Our Tutors | Appelrouth Tutoring Services | Atlanta's premier tutoring service for the SAT, ACT, GRE and more!

Abhinav

School: Georgia Tech
Major: Biochemistry

Abhinav is currently a Biochemistry major at Georgia Tech. He grew up attending domestic and international schools in India, California, Thailand, and Canada but finally wound up in Alpharetta, as part of Northview High School's first graduating class. Abhinav is a National Merit Scholar. He loves to read, play (and listen to) music, travel and chill with friends. At Tech, Abhinav enjoyed being a member of the Georgia Tech Crew Team, Newspaper, and Radio Station, but finally settled on spending his free time shadowing doctors. He hopes to one day volunteer as an oral surgeon for Operation Smile.

Best Advice for Students: Don't Panic.

Alan

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Senior
Major: Applied Psychology
Minor: Law, Science, and Technology

Alan is entering his fourth year at Georgia Tech to pursue a bachelor's in Applied Psychology with a minor in Law, Science, and Technology, and certificates in leadership and research. He is conducting research focusing on the adaptation of technology to better suit the needs and faculties of older adults, as well as the methodology of training older adults to better adapt to technology. He enjoys playing and performing on guitar and saxophone when he can find the time. He also enjoys running, reading both fiction and science, and reading and collecting more comic books than could possibly be healthy. His goals include becoming the next Green Lantern, and if that doesn't work out, law school.

Alexander

School: Emory University
Status: Sophomore
Degree: Environmental Studies and Biology
Hometown: Seattle, WA

Alex is currently in his second year at Emory. He has tutored previously at the University of Washington, in mathematics. He enjoys the outdoors, and is an active member of his schools outdoor program. He is also active within his fraternity at Emory, and plays Club Ultimate Frisbee. Alex plans to spend some time doing research in South America after he graduates, and traveling the world.

Arthur

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Junior
Major: Physics

Arthur began teaching during his freshman year at Georgia Tech when he became a T.A. for Physics I and II. He loves to help people learn and understand new concepts. After becoming a T.A., he changed his major from Mechanical Engineering to Physics. Arthur also plans to add Management as a secondary major. He is a member of the inaugural class of the Georgia Tech Honors Program and enjoys spending spare time with friends, especially in the outdoors. Backpacking, boating, and (recently) SCUBA diving are some of his favorite activities. A self-proclaimed nerd, Arthur also likes computers and video games.

Best Advice for Students: Be mentally prepared. While practicing the math and memorizing the vocabulary are critical, beating the SAT requires more than just knowing the material. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test and eat a good breakfast the following morning. Do whatever it is you do to get in the zone and, most importantly, don't let the test intimidate you.

Bethany

School: University of Washington
Status: Graduating
Major: Jewish Studies
Minor: Anthropology
Hometown: Spokane, Washington

After graduating from UW I married my high school debate partner (scary, I know...) and moved to Taiwan. I taught preschool ESL for a year, then a year of 7th-11th grade conversation and reading classes. We relocated to Atlanta so my husband could study at Emory Law, and I'm serving as what our friends call "the brunette scholarship," working in education at the Fernbank Natural History Museum and visitor services at Imagine It! - The Children's Museum of Atlanta... when I'm not tutoring, of course. What free time is left I give to church activities, cooking tastey new things and reading children's books. I love chocolate, learning about other cultures, old-Hollywood musicals and, (somewhat freakishly) grammar.

Best Advice for Students: Before you walk into the testing room, know what your strengths and weaknesses are and how to play up the former. Learn the vocabulary, don't rush and get a good night's sleep the night before.

Brett

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Junior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Peachtree City, GA

Brett is a Junior Biomedical Engineering Student at Georgia Tech. After he graduates, he plans to attend medical school to study pediatrics. Currently, however, Brett is tutoring for Appelrouth as well as working in a materials analysis and characterization laboratory for the Georgia Tech Research Institute. Once a week, he volunteers for three hours in the neurology department of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Egleston Branch. Some of Brett's favorite activities include tennis, basketball, and just hanging out listening to good music.

Best Advice for Students: Look for throwaways! It is often easier to find the four answers that are wrong than the one that is right.

Brian

School: Washington University in St. Louis
Status: Graduated
Major: Political Science and Healthcare Administration
Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Brian graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2006. While an undergrad, he enjoyed working as a teaching assistant for PoliSci 101 and as a volunteer medic with WashU's Emergency Support Team. Brian has since moved to Atlanta to work at Emory Healthcare in their Strategic Planning Office. This year, he is looking forward to exploring Atlanta and working with WashU's Alumni Admissions Program. When Brian isn't working or tutoring, you might find him biking, reading, or playing with his puppy, Jake.

