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".

Alex earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees from Northwestern University and an MBA from Stanford Business School. He served for years as an alumni undergraduate candidate interviewer for Stanford and leverages this expertise to help students secure admission to their top-choice schools.

Over the course of his career, Alex has also helped countless professionals to develop and improve their resumes and prepare for tough interviews. In addition, Alex co-founded and launched a STEM tutoring startup focused on helping high school students achieve success in their toughest classes. Alex has had a distinguished international career in the hi-tech industry, focusing on product management, marketing, business development, and alliance management. He worked at HP for 18+ years, working in many leadership positions such as Marketing Director and Director of Enterprise Business Development. 

Alex’s passion for coaching stems from his love for writing, creating stories, and building brands around an individual persona. Students he has coached have gotten into top schools such as Stanford, Northwestern, Columbia, UCLA, Yale, Duke, and NYU.

As a coach, Alex is highly results-driven and draws on his extensive writing expertise to empower aspiring candidates. As a skilled and published writer, his work has appeared in numerous publications and online platforms. He takes great pride in helping candidates achieve their dreams, relishing the challenge of helping them craft compelling, impactful materials that set them up for success.

In his free time, Alex enjoys working out, hiking, playing pickleball, reading economics and world news, and traveling. He has spent considerable time working and living in Europe and has traveled extensively, gaining deep knowledge of and appreciation of diverse cultures. He is bilingual and proficient in several other languages. 

Allan graduated from Cornell University with Cum Laude honors in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a concentration in Energy and Economics. After completing his bachelor's degree, he received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Allan founded an admissions consulting program as the President of a national honor society at Cornell University. He also acted as an admissions mentor at a local high school. As an admissions ambassador, Allan provided feedback to the admissions board on the potential candidate's fit with the school. With over ten years of experience as an academic counselor, he has helped his students gain admission to Cornell University, the University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Texas, among many others.

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As a first-generation college student, Allan has first-hand experience with how challenging and confusing the admission process can be. This fuels his passion for supporting and guiding his students through the application process. As a coach, he takes a personalized approach–highlighting each applicant's strengths and individuality. He is adaptable and flexible when it comes to what his students need, regardless of what stage in the application process they're in. Allan excels in helping his students develop a robust applicant profile that speaks to what admissions officers are looking for in an ideal candidate beyond test scores and grades. He helps his students turn their shortcomings into strengths, allowing them to shine through.

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With his Quad students, Allan breaks down the application process into more manageable steps. He helps his students understand the rationale behind each aspect of their application–specifically, why the colleges ask specific questions and what they want to learn about the students. This, in turn, gives his students the opportunity to build a more meaningful and intentional application. Through coaching prospective college students, Allan hopes to pass on his knowledge and experience to ensure that his students can more easily manage the college application process. He finds great joy in seeing his students' and their families' happy faces and tears when they receive acceptance letters from their dream school. Allan ensures that his students feel confident in their application and works hard to get each of his students to that state of mind and having fun along the way.

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When Allan isn't coaching, he mentors high school students and young professionals on career and professional development. He also enjoys playing competitive badminton–and winning!

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Allan's Pro Tip?

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Students often think they need the perfect resume and breadth of experience to be a competitive candidate. While having these experiences under your belt can be an asset, you can always find strength in your application through your weaknesses and shortcomings, making you much more resilient and competitive throughout the application process.

Alvin earned his BA from Binghamton University and an MA from Columbia University. He has extensive admissions experience, having served as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Columbia University and Tufts University, and Associate Director of Integrated Graduate Student Services at Georgia State University. He also served as an application reader and reviewer for the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

In addition to multiple years of admissions committee experience, Alvin has also worked as the Director of College Counseling at Student Leadership Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people in underserved communities gain access to higher education. During his time serving as Director of Admissions at Columbia and Tufts, Alvin oversaw the entire admissions process. This included developing and executing recruitment strategies, leading admissions teams, evaluating applications holistically, making admissions and scholarship decisions, collaborating with faculty and financial aid departments, and ensuring a seamless transition for admitted students. He also represented these institutions at events aimed at attracting high-caliber candidates.

Alvin finds it deeply rewarding to guide high school students in achieving their educational goals and shaping their college experiences. Knowing he has played a key role in their success is especially meaningful to him. Alvin is dedicated to providing students and families with personalized college counseling, empowering them to navigate the application process with clarity and confidence. Students he has worked with have been admitted to top-tier schools, including MIT, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Duke,  Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Princeton, Rice, UPenn, and UC schools, among others.

As a coach, Alvin excels in tailoring strategies to each student’s unique strengths and goals, leveraging his admissions expertise and outstanding communication skills. He fosters confidence  and empowerment, ensuring students and families feel supported every step of the way in an inclusive and encouraging environment. By actively engaging with applicants, Alvin has learned to appreciate the diverse perspectives they bring and how their experiences can enrich campus culture. 

