College Admissions Consultants, Events, & Resources

As a first-generation college student, I had to learn about the admissions process from scratch. It was challenging, but as a result, I gained a deeper understanding about the criteria admissions committees have for student. This process also made me passionate about detangling the mystery behind college acceptances. As part of this investigation, I corresponded with peers at MIT and Harvard, having them walk me through their experience and essays. I was also able to speak to academic directors and read profiles of those who were rejected from top schools. In the end, my research has given me a robust understanding of what admissions committees seek out in an application pool of tens of thousands of students. I began tutoring the SAT in my freshman year of MIT. Since then, I have helped over 20 students achieve their target scores and TA'ed for 3 MIT classes. Many of my students reached out to me either during tutoring sessions or after their SAT for college admissions advice. I employed my knowledge of the admissions process to help over half of them to varying degrees. The students that I worked with throughout the majority of their entire application cycle and went on to top schools such as Tufts and Notre Dame. I am here to help you build a successful application that admissions committees will remember! Please reach out for a free intro call, so we can see if we are a good match and start crafting a plan!

As a Columbia College, Columbia University graduate with admission to three Ivy League schools and over a dozen top institutions, I know what elite admissions requires because I've lived it. Striving for valedictorian, studying for the SATs, balancing the IB Diploma Program with a rigorous courseload, managing a long list of extracurriculars, all while writing 20+ individualized application essays—it was overwhelming but also one of the most rewarding seasons of my life. I loved the introspective work of looking at my accomplishments, my unique struggles, my interests, and my pursuits, and weaving them into a narrative that was authentic, memorable, and unmistakably mine. It's what helped me stand out in rooms full of applicants with perfect grades and impressive resumes. Before founding my own boutique college admissions consulting firm, Palm to Ivy, I built strategic, analytical, and creative expertise in roles most admissions consultants don't have. I solved complex business challenges for Fortune 500 companies as a management consultant, drove business decisions through data analytics at a major tech company, led engineering teams to build software in virtual behavioral health and renewable energy, and even authored a 500-page speculative fiction novel along the way. That blend of strategy, analysis, storytelling, and leadership is what shapes my approach. I bring the rigor of a consultant and the eye of a data analyst to the planning, the timelines, and the school list, grounding every decision in real admissions trends rather than guesswork. Years of product management taught me how to break the overwhelming complexity of college applications into manageable chunks, so families always know what's coming next and never feel lost in the process. And the writer's instinct is what makes the difference, knowing how to take a student's experiences, interests, and ambitions and shape them into a story that admissions committees remember. But the part of this work I love most is the students themselves. By the end of an admissions cycle, I know their stories better than almost anyone. We laugh together, occasionally cry together, and uncover the formative experiences that make them who they are. Guiding them through such a stressful and transformative period of their lives is a privilege I don't take lightly. My students have been admitted to Columbia University, Cornell University, Georgetown University, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, New York University, University of Miami, UC Los Angeles, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Riverside, University of Colorado - Boulder, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Ohio State University, Northeastern University, American University, Southern Methodist University, University of Indiana, George Washington University, Loyola Marymount University and many more wonderful colleges!

Most students know what they've done. Very few know how to tell you who they are. That's where I come in. I've spent my career at the intersection of admissions and storytelling. I ran the admissions committee for Seaver College at my alma mater Pepperdine, where I was one of the youngest Associate Directors of Admission in the country. After attending The University of Chicago Law School, I served as the Director of MBA Admissions Consulting at Veritas Prep and then co-owned an MBA admissions practice where I helped hundreds of candidates get into Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and other top business schools. More recently I co-founded Campside Media, one of the most respected podcast studios in the country, and have sold or been hired to write a dozen screenplays in the entertainment industry. What I've learned in both admissions and Hollywood is the same thing: the people who succeed are the ones who know their story and can communicate it clearly and authentically. That's the foundation of everything I do at True North. Before we talk about schools or essays, we build your Map — a detailed profile of who you are, what drives you, and what kind of college experience will actually help you become the person you're meant to be. Everything flows from there. I believe fit trumps brand. I believe high school should be an authentic experience, not a four-year audition. And I believe there are more great colleges out there than most families realize. Further, I'm navigating this process with my own daughter right now which is part of what drew me back to this work — and it keeps me sharp on what families are actually experiencing. If that sounds like the kind of guidance you're looking for, I'd love to connect.