Best Advice for Students: Practice makes perfect. Your experience with concepts from practice tests will help you stay cool, calm and collected during the real thing.

Carlyn

School: University of Pittsburgh
Status: Graduated
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Math
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (go Steelers!)

Carlyn graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Computer Science in 1985. For about 18 years, she worked for companies such as NCR, Deloitte & Touche Consulting, and Home Depot developing software and managing projects primarily for retail clients. Her daughter came along on 2001, her son in 2003, and a math tutoring career was born as well. Carlyn love helping students gain big increases in grades and test scores and even bigger increases in confidence.

Chris

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Major: Management
Status: Senior
Hometown: Dallas, TX

Chris came to Georgia to study Aerospace Engineering at Tech (one of the best places to do so) and found out that with not a lot of extra hours he could get a Management degree too. He's currently engaged to his high school sweetheart who is studying Special Education at UGA. When he isn't tutoring, Chris is usually in the library tackling his coursework, reading or trying to steal away for a nap. Later in life he aspires to become a project manager for space missions.

Best Advice for Students: Always try to understand the underlying concept, rather than trying to memorize a "magic" formula. The concepts will take you further in the end.

Colin

School: Oglethorpe University
Status: Graduated
Degree: English
Hometown: Lexington, MA

My first and so far, favorite job was as a camp counselor in Somerville, Alabama where I guided kids on activities ranging from archery to arts and crafts. I studied English at Oglethorpe University, which meant I read a lot of books and wrote a lot of long, complicated papers. I am currently in the copywriting program at The Creative Circus advertising school, which means I watch commercials on TV and write a lot of short, funny ads. One day I will be paid cash money for this, perhaps in an office of some sort.

Best Advice for Students: Don't let the test intimidate you. If you study hard and remember what you've learned, you'll do great.

Corey

School: Emory University School of Medicine
Status: M1
Major: Medicine
Hometown: Kennesaw, Georgia

Corey has an abundance of teaching experience. He spent his first two years in college working as a supplemental instructor for Calculus I and II classes; he's spent last year and this year working as a teaching assistant in Emory's Organic Chemistry lab. His first love, though, is animals. Most recently, he has begun working with Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends (AARF) as a foster parent for stray dogs. He takes them in and cares for them until they are adopted into permanent families.

Best Advice for Students: Take as many mocks as possible. Also, stay calm, this is just one test in a long line of tests

Daniel

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Junior
Major: Aerospace Engineering

Daniel came to Georgia Tech two years ago to study Aerospace Engineering and discovered a passion for Industrial Engineering, which he is currently studying. He is a member and Secretary of Theta Xi, a fraternity at Georgia Tech. He also leads a freshman Bible study at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. Daniel enjoys being a Tech fan, playing intramurals, reading good books, and hanging out with his girlfriend.

Best Advice for Students: Daniel's best advice for students is to prepare for anything and view the test as a competition. Turn the stress of test-taking to your advantage.

David

School: Vision International University
Status: Finishing Masters in Theology
Major: International Relations and Theology

Born in Alaska, lived there until my senior year of highschool.
I AM Northern Exposure.
Then Guam. Minister and techie.
Then Japan. Graduate student and all-around anthropologist.
Now Atlanta. IT recruiter and pinball machine musuem proprieter.

Eric

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Junior
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Royston, Georgia
(Human population: 800; Cow population: 2000)

Eric is a member of the Air Force ROTC and has been granted membership into both the Arnold Air Society and the Scabbard and Blade Society (ROTC honorary societies). He also enjoys participating in events with his fraternity, Theta Xi, and loves skydiving, tennis and racquetball. With all of these activities and his rigorous Tech curriculum, it's no wonder that Eric claims to be an avid coffee drinker!

A fulfillment of a lifelong goal, Eric was selected as an Air Force pilot in March. When he graduates from Georgia Tech in May of 2008, he'll be off to flight school and the start of a long Air Force career!

Best Advice for Students: I had a student once who didn't believe me when I told her to bring an extra set of batteries to her ACT. Two problems into the test, her calculator died! Always bring an extra set of batteries.

