Our Undergraduate College Admissions Consultants

Consultants

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Dalia Albassam

Former External Admissions Reader
University of California, Berkeley

Former Admissions Reader
California Institute of Technology

3,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Dalia started working in college admissions while at UC Berkeley, where she gained firsthand experience in the application review process. She later interned for the American Embassy in Jerusalem, assisting Middle Eastern students in applying to U.S. colleges through the successor program to the one her grandparents immigrated on.

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Samantha Antos

Former Auxiliary Application Reader
Cornell University Undergraduate Admissions
Stanford University Graduate Admissions
Columbia University Graduate Admissions
UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions
Stanford Online High School Admissions

12+ Years in Undergraduate Admissions
5,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

As a licensed high school professional counselor, Samantha has over 12 years of experience reviewing domestic and international undergraduate and graduate applications through a selective admissions lens.

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She holds a M.A.Ed. in School and Community Counseling from Saint Xavier University where she also aided freshmen, transfer, and adult students in the college admissions and financial aid processes as an undergraduate admissions counselor. Over the course of her counseling career, she has designed and facilitated several interventions to better meet the needs of diverse students through small group counseling, workshops, classroom guidance lessons, and one-on-one counseling services. Utilizing a holistic review, she thrives being able to support students and families in showcasing their unique identity throughout each part of the application. As a first-generation college graduate, Samantha’s personal struggles having to navigate college admissions on her own has ignited her passion for wanting to empower others through the admissions process.

Gabriel Gutierrez Aragon, M.S.Ed.

Former Admissions Reader
Yale University

Former MBA Admissions Reader
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Former Admission Counselor
Hispanic Scholarship Fund

1 Year in Yale University Admissions
1 Year in Wharton MBA Admissions
3 Years in Hispanic Scholarship Fund
2,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

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Gabriel is a recipient of the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship completing his M.S. Ed in Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Solomon Admissions, Gabriel read and evaluated college applications for Yale University and the Wharton MBA program at the University of Pennsylvania. He also mentored students applying to Ivy-Plus universities and worked as a residential advisor for domestic and international students at the University of Pennsylvania.

As a consultant with experience in admissions as well as student affairs and residential services, Gabriel understands the importance of an informed and cohesive college application. He familiarizes himself with his student’s backgrounds and aspirations then utilizes a strength-based approach to craft outstanding college applications. Outside of college advising Gabriel is an educational researcher interested in intergenerational mobility as well as admission policies and transitions from high school to college.

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Ndihi Bhatt

Former Admissions Reader
New York University

4 years in NYU Undergraduate Admissions
2,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Nidhi Bhatt is a seasoned admissions professional with four cycles of experience as a seasonal reader for New York University, where she evaluated hundreds of Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision applications. A first-generation college student who graduated with a Bachelor’s in Politics from NYU, she brings a strong understanding of how to craft impactful, authentic applications that resonate with admissions committees.

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While at NYU, Nidhi served as an Admissions Ambassador and later as a program supervisor, working closely with prospective students and families. After graduation, she returned to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to review applications from across the U.S., including regions such as Tennessee and California. Her work as a reader gave her valuable insight into how admissions committees consider each applicant’s full context - balancing academic achievement with personal experiences, character, and potential fit within the campus community.

Nidhi grew up on the East Coast and brings a personal appreciation for the wide range of education experiences and backgrounds students come from. As a first-generation student, she understands how overwhelming and opaque the college admissions process can be. She’s passionate about helping students uncover what makes them unique and guiding them through building an application that reflects their full potential.

In addition to her admissions experience, Nidhi has built a decade-long career in the entertainment industry, working closely with writers, producers, and creatives across film, television, and publishing. She is the founder of a consulting business that helps storytellers incorporate authentic and inclusive representation in their work. This deep background in narrative development and creative collaboration allows her to help students tell their stories with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Brennan Bowen

Former External Undergraduate Admissions Reader
University of California, Berkeley

Former Application Reviewer
Stanford University Pre-Collegiate Studies

4,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Brennan brings over a decade of experience in international education, college counseling, and selective admissions. He has evaluated thousands of applications through his work with the undergraduate admissions team at UC Berkeley and Stanford University's prestigious pre-collegiate program, gaining deep insight into what top-tier institutions value in their applicants.

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Before his admissions work, Brennan founded and led the college counseling department at an international school in Shanghai, China, where he built a comprehensive advising program from the ground up. His students went on to attend institutions such as the University of California system, New York University, Imperial College London, and the University of Sydney.

In the U.S., Brennan worked with iMentor to support first-generation and low-income students through the college application process, providing personalized support in everything from personal statements to financial aid. With a background in ESL and a passion for language, culture, and storytelling, Brennan takes a student-centered approach to admissions coaching—helping applicants express their voice clearly and authentically.

He holds a B.A. in Linguistics from UC Santa Barbara, has lived abroad in China and Mexico, and speaks fluent Mandarin and Spanish. A firm believer that strong applications are built on honest reflection, strategic planning, and compelling narrative, Brennan loves working with students to turn their stories into strengths.

Corin Brasier

Former Admissions Counselor & Admissions Reader
Washington University in St. Louis

1 year in Washington University in St. Louis Admissions
2,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated
3 years in Admissions Consulting

Corin Brasier earned her M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Missouri, and her BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences from Washington University in St. Louis. As a first-generation college student with limited guidance from her school, Corin was admitted to her dream school.

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After graduating, Corin worked in Washington University Undergraduate Admissions. She has read thousands of applications and essays from students across the world. Additionally, Corin conducted and oversaw hundreds of Alumni and student interviews at Washington University. Through applications and interviews, Corin has always loved getting to know each student’s unique story. As a consultant, she prioritizes helping students find their narrative for their applications.

After her time at Washington University, Corin discovered her passion for working more directly with students and their families. Corin brings an extensive background in working with high school students. She employs a collaborative and individualized approach in helping students.

Eric Brock

Former Undergraduate Admissions Officer
Johns Hopkins University

Former Undergraduate Admissions Officer
Howard University

2 Years in Undergraduate Admissions
2,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Eric earned his B.A. in Political Science with honors from American University. As an Undergraduate Admissions Officer at Johns Hopkins University, Eric oversaw some of the nation’s most competitive applications from New York City. He led large-scale admissions workshops, organized high school visits, and served as a liaison for Jewish schools and student populations.

