Aarón (he/him) is a first-generation college graduate based in South Texas. He holds a B.A. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University and, currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley, where he is working on a thesis that centers on US-Mexico border life. Aarón is passionate about access to higher education, and he is especially excited to help students articulate their dreams, desires and struggles in what he argues is one of the most challenging literary forms–the personal essay. He believes in radical "word vomit" stages to writing just as much as in incisive editing ones. He is also mindful of the need for creative rest, which allows one to destress from the pressure of churning out ideas by taking time to appreciate and enjoy the creative work of others. Away from his computer you can find Aarón at the gym, at the beach, or reading a book. He loves novels, and he loves talking about them just as much! He is happy to "talk books” anytime. He is currently working on his own fiction novel inspired by the small village communities in Mexico where his parents grew up.

Allison R. (she/her) holds a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the Savannah College of Art & Design, where she achieved the singular Master’s Outstanding Academic Achievement award for the School of Liberal Arts. A lifelong storyteller and established playwright, Allison has over a decade of experience working with students on their college essays, Musical Theater and Acting auditions, and SAT/ACT preparation. Her goal as an essay coach is to provide every student with the tools to carry them far beyond college applications as both a writer and confident champion of their own story. She firmly believes that every student has a story worth telling and that if they can get their authentic self, unique personality, and humor to shine through on the page, anything is possible. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she can be found writing in coffee shops, performing with her musical improvisational comedy team, and continuing her pursuit of storytelling at the highest level in theatre and television.

Calvin (he/him) studied English Literature at Vassar College and went on to graduate from the prestigious Columbia Teacher’s College at Columbia University. He is a passionate advocate of college access and has guided hundreds of students through the college admissions process and helped students craft essays that have helped them gain admission to some of the most selective colleges in the U.S. He is a passionate reader, writer, and all-around communicator with a deep love of narrative. Having worked in both a classroom setting as an English instructor and through one-on-one college counseling and mentoring, Calvin seeks to leverage structure in writing to elevate students’ stories and help them access their highest college aspirations.

Cat (she/her) is an educator, student advocate, and writing coach with twenty years of experience teaching, editing, and writing. Using what she's learned from teaching every grade level from kindergarten through college, she aspires to meet each writer where they are in the process. She loves to work with students to create written work that is both authentic and intentional. Cat grew up in New England, lived in the Marshall Islands and then California for many years, and now resides in Northwest Montana, where she teaches writing at a tribal college. She spends her free time outside hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, and camping with her family. She loves baking desserts, taking really long road trips, and listening to all kinds of music. Cat earned a BA in English from Dartmouth College and an MA and PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Elica (she/her) was born and raised in Southern California. She attended an arts high school, where she specialized in creative writing, and holds a BA from UCLA and an MA from CSULB (both in linguistics). While pursuing a PhD, she researched topics in the field of Writing Studies and taught academic writing at UC Santa Barbara. Beyond academics, Elica has been an essay coach and specialist for over seven years, working with students who were applying to four-year universities as well as various types of graduate school. She is committed to and passionate about helping students navigate the admissions essay genre while helping them gain confidence in their agency as young writers. You can find her (still) living in Southern California with her partner (+ two Italian greyhounds & lovebird), where she likes to spend her time reading, writing, and printmaking.

Jennifer (she/her) holds two degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, a BA in East Asian Studies and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School. She worked as an analyst on Wall Street for eight years before leaving to focus on raising her two daughters. She began her work in college admissions consulting as a volunteer for ScholarMatch, an organization dedicated to helping high-achieving low-income students through the college admissions process. She also tutors students preparing for the ACT and SAT. Students she has worked with have received acceptances to Harvard, Williams, Yale, Brown, U Penn, Cornell, Dartmouth, and UVA, among others. Outside of work she is a member of the Board of Trustees of her local public school and a docent for school groups at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Cloisters location. She serves on the board of Graham Windham, a child welfare organization, and the Bronxville Historical Conservancy.

Laura G has been in education for over a decade, with ten years of experience as a classroom teacher of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She has worked in general education as a middle school English teacher, and as a special education teacher and case manager in a variety of settings, including as a high school math co-teacher, elementary resource teacher, and middle school modified language arts teacher. As a tutor, she has spent the past eight years working with students on test prep for standardized tests (SAT/ACT/ISEE/HSPT), college essays, and executive functioning and study skills. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Northeastern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Tufts University, and also maintains teaching certifications in California and Massachusetts, having taught in both states. She has worked extensively with students with learning differences (ADHD, autism, specific learning disabilities, dyslexia, etc), and loves breaking down challenging concepts into concrete steps, as well as leveraging student strengths and interests to build success. She strives to figure out what level of understanding students are coming in with, and meets them where they’re at to create a gradual but meaningful learning plan targeted to each student’s individual needs. In 2023, she transitioned from full-time classroom teaching to working with students primarily online, which has allowed her to provide more individualized instruction, support students at their own pace and instructional levels, work with students and families across the US, and learn from incredible educators from around the world. In every session, Laura aims to create a relationship-based non-intimidating learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks, and making mistakes to learn in the way that works best for them. When she is not working with students and families, she sings in a choir and two rock bands, writes music, and enjoys hiking around Los Angeles.

