One-On-One NYU Admissions Counseling To Help You Tell Your Story

Marlee has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University. She has served on the admissions teams at Northwestern University and University of Illinois Chicago. In these roles, Marlee has been a part of scholarship review committees and has been responsible for overall enrollment management, especially for international students.

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Marlee is a staunch advocate for higher education and believes it is a critical access point for all students. She feels that education presents an opportunity for students to grow personally, professionally, and academically to become important members of society supporting change, innovation, and progress in the world.

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This passion is what led Marlee to coach Quad applicants. Marlee is committed to getting to know her students and working with them to present their best representation of themselves. She thoroughly enjoys learning about and identifying what makes each student unique and helping them share these qualities and strengths with their chosen colleges. Her greatest strengths include helping students identify goals, create a strategic and organized plan to meet those goals, manage their time effectively, and craft powerful resumes.

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When Marlee isn’t coaching, she loves to run, dance, and travel.

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Michael has a Bachelor’s degree from NYU, where he was extensively involved in the admissions process. At NYU Tisch, he served as an Admissions Reader in the Dramatic Writing department, formulating detailed recommendations on whether candidates' writing was up to par with the program's standards and whether or not they should be admitted. Michael also served as an Administrator for both the Student Affairs/Graduate Admissions department and the Department of Design for Stage and Film and as an Assistant to the Chair at the Clive Davis Institute. In these roles, he played a critical administrative role in scheduling interviews and organizing applications, including checking for requirements and liaising between applicants and the department to ensure applicants turned in all forms, essays, and portfolio materials. 

Moreover, Michael had the opportunity to coach college applicants through the Tisch Summer High School program, where he guided students through the department's admissions process and provided support and guidance on personal growth and potential shifts in interests.

With over 14 years of consecutive experience studying and working within higher education, Michael has developed a deep passion for coaching college applicants. He finds great excitement in the college application process, recognizing it as a transformative and pivotal moment in a student's life. He understands the mix of independence, rich learning opportunities, and daunting challenges that come with this stage. Having witnessed this moment from various perspectives, he is driven to help students find their unique voice in the application process. Michael believes our voice is a powerful tool that remains within our control, even when other factors seem uncertain. Guiding students to access and channel their voices into compelling college applications brings him immense fulfillment.

Working in admissions has taught Michael valuable lessons about the diversity of student bodies and the importance of recognizing each student's unique qualities. He appreciates that even when candidates possess similar qualifications, their combinations of strengths and weaknesses create distinctive profiles. This understanding fuels Michael's belief that every student deserves a fair chance, and he sees it as his responsibility to help students articulate why they deserve admission through their powerful voices.

As a coach, Michael's greatest strengths lie in his ability to help students access their voices and express themselves effectively through well-written college admissions essays. He also assists students in identifying their strengths by engaging in conversations about their interests and encouraging them to pursue those passions in their academic studies and extracurricular activities. Additionally, he helps students find excitement in exploring various college options, guiding them away from fixations on what they "ought" to do and instead encouraging them to embrace their individuality.

Kindness and good-heartedness are integral qualities he brings to his coaching. Michael believes the college admissions process is not solely about achieving admission to a preferred school but also about self-discovery and personal growth. He considers it an honor to assist applicants during this transformative journey and aims to make it an exciting experience for them, with his enthusiasm and positive energy shining through.

When he’s not coaching, Michael indulges in his passion for writing, honed through his education at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He enjoys developing new story ideas and working on various writing projects. Additionally, he finds pleasure in watching movies and attending live music performances.