Bailey, Harvard University Class of 2023

By Emily Brehe-Gunter

Bailey is a former KD student who now attends Harvard University. She is a member of our Perfect Score Hall of Fame, earning a perfect 36 on the ACT® test back in high school. She studies economics and hopes to pursue a career in investment banking after graduation. When Bailey’s not hitting the books, she is cheering on her classmates as co-captain of the Harvard cheerleading team.

Getting into Harvard was no small feat, and Bailey is always open to sharing how she got there with younger KD students who have similar goals. Many may believe that getting into the nation’s most competitive college is a lofty goal, but Bailey never let the opinions of others prevent her from pursuing her dream.

bailey harvard university of 2023

“There may be an opportunity or goal that seems impossible to achieve, but you never know. It can never hurt to throw your hat in the ring for an opportunity. Be an advocate for yourself and don’t downplay your accomplishments,” Bailey says.

Of course, Bailey knew that it would take many years of hard work and commitment to stand out in the college admissions process. Now, she’s taking some of those same things she learned in the college application process to her internship and job interviews. Read on to learn more about Bailey, her journey to Harvard, and where she plans to head after earning her degree.

Looking Back at High School

Bailey was born and raised in Dallas, and she attended The Hockaday School, an all-girls private school that serves students ages pre-K through 12th grade. During high school, she was involved in a variety of extracurriculars, ranging from diving and fencing to Model UN.

“I had so many different things that I was interested in. I think that I was really drawn to the idea of being involved in as many groups as possible to open up the door to as many friendships as possible,” Bailey says.

Another interest that Bailey has had throughout her life is gymnastics. She’s been a gymnast since she was about four years old. She still takes classes to keep her “cheer skills sharp,” and over the years she has coached some of the younger girls at her gym.

Bailey spent time outside of school attending test prep classes at KD College Prep’s Plano campus. One of the things she remembers the most about attending KD is a math teacher that helped her learn the content and strategies necessary to earn her score goal.

“I had a favorite KD math teacher named Andrew, and I really enjoyed the way he ran his workshops. I enjoyed his teaching so much that I took one of his workshops on my birthday! I thought about taking that day off from prep, but I knew that I’d learn something important from him and have fun too,” she says

Now, Bailey looks back on that time spent preparing for her admissions tests and is thankful that her teenage self had the determination to keep working toward her goals. She includes her perfect score on her job resume, and it’s become a talking point during some of her interviews. She is confident that score had an impact on her acceptance to Harvard.

The Gap Year Abroad

Before attending Harvard, Bailey spent a gap year in England as a member of a theater troupe and performing for audiences throughout Stratford, UK, (Shakespeare’s birthplace). She spent the year acting, writing, and directing—the only American in the small group of student actors. Many of the program’s alumni have gone on to professional careers in acting, and one alum even starred in Netflix’s Bridgerton.

While Bailey does not consider herself an aspiring actor, she thought the opportunity would help her better navigate the difficult and stressful transition into college and equip her to thrive socially as well as navigate new environments and challenges. She found out about the opportunity through EnRoute Consulting, an organization that specializes in helping students find high-quality gap year opportunities.

“I didn’t get to do as much theater as I wanted to in high school because I was spending a lot of time in athletics. When I was looking at gap year ideas, I decided to do something in theater… I got to engage the artistic side of my brain, which was something that wasn’t really a part of my high school experience,” she says.

As a high-achieving student, Bailey needed time in between high school and college to explore the world and get to know herself. It’s important to note here that a gap year is best spent engaged in something that colleges will find intriguing. If you take the year off, they want to know that you’re doing something meaningful during that time away from your studies.

“It made my transition to college so much smoother… I would absolutely recommend it as a very important option to consider,” Bailey says.

The Harvard “Mosaic of Experiences”

At Harvard, most students reside on campus for all four years of college. After freshman year, the college divides students into 12 separate residential houses, a tradition that gives students a “house away from home.” Each house consists of about 150 students, and this system fosters a tight-knit community in which students can thrive and build stronger relationships. To Bailey, the experiences outside of class—getting involved, meeting people, and hearing their stories—have been the best parts of attending Harvard.

“You get to sit down at a table in the dining hall and hear people talk about experiences from all over the world—how they grew up and their different family structures. You can really see the diversity, and that mosaic of experiences comes together in every class.”

Bailey has found a home at Harvard. Aside from cheerleading, she is a member of Alpha Phi, an all-women’s Greek organization on campus. She’s always been an achiever with big goals for herself, and in her younger years that sometimes made her feel like an outsider. Now, she’s surrounded by incredible classmates that can match her drive.

“I never felt like I was a normal kid, but there’s nothing wrong with that. In middle and high school, I often felt like I stood out, but I grew to realize that blending in should never be the goal,” Bailey says. “…Nothing could have prepared me for being in an environment where people have such incredibly diverse experiences but are all connected by an innate motivation to better ourselves and deep intellectual curiosity,” Bailey says.

