Advisors

Hi there! My name is My (pronounced Me - think Amy without the A!). First-generation college student born and raised in Anaheim, California and currently located in Seattle, WA. I received my Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science from UC San Diego (Go Tritons!) and my Master of Science in Counseling w/emphasis in K-12 Counseling from Cal State Long Beach. I have worked as a high school counselor for the past 5 years with my current role as a College & Career Counselor. Overall, I have experience in college advising for over 12 years, witnessing and supporting the post-high school process for over 2,000 seniors! I have worked in high schools both in California and Washington, making me very familiar with the UC admissions process as well as UW, and everything in between! I have also been an admissions reader for a UC school for the past two years. I am extremely passionate about helping students achieve their goals. I understand that the thought of college may be a little daunting and stressful, but with support and guidance, you can totally do it! I am confident in working with any and all students given my high school counseling background. Whether it be STEM, Pre-Med, Liberal Arts, Music, Animal Science, Theatre, Fire Science--you name it, I have probably worked with a student pursuing it!-- I would be more than happy to work with you! What you can expect from me with our work together-- a pace/timekeeper, a warm & supporting presence, and a cheerleader! I will ensure that your applications are in the best shape before you submit them to your colleges.

I bring a wealth of education, credentials and experience to CollegeAdvisor. As a graduate of the University of California, I understand the rigors of the top universities. With my master's in counseling and my Executive/Transition Coaching Credentials, I combine years of student advising with training to partner with my students to help them achieve their full potential. I have worked with students to help them enter prestigious universities such as Stanford, Cornell, Yale and Princeton to name a few. Many of my students have entered the University of California system to include the University of California Berkeley, the University of California Los Angeles, and the University of California San Diego. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

Hi, my name is Kiara Jackson. I graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a BA in Sociology and a minor in English. During my senior year, I studied abroad at the University of Manchester in Manchester, England. After undergrad, for two years, I helped students navigate the college admissions process and it brought me great joy. I went on to pursue and receive my MPP from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. I currently work as a program manager in which I develop, manage, and fund professional development programs for principals in Chicago Public Schools. I enjoy watching tv, reading, connecting with friends, and spending time with family. I look forward to working with you and helping you build your personal brand and navigate the college admissions process!

Hi there! My name is Abu Mian and I would love to work with you through your college admissions process! Although I grew up in the NYC area, I went to High School in Islamabad, Pakistan where I did not have access to the best advising for the college admissions process. I know how daunting the experience can be and so I have joined College Advisor to help you stay informed and on track with everything to do with college admissions. I graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2021, where I completed a degree in Philosophy with honors. Alongside my coursework in the liberal arts, I also completed a supplementary major in Arts & Letters Pre-Health. I am an aspiring physician and plan on applying to Medical Schools soon. During my undergrad I spent two years serving as an Advisor for Matriculate, a non-profit that helps low-income, high achieving high school students apply to colleges. I've also worked as a writing tutor for College Athletes and as a Philosophy teaching assistant. I also have extensive experience working with young people such as yourself at several non-profits in Kansas City, Dallas, and London. I look forward to using my experiences to help you craft your narrative and compose beautifully written essays!

Cristina Slattery applied to and was accepted at three institutions for her undergraduate education: Harvard, Stanford, and Middlebury. She attended Harvard College and graduated with honors in her field in Social Studies (international relations). She later earned a master's in English from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English and a master's in Teaching from Fordham University's School of Education. She has worked with international students from the Middle East and China who have applied to competitive U.S. and U.K. universities and graduate programs and who have been accepted by many of these programs. She enjoys working with students and has also taught English both in the U.S. and in Spain. She is currently working on a fantasy novel for kids ages 10-12 and hopes to see it published soon! Additionally, her non-fiction writing has appeared in publications ranging from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal, AFAR.com, FoodandWine.com, Words Without Borders, and many other magazines and websites.

I have assisted many students in achieving their college admission goals. As a past counseling department chair at a large high school, I am aware of the many challenges students face in crafting a superior college application. I will provide compassionate and thoughtful direction to ensure that students and families feel respected and supported throughout the college application process. I have an undergraduate degree in biology with a specialization in the biological basis of behavior and a graduate degree in psychological services. I am a certified school counselor and a certified school social worker. I am well versed in issues related to students with 504 and Individualized Educational Plans. I enjoy working with first generation students and have had several students successfully earn Questbridge scholarships. In addition, I have assisted high school athletes with navigating the NCAA at the Division I, II, and III levels. I have a passion for helping all students find the right fit college that meets their vocational, social and emotional needs.

