We are mentors who really care.
Every ReadyEdgeGo staff member was once a student. We remember what it was like to agonize over college admissions and wonder how we stacked up against our peers. We are also educators who recognize the toxicity of college admissions and the negative impact on student mental health. We truly believe that every student has the capability to attend their best colleges–while maintaining happiness and balance.
Dan Zhou
Founder & CEO
When I started ReadyEdgeGo in 2012, I left Google to do something no one was doing at the time. I set it in my heart to pursue something I found meaningful and deeply impactful, so I started where I felt society needed it most: high school. I reflected on all the stress and the lack of guidance during this critical stage in my life – I had found the challenge I was looking for.
At the time, my only goal was to develop high schoolers’ personal statements. Little did I know that I would help thousands of students find themselves in the process. Essay after essay, word after word, our students got to their best colleges simply by being their most authentic selves. We told stories that brought laughter and tears, and every emotion in between.
Tylar Pendgraft, MFA
Director of Programs
Tylar is a graduate of UC San Diego with a degree in Literature-Writing with Honors (2012) and University of Southern California with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing (2015). She has worked in higher education since 2013, starting with teaching freshman writing & critical analysis at USC. She started working in the Marshall School of Business as the first point of contact for admissions to the program. When her students started applying for graduate school and asked for her help, Tylar loved doing that so much that she started helping high schoolers apply for college.
Now, Tylar sits on a scholarship board for one of UC San Diego’s scholarship programs, where she mentors college students through their individual journeys. Beyond ReadyEdgeGo, Tylar writes plays, poetry, and novels.
Ariana Lee
Senior Admissions Advisor
As Senior Admissions Advisor & College Applications Advisor, Ariana helps students level-up on their college profile and discover their skills and passions along the way. She has been with REG for 3 years; previously, she worked as an Academic Advisor and Admissions Officer at UC Berkeley for 11 years in 3 different roles, and was a high school program director.
Graham Traylor
Senior Applications Advisor
As an Admissions and Applications Advisor, Graham utilizes his experience and familiarity with higher education to help students navigate the often intimidating college admissions process. He got his start in education as an admissions counselor at Baylor University and currently works as the Director of College Counseling at an independent school in Texas.
Joanna Yang Yowler
Senior Essay Editor & Program Specialist
Joanna started with REG in 2022 but has worked in STEM education since 2012. Her unique background as a PhD in biomedical sciences from the Mayo Clinic has empowered her to conduct community-based research in K–12 spaces. Formerly the director of a STEM program in the Tenderloin area, Joanna now reviews grants and scholarships for higher education and other non-profits. She is an advocate for equity of access to high-quality education for all, and her life goal is to build long-term equity/justice in our education and healthcare systems.
Joyce Yang
Admissions Advisor & SAT Lead
Joyce is a graduate of MIT, where she double majored in Brain & Cog Sciences and Biology with a minor in Music Performance. Post-graduation, she worked in a lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, studying Alzheimer’s rodent models for new therapeutic approaches. She also traveled around Boston performing music therapy concerts with some friends! In 2020, she relocated to California to study at UCSF, where she is currently a PhD candidate researching metabolic interventions in Alzheimer’s.
Julian Hoffman
Admissions Advisor & Essay Editor
As a Mentor, Julian helps students explore their interests and passions. Prior to ReadyEdgeGo, he worked as the College and Career Specialist at the high school he graduated from. Julian helps students navigate the college application process and gain admission into top-ranked universities, along with full or partial tuition scholarships. Julian has worked as an admissions reader for the UCs for several years and is a graduate of UCLA.
Sarah Gooch
Admissions Advisor & Essay Editor
Sarah is a former public school teacher where she led the college applications essay writing program. She is a writer with seven years’ experience in teaching Creative Writing and helping students revise their work to win scholarships and awards. Sarah loves building relationships with students so they can produce the most authentic essays possible. She also works with her mentorship students on establishing basic academic skills and personal responsibility.
Jordie Duncan
UC Applications Advisor & Transfer Lead
Jordie currently works as a Senior Academic Advisor at at top tier research institution when she is not working with high school students and their families. She is passionate about helping students find their path and explore their passions, with a special focus on UCs and transfer pathways.
Anika Sharma
Admissions Advisor & Essay Editor
Anika has been with ReadyEdgeGo since 2020, serving as a mentor and an essay editor. As a graduate of Emory University, her background is in both humanities and biological sciences with a special focus on creating equitable outcomes for disadvantaged communities. She has worked in research roles at universities such as Cornell and Stanford.
Contact Us.
Interested in receiving college-bound guidance from our team? Let us know!