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Before entering admissions, Eric worked as a policy analyst across municipal, state, and federal government offices—including roles with members of Congress and leading nonprofits. With today’s rapidly evolving higher education policies, Eric offers families clear guidance on how shifts in legislation and institutional priorities may impact college admissions strategy.

Originally from Nevada and a public school student with no insider connections, Eric brings a deeply personal understanding of what it means to navigate the college process from scratch. His passion lies in demystifying elite admissions and expanding access to higher education.

After serving as Student Body President at American University, he joined the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Howard University, the nation’s top HBCU. There, he recruited from Texas and evaluated applications from nationally ranked private schools.

With experience at both Johns Hopkins and Howard, Eric tailors application strategies for students applying to all majors, particularly competitive programs such as biomedical engineering, STEM, pre-med, pre-law, and architecture. He currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Clay Busia

Former Senior Assistant Director of Admission
University of Southern California

6 years in USC Admissions
13,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Clay is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy where he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees respectively. As an undergraduate student, he worked for four years under the USC Office of Student Affairs in academic advising and career counseling.

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Following the completion of his undergraduate program, Clay spent six years working in the USC Office of Admission. While he reviewed and supported applicants from all over the world, he primarily worked with students from California (Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties), Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, and all students enrolled in online, non-traditional, or homeschooling programs.

In addition to reviewing thousands of applications, he has conducted over 1000 one-on-one, in-person interviews with prospective students. He established long-term counseling relationships with over 200 students as they sought transfer to USC from other two-year and four-year institutions. He also coordinated the admission review process of the highly selective USC School of Cinematic Arts and acted as an interviewer and evaluator for university merit-based scholarship recipients.

Cody Busia

Former Assistant Director, Admissions & Financial Aid
University of Southern California

4 years in USC Office of Admission and Financial Aid
1,600+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Cody obtained his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and International Relations from the USC Marshall School of Business. During his undergraduate career, Cody worked for the USC Office of Student Affairs in academic advising and career counseling.

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After graduation, he accepted an offer to join the USC Office of Admission and Financial Aid as an Assistant Director. He then went on to pursue a master’s degree in Public Administration from the USC Price School of Public Policy.

During his tenure as Assistant Director, Cody conducted qualitative and quantitative review of applications in conjunction with program coordination work for the university. This required counseling of prospective and incoming students as well as their families. He developed department-wide policy and procedure workshops as a member of a standing training committee. These ranged from updates on admission and financial aid guidelines to diversity and inclusion initiatives. Cody also managed internal and external merit scholarships, athletic scholarships, and other forms of aid. Some examples of these programs and bodies are the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Native American tribal organizations, Tuition Exchange, and the US Department of Education.

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Taylor Caldwell

Former Admissions Review Specialist
Washington University in Saint Louis

2 Years in WUSTL Admissions
2,000+ Applications Reviewed and Evaluated

Taylor is a first-generation college graduate and is passionate about serving, coaching and advocating for individuals who are under-resourced so that they may gain access and have equitable experiences at all institutions of higher education. Taylor received a B.A from Berea College and an M.S.W from Washington University in Saint Louis.

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Taylor first became passionate about Admissions and the admissions process when she became a Student Ambassador her Sophomore year at Berea. During this time Taylor gained invaluable insight on the wants and needs of prospective students and the admission process that several students struggled to understand. Since this experience, Taylor has spent countless hours in various capacities educating students on the ins and outs of college admissions and assisting and coaching with essays, applications, and extracurricular plans so that these students have the best chance of being accepted to the school of their choosing.

After graduating from Berea College, Taylor went on to complete her Master of Social Work at Washington University in Saint Louis. While attending WUSTL, Taylor served as an Application Review Specialist for 2 years and read and evaluated applications for all undergraduate schools including Olin Business School, McKelvey School of Engineering and the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Taylor has experience reading, evaluating, and endorsing applications based on university initiatives and goals. During her stent with WUSTL Admissions she gained experience with early action, regular decision, and Questbridge applications and has read for all areas of the United States with particular focus on the states of Texas and California. She enjoys advocating for students and encouraging them to fulfill their potential while ensuring that they enroll in a school that not only accepts them but that they feel included and at home at. After all, access does not mean inclusion.

Margaret Carlson - College Admissions Consultant

Margaret "Molly" Carlson

Former Assistant Director of Music Admission and Financial Aid
Northwestern University

2 years in Northwestern University Admissions
2,000+ Applications Read & Evaluated

Molly Carlson holds a Bachelor of Science in Music from Illinois State University and began her career in arts administration at Northwestern University. Drawn to the field of higher education, she continued her academic journey, earning a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration & Policy from Northwestern, followed by a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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At Northwestern, Molly initially managed concert operations for the music school, then transitioned to admissions, where she evaluated applications, engaged with prospective students and their families, and traveled nationwide for auditions and college fairs. During this time, she also authored her master's thesis on parental involvement in the college choice process.

Molly’s dedication to higher education led her to pursue doctoral research on cultivating curiosity among undergraduates. She has taught courses on career and major exploration, developed and led academic programs, and currently serves as a community college dean. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Molly is passionate about guiding students through their unique college admissions journeys.

Grace Chee

Admissions Evaluator
Vanderbilt Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Vanderbilt Law School

4 Years in Vanderbilt Admissions
6,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Grace Chee is an Admissions Consultant with Solomon. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Vanderbilt University in Human and Organizational Development and English, and also received her Master’s in Education from Vanderbilt in Higher Education Administration.

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Since receiving her graduate degree, Grace has devoted her career to higher education. As an Admissions Evaluator for Vanderbilt’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Grace read and evaluated hundreds of first-year applications across all four colleges, sat in on committee meetings, and offered admissions information sessions to interested students and families. Grace most recently served as the Associate Director of Admissions, Recruitment and International Student Services at Vanderbilt Law School, where she recruited and reviewed applications for competitive legal programs.

Grace is passionate about increasing college access and support for all, especially for students from underserved and underrepresented communities. She enjoys working with students and coaching them on all aspects of the college application process through a holistic and student-focused lens.

Rafael Cruz

Former Admissions Reader
UC Berkeley
UC Santa Cruz
QuestBridge

2 Years in UC Berkeley Admissions
1 Years in UC Santa Cruz Admissions
2 Years in QuestBridge Admissions
2,500+ applications read and evaluated

Rafael obtained a bachelor’s degree from UCLA. He is a proud first-generation college student and advocate of higher education for young people in the US and abroad.
As an undergraduate student, he worked as a college application advisor for UCLA’s Early Academic Outreach Program for 3 years.

