University of Southern California

I worked for Stanford University's undergraduate admissions office for 5 full cycles, 3 as a territory manager overseeing applications from San Diego County and the state of Oregon. For 2 cycles, I worked as a part-time seasonal reader and read applications from the Midwest and South (in addition to San Diego County). Prior to working at Stanford, I worked for 3 years as a Counselor for Collegiate Directions, a college counseling nonprofit in the DC-area serving low-income and first-generation-to-college students. I helped my students with everything from determining which standardized test to take, when to take it, strategizing high school curriculum & extracurricular activities, building best-fit college fits, essay editing, financial aid applications, and, most importantly, deciding where to go to college! Personally, I spent my first year of college at Santa Monica College, a community college in the Los Angeles area. I then transferred to the University of Chicago where I obtained my BA in Sociology with Honors. I obtained 2 graduate degrees. First, I went to the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and obtained my Master of Public Policy, concentrating in social policy. Second, I went to the University of Virginia (Go Hoos!) and obtained my Master of Business Administration, concentration in strategy consulting and entrepreneurship/innovation. As a proud "scholarship kid" (I received full tuition scholarships at all 3 of my institutions), I am a firm believer that a little grit goes a long way!

In my free time, I am a passionate endurance athlete and have completed 6 marathons and 1 triathlon. I'm currently training for my 7th marathon and my first full-distance Ironman. I also enjoy thought-provoking television and movies, my adorable cat Winston, and my new-found passion for plants.

I am a California college admissions expert and pre-law mentor with over seven years of experience helping students gain admission to top UC, CSU, and private colleges across the state. Whether you're aiming for UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Cal Poly SLO, USC, or any other competitive school in California, I know exactly what it takes to stand out. As a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) and a current law student, I specialize in guiding students through the highly competitive UC and CSU admissions process and helping those interested in law careers build a strong undergraduate foundation for law school success. I’ve mentored students into nearly every UC and CSU, teaching them how to craft compelling personal statements, strengthen their extracurricular profiles, and present applications that catch the attention of admissions officers. My approach is highly strategic—I don’t just help students meet admissions requirements; I teach them how to differentiate themselves in one of the most competitive college landscapes in the country. Beyond admissions advising, I specialize in essay writing, extracurricular development, and strategic application planning, ensuring students present themselves as standout candidates. I know what makes an application memorable, persuasive, and competitive, and I work tirelessly to help students maximize their chances of getting into their dream schools. As a law student focusing on business law, employment law, and trial advocacy, I also provide specialized guidance for students considering pre-law, political science, or legal careers. Whether you want to attend a top California college or build the strongest possible application for law school, I’ll help you craft a path that sets you up for success.

When I’m not working with students or immersed in my legal studies, you’ll find me taking my dog to the dog park, watching baseball or football, playing CATAN, or diving into a legal textbook.

Let’s work together to build a standout application and get you into the school where you belong!

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!

My journey in education began as a Programs Manager with the American Council for International Education, where I had the privilege of working with students from all corners of Uzbekistan. Traveling to both urban and rural areas, I helped recruit participants for U.S. State Department-sponsored exchange programs. This experience was truly eye-opening and sparked my passion for guiding students through the transformative power of education. One of the most impactful chapters of my career was my time at the University of Southern California International Academy. As Admissions Manager and Principal Designated School Official, I spent nearly a decade managing admissions for a variety of programs, ensuring visa compliance, and forming partnerships with universities and scholarship organizations worldwide. Most rewarding of all was my work with students from diverse cultural backgrounds—helping them navigate their academic journeys, achieve their dreams, and grow into the next chapter of their lives. These experiences have shaped my unwavering commitment to supporting students as they explore the exciting and sometimes daunting world of higher education. With my multilingual background and personal understanding of the unique challenges faced by students, I’m passionate about helping students and their families make confident, well-informed choices about their educational paths.

Hi there! I'm Katrina, a Northwestern graduate with a B.S. in Cognitive Science and Theater and a minor in Entrepreneurship. As a National Merit Scholar, Presidential Scholar nominee, and recipient of multiple merit-based scholarships that funded my Northwestern education, I understand what it takes to stand out in selective admissions processes. My academic journey spanned pre-medicine, technology, and the arts, giving me unique insight into how students can craft compelling narratives from diverse interests while maintaining academic excellence. Currently, I work in AI while staying involved in Chicago's film/TV scene and startup ecosystem—experiences that keep me connected to both STEM and the arts. My commitment to education started early—in high school, I founded a nonprofit to mentor young women in STEM and coached students in speech and debate. In college, I helped students understand how to position themselves effectively for selective universities and guided them through academic planning and exploring potential career paths. My years of advising have sharpened my ability to help students move beyond simply checking boxes to tell authentic, memorable stories that make them stand out from other qualified applicants. My approach combines structured guidance with candid feedback and strategic insight. I excel at breaking down the nuances of college admissions into clear, actionable steps. While strong grades and test scores open doors, I help students learn the unwritten rules of what makes an application truly stand out to admissions officers. Through honest collaboration, I guide each student in crafting an authentic narrative that resonates with top schools—because given how competitive college admissions have become, a compelling story is what transforms a qualified applicant into a memorable one.