Heather

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Senior
Major: Electrical Engineering and Business Management
Hometown: Weston, FL

Heather graduated early from high school and began her studies at Georgia Tech at the age of 16. She always had a love for math and began tutoring while in middle school, although she didn't fully realize her love for teaching until she spent two summers as a Calculus teaching assistant for the Georgia Tech Challenge Program. She is enthusiastic, optimistic, and caring, and believes that anyone can learn anything with a good teacher and true dedication. She says that part of what makes her a good teacher is her willingness to get down with her goofy side, when necessary. She is a sister of Alpha Phi, the wife of an engineer, and the parent of an insane Miniature Bull Terrier. She hopes to pursue a career in business consulting upon graduation.

Best Advice for Students: Convince yourself that what you're reading or solving is the coolest, most fascinating problem that you've ever seen. If you love it, you won't mind working on it.

Ian

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Sophomore
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

I have been interested in standardized test preparation since high school. I enjoy finding ways around doing the SAT the 'hard way', there are just so many tricks to learn. In my spare time I enjoy making music with my Korg keyboard, raising my fish, and wishing I lived in the 80s. I am a member of the inaugural class of the Georgia Tech Honors Program and hope to help students do most excellently on the SAT.

Best Advice for Students: Take plenty of practice tests. Not only will it teach you new things about the test, but it will also make you much more comfortable when you sit down to take the real thing.

Joe

Joe has always had a passion for learning, and a curiosity about the world. This passion led him to want to teach, and he has found tutoring to be the best way to satisfy that desire. At Emory, his major has changed a couple times, but he finally settled on studying Linguistics. He hopes to one day go to Japan, either to study abroad or to look for a professional career down the road.

Best Advice for Students: The SAT is not there to kill you, and if you just take the time to learn how it works, the test can actually become an interesting challenge to overcome.

Joseph

School: Emory University
Status: Sophomore
Major: Biology
Hometown: Snellville, Georgia

Joseph has been tutoring subjects ranging from addition to calculus since his sophomore year in high-school. He has also taught English in summer programs in China and volunteered at dozens of tutoring programs for underprivileged children. After scoring a perfect score in one sitting of the SAT (and a perfect score on three SAT IIs), Joseph went on to win first runner up in the state STAR student competition. He was offered a place at West Point and a full ride to Williams College, GA Tech and Emory (but got burned by Yale, Harvard, and Stanford). After switching careers/majors at least five times in his first year, he has finally settled on doing glamorous genetics research in a lab where he plays with yeast. In his spare time, Joseph likes to play basketball and the violin, as well as camp, hike, and read (in no particular order). After graduation, Joseph plans on attending medical school.

Best Advice for Students: Study. A lot. After that, go have some fun.

Junjian

Name: Junjian Huang
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Chinese
Status: Sophomore
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

I have been tutoring peers in the fields of chemistry and calculus since the 12th grade. I have been involved in SAT tutoring since 8th grade and have gone through various courses regarding test taking strategies. In my spare time I like to golf, play billiards, water ski, and (typical of some asians) get lost in some Karaoke. I've gotten A's in every chem class taken so far as well as 1st seat in chem 142, 221, and 3rd in chem 222.

Best Advice for Students: Take practice tests. The more the better because test taking is a skill, and as with all skills it can be improved through practice.

MK

School: Davidson College, The London School of Economics
Status: Graduating
Major: English (B.A), Anthropology and Development (MSc)
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

After a year of biking through the rain in London, MK (short for Mary Kathryn) is excited to be returning to the sunny South. MK's teaching experience includes academic tutoring as a Westminster student as well as wilderness skills instruction while a trip leader for Davidson's outing club. She's got great strategies for fending off a bear. When not tutoring or hiking, MK interns at the Carter Center in what she hopes will be her first big step towards a career in International Development.

Best Advice for Students: If you've got some time before your big test, the best way permanently beef up your vocabulary is by reading good books. You'll pick up on more context clues during the SAT, and the words will stick with you better than if you had crammed only for a test. College professors like those words too, you know.

Kathryn P

School: Washington University (St. Louis)
Status: Graduated
Major: English and French
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Kathryn first got started tutoring in college as a writing tutor, and from there went to Japan to teach English to Japanese high schoolers. After two incredible years in the Land of Delicious Sushi, Kathryn is back stateside to explore more tutoring/teaching opportunities. In her free time, Kathryn likes to run, play Ultimate Frisbee, read, keep in touch with various friends across the globe, and eat great food.

Best Advice for Students: On test day, try to relax. If you get stuck on a question, don't panic. Just focus and do your best and everything will be fine. (And once you get to college, do study abroad!)

