When Buchanan’s Scott Carlin began offering professional tutoring services, he never thought his side business would grow into something more.

Five years later, Michiana Test Prep and College Consulting has grown so much that Carlin left his job in Academic Services at the University of Notre Dame this month so he could run his business full time.

“It was never my ambition to run my own business, so I never really pictured what that might be,” Carlin said. “I think it is a good fit and is something I’ve been building toward consciously or subconsciously for 20 years probably. The timing feels right.”

Carlin, 38, offers ACT and SAT preparation courses as well as college consulting services for families through his home-based business. Carlin also leads professional development workshops on standardized testing at area schools.

“The process of getting into college can be an overwhelming experience for parents and students that are involved in the process,” he said. “Trying to make that information more accessible and trying to make the test prep more accessible is my goal.”

Carlin said the ACT and SAT tests have become critical pieces in terms of students trying to get into college. Every Michigan junior is required to take the ACT, while in Indiana the focus is more on the SAT.

Luke Higgins, a Buchanan senior, took Carlin’s ACT prep course as a junior. He said his composite score improved three points over an ACT practice test he took prior to taking course.

“All of my sections improved. I scored seven points higher in the English section,” he said. “I know the course helped me out because I was able to strategize better going in. I also had a better perspective for how to do well on the test.”

Teaching has come naturally to Carlin, who recalls tutoring his peers while attending Buchanan High School.

“I’ve been tutoring in some form or another for 17 years,” said Carlin, a 1993 Buchanan grad.

Carlin said he’s tutored more than 1,000 students over the last five years, including those he has seen one-on-one and those taking his courses with multiple students.

“It was always a fulfilling feeling to brush the clouds away for somebody so to speak,” Carlin said. “When someone finally gets something that they were struggling with it is a pretty significant feeling to know that you helped them overcome a particular learning objective.”

As his company continues to grow, Carlin said he is thinking about adding qualified tutors who can provide help in specific courses, such as chemistry or pre-calculus.

As of now, Carlin is the only employee.

To find out more, visit the website: michianatestprep.com.

Carlin can also be contacted by email at michianatestprep@gmail.com or by phone at (517) 803-5037.