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The Admittedly Team

Meet the Team 
Behind the Results

Former Ivy League admissions officers. Harvard PhDs. Nationally recognized counselors. Our team is made up of some of the most trusted and experienced professionals in college admissions — each one deeply committed to helping your student stand out and succeed.

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With decades of experience inside the most selective institutions in the world — including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and Duke — our counselors bring unmatched expertise and empathy to every advising relationship.

Whether your student is applying to the Ivy League, top STEM programs, liberal arts colleges, or competitive state schools, they’ll be guided by someone who knows exactly how admissions decisions are made — because they’ve made them.

We don’t just polish essays. We challenge students to think deeply, lead boldly, and tell their stories with clarity and confidence. The result? Applications that feel strategic, personal, and impossible to ignore.

The team that helps students stand out is ready to help yours.

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Megan

Director of College Counseling | Former Associate Director of Admission, Colorado College | Admissions Reader, Johns Hopkins SAIS

15+ years shaping admissions decisions at the most selective U.S. SLACs

At Colorado College, Megan served as Associate Director of Admission, Coordinator of International Admission, where she led international admission strategy and reviewed thousands of applications for nearly a decade. She chaired, presented, and reviewed applications as a voting member of admission committees and worked in enrollment leadership for nine years. Megan also reads applications for Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). 

Her students have been accepted to Columbia, NYU, UVA, and UNC Chapel Hill.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Master’s degree, International Public Policy (Johns Hopkins SAIS)
  • BA, Skidmore College (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
  • Presenter at national and global admissions conferences
  • 12+ years full time Admission Officer experience
  • 14 year Member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling and former Government Relations Committee member of the International Association of College Admission Counseling 

Known for:

  • Deep expertise in international admissions and globally diverse student profiles
  • Helping students craft cohesive, values-oriented narratives
  • Combining high-level admissions insight with a warm, empowering approach

Fun Fact:

Megan has completed 13 marathons, including Boston and Beijing, and was the first American to finish the Great Wall of China Half Marathon.

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Sonam

Interim Director of College Counseling | Former Senior Admissions Officer, Duke University | B.A. Duke University | M.B.A., Rice University

Dozen+ years of admissions insight from 10K+ applications — from high schools to CBOs to Ivy+ admissions offices, all sides of the desk covered

Sonam’s admissions journey began at Duke University, where she worked in the undergraduate admissions office as a Senior AO. Since leaving the admissions office, she continues to read hundreds of applications annually and she guides ambitious students toward acceptances at the Ivy+ institutions and T30. She has spent her entire career dedicated to serving students, and enjoys advising them through a critical juncture of their lives. Having also spent time in high schools and community-based organizations (CBOs), she has the unique pleasure in this field of a deep understanding of the process from all four sides of the desk.

Proud Duke Alumna with a MBA from Rice Business

Sonam earned her BA in Sociology from Duke University, and completed her MBA from Rice University on a full-ride as a prestigious Consortium and Forté Fellow. For her MBA internship, she interned with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Seattle. Additionally, she was the Pratt School of Engineering liaison for Duke’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Both experiences make her especially skilled with advising prospective business and STEM applicants. 

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Senior Admissions Officer, Duke University
  • College Counselor for 10+ years
  • 10K applications reviewed over her career thus far
  • Advised students admitted to all T100 US universities, as well as UBC and LSE

Known For:

  • Helping students understand their strategic positioning and telling a clear story 
  • Discrepancies and lack of data/evidence in applications
  • Strong memory for previous applications and narratives

Fun Fact:

Sonam was born and raised in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, which is home to the very best beaches in the world. She loves to cook in her free time. When she’s not talking about college admissions, she’s probably watching a sitcom.

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Shane

Counseling Lead (CL) | Former Assistant Director of Admission, Stanford University | Former Associate Director of College Counseling, The Dalton School | B.A., Vassar | M.Ed., Harvard


Expert in highly selective admissions, narrative development, and supporting students with complex backgrounds.

Shane brings deep experience from both sides of the admissions process: as a Stanford admissions officer and as a college counselor at the Dalton School, one of the most prestigious independent schools in the country. Across nearly a decade in the field, Shane has helped students earn offers from Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Yale, Pomona, USC, and more.

At Stanford, Shane evaluated thousands of applications and led the QuestBridge Match process, while also serving as a key liaison between admissions and various campus centers. He conducted specialized reviews for transfers, athletes, and students with complex or sensitive personal contexts, giving him a rare skillset in framing non-traditional narratives with impact.

On the counseling side, Shane spent four years as Associate Director of College Counseling at the Dalton School in NYC, where he guided high-achieving students through hyper-competitive admissions with empathy, insight, and accountability.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Assistant Director of Admissions, Stanford University
  • Former Associate Director of College Counseling, The Dalton School
  • BA, Vassar College | M.Ed., Harvard University
  • PhD Candidate in Psychology, University of Denver
  • Winner of Harvard’s John R. Marquand Award for Exceptional Advising

Known For:

  • Helping students translate complex life experiences into powerful application narratives
  • Application positioning and profile coherence across all materials
  • Candid, compassionate support that blends warmth with high expectations
  • Expertise in sensitive topics, mental health, and identity in admissions

Fun Fact:

In undergrad, Shane led an all-male a cappella group, and once sang a solo for Meryl Streep.