Kristina

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Sophomore
Major: Industrial Engineering
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri

Kristina just finished her first year at Georgia Tech studying industrial engineering. Most of her time outside of class is spent competing on the mock trial team or trying to motivate herself to get on her bike (back home she competed across the state in mountain bike races). She has recently begun a co-op at Coca-Cola Enterprises on the price strategy team, and in the fall she will also work as a teaching assistant for calculus at Tech.

Best Advice for Students: Take a deep breath and relax. If you don't get distracted by nerves, all of your studying will pay off.

Laura

School: Duke University
Status: Graduated
Majors: Art History and French
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Laura graduated summa cum laude from Duke in May 2008, but she is still in denial of her alumna status because she loved it so much. Jed prepared her for the SAT back in her Pace Academy days, and now she is back as a tutor (again - she also tutored during the summer of 2006). At Duke, Laura stayed busy as an Undergraduate Writing Tutor, an Art History TA, a student docent at the Nasher Museum, an officer in Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and the president of Order of Omega, the Greek honor society. This year, she is also working on exhibitions and research at the High Museum of Art and conducting alumni interviews for Duke applicants. Laura plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Art History and a career in the museum field.

Best Advice for Students: Read the question. Don't second guess yourself. Love college.

Lauren

School: Georgia Tech
Status: Junior
Major: Science, Technology, and Culture

Lauren is currently in her third year as a Science, Technology, and Culture major at Georgia Tech. When she is not busy changing her major, Lauren is busy swimming on the GT Varsity team, running, playing tennis, and looking up new Atlanta restaurants. One of her surefire stress-relievers is baking, and her favorite dessert is an AMAZING Paula Deen brownie recipe. Who knows, maybe she'll share some with you! After graduating from Tech, Lauren's ultimate goal is to live and teach abroad, possibly through the Peace Corps. Whatever the future holds, her desire is to be constantly learning and living a balanced life. Always choose joy!

Best Advice for Students: Trust yourself! First instincts and self-confidence are very valuable when taking exams.

Linda

School: Oglethorpe University
Status: Graduated
Degree: BA in English Language and Literature with Honors
Minor: Spanish / History
Hometown: Roswell, GA

After many years tutoring the SAT for our competition between stints as an optometrist's assistant, customer service representative, magazine copy editor and newspaper reporter, Linda decided to escape the corporate cubicle world. She now works full time for Appelrouth, tutoring students and training new tutors. Though the most exotic place she has been so far is Mandeville, Louisiana, she carries her passport in her purse and a map of the world in her car "just in case." When Linda isn't tutoring -- or watering the office plants -- she is most likely reading, or writing, or thinking. She hopes one day to write something of meaning that will probably be published posthumously to great acclaim--if for nothing more than the alliteration.

Best Advice for Students: Don't study the night before the test; don't worry the night after. You knew what you knew, and you will learn many more things in a lifetime than will fit onto that answer page.

Mark

School: Emory University
Major: Finance and Accounting
Hometown: Boston, MA

Mark has been tutoring with Appelrouth Tutoring since 2006. In his free time, Mark volunteers as a teacher at Eastlake Elementary School where he teaches physics and chemistry, and he also teaches Supplemental Instruction in General Chemistry at Emory University. After college, Mark plans to attend medical school and hopes to become a hepatic surgeon.

Best Advice for Students: Start going to sleep early the entire week before the SAT! If you've been going to sleep at 2am every night, going to bed at 9pm the night before the SAT just won't work. We all know how important rest is to success, but it takes some getting used to.

Matt

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Sophomore
Major: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Hometown: Lexington, Massachusetts

Matt originally came to Georgia Tech to pursue a degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences -- desiring to one day become a meteorologist on television. He changed his major because he wants to have more "career flexibility" once he graduates -- likely in field of either medicine or biotechnology. He spent his last summer and will be spending this coming summer doing biodefense research in support of national security at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. When he's not studying or working, he spends as much time as possible rock climbing, which he has been doing for nearly 7 years. He has climbed all over the country -- including in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Arizona -- and achieved a national ranking in competitive climbing in 2006. He plans to get into mountaineering in the coming years, hoping to eventually tackle some of the world's highest mountains.

Best Advice for Students: Practice, practice, practice! One of the best ways to achieve your desired score on a College Board exam is to study the material and do as many practice problems/questions as you possibly can.

Patrick

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Sophomore
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Alpharetta, GA

Patrick is currently studying as a Biomedical Engineer with a minor in Spanish and plans on attending medical school after graduating. When he's not trying to get done with a somewhat insane amount of schoolwork, you might find him playing water polo, reading a good book, or just throwing a football or Frisbee with friends. He loves exploring other countries (especially Spanish-speaking ones), going to as many concerts as possible, and scuba diving wherever and whenever the opportunity arises.

