Northwestern University

Hi there! My name is Rachael, and I graduated from Northwestern University in 2023 as a theatre major, dance minor, and music theatre certificate recipient, and with additional studies in choreography and acting for the screen. I now use the education and connections that Northwestern provided me as a professional actor in Chicago, IL. Online Tutoring Experience with Varsity Tutors: I have previously tutored students in College Essays and ACT/SAT prep. I helped one student brainstorm and develop her personal statement for the Common App, and she sent me a thank you after she was accepted and committed to Princeton University! I am a professional musical theatre actor who studied music theatre and dance at Northwestern University. I know well the unique college application AND audition process that prospective MT students must go through. If you are looking for someone to help you navigate that process, select and prepare your audition material, put together dance reels and self-tapes, edit your theatrical resume, prepare you for in-person auditions, etc - look no further! During my college application process, I applied to around 25 different schools - even if you are not someone looking to study fine arts, I can still be a great resource as someone with experience juggling many different applications, deadlines, and essay topics. Of the schools listed below that I myself have been accepted to, I am referring to academic acceptance. I was not accepted for musical theatre at all of those listed, but can provide insight into both the application and audition processes.

Hi! My name is Morgan and I am a student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology studying Engineering, with interests in the built environment, climate change/adaptation, and computer science. I am from Brooklyn, NY and am a current Junior (class of 2026). I grew up with a low-income immigrant single mother from the Caribbean, and attended boarding school from 9th through 12th grade. I have done a lot since starting my degree, with many of my activities revolving around engineering, research, career exploration, leadership, and the college application process. For example, I have worked in two labs during my undergrad, one of which is focused on computer science, architecture, and engineering. I have worked there for 1.5 years. Currently, I am working in a UCL lab focusing on tsunami engineering and disaster prevention. Back at MIT, I am a part of MCG (MIT Consulting Group), a club that allows me to work on real consulting cases as an undergraduate student. I understand the difficulty of the college application process, as I went through it a few short years ago. In my cycle, I was able to receive acceptances from many prestigious universities, some of which being Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Duke, and many more. With that being said, I am a huge proprietor of open and honest communication; I am here as a resource to demystify the college application and help the student reach their fullest potential. In my free time, I like to read and try new cuisines. Hope to be in contact with you soon!

My journey to where I stand today, ready to mentor and inspire as an advisor at CollegeAdvisor.com, has been as unique as the students I aim to guide. Bringing my love for technology and a bit of entrepreneurial flair into the mix, I believe I can leverage my diverse background and perspective to help students navigate the challenging college application process. I, too, have once struggled with finding my true voice in essays, deciding on majors, and choosing the right school. Therefore, I am eager to lead the next generation of innovators to their perfect match school with empathy and insight.

I'm a proud Wildcat, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Northwestern University. While at NU, I was a tour guide, and found a passion for helping students through the college application process. As an honors English student, I also worked as an essay tutor for other students on campus. Since graduation, I have several years of experience guiding high school students through the college application cycle. Prior to my time with CollegeAdvisor, I've worked as a 1-on-1 tutor in test preparation, teaching the SAT, ACT, and AP tests. I also worked with a specialized firm that helps international students through brainstorming, writing, and refining CommonApp and school-specific supplemental essays. In both of those positions, I gained specialized experience in multiple aspects of the college application process. My students in both of these areas have gone on to Ivies and Top 20 schools. I'm passionate about getting to know a student beyond the numbers and helping them find the place that will allow them to grow and thrive. I remember all too well how stressful the application process can be, and it's important to me to always let the student's passions, goals, and hopes lead our process. Outside of CollegeAdvisor, I work in the arts as a director and literary manager for theatre. I'm passionate about storytelling and using words effectively to communicate, and I bring those loves with me to college advising.

Getting into college is becoming increasingly difficult day by day. With more students getting top scores and developing strong extracurricular backgrounds, it's extremely tough to set yourself apart. However, I can help with the nuanced components of each individual application, helping to build a cohesive, unique story that can maximize your chances. I have extensive experience advising students on undergraduate admissions, running my own independent admissions consultancy for multiple years. I have helped students get into many of the top schools in the United States, such as Northwestern, UChicago, Duke, and more. I view the college admissions process as holistic in nature -- meaning I will work with students to optimize each and every component of their application. Whether it be maximizing impact on the resume, crafting school-specific essays, or applying for competitive scholarships, I know what it takes to build the "complete package" necessary for admissions in today's age. I have a particular interest in writing, something I've been passionate about for as long as I can remember. I specialize in helping brainstorm, plan, and edit essays that are impactful for top-school admissions.

Hello! My name is Naomi Beckley and I am a recent graduate of Yale University. I majored in Global Affairs in addition to a certificate in Education Studies. I am very passionate about working towards a state of equity in education, particularly improving the quality of education and access to academic resources for marginalized students. I professionally hope to do so by attending law school and becoming involved with education policy and legislation. I have 4 years of experience of advising high school students through their college application processes, with my students going on to attend schools like Vanderbilt, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University of Pennsylvania. I really enjoy the work that goes into being an advisor, particularly guiding a student in figuring out their college fit and reading essays. Super excited to meet and work with you on what will be a challenging but ultimately fulfilling journey!

Hi! My name is Nannette Beckley, and I’m super excited to work with you! I recently graduated from Princeton University in May of 2023 with a B.A. in the School of Public and International Affairs and earned a certificate (minor) in Global Health & Health Policy. As a student, I participated in several organizations, including Matriculate, a college access program. Through my work as an Advising Fellow for Matriculate, I gained several years of experience advising high-achieving, lower-income students on the college application and financial aid process. I am also a member of the AP Alumni Council through the College Board. I enjoy helping students form their college lists and reviewing students’ essays. Outside of CollegeAdvisor, I serve as a Research Associate at NORC at the University of Chicago in their health-adjacent departments.

I look forward to guiding you through the long, complicated, but fulfilling college admissions process!

Hello! My name is Madeline and I cannot wait to help you on your college journey. I was an early decision student at Northwestern University, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Psychology, receiving minors in Dance and Theatre for Young Audiences. While at Northwestern, I directed 10 theatrical productions, was the president of two theatre organizations, and produced the largest student-written musical in the United States. Prior to attending Northwestern, I grew up in the international school system, attending Shanghai American School and The American School of The Hague. I worked at the admissions office of Northwestern University for three years, first as a tour guide and then as a senior admissions counselor. My strong suits in the college process are essay development and, for non-seniors, learning how to fill in any of those blank lines in the extracurricular space. I have a particular affinity for the performing arts, both as a performer and as a director who worked in casting at an educational and professional level. I hope to help my students in making the best decision for them, whether that be in selecting their university or cultivating the most attractive application to have a host of schools to choose from.

My name is Denise Pérez (she/her) and I am a native of Chicago, Illinois currently residing in Houston, Texas. I earned a B.A., in Sociology and Psychology from Connecticut College in 2018. I also received a certificate in Community Action and Public Policy through the Holleran Center for Community Action. I have more than 3 years of experience in Higher Education admissions for both public and private colleges and universities. My ultimate goal is to empower college applicants and demystify the college application process for them and their families.