I graduated from Emory University in 2022, after transferring from Texas Christian University in 2018. I was offered places at the University of Southern California and the University of Miami as well. For graduate programs, I have been accepted to programs at Sciences Po in Paris, France, Oxford University in Oxford, England, and Cambridge University in Cambridge. I have been mentoring high school students with the college application process for three consecutive years from all backgrounds. I have worked with students that have received acceptances at Cornell, Dartmouth, Emory University, University of Arkansas-Honors Program, and many more. My philosophy when working with students is making their unique personality and identity shine throughout the application. I've often worked with students who are unsure of how to showcase their abilities and their experiences or feel that they do not have anything "worthwhile" to wow college admissions officers. This is a common misconception, and I've worked with many students to help them realize that every student has a unique aspect to them that colleges want to see.

Hello! I'm Drew and I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Princeton University with a B.S. in Computer Science. I realized my passion for college advising in my sophomore year in college where I began working as a Matriculate college advisor. In the past, I've advised students interested in computer science or engineering. My approach to college advising is focused on drawing out the unique strengths of a student and ensuring that their application not only demonstrates their academic achievements, but also embodies their story and who they are as an individual. My favorite part of the process is definitely helping students develop their personal statement essays. I look forward to working with you!

I am a former college counselor and college admissions consultant. Throughout my career, I have worked with well over a thousand students and help them get admitted to Cornell University, Duke University, University of Rochester, Tufts University, Emory University, Lafayette College, Gettysburg College, New York University, Lawrence University, and many more. I enjoy supporting students and families through the entire college process and look forward to working with you.

I hold my B.S. from Cornell University, where I studied Global and Public Health Sciences in the Division of Nutritional Sciences. I am currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Biological Sciences from Miami University (Ohio) in partnership with Project Dragonfly's Global Field Program.

My career in education started with Cornell University's Upward Bound program as a college success counselor, where I spent 4 years advising first-generation students on college applications, personal statements, and financial aid. While there I developed and facilitated a two-week summer program designed to support seniors in completing the Common Application and their accompanying essays. Several graduates of the program went on to gain acceptance to highly selective schools, including Yale and Cornell, along with Ithaca College, NYU, and a variety of SUNY schools; many were also awarded scholarships to support the cost of tuition. I am very familiar with what it takes to compete at highly selective institutions.

For the past four years, I've served as K-8 Science Teacher in New York City. Currently, I work at Avenues: The World School, a highly rigorous, dual-immersion language international private school, as a Grade 6 Head Science Teacher and Curriculum Developer. I am deeply passionate about science education and environmental advocacy. Furthermore, I recently completed a writing course with author Haley Jakobson and am working towards my goal of reading 52 books this year! In my free time, you can find me hanging out in Central Park with my Goldendoodle, Chompy.

My name is Anesha Grant, and I have over 14 years of experience working in college access and success, supporting students through the college admissions process, and ensuring success through their first year. I am a first-generation college student. I love working with students as they learn more about themselves during the college application process. I look forward to learning more about you, working with you to help you realize your college dreams, and finding the school that will be the best fit for you!

I am a proud alum of Rollins College, where I majored in International Business with minors in music and Spanish. After graduation, I decided to work in the Office of Admissions for my alma mater. I specifically worked with students in the greater Orlando area as well as CT and IL. Rollins provided me with the experience and mentorship of understanding how the admissions process works for a liberal arts college. I would work with students and their families to explain the benefits of attending a smaller institution as well as expanding on my academic, cultural, and social experiences as a student myself. I found myself loving the work I was doing, especially connecting with students to help make their college dreams a reality. I actively reviewed Early Decision and Regular Decision applications where I would take and present students to the Admission Committee for revival.

The relationships I built on the road eventually led me transferring to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. I worked as an Admissions Officer at this highly selective University for 3+ years where I learned what it takes to get into a top 15 University. In this role, I worked with students and families across CA, specifically Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as students from OR, WA, and UT. Once again, I found myself loving the experience of helping students realize they have the potential to apply and be admitted to a selective institution like Vanderbilt. In this role, I focused on Early Decision rounds 1 & 2 as well as Regular Decision and Quest Bridge applications where I would present students to the Admission Committee. Helping students tell their story was the best part of the job.

As education has always been a priority for me in my life, I decided to go back to school for my MBA. I was fortunate enough to attend USC Marshall School of Business where I specialized in marketing. I now work for Mattel here in El Segundo, CA and have been loving my new career in sunny California! Although I am no longer working in Admissions for a university, I am so excited to be a part of CollegeAdvisor, where I look forward to working with students and families to reach their higher education goals.

