Our Editors
Aarav Arora
Hello! My name is Aarav and I am an incoming freshman at Stanford University from San Diego. I plan on majoring in Computer Science & Math and potentially minoring in international relations or public policy. During high school, my main extracurricular interests were in bioinformatics research, Public Forum Debate, and math & biology olympiads. I also spent much time volunteering and pursuing niche hobbies, which were important topics in my college essays. I’d love to help you brainstorm unique ideas and focus on efficient and persuasive writing in your essays!
University Acceptances: Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Georgia Tech (Full Ride), UCLA, UCSD Regents
GPA: 4.66/4.0
ACT: 35
Most Notable Award: Regeneron STS Top-40 Finalist & Valedictorian
Gracelynne Hao
Hi! I’m Gracelynne, an incoming freshman at Harvard University from New Jersey, and I plan on majoring in Environmental Science & Public Policy and Statistics. In high school, I was passionate about chemical research and its applications for sustainability, built a strong foundation in STEM through various olympiads, and was editor of my school yearbook. Outside of school, I shared my love of piano and STEM by organizing various nonprofits and also was an avid musical theater geek! As someone who explored a lot of different interests in high school, I find application essays formative in shaping a cohesive student profile, and I’m excited to help you along in this last leg of the college admissions process!
University Acceptances: Harvard, MIT, UPenn, Johns Hopkins
GPA: 4.0/4.0
SAT: 1600
Most Notable Award: ISEF Finalist & MIT Math Prize for Girls Qualifier
Evan Xie
Hey! I’m Evan, an incoming freshman at Princeton University planning to study Mathematics and Machine Learning. During high school, I attended The Pingry School in New Jersey while pursuing several extracurricular passions—I immersed myself in biocomputational research, undertook the exciting analytical challenge of competition math, enjoyed the creativity and self-expression found through journalism, and was an avid ice hockey player. I’d love to help you craft your application essays and put your best foot forward in the college admissions process!
University Acceptances: Princeton (Restrictive Early Action)
GPA: 4.0/4.0
SAT: 1590
Most Notable Award: 5 Research Publications & Simons Summer Research Program
Alan Zhong
Hi! I’m Alan, and I’ll be attending Yale next year with an intended major in Computing and Linguistics. Throughout high school, my two main extracurricular interests have been computer science and creative writing. I explored these fields through activities ranging from research and summer programs to school clubs and nonprofits. To me, the college application essay is three things: a space for personal reflection, a realization of your values and philosophies, and a chance to show admissions offices what makes you, you. I’m excited to help you write to your full potential!
University Acceptances: Yale (Restrictive Early Action)
GPA: 3.98/4.0
SAT: 1580
Most Notable Award: USA Junior Math Olympiad Qualifier & Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Key