Advisors

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of British Columbia (UBC) with over 10 years of experience in higher education and specialization in International Education, supporting and guiding international students. My professional journey has taken me through various roles at UBC and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where I have developed a robust expertise advising and guiding a diverse group of students for admissions and study abroad. As a first-generational transfer student, my career is defined by a deep passion for fostering global perspectives and supporting students through the admissions process. Having worked top international schools, my experiences shaped my understanding of diverse educational systems and cultural contexts. I am dedicated to helping students navigate the complexities of the application process. I enjoy spending quality time with my family, trying out different cuisines and traveling around the world! I have previously visited, Ireland, UK, Spain, France, Portugal, Philippines and hope to add more to the list soon! In my spare time, I find joy in finding gems at the thrift store and exploring local coffee shops. Overall, my approach to guide and support is rooted in a genuine passion for global education and a student-centered philosophy. The college admissions process is a transformative journey, and my goal is to guide students through this pivotal time with clarity and confidence. I am dedicated to helping students find environments where they can thrive academically and personally, and I am committed to providing the tools and support they need to present their best selves. Together, we will craft compelling applications and open doors to exciting opportunities, ensuring a fulfilling and successful admissions experience!

From the rural city of Taishan, China, to a low-income suburban town in Idaho, and finally to the metropolis of Los Angeles, I recently graduated from the Honors College at UCLA with a B.S. in Cognitive Science and a Specialization in Computing. During my time at UCLA, I served as an advisor, head advisor, and national advisor for Matriculate, where I guided low-income, high-achieving high school students into their top-choice universities. I was also actively involved on campus as the assistant managing editor of UCLA's Undergraduate Science Journal, where I edited undergraduate research papers for publication. My academic journey included conducting research in a comparative cognition lab and an organic chemistry lab, working as an ophthalmic technician and caretaker, and student supervising a campus library. Beyond academics, I embrace life by engaging in outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, and exploring diverse cultures in Canada, the Dominican Republic, Spain, and China. I'm an avid binge-watcher, and you'll often find me rewatching Stranger Things or Harry Potter, or in the movie theater critiquing the latest movie. I'm currently in my concert era, having recently attended the Jingle Ball, Hozier, TwoSet Violin, Stephen Sanchez, TWICE, and Meghan Trainor concerts. My most favorite activity of all is creating unforgettable memories with my friends (and loving my cat). I have experience working with students interested in dentistry, law, public affairs, engineering, and have a strong understanding of the pre-medical track. My mission as an advisor is to help students authentically present themselves to admissions officers, ensuring their true selves shine through in their applications. I understand that the college application process can be overwhelming, but with a confident mindset and a personalized approach, it can become an exciting new chapter in life. Currently, I am preparing for the MCAT with the goal of applying to medical school in the next application cycle. My passion for education stems from my experience growing up as a low-income student in a public school system where higher education was not emphasized. I aim to show my community and others that the pursuit of higher education is within everyone's reach, and that anyone can chart their own path to success.

I attend Columbia Law School on a full-ride, merit scholarship, where my studies focus on civil rights, education policy, and non-profit law. Before law school, I worked in philanthropy as a grantmaker on issues related to public policy, youth organizing, and technology regulations and in communications as a consultant for political campaigns. I'm a National Geographic Education Fellow and Forbes 30 Under 30 Awardee for my education policy and advocacy work. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's in Political Science. I was a Robertson Scholar at Chapel Hill, a full-ride scholarship that gave me access to UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University classes. I was also a Coca-Cola Scholar and a Kevan Flagler Assured Admit. In addition to the Robertson Scholarship, I was awarded full rides to three undergraduate institutions (UK, Davidson, Wake Forest) and partial scholarships to several others. During my undergraduate studies, I interned at a political consulting firm in Washington, DC, a management consulting firm in Atlanta, Georgia, and a local community development nonprofit in New Orleans. After undergrad, I pursued a Master's in Education Policy & Management from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where my research focused on student power in the K12 education system. In high school, I founded a nonprofit organization that advocated for more student voice in the K12 education system. I also competed in speech and debate, played soccer, and practiced the cello. During my junior year, I moved to Washington, D.C., for a semester to serve as a United States Senate Page. There, I attended class in the morning and worked on the Senate floor in the evening. Outside of academic and career interests, I love live music, hiking in the woods, and a relaxing spa day. When applying to college, the key is honing your narrative to stand out to admission officers from among the dozens of qualified applications they will review.

