Taylor is a Stanford-trained scientist with degrees in biology and biomedical engineering, and over five years of research experience in areas like brain aging and blood vessel mechanics. But her true passion lies in helping students unlock their potential. For more than a decade, she’s guided high schoolers and pre-med students to higher scores, stronger confidence, and greater self-belief—often transforming not just academic outcomes but entire outlooks. Now a standout college counselor at Collegewise, Taylor blends analytical precision with deep empathy, especially when working with anxious or self-doubting students. She’s known for asking the right questions, identifying clear paths forward, and inspiring students to aim higher than they thought possible. Outside of counseling, you’ll find her tinkering with old video game consoles, crocheting, or tending to her thriving collection of houseplants.
Matt Doyle
Former Admissions Officer at Hamilton College
Matt Doyle's time in college admissions has brought him all over the country. He started at his alma mater, Gonzaga University, where he evaluated applications and facilitated visits for prospective students. He then worked for three years as a member of the admissions team at Hamilton College in New York. After realizing he wanted to work more closely with students on their college search and application process, he moved to Colorado, where he spent six years as a college counselor at Kent Denver School prior to joining Collegewise this summer.
Taylor Merkel
Stanford Graduate