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Devery

Senior Counselor | Former Senior Admissions Officer, Harvard University | MBA, UT Austin

Nearly 20 years in selective admissions — with 25,000+ college essays reviewed and student admits to every top 100 college in the U.S.

Devery brings unmatched admissions expertise to the table. As a former Senior Admissions Officer at Harvard and application reader for UC Berkeley, she has evaluated thousands of applications and helped students gain admission to the most selective colleges in the country.

Devery earned her BA in Romance Languages and Social Anthropology from Harvard, and later completed her MBA at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business on a prestigious Consortium Fellowship. She’s also served as a counselor at one of the nation’s top independent high schools, and has supported students through organizations like College Track, SEO Scholars, and IDEA Public Schools.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Senior Admissions Officer, Harvard College
  • Application Reader, UC Berkeley
  • 25,000+ essays reviewed across nearly two decades
  • Counselor at a top U.S. independent school
  • Advised students admitted to all top 100 U.S. colleges

Known for:

  • Blending warmth, honesty, and strategic rigor in every advising relationship
  • Supporting first-generation, international, and athlete applicants with clarity and care
  • Helping students lead with identity, voice, and values, not just prestige

Fun Fact:

Devery lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her partner and two dogs. A South Texas native and proud Latina, she’s constantly on the hunt for the best tacos in Northern California (and has strong opinions).

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Chris

Senior Counselor | Former Assistant Director, Yale University | Former Admissions Officer, Columbia University | B.A., Yale | M.S.W., Columbia

10+ years of admissions insight from 6,000+ applications, across Ivy League admissions offices and private advising

Chris brings nearly a decade of experience working on the most selective side of college admissions. His admissions career includes AO roles at Yale and Columbia. Across these two roles, Chris reviewed thousands of applications and served on multiple admissions committees, gaining deep, firsthand insight into how decisions are made at the highest level.

Since leaving the country’s most selective admissions offices, Chris has spent eight years advising students one-on-one, continuing to read hundreds of applications annually. He guides students toward Ivy+ outcomes, including highly specialized programs such as the M&T Program at UPenn, by helping them clarify their academic direction, articulate their personal narrative, and present a cohesive, compelling application.

Academic training grounded in both rigor and human insight

Chris earned his B.A. from Yale University and completed his M.S.W. in Clinical Psychotherapy at Columbia University. This dual background allows him to blend strategic admissions expertise with a nuanced understanding of identity, motivation, and storytelling. At both Yale and Columbia, Chris served on STEM recruiting committees and transfer admissions committees, and he brings particular strength in advising students in the arts, STEM fields, and interdisciplinary pathways, including programs such as the Columbia-Juilliard Exchange.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Yale University
  • Former Admissions Officer, Columbia University
  • College Admissions Counselor for 8+ years

Known For:

  • Thorough, detail-oriented application review
  • Helping students gain perspective while telling a clear, authentic story
  • A grounded sense of humor-used thoughtfully to reduce stress and sharpen insight

Fun Fact:

Chris is an amateur stone sculptor and a devoted dog dad to Penny, a seven-pound dachshund who takes her supervisory duties very seriously.

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Markita

Senior Counselor | Former Admissions Reader, Duke Fuqua School of Business  | Former Admissions Reader, Ohio State University  | M.Ed., North Carolina State University

Nearly a decade of experience guiding students into top-tier universities, including prestigious scholarship programs such as CMU Tartan

Markita brings a rare combination of admissions insight, strategic communications expertise, and deep student support experience. She’s helped students gain admission to Columbia, Duke, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Howard, and Ohio State, among others, with a proven track record of helping underrepresented students break through.

Dual expertise in undergrad and MBA admissions

Markita has reviewed applications at both The Ohio State University and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, giving her unique perspective across educational pathways. She also held student success leadership roles at Carnegie Mellon and NC State, where she supported high-achieving students from limited-resource backgrounds.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • BA in Strategic Communication, Ohio University
  • Former College Advising Manager, I Know I Can (CBO)
  • Reviewed applications for top undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Leader in student affairs, academic transitions, and enrollment strategy

Known for:

  • Elevating personal essays and extracurricular storytelling
  • Creating high-impact applications rooted in authenticity and reflection
  • Empowering students to lead with their lived experience

Fun Fact:

Markita plays piano (eight years and counting!), loves live music, and is always on the hunt for new food spots in town.

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Nicole

College Counselor | Former Undergraduate Admissions, Cornell University

Guiding students through access, identity, and opportunity in higher education

Nicole is a higher education professional who cares deeply about how students experience the path to college — not just where they end up. With a strong background in admissions advising, student mentorship, and institutional communications, she brings together storytelling and student-centered support to help students navigate complex systems with clarity and confidence, particularly those navigating popular majors such as STEM and undergrad business. 

Through her work supporting outreach initiatives, developing student-facing materials, and collaborating closely with institutional leadership, Nicole has seen firsthand how the Ivy League evaluates students, and how narrative, context, and alignment can shape admissions decisions.

