to top MD, PhD, and MD/PhD programs, particularly in the biological sciences. He helps applicants develop thoughtful application strategies, communicate their research experiences effectively, and articulate a compelling vision for their future in medicine and scientific research.

Dr. Enani graduated from Hawai’i Pacific University with a B.S in Biology and Human Health Science. He earned his M.D at the American University of Antigua COM. As an international medical graduate and a first generation immigrant, Dr. Enani has overcome adversities that come with being a part of historically marginalized communities. Dr. Enani has experience with management, recruitment, coaching, and tutoring for the USMLE exams.
Dr. Enani is currently a combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics resident at the University of Texas Houston – Texas Medical Center. He is passionate about health equity and justice in medicine, advocacy, MedEd, and wellness/work-life integration.

Dr. Saloni Naik graduated from The University of Texas at Austin’s prestigious Business Honors Program with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. s for patients with end-stage renal disease across the country. Dr. Naik went on to complete her M.D. at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, along with a Master of Public Health from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Having successfully navigated the highly competitive medical school admissions process herself, Dr. Naik now mentors aspiring physicians seeking admission to competitive M.D. programs. She helps applicants develop strategic, compelling applications that effectively highlight their academic achievements, clinical experiences, leadership, and personal journeys. Her multidisciplinary background in business, healthcare operations, public health, and medicine allows her to offer applicants a well-rounded perspective on how to distinguish themselves in the medical school admissions process.

Trey Dodson graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Human and Organizational Development with minors in Corporate Strategy and Leadership Effectiveness. Trey received a full ride academic scholarship to attend Vanderbilt, and is currently a senior consultant within Deloitte’s Human Capital practice where he has enabled large scale technology adoptions across the public and private sectors.
Trey will be pursuing his MBA at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business this Fall on a full ride scholarship. During application season, Trey also received full ride scholarship offers from Wharton, Kelogg, Duke, and Georgetown University. He has a passion for education, leadership development, and community service and utilizes his innate coaching abilities to help applicants across all backgrounds find their voice.
Elizabeth Kechejian graduated Boston University with a degree in Psychology before earning an MFA in Creative Writing, with a concentration in Poetry, from the University of Florida, one of the country’s top MFA programs that accepts only 6 applicants per year. In graduate school, she taught a range of undergraduate writing classes: Rhetorical Analysis, Academic Research, Technical Writing, Professional Communication, Beginning Poetry, and a semester of Honors Poetry. She was nominated for an English Dept. teaching award in 2015 and 2016. Additionally, she has tutored UF Athletes to ensure NCAA player eligibility, as well as veteran and ESL students. Her private clients range from middle schoolers to post-doctoral fellows. She has extensive experience assisting with primary personal statements and college essays.
Elizabeth currently teaches AP Language & Composition, Freshman English, and Adv. Creative Writing at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, an all-girls college preparatory school. She has published several essays on teaching and loves working with students to help them find their own voices on and off the page.

James graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in Public Policy and Philosophy and has a strong track record of helping students navigate the college and graduate admissions process. During the pandemic, he helped lead a nonprofit organization that provided college application and academic mentorship to hundreds of high school students, developing a deep passion for helping applicants from all backgrounds reach their educational goals.

James specializes in helping college and graduate applicants gain admission to top schools and maximize their opportunities for merit-based scholarships and other funding. He provides personalized guidance on application strategy, essays, personal statements, and overall applicant positioning, helping students communicate their unique strengths and build compelling applications.

His professional background in social impact consulting, where he advised high-impact startups and nonprofits, further strengthened his ability to help applicants articulate their goals, accomplishments, and potential impact. James brings a thoughtful, strategic, and student-centered approach to helping applicants compete for admission and scholarship offers at highly selective institutions.

Dr. Saurin Gandhi DO FACP graduated from the University of California – Irvine with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a minor in Medical Anthropology. He earned his D.O. at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. He served as a financial advisor to peers in medical school and co-founded the Toastmasters at Midwestern University. He completed his internal medicine residency at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas – Austin. During residency was the selected representative for the Graduate Medical Education Committee Resident Association and the selected representative for the Liason Committee on Medical Education. Dr. Gandhi has also now taken on the role as the Acting Internship Director for Internal Medicine at Dell Medical School as well as Patient Safety Director for the Division of Hospital Medicine.
He coaches, mentors, and guides medical students and residents in career planning, quality improvement, and teaching. He has authored numerous publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, and as a hobby he creates highly intricate medical art.
Cira Mollings Puentes graduated from Bates College with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi societies. In her path toward medicine, she has worked as a tutor and teaching assistant at the high school, college, and medical school levels. This passion for education evolved into a career with UWorld as an MCAT and AP Content Specialist. Cira has held leadership roles such as Dana Scholar, Dean’s Research Scholar, and former Chapter President in the IHI Open School. Her scholarly pursuits have resulted in first and second-author publications in organic chemistry journals and multiple abstracts. She completed her medical education at UT Southwestern Medical Center as an MD with distinction in quality improvement.
As a recipient of full-ride merit scholarships for both college and medical school, Cira keenly understands how impactful applications and first impressions are created. Her personal experience as a Latina, non-traditional student and immigrant fuels her passion to mentor and inspire students of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.

