Personalized Guidance for The Thacher School Applications

George attended the University of Buckingham and Harvard University. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the realm of private school admissions. As Assistant Head of School at Wetherby-Pembridge School, he actively participated in interviewing prospective students, meticulously reviewed applications, and served as a steadfast admissions ambassador. Furthermore, George led the school's exmissions initiatives, ensuring that every student secured entry into some of the most exclusive private schools in New York City and beyond. George’s extensive background encompasses teaching and leadership roles in prestigious educational institutions. He has dedicated nearly 25 years to the world of private education, both in the United States and the United Kingdom, focusing on nurturing and guiding students on their educational journeys. 

His passion for the educational journey extends far beyond his professional roles. He finds immense fulfillment in continuing to engage with students he taught during his early years as a classroom teacher, now, nearly a decade later, as they embark on their educational pursuits. This enduring connection underscores his commitment to nurturing students' growth from their earliest days of spelling, handwriting, and times tables to the exciting opportunities presented by K-12 private schools.

One of George's notable strengths is his profound expertise in private school leadership. His tenure as a pivotal member of a leading independent school's admissions team in New York City, along with his leadership of exmissions practices, has equipped him with a multifaceted understanding of all aspects of the private school admissions process. In addition, with numerous years of teaching students across the K-12 spectrum, George excels at building positive, personal, and productive relationships with students of all ages, backgrounds, and passions.

George's unique blend of experience is further enriched by his extensive involvement in various renowned private institutions on both sides of the Atlantic. These experiences have not only been vibrant and inspiring but have also fostered some of his happiest memories. These memories have fueled his dedication to helping students gain admission to the most exceptional private schools, ensuring they can partake in the incredible experiences and opportunities these institutions offer.

His experiences and expertise have helped students he’s coached to get accepted into a wide array of institutions, including St. David's School, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Trevor Day School, Marymount, Hewitt School, Town School, St. Bernard's School, Browning School, Buckley School, Dwight School, United Nations International School, Nord Anglia School, and Birch Wathen Lenox. In the UK, his reach has encompassed Clifton College, Wellington College, Winchester College, Sherborne School, Marlborough College, Millfield School, Bradfield College, Lord Wandsworth College, and Downe House.

Beyond education, George is a passionate sports enthusiast who represented his country and region in rugby, hockey, and cricket during his school years. Sport remains a crucial aspect of his life as he actively participates in fitness classes and engages in cricket through the New York City Cricket League during the summer. You can also find him exploring diverse cultures and experiencing new adventures. He has been fortunate to explore destinations as varied as Australia, the Caribbean, the USA, and Southern Europe, reflecting his enduring curiosity and zest for life.

Ellen graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbia University. Professionally, she has served as a Communications Executive at BNY Mellon and an Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan. Ellen has successfully assisted students in gaining admissions into prestigious private and boarding schools, including Andover, Loomis Chaffee, Hill School, Blair, and Peddie.

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.

When it comes to guiding private school/boarding school students, Ellen recognizes that younger applicants might need additional support in time management, organization, and narrative development. Ellen also places emphasis on the unique interview process for private schools, dedicating more time to support students in their preparations.

Recognizing the critical role parents play in private school admissions, Ellen also extends her guidance to them. She assists parents with application essays and interviews, which are pivotal for private school admissions. Ellen conducts story-mining sessions with parents, supporting them in narrative development and interview preparations. She encourages parents to view their child holistically, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between celebrating achievements and showcasing the child's overall character.

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 the process remains transparent and on track. As an expert in written responses, Ellen ensures that every submission meets the highest standards. Her encouraging and optimistic personality makes her an ideal partner throughout the application journey.

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

Nia has a Bachelor's from Columbia University, where she graduated on the Dean's List and earned the prestigious Thompson-Muñoz Scholarship. Her extensive background includes coaching students for private high schools and boarding schools. She is particularly proud of her involvement with the Oliver Scholars program, a community-based organization that supports high-achieving, low-income students of color and their families in navigating the admission process to preparatory schools. Nia's own experience as an alumna of the program imbues her with a profound understanding of the challenges and aspirations of her students.

As a native of New York City, Nia's educational journey at Columbia University was marked by a dual passion for Molecular Biology on the pre-medical track and additional coursework in Literature, Writing, and Philosophy. This unique blend of scientific rigor and literary depth enriches her approach to guiding young minds toward a bright future.

Nia's passion for admissions counseling stems from her desire to witness and facilitate the process of self-discovery in each student. She thrives on building mentor-mentee connections and delving into the unique personalities of her students, guiding them through this critical phase of their academic journey. When working with private school students, Nia excels at helping students focus on important factors such as character development, curriculum choices, and preparing for private school admissions processes, which may include interviews and essays.

Nia's coaching strengths shine through in her ability to develop compelling personal statements and written supplements, provide invaluable advice on financial aid and scholarship opportunities, streamline application processes into manageable schedules, and create tailored test-prep curriculums. 

Notably, Nia's recent coaching successes have seen her students gain admission to prestigious institutions such as The Loomis Chaffee School, The George School, and St. Mark's School, among others.

Beyond her professional life, Nia enjoys cooking, biking, gardening, learning new languages, and reading fantasy and non-fiction books in her spare time.

