Dom earned a BA from Wilkes University and an MS from Columbia University. With over eight years of experience in college admissions, he has established himself as a trusted and knowledgeable professional in higher education. Dom has served as a Program Coordinator, Senior Admissions Counselor, and adjunct faculty member at Columbia University,  and as a Graduate Admissions Counselor at Northeastern University. 

Dom believes every applicant brings something unique to the table. He is most inspired by helping students align their grit, talent, character, and skills with a school's mission, vision, and values. For him, the excitement lies in finding the perfect fit together. Under his guidance, students have gained admission to prestigious institutions  such as Columbia, Yale, Stanford, and UC schools.

Dom’s greatest strength as a coach is building strong, meaningful relationships. He genuinely enjoys connecting with students, learning about who they are, and understanding their interests. This complements his second strength: leveraging his extensive experience and knowledge to help students navigate their options. Dom emphasizes communication and trusting the process. When you work with him, you’re not just getting a college counselor—you’re gaining a coach and friend who will stand by your side throughout the admissions journey. While the process can be challenging at times, Dom is committed to persevering until students reach success.

In his free time, Dom loves running on the beach with his dog, Bubba. After spending most of his life in NYC and recently relocating to Miami, this has become one of his favorite pastimes.

Dom’s Pro Tip?The admissions process is all about finding a "mutual fit." Just as schools seek students who will enrich their classrooms with unique experiences, skills, and knowledge, they also want to provide you with opportunities to grow as a student and individual. College is an investment, and you should understand what return it will offer you. Ask yourself, "what do I want to gain from a college experience and education?" Defining your goals will help you identify the schools best suited to help you achieve them.

Dominique earned a BA in anthropology with a minor in Hispanic studies from Dartmouth College, while completing STEM coursework required for the pre-medical track. After completing her undergraduate studies, she was selected for the prestigious Teach for America program. She then completed a Master of Arts in teaching with a concentration on special education from Relay Graduate School of Education. She has four years of teaching experience and many years of admissions consulting experience.

Dominique served as an interviewer for Dartmouth, submitting reports about students’ character, academic and extracurricular engagement, and overall professionalism as part of the admissions committee's assessments. She advised a group of students throughout their four years of high school, assisting with class and extracurricular selection, SAT prep, essay editing, and scholarship applications. She also mentored them on how to choose the best schools to attend based on award letters, prestige, major-specific programming, and school culture fit. 

Over the years, she has helped students get into top institutions such as UCLA, UC Berkeley,  Emory University, Rice University, Northwestern University, and more. She has also guided students to achieve remarkable milestones, such as earning spots in the US Presidential Scholars Program, becoming National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, participating in UC Davis Pre-Med Programs, and securing positions as counselors at Sunrise Day Camp.

As a first-generation college student and former teacher and advisor in the public high school setting, Dominique understands the immense value of having a dedicated guide through the complexities of the college admissions process. Aware of the anxiety that often accompanies this journey, she enjoys helping students and families break it down into manageable steps.  She believes every student has a story that can bring their application to life and loves helping them craft compelling and authentic narratives to complement their test scores and grades. She has extensive experience mentoring students who are interested in STEM-focused careers, such as medicine. 

Dominique excels at providing personalized support to each student. She begins by understanding their family’s background and experience with the college admissions process and identifying their specific concerns. From there, she develops a tailored plan that aligns with the student’s and family’s expectations and goals, and she continually checks in to ensure they’re receiving the precise help they need. As a coach, her greatest strengths lie in helping students refine their stories through multiple rounds of editing and feedback on their essays. She guides students from brainstorming to the final draft, dedicating significant time to this process. Her detail-oriented and direct feedback is always accompanied by explanations to help students improve with each essay they write.

Outside of coaching, Dominique enjoys weight lifting, hiking, running, snowboarding, traveling, and attending concerts in her free time. She also likes listening to indie pop/rock music, classic rock, or electronic music and spending time with her family, friends, and golden retriever, Norma. 

Dominique’s Pro Tip?

Telling a compelling story in your personal statement is very important! There are certain notes your essay must hit to score highly in all of the different buckets that admissions committees use to score it. 

As a consultant at Quad and a former admissions committee member at Harvard, Donovan is passionate about helping students from all over the world realize their true potential. One of the most important things he learned through working in admissions is emphasizing depth over breadth. Many incorrectly assume that universities want a well-rounded student, whereas they're actually seeking a well-rounded student body. Informed by this understanding, Donovan helps students demonstrate expertise and develop a focused, cohesive narrative across their applications, which are incredibly important to top-tier schools.