I am an alum of Johns Hopkins University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with Honors, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Visual Arts minor. As of now, I am working towards a doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, specifically focusing on DEI. As an emigrant from the Philippines, my family and I were left at a loss as to what the college application journey entailed. But thanks to the guidance and care from my mentor, I was able to clarify my ambitions and attain access to scholarships, a higher-level education, and many more opportunities. I will always be grateful for the opportunities I have now thanks to my mentor's support, which is why I continue to embody her love for supporting others on their journey and understand how impactful sharing my experiences and knowledge to others can uplift the trajectory of their lives. For the 4 years I have been at Hopkins, I had the opportunity to be a mentor for Matriculate and Johns Hopkins Underrepresented in Medical Professions (JUMP) and had the privilege of mentoring and tutoring high schoolers and pre-med college students from various backgrounds with a focus on underrepresented or disadvantaged populations with the goal of promoting educational equity. Since then, I have been working with CollegeAdvisor to reach a plethora of students from all walks of life. I have worked with students interested in a diverse array of majors and students unsure of who they want to be, and in both cases, I have made sure to support them throughout their journey to give them a space to grow and to ensure their voices are heard. Whether this be through their essays or supplementals, I work with my students to enable them to communicate to admission officers their potential to elevate their campus community and their drive for further education. I have also worked with students who come with more complicated backgrounds, whether they be recent immigrants to the US or have parents who are not US citizens and supporting them through their unique financial aid process. I aim to empower students through personalized support that can help them overcome potential barriers and stressors of the college admission process. This can be a limitation in finances, information, understanding, or accessibility. Each student and their family have unique backgrounds and I want to give them the tools and support they need to ensure their loved one can matriculate into a college that fits them financially, academically, and socially. This process is not easy, and it can come with many barriers, so I hope to help share resources that can alleviate the cost of college and provide opportunities to help support the trajectory of their future.

I hold a B.A. from Emory University, where I graduated summa cum laude with a double major in International Relations and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. After my undergraduate education, I served as an Admission Counselor at my alma mater for three years, recruiting exceptional prospective students and advising families about college options and the ins and outs of the application process. Additionally, I read applications and sat on the review committee for Early and Regular Decision admission and merit-based scholarships. Later, I served as an ICT Education Specialist in the United States Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. Having fallen thoroughly in love with work in the education sector, I went on to spend over a decade as a high school English Language Arts teacher and College Counselor at an accredited bilingual school in Santo Domingo. In addition to teaching, I supported students through the college admissions process, including school selection, personal branding and storytelling, essay writing, interview prep, career exploration, and scholarship and financial aid applications. My time on both sides of the proverbial college advisor desk has given me a clear picture of the academic and extracurricular profiles needed to succeed in competitive university admissions while also reinforcing my belief that the college selection process should center around the best fit for a given student. Currently, I am enrolled as a Master of Clinical Social Work student at Boston University with the intent of further honing my capacity to offer guidance and resources to young people and their families as they build life skills, navigate major transitions, and set goals for the future. I believe that the college admissions process is not an end in itself, but rather a powerful way for students to grow in self awareness, practice lifelong learning, and develop capacities that will allow them to define and achieve success on their own terms. I am passionate about supporting students, parents, and guardians with care, humor, and curiosity–I look forward to learning about the unique experiences and gifts each applicant has to offer in college and beyond!

Proud Jumbo here! As a first generation, low income, mixed race, Black woman, I was accepted into the school of my dreams (an absolute reach) Tufts University through the BLAST (Bridge to Liberal Arts Success at Tufts) Scholars Program in the spring of 2013. I became a dedicated member of the Tisch Scholars for Civic Life early on which presented a space to challenge myself and further drive my ambition toward social justice.

In the academic sphere at Tufts, I gained perspective on how my passions and curiosities for the world and people's engagement within the society around them could be channeled as a form of study, building frameworks to recognize patterns in society. My course of study allowed me to align all my passions by further connecting my sociology major to the study of social inequalities embedded within patterns of society.

Daunted by the rigorous academic curriculum yet supported through a plethora of resources and opportunities, my time at Tufts, though challenging, was both life changing and life defining. Having been awarded one the highest honors in the University, The Presidential Award for Civic Life, was a testament to the community of people and peers who unconditionally upheld, uplifted, and empowered me to persevere amongst rigorous academic pursuits.

I could not have graduated from Tufts University without the resources and support systems I had access to, and upon graduating in 2017, I eagerly joined the Americorps Service Program, The College Advising Corps at Boston University (CAC-BU), where I served at an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Boston, MA.

During my two years of service with CAC-BU I received over 600 hours of college advising training engaging with all aspects of the college application and matriculation process. We received in depth training for leaders across higher education in the East Coast region, gaining perspective on admissions trends across the country.

In my IB school placement, I managed a caseload of 100+ upperclassmen, providing both individual and group advising by teaching the 11th and 12th grade advisory classes and coordinating and leading more than 20 college campus visits per year. In my second year of service I took on a more direct leadership role on the program development side of CAC-BU as the chair of the Adviser Training Committee. In this role, I facilitated 15 college adviser workshops and was selected to give a presentation on near peer advising with vulnerable student populations during the College Advising Corps national conference.

