Advisors

Hi there! My name is Renee and I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from Northeastern University where I minored in both Business Administration and Social Entrepreneurship. I then furthered my studies at University College London and hold a Master of Arts in Education and International Development. After living and working in Cape Town, South Africa after the completion of my graduate studies, I have spent the past five years with Philadelphia Futures, an organization that provides low-income, first-generation-to-college students with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary for admission to and success in college. Within my role as Senior Coordinator, I advised a caseload of 45 students and their families by sharing tools to help students find their best fit college and create a strong admissions plan. I have led admissions process and programming for these students by planning, executing and tracking all activities related to both their college admissions application and their financial aid application as well. This has included the FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE completion, as well as postsecondary list-building and postsecondary decision-making processes. My previous students have been admitted to a varied and diverse list of mid-range and highly selective institutions, such as Stanford, Penn, Vanderbilt, Boston University, and John Hopkins. I have worked with students who have pursued a degree in a wide range of majors including the Arts and Humanities, Business, and STEM as well. As such, I am well versed in the requirements and expectations of a wide variety of academic disciplines. Looking at my work from a financial aid perspective, I have decreased my students cash gap by an average of $25K or more per student, often to as low as $0. Additionally, I have helped students access and secure an average of $100K in external scholarships as well. As the college admissions landscape is continually shifting, I pride myself in staying up to date on the latest trends and data by attending various professional development opportunities including attending counselor information sessions, well as fly-in events across campuses around the country. I am also a NACAC and PACAC member as a classified independent educational consultant. Within this space, I have stewarded strong relationships with college admissions staff to advocate for my students and their families. Education has the power to be transformative. I know the college admissions process can feel overwhelming, but I’m dedicated to empowering students on their educational journey! I will leave no stone unturned and will provide the necessary expertise to help students live up to their greatest potential!

I hold a B.A from University of Florida in Classics ('14) and graduated from the Honors Program with Cum Laude. I hold my M.S in Educational Studies from Johns Hopkins University ('16). I am currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Technology in the Doctor of Education program, with an expected completion in 2023. After graduating from the University of Florida, I served as a Teach for America Corps Member in Jacksonville, Florida. After serving for two years, I became an Admissions Officer within the University of Florida Outreach and Recruitment team and served within this role from 2016 - 2021. I served as a program coordinator facilitating newly admitted student events, served on various committees, and worked with students and families from across the world. I currently work as an Academic & Career Advisor at the University of Florida within the Heavener School of Business, and in this capacity, I serve online students primary and oversee the orientation process. I love working with students from all types of backgrounds and consider myself a lifelong educator. For personal hobbies, I enjoy gaming through playing RTS and MOBA games such as Starcraft and League of Legends. I also enjoy traveling, and have been to England, Greece, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, and I hope to double the number of countries that I've traveled to within the next 2-4 years! I believe that College Admissions can be an incredibly crucial stage in a student's life in navigating a process that can sometimes be overwhelming, and my goal as a Former Admissions Officer with College Advisor is to help demystify and guide my students towards putting their best foot forward and achieving success throughout their application process. Ultimately, I hope to help my students gain acceptance into a multitude of universities and attend one which they find to be the best fit for their educational journey.

I recently graduated Cum Laude from Princeton University with a bachelor's in public policy and international Affairs and a certificate in American Studies. During my time at Princeton, I was an advisor for Matriculate on campus where I guided high achieving high school students to entry at top universities and colleges through essay workshopping and applicant consulting. Prior to College Advisor, I have worked with another mentoring agency directed towards international students seeking to develop writing and personal aspect of their application such as personal statements, resumes, supplement essays, and college interviews. I also worked as an academic coach for a company that uses teaching techniques to help bright students with learning difficulties and conquer their academic struggles. This experience exposed me to varying learning and working styles to elevate the performance of bright students with great potential. I have worked with students who major in the Arts and Humanities, Communications and Media Studies, Computer Science, Engineering, Pre-Law/Political Science, and Gender and Sexuality Studies. My mission while advising is to bring any student to life on paper while making the experience as enjoyable as possible for the student, the family, and eventually the admission officer that eventually receives the final product. Applying to college can be overwhelming, but maintaining a healthy mindset and figuring out an approach that works for you can make the experience as exciting as approaching this new chapter in life should be. I am currently working as a Technical Account Manager at an Education Software company based in New York and aspire to attend law school in the future. My love for education started in my home in Jersey City, NJ as I helped my busy parents with homework as I balanced my own pursuit for a higher education and my extracurriculars. Outside of academics and career interests, I enjoy rollerskating, reading, and spending time with friends having interesting conversations and making fun memories in the city.

