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OXFORD, England, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A sharp shift in US visa policy for Chinese students is sending ripples through international education, upending plans for autumn matriculation and prompting many high-net-worth families to reconsider long-held academic strategies. Amid revoked student visas and suspended processing, students and parents alike face uncertainty around whether, and how, to proceed.
Private education consultancies Tutors International and Archer Franklin, renowned for their work with globally mobile and legacy-driven families, have seen a significant increase in enquiries from those seeking structured, high-impact alternatives. In response, both firms have launched bespoke "gateway year" programmes: intentionally designed, academically rich transition years that preserve educational momentum while opening space for meaningful growth and global engagement.
"Over the past few weeks, we've spoken with parents and students facing an extraordinarily difficult set of choices," said Adam Caller, CEO and Founder of Tutors International. "Some have places secured at prestigious US institutions for September. Others are already in the US and weighing whether to return home. There's frustration, anxiety, and above all, a desire to avoid losing momentum in education."
The concept of a "gateway year" offers a structured alternative to an uncertain academic year abroad. Rather than a conventional gap year, these curated programmes are tailored to the student's academic goals, personal interests, and long-term ambitions – often combining global immersion, advanced study, and one-to-one mentorship.
Features of a Gateway Year may include:
- A dedicated private tutor-mentor who travels with the student to provide continuous academic instruction and holistic mentorship.
- Immersive global experiences, such as studying Renaissance art in Florence, sustainable farming in New Zealand, marine biology in the Galápagos, or AI research in Japan.
- Career-focused coaching or research placements, in fields such as architecture, law, astrophysics, film, or finance.
- Advanced preparation for university entrance, including guidance for applications to Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions.
- Pastoral support and emotional grounding tailored to students navigating high-pressure environments or disrupted educational pathways.
While the option may only be viable for a small number of globally mobile, high-net-worth families, Tutors International notes that these gateway programmes are increasingly seen not as deferrals, but as accelerators: preparing students for higher education and life beyond- offering maturity, insight, and resilience in a world that increasingly values breadth alongside achievement.
"Done well, a gateway year can offer clarity, confidence, and global perspective – qualities that prepare students not only for selective admissions, but for the lives they're stepping into," said Kate Bock, Founder of Archer Franklin. "This isn't a detour. It's an opportunity to grow into the role they will eventually play within their families, communities, and the wider world."
Both firms share a belief in education that extends beyond academic metrics: developing global fluency, emotional maturity, and leadership capacity at a moment when students are preparing not only for university, but for their future roles in a complex, changing world.
With application timelines tightening ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, families affected by policy shifts are encouraged to explore personalised alternatives early, ensuring students are not left in limbo, but actively shaping the path ahead.
About Tutors International
Tutors International (www.tutors-international.com) provides world-class private tutoring services, offering highly personalised education solutions for families worldwide. Founded by Adam Caller, Tutors International is known for recruiting the finest tutors who offer full-time, one-to-one tuition tailored to each student's needs, whether at home or while travelling.
About Archer Franklin
Archer Franklin (https://www.archerfranklin.com) specialises in university admissions consulting for expatriate and international students. Their 'fit-first' approach ensures that each student finds the right university to match their goals and potential. Archer Franklin provides personalised support at every stage of the educational journey, from school selection to cultural transition.
Media Enquiries
Web: www.tutors-international.com
Email: marketing@tutors-international.com
Phone: +44 (0) 1865 435 135
Tutors International
Prama House
267 Banbury Road
Oxford OX2 7HT
England
OXFORD, England, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A sharp shift in US visa policy for Chinese students is sending ripples through international education, upending plans for autumn matriculation and prompting many high-net-worth families to reconsider long-held academic strategies. Amid revoked student visas and suspended processing, students and parents alike face uncertainty around whether, and how, to proceed.
Private education consultancies Tutors International and Archer Franklin, renowned for their work with globally mobile and legacy-driven families, have seen a significant increase in enquiries from those seeking structured, high-impact alternatives. In response, both firms have launched bespoke "gateway year" programmes: intentionally designed, academically rich transition years that preserve educational momentum while opening space for meaningful growth and global engagement.
"Over the past few weeks, we've spoken with parents and students facing an extraordinarily difficult set of choices," said Adam Caller, CEO and Founder of Tutors International. "Some have places secured at prestigious US institutions for September. Others are already in the US and weighing whether to return home. There's frustration, anxiety, and above all, a desire to avoid losing momentum in education."
The concept of a "gateway year" offers a structured alternative to an uncertain academic year abroad. Rather than a conventional gap year, these curated programmes are tailored to the student's academic goals, personal interests, and long-term ambitions – often combining global immersion, advanced study, and one-to-one mentorship.
Features of a Gateway Year may include:
- A dedicated private tutor-mentor who travels with the student to provide continuous academic instruction and holistic mentorship.
- Immersive global experiences, such as studying Renaissance art in Florence, sustainable farming in New Zealand, marine biology in the Galápagos, or AI research in Japan.
- Career-focused coaching or research placements, in fields such as architecture, law, astrophysics, film, or finance.
- Advanced preparation for university entrance, including guidance for applications to Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions.
- Pastoral support and emotional grounding tailored to students navigating high-pressure environments or disrupted educational pathways.
