Princeton Admissions Counseling From Former Admissions Officers

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!

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.

Samir earned a BS from the University of Chicago, followed by an MA from Columbia University and a PhD from Princeton University. He has held several academic roles, serving as a Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, Assistant and Associate Professor at Dartmouth College, and later as Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Samir also served on the admissions committees at Columbia and the University of Chicago, where he reviewed applications, interviewed students, and made admissions recommendations.

Over the past 15 years, Samir has developed and applied advanced quantitative methods to leverage big data for meaningful insights in industry, public health, and public policy. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles and op-eds, with his work being published in outlets such as The New York Times, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Health Affairs. After earning an MA from Columbia University, Samir served as a military officer in the United States Air Force for four years. 

Samir is deeply passionate about advising students and helping them discover and express their authentic selves during pivotal moments in their lives. He guides students through the process of reflection, helping them clarify their values, articulate their goals, and craft compelling narratives that showcase who they are beyond grades and test scores. With his background as a college professor and firsthand experience on admissions committees, Samir understands what resonates in the application process and uses these insights to help students present their stories with confidence and clarity. His goal is to empower students to take ownership of their college admissions journey and envision the future they want to build. He has helped students gain admission to top schools such as Columbia, UChicago, UPenn, Dartmouth, Duke, Northwestern, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Barnard, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Washington University in St. Louis, USC, and UMichigan.

As a coach, one of Samir’s greatest strengths is his ability to connect deeply with students. He creates a space where they feel heard, supported, and motivated to do their best work. Samir asks thoughtful questions that prompt reflection and help students uncover the values and experiences that define them. With a strong foundation in writing and years of experience evaluating applications, Samir helps students craft essays that are both strategic and sincere. He also brings a structured, organized approach to the process, breaking it down into manageable, purposeful steps, while adapting to each student’s unique needs and working style.

In his free time, Samir loves to swim, bake with his young daughters, and chase after his two-year-old golden retriever.

Samir’s Pro Tip?

A well-told, authentic story can be incredibly powerful. Beyond grades and test scores, what often sets an applicant apart is their ability to reflect on their experiences with clarity, depth, and purpose. It’s crucial for students to present a cohesive narrative—one where academic interests, extracurricular involvement, and personal insights align to tell a clear story of who they are and what they hope to contribute to a college community. Every part of the application, including essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities, works together to create a full picture of the student.