Experienced MCAT and College STEM tutor (8+ years of experience)

Hakinya K.

Anatomy

I have taken both college level and graduate level anatomy courses. I have found ways to study including practice questions and applying relevant anatomy to its physiology concepts.

Biology

I have completed IB Biology in the past and have also taken multiple college level biology courses, including introductory biology, endocrinology, and physiology.

College Counseling

I have over 10 years of experience mentoring and tutoring students and have successfully navigated the college and professional school application process myself. As a medical student, I have experience helping students develop strong academic and extracurricular profiles, craft compelling personal statements, and present their experiences effectively in applications. I have also worked with pre-medical students through a structured program in my school to work through the application process. I work with students to identify their strengths, set realistic goals, and create a personalized strategy for college admissions. My approach focuses on helping students tell their unique story while building confidence throughout the application process.

Essay Writing

I have taken numerous undergraduate courses surrounding writing including classes that analyze written works and classes that require your own written thesis. This varied experience has allowed me to gain experience with varied types of written work. I aim to tailor my tutoring in writing by discussing the writing process and helping students take ownership of the writing process.

MCAT

I have taken the MCAT and received a 95th percentile score and am able to tutor in CARS, Biology, and Psychology and Sociology. I am versed in these topics with prior tutoring experience and am happy to tailor student's lessons to going over questions or specific content regarding the test.

Personal Statements

I am a fourth-year medical student with over 10 years of tutoring and mentoring experience. Throughout my academic career, I have worked closely with students applying to college, medical school, and other academic programs, helping them develop compelling personal statements and application materials. In addition to serving as a tutor and teaching assistant in subjects including biology, genetics, and organic chemistry, I have held leadership roles in medical education and regularly mentor younger students navigating academic and professional goals. My approach to personal statement coaching focuses on helping students identify meaningful experiences, develop a clear narrative, and communicate their goals effectively. I provide detailed feedback on essay structure, content, and clarity while ensuring that each application authentically reflects the student's unique voice and experiences. Whether you are drafting your first essay or refining a final application, I can help you create a polished and compelling personal statement that highlights your strengths and accomplishments.

Physiology

I have previously been a tutor for an undergraduate Physiology class where I helped students apply knowledge from various organ systems to develop a holistic understanding of the body. I have now taken this knowledge further to apply it as a medical student and hope to help tackle what can be daunting topics together!

Psychology

During my undergraduate studies, I took courses in general psychology, health psychology, and physiologic psychology. These courses have exposed me to the breadth of psychology education and I also experience with the MCAT psychology section. I am happy to tailor this tutoring a student's needs!

Sociology

I have taken medical sociology and general sociology courses during my undergraduate experience. I also have experience with the MCAT sociology test section. I am happy to talk through concepts that may be challenging for students, especially in applying class information on a larger scale. I will tailor our tutoring to each student's individual needs and preferences!

USMLE

I passed USMLE Step 1 on my first attempt and have developed a strong foundation in the basic sciences and clinical medicine throughout medical school. In addition to my own exam preparation, I have gained extensive teaching experience by helping peers work through complex physiology, pathology, and clinical reasoning concepts through tutoring and involvement in medical education. During my Step 1 preparation, I focused on active learning strategies, including practice questions, concept mapping, and targeted flashcard review. For challenging topics such as immunodeficiencies and other high-yield systems, I created visual concept maps using resources such as Amboss and Pathoma to connect foundational science concepts and improve long-term retention. I supplemented question banks with flashcards that specifically targeted missed concepts and knowledge gaps. These methods helped me steadily improve my practice exam performance and build confidence for test day. As I prepared for Step 2 CK, I adapted these study strategies to emphasize clinical reasoning and pattern recognition. I relied heavily on question-based learning, reviewing explanations in depth and creating frameworks for approaching common presentations, diagnoses, and management decisions. By combining active recall, spaced repetition, and focused review of weak areas, I was able to achieve a Step 2 CK score in the top percentile range of examinees. As a tutor, I focus not only on content review but also on helping students develop effective study habits and test-taking strategies. Whether you are preparing for Step 1 or Step 2, we can work together to identify your strengths and weaknesses, create an efficient study plan, and build the skills needed to recognize common exam patterns and approach questions with confidence. I tailor my teaching style to each student's learning preferences and goals, and I look forward to helping you succeed on exam day.