Meet the coaches

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “You are on an expedition to found a colony on Mars, when from a nearby crater, a group of Martians suddenly emerges…What do you share with them to show that humanity is worth their time?” essay.
Fun fact: I am an avid fan of home renovations.
Advice for students: Passion projects don’t have to be nonprofits—in fact, they often shouldn’t be.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Pittsburgh’s “If you had 10 minutes and the attention of a million people, what would your TED Talk be about?” essay.
Fun fact: I am a 7th generation Vermonter.
Advice for students: Be authentic in your applications. Choose essay topics that genuinely interest you, and your writing will naturally become more memorable.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “What brings you joy?” essay.
Fun fact: I’m an avid competitive Scrabble player.
Advice for students: Spend 15 minutes a week reflecting on your accomplishments. You can use your notes when you apply to college and have to write about your experiences.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?” essay.
Fun fact: I love scuba diving and have my rescue diver license.
Advice for students: Spend time exploring your passions. The best applications are rooted in authenticity.

Favorite supplemental essay: The University of Chicago’s “Joan of Arkansas. Queen Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Babe Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Mash up a historical figure with a new time period, environment, location, or occupation, and tell us their story” essay.
Fun fact: In my spare time, I’m either playing video games, volleyball, or watching YouTube!
Advice for students: It’s ok to feel nervous about the process!

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?” essay.
Fun fact: I’ve participated in a race to the top of Beijing’s 2nd highest skyscraper.
Advice for students: Start early! By the end of 9th grade, you’re already ⅓ of the way through what college will evaluate.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?” essay.
Fun fact: I make oil paintings and have exhibited my work in art galleries.
Advice for students: Don’t take additional AP classes at the expense of your GPA.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Pennsylvania’s “Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge” essay.
Fun fact: In my spare time, I’m a content creator.
Advice for students: It’s important to consider other factors than purely academics when looking for your best-fit school. You’ll be living a whole life at college!

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “What brings you joy?” essay.
Fun fact: I love to bake and have taught myself to make everything from brownies to macaroons.
Advice for students: Choose schools, majors, and responses based on what brings you the most joy. This is usually the most authentic response and yields better applications.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “Pick a question from a song title or lyric and give it your best answer” essay.
Fun fact: I’m a lifelong home cook, and I’m always in charge of the menu for holidays and family events.
Advice for students: Make sure you are the main character of your Personal Statement. Give the reader an idea of who you are as a person, everything else is secondary.

Favorite supplemental essay: Stanford University’s “Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — get to know you better” essay.
Fun fact: I have 2 cats who are twins.
Advice for students: Your self worth is not tied to an acceptance or institution. Always be authentic and you will find the right fit!

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “Pick a misnomer, something whose name does not accurately describe it, and defend why its current name is better than a more technically accurate one” essay.
Fun fact: I started my first company while at Dartmouth and after I sold it, I moved to Hawaii and became president of the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network.
Advice for students: Don’t obsess over the rankings. Rankings rise and fall but the college you choose will be the environment in which you spend some of the most important developmental years of your life.

Favorite supplemental essay: Stanford University’s “Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — get to know you better” essay.
Fun fact: I participated in competitive cheerleading for 14 years and cheered on the collegiate level as well.
Advice for students: Craft your resume as a story that shows your growth, values, and goals. Admissions officers want to see who you are beyond your grades and test scores.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “History and art are full of heroes and their enemies. Tell us about the relationship between you and your arch-nemesis” essay.
Fun fact: I’m named after the place where Santa, St. Nicholas, was born and where his church still stands: Demre, Turkey.
Advice for students: Don’t join every club just to appear well-rounded—focus on developing a clear angle.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “Whether big or small, mundane or spectacular, tell us about something that brings you joy” essay.
Fun fact: I am a huge horror/thriller movie fan!
Advice for students: Present your entire self in your college application. Highlight the interests and passions you pursue outside the classroom to help admissions officers see you as more than just a set of grades or test scores.

Favorite supplemental essay: Stanford University’s “What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?” essay.
Fun fact: I love to dance.
Advice for students: Build a list of all schools that you’re really excited about, and you’ll have a successful college experience no matter what!

Favorite supplemental essay: Bryn Mawr College’s “What do you know about yourself to be true – and what in your background or experience led you to that truth?” essay.
Fun fact: I am an avid reader and I am on track to read over 100 books in 2024.
Advice for students: Trust the process, you will find the perfect fit for you!

