College Admissions Consultants, Events, & Resources

Being the daughter of immigrations, oldest of three siblings AND a first generation college student here in the US, you could say that I had a lot of hurdles to jump over when I was applying to undergrad. Having my residency status stacked against me as an international student, I discovered the hard way how difficult getting into a competitive undergrad program could be when you do not have the right tools to help yourself. Since then, I have always made an effort to work with high school students specifically so that I can pay forward everything that I learned. While i was able to figure things out on my own - there was so much struggle that I would not wish on anyone else. Whether you are a citizen or not, I would be happy to help guide you through the undergraduate application process. We can discuss schools to apply too and work on your application and essays together to give you the best chances of getting into the school of your dreams.

Applied to and was admitted to several UC and Ivy League schools during my undergraduate application process in 2019. I ultimately attended a local state school due to receiving a full scholarship and wanting to live locally. Before graduating from my undergraduate university, I again received admission to top graduate programs at schools such as UPenn, MIT, and Yale. I have had experience coaching/tutoring friends and family for years and love helping others through the platform Leland has built! Feel free to reach out with questions or for an intro call anytime. I also coach for deferred MBA admissions and management consulting on Leland. Have worked with dozens of admits into HSW, other ivies, top public schools, and top international schools.

Welcome to my profile! With a J.D./LL.M. from Duke University School of Law and a B.A. in French and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I bring a strong academic foundation to my role as a college admissions coach. Over the past several years, I've served as Senior Admissions Counselor at AddedEducation, Strategy Consultant at Crimson Education, and Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions for the Chicago Booth Executive MBA program, roles in which I've successfully guided numerous students and professionals through the complexities of highly competitive application processes. My diverse experience also includes project management and business development, further strengthening my strategic planning, mentorship, and leadership skills. I'm passionate about helping students craft compelling applications that authentically highlight their unique strengths and aspirations. Let's work together to make your college dreams a reality!

My experience as a varsity Track & Field athlete and involvement in various student organizations at Stanford have equipped me with the insights needed to help students craft compelling stories and applications that stand out. Before making my decision to attend Stanford, I visited and communicated extensively with Harvard and Princeton. This firsthand knowledge allows me to offer you expert guidance in finding the school that best suits your needs academically and athletically. Over the years, I've successfully coached international students, guiding them through the intricacies of the college admissions process and helping them gain acceptance to their dream schools. Whether you need assistance with application strategy, essay writing, interview preparation or athletic scholarship information I'm here to help you succeed.

I am a full-time professional college guidance advisor with an accumulated thousands of hours in research on top trends facing college applicants. For class of 2024, students that have gone through my curriculum have already been admitted to top schools like Northwestern, Colombia, and Yale to name a few. I offer wraparound services so that you are prepared for every part of the application process, from initial college search to the first direct deposit. Included in the package are deep dives of specialization topics including financial aid strategy, scholarship applications, evaluation of fit, demonstrated interest optimization, and essay construction. Also included in your package is access to my internal network of 50+ mentors that are alumni of schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford, all of which have agreed to be available for office hours to my students upon request.

The way we are taught to write in school is wrong. You know the style—boring, wordy, and utterly forgettable! It takes hours to write, and the end product is gray wallpaper, which lacks story and blends in to every other essay. That won't get you where you want to go...unless as an academic you're publishing in a scientific journal that no one will ever read. I am a highly trained writer. I graduated in PR/Journalism, was named #1 senior in Journalism, and was a writer for 2 years for PR and Marketing departments through school. My writing helped me secure scholarships, internships, and a job for one of the largest PR agencies in the world. I thought I knew how to write. I was wrong. Years later, I was Global Brand Manager at P&G leading a $2B brand. In this $85B company, multi-million dollar decisions were made based on written one-pagers. Clear and compelling writing was vital. They taught, "Writing = Thinking. If you can't write clearly, you haven't thought clearly." I learned how to write for impact and do it in a fraction of the time. If you are applying for college admission, a specific program, or internship, I can help you to nail the writing, stand out, and secure your place.

Hi! I am a Northwestern University grad with three degrees (BS Mechanical Engineering, BM Music Performance, and MS Mechanical Engineering), with an MBA from Harvard Business School. I've helped over 30+ students successfully navigate college admissions across different programs, majors, and goals. Let's connect so we can figure out how to make your journey successful!

2 years working in admissions for Princeton University 2X Ivy Leaguer attended Columbia University Studied at London School of Economics & New York University (Summer Programs) Coach students on their journey to build a compelling narrative for college applications 18+ years as a journalist, storyteller, communications executive, with five years in finance and banking Strong research, fact checking, investigative reporting and writing skills

Shayna is published in the University of Pennsylvania's Undergraduate Admissions blog 💥 ✔️ Guest collab with UPenn's longtime Dean of Admissions, Eric Furda, on an article advising applicants about best essay practices. ✔️ UPenn alum - Go Quakers! - Currently serving on the Penn Libraries' Young Alumni Board AND as an alumni interviewer for the undergraduate admissions office. ✔️ Northwestern Law alum - Editor of the Journal of Law and Social Policy; Research Assistant; Published academic article on federal and state legislation re: school meals. ✔️ Lawyer admitted in the state of New York - I read, write, and edit all day long. ✔️ Moral Support - can provide references! Virtual cheerleading and hand-holding available upon request.

Maura is a seasoned admissions expert with deep insight into the highly selective college admissions process. A graduate of the University of Chicago with a degree in Geographical Studies and Art History, Maura spent two years on UChicago’s Admissions team, where she evaluated over 4,000 applications, led essay-writing workshops, and helped shape the university’s outreach and marketing efforts. Since 2017, Maura has guided students through more than 750 college applications nationwide. She brings a sharp eye for storytelling, a strategic understanding of admissions committee priorities, and a passion for helping students craft authentic, compelling narratives that stand out. Whether you're building your school list, refining your personal statement, or navigating a gap year, Maura is here to help you find your voice-- and your best-fit school.