Admissions insight grounded in equity and lived experience

Nicole’s approach to admissions work is rooted in Ivy League expertise and empowerment. She helps students tell stories that go beyond metrics, connecting academic interests, personal background, and long-term goals into applications that are honest and intentional.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • B.A. in Strategic Communications and Spanish Language & Literature from Seattle University 
  • Contributor to student outreach strategies and educational communications
  • Background in public policy, government affairs, and higher education

Known For:

  • Helping students shape authentic, values-driven personal narratives
  • Breaking down complex admissions and financial aid processes
  • Balancing strategic insight with empathy and mentorship

Fun Fact:

Nicole is an avid traveler who believes some of the best education happens outside the classroom — she’s happiest when exploring new cities, cultures, and conversations. 

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George

Senior Counselor | B.A., Harvard University  | M.S., University College London

10 years of global admissions counseling, with offers to every Ivy, Stanford, and Oxbridge

George is a dedicated strategist, mentor, and storyteller who’s spent the last decade guiding students from six continents into the most selective U.S. and U.K. universities. From Harvard and Stanford to Oxford, Cambridge, and LSE, George helps students develop an authentic path, and articulate it with power, clarity, and joy.

An expert in U.S./U.K. dual admissions and creative, cause-driven profiles

George holds a Sociology degree from Harvard and an MSc in Public Policy from UCL. He’s worked exclusively as an admissions counselor since graduation, advising students ages 11-18 on both strategy and self-discovery. His signature strength: helping students identify what truly drives them, and then crafting compelling narratives and projects that stand out globally.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • BA in Sociology, Harvard College (Likely Letter recipient) 
  • MSc in Public Policy, University College London (Dean’s List, top 4 in program)
  • 10 years of admissions counseling experience with U.S. and international students
  • Specialist in U.K. applications (UCAS, Oxford, Cambridge, and concurrent U.S. apps)
  • Expert in the arts, humanities, and social-impact-driven profiles
  • Dozens of students admitted to both Oxbridge and Top 20 U.S. colleges

Known For:

  • Developing standout essays and signature projects with heart and originality
  • Guiding international students through both U.S. and U.K. admissions
  • Empowering students to overcome limiting beliefs and dream boldly
  • A warm, collaborative, and deeply human mentoring style

Fun Fact:

George lives between New York, London, and Amsterdam, where he also works as a visual storyteller. A lifelong learner, his next creative venture is learning how to design and make his own clothes.

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Dr. Viv

Senior Counselor | Former Admissions Officer, UPenn Wharton School of Business | B.M., NYU | M.S. Ed. & Ed.D., UPenn

Dr. Viv brings more than a decade of experience guiding high-achieving students into the nation’s most selective colleges and universities. She has worked with hundreds of applicants, supporting successful admissions to Ivy League institutions, top liberal arts colleges, and highly competitive interdisciplinary and pre-professional programs.

Dr. Viv offers a rare dual perspective on the admissions process. As a former admissions officer for Wharton’s programs, she has evaluated applications inside one of the most competitive undergraduate business programs in the world. She now applies that insider knowledge to help students present themselves with clarity, rigor, and intellectual coherence, without relying on formulaic or performative strategies

Strategic Admissions Expertise:

  • Identifying and developing a student’s true admissions differentiator
  • Positioning students for selective business, STEM, and interdisciplinary programs
  • Translating authentic intellectual interests into compelling application narratives

Credentials & Leadership:

  • Former Admissions Officer, Wharton
  • Published education writer in Forbes, SUCCESS, and Business Insider
  • 10+ years experience advising students and families navigating high-stakes admissions decisions

Known For:

  • Helping students stand out without résumé padding or gimmicks
  • Bringing strategic honesty and institutional realism to admissions planning
  • Making the application process structured, reflective, and empowering

Fun Fact:

Dr. Viv dances every day, and accordingly, believes the strongest applicants are those who build momentum through curiosity, discipline, and joy.

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Kirsten

Senior Counselor | Former Admissions Reader, Princeton University | B.A., Barnard College | M.S., Columbia 

7+ years of admissions insight — from the Ivy League to the global stage

Kirsten’s admissions journey began at Princeton University, where she evaluated applications from across the globe with a focus on New York City. Over the past seven years, she has reviewed thousands of applications and guided ambitious students toward acceptances at the Ivy League, Ivy+, and other top 30 institutions. Her career spans sectors as diverse as Wall Street, humanitarian nonprofits, journalism, and higher education, giving her a uniquely well-rounded perspective on storytelling, achievement, and authenticity in college admissions.

With professional roots in communications and branding, Kirsten brings a storyteller’s instinct to every advising relationship. She helps students capture the essence of who they are, and what they’ve accomplished, in a narrative that is both compelling and instantly understood by admissions officers. Her mantra: lean into the truth, and be excellent at what makes you you.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Admissions Reader, Princeton University
  • College coach for 7+ years, with global client base
  • Professional experience across journalism, finance, nonprofits, and academia
  • Specialist in narrative development and high-impact application strategy

Known For:

  • Helping students shape standout personal narratives
  • Strategic clarity in essays, extracurriculars, and positioning
  • Candid, empowering mentorship that champions each student’s unique strengths

Fun Fact:

Kirsten once navigated all of Eastern Europe in the late 1990s using her high school and college German, proving that in an emergency, the brain remembers what really matters.

