Advisors

I am excited to be entering my 14th year as a counselor guiding students through the college admissions process. It is an honor to be trusted with the responsibility of assisting students and families through this process and I do not take the responsibility lightly. I firmly believe that a student should develop a better sense of self through the college process and in doing so, they will be prepared to matriculate in a college that will help them grow and thrive in college and beyond. I am passionate about college access and ensuring all students have access to high quality college counseling. Throughout my career I have helped hundreds of families successfully complete the financial aid process, securing scholarships to attend some of the most prestigious colleges in the country. I have extensive experience assisting students with all aspects of their college essay writing including brainstorming topic ideas, finding authentic voice and creating a cohesive and compelling narrative. Creating a college list is an essential aspect of the college process which requires students to be introspective about who they are and what they are looking for in a college that will help them fulfill their goals and grow as a student and person. Having managed the responsibility of guiding students through the college process each year, I excel in helping students manage their workflow to ensure they meet their deadlines and give each task the attention it requires in order to submit high quality applications to each college on their list. While the college process can feel daunting, I am experienced in making the process streamlined so that students do not get overwhelmed.

🚀 Technical Solutions Engineer at Epic Systems | Pharmacy and Data Integrity Specialist 🌐 | Subject Matter Expert in Insulin Charging

🔧 I worked as a Technical Solutions Engineer at Epic Systems, specializing in pharmacy and data integrity. I collaborated with five hospital organizations, ensuring seamless software operation and troubleshooting complex technical issues. Internally, I served as a subject matter expert in insulin charging within the Epic environment.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Boston College, and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Student Affairs from Boston College. After graduating with my Bachelor's degree from Boston College in 2015, I began my work in higher education as an Admissions Counselor at Northeastern University where I recruited high school seniors from across the country. I was quickly promoted to Assistant Director of Admissions, and it was in this role that I gained the valuable understanding of how highly selective admissions processes operate. After receiving my Master’s degree, I knew I wanted to be directly supporting students through their college application process, and began my role as an Associate Director of College Counseling at an independent college preparatory school. Having guided over one-hundred students through their application and admissions processes over the past three years, I have a breadth of knowledge that will allow me to best serve you. My first priority is to understand the student - and the experiences, aspirations, and qualities that make you, you. With that knowledge, I will help ensure that you are utilizing your authentic voice to wholly present yourself in your applications. My goal is to empower you through this process - to dig deep and get to know yourself, and to translate that into selecting a college environment that is a best fit for you and will ultimately help you along the path to achieving your goals. I can’t wait to work with you through this process!

I am passionate about and have been working in the field of education for nearly 10 years supporting students on their journeys to and through college. I have years of experience in developing college access programs and advising/mentoring students helping them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to not only reach higher education but to succeed while they are there.

I am originally from Southern California, and my sister and I were raised by my single mother. There are a lot of things in my life that I did not know where options until someone showed me the way. My Uncle was a West Point graduate and he showed me that career path, amid failing grades and poor life decisions I was able to pivot and gain acceptance into the United States Military Academy. As an Infantry Officer, a mentor of mine showed me what it meant to be a Special Forces Officer aka Green Beret. At the end of the day Green Berets are teachers and that inspired me to attempt the selection process. After being selected and graduating Special Forces training, I served in Stuttgart Germany travelling all over Europe working and training with various country's militaries. During this time a close friend and colleague explained what an MBA degree was, and I thought this would be the way to transition successfully from the military to the civilian sector. Once I was accepted, I kept looking to the future and was successfully able to recruit for McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group during the Pre-MBA recruiting cycle. I am currently attending Harvard Business School and will graduate in 2025.

Hi! I am so thrilled that you are considering me to be a part of your journey to higher education. I understand how exciting and maybe a little scary this time in your life can be, and I am here to help. Here is a bit about me, I am a passionate former admissions professional who believes in the power of higher education and its positive impacts on students, families, and communities. I am an extrovert who enjoys connecting and building relationships with others, type A when it counts, and an optimist, as I believe everything works for good. As for my educational background, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Master of Arts degree in Health and Human Services - Peace and Conflict Studies with a concentration in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. I began my career working at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. While there, I held several positions, including Admissions Visit Assistant, Admissions Counselor, and Assistant Director of Admissions. I then joined The Office of Admissions at Virginia Commonwealth University as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions. In this role, I assisted in developing admissions guidelines, reviewed and rendered decisions on admissions applications, supervised admissions professionals, oversaw out-of-state recruitment, oversaw all admissions events, and oversaw the admissions visit program. While at both institutions, I reviewed applications for two highly selective full-pay scholarship and honors programs, the Levine Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Presidential Scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, I have been active in state, regional, and national professional admissions organizations, holding organization positions and presenting at conferences regarding admissions best practices. Currently, I serve as a Campus Relations Manager with Intel Corporation, a large global tech company at #41 on the Fortune 500 list. In this role, I work with STEM college students as they apply for internships and full-time employment with the company. As a first-generation college graduate, I had many advisors assist me along my journey. With their help, I achieved my goals and many amazing things during my college career, ultimately earning a terminal degree. I would love to assist you and your family on your journey. I wish you all the best!

