Dr. Laura S.

Dr. Somppi-Montgomery’s educational journey began at Carleton College, where she graduated with honors and majored in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience. There, her exceptional academic performance and dedication led to her selection as a chemistry teaching assistant and tutor, a role she maintained for over two years. She also worked as a nursing assistant, giving her experience in managing work-life balance and prioritizing mental well-being—insights she now shares with students. 

She then took a gap year to work as a research coordinator at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH, before attending the University of Cincinnati. There, she went above and beyond in her peer tutor role, designing and implementing a supplemental curriculum for both pre-clinical years—a program that continues to be used for student and tutor education today. Her dedication and teaching skills were recognized by her peers, with her tutoring sessions becoming so popular that they had to be moved to lecture halls to accommodate high attendance. 

Dr. Somppi-Montgomery's academic achievements continued throughout medical school, as she scored in the top quartile for both Step 1 and Step 2 exams and received multiple merit-based scholarships. These accomplishments further underscore her deep understanding of the medical school curriculum and the challenges faced by students preparing for these critical exams. Following medical school, Dr. Somppi-Montgomery completed an intern year in general surgery before matching with her residency program.

In addition to her work in one-on-one tutoring, Dr. Somppi-Montgomery has authored a significant portion of a private tutoring company’s MCAT test bank. She was also selected as an editor and beta tester for the program due to her commitment to quality, timeliness, and deep familiarity with all aspects of the MCAT. She also designed a companion curriculum for M1 and M2 year students, helping to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical application and highlighting the significant overlap between MCAT and USMLE curricula. 

Dr. Somppi-Montgomery’s ability to simplify complex concepts and foster student confidence has earned her consistent positive feedback, making her one of the highest-rated tutors in medical school. Her supportive and empathetic demeanor creates a learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and tackling difficult material. She is known for her individualized teaching approach, tailoring each session to meet the needs and learning styles of every student. Her expertise has led to multiple students achieving significant score increases of 10-15 points under her guidance. 

As a tutor, Dr. Somppi-Montgomery is eager to help students achieve their medical school or residency dreams with actionable MCAT and USMLE tutoring. She employs a student-based educational model, tailoring lesson plans to cover high-yield subjects based on each student's individual learning style. Her comprehensive understanding of the medical school application process, combined with her experience in peer tutoring and curriculum development, makes her an invaluable resource for students ready to ace the MCAT or USMLE.