Explore Scholars

Princeton

Ethan Cole

The Narrator

Hey! I'm Ethan, a current Princeton student (Class of 2029) studying Operations Research and Financial Engineering. My path to Princeton wasn't the conventional one. I was admitted off the waitlist, I come from a lower-income background, and I'm only the second person from my high school to ever get in. I wasn't the top of my class and I didn't have a résumé full of prestigious programs. What I did have was a genuine story and the ability to tell it. The way I framed my experiences and crafted my essays is what I believe made the difference, and that's exactly what I love helping applicants think through. If you're someone who feels like you don't fit the "typical top school" mold, I get it firsthand. I'm happy to talk essays, the waitlist process, or just how to make your application feel like you.

Columbia

Noah Proctor

The Jack-of-All-Trades

As a product of rural Ohio, I had no other choice but to maximize my resources, starting a club, getting involved with non-profits, and even writing a book. I'm extremely passionate about learning—especially disciplines that lie at the intersection of sustainability and technology. I'm happy to share more about my college admissions process!

Brown

Yash Gulani

The Captain

Hey I'm Yash, a Brown grad and current med student at Johns Hopkins Medical School!

Stanford

Lex Young

The Braini-ock

Hi everyone, I'm Lex

Berkeley

Angad Singh Josan

The Perfect Score

Hi I'm Angad

Yale

Benjamin Kim

The Braini-ock

Hey I'm Benjamin

MIT

Vineet Saravanan

The Tinker

I'm Vineet!

Northwestern

Pranith Surapaneni

The Jack-of-All-Trades

Perfect ACT? Sure. But that’s just the start. Pranith is the kind of person who aces a test, then turns around and teaches everyone else how to do it too. After scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT, he didn’t just move on—he started tutoring friends, and that turned into mentoring 20+ students with an average 4-point score increase. But test prep isn’t the only thing he’s good at. He’s a DJ. A French horn player. A varsity tennis athlete. A children’s book author. A biotech researcher. Oh—and he helped raise over $150K for charity through massive Bollywood dance events. He also built a nonprofit that brings live music to memory care homes, and his books on autoimmune disorders are now in hospitals and libraries around the country. What sets Pranith apart isn’t just how much he does—it’s how much he gives. He finds cool ways to combine creativity, community, and leadership, and he’s all about turning personal wins into something bigger for others. He’s also really honest about what it takes to manage time, stay focused, and figure out what’s actually worth doing. Message Pranith if you want advice on anything from studying for the ACT to organizing big events, starting a nonprofit, juggling lots of interests, or just figuring out how to make your college app actually reflects who you are. He’s been there—and he’s the real deal.

Columbia

Taylor Ye

The Advocate

I'm Taylor from Columbia!

Columbia

Evan Van Brunt

The Jack-of-All-Trades

Hey I'm Evan

UPenn

Eliana Horn

The Bridge-Builder

Hey I'm Eliana

Cornell

Olivia Jung

The Captain

Hey I'm Olivia from Cornell :)

Caltech

Soren Ghorai

The Braini-ock

Hi I'm Soren

Brown

Will Rumsey

The Advocate

Hey I'm Will

Dartmouth

Yumi Park

The Masterpiece

Hi I'm Yumi

Dartmouth

Shelby Feikes

The Researcher

Hi I'm Shelby

Duke

Charlotte Wang

The Researcher

Hi I'm Charlotte!

Yale

Tanav Prabhu

The Researcher

Tanav is the kind of student who doesn’t wait for change—he starts it. When a rule at Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program said students couldn’t run outside, he didn’t complain. He organized. Within days, he’d rallied over 50 students, coordinated with administrators, and led a successful campaign to change policy. The result? A 5AM running community that became one of the most meaningful experiences of his summer—and the subject of his personal statement to Yale. That same energy fuels everything he does. Tanav’s academic spark started early—he took Calculus BC in 8th grade—and grew into a passion for problem-solving through math, computer science, and statistics. Inspired by Moneyball, he designed a cricket analytics engine for GHP using real-world data and simulations. The only catch? He didn’t know Python. So he taught himself in 48 hours and got to work, eventually publishing the project and building multiple models from scratch—including a computer vision neural network trained to recognize cats with 80% accuracy. But Tanav’s story isn’t just about individual achievement. It’s about building things that last. When his school’s math team lost its coach, he stepped in and led practices himself, recruiting new members and keeping the program alive. When he noticed a lack of community around chess, he founded and marketed a club from scratch. When he served as orchestra section leader or captain of his varsity cross-country team, his goal was always the same: bring people together, elevate the group, and leave something stronger than he found it. A 3× AIME qualifier, National Merit Finalist, and All-State violist, Tanav is as well-rounded as he is driven. He’s fluent in Spanish and Tamil, completed dual enrollment coursework at Georgia Tech, and even minored in “Evil in Literature” at GHP just to explore beyond STEM. If you're looking for help on building a research project, translating interests into essays, or taking initiative even when you're starting from scratch—Tanav is someone who’s been there. Ask him about leading without a title, learning a new language (coding or spoken), or how to take the first small step toward big impact.

