
Sarah E.
5.0
(5)
Undergraduate Admissions Expert | 15+ Years Experience | USC Admissions
Admissions Committee at University of Southern California
Works at AcceptU
Available Wednesday at 5:00 PM UTC
Usually responds within 9 hours
If you don’t see a time on my calendar that works for you, feel free to send me a direct message. When reaching out, please include: 1) your résumé or LinkedIn profile, 2) what you’re seeking support with, and 3) your timeline. This helps me offer intentional and thoughtful guidance. I look forward to connecting!
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Sarah's Coaching Offerings
Elevate Your Supplemental Essays
$2502h of coaching
Get Into Your Dream College — Complete Package
Expert help on your applications, including essays, activities, and more
Starting at $9,00020h+ of coaching
Write Powerful College Essays
Expert help to brainstorm, draft, and polish winning college essays
Starting at $831.255h+ of coaching
Custom hourly · $175/hr
Get help with Recommendations, Resume, and .
Sarah’s College Qualifications
Coaches professionally
40+ people coached for College
I have spent over a decade working in higher education and admissions, including as an Associate Director of Admission at the University of Southern California, where I reviewed thousands of applications, and worked closely with families during pivotal moments of transition. Even while working in admissions, my role often extended beyond applications, offering empathetic guidance through uncertainty, self-doubt, and major academic and personal decisions. I believe the strongest applications are created through strategy, self-trust, and authentic storytelling. I enjoy working with: 🎓 Students who feel pressure to be “perfect” and want help showing who they really are 🌱 Students navigating self-doubt, big decisions, and/or unconventional paths 📚 Highly motivated students who struggle to articulate their impact beyond grades and activities 💛 Students and families who want thoughtful, grounded guidance through a stressful process I offer honest, strategic feedback grounded in empathy. I focus on helping students feel seen while also learning how to clearly and confidently communicate their strengths, values, and goals to admissions committees. This is a collaborative process rooted in trust, reflection, and intention. I provide clear guidance, compassionate support, and essays that sound like you—just more focused and compelling. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all formulas. Every student has a unique story, and together, I’ll help you tell it. Recent Student Acceptances Include: Cornell, UC Berkeley, Northeastern, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, University of San Diego, Texas A&M, Rutgers University
Sarah can help with:
Recommendations
Resume
General Exploration
Testing & Assessments
Supplementary Materials
School Selection
Essays
Secondary Review
Application Strategy
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Interviews
Editing
Waitlist Strategy
About Sarah
Hello! I am an undergraduate and graduate admissions strategist with over 15 years of experience working in admissions, paired with three years of independent consulting, supporting individuals through life transitions and higher learning. My work is grounded in deep institutional insight and a holistic, student-centered approach. Having spent over a decade inside admissions and reading thousands of applications, I bring clarity around how applications are actually evaluated, how academic and extracurricular choices are interpreted, and how students can make intentional, informed decisions throughout the process. I specialize in admissions strategy, readiness, and values-based decision-making. Rather than focusing solely on outcomes or checklists, I help students step back, assess their academic and personal profile, explore majors and pathways, and develop a clear, well-paced plan aligned with both their goals and well-being. I work especially well with students who feel overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or caught between external expectations and their own interests. My approach emphasizes clarity, self-awareness, and sustainable progress, helping students move forward with authenticity and confidence rather than pressure.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I understand first-hand how overwhelming this process can be. As a first-generation college and graduate student, I often struggled with imposter syndrome and was hesitant to ask for help. Fortunately, I met wonderful mentors along my journey whose support helped me to become the coach I am today: someone who is heart-centered, compassionate, and committed to helping others succeed. As a coach, I believe that my work is not just about the outcome. Just as my mentors did for me, my purpose is to help others achieve their dreams while also helping them feel seen.
Work Experience
Admissions Consultant
AcceptU
January 2024 - Present
AcceptU is the #1 rated admissions consulting firm, with hundreds of 5-star verified reviews. Leveraging their prior admissions experience, AcceptU’s counselors empower our clients with the inside knowledge and actionable guidance that enables them to stand out and get admitted to the schools of their choice.We work with our clients on every aspect of the admissions process – from early planning through completion of the application materials. AcceptU’s program was developed from the ground up to be delivered online – a convenient, flexible and innovative approach to admissions counseling. Our counselors work, on average, with just eight students per class year, ensuring high engagement, commitment and responsiveness.