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Benito

Senior Counselor | Former Admission Coordinator, Harvard University | Former Googler  | B.A., Harvard University

20 years guiding students into Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, and other top global universities

A Harvard graduate and former Harvard Admission Coordinator, Benito has spent two decades helping students gain admission to the world’s most selective institutions, including Ivy League schools, top STEM programs, and selective liberal arts colleges.

Elite admissions insight meets global perspective

Benito’s background spans both top-tier admissions and high-performance roles at Google across Sales, HR, and engEDU. His international advising experience includes students from the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America, each with their own unique aspirations, strengths, and challenges.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • BA, Harvard University
  • 4 years in Harvard undergrad admissions, overseeing application coordination
  • Former team lead at Google across multiple departments
  • Many of his students have earned scholarships, launched nonprofits, published research, and gained national recognition for creative and leadership work

Known for:

  • Deeply personalized, mentorship-based advising
  • Helping students uncover values and tell authentic stories
  • Global awareness and empathy across cultures, backgrounds, and goals

Fun Fact:

Benito has traveled to 45 countries and lived on five continents, including Seoul, Cape Town, Oahu, and Buenos Aires. Fluent in Spanish and conversational in Korean and Japanese, he believes great storytelling is shaped by how we experience the world, a philosophy that infuses every aspect of his advising.

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Dr. Sergey

Senior Counselor | Former Head Teaching Fellow, Harvard University  | Artificial Intelligence Consultant  | Ph.D., Harvard University | B.S., Cornell University

Ivy League scholar with 10+ years of experience guiding students into the most selective universities in the world.

Dr. Sergey’s students have been accepted to Stanford, Princeton, Brown, Vanderbilt, Cornell, NYU, UC Berkeley, UChicago, and more, with applications that reflect both intellectual depth, academic rigor, and personal authenticity.

Harvard-trained academic and award-winning mentor

Dr. Sergey earned his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Harvard, where he also completed a secondary field in Film & Media Studies. During his time there, he served as Head Teaching Fellow and faculty across multiple departments, earning multiple awards for excellence in teaching and advising.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Ph.D. & M.A., Harvard University
  • B.S. in Developmental Psychology, Cornell University
  • Former faculty and mentor at Harvard
  • Expert in personal narratives, academic positioning, and showcasing intellectual depth and nuance, particularly in STEM

Known for:

  • Helping students uncover and express their unique voice
  • Coaching academically curious, creative, and high-achieving students
  • Bridging deep academic knowledge with real-world admissions outcomes

Fun Fact:

Dr. Sergey is an avid cinephile who tracks down rare 35mm screenings, explores New York’s contemporary art scene, and enjoys multilingual conversations that connect people and cultures.

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Misa

Senior Counselor | Former Assistant Director of Admission, Harvey Mudd College | B.A., Pitzer College  |  Ed.M., University of Hawai’i at Manoa

10+ years guiding top students into the nation’s most selective universities

Misa has supported thousands of students through the college admissions process, with successful admits to Stanford, Yale, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, and more. She offers a welcomed dual perspective, having evaluated applications on the admissions side for top SLACs and coached students on the counseling side across elite schools and programs.

STEM admissions expert with deep strategic insight

Formerly Assistant Director of Admission at Harvey Mudd College, one of the top STEM institutions in the U.S., Misa is especially skilled at helping STEM-driven students position themselves as multidimensional candidates with both technical rigor and human depth.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former reader for Colorado College, Occidental College, and Reed College
  • Counselor Advisory Board, Colorado College
  • Leadership roles with the International Association for College Admission Counseling (Inclusion, Access & Success Committee) and ACCIS

Known for:

  • Building balanced, strategic college lists
  • Coaching STEM students to stand out beyond academics
  • Making the application process empowering, reflective — and, yes, even joyful

Fun Fact:

Misa is an avid traveler always on the hunt for great food, tranquil waters, and world-class duty-free shopping.

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Dr. Peggy

Senior Counselor | Former Head of Upper School, Crane Country Day School  | Former Director of Studies, Cate School  | Ed.D., UCLA | M.A.T., Brown University

30+ years in independent school leadership, guiding students and families through every stage of the academic journey.

Peggy brings unmatched experience as a middle school Head of Students, college counselor, and director of studies at elite California independent schools. She’s served on middle and high school admissions committees and conducted alumni interviews at the college level, offering students and families rare insight into the full admissions pipeline.

Premier educator, counselor, and lifelong school leader.

Peggy holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. Her career spans decades of working directly with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and boards, giving her an intuitive sense of how to build strategy, trust, and alignment throughout the admissions process.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Ed.D., UCLA | M.A.T., Brown University
  • 30+ years in independent school leadership and counseling
  • Experience on middle school and high school admissions committees
  • Alumni interviewer at the college level

Known for:

  • Helping students and families create grounded, authentic admissions roadmaps
  • Deep listening and holistic support across the emotional and strategic spectrum
  • Building strong, personalized connections rooted in compassion and clarity

Fun Fact:

Peggy’s children had her as their middle school principal — and somehow, they all still talk! She lives with her husband, a lifelong boarding school teacher, on a high school campus where home and school blend seamlessly.