Stanford

Cole Sprout

I'm Cole!

UChicago

Connor Bloch

The Wildcard

Butcher shop by day. Fine dining by night. Finance intern in between. By 17, he was juggling a finance internship and working long shifts in a Michelin-tier kitchen, plating food for New Year’s Eve dinner until 5AM. His essay? It was about that dinner service. Sixteen hours of chaos, sweat, and hustle. No breaks. No fluff. Just him, in his element. He wasn’t trying to be impressive—he was just busy being impressive. Connor cold-attended cycling classes to run into a chef he wanted to work for. (Yes, really.) He gave a TED Talk before turning 18. And somewhere in the middle of it all, he started winning pitch competitions while working under one of the toughest chefs in town. What made him stand out? He didn’t over-polish or play it safe. He lived a life full of motion—jumping between food, finance, and entrepreneurship—and then told those stories exactly how they happened. The result? A raw, unforgettable application that showed UChicago exactly what kind of thinker and doer they’d be getting. Message Connor if you want to talk restaurant life, greek life, finance, storytelling through essays, how to balance three jobs in high school, or why “unconventional” might just be your biggest advantage. He’s proof you don’t have to sound like everyone else to get in—you just have to sound like you.

Harvard

Jeanine Zheng

The Specialist

Big on biology. Even bigger on finding the meaning behind it all. Jeanine’s story isn’t about checking every box. It’s about looking inward, asking real questions, and letting her voice rise from there. She grew up with deep roots—her dad was a sweet potato farmer in rural China—and wove that into her application in a way that felt natural, thoughtful, and totally her. One of her essays was about a family dinner where they were served sweet potatoes—something her dad hadn’t touched since leaving the fields behind. It was simple. But powerful. And it helped her show Harvard who she really was. Her path started off pretty typical—standard advice, structured drafts—but something didn’t feel right. It wasn’t until she threw out the formula and leaned into reflection that her application took shape. Instead of trying to be the “perfect applicant,” she focused on the parts of her life that felt real. From environmental science research to helping farmers through seed studies, she connected her passion for STEM with her family’s story and future goals. Jeanine is also big on fit. She didn’t just apply to schools based on prestige—she asked herself: Where will I actually thrive? When she visited Harvard, she found students who didn’t have it all figured out yet—but were excited to learn, explore, and stay curious. That mindset matched her own. That’s when she knew. Message Jeanine if you’re figuring out how to turn a small moment into a big story, if you want your resume to reflect the real you, or if you care about environmental science and want to know how to turn it into something meaningful. She’s been through the college app maze—and came out the other side with clarity, confidence, and a story only she could tell.

Harvard

Niko Katsuyoshi

When Niko was 14, he packed a bag and moved across the country to chase his wrestling dreams. Left home, started fresh at boarding school, and ended up becoming one of the best wrestlers in the country. But what made Niko stand out to colleges wasn’t just the wins—it was how honest he was about the journey. Instead of writing some dramatic story about pushing through injury, Niko kept it real. His essay was about the values his parents raised him with—discipline, balance, and knowing who you are. He didn’t just check boxes. He showed up as himself: an athlete, but also a leader in Latin Club, a volunteer, and someone who didn’t want to be put in a box. He didn’t wait to get discovered either. Niko cold-emailed coaches, introduced himself at tournaments, and started building relationships in 8th grade. He knew even the best can get overlooked if they don’t speak up. And after getting into Harvard and wrestling D1, Niko realized the dream wasn’t what he thought. So he made another bold move—he left to build something of his own. Now he’s in the startup world, chasing what feels right, not just what looks good on paper. Message Niko if you want to talk college recruiting, breaking stereotypes, or what it’s like to walk away from a dream—and still feel proud of the path you’re on.

