Prior to pursuing an MBA from New York University, Joe earned a BA from Temple University, an MA from Columbia University, and an MPA from New York University. He has extensive admissions experience, including serving on the admissions committee team at Columbia University. Joe has coached countless students, both individually and in groups, on how to craft compelling applications, helping them gain admission to top schools like Columbia, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, and others. Joe has worked at NYU for over 8 years as Residence Hall Assistant Director and Residence Hall Director. 

Joe is passionate about helping students navigate one of the most transformative experiences of their lives—transitioning from high school to college. From high school courses and extracurricular planning to navigating their first day on campus, Joe works with students to create a comprehensive and cohesive narrative that displays their strengths. With a strong foundation in student development theory, he goes beyond helping students build a competitive application. Joe guides them through the entire process, empowering them to discover their true potential, develop leadership skills, and present an authentic, compelling narrative to admissions committees. Joe’s extensive experience in student affairs provides a unique perspective, coaching applicants to think about admissions holistically and giving them a head start on their academic and extracurricular journey.

As a coach, Joe’s greatest strengths lie in blending his deep knowledge of the admissions process with a strong understanding of student development. His personalized, student-centric approach—coupled with his ability to engage students and families—sets him apart. With a focus on communication, empathy, and motivation, Joe fosters a supportive environment that encourages growth. His passion for staying up to date on college and university news, coupled with his extensive admissions network, allows him to guide students to success effectively. Joe has truly honed these skills, adapting his approach to meet the unique needs of each student he works with.

In his spare time, Joe likes to travel, having most recently visited the French Alps. He also splits his time between New York City and East Hampton, where he loves to go to the beach with his two puppies. Joe is an avid learner as well, evident through his various degrees!

Joe’s Pro Tip? 

No student is the same—what matters most is  how you tell your personal story. After all, the admissions team is trying to gauge whether you are a good fit for the school!  Showcasing what interests you, your ability to contribute outside of the classroom, and who you are is exceedingly important for the admissions committee to properly envision you on their campus.

Juan earned a BA from the University of Texas, Austin, and an MFA from Yale University. He has 20 years of senior leadership experience and  extensive selective admissions experience to his coaching, including serving as an interviewer at Yale. Additionally, he has auditioned students at Long Island University - Brooklyn for the BFA Acting Program in conjunction with the New Group Theater. Students he has coached have gained admission to top schools such as Cornell, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, and MIT. 

Juan is the current Chair of the Yale Latino Alumni Association for the Tri-state Area. In this role, he actively helps recruit students through various on-campus and off-campus events. Juan has also been the Executive Director of Y Tu Tambien College Access Program, offering college application workshops, mentorship, and networking for minority and first-generation students. He has held this role for over 7 years, and coordinates 70+ Latino volunteer alumni, and 100+ Ivy League students for year-round college application workshops and individualized student mentorship. 

With a strong background in program development and stakeholder collaboration, Juan has structured several college access programs and initiatives that build confidence and preparedness in students. He actively collaborates with schools, social service agencies, and other community organizations, reflecting his unwavering dedication to empowering young people to make informed choices and achieve their educational goals.

Juan’s dedication to coaching stems from his own educational journey and extensive work with underserved communities. Having witnessed firsthand the transformative power of higher education, he understands the challenges faced by diverse students. His experience building educational programs fuels his desire to equip students not only with application skills but also with the confidence to believe in and reach their full potential. To Juan, there is no greater joy than witnessing a student receive the acceptances they have worked so hard for. 

As a coach, Juan’s strengths stem from his own application journey and extensive experience in educational leadership. Growing up in an immigrant family with limited college opportunities, he deeply understands the importance of resilience and community support. This empathy informs his approach with every student to foster trust and create a safe space that welcomes open communication. Additionally, his expertise in storytelling and strategic communication enables him to help students effectively present their unique strengths and experiences. He ensures each applicant's story is compelling and authentic, showcasing the value they bring to admissions committees. Juan’s strong project management skills also keep students organized and on track throughout the application process. From initial brainstorming to final submissions, he is committed to ensuring every detail showcases each student's best self. He is a big believer in making sure students have fun during the admissions process—he believes Joy is an overlooked essential ingredient in any student application.

Living in NYC, Juan likes to take advantage of the dynamic art scene. He loves museum nights, theater and dance performances, and outdoor concerts.