I am currently a junior at MIT studying Computer Science and playing tennis for the school. I've previously worked as a Code Instructor at The Coder School in Northbrook, Illinois and as a tennis coach/director in many different locations. At MIT, I work as an Undergraduate Student Researcher for the Sloan School of Management as well as a grader for our Electricity and Magnetism GIR Physics course.

I am happily a rising junior at Brown University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Arts in International and Public Affairs. During my first two years at Brown, I founded a club dedicated to epistemic justice and social action, walked onto the women's varsity rugby team, and studied abroad in Sydney, Australia. Much of my experience revolves around exploring new realms of adventure and ambition while pushing myself outside my comfort zone. As your advisor, I invite you to do the same as a key step toward personal and professional growth. I am currently working as a research assistant for Brown's cognitive-developmental department and intend to pursue a profession in humanitarian psychology and research. Prior to CollegeAdvisor, I mentored family peers and rugby recruits through their college applications. Additionally, I have gained experience in advising through academic tutoring, both through the online platform, Ringle, and Brown University. I am so excited to start working with CollegeAdvisor as I love assisting others and hold much gratitude for the work that CollegeAdvisor dedicates its platform to. As a graduate of CollegeAdvisor, I am so grateful and excited to give back to the organization that helped me get into my dream school.

In terms of my educational background, I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Asian American Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Later, I became a double Bruin, and received a Master of Arts degree in Asian American Studies. Recently, I completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at New York University (NYU) in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Fiction. Between my undergraduate career and graduate career, I gained nine years of professional experience in Student Affairs at UCLA – serving in different capacities at the Student Retention Center. During my first three years, I was the Project Coordinator of the Southeast Asian retention project (SEA CLEAR), a program that provides peer counseling, skill-building workshops, and mentorship opportunities to support underserved students. In this role, I helped students with strategic course planning, goal setting, and campus resource referrals. In the following three years, I served as the Program Manager of the UCLA Writing Success Program (WSP). WSP provides 1-on-1 counseling to help undergraduates brainstorm and revise academic essays, graduate admissions materials, scholarship materials, and job applications. My experience in both roles led to my promotion to the Retention Advisor position from 2017-2020. As Retention Advisor, I supervised the overall operations of the UCLA Student Retention Center, including its seven retention programs, study hall services, and campus wide events. Over the years, I have interacted with hundreds of students, administrators, faculty, and community members, which allows me to work with people of diverse ages and backgrounds. Following my nine years in Student Affairs, I continued to gain experience in writing instruction during my time as a graduate student in UCLA’s Asian American Studies Master’s program, where I worked as a Teaching Assistant (T.A.) during the 2021-2022 academic year. I was assigned to the Asian American Studies writing courses and taught a weekly discussion section focused on developing writing skills and helping students critically discuss classroom material. During my time in the MFA program at NYU from 2022-2024, I worked as a Graduate Assistant at NYU’s Preprofessional Advising Center, which helped me gain familiarity with the academic support structure at NYU. In this capacity, I gained experience working with pre-med and Post-baccalaureate students. In addition, I taught an undergraduate introductory course to poetry and prose, which has given me exposure to syllabus planning, undergraduate instruction, and administrative tasks as it pertains to classroom upkeep.

Throughout my education, I have worked as a freelance tutor, guiding students in reading, writing, SAT Verbal preparation, and college admissions essays.