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Since then, he has supported over 1,000 students apply to 4-year colleges and trained dozens of advisors, counselors, and volunteers in college access and college success at various non-profit organizations and school districts. With 15 years in college access and college success work, Rafael has also worked in Student Life at the University of Southern California and served as a Teach For America Corps Member in Los Angeles, CA.

Rafael believes in the intrinsic talent of all students and enjoys helping them discover the value of their lived experiences. He has coached hundreds of students to and through meaningful academic and extracurricular commitments that enrich their growth and help optimize their chances of being admitted to competitive universities. Rafael’s advising is informed by a background in motivational interviewing and a social-emotional, nonjudgmental framework. He specializes in helping students develop personal narratives that help them present themselves as valuable additions to any university’s incoming class. Rafael looks forward to helping your student feel supported, confident, and self-assured through their college application journey.

Jaylon Cunningham

Former Admissions Counselor
Northwestern University

1 Year in Northwestern University Admissions
700+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Jaylon graduated from Fontbonne University with a BS in Psychology and earned his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University. She began her career in higher education admissions, working at Northwestern University , where she supported diverse student populations and evaluated hundreds of applications. With extensive experience in holistic review, college access programming, and diverse student support, Jaylon brings a thoughtful, student-first approach to the college admissions process.

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Breanna Echelmeier

Former Admissions Reader
New York University

7 Years in New York University Admissions
3,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Breanna Echelmeier is an Admissions Consultant for Solomon Admissions Consulting. After graduating from Susquehanna University, where she studied psychology and music performance, Breanna began her career in higher education.

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She is passionate about the admissions process and specializes in building relationships with students and their families while helping them craft a strong personal narrative in order to present their best selves to admissions committees. Breanna is skilled in school selection, extracurricular advisement, essay refinement, and building an application that highlights each unique individual. She has over 13 years of experience in college admissions, recruitment, and counseling. Most recently, Breanna spent 7 years with NYU where she evaluated thousands of applications for all of NYU’s undergraduate schools.

Beyond higher education, Breanna is a musician and performs with a premier choral ensemble in Central Pennsylvania, and serves as Managing Director of the group. She loves spending time with her husband and two children.

Jean Erickson

Former Admissions Counselor
Emory University

3 Years in Emory University Admissions
3,600+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Jean holds a B.A. from Emory University and graduated summa cum laude with a double major in International Relations and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. She worked as an Admission Counselor at Emory for three years, recruiting exceptional prospective students and advising families on the ins and outs of the application process. She is currently completing a Master of Clinical Social Work degree at Boston University.

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Jean also served as an ICT Education Specialist in the United States Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and later spent over a decade as a high school English Language Arts teacher at an accredited bilingual school in Santo Domingo. She believes the college admissions process is not an end in itself, but rather a powerful way for students to grow in self-awareness, practice lifelong learning, and develop capacities that help them achieve success on their own terms. She is passionate about supporting students, parents, and guardians with care, humor, and curiosity.

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Terry Gilbert

Former Associate Director of Admission
Carnegie Mellon University

Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
Purdue University

2 years in Carnegie Mellon University Admissions
7 years in Purdue University Admissions
21,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Terry Gilbert has an undergraduate degree in Management and a graduate degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education, specializing in Enrollment Management.

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During his nine-year college admission career, he held leadership roles at both Carnegie Mellon University and Purdue University, crafting and executing the undergraduate diversity recruitment and the domestic recruitment strategy of those institutions, respectively. His work as a professional in support of college access and student inclusion garnered recognition from both The College Board and the National Association of College Admission Counseling.

Through personal interviews, financial counseling sessions, and admission credential reviews, Terry has advised countless students on the path through which to achieve their post-secondary dreams. As a reflection of the reputations of Carnegie Mellon and Purdue, he is skilled at helping students interested in the STEM fields navigate a holistic admission process.

Jomar Gomez

Assistant Director of Admissions
University of Southern California

● 3 Years in USC Admissions
● 6,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Jomar Gomez graduated Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and is now the founder of a private executive coaching practice. He works primarily with executives, CEOs, and founders to grow and scale their companies in alignment with their boldest vision and mission.

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Before launching his coaching business, Jomar served as an Assistant Director of Admissions, where he reviewed and evaluated thousands of college applications each year. He was responsible for admissions and scholarship decisions at some of the most competitive institutions across the country. This experience gave him deep insight into what truly stands out in a highly selective admissions process.

Today, Jomar applies this expertise to support students and families through the college application journey. He emphasizes a step-by-step, strategy-driven approach that demystifies the process and empowers applicants to present their most compelling and authentic story. His guidance is both structured and human—grounded in real-world admissions insight and a deep belief in each student’s potential.

Michael Guerrero

Former Assistant Director of Admissions
Boston University

Former Application Reader
Dartmouth College

6+ Years in Higher Education & Admissions
10,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Michael Guerrero is a seasoned educational strategist and college admissions professional with a demonstrated commitment to access, equity, and student success. As a Senior Program Manager at Extern, Michael led high-impact experiential learning programs serving over 1,000 students monthly, partnering with leading companies such as PwC, HPTV, and Beats.

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He previously served in admissions roles at Boston University and Dartmouth College, evaluating thousands of undergraduate applications and supporting diversity recruitment initiatives, including QuestBridge and The Posse Foundation.

Michael has also held leadership roles in educational program operations at Stack Education, where he developed industry-aligned curricula and forged partnerships with institutions like NYU Langone and Dana-Farber. His expertise spans student retention, program design, and workforce development, with a focus on first-generation and underrepresented student populations. He earned his Bachelor's from Denison University and has worked with organizations like SMASH and BravenX to provide mentorship, career coaching, and financial aid support to students across the country.

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Milan Hamilton

Former Assistant Director of Admissions
Duke University

4 Years in Duke University Admissions
7,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Milan Hamilton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Education and a Certificate in Child Policy Research from Duke University and has extensive experience in highly selective college admissions. As a former Admissions Officer at Duke University, Milan evaluated nearly 8,000 undergraduate applications.

