Mel is an accomplished tutor with a creative side who loves working with young scholars to create tailored, individual approaches to excel in their studies. During their undergraduate years at Princeton, their eclectic assortment of majors and minors (A.B. Psychology with Certificates in Neuroscience, Theater, and Creative Writing; Shapiro Prize, Phi Beta Kappa, Howard Crosby Warren Jr Prize, Joyce Carol Oates Award) taught them a great breadth of study areas and strategies across science, math, and the humanities. They’re excited to share them with you!
They have helped Princeton freshmen find their academic success as a Peer Academic Advisor and led both a theater company and a literary magazine while on campus, so they love mentoring younger writers to find their authentic voices and craft compelling essays. They have worked as a Data Scientist in a psychology lab for four years training other RAs, and enjoy leading young scholars towards the exciting discoveries that a mastery of math and science can bring.
Currently, they are studying Musical Theater Writing at New York University as a lyricist/librettist. Their musicals have been produced in and around New York City, including at Princeton! In their free time they love hiking, road trips, swing dancing, and cooking spicy food. Ask them about their favorite kinds of rabbits!
College:
Education: Princeton University
Undergrad Major: A.B. Psychology
Other Degrees/Minors: Certificates in Neuroscience, Creative Writing, and Theater (Princeton University), Master of Fine Arts - Musical Theater Writing (New York University)
High School:
Class Rank: "Highest Honors," Top 5% of Class
Awards & Honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, Cum Laude Society, Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient, Highest Honors (Academic), First Place in Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Competition, Goal 4 Award for Personal Growth and Achievement, Gold Medal in National Latin Exam, Order of the Arrow Brotherhood Member
Interests & Activities: Head Editor of Callithump (Literary Magazine), Leader of Model UN (2 years), First violin and soloist with the Blue Lake International Symphonic Orchestra, Member of the Priory Players (Supporting role in 4 musicals and plays), Leader of Spectrum (Gay-Straight Alliance, 2 years), Leader of TWLOHA (Local chapter of mental health awareness group, 1 year), and Leader of Allergy Awareness Club
SAT Scores: 1530 (800 Reading, 730 Math)
AP Exams: 5 US History, 5 English Language and Composition, 4 Latin
SAT Subject Tests: 800 Literature, 770 Environmental Biology
Other:
Other Awards: Shapiro Award for Academic Excellence (2021), Member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Howard Crosby Warren Senior Prize in Psychology, Highest Honors in Psychology, Francis Lemoyne Page Book Prize in Theater, Joyce Carol Oates Award in Creative Writing, Howard Crosby Warren Junior Prize in Psychology, Outstanding Work by a Junior Award in Theater, Outstanding Work by a Sophomore Award in Theater
Other Interests & Activities: At Princeton I was involved in Theatre Intime (Executive Board, Publicity Director), figments Literary Magazine (Editor in Chief and Managing Editor), Arch & Arrow (Literary Manager), Outdoor Action (Command Center), Princeton University Players (Musical Theater Writer), Sinfonia (Violinist), CONTACT Princeton Suicide Helpline, Princeton Peer Nightline, the Edwards Collective and the Quadrangle Club
Location: Other
