523 MCAT Tutor for Students Who Feel “Behind”

Leonie S.

I earned a 523 on the MCAT (99th percentile) while working in a demanding basic science research laboratory and applying for competitive research fellowships, more than four years after completing many of my prerequisite courses. During that process, I realized that success on the MCAT does not come from memorizing endless facts, but from building a deep understanding of core scientific concepts and learning how subjects connect across biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. This philosophy became the foundation of my tutoring style.

Over the past six years, I have tutored science, math, writing, and MCAT preparation for students ranging from middle school through college and post-baccalaureate pre-med students. I have helped more than 30 students achieve MCAT scores of 520+, including students who previously struggled academically or believed they were “bad test takers.” Some of my students earned mostly B and C grades in their science coursework but still achieved 128+ section scores through strong strategy, targeted review, and conceptual understanding. My tutoring focuses heavily on scientific reasoning, passage analysis, timing skills, and learning how to approach difficult questions systematically rather than relying on memorization alone.

I graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Biological Anthropology and earned a 5 on the AP Biology exam. I also have extensive biomedical research experience in cancer and metabolic disease research, which allows me to connect classroom concepts to real scientific and medical applications. I work primarily in one-on-one settings and tailor my teaching approach to each student’s learning style, strengths, and academic goals. My goal is not only to help students improve scores and grades, but also to help them become more confident and independent learners.