Dr. Lucian Zhao graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Mathematics and earned his M.D. from UT Southwestern Medical School. He brings several years of experience mentoring high school and undergraduate students, with a focus on helping applicants craft compelling personal statements and secondary applications that authentically showcase their strengths.

Having participated in the medical school admissions and interview process, Lucian offers valuable insight into what top programs look for in successful applicants. He combines this admissions perspective with his own experience navigating highly competitive academic and medical pathways to help students present their strongest applications and maximize their chances of admission to top schools.

Lucian is currently a resident physician specializing in radiation oncology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He is passionate about helping students navigate the admissions process with confidence, providing thoughtful, individualized guidance that allows each applicant to tell their story and stand out in an increasingly competitive applicant pool.

Richard graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies & History through the Wharton School. After graduation, he worked for three years as an investment management analyst in Philadelphia. Currently, Richard is a third-year law student at Columbia Law School where he has received academic honors in each of his first two years. During law school he has been involved with the Columbia Journal of Tax Law and the Corporate Responsibility Association.

Richard has spent time working at various government and self-regulatory organizations including the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Federal Trade Commission – Bureau of Competition, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Richard has accepted an offer to join the corporate practice of a law firm in New York upon graduation from law school.

Richard greatly enjoys helping pre-college and pre-law school students improve their personal statements and supplemental essays as well as advising on other application materials. In his free time, he enjoys viewing classic films, birdwatching, and scuba diving.

Arleah Aguilar graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in Molecular, Cell, Developmental Biology covering most of her tuition through several scholarships. After college, she attended a post-baccalaureate program where she was an honors student. Prior to starting medical school, she established a community health non-profit and worked in various fields ranging from behavioral therapy, advocacy and community engagement, public health research to acting, singing, and everything in between. Her ability to craft stories and relay their impact on her journey to medicine as well as understanding the transferrable skills from her diverse background is what made her a strong applicant for medical school.
She has over a decade of mentorship and tutoring experience as well as 7 years of experience as an application advisor. During medical school, she continued to work with applicants expanding her work with applicants in high school to medical school residency/fellowships. She is passionate about helping all students/applicants craft their voices and stories, and her expertise lies in supporting applicants from underserved backgrounds, who are neurodivergent, or have non-traditional paths towards their career to support equity in education and healthcare.

Kelly Song holds an B.A. from Peking University and a M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Raised between Vancouver, Canada and Beijing, China, she is bilingual in English and Chinese. With a passion for DEI and cross-cultural communication, she has presented on relevant topics at various conferences across Harvard, MIT, and Oxford University. 

Having pursued an arts major in college and taken courses in creative writing, her expertise in storytelling and essay writing helps students craft standout application materials, showcasing their unique experiences and aspirations. She has guided students to top undergraduate colleges and graduate schools at Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Columbia, Brown, Cornell, UCLA, USC, Rice, among others.

Tamar Alexanian (she/her) graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a double major in English and Gender Studies. After spending one year in Taiwan as a Fulbright Scholar and one year in Chicago as an AmeriCorps member, she went to the University of Michigan Law School. She graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 2021 and was awarded a two-year Skadden Fellowship focused on enforcing the rights of LGBTQ+ foster youth. Throughout her life, Tamar has served as a tutor, mentor, and teacher to elementary, middle school, high school, and college students. She now enjoys coaching pre-college and pre-law school students and particularly loves editing personal statements and essays.

Having worked as a tutor and mentor for nearly two decades, Tamar is passionate about helping others succeed. She particularly loves editing essays and considering the ways that each part of a law school application tells a holistic story. Tamar has a strong track record of helping students gain admission to competitive T14 law programs as well as advising about California and East Coast schools in particular.