In his free time, Alvin enjoys exploring new cultures through travel, staying active with hiking and workouts, relaxing with a good book, and cherishing quality time with loved ones.

Alvin’s Pro Tip?

Taking a holistic approach to your applications is crucial. It’s about going beyond the numbers to showcase your unique qualities and potential contributions to the school’s community.

Alysia has a Bachelor’s from the University of Florida and a Master’s from St. Thomas University. She has spent over a decade coaching student-athletes, helping them transfer from 2-year colleges to prestigious 4-year institutions while securing athletic scholarships. Her extensive knowledge of intercollegiate athletics, the recruitment process, and a discerning eye for talent position her as a formidable coach, proficient in steering students toward their ideal university. Professionally, Alysia has served as Director of Athletics at Miami Dade College and as Stats Crew for The Miami Heat.

While at Miami Dade, Alysia also worked with the President's Cabinet, collaborating with esteemed individuals such as Deans, the Chief Campus Information Officer (CCIO), and Campus Presidents. In these high-level conversations about collegiate affairs, her insights and expertise were integral in shaping institutional strategies for enrollment growth. 

Alysia's passion for coaching college applicants is fueled by her unwavering belief in the power of education to fulfill lifelong dreams. She finds immeasurable joy in knowing that her guidance and mentorship pave the path for applicants to cross the stage at graduation, a culmination of their aspirations. With nearly half a lifetime devoted to higher education, Alysia recognizes her unique ability to coach, guide, and mentor, reflecting her overarching desire to aid individuals in pursuing personal and academic growth.

An enduring belief in the significance of teamwork underscores Alysia's approach to her profession. She wholeheartedly embraces the idea that "teamwork makes the dream work." Her philosophy emphasizes that there is no "I" in team and that collaborative efforts create the most innovative and impactful solutions.

Alysia firmly believes that every student possesses the potential to achieve their collegiate dreams. With her extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and passion for mentorship, she stands ready to guide aspiring college applicants toward their academic and athletic goals.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Alysia maintains a well-rounded life. She enjoys staying active, frequently engaging in workouts, weightlifting, and playing basketball. She also relishes outdoor adventures with her loyal canine companion. In her leisure time, Alysia channels her creativity into customizing and painting sneakers, demonstrating her personality's multifaceted and artistic dimension.

Amanda has a Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a Master’s in Education. She has over 14 years of counseling experience, having coached her students at top universities such as Dartmouth College, Cornell University, and Georgetown University, among others. Amanda also holds a certificate from Columbia Business School’s Executive Education Developing Leader’s Program.

Amanda is a strong project manager; she meets every deadline and ensures it feels doable for her students and their families. She is also highly perceptive and can understand her students’ strengths and character to tell powerful stories that showcase these character traits. Amanda has applied these skills with her Quad students by helping them develop strong essays and resumes, coaching her students through interviews, and ensuring that their applications are impactful. Amanda knows how important getting into college is for her students; she hopes to honor the importance of this process through her work ethic, commitment, and follow-through.

Her passion for working with students and guiding them through the admissions process comes from her experience of getting into her dream school. Amanda has spent her entire career working in education because she knows how powerful education is as a tool for transformative change. Spending time with her students – hearing their stories, learning more about their skills and passions, and being part of their educational, professional, and civic journeys – is incredibly special to her. She is committed to her students and wants to see them have their moment in the sun when they receive their acceptance letters.

When Amanda isn’t coaching, she loves reading books, starting book clubs, volunteering, kayak, and playing trivia.

Amanda’s Pro Tip?

It’s most important to reveal who you uniquely are as a student. This will allow you to connect powerfully with admissions staff and build personalized strategies for each element of your application.

Amanda earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She has extensive admissions experience, including serving as an admissions ambassador at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. In this role, she hosted prospective student events, offered valuable advice on crafting strong applications, and created informative content for the school’s social media channels to help guide future applicants.

Amanda believes that every student has a unique story to tell—whether it’s an achievement, a life experience, or anything in between—and is passionate about helping them articulate that narrative in their applications. She is dedicated to guiding students in showcasing their true selves, crafting authentic stories that highlight their personalities, accomplishments, and aspirations. 

As a coach, Amanda excels at asking the right questions and uncovering each student's "why." She takes a thoughtful, reflective approach to every aspect of the college application process, ensuring that she fully understands the depth of a student's experiences—what they were involved in, the lessons they learned, and the impact of those experiences. This allows Amanda to highlight significant details that make each student’s story compelling and authentic, ensuring that their true essence shines through.

In her spare time, Amanda loves to try new coffees, watch The Office, and go to Disney World—a perk of living 15 minutes away from it!

