California State University- Long Beach

I earned my B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and my M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California (USC). My passion for education and student support led me to a career where I guide students through the exciting yet often overwhelming college application process. Currently, I work as a College Bound Academic Advisor with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast. In this role, I support students from diverse backgrounds by helping them explore their educational and career goals, build confidence, and navigate the path to higher education. I assist students with researching colleges, creating school lists, writing personal statements, preparing for interviews, and understanding financial aid. I also guide students through completing the FAFSA, applying for scholarships, and reviewing financial aid offers. One of my proudest moments was helping a high school senior overcome personal and academic challenges to apply to top-tier universities and competitive programs. Seeing my students gain confidence and celebrate their successes, including acceptances to schools such as the University of California campuses, Princeton, and other prestigious institutions, is what motivates me every day. As a former transfer student, I understand the challenges and opportunities students face as they transition into higher education. I use my experiences to create an empathetic, encouraging, and supportive environment for every student I work with.

I am passionate about helping students and their families feel confident throughout the college application process. This is a pivotal time in a student’s life, and I strive to make the journey exciting, empowering, and successful. I look forward to working together to achieve your college goals!

I am a proud former first-generation college student who is now a first-generation professional. I have 6+ years of professional experience working with students and their families to navigate the higher education system. I recently (within the last 5 years) obtained a master's degree in education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from UCLA. I attended University of California, Berkeley for my undergraduate education and my major was Psychology with a minor in Chicano Studies. My passion is to assist students and their families on their higher education journey. A skill I feel I have while working with students is truly listening to their wants and needs and adapting my advising from there. I approach my work by honoring my students' lived experiences. On a one-on-one basis I’ve assisted with creating college school lists, academic road mapping, how to choose and change a major, financial aid, and career prep. Outside of student affairs I enjoy reading, cycling, and spending time with my family and friends.

Hello, my name is Yesenia. I was the first in my family to attend college. I went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and graduated with a degree in Psychology with a minor in Labor and Workplace Studies. I then earned a Master's Degree from California State University, Long Beach in Counseling - Option in Student Development in Higher Education. I am passionate about helping students with their higher educational goals to ensure they are able to get accepted, attend, and ultimately graduate from college to obtain a fulfilling career. For the past 10 years, I have been working in college access and success programs and have served hundreds of students with their college-going journey! It would be a pleasure and a privilege to support you in your goals. Let's work together to make that goal a reality!

Hi! My name is Megan, and I was born and raised in Orange County, California, and currently live there as well! I received my Bachelor of Arts in European Studies from UC Irvine (Go Anteaters!) and my Master of Science in School Counseling from the University of La Verne. During my undergrad experience, I spent a semester living and studying abroad in London, England. I have worked as a high school counselor for the past 5 years, and prior to that worked in higher education for 8 years in both advising and in study abroad roles. I have also been an admissions reader for a UC school in the past. I am extremely passionate about helping students achieve their goal of attending college. As a high school counselor, I am confident in working with any student, no matter your major/interest. In my free time, I like to read, go for walks with friends, play board games and cook. I can't wait to work with you!

I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UC Davis in 2001. From there, I obtained my P.P.S. School counseling credential from CSU Stanislaus and a M.P.A. from University of Arizona's global campus. I have always had the desire to continue learning, which is why world travel and immersing myself in other countries has been a big part of my life. I have had the opportunity to live, work and travel through many different countries and have enjoyed volunteering for NGO's in both Bolivia and Cambodia. I have been a school counselor in California for over 15 years. My favorite part of the job is assisting students meet and exceed goals, especially when it comes to post-secondary planning. I look forward to being able to assist you with the entire process: planning, exploring, and applying for university, financial aid and scholarships. I've acquired a lot of knowledge over the years and I am excited to be a part of your journey!

Hello and welcome to my page! I have a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I hold my MS in Educational Counseling from National University. I have eight years of counselor experience in the academic, college, and career needs of diverse high school student populations:

• Students with Disabilities,
• English Learners,
• Homeless/Foster Youth,
• Low Income and/or First Generation,
• Gifted and Talented Students

My experience in the college application process ranges from college eligibility requirements for various college systems to guiding students to apply to college and financial aid. In between this process, providing guidance to students, but not limited to:

• Developing their college lists and college majors based on their interests and research,
• Step-by-step college application process,
• Essay brainstorming and editing/revisions,
• Applying to scholarship/internship/volunteer opportunities.

What drives me to continue being a counselor/college advisor? It is the students!

This is a major step in their lives that can be filled with a lot of emotions and uncertainty at times. With the student and their family leading the way in the college application journey, I am a resource of support and guidance to make this process as pleasant and exciting as possible.

I look forward to working and guiding your students on their college application journeys.

Hello everyone! My name is Ardyel, and I am a cum laude graduate of Legal Studies at UC Berkeley with a Minor in Education. Born and raised in Metro Manila, Philippines, my family and I moved to Los Angeles, CA in 2015 where I graduated as my high school's Class Valedictorian. My background as a first-generation, low-income, and immigrant college student helped me see the value of mentorship in all aspects of my life. During my college application journey, I worked intensively under the guidance and mentorship of Thrive Scholars who helped me become a Finalist for QuestBridge and gain admissions to 8 universities in California. As a way of giving back, I worked at UC Berkeley's Nav2Cal App Support Program and Matriculate Fellowship which allowed me to mentor 5 hardworking high school students from California and New York in their college applications. They currently attend great institutions such as Tufts University, Wesleyan University, and my alma mater, UC Berkeley! I can help students who have academic interests in STEM, Law, and the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. In my spare time, I like to listen to K-Pop and P-Pop (Pinoy Pop), play volleyball and mobile games with my younger brother, collect Funko Pops, and watch Marvel movies. I cannot wait to take part in your college application journey! Rest assured that I will be fully supporting you in your goals and helping you navigate this process with care and intent.

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.

Hi! My name is Jesus and I graduated from Yale in 2020 where I majored in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. As a first-generation college student, I know the importance of college advising and have supported students from all walks of life as they applied to schools all across the country. I am excited to bring my years of expertise as a pre-med student interested in exploring the humanities and STEM fields through the liberal arts education at Yale as well as my years of experience advising students as they figure out what colleges they want to apply to, develop captivating essays, and determine what subjects they might be interested in exploring during college.