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Our Story

Founder 1
Founder 2

We're Xander and Charles, and we started this journey with a simple but powerful goal: to level the playing field for students applying to college.

It all began when both of our younger sisters were going through the college application process. We couldn't believe the stories they were sharing about the insane prices of tutoring and admissions coaching services that their peers were using. It felt like getting into a dream school wasn't just about talent or effort—it was about who could afford the most expensive help.

We knew this system wasn't fair. Both of us had been fortunate enough to attend prestigious universities—Xander at the University of Chicago and Charles at Stanford. We'd seen firsthand how transformative access to the right resources and mentorship could be. But what about the students who didn't have thousands of dollars to spare for private tutors?

That question stuck with us. We realized we couldn't just sit by and watch students with immense potential get left behind because of financial barriers. So, we decided to do something about it.

The first step was reaching out to the smartest, most inspiring classmates we had met during our college years. We wanted to know: What did their application process look like? What advice would they give to someone following in their footsteps?

The response was incredible. These top scholars were eager to share their strategies, stories, and even the essays that had earned them spots at some of the most competitive schools in the world. We began compiling all this wisdom into a repository of exemplary essays, detailed guides, and practical advice. That repository became the foundation of our mission: to give students from all backgrounds access to the tools they need to succeed. We wanted to create a service that wasn't just affordable but truly transformative—a platform that could provide guidance and support at a fraction of the cost of traditional tutoring services.

Today, that vision has come to life. We're proud to help students unlock their potential, tell their stories, and chase their dreams. Because we believe every student deserves the chance to compete—not just those who can afford it.

We're Xander and Charles, and this is just the beginning.

Best of luck on your journey!

If you're going to start somewhere, start Scholarly.

—Xander & Charles, Founders