Hi there! My name is My (pronounced Me - think Amy without the A!). First-generation college student born and raised in Anaheim, California and currently located in Seattle, WA. I received my Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego (Go Tritons!) and my Master of Science in Counseling w/emphasis in K-12 Counseling from Cal State Long Beach. I have worked as a high school counselor for the past 5 years with my current role as a College & Career Counselor. Overall, I have experience in college advising for over 12 years, witnessing and supporting the post-high school process for over 2,000 seniors! I have worked in high schools both in California and Washington, making me very familiar with the UC admissions process as well as UW, and everything in between! I have also been an admissions reader for a UC school for the past two years. I am extremely passionate about helping students achieve their goals. I understand that the thought of college may be a little daunting and stressful, but with support and guidance, you can totally do it! I am confident in working with any and all students given my high school counseling background. Whether it be STEM, Pre-Med, Liberal Arts, Music, Animal Science, Theatre, Fire Science--you name it, I have probably worked with a student pursuing it!-- I would be more than happy to work with you! What you can expect from me with our work together-- a pace/timekeeper, a warm & supporting presence, and a cheerleader! I will ensure that your applications are in the best shape before you submit them to your colleges.

I bring a wealth of education, credentials and experience to CollegeAdvisor. As a graduate of the University of California, I understand the rigors of the top universities. With my master's in counseling and my Executive/Transition Coaching Credentials, I combine years of student advising with training to partner with my students to help them achieve their full potential. I have worked with students to help them enter prestigious universities such as Stanford, Cornell, Yale and Princeton to name a few. Many of my students have entered the University of California system to include the University of California Berkeley, the University of California Los Angeles, and the University of California San Diego. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

Hi, my name is Kiara Jackson. I graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Sociology and a minor in English. During my senior year, I studied abroad at the University of Manchester in Manchester, England. After undergrad, for two years, I helped students navigate the college admissions process and it brought me great joy. I went on to pursue and receive my MPP from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. I currently work as a program manager in which I develop, manage, and fund professional development programs for principals in Chicago Public Schools. I enjoy watching tv, reading, connecting with friends, and spending time with family. I look forward to working with you and helping you build your personal brand and navigate the college admissions process!

Hi there! My name is Abu Mian and I would love to work with you through your college admissions process! Although I grew up in the NYC area, I went to High School in Islamabad, Pakistan where I did not have access to the best advising for the college admissions process. I know how daunting the experience can be and so I have joined College Advisor to help you stay informed and on track with everything to do with college admissions. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2021, where I completed a degree in Philosophy with honors. Alongside my coursework in the liberal arts, I also completed a supplementary major in Arts & Letters Pre-Health. I am an aspiring physician and plan on applying to Medical Schools soon. During my undergrad I spent two years serving as an Advisor for Matriculate, a non-profit that helps low-income, high achieving high school students apply to colleges. I've also worked as a writing tutor for College Athletes and as a Philosophy teaching assistant. I also have extensive experience working with young people such as yourself at several non-profits in Kansas City, Dallas, and London. I look forward to using my experiences to help you craft your narrative and compose beautifully written essays!

Cristina Slattery applied to and was accepted at three institutions for her undergraduate education: Harvard, Stanford, and Middlebury. She attended Harvard College and graduated with honors in her field in Social Studies (international relations). She later earned a master's in English from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English and a master's in Teaching from Fordham University's School of Education. She has worked with international students from the Middle East and China who have applied to competitive U.S. and U.K. universities and graduate programs and who have been accepted by many of these programs. She enjoys working with students and has also taught English both in the U.S. and in Spain. She is currently working on a fantasy novel for kids ages 10-12 and hopes to see it published soon! Additionally, her non-fiction writing has appeared in publications ranging from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal, AFAR.com, FoodandWine.com, Words Without Borders, and many other magazines and websites.