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Jason

College Counselor | B.S., Duke University | M.B.A Deferred Admit, Columbia University Business School 

Rising admissions expert with a track record of elite results, including Stanford, Duke, Berkeley, and more 

Though officially starting his counseling career in 2024, Jason has already helped over 15 students earn admission to Stanford, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, Michigan, UC Berkeley, and UCLA, building on years of informal advising that led to early admits at Harvard, UPenn, and Brown.

Elite academic and professional background with a mentor’s mindset

A 2024 graduate of Duke University in Computer Science and Statistics, Jason was also admitted to Columbia Business School through their competitive deferred MBA cohort. He previously worked as a software engineer at Amazon and AWS, and now blends that analytical rigor and experience in big tech with a human-centered approach to admissions coaching.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • BS, Duke University
  • Columbia Business School Deferred MBA Admit
  • Former Software Engineer, Amazon & AWS
  • Specializes in narrative development, extracurricular strategy, and working with high-achieving engineers

Known for:

  • Pushing high-achieveing students to dig deeper and stand out authentically
  • Turning technical backgrounds into multidimensional, memorable stories
  • Helping students move beyond “what sounds good” to “what truly matters”

Fun Fact:

Jason has traveled to six of the seven continents, with Antarctica next on his list.

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Melissa

Financial Aid Expert | 20+ Years in Private Education | Specialist in FAFSA, CSS Profile, and Aid Strategy

Trusted financial aid leadership & expertise for over two decades

Melissa brings more than 20 years of experience in financial aid advising within the private education sector. Known for her calm clarity and strategic insight, she has guided countless students and families through the complexities of the financial aid process. With a background in psychology and deep expertise in Title IV funding, compliance, and student support, Melissa is a bridge between institutional policy and real-world family needs.

Helping families plan wisely and confidently for financial success

Melissa takes a holistic and empowering approach to financial aid counseling. She works closely with families to demystify FAFSA and CSS Profile submissions, evaluate need- and merit-based opportunities, and develop customized financial strategies that align with students’ academic ambitions. Her goal: to ensure every student can pursue higher education with confidence and a plan that supports both access and sustainability.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • 20+ years of financial aid experience in private education
  • Specialist in Title IV funding, FAFSA, CSS Profile, and institutional aid strategy
  • Degree in Psychology with a focus on student support services
  • Proven impact on student persistence and retention

Known For:

  • Empowering families through financial clarity
  • Deep institutional knowledge with a compassionate touch
  • Advising that supports both financial and educational outcomes

Fun Fact:

Melissa combines a love of adventure, live sports, and all things Disney — always ready to find joy in both the magical and the unexpected.

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Catherine B.

Senior Counselor | B.A. Brown University | M.S., Columbia University  | M.A., University of Leicester in UK

A dozen+ years of elite global admissions advising to the most prestigious post-secondary schools

Catherine brings over a decade of university counseling experience from the American Section of the Lycée International, France’s oldest and most prestigious public school, founded by Eisenhower in 1952. Since 2011, she has helped students gain admission to top universities across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and continental Europe. With degrees from Brown, Columbia, and Leicester, she combines Ivy League insight with a global mindset on postsecondary planning.

Champion of the best-fit global match

Whether guiding students toward Stanford, Sciences Po, or a small liberal arts college in Canada, Catherine is deeply committed to helping each student define what they want from their university experience. Her advising style is both grounded and aspirational: she pushes students to explore tailored programs aligned with their goals while ensuring they see higher education as the beginning of their journey, not the end.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • University Counselor, Lycée International (France) since 2011
  • Head of History, American Section, Lycée International
  • 13+ years of international admissions advising experience

Known For:

  • Deep expertise in global applications across Europe and North America
  • Helping students identify standout programs that match their aspirations
  • Track record of admits to Ivy League, Oxbridge, Sciences Po, and LSE

Fun Fact:

Catherine’s favorite part of the day? Quiet mornings walking her dog in the woods — but don’t tell her family that.

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Kelly

Senior Counselor | Former Head of Graduate Admissions, Stanford University

20,000+ applications reviewed. 100+ countries. Two decades of top-tier experience across undergraduate, graduate, and portfolio-based admissions.

Kelly brings a rare 360° view of higher education, with nearly 20 years of experience guiding students into the top 100 U.S. colleges and graduate programs. Her students include future artists, lawyers, designers, doctors, and entrepreneurs, each with a distinct story, brought to life through Kelly’s strategic, student-centered approach.

A true insider across the admissions ecosystem.

Kelly has served as Graduate Head of Admissions at Stanford, Admissions Officer and Enrollment Manager at California College of the Arts, Academic Advisor at the University of San Francisco, and a high school college counselor. She’s evaluated thousands of applications across majors and formats — including BFA, MFA, JD, MBA, and dual-degree programs — and has advised students from over 100 countries.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Graduate Head of Admissions, Stanford University
  • Former Enrollment Manager, California College of the Arts
  • Former Academic Advisor, University of San Francisco
  • BA, Art History & Fine Art, UC Davis + MA in Museum Studies, Italian Studies, and Photography (Florence, Italy)

Known For:

  • Crafting authentic, compelling narratives through a creative lens
  • Portfolio strategy for visual and design-oriented students
  • A calm, thoughtful, culturally sensitive counseling style
  • Helping students turn self-doubt into self-expression

Fun Fact:

Kelly lived in Italy for over a decade and still teaches Italian for fun. A lifelong language lover, she’s studied everything from Farsi to French, and currently splits her time between the mainland and Hawai’i, where she’s teaching herself ukulele and the Hawaiian language while exploring the ocean and painting coastal landscapes.