To give you an idea of who I am, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with my Bachelor of Science in Biology & Exercise and Sport Science in 2016. I then went on to become a College Advisor aiding over 1500+ students in their college process. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been supporting students to be admitted to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, Duke, and many other top universities. I’m very passionate about the sciences and education. I currently work as a Senior Instructional Designer for a cable provider! I’d love to be a part of your journey!

My name is Denise Pérez (she/her) and I am a native of Chicago, Illinois currently residing in Houston, Texas. I earned a B.A., in Sociology and Psychology from Connecticut College in 2018. I also received a certificate in Community Action and Public Policy through the Holleran Center for Community Action. I have more than 3 years of experience in Higher Education admissions for both public and private colleges and universities. My ultimate goal is to empower college applicants and demystify the college application process for them and their families.

As a Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar and Columbia's Arthur Zankel Fellow, I am a successful first-generation college and master's graduate raised in the Philippines & Alaska. I am currently based in Washington, DC after completing my master's in sociology and education policy from Columbia University (2022). I graduated with my BA in Political Economy and Sociology from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington (2019). Since 2015, I have experience as an educator and a writing/narrative coach where I have been mentoring high school students in college, scholarships, summer fellowships, and job applications from Alaska, Washington, and New York City. I also have 3 years of experience as a scholarship reader with the APIA Scholarships. Some of the students I have worked with have gone on to pursue a bachelor's degree at Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in Taxation at USC, and a medical degree at the University of Washington. As an academic, college, fellowships, and scholarship advisor, some of my students are majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Kinesiology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Business Taxation, Public Health, Political Science, Arts and Humanities, and Business. Students I've worked with have won the Taco Bell Liv Mas Scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholarship, McNair Scholars, and APIA Scholars. With over 7 years of experience in higher education, I am deeply committed to supporting you with compassion and kindness as you explore your pathway out into the world and make your dreams a reality. As an immigrant myself, I value the skills and lived experiences that come with the struggles and triumphs of first-generation college-bound immigrant scholars in finding and applying to value and purpose-driven college fit. I will be there every step of the way as we dedicate our time, energy, writing juices, and laughter to reach your dreams. At the core, I want you (your body, mind, and soul) to enjoy the process of putting your ideas into a compelling narrative and connect with yourself and the schools that will be lucky to learn about you and be part of your growth as a future leader of our society.

I hold my B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University. I hold my Masters in Education from Pace University. After college, I joined Teach for America in Brooklyn, NY. After TFA, I joined a charter school organization, where I taught math and served as a middle school principal. I spent the last seven years as the Director of College Completion at a public charter high school in Brooklyn, where I had the good fortune to manage a team of talented counselors and to work with many brilliant young people on their journeys to and through college. My favorite part of the college process is essay writing. I enjoy getting to know each student, their interests and quirks, and anything else that makes them unique, and then helping them translate that essence into 650 words or less. I especially value working with first generation college students and families. The college process can be very intimidating, and I am always happy to demystify the process and help find the right college match. Applying for college requires a lot of hard work, but I also believe it is best approached with a healthy dose of joy and humor, which I try to bring to any situation.

Dr. Danny Sanchez completed his BSc in Mechanical Engineering and his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Following that, he was an Archer Policy Fellow in Washington, DC, where he interned at the American Society for Engineering Education and studied the federal collection of LGBTQ+ demographic data and its impact on equity in STEM. More recently, Danny completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied atomically thin materials and their mechanical properties. Throughout his time in higher education, Danny has advised his undergraduate research assistants in navigating their paths to graduate school. Working with students and helping them synthesize their life story into a compelling narrative has always been an exciting privilege.

