Meet your tutor

Welcome to Future Med Pros' "About" Page!

As a first-generation immigrant and non-native English speaker, I've navigated a path to medicine that has been anything but conventional — and I wouldn't have it any other way. My name is Ali Panahikarvand. Yes, that last name: the ultimate tongue twister for anyone who loves a linguistic challenge. It's a name that truly cuts through the crowd, and honestly, so does the journey behind it.

I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago, proving that language barriers and financial hardship are no match for persistence. Despite English being my second language, I was determined to excel — and I did. I scored in the 89th percentile on the MCAT, with each of my three science sections ranking in the 95th percentile, all through self-directed study and strategies I developed on my own.

Today, I am an MD candidate, actively preparing for the clinical boards while pursuing my dream of becoming a physician-surgeon. The road here has been long and demanding, but every step has deepened my commitment to the students walking a similar path.

My passion for tutoring pre-medical students began in 2022, when I started helping a coworker who was struggling with MCAT prep — completely free of charge. Watching her grow reminded me of my own financial struggles throughout undergrad and MCAT preparation, and it lit a fire in me. I realized that access to quality guidance shouldn't be determined by what you can afford.

That's why I remain fully committed to offering free tutoring to URiM pre-medical students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Chicagoland area. From building personalized study schedules and breaking down complex science concepts, to reviewing practice exams and navigating the application process — I'm here for all of it.

I know what it means to feel like the odds aren't in your favor. I also know what it means to beat them. My goal is to walk alongside you with the kind of support I wish I'd had — honest, strategic, and rooted in lived experience.

Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to connecting with you. Let's break down barriers and build each other up — one future physician at a time. 🩺