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Reid

College Counselor | Former Undergraduate and Transfer Admissions, Cornell University | Academic Advisor, Cornell University  | B.A., Tufts University

Reid has over 20+ years of experience in higher education, including 15 years in college admissions. Reid has worked as an application reviewer and admissions counselor at various institutions including Cornell, a small private art school, and a liberal arts college. While at Cornell, Reid specialized in transfer student applicants, including working with students through the process of not receiving acceptances they had hoped for and assisting students to improve their application as they prepared for transfer.

As a counselor, Reid focused on helping students to understand why they were applying to Cornell and to focus on how their individual interests and desires could be met there, and using that to create a clear and strong narrative in their application to promote a positive outcome.

Currently Reid works full-time as an Academic Advisor at Cornell where he is continually sharpening his student-centered skills while helping them to navigate toward the outcomes they desire.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Admissions Counselor, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
  • BA, Tufts University in American Studies (Varsity Football 4-year Letter Winner)
  • 2x nominee for Academic Advisor of the Year at Cornell University

Known For:

  • Helping students create cohesive and clear applications
  • Strong Listening Skills and ability to provide constructive feedback
  • Comfortable discussing and navigating personal and family issues

Fun Fact:

Reid has participated in more than 20 professional art shows including individual gallery shows and National Portfolio Day.

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Jake

Art Portfolio Reviewer | Graphic Designer & Illustrator | Comics Editor & Arts Grant Recipient

Visual storytelling meets strategic portfolio design

Jake is a practicing graphic designer, illustrator, and editor with a dual academic background in fine arts and digital design. With an Associate Degree in Graphic Design from Seattle Central Creative Academy and a BFA in Printmaking and Sculpture, he brings a hybrid perspective to art portfolio development. His work as Editor-in-Chief of Scarfff Comics Newspaper and his success as a freelance creative have earned him grants from both the Washington State Arts Commission and the City of Seattle.

Helping artists articulate their creative voice

Jake’s approach to portfolio review is all about alignment and authenticity. He helps students craft portfolios that not only showcase their strongest technical and conceptual pieces, but also communicate a unified artistic identity. Whether applying to fine arts, design, or media programs, students benefit from his insight into institutional expectations and his ability to shape raw talent into compelling, purpose-driven portfolios.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Associate Degree, Graphic Design – Seattle Central Creative Academy
  • BFA in Printmaking & Sculpture (2008)
  • Editor in Chief, Scarfff Comics Newspaper (2020–2024)
  • Arts grant recipient: Washington State Arts Commission & City of Seattle

Known For:

  • Strategic portfolio development for art and design schools
  • Balancing technical execution with conceptual depth
  • Deep engagement with comics, manga, and visual storytelling

Fun Fact:

Jake’s artistic inspirations include manga legend Akira Toriyama, the creative mind behind Dragon Ball.

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Fausto

Senior Counselor | Former Admissions Officer, Duke University | Emory MBA Candidate

6+ years guiding students to top 20 schools, elite business and STEM programs, and major merit awards.

Fausto brings a strategic yet deeply personal approach to the admissions process, built on years of experience as an essay coach, test prep instructor, and admissions officer. His students have earned admission to top Ivy+ universities like Duke and UPenn, and leading STEM institutions like Georgia Tech and Carnegie Mellon.

Admissions insight meets mentorship with heart

Fausto began his career helping students strengthen their SAT/ACT skills and build standout essays. In 2020, he pivoted to public health, leading COVID-19 response operations, and later returned to undergraduate admissions as an Assistant Director at Duke University. There, he oversaw international outreach across Latin America and APAC. He’s now pursuing his MBA at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, further sharpening the analytical and communication skills he brings to every student partnership.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Duke University
  • MBA Candidate, Emory University (Goizueta Business School)
  • BA in Public Policy Studies, Minor in Journalism & Media, Duke University
  • International Recruitment across Latin America at Duke
  • Former SAT/ACT instructor and global essay coach
  • Students admitted to Ivy+, top 20, and elite STEM/business programs

Known For:

  • Personal narrative development and identity-based storytelling
  • Interview prep and application polish that leaves a lasting impression
  • Empowering students to build confidence, clarity, and coherence
  • Support for international applicants navigating U.S. admissions

Fun Fact:

Fausto has ridden water buffaloes in northeast Brazil and once won a taco eating contest, a skill he insists will always be useful.

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Catherine S.

College Counselor | B.S., UPenn Wharton School of Business  | M.F.A., Columbia University  | M.Ed., University of Hong Kong

 

Expert admissions strategist, filmmaker, and brand builder with 15+ years across global industries, from Nestlé to Hollywood

Catherine brings a rare blend of storytelling precision, business strategy, and mentorship to the admissions process. With over 15 years of experience spanning brand management, film production, communications, and education, she’s helped students across the globe earn admission to top U.S. institutions, including Princeton, Columbia, Northwestern, UC Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon.