Artem graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology and a B.A. in English as a double major. He has worked at Yale’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions and spent time advising students as a graduate affiliate at one of Yale’s residential colleges. He has been a research associate in Neurology and Immunology at Yale School of Medicine, and co-authored multiple publications in high impact journals. He is currently pursuing an MD at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.
Artem is a first-generation immigrant and the first in his family to graduate from an American college or university. He is passionate about expanding access to higher education, increasing representation and diversity in medicine, and reducing the cost of care. In his personal time, Artem enjoys aquatic sports, cooking, traveling when possible, and exploring parks and hiking trails with his dog.
Kaylie Stern graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University Maryland with a B.B.A. in Economics and the Business Economics Medal, awarded for receiving the highest grade point average in her major. She went on to the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, and graduated magna cum laude and as a member of the Order of the Coif. During law school, Kaylie was a published member of the Journal of Business and Technology Law. Upon graduation with her J.D. in 2016, Kaylie joined the real estate practice group at Fried, Frank, Harris & Shriver & Jacobson LLP in Washington, D.C. where she gained invaluable experience in commercial real estate law.
Currently, Kaylie is an in-house attorney for a commercial real estate development company and member of the Maryland Bar. Kaylie is passionate about helping others succeed and particularly enjoys editing essays and polishing resumes.
Arjun Aggarwal graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and completed medical school at UT Southwestern Medical Center as part of the inaugural class of the UT Partnership for Advancing Clinical Transition (PACT) 7-year combined baccalaureate/MD program. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, and after completing a T32-sponsored master’s program in translational research is now a Cardiology fellow at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
 

Passionate about innovation and technology in medicine, he is actively involved in developing novel artificial intelligence-based approaches for the betterment of cardiac devices and patient care. Beyond medicine, Arjun has a deep-rooted love for South Asian A Cappella, having co-founded multiple organizations dedicated to fostering the genre. He enjoys exploring the intersection of technology, music, and patient care, always seeking new ways to bridge creativity with impact.

Mia Ellis graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University with a B.S. in quantitative economics and mathematics. She received highest honors for her senior thesis and multiple academic awards in economics. While in college, she led a team that established a tuition-free auxiliary nursing program in rural Honduras. After graduating, she worked as a research analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute and published academic research on manufacturing development and agrifood systems. Her responsibilities included fieldwork in countries like Egypt, Tanzania, and Tunisia.

Mia is passionate about helping prospective students prepare their admissions materials. She has spent years editing candidates’ statements of purpose, school-specific essays, and resumes for graduate programs.

Dr. Kristie Wood is a dedicated professor and academic advisor at the University of Texas, where she completed both her Bachelor’s and Ph.D. in Psychology. With years of experience mentoring and advising students, she specializes in guiding graduate applicants through the admissions process and helping them navigate the complexities of pursuing their chosen fields.

Dr. Wood combines her academic expertise with a personalized approach to help students identify and communicate their strengths, refine their applications, and position themselves as competitive candidates for top graduate programs. Her approachable demeanor and commitment to student success make her a trusted advisor who is deeply invested in each student’s academic and professional growth. She takes pride in helping students approach the admissions process with greater confidence and clarity while developing applications that authentically reflect their goals and potential.

Emily graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Film and Media Studies and was awarded Yale’s Lamar Prize for Outstanding Work in Film for her thesis film, Incoherence. With years of experience tutoring students of all ages in storytelling, ESL, French, resume building, and interest exploration, Emily brings a versatile and creative approach to student mentorship.

Drawing on her background in film and storytelling, Emily specializes in helping students craft compelling narrative essays that are authentic, memorable, and reflective of who they are. She works closely with students to uncover meaningful experiences and transform them into engaging stories that can help their applications stand out to top schools.

Emily currently works as a freelance filmmaker in New York City. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, and watching films at the AMC IMAX.

Alexandra Goodman is a member of the New York Bar with a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School (New York) and an LL.M in International and European Business Law from Université Jean Moulin (France). During law school she interned at the United Nations Security Council, Open Society Foundations, and clerked for the Office of the President of the United Nations Mechanism for International Tribunals (Tanzania/The Hague). Since graduating, she has worked for the International Council of Environmental Law, Accenture, and she served as Chief Legal Officer for an environmental tech start-up.  Her consulting experience spans from Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Law to a range of US and international corporations and nonprofits. 
She has been published by Oxford University Press, leading scholarly journals, and her first book as Legal Editor is forthcoming from Cambridge University Press.
Dr. Amani Marshall holds a B.A. in History from Florida A&M University, an Ed.M. from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in History from Indiana University. Dr. Marshall is a historian of the African American experience and an award-winning educator with over 15 years’ experience in higher education, serving most recently as Senior Lecturer in History at Georgia State University. He served as principal investigator and author of a special history study for the National Parks Service and has authored several publications in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Dr. Marshall has a wealth of experience writing and evaluating academic applications. As a student, he wrote personal statements to secure admission and full scholarships to top-ranked graduate programs at Harvard, Emory, Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Indiana University. As a professor, Dr. Marshall served on numerous academic search committees and advised dozens of students applying to undergraduate programs, graduate school, and law school. He is committed to social justice and educational equity and has particular experience in mentoring first-generation students.
Claire Hong holds a B.A. in psychology from Pitzer College and is currently pursuing an MPH at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. She is the recipient of Columbia Mailman’s Wyman Scholarship, the school’s largest merit-based scholarship awarded to applicants with high scholastic achievements. Raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Claire has high proficiency in English and Mandarin, with several years of tutoring experience for both languages.
Claire has an extensive background in academic writing and research, having worked as a behavioral research intern for Columbia University and Claremont McKenna College, and winning awards for her work at these laboratories. She is passionate about guiding students in creating personalized application materials that highlight their distinctive personalities and strengths.