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Donovan also has an in-depth understanding of the importance of school-specificity in each application, as every school values different things. Having produced more U.S. presidents and Nobel Prize winners than any other university, Harvard, for example, tends to place greater weight on leadership qualities among applicants. Adjacent to Palo Alto and in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford values an entrepreneurial spirit and calculated risk-taking more than many schools. Thus, it's imperative that supplemental essays are tailored to a school and its characteristics, something that Donovan is passionate about helping students with.

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As a former varsity collegiate rower recruited to Harvard's heavyweight crew team, Donovan has helped countless students excel in their sport and successfully navigate the athletic recruiting process. He likens his approach to that of a coach and thoroughly enjoys working with ambitious student-athletes. Having pursued cutting-edge STEM research and competitions throughout his career, Donovan likes building passion projects with students and is particularly interested in working with students who want to solve problems using STEM. At Quad, Donovan aims to be an approachable, accessible ally and is more than happy to work with students of all backgrounds.

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In his spare time, Donovan writes screenplays, teleplays, and sketch comedies. He enjoys reading nonfiction psychology books and loves board games like Catan and Monopoly. Apart from this, Donovan hangs out with his bearded dragon and is considering getting a giant breed dog soon.

Dorien is a graduate of Colgate University and the University of Pennsylvania. Dorien has extensive experience both as an admissions coach as well as as an admissions professional. Dorien served as an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment at Syracuse University, an Application Reader at Swathmore College, and an Undergraduate Student Advisor at Case Western Reserve University. While serving on admissions teams, Dorien was responsible for reading applications, interviewing prospective students, coordinating campus visits and events, training admissions volunteers, and making scholarship decisions. She also has experience coaching students on all aspects of their college experience, including major exploration, academic/study skills, engaging in campus life and opportunities, and other areas of adjustment to college life.

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As a coach, Dorien believes that building a positive, trusting relationship with Quad applicants is essential. She is an active listener, allowing her to get to know her students on a deeper, personal level and give individualized advice. She thoroughly enjoys coaching students through multi-phased processes in a way that does not overwhelm them but also gives them ownership over their own decisions each step of the way.

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In terms of strengths, Dorien has clear oral and written communication skills, which she hones in on while helping Quad applicants draft and edit their essays as well as other personal documents for the application process.

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When Dorien isn’t coaching, she is an avid reader (with a healthy dose of binge TV watching for balance), loves to cook and try new recipes, and travel both in the US and abroad. She also has both a dog (a dachshund mix named Ellie) and a cat (named Athena)!

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Dorien’s Pro Tips?

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Don't tell admissions officers what you think they "want" to hear; they can tell! This won't help to make you more "admissible" and certainly won't result in a good-fit school at the end of the process.

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Applying to college takes research, thoughtful self-reflection, and, most importantly: TIME. Don't rush the process.

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.

Eli completed his Bachelor’s degree in East Asian languages, literature, and linguistics at Columbia University. Following his degree, he acted as Columbia’s Dean’s Assistant and Interview Program Coordinator. In this position, he oversaw the interview process and provided training sessions for new and returning interviewers. He was also involved with special scholar programs, meeting prospective students and their families. With his extensive experience as a coach and admissions officer, he has helped his students gain admission into their dream colleges. 

Eli has always been passionate about higher education and the college experience, which drives him to share his knowledge with prospective students. His passion fuels his commitment to helping them achieve their academic goals by guiding them through the college application process and crafting impactful applications. He strives to create a relaxing atmosphere so students can focus on creating the best narrative possible to market themselves.  

As a coach, Eli understands the importance of a holistic approach. He ensures students are well-organized and equipped to excel in every aspect of the application and he is very patient throughout the whole process. His structured yet flexible approach allows students to contribute actively, reducing their feelings of overwhelm. His greatest strength is identifying and highlighting the unique qualities that make a student stand out beyond just their numbers.

When Eli isn’t coaching, he enjoys travelling, reading, and playing the piano. 

Eli’s Pro Tip? 

Making sure you’re organized early in the admissions process will allow you to develop a better idea and understanding of your end goals and make the most of your college experience. 

Ellen graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbia University. Having personally gone through the college application and transfer process, Ellen brings a unique perspective on the challenges students face and how to overcome them. Professionally, she has served as a Communications Executive at BNY Mellon and an Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan. 

Ellen's active listening skills and passion for learning about applicants enable her to help students shape their stories meaningfully and authentically. She understands the immense pressure that applicants and their families experience and is committed to making the process as smooth and memorable as possible.

Ellen's coaching approach is centered on tailoring her guidance to meet the individual needs of each applicant. Her strong organizational skills and time management abilities ensure that the process remains transparent and on track, despite the many demands on students' time.

As an expert in written responses, Ellen takes great care to ensure that every submission is of the highest standard. She is a skilled brainstormer and is always eager to help students showcase their best selves through writing. Her encouraging and optimistic personality makes her an ideal partner and cheerleader throughout the college application journey.

