Maya Yates

Maya Yates graduated as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2023 at Rancho Campana High School, earning a 4.6 GPA. She is now a sophomore at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she is on a premed track. Maya plans to major in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, while minoring in Neuroscience.

During her high school years, Maya undertook remarkable projects, including becoming a published author for her Girl Scout Gold Award. She wrote a book aimed at uplifting cancer patients by sharing stories of survivors, offering readers hope and positivity. She also spoke at a TEDx event, where she delivered an inspiring talk on Self Identity.

Beyond her academic and creative achievements, Maya was actively involved in organizations such as Key Club, HOSA, and Girl Scouts. She also gained experience in clinical research, adding depth to her premed journey.

In her senior year, Maya worked closely with Laura Whitmore, the Founder and CEO of Strategic Test Prep. Through Laura’s expertise, Maya improved her test scores by an impressive 230 points. Having experienced the journey of test prep herself, Maya is now dedicated to helping students who are striving for similar success.

Maya was admitted to prestigious institutions including UCLA, UC Berkeley (where she received The Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship), University of Southern California (USC), University of Michigan, all the UC campuses, and Cal Poly SLO. She is passionate about using her experiences to support students in achieving their academic goals and looks forward to working with them.