Brittany Somerville is an in-house attorney and communications strategist with over a decade of experience spanning legal counsel, branding, and strategic writing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Florida A&M University, a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University, and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Brittany is licensed to practice law in Texas and holds certifications in privacy law, privacy program management, and cybersecurity. She serves as Senior Counsel for a global chemical manufacturing company based in Saudi Arabia, where she navigates complex issues at the intersection of business, law, and innovation. 

Brittany combines legal insight with marketing expertise and a passion for education, and she’s excited to leverage her skills to help empower students and graduates through coaching, clear communication, and purpose-driven support that drives real results.

Fiona Murphy, J.D., M.P.A. is a California licensed attorney with a background in family law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. Ms. Murphy attended Sonoma State University for her undergraduate degree and then traveled south to earn her Juris Doctorate and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock. After passing the California Bar Exam on her first attempt, Ms. Murphy returned to Sonoma County to serve her home community as a legal professional.

Fiona has served as a law clerk for the Honorable Brandon Harrison of the Court of Appeals, as a Deputy Public Defender for Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office, and now operates her own firm, specializing in family law and general civil litigation. She is passionate about serving her clients to the best of her ability and is exceptionally skilled at conflict resolution and legal writing. 

Anne Laure is an experienced legal professional with dual US and EU citizenship. Named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2022 to 2025, Anne-Laure brings over a decade of experience in litigation, specializing in medical malpractice, personal injury, and civil rights.

In addition to her legal practice, Anne Laure is passionate about mentorship and educational access. As a part-time career advisor at Fordham School of Law, she supports international LL.M. and non-JD students in navigating the U.S. legal job market. She hosts workshops on resumes, interviewing, and professional development, and organizes networking events for students and alumni.

Anne Laure is especially committed to helping students from diverse backgrounds succeed in higher education. She offers individualized guidance on college and law school applications, drawing from her own international academic journey and professional experience. She believes in empowering students to tell their stories with clarity and confidence.

Anne Laure holds an LL.M. in International Law and Justice from Fordham University School of Law and an LL.B. with honors from the University of Plymouth in the UK, where she was recognized for academic excellence.

Mitch Bledsoe graduated from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where he earned a Health Law Certificate and developed a strong interest in business and health care law. Before law school, Mitch worked in sales and marketing, which gave him a practical perspective on professional development and a unique approach to succeeding in law school. While in Memphis, Mitch tutored law students and taught health law courses at the University of Memphis, helping future professionals sharpen their analytical skills and prepare for legal practice. He now practices law with Robinson & Lawing, LLP in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where his work includes business and commercial litigation, construction matters, health care regulatory compliance, and estate planning and administration.

Mitch enjoys mentoring students considering careers in law and guiding applicants through the admissions process. Having approached the legal profession from multiple vantage points—business professional, student, teacher, and practicing attorney—he helps students present themselves authentically and effectively in applications and interviews.

Morgan Galloway Daly holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Organizational Leadership from Purdue University, an M.P.A. from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and a J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Her diverse academic background and experience across law, public policy, and advocacy give her a unique perspective on helping students navigate competitive applications and clearly communicate their goals and strengths.

During law school, Morgan was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society, earned recognition in the Order of Barristers through her involvement in Moot Court, and served on the program’s board. She also gained international experience through a human rights internship in Kenya and studies in comparative and intellectual property law at Renmin University in China.

Before founding her own practice, Morgan worked as a disability rights lobbyist, advocating for equity and accessibility at both the state and federal levels. Today, she owns a solo law firm and a nonprofit consulting company, where she provides legal and strategic guidance to mission-driven organizations. Her breadth of experience allows her to offer students thoughtful, personalized guidance as they work to build compelling applications and pursue their academic and professional goals.

Mahesh Rajan holds an undergrad in Mathematics from Madurai Kamaraj U, India, a Masters in Computer Science from Alagappa U, India, and an MBA from the U of Chicago Booth School of Business where he served on the Part-Time MBA Admissions Committee first as a student and then as an alumni member evaluating applications and interviewing MBA candidates for over a decade. He has decades of experience in Media & Entertainment and Financial Services industries starting his career in software engineering, later switching after MBA to management consulting and product management.