No matter where you are in the process, I'm here to help turn your experiences into a powerful story that sets you apart. Excited to make it happen!

I hold my B.A. from University of California, Berkeley where I majored in Social Welfare and Asian American/Asian Diaspora Studies. I recently graduated with an M.B.A. in Design Strategy at California College of the Arts. After completing a yearlong service with Americorps, I worked at a local scholarship organization for three years offering college admissions advising to high school seniors through our partnership with the school district. I piloted curriculum to guide students through the college application process, and specialized in financial literacy and scholarship/financial aid application support. I developed a merit and equity based system to review scholarship applicants, and have reviewed thousands of scholarship applications to identify and select awardees.

As an Academic College Counselor at a middle/high school, I worked with students of all ages, from seniors going through the college admissions process to 8th graders learning about higher education for the first time. I am well versed in doing transcript reviews and understand the curricular requirements students must meet to be both eligible and competitive for college. I have also supported student in researching and applying for summer opportunities, extra-curricular activities, and internships to strengthen their skills and experience.

I am committed to supporting all students on their journey to discover and articulate the skills and gifts that will help them lead a successful and happy life. As a first-generation college graduate, I had to utilize resources outside of my home to access and navigate higher education, and will use those skills to give my students insight in this process. I believe in joy and authenticity, and will find opportunities to celebrate our successes through the challenging and serious process of applying for college. Lastly, I strive to empower students to embrace the process with bravery and a willingness to grow and stretch. I hope for students to be drivers of their own educational journey, and I can't wait to work in partnership with students, parents, and the community that supports you.

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!

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!

I earned my degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, with Magna Cum Laude Latin Honors, finishing my program in three years. I am currently a PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) department. My research focuses on the field of physical electronics, particularly optoelectronics. Optoelectronics is widely considered a sub-discipline of photonics, which refers to the study and application of the physical science of light.

My Passion for Advising Students:

In my own undergraduate college journey, I was accepted to over ten universities with $1 million USD in financial aid. Similarly, for my graduate school process, I was accepted to top universities for engineering with fully funded offers to pursue my PhD. During this process, I was on my own researching and applying to my schools of interest. I believe that my vast experiences in engineering will enable me to assist anyone to create their own story and achieve their collegiate dreams. This can be a difficult process to navigate, with many different hidden hurdles involved, and I am passionate about leveraging my experience to help students. Below, you will find a summary of my engineering experience!

Undergraduate Academic Experience:

During my three years at Howard University, I completed various hardware electronics projects. For my senior capstone project, I worked with The Aerospace Corporation on a project titled, “Machine Learning Based Sensing for Autonomous Robotic Manipulation”. I was also amongst a group of 30 students selected for a Google program called Hardware Product Sprint. In Summer 2022, I had a great experience working with Google engineers to learn about consumer electronics. Additionally, I have experience conducting undergraduate academic research projects in quantum materials science. In Summer 2023, I was one of three students selected for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Global Quantum Leap International Research and Training Experience Program at the National Institute of Materials Science in Japan. This project was supported by Cornell University. In Summer 2022, I was a research intern at the NSF Center for Integrated Quantum Materials at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both these research projects had applications for advanced computing with the long-term goal of developing next generation electronic devices.

Engineering Leadership Experience:

Aside from my academic experiences, I am very involved in engineering leadership. At UC Berkeley, I am the professional development chair for the Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students, which is the graduate chapter for the National Society of Black Engineers. I also serve as delegate in the EECS Graduate Assembly, which is a student government that advocates for EECS graduate students. At Howard University, I was a resident assistant in a freshman dorm, I was the campus ambassador for Raytheon Technologies, I was the membership and academic excellence chair of the Howard University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, I was the programs chair of the Howard University Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and I was the diversity representative of the Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture Student Council. Additionally, I am an initiated member of the DC Alpha chapter of Tau Beta Pi, which is an engineering honor society for students at in the top percentile of their academic year group.