University of California San Diego Admissions Counseling From Former Admissions Officers

Noel earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MEd from NC State University, an MA from UCLA, and is currently pursuing a PhD from UCLA. Noel worked for the international student office at UNC as an essay reader and liaison for newly admitted students and coached students through the admissions process at UCLA, providing feedback on prospective graduate students’ essays. Students Noel has coached have been accepted to Duke, Emory, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UNC at Chapel Hill, among others. 

Through his experience, Noel learned that admission truly is a holistic process—every part of an essay can make a difference. His experience as an essay reader helped him gain much insight into how important these items can be, especially when serving as "tie-breakers" for students with similar GPAs and test scores. Successful students, from his experience, presented themselves confidently and authentically, grounded in their own unique, specific experiences. Noel has been a writing instructor and coach at UCLA in recent years and excels at helping students develop and present themselves and their accomplishments in a memorable way they can be proud of.

Noel’s passion for coaching stems from his love of celebrating the moments when students achieve the goals they have worked so hard for! He loves to see how students grow during the process, learn new things about themselves, and be able to embrace their strengths along the way, even if the process is stressful. He believes we learn from stress as long as it is managed well; Noel hopes to be a stress mitigator and support system for students. 

Noel takes an assets-based approach to student counseling, which focuses on each individual's strengths and accomplishments rather than what they haven't done. He knows it can be easy for students to compare themselves to others and lose sight during competitive processes like admissions. Noel sees his job, first and foremost, as identifying, developing, and helping students present the strengths they already have in the most effective way possible.

Noel’s greatest strength is his positive and pragmatic outlook. His approach helps students build confidence, leading to tangible results on their final application materials and setting them up for success beyond college. While positive, he understands the many complicated steps required for acceptance in the current highly competitive admissions landscape; Noel breaks down these large tasks into more manageable items for students. He delivers honest and direct feedback to push students to develop themselves and their materials in a healthy way, but one that requires work on both ends of the counseling partnership. 

When he’s not coaching, Noel enjoys cooking, running, and hiking, traveling to new places, practicing language skills (French, Spanish, Italian, and a little Arabic), and watching a wide variety of movies.

James holds a BA from the University of San Diego and dual MAs from Stanford University. With 20+ years of experience in education, he has worked as an admissions recruiter for St. Clare’s International College in Oxford, England, where he recruited and supported American students interested in study abroad programs. He has also served on two independent admissions committees, giving him deep insight into the selective admissions process. Beyond his career in education, James is also a seasoned professional writer and writing coach with over 18 years of experience.

With years of experience as a teacher and advisor, James understands both the challenges and rewards of the college admissions process. He is passionate about guiding students to recognize, develop, and showcase their unique strengths and interests, helping them find colleges where they can truly thrive. College and graduate school were transformative experiences for James, and he is dedicated to unlocking similar potential for others. Students he has worked with have gained admission to prestigious schools, including Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Boston College, Vanderbilt, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and New York University, among others.

As a coach, James is patient, empathetic, and highly attuned to each student’s unique needs, interests, and challenges. His experience working with diverse students has given him a nuanced understanding of how to support both personal and academic growth. With his strong writing skills, James expertly guides students in refining their own voices, helping them represent themselves authentically and effectively throughout the application process. As a critical and creative thinker, he combines both aptitudes to assist students in crafting compelling narratives. 

James is also deeply committed to staying informed on each school’s mission, values, and enrollment goals, enhancing his ability to guide students toward colleges that align with their aspirations. This commitment has given him a profound appreciation for the diversity of student experiences and its essential role in building a well-rounded student body.

In his free time, James enjoys a wide range of creative and outdoor activities. He’s passionate about writing, playing guitar, recording and listening to music, reading, hiking, traveling, and exploring film, museums, and art galleries. He is also a cook, lover of good food, avid swimmer—both in pools and open water—surfer, cyclist, and sports enthusiast. Additionally, he volunteers with various non-profits in his community.

James’ Pro Tip?

There's often a noticeable difference between how students present themselves in their written applications versus in-person interviews. Helping students convey their authentic selves in both formats is key. A genuine, well-crafted letter of recommendation can also make a strong impact, offering admissions committees a deeper glimpse into a student's unique strengths and character.

Shannon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. With extensive experience in admissions and education, she served as an alumni interviewer at Harvard for over 14 years and sat on the admissions committee at St. John’s College, where she reviewed applications and conducted interviews with prospective candidates. Shannon has helped students gain admission to top universities, including Harvard, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Yale, UChicago, and others.

In addition to her work in admissions, Shannon has held several notable roles in academia, including serving as a Fulbright Program Officer and grant writer at the University of California, San Diego, a graduate student instructor at UC Berkeley, and an assistant professor at St. John’s College. She finds great fulfillment in helping students discover the ideal match between their interests and education or uncovering opportunities they never knew existed. 

As a coach, Shannon believes that crafting a coherent story about yourself as a student and learner is key to succeeding in the application process. Leveraging her experience and passion for writing and editing, she excels at helping students master the art of storytelling—a skill that will serve them throughout their lives. With her deep expertise, Shannon knows exactly how to guide applicants in writing personal narratives that not only help them gain admission to their top schools but also secure competitive external funding. She loves to help students find the perfect match when it comes to school selections and their unique interests, and enjoys shedding light on new and exciting opportunities. 

In her free time, Shannon enjoys crocheting, cooking, writing children's books, restoring old dollhouses, woodcarving, working on getting her pilot's license, and spending time with her six-year-old.

Shannon’s Pro Tip?

Ultimately, colleges are interested in what kind of student you'll be in the classroom and after you leave. It's crucial to use your application to demonstrate that you'll be intellectually curious, actively engaged, and committed to learning throughout your college years and in your post-grad life.