Bailey originally thought she would pursue a degree in biology, but after taking an economics class to knock out a general education requirement, she discovered a new interest. As she took more classes, that interest grew and she developed strong relationships with the professors in that department. Then the pandemic hit, and she saw a connection between what was happening and what she learned about in class.

“I really like the real-world application of economic classes, especially with the events occurring in the world… When COVID hit, a lot of our economics classes started to morph to include a curriculum that discussed the pandemic and the effect on the economy, and I had never experienced a situation in which content from class was directly reacting to real-time social and political activity.”

Investing in the Future

This summer, Bailey moved to the Washington D.C. area to intern for KippsDeSanto, a middle-market investment bank recently acquired by Capital One. She works alongside four other interns to assist with merger and acquisition transactions between companies servicing the aerospace and defense and government technology solutions industries. This position is her first experience in investment banking, and she’s interested in pursuing more opportunities in this field after graduation.

The company culture at KippsDeSanto is something that Bailey has admired. Through the support she’s received as an intern, the company has treated Bailey as a valued member of the team, which can be hard to find in the cutthroat world of investment banking.

“It feels like a good first step in getting my feet wet in this industry… It worked out very nicely because the firm that I’m at now is a little bit smaller rather than being a huge, well-known banking investment firm where I might be one of many interns. They really are trying to create a community, and that’s something I really resonated with places like school and KD. There was an effort beyond that to create somewhat of a family, and I always gravitate towards environments like that,” Bailey says.

After finishing her internship this summer, Bailey looks forward to visiting England for the first time since her gap year tour three years ago. Then she’ll head off to Harvard in the fall for her senior year and enter the job market soon after.

“I’m definitely continuing to invest in myself and my work and am excited to take all the skills that I’ve learned from KD, my gap year, my Harvard experience thus far, and my summer internship and apply them as I progress through my college and professional career,” Bailey says.

Emily Brehe-Gunter is the digital marketing director at KD College Prep.

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Debra H. – Son, Class of 2023

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Praneel S. – Class of 2023

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“My time and experiences at KD College Prep have efficiently guided and prepared me for my future educational career as a college student. Not only did KD help me with college entrance exams but also provided numerous informational seminars that helped... Read more...

Tanisha P. – Class of 2020

My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into helping me write the best essay possible, especially reviewing my essays twice to polish them completely. In addition, I have noticed that writing my resume has released a lot of stress off my shoulder when it comes to making sure I have all the things necessary to apply to schools.
My feedback can only be positive, given how much you helped me get ahead with my application process. I really appreciated how much work both of you put into... Read more...

Claudia A. – Class of 2020

“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of learning easier. I think that after you started going to a good amount of classes and the workshops, you knew every teacher, and they were always available to answer any questions that you had...Everyone was just so welcoming and made learning more engaging for the students, especially with the workshops. All of had their own unique style of teaching which never made a class boring.”
“My favorite things about KD were the mirroring it had to actual test questions, the availability, and the relationships you built with all the teachers and advisors who made the process of... Read more...

Rishab P. – Class of 2021

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“I want to thank both of you so very much for making this dream come true. When I first came to KD, I wanted to get a score of 1520 or... Read more...

David P. – Class of 2022

“It takes a village to raise a child—this is so true. KD College Prep staff have been nothing but uplifting to my child and to us parents through their eager attitudes to assist, in-depth guidance and unparalleled wisdom. I am in awe at the consistent level of professionalism yet genuine concern for each and every person that walks through their doors. Thank you KD staff for being great mentors for our children!”
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Gloria D. – Daughter, Class of 2021

“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I have finished college applications, and I would love to thank all the teachers and aides at KD for giving me the score that I got on the test. Without the extra practice, I wouldn't have been able to get through to the score I got. These past 3 years went by so fast, and it is so fun to look back at where I started and how much I have come out with flying colors. Thank you so much!”
“I attended KD for the last 3 years, and I was blessed with the opportunity to take the SAT® test one last time last month. I got a 1430 on the test. I wanted to take the time to say I... Read more...

Kareena A. – Class of 2021

“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT®, and ACT® tests. The resources were very helpful, and the individualized assistance I received from teachers were what really supported my learning. Special thanks to Ms. Barwick and Mr. Hoffman!”
“I just wanted to say thank you to KD for all the help and support you’ve given over the past couple years! I was able to get the scores I wanted for the PSAT, SAT®, and ACT® tests. The resources were... Read more...

