University of Georgia

Hi! My name is Samantha, and I graduated Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s in History and a minor in Anthropology. After coming from a low-income background and working my way through college, I am proud to have graduated debt-free. During my time at UGA, I made sure to take advantage of all the on-campus opportunities I could find. I joined clubs that aligned with my interests and made lifelong connections. In addition to being in numerous clubs, I worked for the university in the campus bookstore and the university’s art museum. Working on campus made me feel like I was a part of a greater community, and it brought me great joy to welcome campus guests and share my love for the Bulldogs.

Post-graduation, I worked as an AmeriCorps College Adviser for underserved, low-income, and underrepresented student populations. As an adviser, I supported 1000+ high school juniors and seniors with college and career prep while individually advising over 600 students on the college admissions process. While working with students, I stressed the importance of college affordability as well as creating balanced college lists based on best match and fit. I assisted my students from the Class of 2022 in earning 27.1 million dollars in scholarships, so I love helping students secure funding to support their college endeavors. Impelled by my passion for college access, I am gearing up to start the Professional School Counseling master's program at my alma mater, and in the meantime, I am excited to be supporting students through the college admissions process!

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 and welcome! I'm Natalie, a dedicated Senior Advisor with a passion for guiding students through the transformative journey of higher education. I graduated from Johns Hopkins University in May 2023 and currently hold a full-time position at Emory University, where I continue to learn more about the academic world. My journey in advising high school students began in the summer of 2020 when I, alongside fellow alumni from my high school, founded Brentwood Alumni College Coaches. This initiative was born out of our shared recognition of the need for personalized support in the college admissions process within the Brentwood Free Union Free School District in Brentwood, NY. As a first-generation, low-income college student myself, I deeply understand the challenges of navigating this crucial phase without adequate guidance. During this program, I had the privilege of mentoring two students who successfully enrolled in Johns Hopkins University and Stony Brook University. Inspired by this experience, I joined Matriculate during my undergraduate years, a national nonprofit organization that virtually connects high-achieving, low-income juniors and seniors with highly-trained undergraduate advisors. My role as an Advising Fellow allowed me to empower students to attend colleges where they would thrive, such as New York University and Cornell University. In addition to advising, I took on the responsibility of a Working Group Lead, facilitating monthly meetings to discuss the college advising process and the Matriculate curriculum with my peers. One of the aspects of my approach to advising is the incorporation of personal experiences, drawing not only from my journey but also from the diverse experiences of my peers. I believe in providing students with real-life accounts of college life, sharing insights into what I wish I had known during the admissions process, and offering guidance on optimizing both the admissions process and the overall college experience. My commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of students extends beyond the technicalities of college admissions. I find immense joy in assisting students in realizing their full potential, fostering a supportive environment that goes beyond academics to encompass personal growth and fulfillment. I look forward to working with you and helping you navigate the exciting path that lies ahead in your academic journey. Let's embark on this adventure together!

I hold over 6 years of higher education administration experience advising students on their educational and academic pursuits. I obtained my B.S. in 2017 from Bowling Green State University where I received a 4-year full-ride scholarship. I graduated from Michigan State University with my master's in Education Administration in 2019. As a higher education professional, I strive to remove barriers to education and provide support to students from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. I believe that having access to affordable higher education is an amazing avenue to pursue, and an opportunity everyone should be able to access affordably. I have experience advising a diverse array of students from many different institution types and love connecting with students holistically and providing them support and resources to best reach their collegiate goals. As an educator the driving force behind my advising style is to provide guidance and support as well as getting to know my student goals, values, and priorities to help them make decisions best suited for their situation. My time in higher education has allowed me to gain a great understanding around academic requirements, extracurricular activities, and institution types. I am always excited to learn about the experiences that have shaped students and how they want to make their impact on the world. I am very skilled in assisting students in finding out what it is they value and how they want to "share their story" with higher education institutions. I know the application process and the search for the right school can feel daunting and overwhelming at times, but I know from experience with the right support it can be incredibly rewarding and exciting as well!

