US & UK Application Counseling Tailored for Students In New Zealand

Jay completed his Bachelor’s degree from Duke University on a full merit-based scholarship. He also holds a Master’s and PhD from the University of Oxford, completing the latter on a Rhodes Scholarship. During his time at Duke, Jay served as an Alumni Interviewer and the lead student organizer of Duke's undergraduate merit-based scholarship selection process. Jay has over 10 years of experience coaching students applying to college. He also has extensive experience coaching students applying to graduate school with a particular focus on prestigious post-graduate scholarships and fellowships such as the Truman, Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell programs.

Jay is passionate about helping students unlock their full potential during this formative and challenging transition to college. He firmly believes in instilling habits of self-reflection and curiosity, ensuring students are prepared for success in all their future endeavors.

As a coach, Jay excels in helping students identify their strengths and transform them into a compelling narrative that enhances their college applications and fosters critical reflection and self-discovery. He possesses a unique ability to see the big picture while paying attention to intricate details. With a strong background in writing and editing, Jay has published multiple academic articles and contributed to public-facing writing in venues such as The New York Times.

Throughout his coaching career, Jay has witnessed the transformative power of reflection and narrative creation in students' application journeys. He firmly believes that writing goes beyond merely transmitting beliefs; it is a bidirectional process that shapes convictions and inspires introspection. He values maintaining a warm and approachable personality and believes in combining high standards with unwavering support when working with students.

Jay looks forward to collaborating with applicants and their families, providing guidance and expertise as they embark on the college application process. Over the past decade, Jay has successfully coached numerous college applicants, facilitating their acceptances into renowned institutions such as Oxford University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, and the University of Virginia.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Jay enjoys leisurely walks with his beloved St. Bernard, Betty, exploring new parks, experimenting with new recipes, and indulging in reading and writing.

Alec has a Bachelor’s degree in both Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Asian Studies from Rice University and an MBA from Stanford University. He has several years of experience helping college candidates get into their dream schools.

As a coach, Alec enjoys helping others find confidence and pride in what sets them apart. Essentially, he loves to see students embark on journeys to further cultivate their individuality. His greatest strength when working with Quad applicants is his ability to help them find their confidence and voice. Alec understands the difficulty in articulating the “why” behind your experiences and decisions when applying to college. He prides himself on his ability to help students dig deep so they can determine the motivations behind their choices, whether it's their reason for pursuing an activity, a school, or a program.

Students Alec has recently coached have gotten accepted into UC Berkeley, Yale University, Princeton University, MIT, Stanford University, Washington University St. Louis, Rice University, and Vanderbilt University.

In Alec’s free time, he enjoys taking courses online, making up games, and solving computer science problems.

Alec’s Pro Tip?

Students do better in the interview when they answer extemporaneously from the heart rather than when they memorize what "should be said".