Best Advice for Students: As hard as it is, try not to worry. The only time that stressing about any test is ok is when you haven't studied and know you need to. When you go to take the SAT, realize that you've prepared as well as you can and leave it at that. Worry won't make you a better test taker, but it might distract you, cause self doubt, or keep you up way too late the night before. Instead, relax, do your best, and don't let yourself over think the entire process.

Randy

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Senior
Major: Management with Certificate in Operations
Hometown: Columbus, GA

Randy spent his first year of college as a Mathematics/Economics major at Furman University. He has since transferred to Tech and moved to Atlanta, where he and his high school sweetheart live, happily married. When Randy isn't cracking the SAT, you might find him playing his guitar and singing or enjoying the outdoors while hiking, hunting, or fishing. Randy's future plans include postgraduate work at a seminary and possible work as a missionary in Latin America.

Best Advice for Students: Eat a good, protein loaded breakfast the morning of the test. That way, if you find yourself stressing about a problem, you will have that comforting thought that, "Man, that was a really good breakfast."

Sarah

School: Auburn University
Status: Graduated
Major: BS in Chemistry
School: Emory University
Status: Graduate Student
Major: PhD in Chemistry
Hometown: Huntsville, AL

Sarah loves to teach! She is currently teaching chemistry at Oxford College in Covington. In her free time she enjoys dancing, reading, writing, watching anime and Law & Order, and playing with her cat, Ashland. She runs a street ministry called "the Burger Ministry" where they take food and water downtown to the homeless and they hang out and build lasting relationships with folks on the street. She is a southern girl at heart and misses the country. Her future plans include traveling across Europe, writing the great american novel (or a romance novel), convincing pre-med students to switch to a chemistry major, and raising a family.

Best Advice for Students: Breathe. If you don't do that you'll die. Just pretend I'm sitting there on your shoulder telling you "breathe in...breathe out..."

Scott

School: Georgia Institute of Technology
Status: Senior
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Hometown: Boston, MA

Scott is a senior at Georgia Tech who will soon be starting his Ph.D work in Space System Design. He has always been fascinated with space, science, math, reading, sports, waterskiing, the outdoors... well he's fascinated with a lot of things. When not spending his time working for NASA, playing sports, or doing his coursework, Scott loves to help others learn and grasp something new. One day Scott hopes to be either in space as an astronaut, or helping others reach and live in space on their own.

Best Advice for Students: Try to understand why you want to learn, it makes everything you study that more interesting and the time you put in more worthwhile.

Silvia

School: Washington University in St. Louis
Status: Graduated
Major: Biomedical Engineering BS
Major: Psychology BS
School: Emory University
Status: Graduate Student
Major: Health Sciences PHD
Hometown: Nashville, TN

Silvia is a biosciences graduate student at Emory University, who loves to learn, teach and do research. Prior to coming to Atlanta, she worked at an imaging institute where she imaged research subjects using a variety of fun and expensive instruments, such as PET, CT and MRI. Silvia plans to pursue a career in the biomedical sciences while specializing in cardiology. In addition to her academic background, Silvia has extensive tutoring and counseling experience, and she enjoys seeing her students succeed. In her free time, Silvia loves to swim, travel, and play with her fun-loving Maltese puppy.

Best Advice for Students: Take as many mock tests as possible and relax on the day of the test. The more you practice, the better you'll do. Just remember: practice, focus and don't stress. You can do this!

Stuart

School: Dartmouth College
Status: Graduated
Major: Math
Hometown: Boston, MA

I grew up in a suburb of Boston and went to Dartmouth College thanks in part to some tutoring and majored in math. I have lived in Atlanta for 20 years playing ultimate frisbee competitively and traveling around the world to do so. I'm married and celebrating the birth of my twins this year.

Tamara

School: Emory University
Status: Sophomore
Major: Theatre
Hometown: Port Washington, NY

Tamara is loving the college experience even though (possibly because?) she is so far away from home. She enjoys trying many different things, especially foods and college majors. When she is not at school or practicing viola for the Emory Symphony Orchestra, she likes to read a broad spectrum of literature, from comics to Camus. Tamara quite enjoys blinding her boyfriend with science! She has just completed an internship at Georgia Shakespeare building sets, and plans on continuing in that line of work for some time.

Best Advice for Students: Go with your gut!