I hold a BA from the University of Georgia in International Affairs, a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Go Dawgs and Go Blue! I started my career in the education and nonprofit space where I built a solid foundation in supporting the academic and socio-emotional development of high school students. It was during this time where I gained a foundation in College Advising. I supported the college application process of high school students across all five boroughs of New York City. As a college advisor, I excel at helping students craft their college admissions brand making sure that their transcript, essays, extra-curriculars, and interactions with admissions officers sell who they are. And I do this while ensuring that the student feels supported, encouraged, and excited by what can be a stressful process. College advising ENERGIZES me and I've successfully supported application processes for students who matriculated into Ivy, Ivy +, and other top colleges across the US! Professionally, I have experience as a teacher, a college advisor, an MBA student, a consultant, and a corporate trainer. Over my career, I have had the opportunity to pivot, reinvent myself, and try new things often, and I want that for every student I work with. Together, we will explore all available pathways and work together to build a story and a personal brand that will unlock those opportunities. The college admissions process is the beginning of your personal odyssey, and I am so excited to work with you as you embark on this journey.

I'm Jennifer, and I'm an environmental engineer and dedicated research assistant at the University of Georgia with a strong drive to tackle pressing environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. My journey has been shaped by a unique blend of technical expertise and cross-cultural fluency, thanks to my background in environmental engineering working multi-nationally and a bachelor's degree in Mandarin Chinese language and literature, which I earned during my studies in China. My professional path has been marked by a deep proficiency in using cutting-edge satellite remote sensing-based techniques and machine learning to monitor environmental pollution on a global scale. For the past six years, I've immersed myself as an engineering research specialist, skillfully managing and executing international projects. One highlight of my career was a Fulbright grant in 2019, during which I wholeheartedly dedicated myself to addressing solid waste management challenges in Vietnam. But my work goes beyond engineering; it delves into a passion for education and mentorship, a recognition of all the incredible individuals who have profoundly influenced my journey thus far. I've been fortunate to teach engineering courses, guide both U.S. and international students in various engineering programs, and support students in navigating a spectrum of topics, from academic and career aspirations to the complex realm of environmental pollution. My true calling lies in working with people and building connections between society and the environment, whether through my interactions with students or my engagement with communities. I'm a firm believer in collaboration and have actively worked alongside government bodies, international development agencies, city governments, and non-governmental institutions to pioneer solutions for environmental challenges. In a nutshell, I'm a passionate and optimistic global learner, driven by an unwavering dedication to the fields of engineering, sustainable practices, and human connection, all in pursuit of a better planet for all life. I hope my commitment to my field and serving others can provide a beacon of inspiration for aspiring engineers and environmental advocates alike.

Hi! My name is Cecilia, and I can't wait to start advising you. I come from a low-income immigrant family background and was completely lost during my undergraduate college application process. After discussing financial aid options with my parents, I attended my state's flagship university, the University of Georgia, and graduated debt-free! Following undergrad, I served as an AmeriCorps College Adviser for underrepresented, low-income, and minority students at McDonough High School. I supported 1000+ juniors and seniors with college/career prep and provided individualized assistance to 500+ seniors as they navigate the college admissions process, including registering for exams, completing college applications, and verifying financial aid eligibility. I focused on attainable post-secondary planning and the affordability of college for students. Over the course of two years, my students earned over 7.3 million dollars in scholarships, college enrollment increased by 20%, and the school established a college-going culture. I'll continue my passion for college access by pursuing my M.Ed in College Student Affairs Administration at my alma mater.

Additional Specialties: Georgia Colleges, Financial Aid for Non-traditional Families, Homeless/Foster Youth, Undocumented Students, ROTC Scholarships, Military Families, Low-Income Families

I have extensive experience with students from a wide variety of backgrounds. My main priority is for students to feel confident and proud of themselves and their abilities, and for the college application process to be an affirming experience. I especially love helping students with their supplements and essays, researching universities, and exploring their academic interests. I encourage a collaborative and empowering environment.

Greetings! I am a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I was a Psychology major, African American Studies minor, and a Ronald E. McNair scholar. I earned my Masters in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (D.C. campus). For the past 10 years, I have worked in secondary and higher education as both a college access and mental health professional. I spent two years serving in the College Advising Corps at one of North Carolina's largest public high schools and spent a year as the lead Academic and College Advisor at a private International Baccalaureate (IB) academy in Northern Virginia. During my career, I have assisted more than 700 high school students from diverse backgrounds in navigating the college admissions process with acceptances to universities including Yale, Emory, UNC-Chapel Hill, Georgia Tech, Duke, John Hopkins, Howard, and many more. Most recently, I spent four years at a liberal arts university in North Carolina serving as an Academic, Financial Aid, Graduate, and Mental Health Counselor where I also assisted undergraduate students in applying to graduate school programs. I am excited to bring a holistic approach to working with you during this critical period in your academic and personal journey, and serve as a dedicated resource to you as you pursue your dreams!