We’ve been where you are.
We’ve had the breakdowns. We’ve felt the burnout. We’ve googled whether our scores are “good enough” for medical school. When we finally figured out what worked, we realized something important: too many students are struggling in silence. After years of mentoring students, we saw the same things over and over again and distilled it down to this:
You don’t need more content.
You need a better framework.
And people who actually care.
That’s why we built Papillon.
Papillon started as a group of friends from The University of Texas at Austin. We each brought something different to teach each other. Today, we are high-scoring medical students and MCAT graduates who want to make this process easier for you. Over the years, we have tested what we’ve learned and condensed it down to what matters most. We built the thing we needed: a clear path, a thoughtful process, and a team that truly sees you. We believe that the world needs more people like you in medicine, so we don’t gatekeep. We pass on everything that we know.
Learning Themes
Our curriculum is designed around five longitudinal learning themes. Not just to help you memorize more, but to help you understand more deeply and retain what matters.
The Science of Understanding
We teach how the body works, how molecules move, and how energy flows through the lens of why it is happening— because when you understand why, everything becomes easier.
Human-Centered Learning
You care for others better when you care for yourself. We synthesize your schedule, learning style, and personal goals with a plan that is uniquely for you.
Thinking Like a Medical Student
We teach reasoning, not just recall. You’ll learn how to spot patterns, design experiments, and think like someone who will excel in medicine.
Mindset & Motivation
We help you reconnect with why you’re doing this. Not for a number, but because you want to help people.
The Psychology of Learning
Neuroplasticity. Executive function. Metacognition. We teach the brain how to learn, not just what to study.
Our Team
Meet the team that started it all.
Hear From Our Students
“Papillon helped me find mentors I connected with, whose expertise aligned with my needs, and who were flexible with their scheduling. They checked all the boxes and gave me everything I needed to put the MCAT behind me for good.”
— ARJUN S. / Papillon Student / August 2023
We’ve helped students build confidence, raise their scores, and protect their well-being along the way.
Still Have Questions?
View our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information about our program.
FAQs
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Papillon was designed to be for everyone. We are a network for students who haven’t received the guidance and direction needed to succeed on the MCAT. We are best for students who are working with limited time, are looking to get the most value with the budget they have, and are dedicated to putting in the work needed to properly prepare. We specialize in helping those who are first starting out or getting ready to retake the exam, students struggling with score plateau in their current program, and those looking for some fine-tuning in the final weeks before their test.
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This depends on several factors. How far have you come? Are you on par with your target score? Are you strong in every section? Are just some of the things to consider.
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NO. The MCAT is a long test that demands much of each student mentally and psychologically. It is nowhere near the difficulty of a typical midterm or final. Under no circumstances do we guarantee score increases. We’re here to help aid you in your progression, not supplement the independent work that you have put in to be successful.
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Of course! Send us an email with your organization name and how you think we could help each other!
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Yes!! If you qualify for the Fee Assistance Program administered by the AAMC, then you qualify with Papillon. Email us to see if you qualify and learn more.