With over a decade of admissions experience, Skyler has read and rendered admissions decisions for some of the most competitive academic programs in the world. Skyler previously served as associate director of admissions at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and assistant director of undergraduate admissions at Northwestern University, where he also received a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and Policy with an emphasis on college admissions. Skyler has extensive experience in admissions consulting as well, taking a personal approach to advising and supporting students as they navigate the college admissions process. Skyler has successfully helped hundreds of students get admitted to schools such as Yale, MIT, Berkeley, USC, Northwestern University, and more! Skyler is also passionate about college access, and from Adams Admissions Consulting’s inception, supporting low-income, first-generation students has always been core to the company’s mission. Skyler serves as a board member for the college access nonprofit, Green Halo Scholars where he supports the organization's efforts in supporting first-generation college students.

At Stanford, Kelly was an admissions officer in both the undergraduate admissions office as well as in graduate admissions in the School of Education. Kelly previously served as an enrollment manager at California College of the Arts, a college counselor at an independent college preparatory high school, an academic advisor at University of San Francisco, and an independent college counselor. Kelly has extensive experience in undergraduate admissions and enjoys working with students with a variety of interests and backgrounds, including the arts, social sciences, psychology, cognitive science, education, language, business, entrepreneurship, and more. During Kelly’s career in admissions, she reviewed thousands of applications from around the world as well as the US, in all majors, as well as BFA, MFA, and joint degree programs in Law and Business, Kelly earned her BA in Art History and Fine Art at UC Davis and an MA in Museum Studies, Italian Studies and Photography in Florence, Italy. Kelly also has niche expertise in developing and reviewing visual art portfolios, not only for arts-focused students but also those seeking to submit optional portfolios to highlight their creativity to enhance their applications to other programs. Kelly has participated in multiple National Portfolio Day events as an admissions rep and portfolio reviewer. In addition to her undergraduate admissions experience, Kelly has also read and evaluated thousands of graduate applications as well as served as an academic advisor. At the Stanford Graduate School of Education, Kelly was a one-person operation, overseeing all aspects of graduate admissions operations, application reviews and academic advising for prospective students. Kelly reviewed 3,400+ graduate applications annually and uses that experience when guiding students in developing their graduate school narratives, research plans, strategic school lists, and crafting their personal statements to fit their specific schools of interest. As a counselor, Kelly’s approach is focused on helping her students engage in the self-discovery process, to go beyond what is expected of them, and get passionate about their roles in shaping their future. Kelly has found a particular interest in guiding students who struggle to find their path, encouraging them to understand and reveal what makes them distinct, adding color, curiosity, and creativity to their applications so they can connect with admissions officers. Kelly also brings hands-on experience in gap year and study abroad advising. Kelly prides herself on devising innovative ways to make her students shine and communicate their ‘specialness,’ demystifying the admissions process to make it more of a creative journey together, no matter which major or path.

As a former Harvard Admissions Officer, Berkeley Application Reader, College Counselor (at a top 5 independent school in the US), and a Coca-Cola Scholar Application Reader, I have read 1000s of applications and helped 100s of students through the admissions process.

I’m a seasoned college admissions coach with experience across elite admissions, competitive high schools, and high-growth business leadership. I attended a top 10 liberal arts college (Claremont McKenna) on a merit scholarship and was accepted into over a dozen universities (including Pomona, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury, Bowdoin, WashU, USC). I've spent time working in college admissions, serving as an admissions interviewer and leading the campus tour guide program. Since graduating, I’ve built a decade-long career in strategy and business operations, including serving as VP of Strategy & Analytics at AllTrails. Most recently, I’ve returned to education as a high school educator, bringing together my lifelong love for learning, mentorship, and student development. My strength lies in balancing worlds: connecting with high school students and understanding the pressure they face, knowing firsthand what selective colleges are looking for, and offering real-world perspective from a successful career beyond college. As a former college athlete, I also love working with student-athletes navigating the admissions process. Unless you’re a top-tier D1 recruit, getting recruited takes real initiative - building the right list, crafting outreach, showcasing your strengths, and balancing athletics with a strong application. I’ve been through that process myself and have helped others do the same. successfully I know how to guide student-athletes through it with intention and strategy. As a coach, I can help with reflective school list strategy, application storytelling, essay development, extracurricular preparation, athlete recruiting, and interview prep. I bring both empathy and strategic rigor to the process, and I love helping students discover and tell the story only they can. Looking forward to connecting and building a tailored plan for your college journey!

