Admissions and Tutoring Experts
Private Schools, Colleges and Graduate Schools
Ross Blankenship, Chairman of Board
Ross Blankenship is an education expert and Founder of Top Test Prep. Ross attended the elite NMH School, Cornell University and Washington University School of Law. Ross has a tremendous amount of experience in higher education. He assisted with Cornell recruiting and admissions and is an active member of the Cornell Alumni Association, serving as former Vice President of the Cornell Annual Fund. Ross also was elected to Cornell’s Educational Policy Committee and Academic Integrity Hearing Board, where he helped develop courses and maintain academic integrity amongst the student body. While working on these committees, his passion for test prep and academic achievement grew further.
Ross is also a former Division I rower for Cornell University, where his crew was ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
Ross’ educational expertise comes through real-life experience and hundreds of articles on topics such as the SSAT and ISEE exams, how to improve SAT and ACT scores in schools, advice for parents on how to prepare their children for college, how to simplify the college application process, college financial aid, and how students can write better college admission essays. Additionally, Ross has written on prep school and graduate school admissions topics on themes such as improving GRE and GMAT standards and new standards for law school entrance exams.
Ross loves hearing stories of Top Test Prep students achieving higher scores, and he personally helps students get into top schools (K-12), colleges, Ivy League schools, and graduate schools. Ross leads both the admissions consulting and private tutoring programs for Top Test Prep.
Educational Background: Cornell University, Washington University School of Law
Admissions Team(s): Private School, Boarding School, College, Graduate Admissions Counseling
Mike Blankenship, Chief Financial Officer
Mike graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, a boarding school in New Hampshire. He then went to the University of Rochester, where he studied Economics. After Rochester, he received his MBA at Syracuse University and his JD at Rutgers School of Law, where he received a scholarship for his strong academic performance. Mike also received the Award in Finance during his MBA studies.
Mike brings great experience and depth to Top Test Prep, as he has also studied at Oxford University and mandarin Chinese while living in China. As brothers, Mike and Ross both value education and care deeply about the students they help at Top Test Prep.
Educational Background: Phillips Exeter Academy, University of Rochester, Rutgers School of Law
Admissions Team(s): Private School, Boarding School, College, Graduate Admissions Counseling
Lindsey Bober, Chief Tutoring Manager
Lindsey grew up in Rochester, NY and attended Cornell University, where she earned a degree in Policy Analysis and Management. She immediately took an interest in education policy and began exploring opportunities in this field. During her junior year, Lindsey took a semester off to teach English at a private university in Cartagena, Colombia where she was able to practice her Spanish-speaking skills, gain experience teaching, and develop a passion for traveling. After returning to Cornell and completing her degree, Lindsey joined Teach for America where she taught secondary social studies in Atlanta, GA. Lindsey enjoys designing curriculum that will push students to excel academically and is excited to bring these skills to Top Test Prep.
As Tutoring Manager, Lindsey oversees the training of our elite tutors and helps to create Top Test Prep’s custom study plans for our tutoring programs.
Jane-Margaret K. Davis, Communications Manager
Margaret graduated Cum Laude from the University of Dallas, where she focused her studies on drama and politics. During college she tutored K-12 students in English and Math, and worked with summer campers at the Salvation Army. Wanting to expand on her great experiences in education, she moved to Naples, Florida after college, and taught seventh and eighth grade at a small, independent school. She recently married and relocated to Washington, DC. Now Margaret helps communicate Top Test Prep’s programs to families and networks throughout the country, as Top Test Prep’s private tutoring and educational courses grow rapidly.
We’re excited to have her on the Top Test Prep team and look forward to her contributing in many ways to our educational leadership.
Educational Background: University of Dallas
Winslow Blankenship, Medical School Admissions Counselor
Winslow graduated from Bowdoin College, and currently studies at Georgetown University’s School of Medicine. She also advises Top Test Prep’s Founder in dual capacities, as a wonderful wife and medical school admissions counselor. Winslow’s talents are in her sharp intellect and ability to counsel others as they prepare to apply to top medical schools.
Winslow is an avid runner, yoga attendee, and dog lover. Both Ross and Winslow have a beautiful Australian Blue Heeler, “Tita,” who is the unofficial Top Test Prep mascot.
In addition to her medical school admissions counseling, she also advises Top Test Prep and its curricula team on MCAT test preparation.
Educational Background: Bowdoin College, Georgetown University School of Medicine
Admissions Team(s): College, Medical School Admissions Counseling
R.F. Michael Snodgrass | School and Tutoring Programs
Educational Background: Brown University, Georgetown Law Admissions Team(s): College & Law School Admissions Counseling
Michael grew up in a small town south of Buffalo, New York before attending Brown University. At Brown, he majored in International Relations, taught at a local school a few days a week, and worked for an environmental attorney during his summers. After graduation, Michael spent a year in Buffalo working as a teacher and tutor while he studied for the LSAT and applied to law schools. He eventually chose to attend Georgetown Law in Washington, DC because of its proximity to the federal government, its top rankings in International and Environmental Law, and DC/VA’s much warmer winters than New York’s and Rhode Island’s. During law school, Michael studied International Law in London for a semester and interned with a federal judge, the Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency, a large law firm, and a public interest law clinic. Since graduating from Georgetown and passing the Virginia Bar, Michael has practiced environmental law at the NRDC, tutored and advised students of all ages, and joined the excellent staff of Top Test Prep.