I continued to work for the school and the Boston Public Schools District, until June 2020, when I relocated to my current location in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have continued providing college advising support in different capacities and now work at a racial and gender equity centered non-profit organization.

I received my B.A. from Brandeis University with a double major in Psychology and Italian. I then went on to get an Interpreters degree in Italian and French from Georgetown University and then a Master's degree in International Affairs and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. I have worked at the United Nations, for the Italian government and as a free-lance interpreter and translator. For a number of years, I have been working as an independent college counselor working both with international and American students and I now look forward to collaborating with CollegeAdvisor and to continue helping students navigate the college admissions process.

Born and raised in New Mexico, I came to New York City in 2017 to study biology at Columbia, and stayed after graduation for the diversity, art, and availability of late-night boba. My love for reading, writing, and debate made law school seem like a natural choice, but after gaining experience in corporate law, neuroscience laboratory research, and - most recently - HIV/AIDS clinical research, I have since pivoted towards preparing for medical school. Openness to exploration, pursuit of a greater understanding of self, and drive towards personal growth regardless of whatever subject of study or career one may pursue form the core of my philosophy towards applying to college - or anything, really. That is why I look forward to helping students find schools that fit their interests, craft essays that bring out the best in every experience they've had, and ultimately approach the college admissions process with a sense of confidence, clarity, and excitement.

Michael attended UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television, and while there, he studied performance primarily, in John Hall’s Musical Theatre Workshop. He appeared in John’s productions of Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party and West Side Story (not by Andrew Lippa). He was the 2004 recipient of the Carol Burnett Award for Outstanding Male Performer. In 2005, Michael earned his Master’s degree from UCLA’s TFT under the guidance of Dr. Pat Harter. He created a program that paralleled the California Arts Bridge program, using theatre and art to help younger students access the core curricula. Michael began teaching high school English in 2006 in addition to working as an actor. He has kept both careers alive, and currently works at a public charter school in Southern California as a college and career counselor. In 2021, he earned a second master's degree in education and autonomous school leadership.

I am a current educator and recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. As Robertson Scholar attending two elite institutions, I graduated with Highest Honors, a Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society member, and author of an award-winning senior honors thesis research study. Here at CollegeAdvisor.com, I also serve on the College List and Essay Review Team!

Michael Pham is a first-generation scholar and Bay Area native. He earned a bachelor's degree in Integrative Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Management and Policy Analysis from California State University - East Bay. Additionally, Michael successfully graduated with an MBA, specializing in healthcare management, from Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School. Throughout his higher education journey, Michael accumulated valuable experience by working at both the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and Apple Inc. His dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others is evident in his service on developmental disabilities boards at the city, county, and state levels, where he proudly holds the position as the youngest member. Moreover, Michael finds immense fulfillment in mentoring and supporting aspiring scholars. He has been instrumental in guiding over 150 individuals to successful admissions and job placements in top universities, including MIT, Yale University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley, and beyond. Currently, Michael is pursuing his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California (USC). His expertise spans across public management, policy analysis, and healthcare management, allowing him to make a remarkable impact in the healthcare industry. As the Business Operations Manager and former Administrative Fellow at Stanford Medicine - Health Care, Michael has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing inclusive healthcare services for all. If you're looking for a Senior Advisor who can help you break down silos, build life skills, and make a difference in the world, Michael Pham is the ideal choice. With his top-notch college advisement and extensive expertise, you can be confident that you'll receive personalized and comprehensive guidance to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Join forces with Michael today and let him help you reach your full potential as you embark on your educational and professional journey.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Political Science from Rice University. I also hold a Master's in Education from the University of Houston in Higher Education Administration and Supervision. I am currently working on a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Houston.

I started my career in college admissions at Rice University in 2009. I worked my way up from being an Admission Counselor to Associate Director of Admission. I have over 15 years of experience in advising students through the college admission process. While I represented Rice University, I have always viewed my job as being a representative of higher education. Therefore, I have assisted students in their college admissions journey whether their destination was Rice or any other college or university. I have also conducted workshops on highly selective admission practices, essay writing, and mock admission committee case studies. I served as an admission committee chair for all areas of study including international student admissions and transfer admissions. I have served at the national level as part of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Anti-Racism Institute Faculty and the Guiding the Way to Inclusion Conference Faculty

My approach is to serve as a guide and a coach. The college admission process should be an amazing time in your life in which you get to dream big and think about the environment you want to spend your time in. My job is to help guide you to places that will help fulfill your dreams, places that will provide the environment where you will feel happy, healthy, and supported, and places that will open you to new opportunities/possibilities. This process can seem daunting, but it truly isn't. Together we will put together your best application, hit submit, and take a deep breath as you watch the admission doors open.