Ellen is committed to supporting students and their families throughout this process and takes their trust in her very seriously. Her goal is to help each applicant shine and achieve their college dreams. 

Outside of coaching, Ellen enjoys spending time with her dog Ava, practicing yoga and Pilates, attending ballet performances, and improving her culinary skills.

Emmanuel earned a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. He has spent the last eight years as a college and career counselor, collegiate seminar teacher, and 12th-grade advisor at Noble Schools, a nonprofit organization running 17 charter public high schools in Chicago. 

With nearly ten years of coaching experience, Emmanuel has helped 1,600+ students navigate their college admissions journeys. Students he has coached have been accepted into Northwestern University, Purdue University, Stanford University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Notre Dame, among others.

Emmanuel received Noble Schools' Distinguished Teacher Award for the 2023 cohort and is now a member of the Noble Schools' Board of Directors. He was the first college counselor and college seminar teacher to receive this very selective award, which acknowledges instructors with excellent track records for teaching and results. 

Emmanuel’s passion for coaching stems from his love of helping students and families make informed decisions. He enjoys walking students through the entire application process from beginning to end, including breaking down financial aid award letters for students and their families. His desire is to provide a safe space for students to be vulnerable and build strong, healthy, and trusting relationships with adults. He seeks to learn from students as much as they learn from him, realizing the knowledge and greatness they bring to college communities.

Emmanuel’s greatest strengths are his relationship-building skills, listening, organization, essay editing abilities, problem-solving, FAFSA knowledge, navigating college portals, interpersonal communication, and constructive feedback. Furthermore, he excels at supporting students in graduating from high school and successfully transitioning into college and careers. 

When he’s not working, Emmanuel enjoys a variety of activities. He attends concerts, goes to the movies, bike rides, drives down Dusable Lake Shore Drive, engages in community service, and travels. 

Eric is pursuing his Master’s degree and  PhD from the University of Illinois Chicago. He has an extensive background in education, working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at The University of British Columbia and the University of Illinois Chicago. Throughout his career, Eric has assisted undergraduates with graduate/professional admissions and helped high school students with their undergraduate applications.

Eric has dedicated his career to education due to his deep curiosity about the world around him. He is passionate about coaching college applicants and strives to help students access an environment where they can shape their unique education, often for the first time. Recognizing the immense stress of the admissions process at every level, from undergraduate to doctorate, Eric understands that students must market themselves and create materials while juggling current courses, jobs, and hobbies. Having personally benefited from the guidance of others, he appreciates the comfort and support that coaching provides. 

His ultimate goal as a college admissions coach is to provide direction for successful applications and offer unwavering support and guidance during this exciting and transformative period in students' lives. As a coach, one of Eric’s greatest strengths is his strong personal connection to the university environment. It allows him to help students discover their intrinsic motivations for pursuing higher education, enabling them to craft compelling narratives for their applications. His diverse educational background also allows him to relate to various students and cater to their needs. 

Eric’s solid professional background in coaching and teaching helps him approach students with experience, confidence, and a sense of security. Notably, candidates Eric has coached have gained acceptance to prestigious institutions such as Caltech, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Columbia.

In his spare time, Eric enjoys practicing and coaching Taekwondo, rock climbing and running, playing the piano and guitar, embarking on hiking and backpacking adventures, and indulging his passion for travel.

Eric holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master's from Stanford University. He has ten years of experience mentoring high school students through the college admissions process. He has also worked as an education program director, empathetic product researcher, and student success champion with 14+ years of experience in the education field.

Eric's career has been dedicated to crafting education systems, environments, and experiences that foster equitable outcomes for all learners, particularly those who have faced historical marginalization. His passion for coaching college applicants is deeply rooted in his commitment to witnessing students achieve their academic and post-secondary aspirations. The profound transformation from initial uncertainty to ultimate confidence and enthusiasm throughout the college process fuels his unwavering dedication to this vocation.

His approach encompasses personalized test preparation, application mentoring, and targeted subject-level tutoring, enabling students to gain a competitive edge in the admissions journey. With a strategic focus on amplifying students' strengths and meticulously enhancing areas of growth, Eric has consistently propelled individuals toward success. He has extended his support to current college students, facilitating their seamless transition and acceptance to esteemed higher education institutions.

One of Eric's greatest strengths as a coach is his ability to help students find their own unique stories and perspectives. He believes there is something inside everyone that makes us special–and finding that thing is incredibly empowering. Eric is an expert in helping students develop and use their voices confidently.

Eric believes that college admissions is a team endeavor. He enjoys collaborating closely with students and families to chart the most effective pathway forward. He is also very open to feedback–-if his students have concerns/ideas/feedback, he is happy to hear it.

Beyond coaching, Eric enjoys indulging in pick-up sports, refining his culinary skills at home, the art of bread baking, and exploring the great outdoors through hiking.