Juan’s Pro Tip?

Most students try to be something they are not because they think it’s what a school wants to hear. A student should never fight their talents in the application process, but embrace them! Students should also be careful not to overlook their letters of recommendation. Always get a recommendation from a teacher who truly believes in you!

Julie has earned a Bachelor’s from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Julie finds helping students navigate the complex journey of college applications incredibly rewarding. She is passionate about empowering individuals to recognize their strengths, passions, and aspirations and guiding them in finding institutions that align with their values and ambitions. Witnessing the growth and development of students as they craft their narratives, refine their skills, and overcome challenges is immensely fulfilling. 

Julie is grateful for the opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders and innovators. She feels it’s a privilege to be a part of students’ journeys toward higher education and enjoys sharing their excitement when they receive acceptance letters from their dream schools.

As a coach, Julie’s greatest strengths lie in empathizing with students, understanding their unique needs and goals, and tailoring her approach to suit their styles. She is adept at providing constructive feedback, motivating students, and helping them build self-confidence. Additionally, her expertise in the college admissions process and dedication to staying informed about current trends and best practices enables Julie to offer valuable insights and strategic advice. She is committed to fostering a positive and collaborative relationship with students, guiding them toward success while nurturing their growth and self-discovery.

Junior holds a Master’s degree from New York University. He has nearly 20 years of coaching experience and has supported 1,000+ students through their journeys to higher education. Junior served on the  Asia Pacific Leadership Program admissions committee at the University of Hawaii, helping review graduate-level applications. His work included reviewing their application materials, such as the application form, the essay for joining the program, the proposal for GIST (Group Independent Study Travel), and recommendation letters. Junior’s experiences have helped him learn to look at application material objectively while using his own knowledge to gauge the applicant's potential to succeed. 

Junior has also held many support and service roles which have allowed him to support students in grades six through 11 in obtaining internships, getting into STEM related-programs, applying to summer programs, and earning scholarships. Students he has coached have been accepted to top schools, including Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Pomona College, and others. 

Junior is a first-generation college graduate. This means that as a high school student, he could not go to his parents for help, which negatively impacted his college application experience. His journey led him to become a college counselor, working with hundreds of students through the college application process to help ease their anxiety and ensure they had the knowledge and tools needed to make well-informed decisions about their future without getting overwhelmed. Contributing to student success and helping them build confidence makes him passionate about coaching. 

Junior’s greatest power as a coach is his listening skills. Active listening requires empathy and putting one's feelings and opinions aside, allowing the coach to listen to understand—not to respond. Active listening helps him be present and facilitates mutual trust and understanding, leading to a better experience for everyone. Understanding his students' needs, fears, dreams, and aspirations allows him to focus on what's important to them, making it easier for him to help applicants accomplish their goals.

Outside of work, Junior consumes a lot of art and intellectual content. He loves listening to Afrobeats, attending Afrobeats concerts, and reading fiction, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez, James Baldwin, and Salman Rushdie. He also enjoys visiting museums and art shows and saw the Whitney Biennial 2024 and the Met's Costume Institute’s spring 2024 exhibition. Junior also loves watching independent and foreign films, running and hiking in New York's Adirondack Mountains, or traveling to places like Belize, Portugal, and the Dominican Republic.

Prior to completing her Master’s at NYU, Kadie graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in chemical engineering. Professionally, she has years of experience working as a software engineer in the film and television industry. She has worked with some of the most reputed software engineering teams in the world, including teams at Disneytoon Studios, Disney ABC Television Group, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. She also has seven years of admissions consulting experience, guiding students toward acceptance to schools like UCLA, UChicago, UMichigan, and more. 

Katie’s passion for tutoring comes from the desire to pay forward the support she received throughout her own education and career. She loves helping students tell their story in a way that helps them stand out. She knows the application process intimately and how personal and taxing it is, so she aims to help other applicants work smarter and not harder!

Working in the film industry has strengthened Kadie’s love of storytelling and ability to recognize what makes a good story—one of her greatest strengths as an admissions coach. She believes that being able to tell a personal story as compellingly as possible is essential for differentiating an application from the thousands of others. From brainstorming to developing a captivating hook and maintaining reader engagement, she guides students through every step of the process. Her approach centers on cultivating a central "main idea" that highlights how their unique talents and qualities contribute significantly to their prospective class. Beyond securing college admissions, she aims to impart lifelong storytelling skills to her students. She believes these skills are invaluable for personal and professional growth. Additionally, Kadie excels at helping students identify and showcase their strengths and prepare for interviews.

