Dan Hackbarth is a Graduate Coach with InGenius Prep and a Stanford-trained academic who brings over a decade of university-level teaching and advising experience to the college admissions landscape. Dan earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Art History from Stanford University (B.A., Grinnell College) and spent more than ten years as a college professor at Scripps College and Colgate University, where he designed and led courses ranging from European and American art since 1790 to the history of media technology since 1440. While he thrived in the lecture hall, his most impactful work happened in one-on-one mentorship, guiding senior thesis writers through one and two semester writing schedules, helping them negotiate setbacks, and supporting them in finding their own voice as scholars.
Dan’s academic background is highly interdisciplinary. As a professor, he designed and taught courses examining film, television, and popular media alongside traditional painting and sculpture, and has presented his own research at academic conferences and in peer-reviewed publications. This cross-disciplinary range is an invaluable asset for high school students aiming for highly competitive STEM, business, or finance programs. Dan excels at helping typically quantitative students tap into their creative sides to build deeply personal, memorable essay topics that stand out in crowded applicant pools.
Dan’s experience working directly with high schoolers goes beyond the classroom. As a museum educator at MOCA Los Angeles, he researches and leads tours for high school groups, adapting his language and approach for teenage audiences in real time. As a volunteer tutor and workshop leader with Uncommon Good, he mentors under-resourced middle and high school students one-on-one and has designed and led his own workshop series, “Anatomy of a College Syllabus,” to demystify the college experience for teens.
As a Graduate Coach, Dan firmly believes there is no “set formula” for an exceptional college application. Instead, he treats the essay and portfolio-building process as a journey of exploration, discovery, and personal growth. Based in Los Angeles, Dan brings a patient, persistent, and optimistic approach to every student he coaches, ensuring they feel supported and empowered at every step of the admissions process.