Strategic Career Coach & Transition Consultant
Self Employed
September 2023 - Present
As an empathy-focused leader with a holistic approach to creating sustainable change, I use the synergy of consulting and coaching in developing strategic solutions that not only fit an organization's unique needs but that also align with individual goals and aspirations. Whether it's shaping life and career trajectories or driving impactful organizational shifts, my approach is rooted in empathy, equity, and personalized strategies. As a coach, I use life design principles to help individuals navigate their ideal career paths and educational journeys and guide them towards radical transformation. I focus on mindsets and strategies that empower individuals to take ownership of their development. As a result, clients are equipped with the tools to design a life in alignment with their values and purpose. As a consultant, I draw from my 10+ years of experience in higher education to help organizations create equitable spaces and foster access. My journey in this field has been shaped by a passion for equity and inclusion, sustainable organizational change, and empowering students. I thrive on radical collaboration, innovation, and empathetic leadership to develop and implement strategies that drive positive change. My Services: - Career transition coaching - 1-1 and group admissions consulting (undergraduate and graduate programs) in English and Spanish - Values-driven leadership development - Coaching packages and online courses (English & Spanish)

Associate Director of Admission
University of Southern California
July 2016 - June 2023
- Coordinated the USC Public Service Weekend, a three-day conference for underrepresented students interested in social justice and public policy issues - Oversaw recruitment and retention committee on task force for the Initiative on Diversity, Social Justice, and Inclusion - Assisted in the selection process of scholarship awards as member of Price Scholarship Committee - Implemented and developed marketing strategies for undergraduate programs - Counseled and advised prospective undergraduate and graduate students - Assisted in the development and implementation of recruitment plan for six graduate programs - Managed marketing and social media outreach (Facebook and Instagram) for undergraduate and graduate programs - Supervised and managed staff in daily operations Team Building, Counseling and +1 skill

Co-Director
New Leaders Council
January 2019 - January 2020
- Directed a policy-based leadership development program - Produced opportunities for the NLC LA chapter to tackle policy questions in order for future alumni and friends of the organization to be become resources on a variety of important topics - Provided leadership opportunities for alumni who led sessions - Facilitated and led discussions on: how to make the entertainment industry more progressive; finding the most progressive approach to combat climate change; the issues around prison abolition - Fostered community by leading community builder activities - Assigned and analyzed articles in small group discussions - Connected fellows to self and progressive values through reflection activities - Provided fellows opportunity to research and present "radical" policy proposals Team Building, Counseling and +1 skill

Board Member
New Leaders Council
June 2018 - January 2019
The NLC LA Governing Board is essential to executing the mission of the organization which aims to expand and deepen the progressive movement in Los Angeles and Southern California. Responsibilities include: 1. Supporting and planning of events 2. Fundraising 3. Recruitment 4. Curriculum development Team Building and Communication

Fellow
New Leaders Council
January 2018 - June 2018
The NLC Institute is the leading training program for progressive young professionals. NLC equips its Fellows with the skills to run for office, manage campaigns, launch businesses, create starts ups and network with thought leaders. The NLC Institute is an intensive, six-month progressive entrepreneurship training program. The NLC Fellows are successful in their industries, risk-takers, and progressive advocates. Fellows have to commit to one weekend per month for five months in which each Fellow, along with 15-20 of their peers, participates in trainings on topics from messaging to finance to political management. Communication

Assistant Director of Admission
University of Southern California
June 2012 - July 2016
- Assisted in the development and implementation of recruitment plan for six graduate programs - Coordinated undergraduate recruitment activities and process internal applications - Counseled and advised prospective undergraduate and graduate students - Assisted with admission decisions, and coordinate registration and orientation mailings to graduate students - Conducted presentations on undergraduate and graduate application process - Managed marketing and social media outreach (Facebook and Instagram) for graduate programs - Supervised and managed staff in daily operations Team Building, Counseling and +1 skill

Admissions Counselor
University of Southern California
June 2011 - June 2012
- Processed and reviewed 500+ graduate applications - Advised prospective undergraduate and graduate students - Conducted information sessions on and off-campus - Represented the school at various graduate school fairs throughout the country - Supervised and managed graduate assistants in daily operations - Coordinated events for admitted undergraduate students Counseling and Communication
Education

University of Southern California
Master of Education (MEd), Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs
2010 - 2013
Admissions Committee Experience

Occidental College
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology; Spanish Literary Studies
2005 - 2009
Sarah was also personally admitted to
University of California, Los Angeles

UC San Diego
Pitzer College

Pomona College

UC Irvine

Scripps College
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Sarah has helped Leland clients get into University of Southern California