Ken Tao PhD, Director of MCAT and Research | MedSchoolCoach

Ken Tao PhDDirector of MCAT and Research

Dr. Tao graduated with a B.S. and B.A. from UC Berkeley and earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University. Renowned for his dual expertise in MCAT preparation and mentoring students in research, he leads a top-tier tutoring team and has an exceptional track record in driving student score improvements.

Ken Tao PhD, MedSchoolCoach

What Students Say

Bio

As the Director of MCAT and Research for MedSchoolCoach, Dr. Tao has established himself as a leader in medical test preparation and research mentorship. His academic journey began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a B.S. in bioengineering and a B.A. in molecular and cell biology. Recognized for his academic excellence, he is a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi honor societies and was awarded the Jeffrey A. Winer Memorial Prize, a distinguished honor given to the top graduating senior in the neurobiology emphasis of the molecular and cell biology major.

Dr. Tao completed a PhD in neuroscience at Harvard University, with his research published in respected journals, including Neuron, Cell Metabolism, and Nature Metabolism. His passion for mentoring students extends beyond the MCAT. He has guided numerous students in research, helping them design experiments, analyze data, and publish their findings. Through his mentorship, students have gained hands-on experience in scientific inquiry and developed a deeper understanding of how to approach complex problems methodically.

Nationally recognized as an exceptional MCAT mentor, Dr. Tao has over 10,000 hours of teaching experience, gained through his roles as a graduate teaching assistant, adjunct faculty member, and MCAT instructor/tutor at the Princeton Review and MedSchoolCoach. At the Princeton Review, he was the only tutor certified in all MCAT subjects, one of their highest-rated tutors, and a teacher trainer for their MCAT division. His extensive contributions to MCAT preparation include authoring content for numerous books and guides, as well as fostering the success of his students, many of whom have achieved scores of 40+ on the old MCAT or 520+ on the current exam.

EDUCATION

Undergraduate: BS, BA, University of California, Berkeley
Graduate: PhD, Harvard University

SCORES

99th Percentile

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

MCAT Tutoring - all sections

contact us for more help

Recent Blog Posts

View All Posts
The Fauci Effect

What the Fauci Effect Means for Pre-Meds and Medical School Applicants

The “Fauci Effect” is the phenomenon that has helped propel the number of applicants to medical school this year jump[...]

calendar-icon December 10, 2020
COMLEX to USMLE Score Converter

Compare USMLE Step 1 vs. COMLEX Level 1 Scores

Why should medical students take on the added stress of preparing for two board exams despite the unified match? Is[...]

calendar-icon May 5, 2021
A pre-med student wondering if she can use a calculator on the MCAT.

Do You Get a Calculator on the MCAT?

You are not allowed to use a calculator on the MCAT. However, this can be a good thing — it means the math[...]

calendar-icon March 7, 2024

Guidebooks

View all guidebooks
The Pre-Med Journey

The Pre-Med Journey: What it Takes to Get into Medical School

Thinking about applying to medical school? Discover what high school students need to know about obtaining a career in medicine.

Download
Successfully Planning for the USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK

Successfully Planning for the USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK

Get ready for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 with this free guide to study planning and resource utilization.

Download
100 MCAT Study Tips

100 MCAT Study Tips

Taking the MCAT? These 100 tips and tricks will help you ace the MCAT.

Download