For over 15 years, Mahesh has worked one-on-one with hundreds of domestic and international students pursuing a wide range of academic interests, including STEM and Business/Finance helping them garner acceptance to top-20 MBA, Masters and Undergraduate programs including UChicago, Stanford, UC Berkeley, CMU, Brown, Columbia and Johns Hopkins, among others. He has mentored a wide range of successful applicants in everything application related from personal branding, positioning and pitch, Common App and Supplementals, to effective Extra Curriculars, resume, recommendations, Interview prep, deferral/waitlist LOCI, transfer and beyond.

He is dedicated to helping applicants navigate the challenges of developing an application that best showcases their abilities and helps them stand out in a hyper-competitive application landscape. 

Angela’s legal trajectory reflects deep leadership and service. At George Mason University, she served as President of the Graduate Law Student Association and Programming Chair for the Black Law Students Association. She was selected to represent her LLM graduating class at convocation in 2023. Professor Charles Lemley praised her as a “de facto leader” among graduate students, noting her ability to organize national-level programming, conduct impactful legal research, and support fellow students through bar admissions and academic challenges.

Angela contributed to the U.S. Department of Defense’s Internal Review Team on Racial Disparities in the Investigative and Military Justice Systems through her work at MNB Meridian Law. Her research and writing were incorporated into the broader report presented to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. That same year, she was invited to contribute a series of articles to Above the Law and MothersEsquire

Angela works as an independent law clerk, supporting attorneys across the United States with litigation strategy, drafting, and legal research. She also serves as a Tribal Court advocate, working with Indigenous communities. Her writing is known for its clarity, impact, and intellectual rigor. She brings a broad international perspective on regulatory frameworks, compliance, and best practices. Her mentorship of international F-1 law students, both formally and informally, has helped many navigate complex immigration and licensure barriers.

With over 20 years of experience guiding students toward academic success, Mark Hoffman has helped hundreds of applicants gain admission to top colleges and graduate programs. He has taught and advised at Vassar College, Macalester College, the University of Minnesota, and Queen’s University Belfast, and currently teaches Political Science at Saint Xavier University.

A summa cum laude graduate of Vassar College and Ph.D. recipient from the University of Minnesota, Mark combines deep academic expertise with a personalized, results-driven approach to advising. He works closely with students to craft compelling applications, refine personal statements, and develop strategies that highlight their unique strengths and experiences. His extensive experience in higher education and admissions advising allows him to provide students with the insight and guidance needed to stand out in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape and pursue opportunities at top schools.

Prof. Mehmet Kurt, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington and the director of Kurtlab, with additional appointments in Bioengineering and Radiology. He brings extensive research and academic experience to his mentorship, helping students navigate competitive applications and position themselves for success at top universities and research programs.

Prof. Kurt earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and completed postdoctoral training in Bioengineering and Radiology at Stanford University. His research focuses on brain biomechanics, neuroimaging, and the application of AI/ML in medicine, and his work has earned numerous prestigious honors, including an NSF CAREER Award and recognition from Fortune’s 40 Under 40.

With a distinguished record of research, teaching, and innovation, Prof. Kurt offers students valuable insight into pursuing advanced academic and research opportunities. He is passionate about helping students develop their academic profiles, communicate their research interests effectively, and build compelling applications that highlight their potential.

Jett Utah Verjan Watson graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in English and a minor in Spanish, where he mentored fellow students through the Writing Center. He was later selected for the Navy Volunteer Graduate Education Program, earning an M.A. in English Literature from George Mason University.

Jett spent five years as a Navy officer serving on ships around the world, where he developed extensive experience training and mentoring others in navigation and seamanship. He brings this background in leadership, education, and writing to his work with students, helping applicants develop compelling essays and applications that authentically communicate their experiences, strengths, and goals.

Jett completed his J.D. at Harvard Law School in 2026 and currently works in the Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic, litigating and advocating for clients across New England. His diverse academic and professional journey gives him a unique perspective on competitive admissions and the importance of presenting a clear, compelling personal narrative.

Dr. Vahid Disfani is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Graduate Program Coordinator at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Having earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and completed postdoctoral research at UC San Diego, he brings extensive experience evaluating and mentoring graduate applicants.

As a Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Disfani plays a direct role in PhD admissions and assistantship funding decisions, giving him firsthand insight into what competitive programs look for in applicants. He has advised more than 15 graduate students through their master’s theses and Ph.D. dissertations and has served on numerous graduate committees and as an external dissertation evaluator.

Dr. Disfani specializes in helping applicants strengthen their PhD applications, research statements, and overall positioning for competitive graduate programs, drawing on years of experience as both an admissions evaluator and graduate mentor.