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Additionally, Milan holds a Professional Certificate in College Admission for Emerging Leaders from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and a Certificate in Family Engagement from Harvard, solidifying her expertise in guiding students and families through the highly selective college admissions process.

Before admissions, Milan worked as a College Advisor at a high school in Durham, North Carolina, providing one-on-one college admissions, scholarship, and financial aid advising to 350 high school seniors. She utilized her skills in counseling and advising as she transitioned to Admissions. During her time at Duke Admissions, Milan played a key role in student outreach, conducting informational sessions for students, families, and counselors on Duke’s campus and around the country. Each year, she evaluated nearly 2,000 applications. However, her expertise extends beyond application review. She managed the Duke Admissions Social Media pages, guiding content strategy and supervising student interns. As a former dancer, she oversaw the Arts Supplement process at Duke, managing the application platform and serving as the liaison between the office and Arts Faculty. Her passion for working with students led her to run various fly-in programs, admitted students’ weekends, and even volunteer as an Academic and Pre-Major Advisor to first- and second-year Duke students. Now based in Washington, D.C., Milan is attending The George Washington Law School with a special interest in Education Law.

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Ted Jacobi

Former Senior Associate Director
New York University

Former Senior Associate Director
DePauw University

4 years in NYU admissions
4 years in DePauw admissions
10,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

As an Admissions representative for NYU, Ted reviewed applications across the U.S. and abroad for all ten undergraduate schools and colleges.

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He was a final committee reader for the Stern School of Business, Tisch School of Arts, and Tandon College of Engineering, and reviewed applications of all recruited NYU athletes. In addition to reading applications, Ted has held workshops for students to understand the admission process, and he has presented to prospective students all over the world. Ted earned a B.A. in history from DePauw University and an M.P.A. in finance from NYU and is a graduate of the College Board’s Enrollment Leadership Academy. In addition to his work with Solomon, Ted helps to manage a single-family office in New York City and serves as a volunteer firefighter.

Nadja Johnson

Former Admissions Reader
Cornell University

2 Years in Cornell University Admissions
2,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Nadja Johnson earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Fisk University in Psychology. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and went on to earn her Masters in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. She earned her PhD in Comparative Studies from Florida Atlantic University.

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Nadja worked as an Admissions Officer for two years in Undergraduate Admissions at Cornell University. She read thousands of applications from diverse students across the state of New York, specifically New York City. Prior to that, she worked for over fifteen years as a senior leader in Student Affairs and Student Academic Services. She has traveled extensively and also has a deep understanding of the application and transition process for international students.

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Kimberly Kauer

Former Undergraduate Admissions Reader
Stanford University

3 Years in Stanford University Admissions
8,600+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Kimberly took her passion for learning individuals' personal stories and growth into college admissions with a three-year role as an admissions reader for Stanford. Over three years, Kimberly gave a holistic evaluation to over 8,000 restrictive early action, regular decision, transfer, and Questbridge applications from all regions of the U.S. and multiple international areas, including Australia and New Zealand.

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Pamela Klebanov

Former Admissions Reader
Princeton University

4 Years as an Application Reader at Princeton University
5,500 Applications Read and Evaluated

Pamela Klebanov was a top Admissions Reader for Princeton University for 4 admission cycles and has evaluated over 5,500 undergraduate applications. She has experience reading applications from students across the U.S. and has evaluated Questbridge and transfer applications.

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Pamela grew up in Hawaii and was a first-generation college student who received her BA with honors from Occidental College where she majored in Psychology and minored in Asian Studies. She continued her study of Psychology at Princeton University where she earned her Ph.D. Pamela has devoted over 20 years to research in child health and development at Educational Testing Service, Columbia University, and Princeton University. Her research has garnered over 18,700 Google Scholar citations, with her publication on school readiness and later achievement featured on the front page of the New York Times. She also served as a reviewer for 18 peer-review journals. Throughout her years in academia, Pamela enjoyed interacting with students and helping them formulate and conduct research. As a Princeton University alumna, Pamela has interviewed Princeton undergraduate applicants for the Alumni Schools Committee and served on the Executive Board of The Auxiliary to the Isabella McCosh Infirmary at Princeton. During her time as an application reader, Pamela took a particular interest in reading the personal narratives of undergraduate applicants. Pamela is excited to share her expertise with students as they navigate their journey from high school to college by identifying and honing their interests and strengths to craft a compelling narrative.

Jennifer Kolb

Former Assistant Director of Admissions
UNC at Chapel Hill

2 Years in UNC-Chapel Hill Admissions
3,300+ Applications Read and Evaluate

After graduating from Harvard College, Jennifer worked in finance for five years in marketing and corporate strategy. Deciding on a career change where she could work more closely and directly with people, she then returned to school for her master's degree in school counseling at UNC-Chapel Hill. During that year, she worked closely with high school students on college and career planning.

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Realizing this as a passion, she went on to work for UNC-Chapel Hill in career services and then transitioned to working in their admissions office. She worked there for two years, recruiting students, guiding them through the application process, and of course reading applications.

In her work with students, Jennifer blends her marketing and admissions experience to build applications that truly present the students' best to admissions committees. She enjoys demystifying the college application process and helping students feel confident and proud of their applications rather than anxious about them.

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Shayla Lebeck

Former Admissions Reader
The University of Michigan

3 years in University of Michigan Admissions
3,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Ever since graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Shayla Lebeck knew her passion lied within supporting students. Years later, Shayla has a graduate degree in Higher Education/Student Affairs with a concentration in academic advising.

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Shayla is an experienced higher education professional with multiple years of experience serving at colleges throughout the state of Michigan. Shayla’s experiences in higher education include admissions, academic advising, orientation, and new student programming. Shayla uses these experiences to provide a unique lens while talking students through what happens after students get admitted to college.

Shayla joined the Admissions team at the University of Michigan in 2018, where she spent three admissions cycles working within undergraduate admissions reading and evaluating applications for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the College of Engineering. To date, Shayla has read and evaluated over 3,500 applications from around the world, specializing in California schools. Shayla is passionate about bridging the gap in the college admissions process from high school to college.

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Zachary McNeal

Former Admissions Reader
Duke University

1 year at Duke University Admissions

Zachary McNeal graduated summa cum laude from Lancaster Bible College, and is currently a grad student at Duke Divinity School. Before coming to Duke, he worked as a program coordinator and chaplain at an historic rescue mission in New York City, working to help NYC’s homeless community achieve housing stability.

