Private Columbia Admissions Counseling

Alvin earned his BA from Binghamton University and an MA from Columbia University. He has extensive admissions experience, having served as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Columbia University and Tufts University, and Associate Director of Integrated Graduate Student Services at Georgia State University. He also served as an application reader and reviewer for the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

In addition to multiple years of admissions committee experience, Alvin has also worked as the Director of College Counseling at Student Leadership Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people in underserved communities gain access to higher education. During his time serving as Director of Admissions at Columbia and Tufts, Alvin oversaw the entire admissions process. This included developing and executing recruitment strategies, leading admissions teams, evaluating applications holistically, making admissions and scholarship decisions, collaborating with faculty and financial aid departments, and ensuring a seamless transition for admitted students. He also represented these institutions at events aimed at attracting high-caliber candidates.

Alvin finds it deeply rewarding to guide high school students in achieving their educational goals and shaping their college experiences. Knowing he has played a key role in their success is especially meaningful to him. Alvin is dedicated to providing students and families with personalized college counseling, empowering them to navigate the application process with clarity and confidence. Students he has worked with have been admitted to top-tier schools, including MIT, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Duke,  Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Princeton, Rice, UPenn, and UC schools, among others.

As a coach, Alvin excels in tailoring strategies to each student’s unique strengths and goals, leveraging his admissions expertise and outstanding communication skills. He fosters confidence  and empowerment, ensuring students and families feel supported every step of the way in an inclusive and encouraging environment. By actively engaging with applicants, Alvin has learned to appreciate the diverse perspectives they bring and how their experiences can enrich campus culture. 

In his free time, Alvin enjoys exploring new cultures through travel, staying active with hiking and workouts, relaxing with a good book, and cherishing quality time with loved ones.

Alvin’s Pro Tip?

Taking a holistic approach to your applications is crucial. It’s about going beyond the numbers to showcase your unique qualities and potential contributions to the school’s community.

Anna earned both a BA and Master’s degree from Columbia University. She is a senior editor at Hay House, a leading publisher known for its range of non-fiction books, including several New York Times bestsellers. Anna has also worked at other prominent publications such as ELLE, Teen Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue. 

Anna has been a mentor at Columbia's Odyssey Mentoring Program for two years, where she shares her time, knowledge, ideas, and advice with Columbia students as they work toward their educational and professional goals. Students Anna has coached have been accepted to top schools, including Columbia and Cornell.

Anna’s passion for coaching comes from her own experience navigating the college application process. She loves witnessing the transformation students undergo as they uncover their strengths, interests, and goals through their writing and self-reflection. 

With her extensive background in writing, Anna is an expert at helping students craft compelling narratives that highlight their unique experiences and strengths. She provides detailed feedback and thorough edits to ensure each student’s application documents truly shine. Anna aims to empower students and make the application experience as manageable as possible with clear scheduling and open communication.

Outside of work and coaching, Anna enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her dog.

Dom earned a BA from Wilkes University and an MS from Columbia University. With over eight years of experience in college admissions, he has established himself as a trusted and knowledgeable professional in higher education. Dom has served as a Program Coordinator, Senior Admissions Counselor, and adjunct faculty member at Columbia University,  and as a Graduate Admissions Counselor at Northeastern University. 

Dom believes every applicant brings something unique to the table. He is most inspired by helping students align their grit, talent, character, and skills with a school's mission, vision, and values. For him, the excitement lies in finding the perfect fit together. Under his guidance, students have gained admission to prestigious institutions  such as Columbia, Yale, Stanford, and UC schools.

Dom’s greatest strength as a coach is building strong, meaningful relationships. He genuinely enjoys connecting with students, learning about who they are, and understanding their interests. This complements his second strength: leveraging his extensive experience and knowledge to help students navigate their options. Dom emphasizes communication and trusting the process. When you work with him, you’re not just getting a college counselor—you’re gaining a coach and friend who will stand by your side throughout the admissions journey. While the process can be challenging at times, Dom is committed to persevering until students reach success.

In his free time, Dom loves running on the beach with his dog, Bubba. After spending most of his life in NYC and recently relocating to Miami, this has become one of his favorite pastimes.

Dom’s Pro Tip?The admissions process is all about finding a "mutual fit." Just as schools seek students who will enrich their classrooms with unique experiences, skills, and knowledge, they also want to provide you with opportunities to grow as a student and individual. College is an investment, and you should understand what return it will offer you. Ask yourself, "what do I want to gain from a college experience and education?" Defining your goals will help you identify the schools best suited to help you achieve them.