MCAT Tutoring

My name is Emily and I’m a current MD-PhD student at Emory University. Not knowing anyone in medicine growing up, I had to carve my own path and find ways to independently explore the field. I worked as an EMT through high school and college to learn more about patient care and prehospital medicine.

Throughout college, I was interested in solely pursuing an MD. However, as I became exposed to the world of research, I realized the important role that research plays in medicine and the amount of progress that still needs to be made to improve care globally. I envision a career that includes running a laboratory while still seeing patients clinically, which motivated me to apply to MSTPs.

I love working with students to craft a narrative about how they got to where they are and why they chose to apply to medical school. Oftentimes, there are themes throughout a student’s application that they can focus on to create a convincing and well-rounded application! Every journey is a story, you just need to figure out how to tell it. I look forward to helping you with your application!

Hi! I am Karthik, a medical student at Johns Hopkins, and I am currently taking a gap year pursuing my MBA. My academic interests include radiology, global health, neuroscience, and health equity.

I have several years of tutoring experience across chemistry and Spanish-language courses, and I enjoy adapting my teaching style to each student’s individual needs and have now been working with MotivateMD for just over a year. My goal is to create an encouraging and collaborative learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, working through mistakes, and developing the skills they need to navigate their academic journey with greater confidence and independence.

Hi! I'm a medical student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health with academic backgrounds in Biology and Art History. I am deeply passionate about approaching medicine through a humanistic lens, combining science and empathy to better understand and serve patients.

As an undergraduate, I supported fellow students through a Peer Mentoring Program focused on assisting first, second, and transfer-year Biology majors. I also served on the HOSA board, mentoring pre-med students navigating the path to medical school. During my gap year, I worked as a medical assistant in a reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic, gaining valuable clinical experience and insight into patient care.

As a reapplicant I understand the stress and uncertainty that can come with the medical school admissions process. As a mentor, my goal is to ease that burden by offering support, guidance, and encouragement every step of the way.

Hi! I’m Tara, a fourth-year medical student at Johns Hopkins University and incoming interventional radiology resident at Harvard Medical School/Massachussetts General Hospital. I studied neuroscience at Brown University and the University of Cambridge before starting medical school. I’m passionate about mentorship and have worked as a tutor, TA, and mentor for pre-med students at Morgan State University. My goal is to support you and help you put your best foot forward in this process.

Amanda Moser is a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine with nearly two years of experience as an editor and advisor with MotivateMD. Through this role, she has worked closely with applicants to refine personal statements, secondaries, and interview strategies, helping them effectively communicate their unique stories. Her passion for mentoring stems from a strong belief that the admissions process should feel accessible and empowering rather than overwhelming. In addition to her advising work, Amanda serves as a student interviewer with the PSOM Admissions Office, where she evaluates applicants and contributes to the selection process. This dual perspective—as both an advisor and admissions participant—allows her to provide thoughtful, insider guidance tailored to what admissions committees are truly looking for.

Hi, my name is Chumeng! I am a fourth-year medical student at Dell Medical School and am currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health. Prior to medical school, I attended UT Austin, where I majored in Public Health and minored in business. My interests include Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, public health, and undergraduate medical education. Outside of medicine, I love trying new restaurants (especially sushi restaurants), watching reality TV, and hanging out with friends and family.

Hi! My name is Jackie and I am an MD-PhD student in the Tri-Institutional MD–PhD Program. I was born and raised in New Jersey and I earned my bachelors degree at Rutgers University - New Brunswick, where I graduated as valedictorian. During my first year of undergrad, I began working in a behavioral neuroscience lab and developed my passion for research. Then when COVID-19 hit and my lab closed, I gained an interest in medicine, volunteering as a COVID-19 test kit processor and serving as a counselor on Crisis Text Line. Joining research and medicine through an MD-PhD program seemed like the perfect fit for me, and I completed my MD-PhD application cycle while working as a postbac at the NIH.

I am a current fourth year MD Student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Charlotte, NC. I love helping students figure out the strategies that work best for them as well as finding their voice within their essays. I can't wait to work with you!

Hi! My name is Rachel and I will be an M1 at Pritzker School of Medicine starting August 2026. I graduated from Cornell University in 2024, where I competed on the gymnastics team. I also tutored students at Cornell in biology, physics, chemistry and neuroscience and worked as a TA for neuroscience and psychology courses. I spent three years as a research assistant in Cornell’s Laboratory for Rational Decision-Making on the Health and Medical Decision-Making team and worked at Chicago Medical School in the Brain Science Institute. After graduation, I took two gap years and spent most of my time working as an EMT. I was fortunate to have a had successful application cycle myself, scoring a 520 on the MCAT, receiving 18 interviews and ultimately being accepted to 11 MD programs, including 4 T20 schools.

I’m excited to meet you and help you navigate your own successful application process. What I value most about Motivate MD is our holistic and comprehensive approach to advising. I feel strongly that every student has a unique story to tell, and look forward to helping you to authentically represent yourself. I am here to support you through every step of the journey, from MCAT preparation to developing a compelling personal narrative and finally presenting your best self during interview day.

Hi! My name is Shreya, and I am a medical student at UC Irvine. I attended WashU, where I studied biology and psychology. During my time there, I was primarily involved in research, community service, and Mock Trial. As a peer mentor for several years, I developed a strong passion for guiding and supporting others in their journey to medicine. I hope to help applicants feel confident and empowered as they navigate the medical school application process.

Hi everyone! My name is Josh and I’m a medical student at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. I grew up in the Greater Rochester area and returned home for medical school after graduating from Princeton University. After college, I spent a gap year working as a clinical research coordinator in the Orthopaedic Spine Department at Massachusetts General Hospital. As the first person in my family to pursue medicine, I navigated the application process without a clear roadmap and was ultimately accepted to Rochester off the waitlist while balancing a full-time job during my gap year. Through Motivate MD, I’m excited to help students navigate the medical school application process!

Hi everyone! I'm JuleLayne van der Merwe, a psychiatry resident at the University of Arizona in Tucson! Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, I attended Vanderbilt University, majoring in Neuroscience and Medicine, Health, and Society, before earning my medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2025.

Mentorship has always been one of my greatest passions. I've spent six years tutoring MCAT students, primarily in CARS, and have enjoyed guiding students through medical school and residency applications and mock interviews. My favorite part is getting to know students, helping them recognize their unique strengths, and building their confidence to share their stories authentically.

During medical school, I also conducted research in pediatric neurology and psychiatry, including neonatal seizures and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), leading to presentations and publications. Outside of medicine, I love hiking, weightlifting, animals, and exploring Arizona with my South African husband!

Having recently navigated medical school and residency applications myself, I understand how overwhelming the process can feel. I joined Motivate MD because I love connecting with people and believe everyone deserves supportive, individualized guidance. I hope to make students' journeys less stressful, more encouraging, and even a little fun!