At Potentia our mission is to equip the next generation of students with the resources they need to succeed, turning potential into achievement. We bring our students not only highly accomplished mentors - but mentors who have lived experiences with the highly competitive college admissions process and crafting compelling narratives and applications.
Potentia was born as an Ivy League startup, founded on a simple yet powerful realization: knowledge is the greatest power when it comes to college admissions and academic success. As students who navigated the intense world of high school coursework, leadership, and standardized testing, we recognized that the key differentiator wasn’t just talent—it was having access to the right information and guidance at the right time. Too often, students with incredible potential lacked the mentorship they needed to make informed decisions about their futures. We knew that if we could bridge this gap, we could help students take control of their journeys and maximize their opportunities.
What started as a conversation in the dorms of Cornell University soon evolved into a full-fledged initiative to democratize access to high-quality mentorship. We built Potentia as a program where students aren’t just given generic advice but are personally guided by those who have successfully navigated the same path. Our mentors—top-performing Ivy League students and young professionals—bring firsthand experience, insider knowledge, and a relatable perspective to the mentorship process. From mastering the nuances of college applications to developing leadership skills and discovering passions, Potentia provides students with the tools, insights, and confidence to take their ambitions to the next level.
What started as a small initiative among peers quickly evolved into a movement for educational empowerment. Potentia is more than just a mentorship program—it’s a launchpad for success, a community of driven students, and a network of mentors who genuinely care. Whether students need strategic admissions guidance, skill-building workshops, or inspiration to push beyond their limits, we are committed to providing unparalleled support at every step of their journey. Our mission is clear: to help students harness the power of knowledge and unlock their full potential—in high school, in college, and beyond.
Zaid Al-Shoha is a Biological Sciences student on the premedical track at Cornell University, passionate about driving positive change through leadership, health equity, and mentorship. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Voices of Equity, a national organization dedicated to advancing health equity by empowering marginalized communities, amplifying underrepresented voices, and fostering youth-led solutions to systemic disparities. In this role, Zaid leads strategic initiatives, builds collaborative partnerships, and mentors students committed to social impact in healthcare. At Cornell, he contributes to Cornell Assistive Technologies by leading workshops that teach families how to modify toys for children with disabilities and by supporting the development of inclusive technologies. He also conducts neuroregeneration research in the Lin Lab, exploring mechanisms of peripheral nervous system regeration to inform interventions for neurological trauma. Through Potentia, Zaid brings this same dedication to mentorship, drawing on his academic and leadership experience to support students in unlocking their full potential and achieving their educational goals.
We believe in holistic support, combining test prep with college counseling. Our services are designed to guide students from high school to their dream colleges.
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