Mary Kate Holman, Admissions Counseling Manager
Originally from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Mary Kate Holman is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she majored in English, with French and Theology minors. At Georgetown, she worked as a Writing Center tutor for academic papers, admissions essays, and cover letters. She was also involved in student theater, particularly acting and directing. As a student, she interned with the American Bar Association and the French Embassy. She is fluent in French after a semester abroad in Strasbourg, France, and she is currently learning Latin.
Mary Kate is an Admissions Counselor and Admissions Manager for Top Test Prep, and she particularly enjoys helping students allow their own voice to shine through applications and admissions essays.
Educational Background: Georgetown University
Admissions Team(s): Admissions Manager, Prep School, College and Graduate Admissions
Beryl Manning-Geist, College | Medical School Admissions Counseling
Spending most of her childhood trailing along on fieldwork or in the classroom with her volcanologist father, Beryl gravitated toward both the outdoors and ecology at an early age. After studying abroad in France during high school, Beryl moved from her home in Moscow, Idaho to Williams College to pursue research. There, she travelled to the Galapagos, continental Ecuador, and Australia to study sustainability and ecology. She also completed a senior honors thesis in physiology, for which she received national recognition from the American Physiological Society. At Williams, Beryl was recognized for her leadership in student government, athletics, and academics. She is now a fellow in pediatric oncology research and will be attending medical school beginning in the fall of 2012.
Educational Background: Williams College
Admissions Team(s): College Counseling, Graduate Admissions Counseling (Medical School)
Daniel Ybarra, Medical School Admissions Advisor
Daniel graduated with honors from California State University, Northridge. Daniel is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who served on active duty and Reserves for a total of five years. Daniel has been accepted to several medical schools including Cornell, UCSF, USC, and has endured the med school application process, thus acquiring useful information from his personal experiences and from other med school applicants along the way. We’re proud to have Daniel as part of our medical school admissions counseling team at Top Test Prep.
The information on medical school applications and admissions is fresh and on the forefront of his mind. Some of Daniel’s hobbies include baseball, football, basketball, golf and hanging out with his beautiful wife and 3 month old daughter.
Educational Background: California State University, Northridge; USC Medical School
Admissions Team(s): Medical School Admissions Counseling
David Dickson, Admissions Advisor
David was a Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine, and received his PhD in Political Science from Harvard University. He brings more than a quarter of a century of inside experience as a professor and administrator at universities and small liberal arts institutions to his advising role with Top Test Prep. David currently teaches in the Political Science Department at George Washington University and has taught a variety of international courses.
David runs in his spare time and as an empty nester he and his wife relish their son’s trips home from Bowdoin College.
Educational Background: Bowdoin College, BA in Political Science and History; Harvard University, PhD in Political Science
Admissions Team(s): College Advising, Admissions Research, and Admissions Blog Preparation
Corbin Petro, Graduate School Admissions Counselor
Corbin attended Yale University and received her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. At Wharton, Corbin was a full-time graduate assistant in the Admissions Office. She read over 100 applications, interviewed more than 60 candidates, and was heavily involved in student outreach. Additionally, she has taught test prep is knowledgeable in understanding how best to position oneself for admissions to top schools.
Corbin is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys running, biking, and travel. She competed as a Division I distance runner at Yale and continues to run recreationally and runs the occasional marathon. This past summer, she rode her bicycle from Seattle to Washington, DC by herself and summited Mount Kilimanjaro. When not enjoying the outdoors, Corbin works in politics and consulting.
Educational Background: Yale University, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton Business School)
Admissions Team(s): Private School, College, Graduate MBA Admissions Counseling
Dr. Mark D’Agostino, Medical School Admissions Counselor
Mark D’ Agostino, M.D., MS, MSc is a Marshall Scholar and medical school admissions counselor for Top Test Prep. Mark received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, where he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship. Before medical school he was one of forty American students awarded a 2003 Marshall Scholarship. In Great Britain he earned a Master of Science (MS) in Biochemistry at the University of Nottingham Medical School, and a second Masters degree (MSc) in Health Policy, Planning and Financing from the London School of Economics.
During medical school Dr. D’Agostino conducted research at Brown and the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Mark has also reviewed medical school applications for Brown University.
Educational Background: UMass, Brown University Medical School, University of Nottingham, London School of Economics
Admissions Team(s): College, Graduate School, Medical School Admissions Counseling
Monika Adamczyk, College Admissions Counselor & Prep School Admissions
Monika Adamczyk is a graduate of Yale University and certificate recipient from Oxford University, graduating with distinction in political science and environmental engineering. Monika is on the admissions counseling team at Top Test Prep. During her time at Yale, she was heavily involved in admissions activities and high school outreach programs by serving as a Yale student ambassador to local high schools, interviewing students for college admissions, and coaching debate at local high schools. Additionally, she was involved in a variety of tutoring and advising programs by working for the Yale Science and Quantitative Reasoning Center as a private tutor in mathematics and the sciences, advising Yale students on career planning and internship searches as a Peer Adviser and counseling incoming freshmen as a Freshman Counselor. She has a plethora of experience with applications for competitive programs and scholarships, receiving a full merit scholarship for college and becoming one of 50 National Coca Cola Scholars.
