Northwestern University

I'm a proud Wildcat, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University. While at NU, I was a tour guide, and found a passion for helping students through the college application process. As an honors English student, I also worked as an essay tutor for other students on campus. Since graduation, I have several years of experience guiding high school students through the college application cycle. Prior to my time with CollegeAdvisor, I've worked as a 1-on-1 tutor in test preparation, teaching the SAT, ACT, and AP tests. I also worked with a specialized firm that helps international students through brainstorming, writing, and refining CommonApp and school-specific supplemental essays. In both of those positions, I gained specialized experience in multiple aspects of the college application process. My students in both of these areas have gone on to Ivies and Top 20 schools. I'm passionate about getting to know a student beyond the numbers and helping them find the place that will allow them to grow and thrive. I remember all too well how stressful the application process can be, and it's important to me to always let the student's passions, goals, and hopes lead our process. Outside of CollegeAdvisor, I work in the arts as a director and literary manager for theatre. I'm passionate about storytelling and using words effectively to communicate, and I bring those loves with me to college advising.

Getting into college is becoming increasingly difficult day by day. With more students getting top scores and developing strong extracurricular backgrounds, it's extremely tough to set yourself apart. However, I can help with the nuanced components of each individual application, helping to build a cohesive, unique story that can maximize your chances. I have extensive experience advising students on undergraduate admissions, running my own independent admissions consultancy for multiple years. I have helped students get into many of the top schools in the United States, such as Northwestern, UChicago, Duke, and more. I view the college admissions process as holistic in nature -- meaning I will work with students to optimize each and every component of their application. Whether it be maximizing impact on the resume, crafting school-specific essays, or applying for competitive scholarships, I know what it takes to build the "complete package" necessary for admissions in today's age. I have a particular interest in writing, something I've been passionate about for as long as I can remember. I specialize in helping brainstorm, plan, and edit essays that are impactful for top-school admissions.

Hello! My name is Naomi Beckley and I am a recent graduate of Yale University. I majored in Global Affairs in addition to a certificate in Education Studies. I am very passionate about working towards a state of equity in education, particularly improving the quality of education and access to academic resources for marginalized students. I professionally hope to do so by attending law school and becoming involved with education policy and legislation. I have 4 years of experience of advising high school students through their college application processes, with my students going on to attend schools like Vanderbilt, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Pennsylvania. I really enjoy the work that goes into being an advisor, particularly guiding a student in figuring out their college fit and reading essays. Super excited to meet and work with you on what will be a challenging but ultimately fulfilling journey!

Hi! My name is Nannette Beckley, and I’m super excited to work with you! I recently graduated from Princeton University in May of 2023 with a B.A. in the School of Public and International Affairs and earned a certificate (minor) in Global Health & Health Policy. As a student, I participated in several organizations, including Matriculate, a college access program. Through my work as an Advising Fellow for Matriculate, I gained several years of experience advising high-achieving, lower-income students on the college application and financial aid process. I am also a member of the AP Alumni Council through the College Board. I enjoy helping students form their college lists and reviewing students’ essays. Outside of CollegeAdvisor, I serve as a Research Associate at NORC at the University of Chicago in their health-adjacent departments.

I look forward to guiding you through the long, complicated, but fulfilling college admissions process!

Hello! My name is Madeline and I cannot wait to help you on your college journey. I was an early decision student at Northwestern University, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Psychology, receiving minors in Dance and Theatre for Young Audiences. While at Northwestern, I directed 10 theatrical productions, was the president of two theatre organizations, and produced the largest student-written musical in the United States. Prior to attending Northwestern, I grew up in the international school system, attending Shanghai American School and The American School of The Hague. I worked at the admissions office of Northwestern University for three years, first as a tour guide and then as a senior admissions counselor. My strong suits in the college process are essay development and, for non-seniors, learning how to fill in any of those blank lines in the extracurricular space. I have a particular affinity for the performing arts, both as a performer and as a director who worked in casting at an educational and professional level. I hope to help my students in making the best decision for them, whether that be in selecting their university or cultivating the most attractive application to have a host of schools to choose from.

Hello! I am a recent graduate of Northwestern University. There, I studied theater and religious studies among many other subjects including math and sociology. I was a leader in many campus organizations, including Northwestern Prison Education Program, Purple Crayon Players, and Steam Heat Dance Company.

College was fundamental in building me into the person I am today. I recognize how important this admissions process is, and how it can feel very daunting. I am dedicated to making the college application process accessible and even enjoyable! Having recently been through this process, and having attended a top ten college, I hold much experience and insight into the process from writing personal essays to researching colleges and student life.

I am open to students of all backgrounds. For students specifically interested in theater or the performing arts, I have experience in these specialized admissions processes including auditioning. In my free time, I love to sing, and one of my favorite college experiences was being involved in Northwestern’s Chapel Choir. I am thrilled to help you through this meaningful and exciting process!

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.

Hello! My name is Andrew, and I am currently a medical student at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. I graduated from high school in 2019 and went to the University of Pennsylvania as a pre-med. At Penn, I majored in biochemistry and biology. I was accepted into the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, a top 10/15 medical school with no gap years. Currently, 80% of matriculants into medical school take at least a single gap year before applying to and matriculating into medical school. Therefore, I have full and complete knowledge of how a student can get accepted into medical school from day 1 of undergrad. In addition, my brother applied to college this past year. Through my guidance, he was accepted into several T20 universities and is currently attending Duke, a top 10 university. Through my experiences, I feel as if I have a personal and unique insight into the application process, not only as a student but as a mentor.

I graduated with a B.A. with majors in Political Science and Psychology and a minor in Spanish from Northwestern University. During my time at Northwestern, I was an orientation leader for incoming Freshmen each year in a Peer Adviser position. This meant assisting groups of 12-16 students in their transition from high school academics, activities and goals to their college level counterparts. I was also heavily involved in Northwestern's Undergraduate Mock Trial team - a program that has placed top 10 at the Nationals competition the last three years. Moreover, I held several jobs while in school spanning from research positions to local nonprofit work to work study and part-time positions on and off campus. As someone who attended Northwestern with a low-income background, I am passionate about working with students who are navigating financial accessibility in their college decisions or who are seeking advice on how to budget and balance a job while in school. Additionally, as someone intending on attending law school in the next two years, I am happy and eager to assist any students who have questions about the pre-law track or legal based clubs and activities offered at the collegiate level. I believe that authenticity, optimism and individual focus are my strengths when working with students. I wish to help students by truly understanding who they are, what they wish to do and their underlying motivations. I always seek to be honest in my advice and experiences and will happily share the most rewarding parts of the the college admissions process I underwent and the lessons I carried coming out of the challenges.