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Patient Chemistry Ph.D. With 10 Yrs of Effective Test Prep & Tutoring
Mara F.

5.0 (9 ratings)

31 hours tutoring

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About Mara

Bio

Over the past 10 years, I have tutored more than 200 students across all levels—from high school through college—in General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and AP Chemistry, as well as standardized test math for the SAT, ACT, and GRE Quantitative sections.
As an undergraduate researcher in both a cancer lab and a neuroscience lab while earning my Chemistry B.S. at Purdue University, I started tutoring, helping students ace those pesky pre-requisite classes. My love of learning and helping...

Over the past 10 years, I have tutored more than 200 students across all levels—from high school through college—in General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and AP Chemistry, as well as standardized test math for the SAT, ACT, and GRE Quantitative sections.
As an undergraduate researcher in both a cancer lab and a neuroscience lab while earning my Chemistry B.S. at Purdue University, I started tutoring, helping students ace those pesky pre-requisite classes. My love of learning and helping others learn led me to T.A. for five quarters while earning my Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University, where my research focused on developing therapeutic molecules for neurodegenerative diseases.
My tutoring approach centers on genuine understanding rather than memorization. My past students say I'm particularly effective with students who believe they're "bad at chemistry" or "not a math person" because these struggles usually stem from foundational concepts that got skipped along the way. Together, we'll identify the foundational gap so you can have that moment of clarity to finally understand the concept you are struggling with. Once everything begins to make sense, we'll focus on building your confidence in practice and application to get you test-ready. My teaching style is interactive: I'll walk you through problems step-by-step, but you'll be doing the work so you can tackle new problems independently. For standardized tests, we cover both content mastery and strategic approaches.
My credentials include a 97th-percentile GRE score (166 Verbal, 167 Quantitative, 5.0 Analytical Writing), an NIH F31 Fellowship, and experience as a published researcher with multiple pending patents.
I meet students online with flexible availability, and I ask that you share materials 24 hours before sessions so I can prepare effectively. Whether you're preparing for a test, raising your grade, or simply want to understand your chemistry class better, I'd love to help you reach your goals.

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Education

Purdue University
Chemistry
Northwestern University
PhD

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Approved Subjects

ACT Math

ACT Math

I scored in the 97th percentile on the GRE Quantitative section and have over 10 years of experience teaching math concepts to students who often believe they "aren't math people." My approach focuses on diagnosing foundational gaps and building genuine understanding of mathematical principles rather than relying on memorization of formulas. As a Ph.D. chemist who has successfully navigated rigorous quantitative coursework and research, I understand how to break down simple and complex mathematical concepts into accessible steps. I've helped over 200 students improve their confidence and scores by teaching them to see patterns and think strategically about standardized test math.
Chemistry

Chemistry

I hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University and have over 10 years of experience tutoring General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and AP Chemistry to more than 200 students. My research background in peptide-polymer bioconjugates required mastery of analytical characterization techniques and deep understanding of chemical principles across multiple subdisciplines. I specialize in helping students who struggle with chemistry by building foundational understanding rather than encouraging rote memorization, and I've successfully guided students from introductory coursework through advanced undergraduate chemistry. Having succeeded at every level I teach—from earning top grades in my own coursework to conducting original research and publishing scientific work—I know how to make complex chemical concepts accessible and intuitive.
GRE

GRE

I scored in the 97th percentile on both the GRE Verbal and Quantitative sections and have over 10 years of experience teaching math concepts to students who often believe they "aren't math people." My approach focuses on diagnosing foundational gaps and building genuine understanding of mathematical principles rather than relying on memorization of formulas. As a Ph.D. chemist who has successfully navigated rigorous quantitative coursework and research, I understand how to break down complex concepts into accessible steps. I've helped over 200 students improve their confidence and scores by teaching them to see patterns and think strategically about standardized tests.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

My doctoral work involved writing peer-reviewed publications, patent applications, competitive fellowship proposals (including the NIH F31), and my dissertation—so I understand what it takes to communicate complex ideas clearly for different audiences. I've distilled years of research into cohesive narratives under tight deadlines, which means I get the technical and emotional challenges you're facing with your personal statement. My teaching approach helps students move past organizational paralysis and self-doubt by breaking the writing process into manageable steps. I help you shape your experiences and goals into a compelling narrative that sounds like you while meeting what admissions committees expect.
PSAT

PSAT

I scored in the 97th percentile on the GRE (the graduate-level equivalent of the SAT/PSAT) and have over 10 years of experience helping students improve their standardized test performance. My approach focuses on identifying foundational gaps in math concepts and building effective test-taking strategies rather than relying on memorization. As a Ph.D. chemist with extensive quantitative training, I excel at breaking down complex problem-solving into accessible steps and teaching pattern recognition skills that are crucial for standardized tests. I've helped over 200 students build confidence and improve their scores by teaching them to think strategically about test questions.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I scored in the 97th percentile on the GRE Quantitative section and have over 10 years of experience teaching math concepts to students who often believe they "aren't math people." My approach focuses on diagnosing foundational gaps and building genuine understanding of mathematical principles rather than relying on memorization of formulas. As a Ph.D. chemist who has successfully navigated rigorous quantitative coursework and research, I understand how to break down simple and complex mathematical concepts into accessible steps and test taking strategies. I've helped over 200 students improve their confidence and scores by teaching them to see patterns and think strategically about standardized test math.
Thesis Writing

Thesis Writing

My dissertation work required mastering distinct writing conventions across academic papers, patent applications, competitive fellowship proposals (NIH F31), and my final thesis - giving me deep expertise in communicating complex scientific concepts with precision and clarity across multiple formats. I've navigated the real challenges of synthesizing years of research into cohesive narratives while managing high-stakes deadlines, so I understand both the technical and emotional hurdles thesis writers face. My established teaching philosophy is to help students overcome organizational paralysis and impostor syndrome during dissertation writing. I excel at helping students shape their research into compelling, well-structured arguments for specific audiences while maintaining their authentic voice.
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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (9 ratings)
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Reviews

Patient and knowledgeable

My daughter had a great first tutoring session with Mara, who is very patient and explained complicated concepts to her in a way that was concisely broken down into understandable steps. My daughter felt very comfortable asking questions, Mara was patient and understanding, helping to fill in some gaps.

Kathleen, 1 lesson with Mara

So Kind and Supportive

Mara helped me so much with AP Chemistry. English is not my first language, but she explains everything patiently and in a way that is easy for me to understand. She is very kind and makes me feel comfortable asking questions. Because of her help, my understanding improved a lot and my grade went from a B to an A!! I’m truly grateful for her support.

Liubov, 4 lessons with Mara