In her free time, Monika is an avid tennis fan and social ballroom dancer.
Educational Background: Yale University
Admissions Team(s): Prep School, College Admissions Counseling
Dr. Wasif Syed, College and Graduate Admissions
Wasif completed his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Cornell University. While at Cornell, Wasif also led several international affairs initiatives and worked extensively with the Cornell administration. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., Wasif was a research petrophysicist at Shell in Houston, TX. Wasif has been involved in educational consulting for several years and has extensive experience in college admissions as well as graduate/professional school admissions. Wasif is still very involved with Cornell through various capacities.
Educational Background: University of Alberta, Cornell University
Admissions Team(s): College Admissions, Graduate & Professional (JD/MBA/MD) School Admissions Counseling
Carmen F., Private School, College and Grad Counseling
Carmen grew up in Chicago, Illinois and attended Georgetown University. She graduated cum laude with a major in Theology and a minor in English. After college, she attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a Master of Theological Studies with a concentration in Systematic Theology and a certificate in teaching. While in college, Carmen taught English to new immigrants in the District of Columbia; because of this experience she developed a passion for teaching reading and writing skills. Carmen currently teaches high school
religion and enjoys working with students to help them reach their
highest potential.
Carmen is a fan of Georgetown basketball and enjoys completing Sunday crossword puzzles as quickly as possible.
Educational Background: Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame
Admissions Team(s): Private School, College, Graduate School Admissions Advising, Test Prep and Tutoring
George Kalantzakis, Graduate School Admissions
George Kalantzakis is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) where he received a masters degree in international economics and international relations. George is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in finance from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. Prior to graduate school, George spent approximately four years working in the energy and financial services industries in Houston, Texas. Aside from pursuing an MBA, George has an interest in international economics, politics, trans-Atlantic relations, and history. George is an avid reader and keeps up to date with policy and current affairs.
Educational Background: Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
Admissions Team(s): Graduate Admissions Counseling
Jason Wang, Medical School Admissions Counseling
Jason grew up in St. Louis Missouri, but moved several times between middle and high school due to my father having to go through his residency, fellowship, and switching hospitals as a physician. While in high school and college he was involved in track and field. During Jason’s senior year in high school, he made it to Nike Nationals.
After interviewing for a few schools, he picked the Univ. of Rochester. At the Univ. of Rochester, he studied Chemistry and History. After taking the MCAT, he taught and tutored other students, and also worked for one year as a research in nanotechnology with applications for the treatment of heart disease at the Univ. of Michigan.
Educational Background: University of Rochester
Admissions Team(s): College Admissions, Graduate & Professional (Medical School Admissions M.D.)
Verne Tsang, Private School Admissions | College Admissions Counseling
Verne hails from Queens, NY and attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. He moved south avoid harsh winters and attend Duke University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in biology while minoring in chemistry. After working as a laboratory manager for two years with the neuroscience department at Duke, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a master’s degree in nutritional biochemistry. He now works as an public health lab scientist, and thoroughly enjoys tutoring for Top Test Prep.
In his free time, Verne loves to run, take pictures, and snowboard when it’s cold enough.
Educational Background: Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Admissions Team(s): Private School Admissions, College Admissions Counseling
Farrell Harding, College Admissions Counselor
Farrell grew up in southeast Louisiana and attended Princeton University where she studied in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. During her time at Princeton, Farrell worked with various community service organizations in Trenton and studied Arabic abroad in Egypt and Morocco. Farrell also began as an instructor and tutor for Top Test Prep, and was added to our admissions team because of her ability to connect with students and improve their chances of getting into top schools.
Educational Background: Princeton University
Admissions Team(s): College Admissions Counseling
A J Ghassabeh, Independent Adviser
AJ graduated from Cornell University and is currently pursuing his MBA at Columbia University. AJ has worked as a financial analyst for Accenture and most recently as a Research Assistant for the International Monetary Fund. AJ is part of Top Test Prep’s tutoring program and helps with business development for our company.
Educational Background: Cornell University, Columbia University (MBA)
Admissions Team(s): College, Graduate School Admissions Counseling
Tita Marie, Top Test Prep’s Mascot and Office Dog
Tita Marie is proud to be part of Top Test Prep’s team. As Ross and Winslow Blankenship’s (founding family) dog, she’s been our mascot for a long time now. Tita enjoys sleeping, eating and occasional walks around the office in search of more food. Tita keeps the office atmosphere alive with her many tricks. She’s quick to point out that Australian Blue Heelers are one of the smartest breeds in the world. In fact, Tita said that, “if I took an SAT, I would receive a perfect score!”
Educational Background: Top Test Prep’s University
Admissions Team(s): All programs!
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