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “In what ways do we become younger as we get older?” essay.
Fun fact: I love ceramics and have been doing pottery and sculpture since I was twelve.
Advice for students: Limit who you allow to read your application. There is such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “What brings you joy?” essay.
Fun fact: Any chance that I get, I like to be near a beach, whether to enjoy the sounds of the waves or to take a swim.
Advice for students: The best passion projects are ones that are a combination of a few interests.

Favorite supplemental essay: Tufts University’s “It’s cool to love learning. What excites your intellectual curiosity and why?” essay.
Fun fact: I have a labrador retriever named Banjo!
Advice for students: In your personal essay, write what feels authentic and genuine to you rather than what you think an admission officer wants to hear. Admission committees will be able to tell the difference, I promise!

Favorite supplemental essay: Princeton University’s “In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?” essay.
Fun fact: I’m an adventure sports fiend—I’ve gone sky diving, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, paragliding, and rock climbing.
Advice for students: Your GPA won’t get you into a top school. It’s simply a prerequisite for consideration.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “In what ways do we become younger as we get older?” essay.
Fun fact: I’ve developed a huge passion for fine woodworking and furniture making, and was recently able to design and build the crib for my 1-year-old.
Advice for students: Be intentional! Take the time to figure out WHY you’re going to college, HOW you define “success,” and WHAT kinds of grand challenges you’d like to solve.

Favorite supplemental essay: Reed College’s “What topic would you teach during Reed’s Paideia week, and why?” essay.
Fun fact: I’ve always had a mix of three or four pets, cats and dogs, making my home feel like my own mini zoo.
Advice for students: Find your best fits, including HAPPY safeties. Just because you can get into a highly selective college doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Notre Dame’s “What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?” essay.
Fun fact: I traveled around Taiwan for a month during the Lunar New Year.
Advice for students: Don’t overlook competitions. Honors and awards are a great way to distinguish yourself.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Pennsylvania’s “Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge” essay.
Fun fact: In high school, I was able to play football on all 3 major ESPN networks: ESPN1, ESPN2, and ESPNU.
Advice for students: It’s more than academics. Research the professors, social scene, club opportunities and more because those are where the lifelong memories will come from.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown Unviersity’s “If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?” essay.
Fun fact: I adore everything related to cooking and baking, including watching content online, trying out new restaurants, or hitting the kitchen myself.
Advice for students: Your priorities in order should be your health, school, applications, then everything else. Learning to prioritize and balance life is key to this process.

Favorite supplemental essay: Stanford University’s “Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — get to know you better” essay.
Fun fact: I’m a huge fan of travel and traveled to over 15 countries.
Advice for students: AP courses are viewed as more rigorous than dual enrollment.

Favorite supplemental essay: Dartmouth’s “Introduce yourself, inspired by Oscar Wilde” essay.
Fun fact: I love history, specifically presidential history. I have a collection of president t-shirts.
Advice for students: Be brave enough to take some chances. Even if you don’t win every time, you will remember that you are brave.

Favorite supplemental essay: Stanford University’s “List 5 things that are important to you” essay.
Fun fact: I am an amateur salsa dancer.
Advice for students: Don’t feel like you need to write a grand tale for your personal statement. Write about something that genuinely made you reflect, no matter how small.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?” essay.
Fun fact: I love to decorate cakes.
Advice for students: Be intentional about your activity involvement! Explore what you’re interested in, and take initiative to lead even without a position.

Favorite supplemental essay: Emerson College’s “Much of the work that students do at Emerson College is a form of storytelling. If you were to write the story of your life until now, what would you title it and why?” essay.
Fun fact: I perform stand-up, sketch, improv, and musical comedy all around New York City.
Advice for students: Universities want what they don’t yet have. Instead of trying to show them what you think they want, show them who you actually are and that will make the right university want you.

Favorite supplemental essay: Yale’s “Reflect on a time you discussed an issue important to you with someone holding an opposing view. Why did you find the experience meaningful?”
Fun fact: I love cycling and try to spend all of my free time on a bike.
Advice for students: Your college admissions results don’t define you.

Favorite supplemental essay:  Northwestern University’s “What would you paint on The Rock, and why?” essay.
Fun fact: I love history and learning languages. I’m currently teaching myself Japanese in my spare time.
Advice for students: Take a tour—virtual or in-person—and get a sneak peek into daily life while chatting with current students for their insider tips.

Favorite supplemental essay: Barnard College’s “Choose one question that you have about the world around you, and explain why it matters to you” essay.
Fun fact: I have been involved in the world of competitive public speaking and debate for nearly a decade.
Advice for students: If a club you want to join does not exist at your school, create one!