Julliet Ogu graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Nutritional Sciences on the pre-medical track. She was accepted to multiple medical schools and matriculated at Baylor College of Medicine on an academic scholarship. She earned her MD with honors in 2024 and is currently completing her residency in Diagnostic Radiology.

Throughout college and medical school, Julliet remained deeply committed to community service, especially mentoring pre-medical students from underrepresented backgrounds. She is a founding board member of two nonprofit organizations dedicated to providing scholarships and support for underprivileged students.

Julliet is also passionate about research and has published several papers, particularly in pediatric neuroradiology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking.

Dr. Taylor McCabe studied at the University of Rochester, where she graduated magna cum laude with BAs in English Literature and French. She then completed her MA and PhD in English Literature at the University of California, Irvine, where she focused on nineteenth-century American literature, gender studies, girlhood studies, and affect theory. 

Taylor has worked with students applying to institutions at all levels, and has coached many undergraduate and graduate students through the application process. Her background in teaching writing at UCI helps her bring a nuanced editorial eye to all her students’ work. Since completing her PhD, Taylor works as a freelance writer and editor who specializes in polishing academic manuscripts for publication.

Dr. Tamjid Rahat earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and his M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Virginia. An experienced Applied Scientist at Amazon Web Services (AWS), he leads research and innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, software engineering, and cybersecurity. His work focuses on developing intelligent technologies that identify and mitigate security challenges across large-scale cloud systems.

In addition to his industry expertise, he has extensive experience mentoring and advising applicants pursuing master’s and Ph.D. programs in computer science and machine learning. He helps applicants strengthen their academic profiles, research experience, statements, and overall application strategy to stand out for competitive graduate programs.

Dr. Metzler graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Psychology before spending a year as a post-graduate research associate at Yale University, where she coordinated two R01 research grants. She then earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Health Psychology from East Carolina University.

Over the past two years, Dr. Metzler has worked closely with students applying to college and graduate programs, helping them develop compelling and authentic application materials that highlight their unique experiences and goals. As a current Ph.D. advisor in Clinical Health Psychology, she brings firsthand insight into the graduate admissions process, along with extensive research experience—including 10+ published manuscripts and presentations at academic conferences.

Dr. Metzler is passionate about helping students tell their stories with confidence and clarity while positioning themselves as strong candidates for competitive programs. Outside of advising and research, she enjoys cooking, exercising, and crocheting.

Nour Ali Ahmed holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Science and a Master of Science in Information Management, with a focus on Cybersecurity and Data Science, both from the University of Maryland. She currently serves as the Evaluation Lead for the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps Hub at the University of Maryland.

Throughout her academic and professional career, Nour has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentorship and education—tutoring and mentoring her peers and other students, managing multiple intern teams, and serving as both a graduate and undergraduate teaching assistant, as well as a graduate tutor.

She has also contributed to research at several prestigious institutions, including work in Computational Biology at the National Cancer Institute and in Applied Security Research and Intelligence (ARLIS), with experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning. With over 10 years of coding experience, Nour is passionate about working with students and colleagues to help them achieve their goals and excel in their professional and academic pursuits.

Grant Gueller graduated as a James B. Angell Scholar from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. He is currently completing his M.D. at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School in Houston, with plans to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.

Grant brings extensive experience tutoring and mentoring high school and pre-medical students through both demanding coursework and competitive application cycles. He is passionate about helping students develop effective strategies, identify their strengths, and build applications that authentically showcase their experiences and potential.

As a current medical student navigating the path to residency himself, Grant offers students a relatable and informed perspective on the academic and admissions process. Mentorship remains an important part of his professional career, and he takes pride in helping students approach their goals with confidence and clarity.

Keeva Dedewo holds a B.S. in Human Development from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  She has held executive roles across Marketing, Buying, and Merchandising at leading retail and eCommerce organizations including Target, Amazon, Godiva, and Etsy.  Keeva is currently an entrepreneur and founder of a premium specialty food company, where she leads brand strategy, product development, and growth initiatives.

Keeva has been advising applicants for over a decade at both the undergraduate and MBA levels, and brings firsthand experience evaluating MBA applications as an admissions committee member.  She is passionate about helping candidates craft thoughtful and compelling MBA applications and offers a nuanced understanding of what distinguishes successful applicants. When she is not working, Keeva is an avid traveler and dedicated foodie who enjoys seeking out memorable culinary experiences.

Qendrim is a business and financial consultant with experience advising clients across real estate, technology, retail, and e-commerce. He earned his MBA in Entrepreneurship and Finance from Babson College, graduating magna cum laude, and previously served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Economics and Finance. With a strong background in finance, strategy, and business analysis, Qendrim specializes in helping applicants gain admission to M7 MBA programs and other highly competitive MBA programs across the United States.

