Today we’d like to introduce you to Owen Newman.
Hi Owen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a science teacher and MCAT tutor, and I got started by realizing how much I loved teaching. After taking my MCAT, I wanted to help other students work through the same challenges I had faced while preparing.
There’s so much information out there, but there isn’t always much guidance on how to navigate it. Knowing what to focus on, how to study, and what to change when something isn’t working can be overwhelming. That’s what led me to start Arete MCAT Tutoring. I wanted to help students make sense of the process, break down difficult ideas, and build confidence in working through unfamiliar problems.
Working with students continues to shape my approach and the resources I’m building. Today, I’m teaching and tutoring while developing Arete into a broader collection of MCAT learning tools. A lot of that comes from paying attention to where students get stuck and finding better ways to explain and practice those concepts. The goal is to give students a clearer path forward and help them understand what they’re learning well enough to use it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been completely smooth. During my own MCAT preparation, one of the hardest parts was figuring out how to use all the information available. There were plenty of resources, but choosing what to focus on and knowing whether my approach was working was a challenge. That experience is a big part of why I wanted to help other students.
Teaching also comes with its own learning curve. Understanding something yourself and helping someone else understand it are different skills. An explanation that clicks for one student might not work for another, so I’m continually learning how to adapt my approach. That’s shaped how I think about Arete: I want students to have useful guidance, and building that means listening carefully and being willing to adjust.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Arete MCAT Tutoring helps students prepare for the MCAT through personalized tutoring, practical learning resources, and guidance throughout the study process. I specialize in breaking down difficult science concepts, strengthening problem-solving skills, and helping students figure out what to focus on and how to move forward.
Having prepared for the MCAT myself, I know how overwhelming it can feel to sort through resources, advice, and study strategies. Arete MCAT Tutoring helps students bring those pieces together: choosing resources, building a realistic study plan, reviewing practice effectively, and adjusting when something isn’t working. I want students to understand both the material and the purpose behind the work they’re doing.
What sets Arete apart is the combination of teaching and individual guidance. As a science teacher and MCAT tutor, I pay close attention to how each student thinks. We work through the reasoning behind their answers, identify where they’re getting stuck, and use that understanding to guide their preparation.
I’m also building free learning tools through Arete, including a Math Lab, an Orgo Lab, and an Equation Visualizer. These projects grow out of paying attention to where students get stuck and finding ways to help them practice those ideas. I want students to understand what they’re learning well enough to use it when a question looks unfamiliar.
What I’m most proud of is building a brand around clear, thoughtful teaching and support. I want students to feel comfortable asking questions and confident that they have a next step. Whether they’re just starting or have been studying for months and feel stuck, Arete MCAT Tutoring is here to help them move forward with more clarity, confidence, and direction.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best is that there’s always something to discover, whether that’s a local business, a place to eat, or an interesting person to meet. I appreciate the people who put effort into making the city feel like a community.
What I’d like to see more of are easy ways for people to connect, especially when they’re new to the area. There can be a lot happening, but finding your place in it isn’t always easy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aretemcat.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arete_mcat
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AreteMCAT
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@owen.newman
