In this series, we spotlight a student who worked with Vanguard on his ACT Test Prep and College Application process. Here is our interview with Arhan, who applied to numerous colleges for Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences with Vanguard for the Fall of 2026, and was accepted to UC Berkeley, UT Austin, the University of Florida, the University of Virginia, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and more!
In what ways did you feel more prepared in your college application journey than your peers who did not seek our services?
I felt more prepared in my college application journey because I was able to achieve a strong test score through Vanguard and develop essays that effectively showcased my personality and character from an admissions perspective. Their guidance helped me approach each component of the application with greater clarity and confidence. Without that support, I believe it would have been significantly more challenging to navigate the process and make well-informed decisions.
Why did you choose Vanguard to work with you during the college application process? What was the biggest help to you in our process?
I chose to work with Vanguard during the college application process because I had previously completed test preparation with them and found the experience to be a strong fit. Additionally, several of my senior friends who had used Vanguard recommended the program and spoke highly of the support they received. The most valuable part of the process was the guidance I received from the Essay Specialists, Daniella and Amy. They helped me translate my ideas into clear, compelling essays. I also found my sessions with [Essay Specialist] Sara particularly helpful, as she worked with me to refine and organize my existing ideas into a more cohesive narrative.
How did the skills you learned at Vanguard help you after you left the program? Perhaps at school or other areas?
The skills I developed at Vanguard have had a lasting impact on me. I became a stronger writer and more effective critical thinker, and I also learned how to approach tests with a more strategic mindset. As a result, I’m able to analyze questions more efficiently and study more productively, and writing has become significantly more natural and structured for me.
What were you the most nervous about going into the college process?
I was most nervous about writing the supplemental essays for each school and presenting myself in a way that would resonate with admissions committees. I anticipated that researching each institution and tailoring my essays to reflect their values would be both time-consuming and challenging. At the start of the process, I also felt uncertain about what to write and which schools to apply to. Vanguard provided structure and clarity throughout the process, helping my family and me make informed decisions and streamline everything. When it came to essay writing, after I finished doing my first few supplemental essays, we were able to adjust the next ones to the mission of each school. So that helped organize and streamline the process a lot easier.
What was your experience like in Vanguard’s Test Prep program?
My experience in Vanguard’s Test Prep program was highly effective. The subject phase classes provided comprehensive coverage of the material, ensuring I had a strong foundation going into the exam. The drilling and testing phases were especially valuable, as they allowed me to identify and improve my weaker areas while building my confidence through practice. Overall, the structured approach helped me reduce mistakes and feel more confident on test day.
Was there anything else Vanguard helped you with during the college selection/college counseling process that you would like to highlight?
I would especially highlight how accessible and responsive the Vanguard team was throughout the college application process. Whenever my parents or I had questions, Alina [Director of College Counseling], Sara, and my specialists were consistently available through Remind, phone calls, and office hours. Their availability made the process much smoother and ensured we always had timely support when needed.
How did your Vanguard Specialist help you through the process and with the anxieties you had going into college applications?
My Vanguard essay specialists Amy and Daniella played a key role in guiding me through the writing process. They helped me brainstorm ideas, build on my drafts, and provided clear feedback that made it easier to refine my essays effectively. On the college counseling side, Alina was extremely helpful in addressing my questions about my resume, college list, and application deadlines. Her guidance provided clarity and reduced much of the uncertainty I initially felt, allowing me to approach the process with greater confidence.
What was essay coaching like at Vanguard?
Essay help at Vanguard was highly personalized. My essay specialists took the time to understand me through an initial form, which allowed them to effectively plan and guide my essays across different applications. They consistently provided clear, actionable feedback at each stage, helping me refine my writing and stay on track with deadlines.
If you are willing to share, what did you end up writing your college essay about and how did the end result turn out? How does the essay you wrote with Vanguard compare to what you would have written about on your own?
I wrote my personal statement about my experience with soccer and connected it to my involvement in various extracurricular activities. This allowed me to highlight both my personal growth and the broader themes that have shaped my interests and character. The final result was unique, which I believe helped me stand out among applicants with similar profiles. Compared to what I would have produced on my own, the essay I developed with Vanguard was significantly more creative and refined.
What colleges did you get into? Where did you choose to go and what are you studying?
I was admitted to Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Florida, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Purdue University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Virginia, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of California, Berkeley. I ended up deciding to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where I am studying Bioengineering. I was between UT Austin versus Berkeley, because UT Austin is in state and Berkeley was out of state. The reason I chose Berkeley was because when I visited I really liked it and it's in the startup area, which for biotech I feel like the resources there, if I utilize them really well, will help me fast track my career. You can also choose to double major, and it’s a lot easier to switch between engineering disciplines than it is at UT Austin. So that's the main reason I chose Berkeley.
What are your future goals with your degree?
My long-term goal is to work in biotechnology, using artificial intelligence to develop more effective and targeted methods for delivering medicine within the body. I am particularly interested in applying computational approaches to solve complex challenges at the intersection of engineering and healthcare. I was looking into how to use AI to make lipids and proteins that can deliver medicine to special areas of the body. I’m also thinking about medical devices, because when I was in the hospital recently when my lung collapsed, there wasn't a device that could tell the doctors how many leaks there were or where they were. There was a chest tube that only told us that the leak was there, but they didn't even know where it was. So I feel like there's a lot of areas for improvement in the medical field, and I’d like to make something that can help a lot of people.
What was your favorite part of working with Vanguard or your proudest achievement during your time working with us? Is there anything else you would like to highlight about your experience?
My favorite part of working with Vanguard was the structure they brought to the entire process. I would also highlight that the experience is especially valuable if you fully take advantage of the resources and guidance provided. Doing so made a significant difference in both the quality of my application and my overall confidence throughout the process. Lastly, I’d also like to highlight Alina for how she guided my family and me through the college application process and then gave me suggestions on unique summer activities to apply to build my resume.
What advice would you give to younger Vanguardians embarking on their College Application process?
I would give two pieces of advice: start early and fully take advantage of the resources and guidance available to you. The earlier you begin, the more time you have to build your extracurriculars with a plan and work on your essays. Know that you’re in great hands. In terms of resources, the Google classroom was very informative with all the PDFs of guides for everything I needed to know, as well as the workshops. I attended a few of them and if my schedule conflicted, then I could still access them on demand through the web portal and then go to office hours.
Will you be continuing soccer in college?
I have to take it a little easy after my injury, but I'll definitely try to, probably intramural or club level. I'm probably going to try to get back in shape over the summer and then I definitely will try to play soccer in college.
Are you excited for the Fifa World Cup in Dallas?
I am! I'm really excited to watch it, but the tickets are so expensive. I'm probably not going to go to any of the games, but I'm excited to watch it with a bunch of buddies.
Specialist Madison L
Hamilton College