Advika R. – Class of 2022

“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in class. In conjunction, those two things helped me raise my score a lot because I was not a math kid before KD or high school. The repetition and being able to practice in a non-stressful environment and simulating that testing experience is something that was very beneficial for me... “The college counseling team was super patient and honest about the work I was submitting. I know for a lot of kids, it’s hard to articulate who you are through 250-300 words. It was definitely... Read more...
“I shifted toward taking practice tests and going to workshops because I felt those were the best ways to apply the concepts (I was) learning in class. I started applying the tips and tricks that the teachers were showing me in... Read more...

Blaine W. – Class of 2021

“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a rising junior at the University of Miami, and my youngest son is an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt University. Steve’s help in navigating the complicated college landscape and finding the BEST FIT for my two sons is what has made this resource invaluable. “What made the biggest difference for my two sons was the depth and breadth of knowledge Steve has of the many universities and colleges in the U.S. First, by getting to know my kids on a one-on-one basis, he was able to... Read more...
“Both of my sons have been guided by KD College Prep counselor Steve Peifer on their journey to finding the right college for them, and we could not have had a better experience and outcome. My oldest son is now a... Read more...

Julio M. – Parent

“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the summer. She liked being challenged academically, and she loved taking classes with high school students who were focused on their college goals. These students were also excellent role models! The lessons were especially important during the pandemic when it wasn’t a typical middle school experience.”
“My daughter loved the program—the program materials and the teachers both online and in person. She participated in a year of online and a year of in person. It was incredible enrichment and helped her keep her skills sharp over the... Read more...

Beth L. – Advanced Start™ Parent

test prep testimonial vyom
“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got a 1530 on the December 5th SAT test. KD played a huge role in this, and I just wanted to say thanks to everyone there for helping me achieve this.”
“I wanted to say thank you to all of the teachers and directors at KD for helping me get a great score on the SAT® test. I started with a 1250 on the first KD test I took, and I got... Read more...

Vyom S. – Class of 2022

"Our twin 16-year-old boys used KD College Prep to study/practice for the PSAT test, and we believe the classes and coaching were invaluable. Very professional and concise. Worth every penny!"
"Our twin 16-year-old boys used KD College Prep to study/practice for the PSAT test, and we believe the classes and coaching were invaluable. Very professional and concise. Worth every penny!"

Jerry – Sons, Class of 2022

mithra testimonial
“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT, SAT®, and ACT® tests (1520, 1580, and 34). I really appreciate everyone's willingness to be flexible and accommodate my requests!”
“I'm writing to thank the KD team for all the help and guidance over the last couple of years! All the resources provided were very useful to me and helped me achieve the scores I was aiming for on the PSAT,... Read more...

Mithra A. – Class of 2022

"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT® test (third time) and a 35 on my ACT® test (first time). I remember the first ever practice test I took for the SAT test was a 1230 (about 1.5 yrs ago) and the first ever practice test I took for the ACT test was a 31 or 32 (about 6 months ago)."
"The resources that KD offers have greatly prepared me for the college admissions process. Without KD, I would not have been this prepared and confident... I am a rising senior, and I ended up receiving a 1570 on my SAT® test... Read more...

Elise P. – Class of 2022

“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT® and ACT® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents very informative and helpful during the process as well.  My son (Jacob) graduated in 2018 and got a 32 on the ACT test. got accepted into Texas A&M but chose Baylor for Health Sciences.  My daughter (Morgan) graduated in 2020 and got a 1450 on the SAT test and a 32 on the ACT test. got into an Ivy League school (Cornell) for Engineering.  Both my kids say that they apply the test taking skills they learned at KD Prep to... Read more...
“I want to thank KD College Prep for helping both of my kids over the last years reach successful outcomes on their SAT® and ACT® scores, which helped them get into great colleges. I found the college prep class for parents... Read more...

Jon D. – Parent

“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard and other schools, but I've really started to immerse into the Emory culture, especially their debate team. Not having to pay for college and still attend a private institution is really a dream come true, and it wouldn't be possible if it were not for you.”
“Coming into this whole process, I had absolutely no idea what anything was, and your help was invaluable—your encouraging words, strategic advice, and wholesome stories and jokes really got me through a stressful time! I'm still on the waitlist at Harvard... Read more...

Shreyas R. – Class of 2020

“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a good school will help me find my path. Also, Steve's knowledge about what colleges were wanting to see in potential admissions candidates was a huge help... “There was not one specific beneficial moment or turning point in my time working with Steve, there were many. He encouraged me during the entire application process and brought to my attention many colleges I wouldn't have considered or heard about without his help.”
“The most beneficial guidance I received during my College Counseling experience was being taught that it's completely ok to not know what I want to do with the rest of my life at 17/18 years old. Steve told me that a... Read more...

Jake W. – Class of 2020

"I'm very happy my daughter chose KD as her learning partner to achieve her goals. All the experiences with KD and the Directors there are fabulous. My daughter has improved significantly."
"I'm very happy my daughter chose KD as her learning partner to achieve her goals. All the experiences with KD and the Directors there are fabulous. My daughter has improved significantly."

