Columbia University

I am a recent graduate of Princeton University with a bachelor's in English and a certificate in American Studies. During my first year at Princeton, I worked as an English tutor with TutorOut, providing guidance in writing, editing, and reading comprehension to students in China. In the fall of that same year, I co-ran a pro-bono college admissions workshop where I worked with dozens of students to help craft their personal statements and supplemental essays with the goal of expanding accessibility to college mentorship services. Prior to Princeton, I volunteered for four years as a generalized tutor to students aged elementary through high school, working one-on-one and in group settings to foster personal development and academic growth in my underrepresented, rural school district. All of these experiences, along with my own journey coming from a town where less than one-fourth of adults hold a bachelor's degree, have strengthened my interest in admissions advising and promoting access to higher education. I am currently working in attorney development at a top-5 corporate law firm in New York City with hopes of one day attending law school. I have extensive knowledge regarding Pre-Law/Political Science, Arts and Humanities, and Communications and Media Studies. I center my advising around clearly articulating each student's voice and personal brand, using the admissions process as a chance for reflection upon not only each student's achievements and passions, but also upon their unique personal trajectory. The college admissions process is a time filled with possibilities, and my aim is to help each individual student and family realize those possibilities while recognizing the value in all the work they have done to reach this point.

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.

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!

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!

My journey in higher education started at my undergraduate institution, Stony Brook University, where I worked as a tour guide for 3 years. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Immediately after, I earned a Master of Arts in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. I have over 7 years of experience working in both undergraduate and graduate admissions. While completing my Master's program, I simultaneously worked at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. I have also worked at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, Baruch College, and Vassar College. Through my roles, I have always been a champion for increasing and retaining students of underrepresented backgrounds. I served on various committees for diversity recruitment and pioneered campus-wide programming highlighting the unique aspects of each institution. Outside of work, I like to spend my time with my family. I enjoy traveling, visiting quirky bookstores, and trying new food. I've been to 17 countries so far. I'm a native New Yorker and can tell you without a doubt, we have one of the best food scenes around! My goal is to equip students and families with quality and valuable information to make the best decision regarding college selection. This is an exciting time, yet it can also be overwhelming. I work hard to demystify the admissions process to make it as seamless as possible. In my role, I will assist you in finding the college that best aligns with your values and goals, and preparing the best application that best represents you.

As of 2024, I have earned a B.A. in Economics and German with a minor in Music from Kalamazoo College and a M.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW). I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy at Michigan State University (MSU). My career in college admissions began soon after graduating from Kalamazoo College in 2016. I served as a college advisor within Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), a statewide policy program affiliated with Americorps intended to boost postsecondary enrollment in the state of Michigan. In that role, I acted as the personal advisor for a high school of approximately 400 students for two years. I provided one-on-one meetings, lectures on student loans and financial literacy, organized scholarship nights, college fairs, resume building, essay writing, and much more. After my two-year term limit through Americorps expired, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin for two years to complete my M.S. in Economics where I also joined the UW-Madison admissions office as a Graduate Admissions Officer. At UW, I evaluated applications from around the world, provided customer services through phone, email, and in-person, and helped work recruiting events around campus. My time between both positions elucidated my understanding of the college admissions process from both sides and compelled me to take my knowledge and understanding towards research. The next logical step for that entailed beginning my doctorate at MSU in 2020, so in addition to working for CollegeAdvisor.com, I am currently working on my dissertation at MSU. My dissertation topic concerns postsecondary access and equity in the United States, particularly in Michigan where I am using econometric and qualitative research methods to analyze the efficacy of various college access programs. As a returning college advisor and admissions officer, I loved my work then and I am excited to get back into it. Know that if you have me as an advisor or officer, I will work with you to the best of my ability to help you achieve your dreams both in college and beyond. As a college advisor, I worked tirelessly to make sure every graduating senior had a solid plan, and as an admissions officer, I made sure every question was answered thoroughly and applications were fully considered. It brings me joy when former students reach out to share something, ask for advice, or just say thank you. So, thank you for considering me and I look forward to working with you!

In 2022, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbia University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Hispanic Studies. While at Columbia, I worked with graduating high school seniors and incoming Columbia first-years to improve their chances not only of getting into Columbia but thriving there once they were accepted. Some of this work included essay editing, a role with which I was very familiar, given my experience as the Senior Editor of the Columbia University neuroscience journal—Grey Matters. Other aspects of this mission included helping students decide what major they should choose, guiding students through course selection, and advising students on necessary steps for their career paths, both through and after college.

Having completed a double major in Psychology and Hispanic Studies and nearing completion of my Master's in Cognitive Neuroscience, I am very familiar with both the Humanities and STEM subjects. In my time at Columbia, I advised students who entered a myriad of disciplines such as Computer Science, Political Science, Human Rights, Medicine, Law, and Neuroscience. My mission as a Pre-Med Specialty Advisor is to understand the interests and goals of the student and to help them understand and complete the necessary steps and commitments that those goals will require of them. Every student is unique, and in working to highlight that unique potential, I strive to make this sometimes overwhelming process as clear and goal-oriented as possible.

As mentioned, I am currently completing my M.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience and soon will move to Texas to begin my new job in a psychophysiology lab at Texas A&M. I love what I do, and I have a passion for grounding science and medicine in a framework of cultural competency and social wellbeing. My ultimate goal is to complete my PhD in Clinical Psychology and work as a clinical neuropsychologist, and when I'm not working toward that, you can find me baking for friends and reading.

As a first-generation college student, I understand how daunting the college admissions process may seem to those who have no experience with it. Despite the challenges I encountered, I was admitted to every college I applied to and learned how the process works along the way. I bring my past advising experiences helping students draft and write essays, create college application plans, and manage their time to my role as an Advisor. The pride in seeing my students succeed makes me excited to help you on your journey to college. I believe that behind every successful student there are individuals who have helped them find and express their voice, and I can’t wait to work with you to accomplish this!

Hi everyone! My name is Mattia Mahmoud, and I am a Harvard College graduate (Class of 2020) and a current MD/PhD student at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. I am excited to help students get accepted into their dream colleges! I have extensive experience in advising premed and public health students about college decisions, essay editing, standardized test prep, and preparation for college interviews. I know that the college admissions process can seem very daunting, but I am here to both alleviate the fears of and instill confidence in parents and students that a top tier school is in reach for them!