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While enrolled at Duke, he worked as a First Reader in Duke’s Undergraduate Admissions Office. During his time in Duke’s admissions office, he read and evaluated hundreds of applications from all over the United States, especially from the Chicago area, Pacific Northwest and Northeast. This exposure to a wide variety of college applicants has given him a keen insight into the significance of making the college application tell a compelling and focused story. While high grades and exemplary extra-curricular activities are vital to success, top colleges admit interesting people, not merely impressive résumés. He is dedicated to taking this knowledge and expertise, and leveraging it to help students and families tell their stories well. In addition to admissions consulting, Zac is an avid reader, a mediocre musician and an obsessive acquirer of historical trivia.

Terri Morris

Former Assistant Director of Admission
University of Southern California

1 year at University of Southern California
1,800+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Terri earned her BA in Spanish and Italian Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), an MA in Linguistic Anthropology from the University of Chicago, and a master’s degree in Museums and Cultural Heritage from the Sorbonne in Paris.

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Terri has always been passionate about education and helping students attain their academic goals. As an undergraduate at UCLA, she worked as a language tutor for local high school students before teaching English at a bilingual high school in Spain after graduation. Continuing her commitment to education, Terri became an Assistant Director of Admissions at USC where she read and evaluated over 1,800 first-year and transfer student applications from across the USA, including Connecticut, Vermont, New York, and California. In addition to reviewing applications, Terri was also responsible for conducting information sessions and interviews of prospective students from all around the country.

Terri especially enjoys helping students craft meaningful and convincing writing. As a published translator, she relies on her comprehensive writing and editing experiences to help students produce persuasive essays to demonstrate their unique perspectives and put forth a compelling narrative.

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Michael Norman

Former Admissions Reader
Stanford University

1.5 years at Stanford University Admissions
1000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Michael has a B.S. in Engineering (Product Design), as well as an M.S. in Management Science & Engineering with a focus in Technology and Entrepreneurship, both from Stanford University. As an admissions reader, he assessed the top 20% of undergraduate applicants from one of Stanford’s most competitive territories. As an undergraduate, he also co-created Stanford’s first official Admit Weekend for prospective freshmen.

Before joining Solomon, Michael was the CEO and co-founder of a health and wellness start-up, a Silicon Valley-based matchmaker for a global clientele of high-net-worth individuals, and a freelance consultant. He has been interviewed for media pieces published in Business Insider, Forbes.com, The Times of London, and NPR.

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Caitlin Peace

Former Admissions Counselor
Johns Hopkins University

Former Admissions Fellow
Christopher Newport University

1 year at Johns Hopkins University
1000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Caitlin earned her B.A. in Communication Studies at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. She later pursued an M.A. in Higher Education Administration with a focus in Policy and Finance at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.

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Caitlin has professional experience reading and evaluating applications for first-year students at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to application review, she has supported both international and domestic students in increasing their potential and gaining admission to their top-choice universities.

At both Johns Hopkins University and her alma mater, Caitlin has contributed to diversity and inclusion efforts by planning numerous diversity events and serving on community task forces She is passionate about the power of bringing students from diverse backgrounds together on college campuses. As a consultant, Caitlin encourages students to assess their unique strengths while identifying schools that will maximize their potential.

Miguel Prieto-Valle

Former Admissions Reader
Stanford University

2 years in Stanford Admissions
1,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Miguel Prieto-Valle brings over 15 years of experience as an educator, college counselor, mentor, and undergraduate academic advisor to the Solomon admissions team. He is a former high school foreign language instructor and has worked internationally and back home in the US as a language specialist and coach, both in private industry and in the public sector as an adjunct lecturer at the European School of Business and German American Institute.

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He understands the admissions process from the perspective of students, teachers, admissions counselors, as well as university administrators, and his background and insights have helped applicants leverage their talents and passions to arrive and thrive at their top choices for study.

Mr. Prieto-Valle earned a BA in Spanish and an MA in Education - Teaching of World Languages - from Stanford University, where he also served as an admissions reader in the office of undergraduate admission. His teaching, advising, and assessment experience are complemented by a commitment to increasing access to the highest quality education, with special attention to those who have been historically excluded. He will help you find your unique path towards the institution(s) that best meet your needs and goals.

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Jessica Rabalais, Undergraduate Admissions Consultant

Jessica Kalawi (Rabalais)

Former Undergraduate Admissions Reader
Stanford University

MA in Higher Education Administration
Stanford University

Director Of Education
ICOHS College

Jessica is a graduate of Chapman University with a BA in higher education and received her MA from Stanford University in higher education administration.

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Much of her undergraduate and graduate research was oriented toward women and students of color in STEM fields at the college level and beyond. During her time at Stanford, she worked as an admissions reader and has since volunteered her time to assist low-income students from her hometown work on their essays and applications to state schools.

When not helping students achieve their college dreams, Jessica manages student services and academics at a small private school. She loves working with students directly: building a relationship, getting to know their strengths, and discussing the best way for them to market themselves. She gives direct feedback and takes time to explain when clients don’t understand to make sure they can make the necessary adjustments with context and depth.

Brian Risi

Former Seasonal Admissions Reader
University of California - Berkeley

Associate Director of MBA Admissions
University of California - Davis

3 Years undergraduate admissions at UC Berkeley
4 Years graduate MBA admissions
3,500+ applications read and evaluated

Brian holds a B.A. in History from the University of Montana and Master of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs from the University of San Francisco. As a former seasonal admissions reader at Berkeley, Brian has evaluated thousands of candidates both nationally and internationally for a highly selective university.

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As part of his passion for assisting students and families through the admissions process, Brian earned a certificate in College Admissions & Career Planning from UC Berkeley Extension. As a former high school teacher and admissions counselor, Brian has worked with high school students and their families advising them on all aspects of the college application process. As Associate Director of Admissions at UC Davis, he has been a part of the admissions committee ultimately responsible for making admissions decisions and awarding scholarships for graduate MBA candidates.

Haley Rosenspire

Former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions
University of Southern California

3 Years at the University of Southern California
6,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

After graduating from the University of Southern California with her degree in Political Science, Haley joined Teach for America in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning her career in education and as an advocate for students in the college admissions process.

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Following her two-year corps commitment, she returned to USC as an Assistant Director of Admissions in order to better focus her work on higher education and helping students shine through the college admissions process.