While the option may only be viable for a small number of globally mobile, high-net-worth families, Tutors International notes that these gateway programmes are increasingly seen not as deferrals, but as accelerators: preparing students for higher education and life beyond- offering maturity, insight, and resilience in a world that increasingly values breadth alongside achievement.
"Done well, a gateway year can offer clarity, confidence, and global perspective – qualities that prepare students not only for selective admissions, but for the lives they're stepping into," said Kate Bock, Founder of Archer Franklin. "This isn't a detour. It's an opportunity to grow into the role they will eventually play within their families, communities, and the wider world."
Both firms share a belief in education that extends beyond academic metrics: developing global fluency, emotional maturity, and leadership capacity at a moment when students are preparing not only for university, but for their future roles in a complex, changing world.
With application timelines tightening ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, families affected by policy shifts are encouraged to explore personalised alternatives early, ensuring students are not left in limbo, but actively shaping the path ahead.
About Tutors International
Tutors International (www.tutors-international.com) provides world-class private tutoring services, offering highly personalised education solutions for families worldwide. Founded by Adam Caller, Tutors International is known for recruiting the finest tutors who offer full-time, one-to-one tuition tailored to each student's needs, whether at home or while travelling.
About Archer Franklin
Archer Franklin (https://www.archerfranklin.com) specialises in university admissions consulting for expatriate and international students. Their 'fit-first' approach ensures that each student finds the right university to match their goals and potential. Archer Franklin provides personalised support at every stage of the educational journey, from school selection to cultural transition.
Media Enquiries
Web: www.tutors-international.com
Email: marketing@tutors-international.com
Phone: +44 (0) 1865 435 135
Tutors International
Prama House
267 Banbury Road
Oxford OX2 7HT
England
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Tutors International Helps Chinese Students Affected by US Visa Policy Rethink Their Academic Futures
T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. and Braidwell LP participate as new investors
Stephen Williams, MD, Ph.D. joins as Chief Scientific Officer
Rebecca Chambers and Frank Witney, Ph.D. appointed to Board of Directors
FREMONT, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Alamar Biosciences, Inc. ("Alamar"), a leader in precision proteomics dedicated to advancing the early detection of disease, announced the close of an oversubscribed convertible notes financing, bringing in more than $50 million of new capital. Accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. and Braidwell LP joined the financing as new investors. Existing investors, including Illumina Ventures and Sands Capital, also participated. The financing will support the continued commercial advancement of Alamar's precision proteomics platform.
"We deeply appreciate the continued support from our existing investors and are excited to welcome our new partners," said Dr. Yuling Luo, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Alamar. "Their confidence in our vision and strategy underscores the transformative potential of our work. This investment will enable us to accelerate innovation and continue to expand the reach of our platform, unlocking the full value of precision medicine and early disease detection."
Leadership and Board Expansion
Alamar also announced key additions to its executive leadership team and board of directors to support the company's continued growth and commitment to operational excellence.
To further strengthen its scientific leadership, Alamar welcomes Dr. Stephen Williams as Chief Scientific Officer. Steve brings more than three decades of experience in precision medicine and biomarker innovation. He most recently served as Chief Medical Officer at Standard BioTools and SomaLogic, and previously spent 18 years at Pfizer in senior leadership roles. A recognized leader in the scientific community, he has served on the NIH National Advisory Council for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, helped launch the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, and co-founded the FDA-FNIH-PhRMA Biomarker Consortium.
Alamar has also appointed Rebecca Chambers and Dr. Frank Witney as directors to its board. Rebecca, Chief Financial Officer at Veracyte, brings deep financial and healthcare leadership experience from her current role as well as previous positions at Outset Medical, Illumina, Myriad Genetics and Life Technologies. Frank, an operating partner at Ampersand Capital Partners, adds over three decades of life sciences leadership experience, including serving as President and CEO of Affymetrix and Dionex Corporation, and currently sits on the boards of Revvity, Cerus Corporation, Standard BioTools, and several private companies.
"I am thrilled to welcome Steve to our leadership team, and Rebecca and Frank to our board of directors," said Dr. Yuling Luo. "Their deep expertise and diverse perspectives will be invaluable as we accelerate our mission to unleash the power of our Precision Proteomics platform, to enable broad impacts across health and disease. This is an exciting moment for Alamar, and we look forward to the impact their leadership will have on driving innovation and growth."
About Alamar Biosciences, Inc.
Alamar Biosciences is a privately held life sciences company dedicated to powering precision proteomics to enable the earliest detection of disease. Leveraging its proprietary NULISA™ technology and the ARGO™ HT System, Alamar's platform is designed to deliver ultra-high sensitivity and addresses key limitations of existing technologies to deliver precision proteomics. For more information, please visit alamarbio.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Alamar Biosciences Announces Close of Oversubscribed Convertible Notes Financing and Expansion of Leadership Team
Alamar Biosciences Announces Close of Oversubscribed Convertible Notes Financing and Expansion of Leadership Team
Alamar Biosciences Announces Close of Oversubscribed Convertible Notes Financing and Expansion of Leadership Team
Alamar Biosciences Announces Close of Oversubscribed Convertible Notes Financing and Expansion of Leadership Team