I have assisted many students in achieving their college admission goals. As a past counseling department chair at a large high school, I am aware of the many challenges students face in crafting a superior college application. I will provide compassionate and thoughtful direction to ensure that students and families feel respected and supported throughout the college application process. I have an undergraduate degree in biology with a specialization in the biological basis of behavior and a graduate degree in psychological services. I am a certified school counselor and a certified school social worker. I am well versed in issues related to students with 504 and Individualized Educational Plans. I enjoy working with first generation students and have had several students successfully earn Questbridge scholarships. In addition, I have assisted high school athletes with navigating the NCAA at the Division I, II, and III levels. I have a passion for helping all students find the right fit college that meets their vocational, social and emotional needs.

Hello! I'm Drew and I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University with a B.S. in Computer Science. I realized my passion for college advising in my sophomore year in college where I began working as a Matriculate college advisor. In the past, I've advised students interested in computer science or engineering. My approach to college advising is focused on drawing out the unique strengths of a student and ensuring that their application not only demonstrates their academic achievements, but also embodies their story and who they are as an individual. My favorite part of the process is definitely helping students develop their personal statement essays. I look forward to working with you!

I hold my B.S. from Cornell University, where I studied Global and Public Health Sciences in the Division of Nutritional Sciences. I am currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Biological Sciences from Miami University (Ohio) in partnership with Project Dragonfly's Global Field Program.

My career in education started with Cornell University's Upward Bound program as a college success counselor, where I spent 4 years advising first-generation students on college applications, personal statements, and financial aid. While there I developed and facilitated a two-week summer program designed to support seniors in completing the Common Application and their accompanying essays. Several graduates of the program went on to gain acceptance to highly selective schools, including Yale and Cornell, along with Ithaca College, NYU, and a variety of SUNY schools; many were also awarded scholarships to support the cost of tuition. I am very familiar with what it takes to compete at highly selective institutions.

For the past four years, I've served as K-8 Science Teacher in New York City. Currently, I work at Avenues: The World School, a highly rigorous, dual-immersion language international private school, as a Grade 6 Head Science Teacher and Curriculum Developer. I am deeply passionate about science education and environmental advocacy. Furthermore, I recently completed a writing course with author Haley Jakobson and am working towards my goal of reading 52 books this year! In my free time, you can find me hanging out in Central Park with my Goldendoodle, Chompy.

My name is Anesha Grant, and I have over 14 years of experience working in college access and success, supporting students through the college admissions process, and ensuring success through their first year. I am a first-generation college student. I love working with students as they learn more about themselves during the college application process. I look forward to learning more about you, working with you to help you realize your college dreams, and finding the school that will be the best fit for you!

I received my B.A. from Brandeis University with a double major in Psychology and Italian. I then went on to get an Interpreters degree in Italian and French from Georgetown University and then a Master's degree in International Affairs and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. I have worked at the United Nations, for the Italian government and as a free-lance interpreter and translator. For a number of years, I have been working as an independent college counselor working both with international and American students and I now look forward to collaborating with CollegeAdvisor and to continue helping students navigate the college admissions process.

I am a current educator and recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. As Robertson Scholar attending two elite institutions, I graduated with Highest Honors, a Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society member, and author of an award-winning senior honors thesis research study. Here at CollegeAdvisor.com, I also serve on the College List and Essay Review Team!

Michael Pham is a first-generation scholar and Bay Area native. He earned a bachelor's degree in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Management and Policy Analysis from California State University - East Bay. Additionally, Michael successfully graduated with an MBA, specializing in healthcare management, from Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School. Throughout his higher education journey, Michael accumulated valuable experience by working at both the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and Apple Inc. His dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others is evident in his service on developmental disabilities boards at the city, county, and state levels, where he proudly holds the position as the youngest member. Moreover, Michael finds immense fulfillment in mentoring and supporting aspiring scholars. He has been instrumental in guiding over 150 individuals to successful admissions and job placements in top universities, including MIT, Yale University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley, and beyond. Currently, Michael is pursuing his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California (USC). His expertise spans across public management, policy analysis, and healthcare management, allowing him to make a remarkable impact in the healthcare industry. As the Business Operations Manager and former Administrative Fellow at Stanford Medicine - Health Care, Michael has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing inclusive healthcare services for all. If you're looking for a Senior Advisor who can help you break down silos, build life skills, and make a difference in the world, Michael Pham is the ideal choice. With his top-notch college advisement and extensive expertise, you can be confident that you'll receive personalized and comprehensive guidance to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Join forces with Michael today and let him help you reach your full potential as you embark on your educational and professional journey.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Political Science from Rice University. I also hold a Master's in Education from the University of Houston in Higher Education Administration and Supervision. I am currently working on a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