In her spare time, Kadie loves paddleboarding, dancing, hiking, biking, snowboarding, scuba diving, attending concerts, putting together fun outfits, reading, and writing. She has also impressively been on the film credits of Frozen II, Raya and the Last Dragon, Encanto, Wish, and the upcoming Moana II. 

Kadie’s Pro Tip?

Don't underestimate the power of storytelling. The applications of storytelling go far beyond your personal essays. They are essential in interviews, presentations, conversations, and everyday life!

Kate completed a BA at Dartmouth College and an MSE and PhD at the University of Pennsylvania. While at UPenn, she served on the admissions team conducting interviews and assessments of its undergraduate applicants. 

Kate has extensive professional experience in corporate tech, college teaching, academic research, and the arts. She led an error analysis of the CX chatbot at Comcast and taught multiple computer science classes at Dartmouth College. Kate published over forty research papers in academic journals and conference proceedings and was a submission reviewer for numerous academic conferences. Her debut novel was a finalist for the prestigious Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize, and she served as a judge for the Vermont Book Award. 

Kate is, first and foremost, a parent and a champion of all children. She believes in the power of youth to transform our global future. She is eager to help each student write the stories inside them that go deep and read not as generic but as how only they can speak, and that will resonate with each admissions committee. 

As a coach, Kate excels at listening, compartmentalizing, navigating large quantities of data, and analyzing the fine points of language. Using these skills, Kate helps each student find their unique voice and present a distinctive and compelling narrative profile that uses all available application components to illustrate, animate, and validate their message. Kate also excels at helping students find schools where they can grow while being challenged to reach their fullest potential. She prides herself on her ability to help each student with their resume and coaches them on succinctly presenting themselves as individuals and members of their global community.

When Kate isn't coaching, you can find her hiking, swimming, skiing, biking, spending time with her family, reading, and writing.

Kausik has earned a Master’s degree from Harvard University. He has been coaching students for six years and has supported 60+ through the admissions process. Students he has coached have been accepted to top schools such as MIT, Brown, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Yale, UCLA, and others. Additionally, Kausik has coached students who have been accepted to prestigious summer programs, such as the Brown Pre-College Program, Harvard Pre-College Program, MITES, and SUMaC. 

Kausik’s passion for coaching college applicants stems from his love of teaching and his involvement in academia. He loves bridging the gap for eager students in their high school days into a larger world of study and experiences. Kausik enjoys hearing about students' dreams and aspirations and strategizing the best way to help them attain their goals.

Kausik has a wide knowledge base of universities, academic programs, and opportunities in the US and abroad. His greatest strengths lie in his ability to find the best fit for each student’s wants and needs while also looking beyond college for opportunities for further study, internships, and careers. He has extensive experience working with families from many different backgrounds, and believes it is essential as a counselor to understand the totality of students and their families to best help them achieve their goals.

When he’s not coaching, Kausik is an avid reader and spends much of his time writing fiction and non-fiction. He also plays basketball, works in film and media production, and travels as much as he can.

Kayla is a graduate of Brown University, where she earned two Bachelor's degrees, one in Theatre Arts & Performance Studies and the other in Modern Culture & Media. She has also worked for Brown University's Admissions Department. She regularly co-presented application information sessions for prospective students and learned how Brown evaluates candidates. This experience provided her with a unique understanding of what constitutes a strong college applicant. Kayla specialized in answering: "When applicants have similarly strong test scores and grades, what sets an admitted student apart from the others?"

Kayla excels at providing structure for both students and parents throughout the entire application process, turning the daunting task of applying to colleges into manageable, actionable steps. She supports her students in identifying and showcasing what sets them apart from other applicants. Kayla's past students have said that essays become easy with her guidance and have expressed gratitude for the sense of direction she provides.

Kayla is a passionate storyteller and has extensive professional experience as an actor, writer, and director. She is the recipient of the New Players Company Directing Award and the Brown University T. Carpenter Prize for Elocution.

Kayla has recently worked with students accepted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell, UC Berkeley, Pomona College, and Emerson College, among other top schools.

