Anna Kardashyan
Studied at Stanford University
Worked at Arctic Encounter Summit
Available tomorrow at 8:00 PM UTC
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About Anna
I understand what it takes to stand out in selective college admissions processes because I’ve experienced it myself. As a low-income immigrant student, I earned admission to Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, MIT, USC, and the University of Michigan, along with prestigious national scholarships such as the Coca-Cola Scholarship and the Elks Most Valuable Student Award. Navigating this process without expensive guidance taught me how to build authentic, high-impact applications grounded in strategy and storytelling. Now, I help students do the same by refining their essays, strengthening their extracurricular narratives, and presenting their achievements with clarity and purpose. My goal is to help each student discover how to tell their story in a way that is both honest and compelling.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I understand how unintuitive the college admissions process can feel, especially for students navigating it without access to clear guidance. What I’ve come to value is that many students do not lack ability or accomplishment; they lack clarity in how to present what they have already done. I genuinely enjoy working through that process: listening to someone’s experiences, identifying the underlying themes, and shaping them into a cohesive, compelling narrative. This past year, I worked closely with a student who was admitted to Duke and other top universities. Watching her shift from uncertainty about her story to confidence in how she presented it was incredibly rewarding. That process of helping someone recognize the strength in their own experiences and communicate it effectively is why I coach.
Work Experience
Strategy Coordinator
Kallander and Associates
September 2024 - Present
Conduct targeted research projects and provide ad hoc support for clients on a monthly basis.
Legal Intern
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
August 2024 - September 2024
Reviewed legal casework with a District Court Judge and documented police interviews and reports.
United States Senate Page
United States Senate
September 2023 - January 2024
Elected by faculty at the United States Senate Page School to deliver the closing‑ceremony speech, representing the student body and articulating our shared experience. Prepared the U.S. Senate chamber for daily sessions, provided support services for U.S. Senators during sessions, gained firsthand legislative insights, and balanced a demanding 60-hour work week with a full academic schedule. Chaired the Academic Affairs Council in student government, leading and organizing tutoring sessions to enhance academic support.
Development Coordinator
Arctic Encounter Summit
February 2023 - September 2025
Coordinated engagement with 1,000+ global leaders, government officials, business executives, Indigenous representatives, scientists, and ambassadors from 27+ countries at North America’s largest Arctic policy and business convening. Supported sponsor and partnership recruitment, contributing to $370,000 in funding; tracked hours and assisted in transitioning to a monthly retainer model. Provided executive support before and during events, and led social media strategy to enhance visibility and expand outreach and engagement.
Education
Stanford University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Political Science & Data Science
2025 - 2029
Serve as an External Programming Associate for the Stanford Pre-Law Society, leading efforts to connect Stanford students with distinguished legal professionals and mentorship opportunities. Organize and moderate high-profile speaker events as part of the Stanford Women in Politics Programming Team, advancing women’s leadership, civic engagement, and policy dialogue.