Science Tutor & MCAT Specialist
Zach Perdun
MS Biochemistry · Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Over a decade helping pre-med students, science undergraduates, and aspiring healthcare professionals reach goals they once thought were impossible.
My Story
From Pre-Med Researcher to One-on-One Tutor
Science has been the throughline of everything I have pursued. After completing my undergraduate degree in Biology at Anderson University, I enrolled at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to build the research experience and graduate-level coursework that a competitive MD/PhD application would require. I graduated in 2017 with an MS in Biochemistry and a much clearer picture of what I actually wanted to do with it.
That answer came through teaching. After Johns Hopkins, I joined my alma mater, Anderson University, as a faculty member in their BSN nursing program, teaching Cell Biology and Chemistry. I built the course material from scratch, building lecture slides, writing the exams, and leading each class session myself. I expected to find the work useful. I did not expect to find it this fulfilling.
Tutoring for me initially began as a way to stay sharp in subjects I was not covering in the classroom. It became clear to me that working one-on-one with students from different universities, different academic backgrounds, and different learning styles offered something a classroom simply could not replicate: the ability to meet each student exactly where they are, adapt to their learning style and watch that translate into real results. I began tutoring full time in 2019 and have never looked back.
Teaching Approach
Every Student Is Different.
The Approach Should Be Too.
Before the first session, each student gets a free introductory phone call so I can learn more about where you are at with your studying, how you learn best, and to make a plan for the first session so it's as effective for you as possible. That conversation sets the stage for everything that follows.
Adapted to Your Learning Style
I've found visual learners learn best using diagrams, flowcharts, and frameworks that make complex concepts tangible. Auditory learners benefit from reciting concepts back to me and mnemonics during self study. I always focus on the way students actually process and retain information.
High-Yield, Purposeful Sessions
Some sessions are built around targeted practice question review, including how to approach each question methodically. Others focus on the highest-yield content, taught in a way that is tailored to a student's learning style. Every session has a plan and a clear objective before it starts.
MCAT Preparation
An Analytical Approach to the Most Demanding Pre-Med Exam
The MCAT is not like any test you take in college. It rewards fluency across disciplines, requiring the ability to shift between content and data analysis, often within a single passage.
Through analysis of all AAMC Full Length exams, a consistent pattern emerges: a small number of core content categories account for a disproportionate number of questions in each section. But content is only part of the picture. By analyzing performance on real AAMC questions, I help identify recurring passage/question types students struggle on most. This translates directly into points on test day.
Inside the Framework
Beyond the Whiteboard
Outside of Tutoring
I made my first skydive in 2015, and fell in love with the sport. Skydiving demands a kind of discipline I genuinely enjoy. Every jump is planned, technical, and requires complete focus. Getting better is an ongoing process, and spending time at the dropzone learning alongside other skydivers is one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend.
Outside of the air, I am usually out with my two dogs: Luna a Mini Aussie, and Laila a Golden Retriever. My fiancée and I raised them together, and the four of us spend a lot of time on trails, at local restaurants, and anywhere else worth exploring.
Ready to Get Started?
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