MIT

Sara Wilson

The Tinker

Trapeze flyer. Systems thinker. Not your average MIT nerd. Sara didn’t play it safe in her college apps—and she definitely doesn’t play it safe in life. One of her MIT essays was literally about falling off a flying trapeze… and why she loved it. For her, messing up wasn’t failure—it was momentum. That mindset carried her from baking experiments in her kitchen to tackling real-world healthcare problems with consulting firms and startups. She wasn’t the straight-A, perfectly packaged applicant. She was the one who tried stuff, failed sometimes, and came back smarter. She figured out that MIT wanted people who could dream big and get their hands dirty. So that’s exactly how she showed up. She’s done a little bit of everything: design, consulting, 3D printing, sports, swimming, strategy—and somehow connected it all. Sara is the kind of person who reads the instructions, then rewrites them to work better. And she’ll be the first to tell you that you don’t need some “tragic story” to write a great essay—just your real voice and the guts to be a little weird. Message Sara if you want advice on writing authentic college essays, navigating MIT, turning curiosity into action, or just figuring out how to build your own path (even if you fall a couple times on the way up). She didn't think she would get into MIT, so she's the perfect person for a pep-talk if you're having doubts.

UChicago

Xander Hastings

The Jack-of-All-Trades

Hi, I’m Xander! I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2024 with a major in Economics and a minor in Astrophysics. I’ve always had a deep love for programming, but I made a conscious effort not to let that passion get buried under problem sets and p-sets. Instead, I kept it alive through side projects and exploration, and today I’m the founder and CEO of Scholarly, where I work with students on something I care about deeply: telling their stories through college applications. From the moment I set foot on UChicago’s campus, I knew it was the right place for me. The academic rigor was exactly what I wanted—it stretched me in every direction. But more than that, I found a community of eccentric, driven people, with ideas bouncing off the walls. It was the kind of place where Nobel laureates and absurd inside jokes coexist in the same hallway. And despite the school’s infamous motto—“where fun goes to die”—there was an unexpected undercurrent of creativity and chaos that made it genuinely fun, in its own way. I actually really enjoyed writing my college essays, though it took me a while to get there. I almost submitted something that didn’t quite feel like me. Then, on a last-minute instinct, I rewrote one of my essays entirely in Spenserian sonnet form, complete with strict iambic pentameter. It was risky and kind of ridiculous, but I think it worked because it was true to who I am—someone who overthinks everything but still wants to say something beautiful. That’s the kind of moment I want to help students find. Everyone has something real and unique to say—it’s just hard to figure out how to say it in a way that’s both honest and effective. College applications are strange like that. In a way, they remind me of Survivor, the reality show I competed on: tens of thousands of people apply, and a few are chosen—not necessarily because they’re the “best,” but because they stand out in a way that makes sense for the story the producers (or admissions officers) want to tell. It’s casting, but with transcripts. If you’re applying to UChicago, I actually wrote one of the 2023 Supplement prompts! It asks how you’d communicate humanity’s worth to a Martian species. I don’t quite know how I’d answer myself, so I’d love to hear how you would. I’m here to answer any questions you have—whether it’s about essays, strategy, or just figuring out what kind of character you want to be in this whole process.

UChicagopaused

Youssef Hasweh

The Future Unicorn

Hey I'm Youssef, a University of Chicago grad and founder of Youssef University

Dartmouthpaused

Brianna Chang

The Researcher

Hey I'm Brianna

Yalepaused

Priya Patel

The Underdog

Hi I'm Priya

Princetonpaused

Margaret Commander

The Researcher

Hi I'm Margaret!

UPennpaused

Mario Paez

The Jack-of-All-Trades

I'm Mario

Johns Hopkinspaused

Allie Yang

Allie’s path to college wasn’t linear. She applied to 23 schools, navigated two early decision rounds, and faced five deferrals before landing at Johns Hopkins. Along the way, she kept adapting—learning more about what mattered to her and leaning into that growth, even when the process felt overwhelming. What made her stand out wasn’t a flashy résumé or long list of leadership titles—it was her ability to think deeply and write with intention. For her Hopkins supplement, she wrote about a journalism column she created on AI and misinformation, using it to explore complex topics she was still figuring out herself. Her personal statement took a different kind of risk: it centered on a speech she gave about menstrual stigma in front of a mostly male audience. Judges laughed. One called it “too squeamish.” But Allie kept going—and by the end of the season, she had changed minds and gained confidence. Throughout her application, Allie showed how her interests connected across fields. Literature, speech, technology, social change—each essay revealed a different side of who she was and how she thinks. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She just told the truth and trusted that someone would get it. Hopkins did. Reach out to Allie if you want to talk about finding your voice, writing personal essays that actually feel personal, or staying grounded when college admissions gets chaotic. She’s been through it—and came out of it more sure of herself than ever. Allie wants to help as much as she can and has decided to make her messages free.