Greetings! With over 16 years of dedicated experience in college admissions, I have had the privilege of working at Providence College (RI), Texas Christian University (TX), and the University of New Hampshire (NH). I was personally responsible for reviewing over 1,500 admissions applications each year and have worked with a range of students, including domestic, international and post-graduate applicants. I have served as an athletic liaison between the admissions and athletic departments for NCAA D1 athletic recruits and chaired multiple admissions and scholarship committees, where I oversaw the evaluation and selection of prospective students, ensuring a fair and thorough review process. Throughout my career in college admissions starting as an Admissions Counselor to Director of Admissions, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies of the admissions process. My philosophy centers on the belief that the college search process should be an empowering experience for all students. I enjoy working closely with students and their families, helping them identify their goals, understand their options, and make informed decisions about their futures. I am committed to promoting access, opportunity, and success for all students. My extensive experience and passion for education have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to assist students in realizing their academic dreams, making the college admission process less daunting and more enriching experience. I look forward to navigating the college search journey with you!

Hello! My name is Alex Garcia, and I’m a rising junior at Cornell University studying business, government, science, and technology. I’m currently interning at KPMG in NYC and aiming for a career in consulting post-grad. At Cornell I strive to stay active by serving as a senior board member of an advocacy organization and regularly take part in a variety of other student clubs ranging from the student ambassadors to weightlifting groups. Outside of school, I work with a large-scale nonprofit to review grant applications and finances of organizations across North America. My college experiences build on my high school activities, where I was President of the largest student-run organization in Maryland’s most-populated school district, collaborated directly with politicians (local-national) on legislation impacting students, and much more. I’ve learned about the business world from unique perspectives and believe it’s inclusive across disciplines. With today’s competitive college and internship landscape, creative self-branding is crucial. As a Specialty Advisor for Business at CollegeAdvisor.Com, I’ll help with brand creation to align with your experiences and suggest ways to maximize high school opportunities to attract college and internship recruiters—a process I’ve recently navigated.

Side Notes: 1) I received the International Baccalaureate Diploma in HS, but also received the AP Scholar with Distinction Award - I would love to assist with course selection. | 2) I recently received the 2024 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award - I am able to guide students through scholarship applications. | 3) A lot of my experiences involve politics - I have lots of insights into this field as well for college/career related matters

Thank you for your time.

I hold my B.A. from University of California, Berkeley where I majored in Social Welfare and Asian American/Asian Diaspora Studies. I recently graduated with an M.B.A. in Design Strategy at California College of the Arts. After completing a yearlong service with Americorps, I worked at a local scholarship organization for three years offering college admissions advising to high school seniors through our partnership with the school district. I piloted curriculum to guide students through the college application process, and specialized in financial literacy and scholarship/financial aid application support. I developed a merit and equity based system to review scholarship applicants, and have reviewed thousands of scholarship applications to identify and select awardees.

As an Academic College Counselor at a middle/high school, I worked with students of all ages, from seniors going through the college admissions process to 8th graders learning about higher education for the first time. I am well versed in doing transcript reviews and understand the curricular requirements students must meet to be both eligible and competitive for college. I have also supported student in researching and applying for summer opportunities, extra-curricular activities, and internships to strengthen their skills and experience.

I am committed to supporting all students on their journey to discover and articulate the skills and gifts that will help them lead a successful and happy life. As a first-generation college graduate, I had to utilize resources outside of my home to access and navigate higher education, and will use those skills to give my students insight in this process. I believe in joy and authenticity, and will find opportunities to celebrate our successes through the challenging and serious process of applying for college. Lastly, I strive to empower students to embrace the process with bravery and a willingness to grow and stretch. I hope for students to be drivers of their own educational journey, and I can't wait to work in partnership with students, parents, and the community that supports you.

