One-On-One NYU Admissions Counseling To Help You Tell Your Story

Junior holds a Master’s degree from New York University. He has nearly 20 years of coaching experience and has supported 1,000+ students through their journeys to higher education. Junior served on the  Asia Pacific Leadership Program admissions committee at the University of Hawaii, helping review graduate-level applications. His work included reviewing their application materials, such as the application form, the essay for joining the program, the proposal for GIST (Group Independent Study Travel), and recommendation letters. Junior’s experiences have helped him learn to look at application material objectively while using his own knowledge to gauge the applicant's potential to succeed. 

Junior has also held many support and service roles which have allowed him to support students in grades six through 11 in obtaining internships, getting into STEM related-programs, applying to summer programs, and earning scholarships. Students he has coached have been accepted to top schools, including Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Pomona College, and others. 

Junior is a first-generation college graduate. This means that as a high school student, he could not go to his parents for help, which negatively impacted his college application experience. His journey led him to become a college counselor, working with hundreds of students through the college application process to help ease their anxiety and ensure they had the knowledge and tools needed to make well-informed decisions about their future without getting overwhelmed. Contributing to student success and helping them build confidence makes him passionate about coaching. 

Junior’s greatest power as a coach is his listening skills. Active listening requires empathy and putting one's feelings and opinions aside, allowing the coach to listen to understand—not to respond. Active listening helps him be present and facilitates mutual trust and understanding, leading to a better experience for everyone. Understanding his students' needs, fears, dreams, and aspirations allows him to focus on what's important to them, making it easier for him to help applicants accomplish their goals.

Outside of work, Junior consumes a lot of art and intellectual content. He loves listening to Afrobeats, attending Afrobeats concerts, and reading fiction, including Gabriel Garcia Marquez, James Baldwin, and Salman Rushdie. He also enjoys visiting museums and art shows and saw the Whitney Biennial 2024 and the Met's Costume Institute’s spring 2024 exhibition. Junior also loves watching independent and foreign films, running and hiking in New York's Adirondack Mountains, or traveling to places like Belize, Portugal, and the Dominican Republic.

Lena has a Masters from the New York Institute of Technology. She has a wealth of admissions experience, serving as an Application Reader at New York University, the University of San Francisco, and the University of California, San Diego. She has read thousands of applications throughout her career and has participated in or contributed to Diversity Committees at colleges such as Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, and NYU.

As a proud first-generation college graduate, Lena is passionate about guiding students through this transformative journey. Recognizing that many students are navigating higher education with newfound autonomy, she finds joy in helping them make informed decisions about their future. Lena is known for her empathetic listening skills and adept problem-solving qualities, making her an invaluable resource for students and their families.

Lena's executive functioning skills ensure a seamless flow of work throughout the college application process, a critical element for success in this complex endeavor. Her mediation style has been commended for its effectiveness in navigating diverse stakeholder relationships. Having reviewed thousands of applications throughout her career, Lena has honed her ability to discern students' unique strengths and provide nuanced guidance for crafting standout applications.

Lena's track record speaks volumes about her effectiveness as a college admissions coach. Students Lena has recently coached have been accepted into several top-25 universities, liberal arts colleges, and the University of Cambridge.

In her free time, Lena is an avid runner and yogi and loves running her small business.

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.