College Admissions

Since 2016, when I began advising students as a freshman at Harvard (B.A. in Government, Class of 2020), I've worked with families as early as ninth grade, getting to know each student's strengths and curiosities and helping them shape the courses, activities and summers that let those interests grow into something real. I've also worked with students facing tight deadlines, quickly finding the thread that connects what they've already done and turning it into a focused, compelling application. Either way, my job is to help each student tell their story in a voice that is unmistakably their own. My students have been admitted to Harvard College, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, UChicago, Northwestern, Georgetown, the University of California schools and more. I've also edited essays for successful applicants to graduate programs at Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and Oxford, as well as to scholarship programs like Rhodes and Schwarzman. I understand the challenge of a multifaceted applicant firsthand, since my own background spanned fine art, architecture, music and science. I graduated from Harvard as the Harvard Orator, chosen to deliver the graduating speech at Commencement, and I bring that same blend of rigorous thinking and compelling storytelling to every student I work with.

I've been admitted to multiple ivy league and other top institutions for both undergrad and MBA. As a Cornell University graduate and current MBA student at The Wharton School, I have firsthand experience with the admissions processes at top-tier institutions. My involvement in student life and leadership roles at both Cornell and Wharton has equipped me with a deep understanding of what these prestigious schools seek in applicants. Additionally, my professional experience as a Senior Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, where I was part of the Cornell recruiting team, has honed my skills in identifying and nurturing talent. I have successfully coached numerous students, helping them craft compelling narratives and secure spots in competitive programs. Let's work together to make your college application stand out!

I'm a Yale junior who got here the nontraditional way: after four years in the U.S. Air Force, I was admitted through the Eli Whitney Students Program, Yale's program for students whose path to college wasn't a straight line. Since then, advising people through this process has become the center of my life outside the classroom. As President of the Eli Whitney Student Society, I led the organization representing Yale's 100+ nontraditional undergraduates, advising students one-on-one on applications, essays, and adjusting to a selective college as an older student. Since February 2025, I've also mentored transitioning service members one-on-one through Service to School, working with them on school selection, admissions strategy, and personal statement development. As a student panelist for Yale's Office of Undergraduate Admissions, I answer prospective veteran and nontraditional applicants' questions directly at information sessions and college fairs. My own application process felt almost frictionless, and I know why: I was blessed to have incredible mentors who had done it before me and gave their guidance freely. I coach because I want to be that person for someone else. If you're a veteran, a working adult, or anyone whose road to college had some turns in it, and you're as passionate about furthering your education as I was about mine, I'll help you turn your experience into an application that shows schools exactly who you are.

I'm currently a Stanford MBA (where I'm the Student Body Co-President), and have 5+years of college admissions coaching experience. Before GSB, I spent time as a teacher (focusing on essay writing and story telling) and as a management consultant. Over the years working in admissions consulting, I have helped students based in the US, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore successfully apply to school. I'm here to help you create a stellar MBA application that can launch you into a top program in a way that tells your authentic story. As a coach, I bring a structured, honest, and tailored approach to the application process. Beyond my teaching experience, I also have a BA in Economics, Psychology, and Creative Writing from Northwestern University through which I learned how to help people navigate their truest stories. I'm particularly experienced at helping prospective MBAs figure out how the MBA would play into their larger goals as people and as professionals. No matter how untraditional the path, I'm skilled at helping applicants frame their diverse experiences in a compelling and cohesive way that resonates with admissions committees. If you want a partner in this process, I'm your guide.

You know that friend you ask to read over your risky text messages before you send them? Or that friend you send your English assignments to look at before you turn them in? That's me! I have a background in communication and I worked in the nonprofit industry for five years. I created and edited grant proposals, fundraising letters, marketing materials, and mass communications. In the nonprofit world, you need donors to buy into your mission and vision--and that means compelling storytelling. The same is true for college admissions. Sometimes it's difficult to know how to tell your story when you're the one who lived it, and that's where I come in. I can help you refine your essays in order to tell your story in a clear, concise, and meaningful way. Additionally, I love reading and writing, and I am obsessed with language and how words fit together (book nerd, remember?). I'll provide you with timely, personalized feedback that will help you improve your college admissions essay and get into your dream school. I can also help with resume edits, since your resume is an important part of telling your story as well. As a recent MSW graduate, I know that time and money are limited in college, which is why I aim to provide affordable and timely service. I can't wait to get to know you!

Welcome to my profile! I'm Jake Winans, the founder of Aventira Admissions Consulting and a nationally recognized college admissions expert. Since launching Aventira, I’ve coached more than 200 students, helping them gain admission to schools like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton, as well as secure offers from Bain, Google, Goldman Sachs, and other top organizations. As a proud graduate of Rice University, I was admitted to multiple Ivy League and top-10 institutions and earned over $1 million in scholarships and financial aid. My firsthand experience navigating the admissions process gives me deep insight into what truly resonates with top schools. I began my career in investment banking and consulting with firms like RBC and Deloitte before transitioning into corporate strategy/development roles at The Walt Disney Company and ExxonMobil — all by age 24. This background in hiring, resume evaluation, and talent identification allows me to help students position themselves with clarity, purpose, and long-term direction. I specialize in crafting compelling narratives that elevate ordinary profiles into standout applications, and my personalized, detail-oriented approach has made me one of the most sought-after advisors in the field. Whether you're aiming for highly selective colleges, competitive scholarships, or long-term career alignment, my goal is to equip you with the mindset, strategy, and storytelling needed not just to get accepted — but to thrive far beyond graduation.

I help you craft your personalized application strategy to apply to top schools globally -- from school selection, to essay editing brainstorming and editing, to visa assistance for international students.

With years of experience guiding high school students through the college application process, I specialize in helping students discover and articulate their unique stories. My approach is rooted in values-focused exploration, ensuring that every personal statement and application showcases the individual’s authentic self in a compelling and polished way. I’ve supported students applying to a range of competitive colleges, drawing from my professional expertise in narrative building, writing, and strategic positioning. My coaching ensures that your college application doesn’t just meet the requirements - it leaves a lasting impression.

In today's competitive college admissions landscape, I’m here to help you stand out. I know what it takes to succeed in elite admissions processes. I went to college at Washington University in St. Louis and subsequently worked at BlackRock, the world’s largest financial asset manager with $10.6 trillion in assets under management. After five transformative years at BlackRock, I pivoted into the psychology field, landing offers from selective doctoral programs at Boston College, Fordham University, and Yeshiva University, the latter of which I’m attending to earn a doctoral degree in clinical psychology. As a career coach, I’ve helped people land top scholarships, fellowships, internships, jobs, and graduate school acceptances. At BlackRock, I served on the admissions committee for the firm’s internship and analyst programs, where I reviewed resumes, conducted interviews, and evaluated candidates. My experience as an applicant, coach, and admissions committee member has taught me that standing out in competitive application processes requires telling one’s story in a compelling, authentic, and memorable way. As your coach, I will help you share your personal story with your unique voice so that your application differentiates you from the pack.

Welcome to my profile! With a strong foundation in education and leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a dual degree in International Development Studies & Political Science from UCLA, I am passionate about guiding students through the college admissions process. As a former College Advisor and Program Associate at ScholarMatch, I have successfully supported first-generation college students, helping them navigate college and launch their careers. My experience as a University Recruiter at top companies like Robinhood and BitGo has honed my skills in identifying and nurturing talent. I am here to help you craft a compelling application that showcases your unique strengths and potential. Let's work together to make your college dreams a reality!