Private USMLE Step 3 Tutoring

Akhil was raised in the Greater Chicago and Philadelphia areas. Beginning in high school, he worked as a tutor for Kumon Learning Center, performed hepatocellular carcinoma research at the Baruch Blumberg Institute, and became certified as an EMT. He then attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and graduated with a degree in Economics and Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Neurobiology and a Certificate in Leadership. During his time at Northwestern, he participated in peer-tutoring, basic science research, and was the President of the largest cultural organization on campus. In addition, he was an active member of the dance community, serving as the captain of the University’s bhangra dance team. During his senior year, he worked as a Business Analyst for ExplORer Surgical, a surgical startup in Chicago that solidified his passion for pursuing orthopedics in the future. Following graduation, he matriculated to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and obtained his MBA at the Fox School of Business at Temple University.

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In medical school, he continued to teach, mentor, and advise undergraduate students. He currently serves as a USMLE Step 1 tutor for Inspira Advantage. He interviewed prospective undergraduate applicants and served as an advisor for prospective medical school applicants. Throughout medical school, he pursued orthopedic surgery research at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute and Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and was able to publish his research and abstracts. He has over 20 abstract presentations and publications, many of them as first author. He received a 257 (~95th percentile) on USMLE Step 1 and is currently on his clinical rotations.

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Altogether, he has been teaching a wide range of subjects for more than ten years and has tutored for several board exams, including the SAT, MCAT, and USMLE Step 1. He has a strong commitment to education and mentorship and believes that hard work, passion, and a willingness to ask for help are the keys to reaching one’s goals. He understands the complexities of the medical school admission process and wishes to work closely with his students to form an individualized plan and provide personalized attention and guidance.

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He is currently a third-year medical student and is interested in pursuing a residency in orthopedic surgery. He recently completed a prestigious orthopedic research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He enjoys basketball, trying out new recipes, rooting for the Sixers and Bears, and discovering new coffee shops in Philadelphia in his free time. BEAR DOWN!

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Dr. Sprow began his academic journey at Harvard University, graduating with high honors and a degree in human developmental and regenerative biology with a minor in global health and public policy. After college, he moved to New York City to work in life sciences consulting before attending medical school. 

At the Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Dr. Sprow extended his studies with a year-long research fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. This experience resulted in several publications on autoimmune skin diseases and helped pave the way to his successful match into dermatology. 

As an experienced tutor, Dr. Sprow has developed a personalized and engaging approach to teaching. With a solid background in biology and global health, he is well-equipped to mentor students in various aspects of the medical field.

Dr. Knox was raised in the Bay Area and graduated with honors from Northwestern University, majoring in biological sciences. During his time at Northwestern, Dr. Knox was actively involved in peer tutoring and bench research, culminating in the completion of an honors thesis. Following his graduation, he invested his skills in Alzheimer's research at the Gladstone Institute in San Francisco for two years before enrolling at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. 

In medical school, Dr. Knox continued to mentor and tutor undergraduate and medical students, and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He also completed a year-long fellowship during medical school to conduct multiple radiology research projects using semi-automated machine learning for the National Institutes of Health. He was awarded the Dean’s Prize for his research. 

As a diagnostic radiology resident at UCSF, Dr. Knox displays a keen interest in academic radiology. He continues to mentor, serving as the resident liaison for the residency's Medical Student Teaching program. He has also served on the UCSF diagnostic radiology admissions committee as an application reviewer and interviewer. Additionally, Dr. Knox has tutored 50+ students and helped them succeed on their USMLE Step exams. 

These personal and professional experiences have helped Dr. Knox develop a deep understanding of what top medical schools and residency programs seek in applicants, and he is eager to share his expert insights with students. He is passionate about coaching students and helping them maximize their potential as future medical professionals.

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.