Hidden Gems: Meet Nathaniel Dolquist of Kingfisher Prep

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathaniel Dolquist.

Hi Nathaniel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Kingfisher Prep began with a simple observation: students today have more information than ever before, but less mentorship. Parents were telling us they felt overwhelmed by the college process, and students were telling us they didn’t know who to turn to for honest, personalized guidance.

Our founder, Nathaniel Dolquist, had spent years coaching students one-on-one—from SAT and ACT prep to personal statements and full college application strategy—and saw how transformative it could be when a student had a mentor who believed in them and taught them to take ownership of their story. That individualized, high-touch approach became the foundation of Kingfisher Prep.

What started as a handful of students quickly grew through word of mouth. Today, our team includes coaches from top universities—Yale, Columbia, and many others—who have guided hundreds of students through every stage of the college application process, SAT/ACT test prep, executive functioning skills, and academic work from middle school through college. We’re proud to say our results speak for themselves: higher test scores, stronger essays, and most importantly, students who feel proud of the applications they submit.

At Kingfisher Prep, we believe the goal isn’t just admission to a dream school—it’s growth, confidence, and clarity about the next chapter of a student’s life. That’s been our guiding principle since the beginning.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most meaningful journeys, it hasn’t always been smooth. Since our founder Nathaniel didn’t have an MBA, he had to learn how to create, run, and grow a business “in the wild”. In the early days, Kingfisher Prep grew almost entirely through word of mouth. That meant building deep trust with every single family, one student at a time. We didn’t have a big marketing budget or national name recognition—just results and relationships. Because we’re now able to help more families, we also have additional resources to provide videos on social media (including a 64-video college application course) and our signature Parent Survival Guide for free.

One of our biggest challenges has been helping families see that true college coaching isn’t just about getting into a name-brand school. It’s about helping students discover who they are, what drives them, and how to express that authentically. That takes time, empathy, and individualized attention—qualities that don’t always fit neatly into a test score or ranking. Parents have their own set of values and desires for their child’s higher education, and while we honor those, they can sometimes clash with what the student wants. We help remove the stress and tension from that relationship by providing a trusted, expert third party who can communicate with both students and their parents. All of our coaches feel like therapists sometimes, and that’s ok! It’s part of the process.

We’ve also grown during a time of tremendous change in education: test-optional admissions, shifting mental health priorities, a fast-evolving digital landscape, and learning loss in both math and English. We’ve had to stay nimble—developing new resources, like our Parent Survival Guide and video library, to support families wherever they are.

But through it all, the mission has stayed the same: to make the college process calmer, more human, and more empowering for both students and parents. It’s actually a great joy, and while it’s still challenging (especially during peak application season), we love seeing the way that the mentorship experience we’ve earned helps kids from all over the world.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Kingfisher Prep is a boutique academic coaching and college admissions company that helps students and families navigate the college application process with clarity, confidence, and calm. We specialize in SAT and ACT prep, college essay coaching, and comprehensive admissions strategy—from creating a balanced school list to crafting personal statements and supplements that feel genuinely authentic.

What sets us apart is our mentorship model. Every Kingfisher coach is more than a tutor—they’re a guide, a strategist, and a role model, and not just for the students: for the parents as well sometimes! Many of our coaches are Ivy League graduates who not only understand the academic rigor of elite universities but also know how to bring out each student’s unique voice and strengths.

We’re proud to say our students see some of the highest score improvements in the industry—typically at least 200–300 points on the SAT or 5–7 points on the ACT, and sometimes higher—and consistently gain admission to top universities across the U.S. and abroad. But what makes us proudest isn’t the acceptance letters—it’s hearing from students who tell us they’ve grown more confident, independent, and self-aware through the process. The greatest compliment Nathaniel ever got was that one of his students told him that “[Nathaniel] taught me how to think.”

Brand-wise, we’re known for combining high standards with heart. The Kingfisher Prep name reflects that balance: the kingfisher bird represents clarity, focus, and precision, but also joy and adaptability. Our programs mirror that philosophy—rigorous but human, data-driven but deeply personal.

For families who want expert guidance without the stress, Kingfisher Prep offers a calm, compassionate, and proven approach to the college journey. We offer packages that range from just a few months to over a year so that each family can choose what’s right for them. The families that work with us for both standardized test prep and college applications tend to see the best results, as their student has a chance to work with the same mentor for over a year.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that’s been most important to our success is empathy. Every student and family we work with is different—different pressures, goals, and definitions of success. Our ability to truly listen and meet people where they are has made all the difference.

We’ve found that by combining empathy with excellence—high standards, smart strategy, and genuine care—students rise to meet those expectations. They work harder, think deeper, and take more ownership of their journey. That’s why our results go beyond test scores or college lists; they include happier families, less stress, and students who feel proud of what they’ve accomplished.

At Kingfisher Prep, empathy isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategy. It allows us to tailor every plan, build real trust, and help each student discover not just where they’re going, but who they’re becoming along the way.

Pricing:

• Academic tutoring rates start at $150 an hour
• SAT/ACT prep packages start at $1950
• College Application packages start at $1000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kingfisherprep.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingfisher.prep/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingfisherPrep/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-dolquist-21105297/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWTV92H3hxU4uBUB5A6y_xA
• Other: TikTok @kingfisher.prep

Image Credits
Blue sweater, orange background: Steven Busby