 

He provides strategic guidance on application positioning, essays, career goals, and personal narratives, helping applicants communicate their unique strengths and demonstrate the leadership potential, professional impact, and clarity of purpose that top MBA programs seek. Qendrim combines his academic and professional business expertise with a personalized approach to help applicants build compelling, competitive MBA applications.

Owais Aslam graduated from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, where he earned his MBA with a focus on private equity, corporate finance, and investment strategy. While at Cornell, Owais served as a Portfolio Manager for the Cayuga Fund, one of the largest student-run investment funds in the country, where he led fundamental research, valuation, and portfolio construction across multiple sectors.

Between business school and his professional work, Owais has evaluated hundreds of acquisition opportunities and has hands-on experience closing, financing, and operating real businesses. He is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of Aslam Capital, a private investment firm focused on acquiring and scaling small to mid-sized companies using disciplined, cash-flow-driven valuation frameworks, and works closely with applicants pursuing top MBA, finance, and entrepreneurship programs.

Susan Comninos is a widely published writer and author of a recent book of poems, “Out of Nowhere” (Stephen F. Austin Univ. Press/Texas A&M, 2022). Since earning her BA in English from Cornell Univ. and an MFA in creative writing from the Univ. of Michigan, she’s taught writing to undergraduates at Siena College, The College of St. Rose, and SUNY Albany, among others. She’s thrilled to apply what she’s learned about crafting compelling narratives to helping bright young students tell their stories to elite colleges and universities.

High school students she’s coached have won spots at Ivy League and other outstanding schools, including Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, and Johns Hopkins universities. College students and graduates she’s coached have won admission and scholarships to Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, and more. She loves helping students start down the path to achieving their dreams!
Curtis Hier received a BA from Middlebury College in Political Science with a concentration in American Literature. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Vermont State University-Castleton.

He taught public high school history in Vermont for 35 years and coached the Debate Team and the Golf Team at his high school. He was President of the Vermont Alliance for the Social Studies.  As a teacher, he enjoyed volunteering his essay editing skills with his students and helping them access the Common Application and FAFSA.
As a professional college advisor for over half a decade, he has helped many students get into their dream colleges and universities.  His education articles have been printed in numerous publications, such as Education Week.

Sebastian Boensch is an experienced admissions advisor specializing in helping college and graduate school applicants gain admission to top universities and secure competitive scholarship offers. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Economics and German Literature and Language from the University of Virginia, where he graduated with highest distinction for his honors thesis and received the Walter Sokel Essay Prize. He also earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Florida, one of the nation’s leading programs, where he was a Grinter Fellow.

With extensive experience as an editor, technical writer, instructional writer, and essay coach, Sebastian brings a deep understanding of persuasive writing and storytelling to the admissions process. He helps applicants develop compelling personal statements, essays, and application narratives that clearly communicate their accomplishments, character, and potential.

Michael Cavoto, J.D., completed both his undergraduate and law school education at Boston College. He began his legal career as in-house counsel for multiple corporations before transitioning into a management role at DoorDash, where he helped support the company’s growth through contract review, negotiation, and mergers and acquisitions. Michael also brings several years of experience advising students through the law school admissions process.

He has helped applicants successfully gain admission to top 30 law schools, including securing significant scholarship assistance with multiple yearly full-ride offers. Drawing on his legal background and firsthand understanding of the admissions landscape, Michael works closely with students to develop strategic, compelling applications that highlight their strengths and position them for success at highly competitive programs.

Dr. Inbar Maayan earned her BSc (summa cum laude) in Biology from Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, where she also completed a minor in Spanish. She then spent two years earning her MSc in Biology in Europe, studying and conducting research at Uppsala University in Sweden and at Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany. She then completed her PhD in Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University.

Dr. Maayan is a scientist, specializing in studying the evolution of biodiversity and the mechanisms underpinning biological speciation over evolutionary timescales. She is the first in her family to earn a PhD, and is passionate about increasing access to STEM for people of all backgrounds. She applies the skills and knowledge she has learned throughout her journey to help the applicants she advises, focusing on demystifying the application process and making sure each person’s story is told in a genuine and compelling manner.

Vishal Gandhi, PhD, holds a doctorate in computational biology from Vanderbilt University. His three first-author papers have been collectively cited more than 100 times. While an undergraduate, Vishal was awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation grant to conduct original research and was selected as a teaching assistant for two junior-level courses. Vishal has lived and worked in several of the world’s major cities, such as New York, London, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Mumbai. He has advised some of the world’s top private equity firms and Fortune 50 corporates on due diligence prior to multi-hundred-million dollar investments (being named Consultant of the Year by his firm in 2015), and proposed policy solutions to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office. He channels this rare combination of cross-continental and cross-sectoral experience to help candidates transform how they present themselves to the world’s most selective institutions.