In her three years in the USC Office of Admissions, Haley was promoted to Senior Assistant Director of Admission, taking on a wider set of office roles and responsibilities. She read and evaluated over 6,000 applications, and excelled in working with students and families navigating the daunting process of highly selective college admissions. Outside of her work as a reader and evaluator, she took on the role of department liaison with the Thornton School of Music, providing evaluation and feedback for some 300 music students each cycle, as well as Deferral Coordinator, in which she helped to craft and oversee USC’s deferral process during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Additionally, Haley served as Alumni Volunteer Coordinator, leveraging the power of the Trojan Family to help recruit prospective students.

Haley’s favorite aspect of college admissions work is getting to know students and families, and helping them craft a compelling narrative about who they are and why they belong at the schools they are interested in. Outside of college admissions work, she is pursuing her J.D. at William and Mary Law School.

Madeleine Ryan

Former Admissions Counselor
University of Michigan

Former Regional Recruiter
West Virginia University

Former Associate Director of Admissions
Emerson College

Former Admissions Evaluator (Seasonal)
UC Berkeley

15,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

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Madeleine, a native of Massachusetts and a first-generation student, obtained her Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and French from Smith College. She later completed her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Michigan and earned her Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University. Madeleine has worked in college admission for several higher education institutions over the last 10 seasons. Her roles have included recruiting and counseling students from 32 states as well as U.S. citizens and permanent residents living overseas. She began her career in education working for the Office of Undergraduate Admission at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. There, Madeleine evaluated admissions applications for domestic and transfer students and co-led the Michigan Student Ambassador program. Madeleine also worked for Emerson College in Boston, where she led a team focused on multicultural student recruitment, and on improving college access and equity within the admissions process. Previously, Madeleine worked for West Virginia University, while living in Texas and later North Carolina, and helped counsel students throughout the entire college application and enrollment process. She frequently held 1:1 student and family meetings to discuss major selection, explain the financial aid and scholarship processes, help students set up learning accommodations, and outlined the benefits of submitting dual enrollment/ college transcripts. 

Most recently, Madeleine began working as a college counselor at an independent school and supported students from 10-12th grade. She pulled from her college admissions experience and conducted mock interviews and helped students as they prepared to connect with representatives from selective institutions. Madeleine pulls from her background as a Youth Clinician and Social Worker, and her ability to tailor her message based on the population with whom she is working is one of her strengths.

Additionally, Madeleine’s multicultural lens, that she developed from having lived, studied, and taught in several different countries is an additional strength. She taught English to students in China virtually and moved to Seoul, South Korea to teach English to first and third grade students. Outside of work, Madeleine can be found playing with her young children, enjoying the arts, playing basketball, and finding new brunch spots around the city.

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Van Sam

Former Admission Reader
Stanford University

2 Years in Stanford University Admissions

Van holds a B.A. in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MPH from the University of Pennsylvania. With a strong foundation in the humanities and public health, Van brings a multidisciplinary lens and deep cultural awareness to the college admissions process.

Van spent 2 years as an undergraduate admissions reader at Stanford University.

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Van's experience provided firsthand insight into the holistic review process at one of the nation’s most selective institutions, with an emphasis on academic achievement, personal voice, and overall applicant fit.

For the past five years, she has worked as a college admissions consultant, guiding students through every stage of the application journey.

Van specializes in essay coaching and navigating the process as first-generation college applicants. She is known for helping students craft compelling, authentic narratives that resonate with admissions committees and reflect their unique identities and aspirations. Passionate about access and equity, Van is committed to empowering each student to present their strongest self in the college admissions process.

Caroline Sampson

Former Senior Admissions Officer
Georgetown University

Former Seasonal Admissions Reader
Brown University

5 Years in Georgetown Undergraduate Admissions
4,000+ applications read and evaluated

Caroline received her Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University and her Master's in Business Administration from Georgetown. During her tenure at Georgetown, she was the regional Admissions Officer, handling recruitment efforts for applicants from the state of Virginia.

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Andrea Saunders

Former Application Admissions Reader
Rice University

Former Application Admissions Reader
Carnegie Mellon University

3 Years in Southern Methodist University Admissions
1 Year in Rice University Admissions
1 year in Carnegie Mellon University Admissions
1 Year in Chatham University Graduate Admissions
4 Years in Wofford College Admission
8,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

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Andrea began her career in college student recruitment at the University of Maryland—College Park, Office of Undergraduate Admissions. While later living in Pittsburgh, Andrea was able to gain experience in graduate admissions at Chatham University and serve as an outside application admissions reader for Rice University and Carnegie Mellon University. When they moved again, Southern Methodist University provided yet another opportunity for Andrea broaden her knowledge of the application review process.

Throughout her 15 years recruiting students, Andrea has had experience reading and evaluating the applications of elite student-athletes, gifted computer science students, BFA applicants, as well as BS/MD applicants, MBA, and MSPAS applicants. Having lived in eight states since college, her diverse geographic experiences strengthen her ability to view applications through a variety of lenses and backgrounds. Currently, Andrea and her family reside wherever the United States Air Force sends her husband.

Allison Saviello

Former Admissions Counselor
High Point University

Former Application Reader
New York University

Former Application Reader
Gates Scholarship

5 Years in High Point University Admissions
2 Years in Gates Scholarship Admissions
2 Years in New York University Admissions
4,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated

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After graduating from High Point University with a degree in Business, Allison served as an Admissions Counselor and Assistant Director of Admissions at her alma mater. While working at High Point University, she, and the university experienced tremendous growth. Allison grew the New England Territory, where applications and enrollments increased by 400% during her tenure. While working in Admissions at High Point University, she earned her MBA.

After earning her MBA, she tried her hand working for Corporate America. She quickly learned she missed working with high school students and returned to school to earn her second master’s degree in School Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Allison worked as a High School Counselor for seven years, helping students apply to highly selective colleges nationwide. These experiences led to an opportunity to join the New York University admissions team, reading undergraduate applications.

Allison blends her college admissions, high school counseling and business expertise in her work with students, advising them on navigating the college application narrative building, implementation, and completion process. College planning is a pivotal time in a student’s life, and being a part of the process is an honor.