Amanda’s Pro Tip?
Every student embarks on their unique journey toward higher education, and no two paths are identical. This diversity is what makes pursuing specific programs, professional opportunities, and holistic experiences so powerful. It's essential to understand your own goals and the reasons behind them!

Amethyst has earned a Bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She served as an Alumni Representative Committee Member at Columbia, conducting interviews and writing reports for Columbia University applicants. She has also taught and advised at high schools and coached many college applicants applying to top-tier schools. Additionally, Amethyst has extensive experience reading college application essays as an academic writing teacher.

For Amethyst, college was a landscape of great opportunity. She was a small-town girl from Kansas who could live in the beauty of New York City for four years. She feels lucky to have experienced so many beautiful moments through her undergraduate years. Amethyst wouldn't have been exposed to the opportunities that have followed without the support of knowledgeable and caring coaches who guided her through a complicated process. She is excited to help students on this journey and be one of the many keys that can help unlock doors to a bright future.

Amethyst's greatest strengths as a coach are her dedication to learning about students holistically and helping them find their passions, not just for an application or even four years, but for life. She listens deeply and cares about the impact students hope to have on the world. As a coach, she is excited to guide students as they discover their unique strengths and interests. 

Amethyst has learned that when it comes to college admissions, universities are looking for intellectually curious students who will contribute to the community, have clear values and interests, and are a good fit for the school. Amethyst understands the importance of identifying these unknown institutional priorities and helping students showcase their best selves.

In her free time, Amethyst loves to stay active with yoga, dancing, cycling, and hiking in Colorado. She also enjoys reading, painting, blasting music, and spending time with her little cousins.

Amina holds a Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and currently works as a business analyst at McKinsey & Company. She has over 6 years of admissions counseling experience, taking applicants through the process from drafting a college list and writing the Common App essay and supplements to drafting extracurricular lists and preparing for interviews. Amina has also coached low-income first-generation students in Brooklyn, New York, through Princeton University's Brooklyn College Awareness Program. Students she has coached have been accepted into Harvard, Yale, Brown, Cambridge, Oxford, Duke, UCLA, and UPenn, among others.

Amina’s passion for coaching college applicants is driven by her own experience of applying to top U.S. universities as an international applicant. She was applying from Pakistan, did not have a lot of guidance initially, and felt quite lost. Ultimately, she decided to work with a college counseling firm who patiently helped her understand the process. The team ensured her genuine voice, passions, and interests shone through her application, and she was accepted to Princeton University through single-choice early action. Now, Amina wants to pay this forward. She believes many students with immense potential could use generous and competent coaches to help them realize their ambition of gaining admission into a top college, and she wishes to be that coach for them.

Amina believes her single greatest strength as a coach is her empathy. She realizes that college admissions can be an incredibly stressful experience, and it can feel like one's entire future hinges on a single decision. As a coach, she likes to remind students that there are more options than they realize. She also believes in gently nudging students rather than being harsh or critical. Amina works hard to give students a safe space to express themselves authentically. She gives detailed, actionable, and honest feedback and truly believes that applying to colleges can be enlightening and empowering. Amina would love to accompany students on this extremely rewarding college admissions journey. She knows how it feels and would love to give applicants the support they need to demonstrate their full potential in their applications!

Outside of coaching, Amina really likes spending time with her family and dog. She has lived in four countries and has friends scattered all over the globe, so she loves to catch up with them virtually. She has also recently fallen in love with reformer Pilates and has added that to her workout routine in addition to cycling and hiking. Lastly, Amina loves good food and good music!

Amy earned her BS from the California Institute of Technology before pursuing a PhD at the University of Colorado, Boulder. With over 20 years of experience in academia, she served on the Board of Trustees of Summer Science Program (SSP) International for 13 years and has been the Chief Academic Officer for over seven years. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor at Brown University for three years, where she also served on the graduate admissions committee. Additionally, she spent four years on Caltech’s undergraduate admissions committee.

Passionate about helping students navigate college applications, Amy finds immense fulfillment in guiding them toward schools where they’ll thrive. Her greatest joy comes from hearing a student say, “I got into my dream school!” She understands how stressful the process can be and is committed to providing support at every step. Students she’s coached have gained admission to Caltech, MIT, Rice, Northwestern, and other top universities.

As a coach, Amy has a highly organized and proactive approach. She believes in getting things done well in advance, allowing ample time for thoughtful revisions and adjustments. This structured method provides flexibility and reduces last-minute stress, ensuring each application is polished to perfection.

In her free time, Amy likes to bake cookies and play classic video games—she also considers herself to be a big Pokémon nerd!

Amy’s Pro Tip?

It is important for every student to let their personality shine through in their application. Many applications end up sounding the same, but if a student puts in the effort, they can create something unique and personal that will catch the eye of an application reviewer.