UCLA National Merit Scholar Academic and Essay coach

Kalpa B.

I’m a National Merit Scholar with a BA from UCLA, an MA in Experimental Psychology from Wake Forest (full scholarship), and a PsyD from a top clinical psychology program. My academic research focused on adolescent social–emotional development and cultural/gender psychology, with earlier training in cognitive aspects of depression, resulting in multiple peer-reviewed publications. I bring this academic background to my work as a tutor, writing coach, and college essay specialist. My approach integrates rigorous academic instruction with developmentally informed strategies that support motivation, confidence, and performance under pressure.

Previously, I have held positions such as adjunct professor of clinical psychology at University of San Francisco and the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium program, where I taught doctoral students in a classroom setting. Prior to my doctoral studies, I tutored students from high school through undergraduate students.

My philosophy:

Every student is unique, blessed with a singular learning style and way of seeing the world. With my background in academic and research psychology, I believe I am well-equipped to tap into the style, preferences, and ways of seeing the world that make each student who they are. I believe in active listening and dynamic tutoring. You can find me drawing and diagramming on a piece of paper or using as many metaphors or real-life examples as necessary to make a concept come alive.