Stanford University

Hi! I’m Adonis, a 3rd-year PhD student studying Immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine. I graduated from Stanford in 2021 with a degree in Biology, focusing on microbes and immunity. Initially, I entered college as a pre-med student and completed the first two years of pre-med coursework before discovering my passion for biomedical sciences and deciding to pursue a PhD. Throughout my undergraduate years, I conducted research on viruses and vaccines at renowned institutions, including Stanford, the Pasteur Institute in France, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub in San Francisco, and Genentech. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the field and a global perspective on biomedical research. Before joining CollegeAdvisor, I worked at CollegeVine for two years, where I helped students secure admissions to prestigious schools like Stanford, Brown, and UC Berkeley. I’m here to answer your questions about the college application process, campus life, interviews, internships, studying abroad, and more. I’m excited to meet you all and am committed to being highly accessible as we work together to find your dream school!

I recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. I stayed at USC to complete my Masters of Science in Medical Device and Diagnostic Engineering with a Product Development focus through the Progressive Degree Program that allowed me to overlap my B.S. and M.S. programs. While at USC for both degrees, I was a full-tuition scholarship Trustee Scholar, a USC Viterbi School of Engineering Merit Research Fellow, and a member of the W.V.T Rusch Engineering Honors Program. My favorite activities outside of classes were my research fellowship where I worked on design validation testing of a force sensing glove for interface with a wearable orthotic robot arm, my volunteer work with the Science Outreach club teaching science curriculum to low income elementary schools in central LA, and my leadership roles on the executive board for the Women in Engineering organization. During my time at USC, I served as an advisor in multiple mentorship programs where I guided underclassmen students in strategic course selection, applying to research positions and summer internships, selecting extracurriculars for skill development, and overall adapting to college life. In my present full-time career, I work on the college student summer intern recruitment team - allowing me the opportunity to return to target university campuses to develop and identify star engineering student talent to recruit for co-op and intern programs. In this role I mentor students going through the internship application process on their resumes, interview skills, networking basics, and overall career advising. These experiences have helped me to hone the ability to discern the distinctive qualities of every student, enabling me to guide them in showcasing their unique strengths and potential within their applications. I have worked with students who major in Engineering, Pre-Med and Health Professions, Science and Biology, Computer Science and Technology, Entrepreneurship and Business, and any other major looking to connect their work to the STEM fields. My purpose as an advisor is to help students select the correct educational path for their futures and use that motivation to highlight to colleges why they will be an outstanding addition to any academic program. I strive to help every student and family find a program that will not only provide the academic rigor and extracurricular activities that they desire, but also the community and foundation as a young adult that will set them up for an outstanding future. I experienced the stress of helping a loved one through college applications while supporting my sister applying mid-pandemic, and my mission as an advisor is to be the extra set of eyes and ears to identify key facets of every program to find the best fit for every student. I am currently working as a Research & Development Biomedical Engineer at a cardiovascular medical device company based in Southern California, currently leading a global project team developing a novel minimally invasive device to treat failing heart valves. I love having a role that pushes my technical knowledge as an engineer and my connections to others through the cross-functional nature of medical device development. Outside of my career, I enjoy playing competitive roller derby, learning new crafting skills, baking treats to spoil my friends with, and exploring the beautiful state of California.

As a first-generation college student, I understand how daunting the college admissions process may seem to those who have no experience with it. Despite the challenges I encountered, I was admitted to every college I applied to and learned how the process works along the way. I bring my past advising experiences helping students draft and write essays, create college application plans, and manage their time to my role as an Advisor. The pride in seeing my students succeed makes me excited to help you on your journey to college. I believe that behind every successful student there are individuals who have helped them find and express their voice, and I can’t wait to work with you to accomplish this!

My name is Manuel Stefano Castaño. I am an international student that graduated with honors from the B.A. Politics program in Princeton University, and with the LExS Award in the M.P.A. program in Leiden University in The Hague, Netherlands. I am currently a PhD Candidate at the same school. Throughout my academic career, I have been fortunate to have won multiple awards and honors. I have been advising high school, university, and adult applicants for over 7 years, specializing in College Admissions Counseling, Applications, Essays, English/Verbal sections of standardized testing (ACT, GRE, etc.), Interviews, and related areas. I have helped applicants stand out and be accepted into schools like Harvard, Columbia, U Chicago, Berkeley, and UCLA, amongst others. During my time at Princeton University, I founded the "College Crash Course," a service initiative in cooperation with an NGO called MIRA USA. This was a service initiative based on helping vulnerable student populations understand the application process and succeed in it. I worked as the coordinator of this program for four years, helped hundreds of students apply to their choice universities, and it is still running to this day. Outside of College Advising, I am a self-motivated and results-oriented international consultant, political advisor, editor, writer, translator, and interpreter with knowledge and experience in national and international governance. I have professional experience with international organizations like the United Nations, as well as political parties in Colombia. I have founded and led public service projects, as well as cooperated with NGOs in various human-rights related programs. Facilitating intergovernmental cooperation, sacrifice, and change through diplomacy to increase the normative and socio-political legitimacy of people's welfare are my prime motivators. I was born in Colombia in 93', where my mother and I escaped the Armed Conflict in 99'. Knowing the struggle of those who are most vulnerable, my passions are justice, peace, and honest governance.