Hello and Welcome! With over a decade of experience in college admissions, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the competitive landscape of higher education. As the founder of Trieu Consulting, LLC, I've guided hundreds of students, achieving an 80% success rate in securing admissions to top 30 U.S. colleges. My approach is personalized and tailored, focusing on highlighting your unique attributes to make your application stand out. Previously, I served on the admissions committee at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, and UC Berkeley, where I reviewed applications and interviewed candidates, giving me firsthand insight into what top institutions are looking for. Let's work together to craft an application that truly reflects who you are and opens doors to your dream school. Reach out to start your journey!

Hi, I’m Ashley! I am based in New York City where I currently work in admissions at Teachers College, Columbia University. I was first drawn to the field of admissions during my time as a student at the University of Virginia. As a Senior Resident and an Admission Ambassador at UVA, I had the opportunity to closely guide hundreds of students in navigating their first year of college, and I found these experiences to be incredibly rewarding. Since then, I have happily developed my admissions career at TC for the past 11 years, including earning a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education along the way! At Teachers College, I am a Senior Associate Director of Admission, liaising with the Counseling and Clinical Psychology Department as well as leading our virtual recruitment initiatives. I find so much joy in connecting with our prospective students to help them understand how their interests and strengths may translate into an exceptional application. On the other side of the process, I regularly feel inspired while reviewing the applications of these vibrant students, who often desire to make a beneficial impact on society. While it is a privilege for me to help shape a new cohort of dynamic students, I feel equally honored to assist applicants in discovering their unique voice within the application process. Outside of Teachers College, I spent a year working with a private college counseling company where I counseled and mentored high school students through the entire undergraduate admission process. In this role, I assisted students in researching institutions of interest, creating a balanced school list aligned with their academic goals, gathering and crafting required application materials for each school, and submitting polished materials. My students were successfully admitted into wonderful schools such as Tufts, Georgia Tech, New York University, Georgetown, and UC Berkeley, just to name a few! I look forward to taking a thoughtful, meticulous, and tailored approach when working with you, ensuring that we are carving out a personalized path that resonates with your unique interests and goals. I am so excited to support you in your journey towards finding your future college!

Seasoned college counselor with 10 years of experience mentoring dedicated students to gain entry into elite undergraduate programs that truly match their personalities, values, and goals. In the last five years, my students have gained admission to Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Columbia, U Penn, U Chicago, Dartmouth, Brown, Rice, Duke, Vanderbilt, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Washington University in St. Louis, Amherst, Bowdoin, Wellesley, Pomona, Middlebury, UVA, UNC, UT Austin, U Michigan, U Washington, NYU, USC, and many other highly selective colleges. I'm proud to have cultivated the industry acumen and 1-1 mentorship skills to guide students with diverse interests and personalities to pursue successful application strategies for top-choice colleges, particularly in the early admissions rounds. For the Class of 2023 alone, my students had a 100% acceptance rate in the early admission round and will be attending Stanford, U Chicago, Brown, Vanderbilt, and Washington University in St. Louis (among others). I've worked hard to refine my coaching methods to achieve such success. Having studied screenwriting at Middlebury College, I relish helping students craft compelling application stories that communicate their identities, showcase their passions, and crystalize their visions. My comprehensive guidance through extracurricular and personal development enables my students to stay authentic and confident — and it achieves results. I'm proud to have worked effectively with students with a diverse range of intellectual, social, and personal interests. I seek to help each student elevate their genuine passions on their own terms, developing not only their intrinsic motivation, but their productivity and vision for the future. I have been blessed to guide and learn from more than a hundred top students interested in STEM and engineering, business or economics, or humanities, arts, and social sciences. I am confident that I can help any teenager explore their future pathways while capitalizing on their present opportunities to craft the most compelling application package possible.