Stanfordpaused

Nicolas Berndt

The Narrator

Hey I'm Nicolas

Stanfordpaused

Ian Chung

The Masterpiece

Hi I'm Ian!

Caltechpaused

Cleatus Oakes

The Tinker

Cleatus has always been the kind of person who wants to build stuff that matters. What started as a love for Legos turned into a passion for solving real environmental problems using chemical engineering. By junior year, he was running an independent research project through his school’s R.A.D. program, experimenting with super absorbent polymers—the same stuff in fake snow—to explore how they could help with water treatment. He’s not just a science kid though. Cleatus ran cross country and track all four years, and he credits that consistency with helping him stay focused and manage his time. Between labs, races, and everything in between, he learned how to stay grounded by doing the things that kept him curious and challenged. What helped him stand out? He didn’t try to do everything. He tried a lot of things, then leaned into the ones that clicked. From chemistry to environmental science to hands-on engineering, he built his path step by step—until it led him straight to Caltech. Message Cleatus if you’re into engineering, love solving problems, or want to know how to turn a random school elective into a full-on research project. He’s a great person to talk to if you’re figuring out what excites you—and how to go all in once you find it.

Cornellpaused

Matthew Merril

The Masterpiece

Matthew didn’t follow the typical college application roadmap. No early decision. No dream school. No chasing prestige. Instead, he stayed true to what felt real. He wrote an essay structured in three acts—literally a script—about learning to accept himself beyond ego, perfection, or performance. And yeah, he knew it was a risk. But he also knew the right schools would get it. He leaned into content creation as his angle, even when it might’ve been easier to pick something more “academic.” His biggest lesson? Anything can be a standout topic if you’re honest, specific, and reflective. It wasn’t just that he made videos. It was what those videos taught him about people, identity, and creativity. And while classmates at his competitive D.C. high school were stressing rankings and name brands, Matthew focused on fit. He chose Cornell not because it was the “flashiest” option, but because it matched who he was and what he wanted: a place that values hospitality, leadership, and creative energy. Once he got there, he thrived—running clubs, leading teams, and doing exactly the things he said he’d do in his apps. Message Matthew if you’re a creative who wants to stand out without selling out, if you’re trying to cancel out the noise of college pressure culture, or if you just want to write the kind of essay no one else can. He’s proof you don’t need to chase prestige to end up exactly where you’re meant to be.

Stanfordpaused

Jude Reiferson

The Specialist

Hey I'm Jude!

Princetonpaused

Aryan Bhasin

Aryan didn’t try to force a one-note application. He knew he wasn’t just a STEM guy or a leader or a creative. In fact, the whole point of his college essay was that he wasn’t sure which version of himself was supposed to show up. So instead of picking one, he embraced all of them—and that’s what made him stand out. His Common App essay, Multiple Personality Order, was built around the fear of not having a clear identity. The metaphor? A Boggart from Harry Potter—a shapeless fear that only takes form when confronted. For Aryan, that meant confronting the pressure to “be” one thing. And it all came together thanks to a habit he recommends to literally every student: journaling. “If you journal consistently, you’re basically writing your future essay without realizing it.” Aryan also put a ton of thought into his recommendation letters—making sure each one showed a different side of him. One recommender knew his leadership, another his academic side, and another his growth over time. The result? A 360° view that helped his application feel complete. As an international student from India, Aryan didn’t get to visit campuses or sit in on classes. Writing those “Why Us” essays felt like a shot in the dark. So he dug deep—researching professors, student orgs, even alumni projects—until those schools felt familiar enough to write about with confidence. At Princeton, he found the perfect mix of structure and freedom. He explored everything from singing to rowing to startups, and later launched a tech company that blends AI and messaging automation. Now he’s working remotely, traveling the world, and living out the multidimensional life he wrote about in his essay. Message Aryan if you want help finding your essay topic, turning journaling into strategy, or building a company (or identity) from scratch. He’s proof that you don’t have to fit into one box—you just have to show up as all of you. He also has a unique take on 'Why X University' essays and how to tackle them as an international student who can't go to these campuses. He is very busy running his own company, so his rate is set to reflect how valuable his time is.