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More Than Just Test Scores

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More Than Just A Resume

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More Than Just Admissions

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More Than Just Test Scores ~ More Than Just A Resume ~ More Than Just Admissions ~

What is Sapling Prep?

Sapling Prep helps high school and college students develop into mature, well-rounded, and reflective individuals on their journey to college or medical school by expanding their learning while in school and guiding them through the college and medical school admissions process.

Vision & Philosophy

I want to help students make the most of their high school or college experience and be ready to succeed in college or medical school. That’s why my focus is on helping students grow as future learners, community members, and leaders by mentoring them through their academics, extracurriculars, etc. Ultimately, I believe that a successful application is the result of an authentic high school or college experience – the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

  • Schools care about more than your test scores. In fact, many colleges are now “test optional” and don’t require you to submit scores at all. I will help you make the most of other parts of education so that you can grow and develop as a student, and showcase your achievements to schools later.

  • Students often worry about creating “the perfect resume” and wonder what “the right” activities are to get accepted to a certain school. The reality is that the perfect resume is the one that is most authentic and sincere. I will help you find the activities that you most enjoy and that will push you to become the best student you can be.

  • High school and college are much more than just steps on the way to college or medical school, but students can get stuck measuring their every action against the backdrop of college admissions. I will help you take a “education first” approach so that you enjoy learning and growing in the moment – successful admissions will be a natural byproduct later.

About Me

I’m Taimur - currently, I’m a medical student at Stanford interested in psychiatry, neurology, bioethics, and Muslim mental health. I graduated as valedictorian of my high school class and then earned a joint honors A.B. degree in Neuroscience & Philosophy from Harvard and an M.A. in Bioethics, Tech Ethics, and Science Policy from Duke. Before medical school, I also spent some time in Munich, Germany, as a Fulbright scholar working at the Center for Neurophilosophy at Ludwig Maximilian University.

As the eldest in my family, I have loved mentoring my younger siblings through high school and beyond. I know that being an authentic and successful student is not about focusing on “the perfect resume,” but instead about helping students develop personally and intellectually. As a college counselor, I have helped high school students be admitted to schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Duke, and I currently serve as the sole college counselor of Annoor Academy High School in Knoxville, TN.

I’m excited to work with you!

Services

Book a free consult for more information and to discuss options.

High School Guidance

Make the most of high school with mentorship and guidance through high school academics, extracurriculars, and more!

Who is this best for?

  • You are in 9th - 11th grade

  • You want long-term mentorship on a variety of topics including academics, extracurriculars, and skills development

  • You want to genuinely grow as a student and do more than just “get in”

Who is this best for?

  • You are in 11th or 12th grade and are applying to college

  • You want help understanding the college application process

  • You want help brainstorming and editing your college essays and activities list

  • You want to do mock interviews

College Admissions

Guidance through the college admissions process including essays, activities lists, and interview preparation.

Pre-Med Guidance

Make the most of college with mentorship and guidance through pre-med academics, extracurriculars, and more!

Who is this best for?

  • You are in college and pre-med

  • You want long-term mentorship on a variety of topics including academics, extracurriculars, and skills development

  • You want to genuinely grow as a student and up your game for medical school readiness

Medical School Admissions

Guidance through the college admissions process including essays, activities lists, and interview preparation.

Who is this best for?

  • You are in college, graduate school, or elsewhere and are applying to medical school

  • You want help understanding the medical school application process

  • You want help brainstorming and editing your personal statement, primary application, and secondaries

  • You want to do mock interviews

“I would like to share a positive review for Taimur, who has been a wonderful counselor for my daughter throughout her high school years. Taimur has shown exceptional accessibility, professionalism, and a genuinely encouraging attitude towards students. He has proven to be both compassionate and understanding, recognizing and working with their individual strengths and weaknesses.

One of the standout qualities of Taimur as a counselor is his accessibility. He has always made himself available to my daughter, whether through scheduled appointments or quick email exchanges. This availability has been a tremendous support for her, as she knew she could rely on him whenever she needed guidance or advice.

Taimur's professional behavior has been exemplary throughout their interactions. He has consistently maintained a high level of professionalism and has demonstrated thorough knowledge of the educational system. With his expertise, he has been able to guide my daughter through the complexities of high school, ensuring she remained on track and made informed decisions about her academic journey.

What sets Taimur apart is his encouraging demeanor. He has consistently provided words of encouragement and motivation to my daughter, helping her stay positive and motivated. His support has played a crucial role in boosting her confidence and empowering her to pursue her goals.

Moreover, Taimur's compassionate and understanding approach has created a safe and comfortable space for my daughter to discuss her concerns. He genuinely listens to her, recognizing her unique strengths and challenges. His understanding nature has allowed him to tailor his guidance specifically to her needs, providing personalized support that has made a significant impact.

In summary, Taimur has proven to be an exceptional counselor for my daughter. His accessibility, professionalism, encouragement, and understanding have made a positive and lasting impact on her high school experience. We are incredibly grateful for all the support he has provided and the positive influence he has had on her journey through high school.

- N. Raza Sheikh

Testimonial

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes – I worked for two years as a college counselor for an organization based in California, and the students I worked with were admitted to colleges such as Harvard, Yale, and Duke. I also currently work as a college counselor for a high school in East Tennessee.

  • Absolutely not. I will provide guidance and mentorship to help you grow into a stronger and more mature student and answer questions along the way, but your applications and achievements are yours.

  • Absolutely not. Depending on the program you choose, I am here to either help you develop as a student or to help you present the type of student you have been throughout your high school or college career. I cannot guarantee that you will be admitted to any particular school.

  • It depends on your goals. You can absolutely get into college or medical school without a coach or mentor, and you can absolutely have a great high school or college experience without one too. However, mentorship and guidance – especially at the right time – can be invaluable and push you to greater heights. If you’re someone who yearns for a deeper educational experience, a coach may be a great move for you!

  • Teaching and mentoring is a significant passion of mine, and I love working with students and witnessing their intellectual growth. When I reflect on my own journey as a student, I see multiple points at which I wish I had known more and had better guidance. I’ve been able to share what I’ve learned with my siblings, and now I want to share it with others too. I hope this is a small step in helping nurture well-rounded, mature, empathetic, and driven future scholars and leaders.