Skill Sync Education | Academic Excellence Meets Opportunity

ABOUT US

About Skill Sync Education

Skill Sync Education was founded in Boston to help Indian students and families navigate the US college admissions process with clarity, strategy, and cultural understanding.

We know that Indian students arrive with exceptional academic foundations — rigorous schooling, competitive exam experience, and a deep work ethic. What we provide is the bridge: helping translate that excellence into compelling applications that resonate with American admissions committees.

We work not just on applications, but on long-term academic development. Our approach is rooted in psychology, strategy, and genuine care.

ACADEMIC TRANSLATION

Turning Indian excellence into American applications

HOLISTIC STRATEGY

Going beyond grades to build authentic student profiles

CULTURAL BRIDGE

Understanding Indian family values and US admissions

Since 2024 College Admissions Consulting

30+ Years in North American Academia

Boston Massachusetts

FOUNDER

Mohan Karkada, PhD

"The path from India to America's top universities is not just about grades — it's about strategy, story, and understanding two very different systems."

Mohan Karkada is the founder and chief consultant of Skill Sync Education. Born and educated in Karnataka, India, he pursued his MSc at the prestigious Kasturba Medical College (Manipal) and his PhD at PGIMER — one of India's most respected research institutions. His own journey from India to the top of the American academic world gives him a perspective few education consultants can offer.

After a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University, Mohan spent four years as a Senior Scientist at Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering — one of the world's leading research centers. During his career, he has published 82 peer-reviewed papers and accumulated over 1,600 academic citations. Today, based in Boston, he channels this deep understanding of both Indian academic culture and American academic excellence into helping the next generation of Indian students achieve their own breakthroughs.

Areas of Insight

US university admissions strategy
Indian-American student profile development
STEM pathway planning
Research and academic mentorship
Navigating cultural expectations in admissions

Harvard University Wyss Institute Senior Staff Scientist, Immunology (2017–2021) · Boston, MA

McGill University Health Centre Post-Doctoral Fellow (1994–1998) · Montreal, Canada

PGIMER, Chandigarh PhD, Infectious Diseases

Kasturba Medical College, Manipal MSc, Medical Microbiology & Immunology

MK PhD

82 Peer-Reviewed Publications

1,600+ Academic Citations

30+ Years in North American Academia

Harvard Wyss Institute · McGill University · PGIMER · Kasturba Medical College

Languages: English · Hindi · Kannada

WHY SKILL SYNC

Why Indian Families Choose Us

We Speak Your Language

Not just Hindi and Kannada, but the language of Indian academic ambition. We understand JEE, NEET, CBSE, ICSE — and we know how to translate that rigor into compelling US applications.

Harvard-Connected Expertise

Our founder's 4 years at Harvard University and 30+ years in North American academia means we understand exactly what top universities look for — from the inside.

Long-Term Thinking

Great US college applications are built over years, not months. We work with families from 9th grade onwards to build authentic profiles that genuinely stand out.

OUR APPROACH

Strategy, Story, and Genuine Care

The Indian academic system produces some of the world's most disciplined and capable students. Yet the US admissions process rewards something different: authentic narrative, intellectual curiosity, and a demonstrated unique perspective. We bridge that gap.

01

DISCOVER YOUR NARRATIVE

Identify the unique story only you can tell, beyond your grades and scores.

02

BUILD YOUR PROFILE

Develop meaningful activities, projects, and experiences that reflect genuine interests and create a compelling application arc.

03

PRESENT WITH CLARITY

Craft essays and materials that authentically communicate who you are to admissions committees.

OUR SERVICES

Comprehensive Admissions Support

US University Applications

Undergraduate · Ivy League · STEM · Liberal Arts

Strategic guidance for undergraduate admissions to top US universities, including Ivy League, top STEM schools, and liberal arts colleges. From school selection to final submission.