A strategic storyteller who knows how to pitch potential

Catherine holds a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at Penn, an MFA in Film from Columbia, and an MEd in Gifted Education from the University of Hong Kong. She’s previously worked in brand management at Nestlé, a producer on both Hollywood and indie films, and COO of a design startup. This unconventional path gives her a powerful lens for helping students find their voice, frame their strengths, and tell a story no admissions reader can ignore.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • BS in Economics, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (Dean’s List)
  • MFA in Film, Columbia University (Honors)
  • MEd in Gifted Education, University of Hong Kong (Distinction)
  • Producer on award-winning films and indie features
  • Creator of global SEL program for high school students using discussion-based film viewing 

Known For:

  • Essay and storytelling-based strategy that converts curiosity into conviction
  • Coaching students to build skills, confidence, and work ethic along the way
  • Mentoring families through the admissions process with empathy and candor

Fun Fact:

Catherine is a mom of twins, a passionate soccer fan — and once beat Jude Law in a soccer match. (Yes, really.)

Liz Fieschko

Senior Counselor | Former Admissions Officer, Georgetown University | Georgetown B.S.F.S

Liz is a self-described tech nerd and strong believer in the power of education. From her own experience as a Questbridge Scholar and as an undergrad at Georgetown, Liz brings significant expertise to their students, helping them with their dreams whether it be an Ivy+ institution, top STEM/undergrad business programs, BS/MD programs, or otherwise. 

Advising with Insight 

As an Admissions Officer in 2020, Liz saw the rapidly evolving selective admissions landscape adapt first-hand and learned greatly from colleagues at fellow Exploring College Options (ECO) schools. From acting as the point-of-contact for several regions nationally or reading transfer applicants, they brought their passion for student-success. Now Liz guides students across the world to cross the finish line with applications encompassing a student’s authenticity, passion, and awareness of the rapidly-evolving admissions landscape and applicant pool. 

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Walsh School of Foreign Service Graduate, Georgetown University
  • Former Admissions Officer, Georgetown University
  • Executive Function Coach for high-school and college students
  • AP Tutor, successfully helping students achieve 4+ on their exams 
  • 5+ years of experience counseling students into admission at schools like Harvard, Princeton, UChicago, Columbia, Brown, Yale, Cornell, Stanford, Dartmouth, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and more. 

Known for:

  • Positioning students for selective business, STEM, and interdisciplinary programs
  • Curious active listener for each student, leading with encouragement and empathy
  • Fully understanding a student’s story and co-creating impactful narratives 
  • Helping overwhelmed and stressed kids to gain clarity and composure  

Fun Fact:

Liz’s prop creation, costume design, and acting skills continue to grow through their work on immersive STEAM projects.

Christa

Senior Counselor | Former Assistant Dean Cornell University | B.S. Carnegie Mellon University

Over 25 years directly advising undergraduate & graduate students, and helping select students for Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences

She brings more than 25 years of experience supporting students in higher education and career development, including 20+ years at Cornell University, where she helped thousands of students translate academic experiences into clear, credible futures across engineering, technology, finance, consulting, and the liberal arts. Her work is grounded in human development and how people grow through transitions. 

She helps students navigate the college admissions process with clarity, confidence, and intention, so when they begin their next chapter, they can say “This is where I belong.”

Credentials & Highlights:

  • B.S. Industrial Management, Carnegie Mellon University 
  • M.S. College Student Personnel (Student Development focus), Miami University
  • Over 25 years of experience in higher education, including admissions, academic advising, and career development
  • Certified executive coach with experience coaching hundreds of senior leaders & founders  

This perspective allows her to help students and families see the full landscape – academic and professional development – rather than focusing narrowly on applications alone.

Known for:

  • Helping students identify what genuinely differentiates them – academically & personally
  • Translating technical, analytical, and creative experiences into compelling narratives

Fun Fact:

Christa prefers water to land. She loves swimming, kayaking, waterskiing, wakesurfing, windsailing, and cruising around to explore. Her dream is to live on a boat someday and cruise the Great Loop (Florida to Canada).

Mariama

Senior Counselor | Former Admissions Officer, Brown | B.A., Brown University

10+ years of admissions insight across Ivy League admissions and premed advising Recent Admits: Brown, Princeton, Stanford, Harvard, UChicago, Georgetown, Yale

Mariama brings over a decade of experience in highly selective college admissions. As an admissions officer at Brown University, she reviewed applications from across the U.S. and internationally and read for Brown’s highly selective Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), gaining firsthand insight into how top institutions evaluate both academic and pre-professional candidates. 

She is known for her ability to look beyond grades and test scores to identify intellectual curiosity, character, and potential. In her work with students, she focuses on helping them build applications that are not only strong, but also thoughtful, cohesive, and true to who they are.

Mariama’s advising is grounded in listening. She takes the time to understand each student’s interests and perspective, then helps shape a clear narrative and build the evidence to support it. She is particularly focused on helping students avoid the “checklist” approach to activities, guiding them instead toward profiles that are both authentic and strategically aligned.