Favorite supplemental essay: Stanford University’s “Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — get to know you better” essay.
Fun fact: I was the first minor to ever receive a Child Development Associates degree.
Advice for students: Stop reading all the example essays online! They’re not helping you as much as you think they are. They’re boxing you in!

Favorite supplemental essay: Elon University’s “We’re in your hometown. Where should we go and what should we do? Tell us about your hometown” essay.
Fun fact: One of my passions outside of education is veganism.
Advice for students: You don’t need to have a sob story to write an impactful essay.

Favorite supplemental essay: QuestBridge’s “Make a list of whatever you want” essay.
Fun fact: I’ve traveled to over 60 countries.
Advice for students: Take the process slowly and enjoy the ride!

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “Name an outdated slang from any decade or language that you’d bring back and explain why you totally ‘dig it.'” essay.
Fun fact: I’ve lived in 8 different countries.
Advice for students: Don’t just apply to the big-name scholarships. The little ones add up!

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Pennsylvania’s “Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge” essay.
Fun fact: I love languages and am fluent in French, Spanish, and English.
Advice for students: Figure out your academic goals, connect them to a greater cause, and find a way to articulate them well.

Favorite supplemental essay: Cornell University’s “What brings you joy?” essay.
Fun fact: I have a twin sister who is two minutes older than me.
Advice for students: Do not apply to a school just because of its name/brand. Apply to a school because you can actually see yourself there studying material that excites you.

Favorite supplemental essay: Princeton University’s “What brings you joy?” essay.
Fun fact: Growing up, I played 7 different instruments.
Advice for students: Don’t compare yourself to others! Focus on what you need to be doing and everything will fall into place.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Southern California’s “Which well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?” essay.
Fun fact: I’m currently training for the NYC Marathon.
Advice for students: Stay true to your authentic self. Don’t write something because you think it’s what AOs want to hear, but instead write from the heart.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “What is an unwritten rule that you wish didn’t exist?” essay.
Fun fact: In my free time, I like to do yoga, go on walks, and hang out with my friends.
Advice for students: Just because your brother wrote his Common App essay a week before the deadline doesn’t mean you should. Starting early is always better.

Favorite supplemental essay: Boston College’s “What book by a living author would you recommend for your incoming class to read, and why would this be an important shared text?” essay.
Fun fact: My family has a goal to visit every Disney park in the world.
Advice for students: Explore a diverse range of colleges and universities across the U.S. to give yourself more financial, prestigious, and transformative options.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “What brings you joy?” essay.
Fun fact: I’m a lifelong bookworm and a writer myself.
Advice for students: Celebrate your wins along the way, whether it’s a summer program acceptance or admission to your top school.

Favorite supplemental essay: Stanford University’s “Write a note to your future roommate that reveals something about you or that will help your roommate — and us — get to know you better” essay.
Fun fact: I perform Taiko, Traditional Japanese Drumming.
Advice for students: Your whole profile needs to be cohesive. The college admissions officers should be able to know your interests from every part.

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “In what ways do we become younger as we get older?” essay.
Fun fact: I love developing new recipes.
Advice for students: Don’t only apply to schools with “good names,” try to find a school that will match your vibe!

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Georgia’s “The transition from middle to high school is a key time for students as they reach new levels of both academic and personal discovery. Please share a book that had a serious impact on you during this time” essay.
Fun fact: I love watching baseball, designing needlepoint projects, reading, and traveling.
Advice for students: Be you! It’s easy to get caught up in what you think people want to hear. What they want is an authentic glimpse of the fascinating, unique person you are.

Favorite supplemental essay: Brown University’s “If you could teach a class on any one thing, whether academic or otherwise, what would it be?” essay.
Fun fact: I have two pieces of writing that have been published. One is a lyric essay, reflecting my background in creative writing, and the other is an academic article that reflects my research focus on veterans.
Advice for students: Keep an open mind! Your interests may change and lead you down different paths as you go prepare for college, and they may change again down the road.

Favorite supplemental essay: Dartmouth College’s “‘Be yourself,’ Oscar Wilde advised. ‘Everyone else is taken.’ Introduce yourself.” essay.
Fun fact: I’ve been to eight states—seven of them were this year!
Advice for students: Don’t be too hard on yourself. This is just another chapter in your story!

Favorite supplemental essay: University of Chicago’s “Dog and cat. Coffee and tea. Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye. Everyone knows there are two types of people in the world. What are they?” essay.
Fun fact: I love long walks and have explored every trail in town!
Advice for students: Take breaks when you need them. Don’t forget to enjoy the simple things while you’re working toward your goals!