Middle School Students: College Profile Development

Kerry holds a Master’s from Columbia University and a Master’s from Carnegie Mellon University. She has served as an international admissions consultant with multiple global companies, especially those that only hire Ivy League alumni. Kerry has worked on all aspects of admissions consulting, shepherding students through admissions season or working with special cases for over a decade. She has personally coached students accepted into prestigious institutions, such as the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, Rice University, Cambridge University, the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, and more!

After working as an adjunct professor throughout her PhD years, sometimes teaching three-hour lectures to 80 students, Kerry realized that her one-on-one work in private tutoring and admissions consulting was her greatest passion, with real-life results always visible. She loves getting to know each student as an individual, helping them figure out how to stand out and their brand, who they are, and who they want to be. Kerry loves leading students through the process, helping make it fun, alleviating anxiety, and watching their admission acceptances roll in.

Kerry excels as a coach due to her ability to navigate substantial work and pivotal life plans with a blend of humor, infusing the admissions process with genuine enjoyment and excitement. Her strengths lie in authenticity, characterized by honesty and diplomacy when offering advice and openly sharing her successes and setbacks in admissions consulting. Thanks to a rich tapestry of life experiences in academia, journalism, diverse careers, and extensive travel, Kerry possesses a unique perspective that enriches her coaching approach. She also excels in her ability to read students well for what makes them unique and how to make them stand out in the admissions process.

Furthermore, Kerry's expertise extends to a comprehensive knowledge of various schools, programs, admissions intricacies, and effective strategies. Over her years as a private admissions consultant, Kerry has learned the intricacies of the systems of the various schools. She has also learned how best to help students depending on their personalities, profiles, goals, and strengths and to let them take a lead role in their own admissions process so that they can grow into the best versions of themselves.

Moreover, as an international writer with over sixty publications in both scholarly and popular outlets, Kerry offers students an unusual opportunity to collaborate and edit with a working writer. 

As a journalist and digital nomad who has lived around the world, Kerry has an immense amount of knowledge to share about places, schools, degrees, and just about anything else, too. When she’s not working, Kerry enjoys studying languages and art. Kerry is extremely into fitness and training, and the gym is her happy place for stress relief. 

Elgin graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA before completing an MA from the University of Phoenix. He brings over a decade of experience in education, leadership, and coaching to his role as a counselor. Elgin has served as an interviewer on the Dartmouth College admissions committee, giving him firsthand insight into what top schools seek in applicants. Students he has coached have been accepted to top schools, including Dartmouth College, Yale University, and the United States Air Force Academy.

Professionally, Elgin has held a range of positions dedicated to student growth and success. He is currently a Special Education Coordinator at James Irwin Charter Schools and a Learning Services Coordinator at Rocky Mountain Classical Academy. Previously, he served as Special Education Coordinator at Academy School District 20, Director of Special Education at The Vanguard School, and Special Education Teacher at Cheyenne Mountain High School. His leadership across these roles has equipped him with the expertise to understand diverse student needs and the strategies to help them thrive academically and personally.

 A former Dartmouth College basketball player, Elgin has spent over seven years as the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cheyenne Mountain High School, combining his love of sports with his passion for mentoring students. His coaching experience has shaped his collaborative, motivational approach, ensuring that every student he works with feels both challenged and supported.

Elgin’s passion for coaching stems from his love of seeing others reach their goals and achieve their dreams. He believes that everyone has the ability to succeed, but that the right guidance, encouragement, and accountability can make all the difference. For him, the most rewarding part of coaching is seeing where students start and how far they are able to go together.

Elgin’s greatest strength as a coach is his ability to connect with students on a personal level. He takes the time to learn what motivates each individual and draws on his own experiences to provide meaningful advice. By creating a strong, trust-based relationship, he empowers students to navigate challenges and approach their goals with confidence.

Outside of coaching, Elgin enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, playing and watching sports, being outdoors, and going to the movies.

Elgin’s Pro Tip?

Students who stand out are the ones who go the extra mile to show admissions committees that their story is unique and that they can bring something to the college that no one else can.

Shannon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. With extensive experience in admissions and education, she served as an alumni interviewer at Harvard for over 14 years and sat on the admissions committee at St. John’s College, where she reviewed applications and conducted interviews with prospective candidates. Shannon has helped students gain admission to top universities, including Harvard, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Yale, UChicago, and others.

In addition to her work in admissions, Shannon has held several notable roles in academia, including serving as a Fulbright Program Officer and grant writer at the University of California, San Diego, a graduate student instructor at UC Berkeley, and an assistant professor at St. John’s College. She finds great fulfillment in helping students discover the ideal match between their interests and education or uncovering opportunities they never knew existed. 

As a coach, Shannon believes that crafting a coherent story about yourself as a student and learner is key to succeeding in the application process. Leveraging her experience and passion for writing and editing, she excels at helping students master the art of storytelling—a skill that will serve them throughout their lives. With her deep expertise, Shannon knows exactly how to guide applicants in writing personal narratives that not only help them gain admission to their top schools but also secure competitive external funding. She loves to help students find the perfect match when it comes to school selections and their unique interests, and enjoys shedding light on new and exciting opportunities. 

In her free time, Shannon enjoys crocheting, cooking, writing children's books, restoring old dollhouses, woodcarving, working on getting her pilot's license, and spending time with her six-year-old.

Shannon’s Pro Tip?

Ultimately, colleges are interested in what kind of student you'll be in the classroom and after you leave. It's crucial to use your application to demonstrate that you'll be intellectually curious, actively engaged, and committed to learning throughout your college years and in your post-grad life.