One-On-One Virtual Biology Tutoring Services Centered On Student Success

Jennifer completed a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago before earning an MBA from the University of California, Davis. While at the University of Chicago, Jennifer served as an interviewer and project coordinator for prospective students. She has played a vital role in the admissions process for thousands of applicants and has helped them get into the University of Chicago and UC schools.

Jennifer's coaching approach is deeply rooted in her own experience navigating the college application process. Having been through it herself, she understands the stress and challenges students face. She strives to be the mentor she needed during that time, believing that with the right guidance and support, students can approach their applications with confidence and ease. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of process and structure to ensure each student has the right infrastructure and support to succeed. 

As a coach, Jennifer is personable, cares deeply about students on an individual level, and values open communication. She takes the time to understand what excites them, what drains them, and what they're curious about, believing these inputs are key to uncovering their strengths, growth opportunities, and the environment that best supports them. She meets students where they are, taking the time to tailor her approach effectively. 

Despite her friendly demeanor, Jennifer maintains a strong level of discipline in reaching goals and commitments. She treats her students with respect, allowing them autonomy as emerging adults. Considering this, Jennifer adopts a blended coaching style, checking in frequently to ensure students feel confident about their goals while also holding them accountable, ensuring they can navigate challenges on their own with resilience and determination.

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys exploring new coffee shops and cafes in her neighborhood and the broader SF Bay Area, attempting new crafts and DIY projects, and spending quality time with her toy poodle and husband.

Mark earned a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. His passion for helping students led him to become an admissions coach, aiming to make the college application process less stressful and daunting. Professionally, he has served as a consultant at IBM. 

Mark finds coaching to be dynamic and exciting. He believes it's enriching for both himself and the students; he helps ease their stress while they reflect, ask tough questions, and grow through the process. 

As a coach, Mark compares himself to a therapist; to help students achieve success, he aims to understand each one deeply. By doing so, he can help match them with the perfect college and enable them to build a more comprehensive application narrative. If a student is involved in a club, Mike enjoys learning about what inspired that interest. If students play sports, he determines whether that interest is driven by competitiveness or a desire for community. Mark believes every application should paint a clear picture so that the admissions board gains a sincere understanding of the student.

Marks believes that inculcating a growth mindset is incredibly important. He emphasizes that nothing is permanent and reminds students that their starting point isn't fixed; improvement is always possible with effort. 

​​In his free time, Mark enjoys going to the gym, long-distance running, recreational tennis, reading, writing short stories, and spending time with his two pet bunnies, Luna and Benny!

Alison completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Linguistics from Columbia College before completing a Master of Arts in Music, Science, and Technology at Stanford University. She has around five years of tutoring experience and has played an integral role in the educational journeys of numerous students, supporting them through everything from test prep to college essays. She began tutoring out of a genuine passion for sharing her knowledge and intellectual interests with others.

Alison acknowledges the privilege of having had exceptional teachers who inspired, enriched, and challenged her. This profound influence fuels her passion for tutoring, as she aims to provide similar support to other students on their learning journeys. She also learns a lot from students and sincerely appreciates their perspectives on the world. Alison specializes in SAT prep, with an emphasis on the Reading and Writing sections, AP courses in languages such as English, Spanish, and French, and other subjects.

As a tutor, Alison is energetic, enthusiastic, and highly perceptive. She tailors her approach to meet each student at their unique level, crafting engaging learning experiences based on their interests. With great care, she endeavors to understand the world from their perspective. Alison's goal is to empower her students rather than simply instruct them. She guides them by pointing out directions rather than leading the way, fostering the development of their cognitive abilities. 

One of Alison’s greatest strengths as a tutor is her ability to guide students through learning blocks. She believes it's very important to approach learning blocks from a stance of curiosity rather than judgment. The academic world can feel very high-stakes, and fear of embarrassment or failure can make the block feel even more intractable, like a knot that grows harder to untangle when more tension is applied. She approaches conversations about learning blocks very much like she would approach a real knot: first, she takes the tension off. Then, she rotates the problem into three dimensions to identify where the thread is lost and what alternative approaches or knowledge might provide leverage. Her ultimate goal in this iterative process of examination, gentle experimentation, and gradual loosening is to help students approach these moments as puzzles rather than roadblocks, fostering metacognitive troubleshooting skills that enhance learning and resilience.

In her free time, Alison is a novice knitter and macramé hobbyist. She also practices aerial skills and is learning how to play the mandolin.