I am a current senior at Dartmouth College and will be graduating in June of 2024 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a double minor in Global Health in Anthropology and Human Biology in the pre-medical track. I am also a proud QuestBridge Scholar and Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, both amazing programs that have guided, supported, and funded my undergraduate experience. In addition, in July of 2024, I will be starting medical school at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth as an early assurance MD candidate. Consequently, I have plenty of tips and hidden knowledge to share with anybody interested in these highly selective programs and scholarships, as well as the pre-health track, and would love to connect with anybody interested in exploring these opportunities and/or paths! In terms of my advising and mentorship experience, I began tutoring for regular subjects in early high school and later, during the latter half of my junior year, I tutored for the ACT and SAT. Today, I continue this work, but have also been working as a college counselor since June of 2020. Through my 5+ years of experience, I have learned to form close connections with my students as a student myself, meeting them where they are while guiding and supporting them through their college-preparation and application processes. In the past 3 years, I have worked with over 15 students in their college application process, all of which have received at least 3 college acceptances and most of which have been accepted into some of the most competitive colleges and universities in the country. While some of these students have been interested in the pre-health track, I have also worked with various students interested in law, engineering, computer science, humanities, performing arts, aviation, finance, business and entrepreneurship, and psychology. This has offered me the opportunity to become familiar with different colleges that have specialized programs as well as unique scholarships that students interested in certain academic areas can take advantage of! With my years of experience in the field in addition to my personal successes, I am knowledgeable of the curricular demands and extracurricular expectations of various disciplines. Furthermore, I have also had the privilege of working with 2 international students! Working with them helped me grasp the perspective of applying to college in the US as an international student, considering the financial, academic, lingual, and sociocultural challenges that come with being a foreigner. All in all, I am extremely passionate about mentoring and advising students who are going through what can be a very overwhelming and challenging process. I love listening to stories, asking inquisitive questions, giving constructive feedback, and forming close relationships with those I work with. Working hand in hand with both the students and their families, I hope to serve as a good resource that can answer questions, settle uncertainties, and find solutions. With these and the many more tools I have put under my belt, I help students figure out how to best express their goals based on their interests, talents, and values and guide them in effectively sharing their story - their who and why - to curate a wholesome and impressive application.

Hi all! I'm proud to announce that I am a Neuroscience PhD Student at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Over the last several years I have gone through the college admissions process three times. I received a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience (2020) and a Master of Science in Chemical Biology, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude (2022). Both degrees I received from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. While I am most familiar with the University of Michigan and their admissions I have been accepted to other top universities and have guided fellow students in their admissions process as well. I pride myself on taking a transparent approach to admissions and equipping students with the tools they need to succeed. This means highlighting their individuality and accomplishments to admissions faculty. As an aside, I am a non-traditional student, a military spouse, and Federal Pell Grant recipient. As a former pre-med student, I have completed the required coursework, extracurricular activities, and essay preparation needed to be accepted and succeed at a top 50 university. I have expertise in volunteering, research, and employment in the STEM field. Additionally, many of the students I have advised are from underserved populations in science. Over the last two years I've taught as a Graduate Student Instructor for a neuroanatomy course and an upper-level molecular biology lab. As an educator and mentor, I continuously look forward to deepening these skills and meeting the needs of students. Supporting students in the pursuit of their dreams is truly my passion and I aim to provide ample resources and essay preparation. During my undergraduate career I had the privilege of tutoring peers in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology as well as animal physiology. Through diversity, equity, and inclusion training I've worked with the Science Learning Center and the Office of Academic and Multicultural Initiative to provide tutoring and advising support to a variety of student demographics. At the same time, I served as Coordinator for the Office of Enrollment Management's Student Advisory Board. This office encompasses the sectors of Financial Aid, Admissions, Registrar, and New Student Programs. Additionally, I have direct experience mentoring first-generation and non-traditional students. As a Kessler Presidential Scholar, I have direct knowledge of first-generation scholarship programs and financial aid. Furthermore, I have experience navigating need-based as well as merit-based support systems. This list is comprised of all the extracurricular activities I engaged in during my time in college. Some directly related to mentoring/advising and some not. However, the college application process is holistic and navigating studies while growing your personal and career interests is essential to a successful and rewarding life. I am happy to discuss any of these extracurricular activities, how to pursue them, and the importance of having a broad range of experiences throughout your high school and college journey!