Zarni, Daughter – Class of 2021

"I took KD classes the summer before my junior year, and I was finished with my SAT® test by December...The test prep classes also helped me earn the award of National Merit® Finalist."
"I took KD classes the summer before my junior year, and I was finished with my SAT® test by December...The test prep classes also helped me earn the award of National Merit® Finalist."

Claire I. – Class of 2020

"It's been super helpful, and I've noticed my scores go up both on my SAT®/ACT® scores as well as test scores in school... Overall, I believe this to be the best college prep that money can buy."
"It's been super helpful, and I've noticed my scores go up both on my SAT®/ACT® scores as well as test scores in school... Overall, I believe this to be the best college prep that money can buy."

Gopi C. – Class of 2021

"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made sure that I would be successful in whichever college I picked, and I am eternally grateful for all their help and hard work!"
"KD helped me come up with a game plan for the colleges I wanted to attend, as well as any backups, and how to manage my time during this stressful period. They helped to ease the stress and made... Read more...

Omar S. – Class of 2020

"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by far the most concerned about. I didn’t know how exactly I should go about choosing which places to apply to and if I were to be accepted, if they would fit me. The team did a wonderful job considering my likes and dislikes and helped me compile a list of colleges that suited my tastes and would further my academic career. "After this integral first step, my focus turned towards time management and writing quality essays that would stand out to colleges. I got... Read more...
"My initial goals when I first started working with the KD Counseling crew was to compile a list of colleges that I would be somewhat interested in attending and fit my career goals. I think that this step I was by... Read more...

Nina H. – Class of 2020

"I was thankful for all the help I received from KD in preparing for my SAT® and ACT® exams. The workshops they offered, as well as the practice exams, gave me the tools I needed to do my very best."
"I was thankful for all the help I received from KD in preparing for my SAT® and ACT® exams. The workshops they offered, as well as the practice exams, gave me the tools I needed to do my very best."

Morgan D. – Class of 2020

"KDCP is a must for students wanting to stay a step ahead of the game for getting into college. My son has gained huge insight from the ACT®/SAT® practice workshops, practice tests, and essay class."
"KDCP is a must for students wanting to stay a step ahead of the game for getting into college. My son has gained huge insight from the ACT®/SAT® practice workshops, practice tests, and essay class."

Tiffany – Son, Class of 2021

"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students wanting an edge on their national test scores!"
"KD helped to increase the efficiencies of how I took the national exams. I was also able to implement these efficiencies in my daily school studies within the IB program at PESH. I would (and have) recommend KD to those students... Read more...

Daniel J. – Class of 2020

"Not only have I been able to significantly improve my test scores, I have learned a tremendous amount of information about the college application process due to complimentary events that KD offers."
"Not only have I been able to significantly improve my test scores, I have learned a tremendous amount of information about the college application process due to complimentary events that KD offers."

Sam H. – Class of 2020

"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the help from amazing teachers and staff. I am so grateful for KD!"
"I came to KD the summer before my senior year with only my determination and big goals! KD provided me with the resources necessary to improve my test score to increase my chances at my dream school, Notre Dame, with the... Read more...

Matt K. – Class of 2020

"I started classes at KD the summer before 9th grade. I...made a perfect score on the PSAT (earning the National Merit® scholarship) and, after taking the SAT® test only once (a relief!), scored a 1590/1600."
"I started classes at KD the summer before 9th grade. I...made a perfect score on the PSAT (earning the National Merit® scholarship) and, after taking the SAT® test only once (a relief!), scored a 1590/1600."

Thomas D. – Class of 2019

"In just one year, I was able to raise my score by 300 points and get into my dream school."
"In just one year, I was able to raise my score by 300 points and get into my dream school."

Piper F. – Class of 2020

"Having our recent GHS graduate attend KD was life changing. It provided our son with choices and opportunities that he might not have had otherwise."
"Having our recent GHS graduate attend KD was life changing. It provided our son with choices and opportunities that he might not have had otherwise."

Kathy – Son attends Mizzou

test prep testimonial grace
“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure out a personal plan that would work for her and were always available for our questions and helping her reach her goals. Every employee from the managers to the students working at their locations are top notch.”
“I came to KD College Prep after already using another tutoring service which we were not seeing results with. Due to time constraints, the traditional classes were not going to be feasible for my daughter. They took the time to figure... Read more...

Tracy – Daughter, Class of 2020

"The KD College Prep course not only provided test practice but also motivated her to work hard for her college applications. It gave her the confidence to dream big!"

"The KD College Prep course not only provided test practice but also motivated her to work hard for her college applications. It gave her the confidence to dream big!"

Prema – Daughter attends Rice

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