Griffin Shute

Former Seasonal Admissions Reader,
Cornell University (College of Arts & Sciences)

Former Admissions Ambassador,
Sarah Lawrence College

1 Year in Cornell University Admissions
1 Year in Sarah Lawrence College Admissions
1,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Griffin received his Bachelor's Degree in Arts & Sciences from Sarah Lawrence College in 2021. While at Sarah Lawrence, he worked in the admissions office as a Senior Interviewer and ambassador for the admissions team.

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He was responsible for interviewing prospective students, evaluating application materials, and representing the college on discussion panels and as a tour guide. Griffin also worked as an admissions reader at Cornell University's College of Arts & Sciences, evaluating hundreds of applications from the Northeast and New England region. These positions have given him first-hand knowledge of the qualities highly-selective institutions look for in their future students, and an eye for the specific qualities that can make your materials stand out from the crowded pool of applicants.

Jewell Christian Stewart

Former Seasonal Admissions Reader
Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

1 Year in Cornell Admissions
300+Applications Read and Evaluated

Jewell obtained his Bachelor Of Arts in Rhetoric and Public Advocacy and Political Science from Hofstra University. He went on to complete a Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Brown University and his Doctor of Law at Cornell University.

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Jewell’s experiences in higher education include admissions, student conduct, research, student activities, and events. At Cornell and Hofstra, Jewell served on both schools’ respective student conduct hearing boards. During his undergraduate career, Jewell worked as a Legal Office Assistant in Hofstra’s General Counsel Office while becoming a state and world champion and national semifinalist in competitive speech and debate.

Amara Stuehling

Former Admission Reader
University of California, Berkeley

1 Year in UC Berkeley Admissions
700+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Amara Stuehling is a higher education professional with over 15 years of experience in international education, student advising, and grant development. She currently serves as a Proposal Development Specialist at Indiana University, where she works closely with faculty across disciplines to craft competitive research grant proposals.

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Amara previously served as an International Admissions Application Reader at the University of California, Berkeley, where she evaluated undergraduate applications from a highly competitive global applicant pool. She has also participated in university and national scholarship review panels, including for prestigious study abroad programs and diversity-focused fellowships. She has mentored students through the essay-writing process, helping them articulate their stories, values, and goals with authenticity and impact.

She holds a B.A. in Spanish and Psychology from Washington College, an M.S. in Education from the University of Delaware, and a Ph.D. in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education from Indiana University.

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Hillary Teague

Former Admissions Counselor
University of Michigan

Former Director of Enrollment Communications
Case Western Reserve University

Former Associate Director of Admission
Kalamazoo College

2 Years in UMichigan Admissions
1 Year in CWRU Admissions
11 Years in Kalamazoo College Admissions
4,000 Applications Read and Evaluated

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A career admissions professional, Hillary has spent over 17 years working in college, as well as independent PS-12, admissions. At the University of Michigan, where Hillary earned her M.A. in Higher Education Administration, she provided a holistic review to 60-80 applications weekly. At Kalamazoo College, Hillary was a first reader for high volume territories in and around Chicago and Detroit, assisted with International application review, and served as a second reader. She twice overhauled the admissions application review process and trained new staff on application evaluation. At Case Western Reserve University, Hillary participated in an application evaluation, as well as assisted in making final decisions as part of the enrollment leadership team.

Hillary currently serves as Director of Pre-Primary and Primary School Admissions at Laurel School, an independent all-girls school, where she evaluates applications for all lower school grades. Additionally, she supports the college counseling office by conducting mock college interviews with high school juniors and reviewing college essays for high school seniors.

Anna Thompson

Former Admissions Reader
UC Berkeley

1 Year in UC Berkeley Admissions
1,000+ Applications Read

Anna earned her BA degree in Mathematics and Linguistics from Bryn Mawr College before studying MA Psycholinguistics at the University of York. With 8+ years of independent tutoring experience across mathematics and English, working with students all over the US and the world, she is passionate about applying her skills in creative and academic writing and background in one-on-one mentoring to students during the college application process.

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While studying both her Bachelors and Masters, Anna worked in the Residential Life departments, helping students transition socially and academically to university life. This, and her experiences in a community college (where she earned an AA in English as well as Social and Behavioral Sciences during high school), a small, liberal arts college, and a public research university give her a unique empathy and perspective on finding your college fit. She has coached students throughout all parts of the admissions process, from summer program searching to essay writing to admissions interviews and the final decision, and is excited to work with families at Solomon Admissions Consulting to help guide them through the journey.

Makeda Turner

Former Recruitment Coordinator and Admissions Counselor
University of Michigan

4 Years in University of Michigan Admissions
1 Year in University of Michigan Architecture & Urban Planning Admissions
4,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Dr. Makeda Turner has close to 20 years of experience in higher education working in various capacities including admissions, academic advising, academic affairs, and adjunct instruction. She worked at the University of Michigan for close to 17 years, and enjoys working with high achieving students to help guide them through the process of college exploration.

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Dr. Turner is a proud alumnus of Eastern Michigan University, having earned a doctorate of philosophy - educational leadership, a master of art - educational leadership & student affairs, and a bachelor of business administration - marketing. Her dissertation titled “The Essence of a College Summer Bridge Program: Voices of Students Who Completed College” explored the experiences of college graduates who participated in a summer bridge program, and contributing factors to the participant’s academic and professional success beyond college graduation.

Tiffany Tran, M.A.

Former Admissions Officer, Stanford University
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

3 Years at Stanford Admissions
3,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Tiffany received her B.A. in Economics and Geography at UCLA and her M.A. in Educational Leadership at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Post-graduate school, Tiffany joined the graduate admissions team at Stanford University as an Assistant Director. She reviewed thousands of graduate applications and provided admit recommendations for committee review in the Electrical Engineering department.

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She also worked very closely with the Graduate School of Business and School of Law at Stanford University for the joint degree programs. During her years at Stanford, she facilitated a course called "Designing The Professional" at The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. In the course, she facilitated a group of graduate students to create a generative environment to discuss activities on design thinking and provided exercises for investigating career prototypes.

As a Solomon Admissions Consultant, Tiffany uses her admissions and teaching experience to provide a unique perspective on how students can find their voice and bring their best foot forward for their college application.

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Sarah Viscardi

Former Admissions Counselor
Vanderbilt University

2+ Years in Vanderbilt University Admissions
2000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Sarah J. Viscardi is a former admissions counselor for Vanderbilt University, her undergraduate alma mater. She received a BA in Psychology with a minor in Communications Studies and served on the editorial staff of the student newspaper.