• Undergraduate Researcher (2018) to Summer Fellow (2019) to Graduate Student Researcher (2021) to full-time Laboratory Technician (2022) to Neuroscience PhD Student, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (2023)
• Coordinator for the Office of Enrollment Management Student Advisory Board
• Graduate Student Instructor for Neuroscience 470: Neuroanatomy and MCDB 429: Upper-level cellular and molecular biology lab course
• Course facilitator for ALA 171: Making the Most of Michigan
• Tutor for cellular, molecular and developmental biology and animal physiology at UM's Science Learning Center. Awarded Tutor of the Year, Biology (2020).
• Tutor and Peer Mentor in the Office of Academic and Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) at UM
• Hospital Eldery Life Program (HELP) volunteer and Team Lead
• Student Government chair of the Subcommittee on Technology, Advising, and Academic Resources (STAAR)
• Kessler Presidential Scholar, program peer mentor, and community service representative
• Ginsberg Social Justice Cord recipient and student advisory board grants committee representative
• Doors of Opportunity Secretary
• America Reads Tutoring Corps
• Barger Leadership Institute Fellow
• Founding member of the Omicron Pi chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi

My undergraduate experience took place at a small, private liberal arts college - Rollins College, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Communication Studies with Honors in the major, and a concentration in Organizational Communication and Leadership. During my time at Rollins, I was a four-year starter and co-captain on the women’s softball team (NCAA Division II) – so my undergraduate college application process looked a little different than your average student! As a result of my positive college experience and the mentors who shaped me, I pursued my M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University in Higher Education. During my graduate program, I furthered my passion and interest in supporting college student transition and development during their undergraduate experience. During my graduate program and first professional role, I worked in Student Affairs, specifically, Housing and Residence Life. However, I eventually found my way to Houston, Texas, where I worked as a College Advisor for EMERGE Houston ISD. EMERGE is a college access program which empowers and prepares high-achieving students from underserved communities (typically first-generation and low-income students) to attend and graduate from selective colleges and universities across the nation. During my two years at EMERGE, I advised high school seniors through their college application process and supported students in becoming QuestBridge Scholars, Posse Scholars, Jack Kent Cooke recipients, and admitted students to some of the nation’s most selective institutions. As a college advisor, I worked with students who major(ed) in almost every field, ranging in Pre-Med, Engineering, and STEM to Business, International Relations, and Social Sciences. With over seven years of experience in higher education, I am well versed in what it takes to be accepted into a college, as well as the steps to successfully matriculate to college when the time comes. While my path to college advising may be “untraditional”, I believe it better equips me to have meaningful and intentional dialogue with students and families about what it takes to get accepted, but also how to find the right fit and be successful once a student arrives on a college campus. I am passionate about working with students, asking reflective questions, and helping students discover who they are and how they will create meaning in the world around them. I am energized in my work students, especially in supporting them find their path, develop their skillset, and hone-in their strengths to realize their full potential and possibilities. I am also eager to support parents through the process as well! I believe in the importance of breaking down complex information and ensuring it is digestible and easy to understand, is the best way to make an informed action plan and decision. Nonetheless, the college application process can be scary, but I am here to help! I look forward to connecting, developing an intentional relationship, and creating meaning through this process!

Hello! My name is Conrad. I am a lifelong learner and come from a family of educators. My parents always emphasized the importance of a balanced learning approach. As a result, I place a large focus on fundamentals and motivational coaching with my students. I have my B.S and M.S in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. During undergraduate and graduate school, I acquired multiple teaching assistantships in the engineering and psychology departments for a total of 5 years. I am also trained in non-violent communication. Since graduating in 2017 I have taught engineering workshops for students across the Los Angeles area with the Two Bit Circus Foundation and served as a professional tutor and advisor at A1 College Prep. My primary objective with students is to cast the light that allows them to shine. Telling a student's story in a way that is authentic to them is very important to me, and what I believe to be a core feature of any strong application. This process involves developing a holistic profile showing not just how far students have come, but how far they dream to go. It also means applying the most modern approaches to the college admissions process available, with emphasis on rapidly growing data and analysis. I value our young minds and am excited to work with you to reach your goals! I graduated with a degree in engineering, which required me to take advanced courses in math and sciences. I have also worked in a professional capacity as an engineer at several companies where I was accountable for STEM competencies. Companies include but are not limited to Texas Instruments, Amazon Lab126, and Sensel Technologies. I look forward to learning your needs and developing a custom system that will work for you. Together we will strive for excellence.

For three years, I coordinated two college access programs (i.e., I AM and SummerTIME) that focused on increasing college access among low-income L.A. Unified high school students by providing them tools and knowledge to ease their transition to college life. I have conducted research on digital interventions in high school and postsecondary settings, program evaluation of college access programs, and how skateboarders experience mental health and community. Prior to overseeing the college access programs, I served as the college advisor at Bell High School through the USC College Advising Corps where I supported the senior class of 670 students to successfully enroll in two- and four-year colleges by applying to college and for financial aid. I received both a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Southern California and a Master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs. I am currently in a doctorate program at USC. My current role is a researcher at USC and admissions evaluator at UC Irvine. I have worked as an admissions evaluator for the last five years.

