Our Story
We started as college consultants. Now we're building tools that give every student access to the same guidance that gets people into top schools.
The Origin
We started Pingin at Penn, where we ran a college consulting business on the side. We worked with dozens of students on their essays and applications, including kids who got into every Ivy. That gave us a front-row seat to what actually moves the needle in admissions — and what the existing tools were missing.
The Problem
Timing matters. When you're stuck on an essay at midnight before a deadline, you can't wait three days for feedback. And most AI tools give you polished, generic advice that sounds fine but doesn't actually help you stand out.
Our Approach
Our AI is trained on real essays that worked — written by actual students, edited through real feedback sessions, and accepted by top universities. That's why it can recognize strong storytelling and authentic voice. It knows what admissions officers respond to because it learned from essays they said yes to.
Research Finder
We also built Research Finder to help students land research positions. It pulls faculty data from hundreds of schools, helps you find professors doing work you're actually interested in, and even drafts outreach emails for you.
What We Built
A platform that gives you real guidance, fast feedback, and research opportunities without the $500/hour price tag. AI when you need quick iterations. Human mentors when you need real judgment.
Leadership
Built by students who understand the process firsthand.
Rishabh Tole
Co-Founder & CTO
Engineering the AI systems that power next-generation college guidance.
Pratyush Chakraborty
Co-Founder & CEO
Driving strategy and partnerships to scale personalized education.
Mallik Medarametla
Advisor & Investor
Providing strategic guidance and capital to accelerate Pingin's mission.