Advisors

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 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 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!

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.

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.

Hi, my name is Chika and I'm from New York!

I graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Science and Technology Studies and was an alumni ambassador for Cornell's admissions team for over 10 years. I also have a master's degree in journalism (Columbia University) and have substantial editing experience.

In my career, I have worked as a K-12 tutor and as a high school advisor. I'm now a Freelance Academic Support Specialist, which means I provide a variety of online tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, and other services to students across the country.

I'm a skilled advisor, editor, planner, and researcher who can greatly improve your college admissions experience. My goal is to make everyone's future brighter, so let's work together and make that happen!

Hello! My name is Mary Katheryn, and I graduated from Notre Dame with my Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Business Economics. After graduation I worked as a Corporate Recruiter at a tech company before returning to Notre Dame to work as an Admissions Counselor in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. I have 6 years of experience evaluating applications for admission and counseling high school students through the admission process. I'm passionate about access to higher education and helping students find their fit. I know how stressful this process can be for students and parents alike. I have extensive knowledge of highly selective admissions and look forward to taking some of the stress out of college applications!

I believe the college admissions process can be an opportunity for self-discovery and reflection. I've worked with hundreds of students who are the first in their families to go to college and didn't have a ton of resources, so making this process as simple and supportive as possible is one of my passions. I attended Rice University in Houston, Texas, and graduated magna cum laude and phi betta kappa. I majored in anthropology and have a love for working with students of different backgrounds. I also want to make sure that students choose an affordable school that is a great fit for them. I have a special love of writing and was a former English teacher, so can help you make your essays strong. As such, I am a member of CollegeAdvisor's Essay Review Team. I am warm, approachable, and caring, and seek to leave students feeling more clear, less anxious, and affirmed about their abilities and potential!

I have experience tutoring and advising students from middle school, high school, and college levels. I have spent many hours advising high school students on the college process as well as editing essays. My current role as a marketing automation specialist requires solid project management, research, and problem solving skills.

I am passionate about empowering and equipping high school students as they prepare for college and navigate the college application process. I grew up in a small, rural town in Northern Michigan and I often felt alone, confused, and underprepared when I was going through the college admissions experience. Since then, I've dedicated my educational studies and career to supporting students! I bring both lived experiences, professional work experiences, and extensive research experiences with me into this role. I am a two-time alumna of the University of Michigan where I received both my B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with High Honors and my M.A. in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Access and Success. Following my studies, I worked for two years as an Admissions Officer at U-M and now as an Academic Advisor in our College of Engineering. Outside of work, I love to be outdoors, I love cycling, running, triathlons, and enjoy reading. I can't wait to work with you!

I graduated with my Master's in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania Grad School of Education and currently work as Associate Director of Global Co-Curricular Programs and MBA Advisor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. I have also worked for Vanderbilt University, University of Chicago, Arcadia University, and Occidental College. My undergrad experience at Occidental College, a small liberal arts college in LA, was absolutely transformational so I want to assist students to find and apply to colleges that fit them the best.

I specialize in college essay writing and am part of the Essay Review Team at CollegeAdvisor. With my help, students are challenged to dig deeper about themselves, their motivations, and their experiences to ultimately craft essays that are both authentic to themselves, and effective in captivating the audience. As an immigrant myself, I am also adept at helping ESL students or first/second-generation Americans.

On a side note, I am a Taiwanese-American California native and enjoy fitness, Korean dramas, and petting all the dogs!

Hi! My name is Jesus and I graduated from Yale in 2020 where I majored in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. As a first-generation college student, I know the importance of college advising and have supported students from all walks of life as they applied to schools all across the country. I am excited to bring my years of expertise as a pre-med student interested in exploring the humanities and STEM fields through the liberal arts education at Yale as well as my years of experience advising students as they figure out what colleges they want to apply to, develop captivating essays, and determine what subjects they might be interested in exploring during college.

Hello! My name is Don Hatori and I graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, and later from CSULB in 2017 with a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics. During and after my time at UCLA, I volunteered and worked for various student and professional organizations focused on supporting high school students while they navigate the college application process. I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of students in every organization since then. I eventually became program manager of one of these organizations and worked with more high schools, more demographics, and assisted more students in applying for and getting into the colleges of their choice. After receiving my master's degree, I started teaching math and statistics at Long Beach Community College and Cypress College. While there, I have been able to apply my prior knowledge about college advising to every class I teach since many of the students are also in the process of applying to a college or university. Now I can provide college advising in an official capacity again, thanks to CollegeAdvisor. I have a wealth of experience as a STEM major through high school, college, and graduate school. I was initially inspired to start advising peers and other students on how to be successful as a STEM major due to the lack of STEM advisors I had access to. However, I am not limited to experience with just STEM majors. Over the past decade I have also had the opportunities to work with non-STEM majors, understand their value, and how to help them be successful. Nowadays, I consider myself a strong advocate for the success of every student.

Hello! I'm Favor, currently a graduate student at Princeton getting my M.Arch. My advising experience is with Matriculate; I went through their program when applying to university and became an advisor for the program at Penn! I, along with two of my peers, helped set up Penn's Matriculate chapter as the advising fellow leadership team. During that time, I advised three students through the college application and enrollment process, with acceptances from University of Miami (with a full tuition scholarship), University of South Florida, Penn State (with Provost award), Rutgers, Stony Brook, and more! I especially love essay brainstorming and writing due to my heavy writing background in philosophy and general love for crafting compelling, memorable personal narratives. I've also informally talked with students applying to the Ivies; as a Penn student, I can share my experience applying, and speak to the culture, workload, extracurriculars, etc. of an Ivy-league institution. I look forward to meeting you!

I hold my BA from the University of California, Berkeley (2016) where I majored in English Language and Composition and also finished my "Pre-Medical" pre-requisites on the side, while also working 30+ hours a week. I took the MCAT and was set to attend medical school but decided ultimately that I wanted to pursue a scientific (as opposed to a medical) profession instead. Thus, I pursued my Master's in Public Health (MPH) at Boston University (2020), where I double-specialized in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Health Policy and Law. Currently, I am finishing my PhD in Epidemiology at Columbia University, after receiving 2 years of training from UCLA, where I specialize in trauma, violence, and mental health research. I am also double enrolled at John Hopkin's University, where I also specialize in a doctoral curriculum for Health Policy and Management. As you can see, my experiences have been varied and I've followed both the conventional and unconventional path towards understanding where my true passions lie, where I can contribute the most positive progress to our world, and where I know best reflects all my skills and person, not just what I could simply "succeed" in. Therefore, previous students of mine have developed confidence and adaptability, skills that are both necessary in school and life. As a mentor and advisor, I focus on building a sense of clarity in my students, a deep understanding of where their passions lie, and most importantly, joy and pride in themselves that they are doing the best of what they can provide to the world. Previous mentees have gone on to pursue various professions, such as medical, dental, law, and nursing school, at the schools they first set their eyes on. Other mentees learned how to understand themselves more and adapt their passions for new journeys, and pursued professions in veterinary school, legislative policy, neurobiology research, clinical psychology, award-winning architecture, and being a large business owner in technology and media, to name a few. I believe in helping my students highlight their best abilities and be someone beyond their known imaginations, while pursuing joy and passion. I've worked with students domestically and internationally for 8+ years and operate from understanding that support and mentorship can be a safe, imaginative, and exciting place to learn not only about what students are capable of currently, but what they can grow to be in the future.