Hello everyone,

I am Iyanu, a junior majoring in Economics at Stanford University. Having attended high school in London, UK, I gained a deep understanding of the profound challenges and anxieties the US admissions process can pose, especially for international students who may find it unfamiliar. My central aim is to transform what can be a stressful process into a smooth and more enjoyable journey by providing guidance and unwavering support. I hold A Levels In Mathematics, Economics, Further Mathematics and an AS in Physics in addition to my 9 GCSEs at level 9 (A*). Beyond this, my professional experience spans over 5 years, encompassing tutoring, nonprofit youth board advising, university admissions mentorship and the creation of essential resources for navigating the US college admissions process. This diverse background has not only refined my knowledge but fueled my dedication to helping all students best position themselves to attain their educational goals. My time at Stanford University has been an enriching and diverse experience. I explored a range of academic disciplines and contributed to research in ethical AI and published research in health equity. I have also interned in finance, consulting and public policy, gaining insights to guide students in their professional journeys. Beyond academics, I have been actively engaged in financial literacy initiatives, dance, debates, efforts to reduce food insecurity, and STEM tutoring for female students in the local area. As your advisor, my goal is to guide you on a journey of personal growth within a supportive and effective advising environment. I am committed to helping you craft an application that creatively narrates the story of your unique strengths and holistic talents. No matter what stage you are in the process, I am here to support you and also let you find joy in the application experience.

To give you an idea of who I am, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with my Bachelor of Science in Biology & Exercise and Sport Science in 2016. I then went on to become a College Advisor aiding over 1500+ students in their college process. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been supporting students to be admitted to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, NYU, Duke, and many other top universities. I’m very passionate about the sciences and education. I currently work as a Senior Instructional Designer for a cable provider! I’d love to be a part of your journey!

Hello! My name is Conrad. I am a lifelong learner and come from a family of educators. My parents always emphasized the importance of a balanced learning approach. As a result, I place a large focus on fundamentals and motivational coaching with my students. I have my B.S and M.S in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. During undergraduate and graduate school, I acquired multiple teaching assistantships in the engineering and psychology departments for a total of 5 years. I am also trained in non-violent communication. Since graduating in 2017 I have taught engineering workshops for students across the Los Angeles area with the Two Bit Circus Foundation and served as a professional tutor and advisor at A1 College Prep. My primary objective with students is to cast the light that allows them to shine. Telling a student's story in a way that is authentic to them is very important to me, and what I believe to be a core feature of any strong application. This process involves developing a holistic profile showing not just how far students have come, but how far they dream to go. It also means applying the most modern approaches to the college admissions process available, with emphasis on rapidly growing data and analysis. I value our young minds and am excited to work with you to reach your goals! I graduated with a degree in engineering, which required me to take advanced courses in math and sciences. I have also worked in a professional capacity as an engineer at several companies where I was accountable for STEM competencies. Companies include but are not limited to Texas Instruments, Amazon Lab126, and Sensel Technologies. I look forward to learning your needs and developing a custom system that will work for you. Together we will strive for excellence.

Hi! My name is Renbin. I grew up in Shanghai, China and moved to San Francisco, CA when I was 15. I went to a small public high school in SF. I did my B.S. and MEng degree at MIT, majoring in Computer Science and Engineering with a concentration in AI and applied machine learning. I applied to QuestBridge and became their finalist. I was admitted to MIT through Early Action and Stanford through Regular Decision. I now work as a machine learning scientist at Flexport. My strongest suit with the college admission process is personal statement brainstorming and giving advice for students who would like to pursue computer science major. I am particularly interested in working with students who are first-gen/low-income.

Cristina Slattery applied to and was accepted at three institutions for her undergraduate education: Harvard, Stanford, and Middlebury. She attended Harvard College and graduated with honors in her field in Social Studies (international relations). She later earned a master's in English from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English and a master's in Teaching from Fordham University's School of Education. She has worked with international students from the Middle East and China who have applied to competitive U.S. and U.K. universities and graduate programs and who have been accepted by many of these programs. She enjoys working with students and has also taught English both in the U.S. and in Spain. She is currently working on a fantasy novel for kids ages 10-12 and hopes to see it published soon! Additionally, her non-fiction writing has appeared in publications ranging from the New York Times to the Wall Street Journal, AFAR.com, FoodandWine.com, Words Without Borders, and many other magazines and websites.