BRIGHT STUDENTS. BRIGHT FUTURES
A Developmental Approach to High School and College Planning
Experience & Growing Need
Experience
30 years in education
A Growing Need
Families sought me out for guidance on high school planning, extracurriculars, essays, and college admissions.
Evenings & weekends mentoring students, helping them navigate their academic journey.
Transition to Independent Consulting
1
2016 Career Shift-Left the traditional school setting to focus on tailored, student-first guidance.
2
Pursued specialized education in Independent Educational Consulting.
3
Developed a structured, strategic approach to high school planning & college admissions.
4
Created a process that goes beyond just college applications—building skills for lifelong success
The Philosophy
Strong applications come from strong development. I work to help students:
  • Understand who they are and how they learn
  • Make decisions based on their own values, not just external expectations
  • Build routines systems that actually work
  • Advocate for themselves in academic and professional settings
  • Reflect on what they've done so they can explain why it matters
The goal is not just college admission, but readiness for what comes after.
The Developmental Framework
My work is grounded in six capacities that compound with practice:
Organization & Habits · Guiding Principles · Decision Making · Reflection · Communication Skills · Narrative Writing
These capacities show up across everything students do, including academic planning, extracurricular development, summer choices, and application work. They are the capacities most consistently demonstrated by successful applicants and continue to deepen as students practice them over time.
Students Currently Attending…
  • Brown University
  • Georgetown University
  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • Boston University
  • New York University (NYU)
  • MIT
  • University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  • UCLA
  • UC Berkeley
  • UC Irvine
  • UC Santa Barbara
  • UC San Diego
  • UC Davis
  • CSULB
  • University of Washington
  • Pepperdine University
  • Creighton University
  • Chapman University
Recent Notable Acceptances
  • Georgetown University
  • University of Michigan Ann Arbor
  • Washington University in St. Luis (WashU)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
  • Northeastern University
  • University of Texas at Austin (Honors College)
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO)
  • Southern Methodist University (SMU)
  • San Diego State University (SDSU)
  • California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
  • Santa Clara University
  • University of San Francisco
  • Chapman University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Duke University
  • Rice University
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Vanderbilt University
  • New York University (NYU)
  • All UC's: UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz
Current Student Involvement
Leadership & Advocacy
Civic Engagement
City Youth Committees
Speaking at the White House
Serving on the California State Board of Education
Advocacy Work
Elder Fraud Advocacy
AAPI Advocacy
Humanitarian Work
Self-Projects & Independent Enrichment
Research Projects
  • Research in Digital Literacy
  • Research on Education Development in Emerging Countries
  • Mapping Projects for Social Impact
  • Independent Scientific Research
Academic Enrichment
  • Summer Community College Courses (Business, Public Speaking, Survey in Mass Communication, Human Geography, Kinesiology, Economics, Architecture)
  • Self-Studying for AP Exams
Competitions & Specialized Programs
Business & Economics
UPenn's Wharton Investment Competition
Economics Olympiad
Business Case Competitions
STEM Competitions
U.S. Biology Olympiad (USABO)
Biotechnology Research Competition
Math Competitions
Robotics
Humanities & Arts
Academic Decathlon
World Scholars Cup
Writing Competitions
Architecture
Extracurriculars & Student Leadership
Theater, Journalism (School Newspaper), Yearbook, Speech & Debate, Model United Nations (MUN), ASB (Associated Student Body), Class President, Marching Band, and Scouting.
Athletics
Team Sports
Baseball
Football
Volleyball
Water Polo
Individual Sports
Cross-Country
Tennis
Track & Field
Swimming
Wrestling
Other Involvement & Work Experience
Volunteering
Hospital & animal shelter service
Entrepreneurship
Tutoring & babysitting businesses
Professional Experience
Internships in various fields
Employment
Restaurants, medical offices, schools
Six Critical Areas of Student Development
1
Background & Personal Experience
What has shaped the student's identity and worldview? How does their environment, family, or experiences define their perspective? Colleges ask: "How has your background influenced who you are today?"