Josef has a Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and has almost a decade of experience as an admissions coach, reviewing hundreds of applications. Josef's involvement in admissions allows him to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry's latest changes and trends. One of his most significant learnings is the difference between an on-the-fence application and an accepted application: proving passion without actually using the word "passion."

Josef's journey to coaching began while tutoring his younger sister and mentoring students while he was in middle school. He has implemented coaching strategies from his state- and nationally-recognized football coaches over the years; some are now coaching on the collegiate (NCAA) and professional levels (NFL). Josef is naturally very competitive, likely from 12 years of playing football and competing for a national championship in his senior year of high school! He loves the challenge of helping students get into the best (and best-fit) programs and schools in alignment with their goals for how they envision themselves positively impacting the world. 

Josef is passionate about coaching students and prioritizes bringing his best version to coaching sessions. Similarly, he strives to push applicants to put their best selves forward when crafting their applications and essays. Josef's greatest strength as a coach is helping students find the intersection between their passions and talents. He enjoys forming strong bonds and deep connections with Quad applicants, creating a safe and comfortable space for them to share their narratives. In the depths of Josef's students' dearest hobbies, he's found some of the most endearing stories around which to craft their narratives and establish their unique differentiators. 

Josef is also committed to involving parents in the admissions process. He makes it his priority to share meeting notes and foster ongoing discussions to continue the conversation and ensure parents are engaged at every step. Josef's dedication to students and families makes him an invaluable asset in admissions coaching for private schools and beyond.

Josef has successfully guided students into esteemed private schools such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy - Andover, Groton, Trinity, Horace Mann, Harvard Westlake, Regis, Milton Academy, Don Bosco, The Lawrenceville School, and Noble and Greenough.

When not immersed in coaching, Josef finds joy in crafting screenplays for movies and TV pilot scripts for shows. He also makes music, engages in karaoke sessions, and maintains an active exercise routine.

James has a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a Master’s from Northwestern University, and a PhD from Columbia University. He has served in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Cornell University, as an Alumni Interviewer for both the New York City and Chicago areas, and as a member of the Graduate Admissions Committee in the Department of Psychology at Columbia University. His extensive experience in academic advising, community outreach, career counseling, and alumni relations allows him to bring a unique blend of expertise to the private school admissions process.

James is passionate about coaching students and witnessing their intellectual growth as they strive to achieve their goals. He places great importance on building meaningful relationships with students, providing them with a safe space to express their ideas, and fostering open discourse. James firmly believes in the power of one-on-one conversations with students, which he has seen produce beneficial "ripple effects" throughout the learning process.

As an educator and mentor, James strives to bring about enthusiasm for learning to help students see that they are capable of more than they have imagined. He feels that it is essential to cultivate meaningful relationships with students and aims to provide them with a safe space to share their ideas, encouraging open discourse and positively affirming their capabilities.

James' greatest strengths as a coach include working with students on high-level activities such as brainstorming and getting "in the weeds" with them when helping them craft stand-out essays. He firmly believes in providing students with copious amounts of detailed feedback and excels at helping them realize that they can hone in on their unique toolkits to actualize their goals. 

James's dedication to education, mentoring, and admissions consulting makes him a valuable asset for students seeking admission to private high schools and boarding schools, ensuring they receive the guidance and support they need to excel in their academic endeavors.

When James isn’t coaching Quad applicants, he works as a Behavioral Scientist at a Fortune 500 company in the healthcare sector. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Psychology for a private university in Chicago, IL.

Jessica holds a Bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a Master's from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has a wealth of experience assisting students in grades 5-10 seeking admission to independent day and boarding schools nationwide. At a community-based organization, she spearheaded group training and provided individual coaching sessions for prospective students and their families. Jessica has covered various aspects of the application process, interview preparation, and financial aid applications.

Her passion is ensuring students reach their full potential by finding their ideal school. Jessica takes great satisfaction in shepherding students through the application process, ultimately helping them discover the perfect fit. Jessica's commitment to the success of her students makes her an invaluable resource for those seeking admission to prestigious independent schools.

As a coach, she excels in helping students clarify their desires and expectations for their educational journey, encompassing academic, social, and experiential aspects. Jessica thrives on rigorously evaluating schools and delving into profound inquiries to create a narrative representing each applicant, including their unique interests. She has a knack for assisting students in recognizing their strengths, allowing them to shine in their applications.

Jessica's primary goal is to structure what sometimes feels overwhelming and daunting. She takes pride in offering a nurturing environment for students, fostering reflection and thoughtfulness to empower them to stand by their choices confidently.

Her dedication has yielded remarkable results, with students gaining admission to renowned institutions such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Andover Academy, St. Paul's School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Cate School, Thacher School, Midland School, Dunn School, The Webb Schools, Chadwick School, Brentwood School, Vistamar School, The Archer School for Girls, Harvard-Westlake, Flintridge Preparatory School, Oakwood School, The Buckley School, Viewpoint School, New Roads School, Crossroads School, Sage Hill School, and many more. 

Outside of her coaching endeavors, Jessica enjoys listening to podcasts, exploring walking trails, and cherishing quality moments with her family.