Hello, my name is Sidra! I am a Second Year OB/GYN Resident. In high school, I decided I wanted to pursue medicine. I went to University of California: Davis, to embark on my Pre-Med Journey and graduated in 2017. I am excited to share my passion for medicine with you but also show you other ways you can help people outside of medicine.
Expertise: Pre Med Advising, Pre Health Advising, Interview Preparation, Resume Review, and Academic and Career Counseling.
Looking forward to supporting your journey!

I graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience with a Minor in Psychology. During my time in college, I worked as a resident assistant fostering community for first-year students and mentoring pre-med students. Since I graduated from Duke University in 2021, I have dedicated myself to promoting equity in college access for students from rural and underserved communities. For three years, I worked with Duke College Advising Corps in Sampson County with over three hundred students over their senior year to help them realize their post-secondary goals. I have also volunteered with the Duke Center for Girls & Women with ADHD for over a year. I am currently pursuing my dual master's in Social Work and Public Administration at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to continue my work toward increasing access to healthcare and education for women with mental health concerns. I have worked with prospective students interested in being Pre-Med, Pre-Law, and studying Engineering, Computer Science, and Communication and Media Studies. College advising is an opportunity to foster independence, introspection, and growth within students. I will be with my students every step of the way, ensuring they understand their options and find joy in choosing their next steps forward!

I am a dedicated advisor with a diverse background in sales, sales management, developing sales strategies, legal assistance, personal finance, and extensive experience in motivating and increasing productivity. Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Economics at California State University, Fullerton, I am committed to leveraging my extensive professional experience to guide and mentor students, helping them secure admission to their dream universities.

Hello! I'm a graduate of Columbia University, where I studied English and Human Rights. I've advised and mentored students for several years now, and love the opportunity to work with such brilliant and dynamic young people. I specialize in essay strategizing/editing, standardized test prep, and scholarships/financial aid but have worked with students on a wide variety of issues. In working with students and their families, I prioritize confidence. College admissions often feel opaque and stressful, but developing a sense of confidence—by harnessing and showcasing the student's unique experiences and strengths, by developing a broad sense of what schools are out there and what programs they have to offer, and by taking an organized and methodical approach to each set of applications—makes the process feel much more tangible. Outside of CollegeAdvisor.com, I've taught courses for a mental health advocacy organization and spent substantial time in LGBTQ+ mentorship roles. I spend my free time on creative things—playing piano, learning to crochet, cooking, and writing. Working with students is so important to me; I'm so grateful for the chance to help young people achieve their dreams!

Hello! My name is Kaitlyn, and I graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Education – Youth and Social Innovation, and a minor in Anthropology. My journey through college allowed me to gain valuable experience in the areas of student development, mentorship, career advising, and coaching through leadership positions across various student affairs departments. Through my roles as Orientation Leader for Orientation and Transition Programs, and Resident Advisor at the International Residential College, I led small and large group presentations on navigating college including attaining academic excellence, extracurricular experience, and maintaining a balance for freshmen, upperclassmen, and international student populations. As Career Peer Educator in the Exploration and Education, Counseling, and Youth Development Communities, I served as an ambassador of the Career Center to the student body. I led outreach presentations elaborating on career development topics such as networking, attending a career/job fair, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and navigating the job/internship search process. During weekly office hours, I supported undergraduate and graduate students on their resumes and cover letters while providing individualized feedback. Through these leadership roles, I aimed to create an inclusive and safe environment, while encouraging students to achieve personal and professional development. I worked as Program Coordinator for the Earl Woods Scholar Program, which is a comprehensive scholarship program that provides ongoing support for students from under-represented communities to thrive in school and life. I supported high school and college students in the Los Angeles, CA; Anaheim, CA; Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia regions, to achieve their post-secondary dreams. I empowered students to succeed in college through ongoing financial aid, mentorship, specialized internship opportunities, skills development, career readiness resources and annual enrichment workshops. Providing undergraduate students and youth with the necessary educational tools and career development resources is an essential part of preparing career-ready graduates. In addition to guiding students through the college application process to gain admittance to their top choice schools, former students I have worked with have also gained national, institutional, and local scholarships including QuestBridge, Posse, Gates Millenium, College Board - BigFuture, the DC-CAP Scholarship, and more. Over the past six years, I have been actively involved in the education and non-profit sectors, where my primary focus and involvement has been supporting students in realizing their aspirations for post-secondary education. Currently, I am supporting high school and university scholars in pursuing careers of excellence and leadership in the non-profit/higher education field, and I aspire to attend a business graduate school in the future. Outside of advising you can find me spending time with family and friends, running,

