Duke University Admissions Counseling From Former Admissions Officers

Garry is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. He attended Stanford University for undergrad and earned a Master’s degree and a PhD from Harvard University. Before joining Duke, Garry served in multiple roles at Harvard University, including as the Director of Faculty and Student Initiatives for First-Year Students, Resident Dean, and Assistant Dean of Harvard College. He also served as an interviewer at Stanford University. 

In his various roles at Harvard University, Garry worked closely with the admissions team, reviewing the applications of admitted students to identify the best ways to support them in their first year. Through this work, Garry gained deep insight into how colleges evaluate passion, purpose, and vision within the broader admissions context.

Garry is passionate about coaching students because he believes that the transition to college is one of the most formative moments in a person's life. While the journey through the application process can be riddled with emotions, those ups and downs do not need to be navigated in isolation. Garry considers it a joy to strategize with applicants to help them present the strongest version of themself to colleges and have fun while doing so. Students Garry has coached have been accepted to NYU and Princton, among other prestigious schools. 

As a coach, Garry brings empathy, rigor, and strategy to every student interaction. He pushes students to reach the bar they codetermine together but does so with empathy and support. Garry particularly enjoys mentoring students through personal statement writing and essay writing, guiding them to uncover and articulate their passions and purpose with clarity and impact. Above all, he wants families to know that he is here for them to make the college admissions process as affirming and smooth as possible while ensuring that applicants create the highest-quality applications possible.

In his spare time, Garry loves to read and watch his dogs chase each other. 

Garry’s Pro Tip?

The goal of the application process is to understand what drives a student, their motivations and aspirations, and how those align not only with the university’s mission but also with the character of the incoming class. Ensure your application clearly communicates what inspires you, why it matters, and how your perspective will contribute to the campus community.

Yi is a former tenured professor turned admissions expert and entrepreneur who brings a uniquely rigorous, 360-degree perspective to college admissions coaching. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, an MS from the University of California, Irvine, and an MBA from Duke University, where he received a full-tuition Manning Family Scholarship. Yi has guided students into top colleges, including the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan, UT Austin, Rice, and others. 

Yi’s passion for coaching stems from having sat on both sides of the admissions table—as a tenured professor at the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health serving on formal admissions committees as an application reader and making admissions decisions. Yi’s time as an application reader allowed him to focus on evaluating non-academic aspects of applicants' profiles and to engage in committee discussion. Now, Yi works as an admissions consultant, helping students frame their experiences with authenticity and strategy. His approach is grounded in a fundamental belief: the most successful application is not just a list of achievements; it’s a persuasive, authentic argument for admission.

Yi doesn’t just help students build an application. He helps them build a case for acceptance. Drawing from his work evaluating research innovations at Yale, founding companies, and mentoring entrepreneurs, he teaches students to connect the dots between raw talent, personal narrative, and strategic goals. He treats the college application like a business plan—highlighting leadership, value propositions, and impact. Whether it’s a student’s part-time job, club leadership, or personal challenge, Yi shows how each piece is a critical data point in the story of their potential.

Yi’s greatest strengths as a coach include applying an evaluator’s lens to help students understand what truly resonates with admissions committees, using a strategist’s mindset to craft cohesive and compelling narratives, and empowering students to own their voice. Yi believes the student is the CEO of their application. His role is that of a board member—offering tools, structure, and honest feedback—while encouraging students to engage deeply and take ownership of their process. He reminds students that it’s not about crafting a perfect application, but an authentic one. 

As a coach, Yi’s approach to admissions consulting doesn’t end with college acceptances; it equips students with the confidence and clarity to pitch ideas, win internships, and lead with purpose long after admission. Yi’s multifaceted background makes him a dynamic, relatable, and strategic guide through every step of the admissions journey. As an empowering mentor, Yi understands that the admissions process is deeply personal. His strength lies in helping students discover and articulate their authentic voice. He helps them uncover the powerful stories within their experiences and give them the confidence to present themselves with the maturity and self-awareness that top-tier institutions actively seek.

Outside of coaching, Yi is a dedicated endurance athlete, having completed the Boston Marathon and triathlons. He’s also an actor who auditions for theater, commercials, and musicals, and he enjoys weightlifting. 

Yi’s Pro Tip? 

Trust the process and your journey. It's easy to get caught in the “comparison trap” with peers. Successful applicants leverage their unique story and ensure they find a college that is the right fit for who they are and who they aspire to be. 

Anthony has a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies from the University of Chicago. He also has earned a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology from Harvard University. While at Harvard, Anthony served as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies. He interviewed prospective students interested in majoring in Classics and the humanities and wrote letters of evaluation for the admissions committee. Professionally, Anthony has over ten years of experience as an educator.

Anthony’s passion for coaching stems from his drive to ensure that deserving students get access to quality education, regardless of their background. Anthony knows how valuable guidance during the college admissions process can be, especially for those with limited means or those who lack access to formal guidance. He strives to do everything in his power to help students access quality education and unlock their full potential.

When it comes to coaching, Anthony’s greatest strength is his ability to holistically approach students as human beings, identifying their premier qualities derived from every facet of their lives that have contributed to their growth and development. 

When Anthony isn’t coaching students, he enjoys woodworking, especially the notion of creating sophisticated objects from raw materials.