The Papillon Difference
We take a personalized approach to provide quality mentoring at affordable prices.
Personalized Approach
Instead of putting our students through a pre-made, self-paced course, we limit the amount of students taken each test cycle. This allows us to adapt to individual learning styles, tailor schedules around existing commitments, and adjust the pace and strategy of your preparation.
Affordable Prices
We believe that just like quality healthcare, academic support should be available to everyone regardless of their financial situation. Our commitment to affordability is reflected in prices that are 50% below the average hourly rate for MCAT tutoring.
Quality Mentoring
Having succeeded on the MCAT, we know the academic and psychological challenges of the test. So we build strong relationships with our students to build accountability and confidence, along with methods that produce strong results on the MCAT and beyond.
Our Mission
Papillon’s was created to provide comprehensive and personalized MCAT prep services that empower students to reach their fullest potentials. Rather than do things the traditional way, we’ve created a system designed around our students’ needs. Our team is composed of pre-medical graduates and students from UT Austin and medical students from around Texas. We strive to create a system that minimizes the financial and emotional stressors of taking the MCAT. We acknowledge that each student is unique in their experiences, expectations, and learning styles, so we take the time to really understand you and curate a plan that works for you. Our commitment to personalization and affordability set us apart, while ensuring high quality and constantly improving services.
Our Story
Just like you, we were overwhelmed and unsure on how to get ready for the MCAT. Even more discouraging, the popular test prep companies were far too expensive and all of our friends seemed like they were studying ten hours per day. We figured out how to overcome our individual challenges little by little. We used reddit groups, asked everyone we knew had taken the test for advice, and learned new techniques for managing time and content. After scoring well on the exam, we discovered that many students shared our struggles. As university instructors, we met talented students who also wanted to give back and take the strain off of others studying for the MCAT. We came together to share free resources, ideas for efficiently retaining information, and helped several students reach their target score the first time. For over two years, the team at Papillon has been carefully testing their methods and building a network of accomplished MCAT examinees. Now, we feel prepared to offer ourselves as a service for a wider number of students and start helping more caring, motivated, resilient people on their way to becoming doctors.
Our Services
Papillon offers comprehensive MCAT prep, including content review, strategic practice, and personalized study plans in both individual and small-group sessions. We believe that our job is to optimize the learning experience so you can devote more time to increasing your score. Our services are available virtually for everybody and extend to in-person for those in Austin.
“Papillon helped me find mentors I connected with, whose expertise aligned with my needs, and who were flexible with their scheduling. They checked all the boxes and gave me everything I needed to put the MCAT behind me for good.”
— ARJUN S. / Papillon Student / August 2023
Our team
Schedule Planning. Coaching. Curriculum Design.
Andrew L.
Hi I’m Andrew! I studied Spanish and biology during my undergrad at UT Austin and will attend McGovern Medical School in Houston starting this fall. I’m often described as thoughtful, resourceful, and meticulous. At Papillon, I couple four years of university instructional experience with seven years of working in the restaurant/hospitality industry. I specialize in helping students get the most out of Papillon through a customer service mindset, individually curated schedule plans, and using the most recent pedagogy in individual and group learning. In my free time, I write short stories and poetry, love being outside & active, and spending time with my three younger brothers and our new puppy, Taylor!
Lead B/B & P/S Tutor. Coaching. Tutor Development.
Lauren R.
Hello, I’m Lauren! My friends would describe me as kind, intelligent, and a great teacher :) For my undergraduate degree, I studied biology and minored in religious studies at the University of Texas. Now, I am an incoming MS1 at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. And in between, spent four years teaching genetics at UT, tutoring the MCAT, and writing/editing textbook questions. These subjects have expanded my passion for helping others by understanding their backgrounds, beliefs, and what makes them, them. During undergrad, I worked as a bookseller, tutor, genetics teaching assistant, and caregiver. While working full-time, I also studied for the MCAT. I bring 6 years of university instructional experience, lessons from my past teachers, and even my mistakes to Papillon. I helped found this company in order to prove that doing well on the MCAT is possible for anyone. In my spare time, I like to knit, watch horror movies, and take the time to hear about the stories of others.
Lead C/P and P/S Tutor. Content Creation.
Aaron B.
Hi! They call me Aaron. I’m a senior chemical engineering major who is applying to medical school this upcoming cycle. I scored in the 100th percentile in the Chem/Phys and Psych/Soc sections of the MCAT and bring a fun, vibrant personality to my work and studies. Outside of school, I play ultimate frisbee for the UT Club & Houston professional team in Houston and help lead Camp Kesem. I joined Papillon because I hope to be a resource so that as many people as possible only have to take the MCAT once or get a fantastic rebound score! As a TA for a university biochemistry class, I help students apply chemical and physical principles to the workings of the body. I specialize in breaking down complex chemistry and physics topics, helping students reviewing practice problems and full-length exams, and teaching new approaches to computational problems.
FAQs
What kind of students is Papillon for?
Papillon was designed to be for everyone. We are a network for students who haven’t received the guidance and direction needed to succeed on the MCAT. We are best for students who are working with limited time, are looking to get the most value with the budget they have, and are dedicated to putting in the work needed to properly prepare. We specialize in helping those who are first starting out or getting ready to retake the exam, students struggling with score plateau in their current program, and those looking for some fine-tuning in the final weeks before their test.
Am I ready to take the MCAT?
This depends on several factors. How far have you come? Are you on par with your target score? Are you strong in every section? Are just some of the things to consider.
Does Papillon guarantee scores or numerical increases?
NO. The MCAT is a long test that demands much of each student mentally and psychologically. It is nowhere near the difficulty of a typical midterm or final. Under no circumstances do we guarantee score increases. We’re here to help aid you in your progression, not supplement the independent work that you have put in to be successful.
Does Papillon collaborate with student groups/organizations?
Of course! Send us an email with your organization name and how you think we could help each other!
Does Papillon grant fee-waivers or financial aid?
Yes!! If you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program administered by the AAMC, then you qualify with Papillon. Email us to see if you qualify and learn more.