Hi! My name is Robert Pena and I’d be happy to be your student’s advisor! I am a former physician (M.D.) turned Science Teacher (Physics) turned High School Counselor. I am entering my fifth year as a counselor and have successfully guided hundreds of students from all backgrounds through the college application process. In fact, several of my students this past year earned full rides to Notre Dame, UCLA, Texas A&M, and the University of Texas at Austin!

Here are some fun facts about me:
Fun Fact #1: I delivered 35 babies in med school/residency
Fun Fact #2: I wanted to be a Southwest Airlines Pilot as a kid. However, my eyesight is terrible!
Fun Fact #3: I worked as a school photographer and vet tech while in college.

Due to my previous work as a physician, I am often called upon to work with students that are interested in the medical profession. Pre-med students are generally very intelligent. They do their research and can read everything there is to know online. What they often seek is the information that is not as easily discerned. What does it really take to become a doctor? What are the benefits of the B.S./M.D. program versus applying broadly? What can I do NOW to get a leg up on the competition? What can I do to set myself apart now and later once I am in college? What questions should I be asking that I haven’t considered?

Advising Philosophy: Reflect and know thyself. The best applicants are those that have put in the time and have found their voice. They have found their motivation and are invested in the application process. They can answer the “why” questions and speak at length about what they are looking for in a career/college. Helping students reach this point is crucial to putting out a great application.

Applying to college is an exciting process and I look forward to being your student’s personal guide during this important journey!

Hi! My name is Morgan and I am a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying Engineering, with interests in the built environment, climate change/adaptation, and computer science. I am from Brooklyn, NY and am a current Junior (class of 2026). I grew up with a low-income immigrant single mother from the Caribbean, and attended boarding school from 9th through 12th grade. I have done a lot since starting my degree, with many of my activities revolving around engineering, research, career exploration, leadership, and the college application process. For example, I have worked in two labs during my undergrad, one of which is focused on computer science, architecture, and engineering. I have worked there for 1.5 years. Currently, I am working in a UCL lab focusing on tsunami engineering and disaster prevention. Back at MIT, I am a part of MCG (MIT Consulting Group), a club that allows me to work on real consulting cases as an undergraduate student. I understand the difficulty of the college application process, as I went through it a few short years ago. In my cycle, I was able to receive acceptances from many prestigious universities, some of which being Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Duke, and many more. With that being said, I am a huge proprietor of open and honest communication; I am here as a resource to demystify the college application and help the student reach their fullest potential. In my free time, I like to read and try new cuisines. Hope to be in contact with you soon!

My journey to where I stand today, ready to mentor and inspire as an advisor at CollegeAdvisor.com, has been as unique as the students I aim to guide. Bringing my love for technology and a bit of entrepreneurial flair into the mix, I believe I can leverage my diverse background and perspective to help students navigate the challenging college application process. I, too, have once struggled with finding my true voice in essays, deciding on majors, and choosing the right school. Therefore, I am eager to lead the next generation of innovators to their perfect match school with empathy and insight.

Hi! I’m Adonis, a 3rd-year PhD student studying Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine. I graduated from Stanford in 2021 with a degree in Biology, focusing on microbes and immunity. Initially, I entered college as a pre-med student and completed the first two years of pre-med coursework before discovering my passion for biomedical sciences and deciding to pursue a PhD. Throughout my undergraduate years, I conducted research on viruses and vaccines at renowned institutions, including Stanford, the Pasteur Institute in France, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub in San Francisco, and Genentech. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the field and a global perspective on biomedical research. Before joining CollegeAdvisor, I worked at CollegeVine for two years, where I helped students secure admissions to prestigious schools like Stanford, Brown, and UC Berkeley. I’m here to answer your questions about the college application process, campus life, interviews, internships, studying abroad, and more. I’m excited to meet you all and am committed to being highly accessible as we work together to find your dream school!