Keisha has earned a Master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Education and has served in admissions as an Interviewer at Wesleyan University. She has nine years of experience in college admissions coaching, successfully guiding diverse candidates through the application process. Throughout her career, Keisha has helped students gain admission to prestigious institutions, such as Harvard University, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Yale University, MIT, and more. Professionally, Keisha serves as Assistant Program Director at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Keisha finds immense joy in serving as the compass that leads students through this transformative experience, witnessing the unfolding narratives of each individual and helping them crystallize their aspirations into compelling college applications. Believing in the profound power of education to shape lives, Keisha is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in helping students unlock doors to their dreams. 

Her coaching approach is built on a foundation of empathy, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the nuances within the college admissions landscape. Keisha takes pride in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where students feel comfortable expressing their authentic selves—a cornerstone in crafting compelling personal narratives that resonate with admissions committees.

Keisha’s greatest strengths are building well-rounded school lists and crafting compelling personal statements. She excels in profile development, emphasizing the essence of the individual behind the accolades, and offers comprehensive guidance on extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, and interview preparation. With a strategic mindset, Keisha tailors application strategies to each student's unique strengths, ensuring they stand out in a competitive pool. She stays abreast of evolving admissions trends and leverages this knowledge to provide cutting-edge guidance. 

Open communication is the cornerstone of Keisha's collaboration with students. Their dreams, concerns, and questions are not just heard but valued. She is there to provide unwavering support, ensuring each step is as enriching as possible. Keisha is committed to turning the challenges of the college admissions process into opportunities for growth and self-discovery. She looks forward to guiding, advocating, and partnering in this exciting academic and personal development chapter.

Beyond being a coach, Keisha is a mentor genuinely invested in the holistic development of each student, instilling resilience, confidence, and a sense of purpose that extends beyond their college years. She aims to guide prospective applicants and families through the transformative journey of the college admissions process. It's not merely about securing acceptance letters; it's about discovering and articulating unique narratives, fostering resilience, and cultivating a mindset for lifelong success.

Outside of work, Keisha practices and teaches yoga, finds solace in hiking the 48 4000-footers of New Hampshire, indulges in creative writing, and explores the alchemy of baking. She also loves exploring the world and has visited over 20 countries.

Kerry holds a Master’s from Columbia University and a Master’s from Carnegie Mellon University. She has served as an international admissions consultant with multiple global companies, especially those that only hire Ivy League alumni. Kerry has worked on all aspects of admissions consulting, shepherding students through admissions season or working with special cases for over a decade. She has personally coached students accepted into prestigious institutions, such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, Rice University, Cambridge University, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, and more!

After working as an adjunct professor throughout her PhD years, sometimes teaching three-hour lectures to 80 students, Kerry realized that her one-on-one work in private tutoring and admissions consulting was her greatest passion, with real-life results always visible. She loves getting to know each student as an individual, helping them figure out how to stand out and their brand, who they are, and who they want to be. Kerry loves leading students through the process, helping make it fun, alleviating anxiety, and watching their admission acceptances roll in.

Kerry excels as a coach due to her ability to navigate substantial work and pivotal life plans with a blend of humor, infusing the admissions process with genuine enjoyment and excitement. Her strengths lie in authenticity, characterized by honesty and diplomacy when offering advice and openly sharing her successes and setbacks in admissions consulting. Thanks to a rich tapestry of life experiences in academia, journalism, diverse careers, and extensive travel, Kerry possesses a unique perspective that enriches her coaching approach. She also excels in her ability to read students well for what makes them unique and how to make them stand out in the admissions process.

Furthermore, Kerry's expertise extends to a comprehensive knowledge of various schools, programs, admissions intricacies, and effective strategies. Over her years as a private admissions consultant, Kerry has learned the intricacies of the systems of the various schools. She has also learned how best to help students depending on their personalities, profiles, goals, and strengths and to let them take a lead role in their own admissions process so that they can grow into the best versions of themselves.

Moreover, as an international writer with over sixty publications in both scholarly and popular outlets, Kerry offers students an unusual opportunity to collaborate and edit with a working writer. 

As a journalist and digital nomad who has lived around the world, Kerry has an immense amount of knowledge to share about places, schools, degrees, and just about anything else, too. When she’s not working, Kerry enjoys studying languages and art. Kerry is extremely into fitness and training, and the gym is her happy place for stress relief.