The One Percent Prep Team

We are a group of passionate and dedicated tutors that have proven we know exactly what it takes to be competitive in the college process

Our Team

Ashkan Vafai

Co-Founder

Ashkan is a former management consultant and Columbia University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Economics-Philosophy. His teaching experience began as a tutor in the Columbia Philosophy Department, helping fellow students break down complex texts, extract key concepts, and enhance both their writing and analytical capabilities.

Ashkan also has multiple years of research experience at a computational neuroscience lab and is well versed in helping students understand complex subjects in the sciences. His deep background across both quantitative sciences and the humanities means he is particularly well-equipped to prepare students for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. His tutoring philosophy centers on helping students cultivate a genuine interest in the subjects they are studying.

Outside of academia, Ashkan loves to design clothing, run in Central Park, and cook for his friends.

Kyle Creech

Co-Founder

Kyle is a Fulbright Scholar and Columbia University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science-Mathematics and Psychology. He has 10 years of tutoring experience working with 50+ students on test prep, college counseling and mathematics.

Kyle began peer tutoring in high school, where he received a perfect 800 score on the SAT Math. At Columbia university, he worked as a peer tutor for single and multivariable Calculus and as a teaching assistant for Calculus III and Linear Algebra. He also worked as an online college admissions counselor, advising high schoolers on their college applications. After graduating, Kyle received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach English in Thailand. Since then, he has continued to tutor students online in mathematics and standardized test prep for the last 5 years.

In his free time, Kyle enjoys coaching wrestling, playing chess, traveling and reading.

  • Nicholas V.

    Nicholas is a sophomore at Columbia University studying Economics, Political Science, and Computer Science. He’s been tutoring Math, Spanish, and the SAT for about three years, including at his old high school, where he founded a peer tutoring program post-COVID. Outside of school, he’s a violinist in the New York Youth Symphony, and loves playing online chess, video games, and recently, pickleball.

  • Jessie W.

    Jessie Wang is a rising sophomore at Harvard College planning to concentrate in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a secondary in Computer Science. She loves helping students feel more confident, curious, and capable through mentorship and has spent over 100 hours tutoring others virtually and in-person. Her other hobbies and interests include flute, singing, and cooking.

  • Logan L.

    Logan is a rising sophomore at Brown University studying Applied Mathematics and Economics. He has a lot of experience tutoring students in math and reading and tailoring college applications. In his free time, he likes to ice skate and crochet.

  • Jasdeep G.

    Jasdeep is a senior at Harvard studying Medical Anthropology and Global Health and Health Policy. She’s spent the past three years helping students tell their stories through essays and get into top schools. Tutoring helped boost her own SAT scores, so she’s excited to give that same support to others. She also loves biking and making matcha!

  • Ashley J.

    Ashley is a rising sophomore at Harvard studying Human Biology. She’s tutored SAT and other subjects including chemistry, Latin, and English for 2 years now. She enjoys helping students develop a deeper understanding of the material and reach their academic goals. In her free time, she likes to explore new cafes, travel, play with her cats, and watch figure skating.

  • Karan C.

    Karan is a freshman at Wharton studying finance and statistics. In his free time he enjoys watching sports and spending time with friends and family.

  • Pak K.

    Pak is a junior from Thailand at UPenn and Wharton, studying Systems Engineering and Business Analytics through the M&T program. She loves talking to people to understand their stories and help bring out the best in them through college essays. Beyond that, she enjoys thinking and chatting about the meaning of life, the education system, art, data science and AI, productivity hacks, self-improvement, and everything in between!

  • Mason L.

    Mason is a rising junior at Columbia studying Cognitive Science and Statistics. He has been tutoring students in a variety of different subjects and really loves building connections with everyone he gets to work with! Outside of the classroom, he likes playing basketball, video games, and sudoku.

  • Monica W.

    Monica is a senior at Columbia University, studying Environment & Sustainability with a minor in Economics. She has multiple years of experience tutoring SAT and TOEFL students, helping them strengthen test-taking strategies and build confidence. She enjoy making learning approachable and tailored to each student. In her free time, she love playing tennis, exploring restaurants in NYC, and traveling.

  • Ariana W.

    Ariana is a rising sophomore at Columbia University originally from Dallas, Texas. Currently, she plans on studying Economics and English. She has tutored math/reading for five years and SAT for one, and is passionate about making learning approachable and fun. Outside of academics, she loves to bake, read, and write.

  • Reia L.

    Reia is a rising sophomore at Brown studying Applied Mathematics - Biology. She’s excited to help students build confidence in SAT and college essays. In her free time, she enjoys cafe hopping, playing the piano, and reading.

  • Andrew K.

    Andrew is a junior at Brown majoring in Applied Mathematics-Biology. He currently work as a TA and tutor for math and science courses at Brown, and has been tutoring high school students in the ACT and SAT for over three years. He loves working together with students to break down tough problems in a fun, collaborative way. In his free time, he enjoy playing tennis.

  • Nina Q.

    Nina is a rising junior at Columbia studying Political Science and Economics. She has worked with the Double Discovery Program at her school to advise rising seniors on their college applications and SAT prep. In her free time she loves to ski, but when no snow is available, visiting a museum is a good substitute.

  • Jayden P.

    Jayden graduated Columbia University with a major in Economics in 2022. He then went to Law school in London where he completed his Master's in Law. He strives to be the teacher and mentor he once yearned for when he was just a young boy applying to American colleges from England.

  • Makayla W.

    Makayla a sophomore at UPenn studying Economics and Psychology with a minor in Statistics. She has been a tutor for over 4 years, specializing in math and writing. She enjoys helping students understand the best way they learn and maximize their potential. In her free time, she enjoys going to cafés, traveling, baking, and running. She is looking forward to helping students achieve their goals.

  • Alyssa C.

    Alyssa is a sophomore at Harvard College studying Neuroscience and Philosophy. She has tutored SAT and ACT tutors these past two years and she deeply enjoys helping students grasp difficult concepts and bolster confidence. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, reading, and crocheting.

  • Emily P.

    Emily is a freshman at Brown University studying English and History. She has tutored various school subjects for NHS, led SAT summer classes, and helped dozens of students craft college essays. In her free time, she is usually reading manhwa or doing something related to tennis.

OUR VALUES

We believe college prep should be clear and accessible
for everyone

Transparency

We bring transparency to the opaque college admission process. By offering straight-forward test prep and honest college essay guidance, we help students understand where they can improve and how to get into their desired college.


Accessibility

All of our services are conducted via Zoom, making top tier college prep available wherever you are. No need to drive to test prep centers or live in major cities to receive college prep services from those who know it best.


Simplicity

Getting into a good college doesn’t have to be complicated. That’s why we focus on simplifying the college admissions process by focusing on what matters most: great standardized test scores and a standout applicant profile.


Personalization

We believe in catering to the individual student. That’s why we don’t ever take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we identify each student’s strengths, weaknesses and goals to craft a unique study plan.


Schedule a consultation to see how we fit into your strategy