I received my Bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education from Florida State University. I also received my Master's degree in Music Performance, with a Euphonium concentration, from Carnegie Mellon University. With over nine years of experience working in college admissions and advising, I am deeply committed to providing tangible support and resources to marginalized populations through an intersectional lens. In my time at Florida State University, I served in multiple roles involving university admissions and student enrollment advising. I served on the Student Board of Advisors (BOA), and provided specialized academic advising to new freshmen and transfer students to the FSU College of Music. Additionally, I served the CoM Admissions Office as an admissions administrator. In this role, I was the first point of contact for undergraduates, guiding students and their families through all aspects of the admissions process including: program information, application procedures, audition days, and ensuring that students met all requirements to be admitted into the university. I continued working in admissions during my graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon, as a graduate assistant. My responsibilities in this position were the same as my previous roles, but also allowed me to also meet one-on-one with families to lead information sessions on the School of Music's undergraduate and graduate degree programs. After completing my graduate degree, I continued working as a freelance musician while also serving as a Senior Admissions Coordinator for the University of Pittsburgh's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS). I was the first point of contact and application administrator for prospective undergraduate and graduate students at the 30 programs offered at SHRS. I guided applicants through each phase of the admissions process, prescreened application materials, hosted virtual admissions meetings with applicants and families, and distributed final decision letters. Additionally, I collaborated closely with SHRS academic leadership on using data-driven research to implement best practices for holistic admissions. I currently serve as co-founder and Director of Operations for Chromatic Brass Collective: a nonprofit organization for brass musicians that celebrates, performs, and educates in an effort to increase the visibility of racially and ethnically underrepresented women and gender non-conforming people throughout the brass world.

Hello there! I'm Ertrell Harris, and I'm excited to introduce myself as a Senior Advisor. Originally from South Carolina, I've always believed in the power of education to transform lives. Growing up as a first-generation college student in a low-income household, my journey to higher education was driven by my determination to overcome obstacles. My educational path began at Howard University, where I pursued my undergraduate studies and discovered my passion for higher education and college access. Building on this, I earned a master's degree in sociology from George Washington University. Drawing from my own experiences, I've spent over a decade empowering students like myself to navigate the academic landscape. Throughout my career, I've been privileged to work with two college access programs dedicated to supporting minority and economically disadvantaged students. My students have received scholarships from organizations like Questbridge, Posse, the Gates Scholarship, and more, and have attended a diverse range of colleges, from local community colleges to prestigious institutions like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. Additionally, I've gained valuable insights from working in three different admissions offices, where I've assisted students in making crucial decisions about their future—choosing a college that aligns with their goals and financial circumstances. In my roles, I've been deeply committed to helping students pursue higher education while minimizing financial barriers. What I find most fulfilling is establishing meaningful connections and empowering students to realize their full potential.

My experience in higher education is from working as an Assistant Dean of Admissions at Wake Forest University. I reviewed thousands of applications, served as a voting member on application review committees, and interviewed hundreds of applicants. I aided in the implementation of several systems to create an equitable review process to give all applicants a fair chance. While working in Undergraduate Admissions, I made it my mission to offer the best support to families and counselors while navigating the college application process. I educated families on the uniqueness of a liberal arts education and how the holistic nature of it can be beneficial. As a first-generation college graduate and woman of color, I provided extra support to students of underserved backgrounds to help them understand the college application process and help them on their journey. I now even mentor some of those enrolled students to this day! Higher education is something that I'm truly passionate about. I look forward to working with all families from all walks of life!