Vishal’s advice on application strategy and career acceleration is relied upon by students, professionals, and families across four continents. He approaches every interaction as an opportunity to build skills that compound over time: exacting habits, precise writing, compelling resumes, persuasive presentations, and original thinking.

Ian Collier, M.D., M.B.A., completed his undergraduate and medical training at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also earned his M.B.A. from the McCombs School of Business, a top-ranked national program. He went on to complete his General Surgery residency at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Throughout his medical training, Ian has developed extensive experience mentoring medical school and residency applicants through highly competitive admissions cycles. He has helped numerous students successfully gain admission to top medical schools and surgical residency programs across the country, providing personalized guidance on application strategy, personal statements, interviews, and overall positioning.

Drawing on his experience in medicine and surgery Ian helps applicants identify what makes them unique and communicate their strengths effectively. He is passionate about helping students navigate the admissions process with confidence and develop compelling applications that position them for success at leading medical programs.

Brittanie completed B.A.s in psychology and criminology at North Carolina State University. Prior to beginning her graduate degree, she worked as a researcher in a federal legal case addressing housing in mental health care and on a NIH grant funded project addressing mental health care in the legal system. Brittanie completed her Ph.D. in Psychological Science at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington in 2024 and has continued conducting research on cognitive biases in aggression. Over the past two years Brittanie has worked as a consultant for large firms in areas such as mental health, education, marketing, business demonstration, and human resources.

Brittanie has advised students applying to graduate programs in clinical, experimental, school, and social psychology as well as related fields such as neuroscience, social work, business administration, education, and nursing. She has over five years of experience mentoring students applying to graduate programs and helping them create polished, targeted, and meaningful application materials.

Dr. Cianna Duringer earned her undergraduate degree in Finance and Mathematics from St. Bonaventure University before completing her M.A. in Economics and Ph.D. in Finance at the University of Connecticut. She developed a passion for mentoring students during graduate school and has since built years of experience advising students through the highly competitive graduate admissions process.

Cianna specializes in working with master’s and Ph.D. applicants, helping students refine their academic goals, strengthen their personal and research statements, and strategically position their experiences for admission to elite graduate programs across the U.S. Drawing on her own experience navigating advanced degree programs and academia, she provides personalized guidance to help applicants communicate their research interests, academic strengths, and long-term goals in a compelling and authentic way.

Cianna is currently an Assistant Professor of Finance at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and is active in Corporate Finance research. Her combination of faculty experience, research expertise, and years of student mentorship gives her valuable insight into what competitive graduate programs seek in successful applicants.

With over six years of experience advising students on graduate school applications in business and economics, Tiffany has helped applicants gain admission to highly competitive master’s and PhD programs. She earned her Ph.D. in Finance from University of Pittsburgh and currently teaches at Syracuse University, where she combines academic rigor with a student-centered mentoring approach.

In addition to her academic background, Tiffany is both a CFA Institute CFA charterholder and a certified Global Association of Risk Professionals FRM charterholder, bringing strong expertise in finance, economics, quantitative analysis, and professional development. Aside from academia, she worked as a senior data analyst at a startup company, gaining hands-on industry experience in data analytics and business strategy.

Tiffany works closely with students to develop personalized application strategies, refine statements of purpose, strengthen research profiles, and present their experiences in a compelling and authentic way. Her advising style emphasizes both analytical precision and individualized storytelling, helping students stand out in an increasingly competitive admissions environment.

Tammy Spear earned her degree in Plan II Honors at the University of Texas at Austin before completing additional clinical coursework and rotations through Dell Medical School and graduate study in health informatics at the McCombs School of Business. Her background spans behavioral health operations, clinical systems implementation, education, writing, and mentorship.

Throughout her professional career, Tammy has remained deeply committed to mentorship and educational access, particularly in helping applicants communicate intellectual maturity, self-awareness, and authentic direction. In addition to advising students on admissions essays, personal statements, interview preparation, and professional narrative development, she works across behavioral health operations and clinical infrastructure, supporting systems surrounding patient access, operational strategy, treatment expansion, and care delivery within interventional psychiatry settings.

Srividya Dasaraju graduated from the University of Southern California, concurrently completing a Master’s in Public Diplomacy and B.A. in International Relations. After graduation, she has for Congresswoman Sharice Davids’ campaign and as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State.

At the State Department, she worked at the intersection of conflict resolution, humanitarian crisis response, and atrocity prevention for nearly five years. She also worked to help the U.S. government modernize their policy-processes through the use of data and evidence-based tools and helped implement and develop some of the first conflict and human rights forecasting tools.

Srividya is also a published scholar in International Relations.  She will be attending Harvard Law School in the fall to pursue a career in Public International Law, and is passionate about helping students enter careers in public relations and diplomacy.