She works especially well with humanities students and STEM students with interdisciplinary interests, and brings specialized insight to students pursuing BS/MD and pre-med pathways.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Admissions Officer, Brown University
  • Application reader for Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME)
  • 10+ years of experience in highly selective admissions advising

Known For:

  • Seeing beyond metrics to identify intellectual curiosity and potential
  • Building clear, cohesive, and authentic application narratives
  • A thoughtful, steady approach that students and families trust

Fun Fact & Interests:

A first-generation graduate with a strong interest in cultures and languages, Mariama enjoys reading, spending time by the water, and working on puzzles.

Angelica

College Counselor | Former Admissions Officer, USC & UW Foster School of Business |         B.A., Vassar College | M.Ed., UCLA

Admissions insight across business undergraduate and graduate programs, with a strong foundation in student-centered advising and career-aligned guidance

Angelica brings experience from both undergraduate and graduate admissions, having worked at the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. At USC, she reviewed applications across multiple regions, including California, Arizona, and Connecticut, while working within a centralized admissions model, giving her a deep understanding of how to position students across specialized and competitive programs.

Outside of admissions, Angelica worked in career and leadership development initiatives. At UW, she partnered with major tech companies including Google and F5 to create meaningful networking and professional development opportunities for students.

Angelica approaches admissions with both grounded strategy and curiosity, helping students zoom out to see the bigger picture—not just the next step, but how their college path connects to their long-term career goals.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, USC
  • Graduate Admissions, UW Foster School of Business
  • UCLA Scholarship Reader
  • Vassar College Alumni Interviewer 

Known for:

  • Supporting students in the exploratory phase who haven’t yet committed to a direction
  • Helping students see how their full story connects to where they want to go
  • Advising on specialized programs in retail, product design, and sport-adjacent careers

Fun Fact:

Angelica lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is outnumbered at home by her two cats, Echo and Chunko, and two chihuahuas, Charlie and Luna. When she’s not binge-watching TV, you can find her at a comic-con cosplaying as Bo-Katan Kryze.

Becca

Senior Counselor | Former Admissions Officer, Stanford | B.A., Stanford University 

A decade of admissions expertise from the Stanford farm to selective college admissions consulting

Becca’s deep-rooted understanding of the admissions landscape began at Stanford University, where she transitioned from a varsity student-athlete to a Senior Admission Officer. During her tenure in the admissions office, she evaluated thousands of applications from four distinct U.S. regions, gaining a rare, “behind-the-curtain” perspective on how one of the most selective universities in the world builds a class. Since then, she has dedicated her career to demystifying this process for families, working across private consulting and impactful nonprofits to ensure students from all backgrounds can navigate the journey with confidence and clarity.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Stanford Admission Officer & Graduate (BA in English & Creative Writing)
  • Senior College Counselor with almost a decade of admissions counseling experience
  • Former Division I Student-Athlete (Stanford Track & Field)

Known For:

  • Narrative Development: Helping students find the “gold” in their personal history to write standout essays.
  • Strategic List Building: Identifying schools where students will thrive both academically and socially.
  • Strategic Advising: Thoughtfully breaking down what it takes for CS and engineering applicants to truly stand out 

Fun Fact:

Becca trades the fast-paced world of admissions for life on a cattle ranch in the Greater Sacramento area. When she isn’t working directly with students, she is likely managing a busy household of animals alongside her husband and daughter.

Carly

Senior Counselor | Former Associate Director of Admissions, Haverford | B.A. Williams College, M.A. in Higher Education from the UMichigan-Ann Arbor

Recent Admits: Princeton, Dartmouth, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, MIT, Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon

With an academic foundation from Williams College and the University of Michigan, Carly has spent her career mastering the intricacies of the elite admissions landscape. Her students benefit from her insider perspective as a former Associate Director of Admission at Haverford College, where she led key initiatives in application evaluation, athletic recruitment, and diversity outreach. Her expertise extends beyond the university gates; she has served as an application reader for Barnard College and prestigious national scholarship programs including Jack Kent Cooke, QuestBridge, and Coca-Cola.

A self-described admissions nerd, Carly is a thought leader in the field, frequently presenting at NACAC conferences on high-stakes topics like waitlist navigation and supplemental essay strategy. She is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights and the power of storytelling to help students translate their unique strengths into compelling, successful applications. Carly’s global perspective is rooted in her time as a Fulbright scholar in South Korea, an experience that fueled her commitment to intercultural exchange and mentorship.

Credentials & Highlights:

  • Former Associate Director of Admission, Haverford College
  • Admissions Reader for Barnard College, QuestBridge, and the Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation
  • Featured Presenter at NACAC on specialized topics including the waitlist and essay strategy

Known For:

  • Deep Behind-the-Scenes knowledge of how committees evaluate candidates for both admissions and national selective scholarships
  • Data-Driven strategy combined with a narrative-focused approach to student branding
  • Empowering students to showcase their authentic voices through nuanced storytelling

Fun Fact:

Carly lived in Daegu, South Korea, as a Fulbright Grant recipient, an experience that launched her lifelong love of travel and intercultural exchange.