2
Community & Impact
Where has the student contributed meaningfully to a community? How do they engage with others and create change? Colleges ask: "Describe a community you belong to and your place within it."
3
Academic Curiosity
What fields of study deeply interest the student? How do they explore their interests beyond the classroom? Colleges ask: "As of this moment, what academic area seem to fit your interests or goals most comfortably? Why does this area appeal to you?"
4
Activities & Leadership
What extracurriculars, work, or volunteer experiences have been most impactful? How has the student led, built, or created something meaningful? Colleges ask: "Describe an extracurricular activity that is meaningful to you."
5
Overcoming Challenges & Resilience
How have setbacks shaped their character, perspective, or ambition?
6
The Personal Statement
What defining moments have led to personal growth?
How does the student reflect on experiences, values, and aspirations?
Behind the Scenes: My Approach
I am constantly analyzing, guiding, and preparing them for what's next. My work is focused on ensuring that each student has a strong, authentic, and compelling story that will resonate with colleges.
1
1
Observing & Recognizing
Identifying strengths they may not recognize in themselves
Helping students see what's special about their story
2
2
Strategic Positioning
Recommending opportunities that enhance their applications
Tracking college admissions and adapting accordingly
Ensuring their college list is well-balanced
3
3
Developing Narratives
Finding the central themes that connect their experiences
Ensuring their application is three-dimensional
4
4
Stress Management
Keeping students ahead of deadlines to avoid last-minute stress
Breaking big tasks into smaller steps so students feel in control
The Roadmap to College Admissions
  • Step-by-step plan from 9th-12th grade
  • Right choices at the right time
  • Building, refining, and executing—each year has a purpose
My Goal: Ensure students enter senior year confident, prepared & positioned for success
9th Grade: Laying the Foundation
1
Self-advocacy & academic ownership
Ninth grade is about setting the foundation. This is where students learn self-advocacy, organization, and responsibility—skills that will carry them through high school and into college.
2
Strategic course placement
Sets up access to advanced classes
Academically, we make sure they are placed in the right courses early on so that they have access to the most advanced coursework by 12th grade.
3
Intentional extracurricular exploration
This is also a year of exploration. Students should try new activities, but with intention—we don't just join clubs randomly. The goal is to start figuring out what excites them and where they want to grow.
10th Grade: Refining & Strengthening
We start getting more intentional
1
Course Selection
Be intentional with course selection & explore possible focus areas
2
Testing Plan
Develop a strategic testing plan (SAT & ACT)
3
Extracurricular Focus
Scale back & focus on meaningful extracurriculars
4
Growth Opportunities
Push beyond comfort zone—find areas for growth
5
Summer Planning
Plan for competitive summer programs, research, college courses, or volunteering
11th Grade: Preparing for Applications
11th grade is a pivotal year, and everything we do here ensures that students enter senior year fully prepared.
1
Academic Excellence
Manage rigorous coursework & maintain GPA
2
Testing & Recommendations
Continue testing plan & identify recommenders
3
College Research
Begin college research in March—fit, academics, & financials
4
Summer Planning
Plan & apply for selective summer programs
12th Grade: The Application Year
By 12th grade, everything we've been working on comes together. This is not the time to scramble we have a structured plan, and students are executing it.
1
Summer Essay Writing
June & July: UC PIQs and Common App
2
Application Completion
Complete Common App, UC, & supplemental essays
Finalize resumes & Supplemental Pieces
3
Submission & Monitoring
Submit Applications
Monitor portals & prepare for interviews
4
Decision Time
Evaluate offers & finalize college choice
Resources & Support
College Planning
  • Personalized College Planning Platform
  • Customized College List-Building Tools
  • Strategic Application Timeline & Checklists
Academic Development
  • Activity Tracker & Resume Development Tools
  • Summer Program Research & Selection
Essay Support
  • Personal Statement & Supplemental Essay Support
  • UC Personal Insight Question Guidance
  • Essay Frameworks & Writing Workshops
Application Execution
  • Recommendation Letter Strategy
  • Interview Coaching
  • Portal Management
  • Decision Support
BRIGHT STUDENTS. BRIGHT FUTURES