College Admissions

On paper, I am a Princeton college graduate, and a Stanford MBA graduate - as well as the less conventional qualification of being an admitted Ph.D. student in Anthropology at UC Irvine. More importantly to me, I grew up in a working class community, and applied to these programs with few paths tread ahead of me to set an example. For that reason, I'm passionate about working with students who are developing their voice and narrative in the application process - because with such competitive programs out there, anyone can often feel like an underdog. To date, most of my coaching has been with low-income students who have lacked extensive resources, so I am most supportive in framing narratives in ways that hint at the unique, if sometimes scrappy, qualifications of a student. I like to focus on the whole picture that an applicant brings to the table, from individual traits, to passions, to family background - alongside all the standard materials an application holds. Looking forward to working with some of you out there!

Hello and welcome to my profile! With a diverse background in nursing education and public health, I bring a unique perspective to college admissions coaching. My experience includes sitting in on admissions meetings during my clinical capstone at Colorado Mountain College, providing me with valuable insights into the admissions process. As a Clinical Nursing Instructor and Regional Care Coordinator Nurse, I have honed my skills in mentoring and guiding students towards their educational goals. Whether you're aiming for a nursing program or another field, I'm here to help you craft a standout application. Let's work together to make your college dreams a reality!

I'm Abel Geleta, Yale BA '25, MPH '26. I know the college and graduate school application from both sides: applicant and reviewer. I wrote applications that got me into Yale College and Yale School of Public Health and Management. I was a First-Year Counselor in Berkeley College and an Undergraduate Writing Partner for Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, guiding Yale students through their applications many times. Over the past five years, I've coached many students through essays, application strategy, and interviews. If you want a coach who went through this recently and reads applications with an insider's eye, I'm happy work together.

As Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Academics and Global Engagement at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, I bring over 14 years of experience in higher education, helping students navigate their academic journeys and achieve their educational and professional goals. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with undergraduate students, faculty, and university leadership, gaining a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at a competitive university. My experience spans academic advising, student development, undergraduate research, honors programs, and the creation of opportunities that help students stand out academically and professionally. I bring an insider's perspective on the university experience and help prospective college students approach the application process with intention and confidence. Whether you're developing your college list, identifying your academic interests, strengthening your extracurricular profile, or crafting a compelling personal statement, my goal is to help you tell your story authentically and make informed decisions about your future. I'm particularly passionate about supporting students interested in STEM, engineering, research, and interdisciplinary fields, as well as students who may be the first in their families to navigate the college admissions process. My approach is personalized, practical, and focused on helping each student find a college where they can thrive.

Hi there! I bring an extensive academic background from Stanford Law School, Yale University, and the University of Oxford and experience in editing academic and non-academic forms of writing. As a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford and recipient of multiple leadership awards, I understand the intricacies of crafting a compelling application that stands out. My professional journey so far has included roles at Human Rights Watch and the U.S. Court of Appeals, where I've been able to hone my skills in research, writing, and advocacy. I look forward to helping you create a standout application that reflects your unique strengths and aspirations. Reach out to start your journey towards success!

With over 15 years of working with Top 20 college applicants, I am an expert in identifying the areas where everyone needs help: telling their story in way that makes them stand out. When you're up against other Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Yale applicants, there is more to personal statements and supplemental essays than merely being outstanding. Your story has to stop the jaded admissions folks in their tracks and make them say, 'Wow! That's who we're looking for!" That's where I come in. I take a deep dive into getting to you know, your story, what makes you tick and what motivates you. With the help of our curated conversations, custom guides and 90-minute brainstorming sessions, I will help you squeeze out every last ounce of your potential and make it sing on the page. Working in this way is painstaking and time consuming, but my results speak for themselves. Each year, I get 90+% of my clients into at least one of their top 3 dream schools. This also means that I cannot take on many clients (usually 25-28 per application cycle). My clients get admits to the Ivies, UC Berkeley, Stanford, UT, UMich, UNC, MIT, Duke, and many even receive scholarships. With so much personal attention given to each applicant and their multiple applications, it is impossible for me to maintain my high level of success if I take on more than 25-28 clients per year. This means three things: 1.) My schedule fills up quick 2.) I am by no means the cheapest consultant out there (in fact, I am on the more pricey side) 3.) The experience--and results--you have with me (yes, me, Avi...not some junior consultant) will be second to none. It's also worth noting that roughly half of my clients each year are those that had disappointing (and in some cases nightmarish) experiences working with other consultants. The most common complaint I hear from these disgruntled applicants is that the overpriced packages they were pitched didn't match the quality of the service. In short, they didn't feel like the consultant took a vested interest in their success, limiting their face to face time while discouraging them them from applying to top-tier schools. This way, the consultant looks like a big hero when you get admitted to schools you would have likely got admitted to without their "help". My specialty is Top 20 undergraduate universities for high schoolers. In both cases, my job is to get you interviews at, and admitted to, schools that in some cases you have no business getting accepted to, and in other cases getting you scholarship money for your No. 1 school. Otherwise, what's the point, right? If I can't raise the stakes for you, what am I getting paid for? Background: Born and raised in New York City, I take a non-nonsense approach to consulting. We are going to work together for months, sometimes a full year, together, so I like to set the tone for an honest, direct style of communication that leads to winning applications, not inflated egos. To do this successfully, I have to part coach, part mentor, part drill sergeant and part therapist. But mostly your fearless leader in navigating the tricky terrain of college apps. I will hound you for draft deadlines, insist on better revisions and deeper reflection even when you feel it's "good enough". And I will keep you on a structured schedule so you don't feel overwhelmed. Lastly, in certain cases I won't be "nice". If I feel you're capable of better, I'll let you know. If something could work better in an application, I will point it out. I will not spare your feelings, we're here to win this admissions game. I have coached this game for going on 20 years. I am a former Admissions reader at Berkeley and writer for the LA Times. I have a receding hairline and a mean left hook (former boxer). I value honesty over flattery and ambition over modesty. Let's make this happen. Together.

As a University of Chicago graduate with a degree in Economics and an MBA candidate at The Wharton School, I bring a wealth of experience and insight into the college admissions process. My background includes leadership roles in student organizations and mentoring programs, which have equipped me with the skills to guide students through their own academic journeys. At Bain & Company, I honed my analytical and strategic thinking skills, which I now apply to help students craft compelling applications. Whether you're looking to refine your personal statement or strategize your extracurricular involvement, I'm here to help you stand out. Let's work together to make your college dreams a reality!