I hold a B.A. in Communication from the University of Southern California, as well as minors in Journalism and Film. While at USC, I participated in a variety of research projects, including the Media, Diversity, and Social Change Initiative (MDSCI), which has since been renamed the Inclusionists. I graduated Summa Cum Laude, with additional honors, and a GPA of 3.93. Following a year gap at work, I began studying for an Master's of Science in Global Communication from the London School of Economics and Political Science; I followed this degree with an additional Master's of Arts in Global Media from USC. During this time, I published original research and two dissertations, and volunteered in the admissions office, gaining critical experience needed to navigate the admissions process in high-performing institutions. I completed my graduate education in 2019, shortly before the pandemic, and decided to open my own college advising and academic coaching company. I have had students admitted to Ivies, Stanford, USC, all UCs, and some international schools primarily based in the UK and Europe. I regularly work with my clients not only to determine which schools would be best for their intended major, financial status, and personality, but also work closely to develop a narrative for the admission process. With my guidance, they refine this narrative in their essays, and use a template system for supplemental essays in order to maximize efficiency. My students have applied to majors from business to environmental studies, computer science to theatre, nursing to pre-law. I am an excellent writer and storyteller, with a passion for editing, and the most enjoyable part of my day is hearing from students that they have learned something new about writing during our sessions. It is a joy to work with this generation of students; they are whip-smart, hilarious, and ambitious. I love to bond with them over shared passions, get to know them through in our sessions and through their writing, and refine their skills to become the best writers, storytellers, and students they can be. Although the task of finding and applying to colleges is daunting, I believe that together, in concert with some hard work and a little humor, the process can be as fun as it is challenging.

Hello! I'm so excited to start this journey with you! I have been in the college world for over 20 years. I started running specialty summer classes, in 2002, centered around the Common Application and the personal essay. I built my own curriculum and worked with rising seniors to help them navigate the college process. Later, I partnered with a counseling colleague to establish a business around standardized test preparation and admission applications. We worked one-on-one with college-bound students in all facets of college admissions. With a degree in English from William and Mary, a master's in teaching from American University, a college counseling certificate from the University of San Diego, and over 20 years of teaching experience in secondary English, including AP and pre-IB English, I know how to guide students through the college admission process and help them establish a voice in their applications. Currently, I work full time at an independent school as a college counselor. My goal as an advisor is to help demystify the college process and allow students to tell their story through their activities, personal essays, and supplemental materials.

Chelsea Mariah is based in downtown Chicago, Illinois. She completed her undergraduate education at The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) with a BA in International Relations. She wrote her research thesis on “The Effect of the Emerging Chinese Middle Class on the European Luxury Goods Sector” while interning with the Foreign Policy Research Institute and World Affairs Council. She has been interviewed by Best Company, Learn Psychology, College Covered, Northwestern Mutual, and Your Teen Mag. In 2015, she moved to Singapore and began working as an Admissions Consultant. She has worked with hundreds of American and international students to garner acceptance to universities on five continents. She completed the UCLA College Counseling graduate certificate program with a 4.0 GPA. For the program, she completed her practicum working with students in urban public schools with iMentor. Chelsea Mariah partners with students and their families to explore their passions, amplify their voices, and identify their best-fit opportunities in higher education and beyond. In her free time, she likes to read and learn languages. Her apartment always has a furry foster companion. She has also mentored hundreds of first-generation and low-income students.

Hi! My name is Cecilia, and I can't wait to start advising you. I come from a low-income immigrant family background and was completely lost during my undergraduate college application process. After discussing financial aid options with my parents, I attended my state's flagship university, the University of Georgia, and graduated debt-free! Following undergrad, I served as an AmeriCorps College Adviser for underrepresented, low-income, and minority students at McDonough High School. I supported 1000+ juniors and seniors with college/career prep and provided individualized assistance to 500+ seniors as they navigate the college admissions process, including registering for exams, completing college applications, and verifying financial aid eligibility. I focused on attainable post-secondary planning and the affordability of college for students. Over the course of two years, my students earned over 7.3 million dollars in scholarships, college enrollment increased by 20%, and the school established a college-going culture. I'll continue my passion for college access by pursuing my M.Ed in College Student Affairs Administration at my alma mater.

Additional Specialties: Georgia Colleges, Financial Aid for Non-traditional Families, Homeless/Foster Youth, Undocumented Students, ROTC Scholarships, Military Families, Low-Income Families