Gretchen Gleason
Former Dickinson Admissions Officer and NYU Application Reader
Gretchen Gleason has guided students to acceptances at more than 175 colleges, including Duke, Caltech, Pomona, Rice, UNC-Chapel Hill, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, NYU, and the University of Michigan, among many others. She began her career as an admissions officer at Dickinson College before moving to the other side of the desk as a college counselor and later Director of College Counseling at independent schools. Known for her contagious enthusiasm and supportive approach, Gretchen helps families focus on the parts of the admissions process they can control while explaining the “why” behind each recommendation. She holds a B.A. from Syracuse University and has also served as a seasonal application reader for New York University.
Theodore (Theo) Twidwell
Admissions Expert and Macalester College Graduate
Theo has guided students from around the world through the admissions process, helping them earn acceptances to highly selective institutions in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Europe. As a first-generation college graduate, he brings a deep appreciation for the transformative power of higher education and works to ensure his students feel confident and supported along the way. Fluent in Spanish, Theo spent five years as an independent counselor in Mexico City, where he also led workshops for school counselors on topics ranging from the Common App to stress management. Now back in California, he continues to help families navigate both U.S. and international admissions while enjoying his passions for swimming, national parks, and history.