Marvin (he/him) is an education enthusiast and advocate. His parents cultivated his interest in learning at a young age and he strives to cultivate that same curiosity in young people today. After graduating from the Trinity School in NYC, Marvin studied Sociology and French at Colgate University. He also completed a graduate degree in Education Entrepreneurship at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the College Essay Guy team, Marvin served as a teacher, college admission officer and university development officer. He worked at various institutions, including Babson College, American University and MIT. As a nonprofit professional with a background in K-12 and higher education, Marvin thinks about the full education lifecycle of a learner. He strongly believes that the college admission process is about reflecting and taking stock of one's goals, interests, skills and personal mission. As a college counselor, Marvin has helped many students pursue their postsecondary education goals who have attended top colleges all around the US.

Sofia (she/her) is committed to helping students making education count and living bigger lives. She has worked with hundreds of students, designed and led college application essay workshops and helped students write powerful stories to gain admission to the college of their dreams. Sofia is the author of Journeys to the Heart, a book about social entrepreneurs, failed ideas and change-makers in Indonesia. She has lived in Asia and Europe and has worked as a strategy consultant in Washington DC. Sofia graduated from Brown University majoring in international relations. She holds a masters in European political science from L’institute des Sciences Politiques and a Masters in diplomacy and international business from Georgetown University. She loves theater, any kind of science and politics, modern art, board games, painting, mindful practices, kickboxing, a good read, empowering conversations and her amazing family. She believes in the power of young people’s ideas and creativity to make positive impacts throughout their lives.

Semilore (she/her) is a doctoral candidate in the English Department at Brown University. She holds a B.A. in African & African-American Studies and Comparative Literature from Stanford University, as well as a M.A. in English from Brown. As a graduate student, she has worked on both research and teaching, leading her own seminar classes as well as working one-on-one with students as a writing center associate for the Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning. She's been lucky enough to work with students applying to various levels of postsecondary institutions and fellowships, but keeps a special place in her heart for the undergraduate college application experience. Semilore is excited to continue to help introduce students to one of her favorite genres of writing: the personal essay. Other things that excite her include trashy romance novels, blue raspberry slushies, and Mariah Carey. She is currently working on adding yoga to that list.

Helena (she/her) has over 35 years experience working in higher education at colleges and law schools where she focused on admissions, student counseling, student leadership programs and community development. After many years as an independent education consultant working with high school students, she now brings her calming presence and warm, student-focused approach to helping students and families during the college application process. She also serves as a seasonal admissions application reader for a liberal arts college in Los Angeles. (As a native New Yorker, she is constantly surprised by how much she enjoys living in LA!) When not at work, Helena rides her road bike (longest ride - 70 miles!), loves the beach, reads books recommended by her daughters, lifts medium-heavyish weights, and is mildly obsessed with American Ninja Warrior. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies and earned her Masters of Education degree from Harvard University with concentrations in higher education planning and counseling.

Morgan is the Director of College Counseling at College Essay Guy after spending her entire 20+ year career in college admissions and counseling. During her eight-year tenure in college admissions, she was an application reader and oversaw admission to an undergraduate business school as a Senior Assistant Director of Admissions. She also spent 13 years supporting domestic and international students through the college admissions process at two independent day and boarding schools in Massachusetts and North Carolina. At CEG, she prioritizes helping students be as successful as possible in the competitive landscape of highly selective admissions, while building rapport and trust with both students and parents. Recognized as a ‘Counselor That Changes Lives’ by the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) organization, Morgan promotes “a college search that focuses on the individual student and finding a college that will cultivate the student's lifelong love of learning.” Her students have been accepted at a wide range of colleges, including most of the Top 50 (US News Rankings) and many highly selective liberal arts colleges. Here are just a handful of the colleges she’s had students admitted to recently: NYU, USC, Tufts, Georgia Tech, CMU, UNC-Chapel Hill, all UC campuses, UVA, MIT, Emory, Princeton, Columbia, Duke, Villanova, Wisconsin, Lehigh, Middlebury, Northeastern, University of Florida, University of Rochester, Boston College, McGill, Purdue, RPI, Case Western, Loyola Marymount, George Washington, UC Boulder, TCU, UGA, University of Washington, and many more. Not only is Morgan competitive with her approach to college admissions, but she also loves playing cards and board games, having fun with her spunky 9-year-old daughter, and traveling with her family. She’s a New England transplant based in the amazing college town of Chapel Hill, NC.