Private Columbia Admissions Counseling

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.

Anna earned a BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and completed an MS and PhD at the University of California, San Diego, earning multiple research awards, a training grant, and a fellowship during her studies. Anna served as an MIT admissions interviewer for 15 years, evaluating prospective students from across the United States.

As the Area Representative for Oklahoma, Anna coordinated the training and assignment of MIT alumni interviewers for applicants from the state and surrounding areas. Additionally, she acted as a Graduate Student Representative for the Cognitive Science PhD program at UC San Diego, where she supported prospective students, welcomed incoming cohorts, and assisted in organizing graduate interview days.

Anna has applied her work in neuroscience to education policy, collaborating with researchers at prestigious universities including MIT, Harvard, Boston University, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, the University of Chicago, and Columbia University. As an active volunteer with the MIT Alumni Association for over a decade, Anna stays deeply connected to evolving undergraduate admissions expectations and the broader university culture. Additionally, her participation in various departmental and administrative committees at several institutions has further enriched her understanding of the unique identities and cultures of different universities, which allows her to help students build school lists that truly cater to their needs. She also advocates for making and keeping Boston-area universities more welcoming to non-traditional students and ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable to all.

Anna is dedicated to helping learners with traditional and non-traditional educational paths confidently present their authentic selves throughout the admissions process. She believes a great college coach is both a cheerleader and a strategic guide.

As a coach, Anna’s greatest strengths lie in her ability to combine deep academic insight with practical admissions experience. She excels at helping students authentically present their unique stories, guiding them through complex application processes with clarity and encouragement. Anna takes personal stories very seriously, recognizing that discussing values, life experiences, and other deeply personal topics in admissions interviews can be challenging. She strives to create a safe and supportive space for all personal identities and cultures. Her extensive knowledge of university cultures and admissions expectations allows her to tailor advice to each student’s individual goals and circumstances, ensuring they find the best fit academically, socially, and culturally.

In her spare time, Anna enjoys advocating for the disability, mental health, military veteran/family, and neurodiversity communities through peer support and mental health coaching, engaging in volunteer work, participating in Toastmasters public speaking and speech competitions, playing tabletop role-playing games, and cooking (especially baking bread).

Anna’s Pro Tip?

There is no single formula for admission to elite universities. When institutions say they want to see the “real” student, they mean it! Authenticity is the key to standing out among tens of thousands of applicants.

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.