Tolu Akinyede

I applied to college from the UK completely alone. No counsellor, no consultant, no older sibling who'd done it before. Just me, the internet, and a slightly panicked family who were figuring it out in real time alongside me. It was stressful in a way that it didn't need to be and I learnt the hard way that the process isn't actually that complicated once someone breaks it down for you. Writing your essays is easy once you've found the right angle. Narrowing down you school list isn't overwhelming once you know what you're actually looking for. I've helped students get into schools across the board from Ivy Leagues to UC schools and what I've found is that the difference almost always comes down to story. Not your GPA, not your test score — your story, and whether you know how to tell it. I'm also very aware of how much students (and parents) tie their worth to this process. Part of what I do is remind you that you are not your acceptance letter. I'll push you to write the best application you possibly can, but I'll also be the person who tells you that there is life after a rejection, and it's a good one. Think of me as the older sister who's been through it, came out fine, and wants to make sure you don't have to do it alone.