College Admissions

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.

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.

Welcome to my profile! With a diverse academic background from prestigious institutions like Harvard, NYU, and UC Berkeley, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to college admissions coaching. As a Senior Personal Statement and Supplemental Essay Coach at Oriel Admissions and a Writing Instructor at Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, I've guided 60+ students to craft compelling narratives that stand out in the competitive college admissions process. My experience as a Creative Writing Faculty at NYU and English Faculty at Central Piedmont Community College further enriches my ability to help students express their unique stories effectively. Let's work together to make your college application shine—reach out to start your journey today!

Erika was born and raised in Washington Heights, New York City. She currently serves as an education consultant to school districts across the United States to ensure all high school students have access to the most rigorous coursework. She attended Dartmouth College for her undergraduate studies where she studied Sociology, African American Studies, Human Development and Education. She completed a teaching residency with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education while teaching World Geography and History at an all-boys school in Baltimore. She has independently assisted students through the college application process for the past seven years. “I believe every person has a riveting and unique story to tell. My job as a college coach is to find that story alongside students who may need an extra push to find the courage and verbiage to do so. I enjoy the early stages of ideation the most because I am consciously reminded of how promising our future is given students’ life stories. The reflection students are able to have through this process reveal bits of themselves they may have never taken note of before, and to me that is the beauty of storytelling and finding yourself.”

With a strong academic foundation from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA / MA in progress from Wharton-Lauder, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to college admissions coaching. I have reviewed many essay drafts, resumes, etc. for students who have gotten into prestigous undergraduate institutions, medical schools, and business schools. Prior to my MBA, I was a Consultant, Senior Consultant, and Associate at Oliver Wyman. I have experience helping screen resumes and with multiple promotion cycles in my first four years I am confident in my strategy and story-telling abilities to help students craft compelling application materials at an affordable rate. I have also run a small nonprofit in the healthcare equity space for 6+ years in memory of my late uncle. My coaching is highly personalized, focusing more on storytelling and highlighting student's unique strengths and experiences to stand out in the competitive admissions landscape. Whether you need guidance on essays, interviews, or overall application strategy, I'm here to help you succeed. Reach out to start your journey!

When applying to college, my goal was to get into an Ivy League school. Throughout high school, I taught myself what I needed to do to achieve this, seeking resources and guidance everywhere I could find. Now, having attended, multiple top universities, I can use my extensive experience to guide others through the challenging but extremely rewarding process. I can advise on topics including developing a strategy for successful admissions (starting early in high school), preparing competitive application packages, and prepping for standardized testing and other requirements. Successful applications include Cornell University, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, and Rice University, among others. Please reach out, I am happy to help!

With nearly two decades of experience in writing and editing, I specialize in guiding high school seniors through the college application process. As an Admissions Coach at College Essay Builder, I worked closely with students to develop compelling essay ideas and refine drafts into standout final products. My freelance work has helped students gain admission to prestigious institutions such as the BYU, University of Oxford, UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Diego State University. I lived in in the multicultural and multiethnic country of Qatar for eight years where language and communication were at the forefront of life. Having coached many students to success, I'm here to help you craft a unique and powerful application. Let's connect and make your college dreams a reality!

I’m currently pursuing my MBA at The Wharton School. Previously, I was both a Consultant and Chief of Staff to the CEO at McKinsey & Company. Having navigated both MBB recruiting and the MBA application process—and leveraged Leland myself—I know firsthand how daunting these journeys can be and how valuable the right coach can be along the way. I’m looking forward to meeting you and supporting you throughout your journey!

As a former People Supervisor at Anheuser-Busch and a Princeton University graduate with a degree in Public and International Affairs, I have a strong background in navigating the college admissions process as well as the full-time and internship employment processes. I have had the opportunity to coach 5 individuals in the past, helping them successfully gain admission to their dream schools. Whether you need assistance with crafting a compelling personal statement, selecting the right extracurricular activities, or preparing for interviews, I am here to guide you every step of the way. Let's work together to make your college application stand out and secure your spot at the school of your dreams. Don't hesitate to reach out and schedule an introductory call with me today!

With over two decades of experience as a Senior Admissions Consultant and Director, I have happily guided students to gain admission to their dream colleges. My background as a professional journalist and award-winning creative writer allows me to help clients craft compelling narratives that captivate admissions committees. I specialize in identifying and highlighting the unique stories that set applicants apart, ensuring their applications stand out. As a parent, you want someone who will guide and encourage your child to deliver the best possible work they can, and who understands the level of stress they are dealing with at this stage in their life. Let's start with a conversation, to see what you and your young applicant are looking for, and how I can be of service. Schedule a free intro session today!