Christine (she/her) is a former professor (Mills College, Macalester College, and UC-Davis) and high school English teacher who has also been an independent college and graduate school admissions consultant for 20+ years. She is passionate about helping high school students find and narrate what makes them tick, no matter how bizarre or how traditional. Students she has coached on the personal essay have been accepted to every single Ivy, Seven Sister, and top 10 liberal arts college & university in the U.S. (although she maintains a strong critique of the rankings system). Born in Miami to parents from Tennessee and Mississippi, Christine was the first in the family to cross the Mason Dixon line for college. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College with a BA in English and completed her MA at the University of Toronto, and taught English lit in a prep school in Coconut Grove. Realizing that a university setting might be a better match, she completed her PhD in the interdisciplinary History of Consciousness Board at the University of California/Santa Cruz. Her extracurricular activities include cats, 1920s culture, turning simple dinner plans into ridiculously complicated 8-course gourmet feasts that require buying entirely unnecessary kitchen gadgets, and more cats. She splits her time between Miami Beach and Berlin.

Jacki (she/her) has spent her career telling stories and working with students to tell theirs. She’s an award-wining journalist who was with CNN for more than a decade before becoming a mom and shifting her focus from doing journalism to teaching it. Jacki has taught writing and communications courses at two- and four-year colleges, and in two New Jersey state prisons. Several years ago, she began assisting college-bound students with their application essays, helping them gain admission to a range of institutions. Jacki delights in helping students discover their voice, stretch their curiosity, and widen their relationship with the written word. Jacki received a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Political Science from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University. Her first book, Dogland: A Journey to the Heart of America’s Dog Problem, earned several awards for journalism and investigative reporting. A dog lover who lives with two rescues, Jacki donates all proceeds to non-profit animal welfare organizations. She says her second book is a work in progress—however, she’s made little progress.

Melissa A. (she/her) believes that everyone has a story to tell. She helps students tell theirs by asking questions, promoting self-reflection, and helping students make connections between their past, present, and future. Melissa has over a decade of experience teaching, advising, and coaching high school and college students. She holds a BA from Brown University, where she double-concentrated in Anthropology and Old World Art & Archaeology. She has an M.Ed. in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University, where she worked as a Dean for Transfer Students and taught courses on mentoring and transitioning to college. She also worked as a college advisor for two nonprofits, an admissions reader for Princeton University, and an alumni interviewer for Brown University. Melissa in lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. In her spare time, she teaches classes on ancient art history, designs and leads virtual escape rooms, and is learning to play the dulcimer.

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.

Dana (she/her) earned a BA in Political Science from the University of Miami and graduated with an eye toward law school. What was supposed to be a quick layover in undergraduate admission led to a career-shifting adventure in the wonderful world of selective college admissions, where she was able to work with students from all over the US in pursuit of bringing together exciting freshman classes. She has experience working with athletes, musicians, and 7-year BS/MD applicants, among many other groups. Dana has read and helped students write thousands of essays over the years and fervently believes there are beautiful essays waiting to be discovered within every student. When she’s not working with students, Dana enjoys concerts in small venues, hiking at a moderate pace, indoor rock climbing, and all things related to food and eating. Next up on the bucket list: adopt a dog, learn basic carpentry, and hike in as many parks in the PNW as possible!

Liz S. (she/her) is a passionate college counselor, yoga teacher, and college essay coach. Liz has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science & Photography from Allegheny College, a Master of Arts in Bilingual Education from the Universidad de Alcalá in Madrid, Spain, and a Certificate in College Counseling from the University of California at Los Angeles. Liz has worked in education for more than a decade - as a teacher, academic director, and curriculum writer. Her passion for college counseling began as an Assistant Director of Education at a non-profit organization, where she worked with first-generation high school students on college/scholarship applications, essays, and interviews to make higher education accessible. Liz has successfully coached students from diverse backgrounds to earn acceptance at large research institutions, small liberal arts colleges, and ivy league schools. She enjoys helping students find their authentic voice to express themselves, using their passions as a springboard to success. When she is not working with students or visiting college campuses, Liz enjoys traveling, yoga, playing with dogs, and going to the beach. She currently resides in Salem, MA.

Melissa M. (she/her) earned her B.S. in sociology at Santa Clara University (summa cum laude) and is a current graduate student at Pepperdine University, where she is working toward a Masters in Psychology. The diversity of human experience she has encountered in her academic work goes hand in hand with another one of her passions: storytelling. As a published author, Melissa values the written word and its ability to convey emotion, inspiration, and the breadth of lived experiences. During her time at Santa Clara University, she helped high school students craft their college essays and guided them throughout the application process, placing special emphasis on making the work as feasible and rewarding as possible. Her students have been accepted at a variety of top institutions and programs around the US. She understands the whirlwind of emotions one experiences when applying to college, and as such, she prioritizes meeting students where they’re at and supporting them throughout their journey. In addition to obtaining her Master’s degree, Melissa is working on her third book (which means she knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of tons of edits and comments!) and spends her free time swimming, singing, and cuddling with her three dogs: Maisie, Luna, and Winnie.

Tom (he/him) is an eternally "extra" Gemini who has spent the past seven years helping students and families navigate the college admissions process. Before joining College Essay Guy full-time as our inaugural Community Manager, he worked as a college counselor at a selective Seattle independent school and an admissions officer at Pomona College and the College of the Holy Cross (his alma mater). After college, Tom spent a year as a Jesuit Volunteers/AmeriCorps member at Catholic Charities Spokane, where he served as an Operations Assistant for a family services program called CAPA (Childbirth and Parenting Assistance). During this program, Tom lived with fellow volunteers who committed themselves to four core values: simple living, community, spirituality, and social and ecological justice. Tom first connected with CEG after reading a poignant essay from a Matchlighters student during his time in admissions at Pomona, and — thanks to additional advocacy from Ethan and some fighting spirit in the admissions committee room — this student was admitted on a full scholarship! He stans em dashes and semicolons, Kacey Musgraves (all eras, not just star crossed and Golden Hour), superior breakfast burritos, and alliterative moments. He works out begrudgingly, sings and dances feverishly, complains about space tourism incessantly, and uses way too many exclamation points. (He just took one out of that last sentence). Sitting here penning this bio, he’s reminded how challenging writing about oneself can be and how high stakes and it can feel — so you’ll find nothing but empathy and solidarity from him as you embark on your college essay journey!