I started my career in college admissions at Rice University in 2009. I worked my way up from being an Admission Counselor to Associate Director of Admission. I have over 15 years of experience in advising students through the college admission process. While I represented Rice University, I have always viewed my job as being a representative of higher education. Therefore, I have assisted students in their college admissions journey whether their destination was Rice or any other college or university. I have also conducted workshops on highly selective admission practices, essay writing, and mock admission committee case studies. I served as an admission committee chair for all areas of study including international student admissions and transfer admissions. I have served at the national level as part of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Anti-Racism Institute Faculty and the Guiding the Way to Inclusion Conference Faculty

My approach is to serve as a guide and a coach. The college admission process should be an amazing time in your life in which you get to dream big and think about the environment you want to spend your time in. My job is to help guide you to places that will help fulfill your dreams, places that will provide the environment where you will feel happy, healthy, and supported, and places that will open you to new opportunities/possibilities. This process can seem daunting, but it truly isn't. Together we will put together your best application, hit submit, and take a deep breath as you watch the admission doors open.

Hi, my name is Chika and I'm from New York!

I graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Science and Technology Studies and was an alumni ambassador for Cornell's admissions team for over 10 years. I also have a master's degree in journalism (Columbia University) and have substantial editing experience.

In my career, I have worked as a K-12 tutor and as a high school advisor. I'm now a Freelance Academic Support Specialist, which means I provide a variety of online tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, and other services to students across the country.

I'm a skilled advisor, editor, planner, and researcher who can greatly improve your college admissions experience. My goal is to make everyone's future brighter, so let's work together and make that happen!

I believe the college admissions process can be an opportunity for self-discovery and reflection. I've worked with hundreds of students who are the first in their families to go to college and didn't have a ton of resources, so making this process as simple and supportive as possible is one of my passions. I attended Rice University in Houston, Texas, and graduated magna cum laude and phi betta kappa. I majored in anthropology and have a love for working with students of different backgrounds. I also want to make sure that students choose an affordable school that is a great fit for them. I have a special love of writing and was a former English teacher, so can help you make your essays strong. As such, I am a member of CollegeAdvisor's Essay Review Team. I am warm, approachable, and caring, and seek to leave students feeling more clear, less anxious, and affirmed about their abilities and potential!

I have experience tutoring and advising students from middle school, high school, and college levels. I have spent many hours advising high school students on the college process as well as editing essays. My current role as a marketing automation specialist requires solid project management, research, and problem solving skills.

I am passionate about empowering and equipping high school students as they prepare for college and navigate the college application process. I grew up in a small, rural town in Northern Michigan and I often felt alone, confused, and underprepared when I was going through the college admissions experience. Since then, I've dedicated my educational studies and career to supporting students! I bring both lived experiences, professional work experiences, and extensive research experiences with me into this role. I am a two-time alumna of the University of Michigan where I received both my B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with High Honors and my M.A. in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Access and Success. Following my studies, I worked for two years as an Admissions Officer at U-M and now as an Academic Advisor in our College of Engineering. Outside of work, I love to be outdoors, I love cycling, running, triathlons, and enjoy reading. I can't wait to work with you!

I graduated with my Master's in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania Grad School of Education and currently work as Associate Director of Global Co-Curricular Programs and MBA Advisor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. I have also worked for Vanderbilt University, University of Chicago, Arcadia University, and Occidental College. My undergrad experience at Occidental College, a small liberal arts college in LA, was absolutely transformational so I want to assist students to find and apply to colleges that fit them the best.

I specialize in college essay writing and am part of the Essay Review Team at CollegeAdvisor. With my help, students are challenged to dig deeper about themselves, their motivations, and their experiences to ultimately craft essays that are both authentic to themselves, and effective in captivating the audience. As an immigrant myself, I am also adept at helping ESL students or first/second-generation Americans.

On a side note, I am a Taiwanese-American California native and enjoy fitness, Korean dramas, and petting all the dogs!