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As an admissions counselor, Sarah traveled to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Florida and upstate New York. She connected with students and parents in this region, providing insight on Vanderbilt’s programs and admissions criteria. When not on the road, she led information sessions on the Vanderbilt application process and managed the admissions office tour guide and greeter program.

During the admissions cycle, Sarah read applications evaluatively for students from her travel region and provided admit recommendations for admissions committee discussion. She also supported her admissions colleagues as additional reader for applicants across the country. She read over 2000 applications.

After leaving Vanderbilt, Sarah earned her master’s degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, receiving the Master’s Prize for academic achievement from the faculty. She also continued to support Vanderbilt undergraduate admissions as an alumni interviewer, interviewing over 150 applicants and providing detailed feedback to the admissions office.

Her career includes managing high school and college intern programs in advertising and medicine as well as supporting college counseling services for a specialized college entrance exam. She is passionate about helping students and their families navigate the college search process, one she has successfully navigated with her own children.

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Heather Walmsley

Former Senior Assistant Director of Admission
Carnegie Mellon University

4 Years at Carnegie Mellon University Admission
8,000+ applications read and evaluated

Heather is an experienced college admission professional with four years of experience at Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate. She has participated in all aspects of the admissions process from reviewing applications and making application decisions to managing the systems in which applications flow.

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She has a passion for helping students navigate admissions season and can shine light on the process for students and their families. Her experience spreads over application review for a variety of disciplines with specialized focus in STEM programs having come from a heavily STEM focused institution. Beyond highlighting academic strengths of a student, Heather finds strong value in the non-academic components of an application and knows how to help students convey their personalities and strengths. With experience in 1:1 counseling to managing large group information sessions, Heather enjoys spreading knowledge on the application process and guiding students to make the right decisions for their future. She encourages everyone to follow their academic passions!

A first-generation student, she is dedicated to guiding others through the college process and understands the value of having help through it all. Heather has experience in several other aspects of undergraduate collegiate life including student financial aid processes, accounting and billing processes, educational department organization, student life and organizations, career services and career placement, and more. She earned a double BA in English Literature & Communications Rhetoric as well as her MA in Higher Education Management from the University of Pittsburgh.

Katrina Weti

Former Admissions Counselor
California Institute of Technology

1 Year in Caltech Admissions
2000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Katrina earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Occidental College in Diplomacy and World Affairs with minors in Economics and Black Studies. She has spent her career dedicated to higher education and has worked in both student affairs and admissions. Katrina first began in Admissions as a Senior Fellow at Occidental College and began her career in higher education at her alma mater, working in Student Affairs.

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Katrina then worked at Caltech in both Admissions and Student Affairs. At Caltech she began as a Seasonal Reader and went on to work as an Admissions Counselor. Through these roles she gained valuable insight into admissions and is passionate about demystifying the college application process for students. Working both at a liberal arts college and a STEM research institution has provided her with insight how a school's mission, goals and culture can help students build college lists that best fit their academic goals and future ambitions.

Her passion for increasing access to higher education and empowering students as they navigate the application process makes her excited to work with students to build their college lists, craft their essays, as well as, apply to schools that will allow them to blossom and grow as a student.

Kelly Wilcox

Former Seasonal Admissions Reader
Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences

Former Events Coordinator
University of New Haven

3 Years in Cornell University Admissions
2.5 Years in University of New Haven Admissions
4,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Kelly earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Cornell University in Human Development and her Master’s Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Higher Education. Kelly’s experiences in higher education include mentorship programs, fundraising, student activities, admissions, and events.

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She has been a volunteer and co-chair for the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network since graduating in 2013 and has counseled many students through the college process. Ms. Wilcox joined the Admissions team at Cornell University in 2016, where she spent three admissions cycles working on the undergraduate admissions team reading and evaluating applications for the College of Arts and Sciences.

During that time, she read applications from California, Delaware, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. Most recently, Kelly worked for the University of New Haven helping to recruit new students through information sessions, planning prospective student events on campus, and supervising student tour guides. Her role also included traveling to college fairs and regional receptions as well as reviewing admissions applications. Kelly looks forward to getting to know each student and helping them craft a compelling story in their application.

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Jacqueline Yeager

Former Admissions Reader
Cornell University

Former Admissions Reader
University of Rochester

2 years in Cornell University Admissions
1 year in University of Rochester Admissions
2,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Jackie earned her BA degree in Psychology and her MS degree in Education from Nazareth College, now Nazareth University. Her professional background combines over 20 years of experience as a creative writer, independent college admissions advisor, elementary school educator, and corporate sales trainer.

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In her work as a college admissions reader, she has reviewed domestic and international applications for Cornell’s highly selective College of Arts and Science. She has also evaluated both undergraduate and medical school applications for the University of Rochester. It is in these roles that she discovered how important it is for college-bound students to find creative ways to stand out in a highly selective applicant pool.

Jackie is also a traditionally published author of three middle grade STEM novels for children and appreciates the art and power of storytelling. It is through this lens that she approaches her work with students. She has a passion for helping each one uncover their own fascinating story and works with them in all aspects of the admission process, to craft a memorable personal statement and create an application that truly reflects their unique spark.

Amy Yearwood

Former Assistant Dean of Admissions
University of Virginia

Former Associate Director of Admissions
University of Texas at Austin

3 years in UVA Admissions
12 years in UT Austin Admissions
30,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Amy spent 15 of her 24 years in higher education working in college admissions. At the University of Virginia, in addition to reviewing and evaluating applications, she served as the Director of Multicultural Recruitment and evaluated applicants for a sizable four-year scholarship.

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At the University of Texas at Austin, Amy evaluated applicants for all majors and honed the final admitted cohort for the College of Natural Sciences. In addition, she led out of state recruitment and managed student and alumni volunteer recruitment and coordination for UT Austin.

In addition to her work in college admissions, Amy coordinated first-year and transfer orientation at UT Austin. In her most recent higher education role, she served as Director of Summer Studies and implemented a student persistence program at Carnegie Mellon University. In that position, she had the opportunity to learn about the challenges students face today at an academically rigorous institution, and she supported those students in building the skills necessary to navigate the barriers they encountered. Most recently, Amy served as Director of College and Career Success at a scholarship-providing, college-access nonprofit organization.

Amy was a first-generation college student who attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in Secondary Education.

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