Private College Admissions Consultants in Charlotte, NC

Yi is a former tenured professor turned admissions expert and entrepreneur who brings a uniquely rigorous, 360-degree perspective to college admissions coaching. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, an MS from the University of California, Irvine, and an MBA from Duke University, where he received a full-tuition Manning Family Scholarship. Yi has guided students into top colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, UT Austin, Rice, and others. 

Yi’s passion for coaching stems from having sat on both sides of the admissions table—as a tenured professor at the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health serving on formal admissions committees as an application reader and making admissions decisions. Yi’s time as an application reader allowed him to focus on evaluating non-academic aspects of applicants' profiles and to engage in committee discussion. Now, Yi works as an admissions consultant, helping students frame their experiences with authenticity and strategy. His approach is grounded in a fundamental belief: the most successful application is not just a list of achievements; it’s a persuasive, authentic argument for admission.

Yi doesn’t just help students build an application. He helps them build a case for acceptance. Drawing from his work evaluating research innovations at Yale, founding companies, and mentoring entrepreneurs, he teaches students to connect the dots between raw talent, personal narrative, and strategic goals. He treats the college application like a business plan—highlighting leadership, value propositions, and impact. Whether it’s a student’s part-time job, club leadership, or personal challenge, Yi shows how each piece is a critical data point in the story of their potential.

Yi’s greatest strengths as a coach include applying an evaluator’s lens to help students understand what truly resonates with admissions committees, using a strategist’s mindset to craft cohesive and compelling narratives, and empowering students to own their voice. Yi believes the student is the CEO of their application. His role is that of a board member—offering tools, structure, and honest feedback—while encouraging students to engage deeply and take ownership of their process. He reminds students that it’s not about crafting a perfect application, but an authentic one. 

As a coach, Yi’s approach to admissions consulting doesn’t end with college acceptances; it equips students with the confidence and clarity to pitch ideas, win internships, and lead with purpose long after admission. Yi’s multifaceted background makes him a dynamic, relatable, and strategic guide through every step of the admissions journey. As an empowering mentor, Yi understands that the admissions process is deeply personal. His strength lies in helping students discover and articulate their authentic voice. He helps them uncover the powerful stories within their experiences and give them the confidence to present themselves with the maturity and self-awareness that top-tier institutions actively seek.

Outside of coaching, Yi is a dedicated endurance athlete, having completed the Boston Marathon and triathlons. He’s also an actor who auditions for theater, commercials, and musicals, and he enjoys weightlifting. 

Yi’s Pro Tip? 

Trust the process and your journey. It's easy to get caught in the “comparison trap” with peers. Successful applicants leverage their unique story and ensure they find a college that is the right fit for who they are and who they aspire to be. 

Corey has a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. In addition, they have an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. Corey has served as an Interviewer at Georgetown University, where they interviewed and scored applicants. Professionally, Corey has served as an Attorney with over fifteen years of experience in public policy, including a decade of work in sexual and reproductive health and LGBTQ rights.

Corey’s interest in coaching stemmed from their own experience of applying to college as a first-generation student at a public school. They had to navigate the process solo and quickly became an expert among their friends. Corey’s guidance counselors even hung their application materials on the office walls as a template for other students! Since then, Corey has coached many students on their educational journey - whether as a teacher, an alum providing outreach, an employer mentoring interns, or a community volunteer working with youth programs.

As a coach, Corey thoroughly enjoys getting to know Quad applicants and learning about their goals. They pride themselves on being a good listener and motivating students to create what they hope to. Corey addresses any roadblocks honestly and works with students to find solutions together. Corey’s greatest strength as a coach is their approach to the application; they work with students to tackle it one step at a time while also planning ahead. This puts Quad applicants at ease, allowing them to enjoy applying to college with as little stress as possible. Corey is also a big fan of backward planning. They encourage applicants to start with what they are passionate about and what they can imagine spending their life doing - and working backward from there. At the end of the day, college admissions is very important, but it's only the first step on the road to your future.

Writing and reading are two of Corey’s main passions. They have contributed to two forthcoming books, but they also love to write just for them. Corey also loves spending time with their family, gaming, and traveling.

Corey’s Pro Tip?

An applicant might be identical on paper to many other students, but there is a lot that is unique about you that can come out in different ways in this process. What is your story? Why is this college perfect for you, and what can YOU offer to the college? Answering these questions is easily worth as much as a test score or GPA.