About Rennie Burke
From career changer to practicing medical professional
I have taught in numerous settings, from large state universities to small liberal arts colleges, and from prisons to medical schools. I’m passionate about learning and teaching and want to share that passion with new students around the world.
The Path
Foundation in humanities
I studied history and philosophy as an undergraduate, then pursued graduate studies in history.
Transition to medicine
I completed a career changer post-bac program and switched to the medical field, ultimately obtaining an MD — and a master’s in bioethics along the way.
Residency
I matched to my number one program, completed a fellowship in public psychiatry, and now collaborate with underserved populations to heal people and systems as my full time job.
Why This Site Exists
For years I rarely strayed from the humanities disciplines where I felt most comfortable. If I’m being honest, I didn’t always study as hard as I should have. My bad study habits returned to haunt me as I transitioned to taking pre-medical classes in my late 20s. Sometimes it felt like I was taking a standard deviation more time to complete a simple homework assignment than all my classmates. I know this is a story many can relate to — and it’s a reason I love to teach. You do have the ability to succeed, it’s just a matter of finding what method works best for you. I want to help you find that method.
What I focus on with learners
- What are you passionate aboutWe can leverage your passions to fuel your learning journey.
- What barriers have you facedA frank conversation about what you have struggled with, whether it is challenging material or challenging bad habits.
- New strategiesThe rubber hits the road when we actually start learning. If a particular learning strategy doesn’t work, we’ll toss it out and iterate until we find one that does.
What I Can Teach
Provide me with your class materials and we’re off to the races!
High school life science
biology, human biology, environmental science
High school history
AP US, AP euro, AP world, AP art history
Undergraduate biology & subfields
general biology, microbiology, developmental biology, genetics
Undergraduate chemistry
organic chemistry, biochemistry, general chemistry
Undergraduate history
antiquity, Cold War, US, modern Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia
Undergraduate philosophy
early analytic, continental, ancient Greek, ancient Chinese
Medical school topics
anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology
Psychiatry topics
psychopathology, psychopharmacology, motivational interviewing, CBT
Next Step
Ready to explore your path?
Start with a free consultation to learn how your current background can become part of your medical career advantage — or reach out with a question first.
Based in Los Angeles
I work with students primarily online but consider working with students in-person in the LA area on a case by case basis.