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What colleges evaluate beyond grades and test scores
See how character and contribution shape a holistic review and influence admissions decisions.
Four skills that can help your teen stand out
Explore entrepreneurial thinking, resilience, self-discovery, and independence, and why these qualities dictate college readiness.
What makes activities meaningful
Learn how sustained involvement and real impact tell a stronger story than a long list of activities.
How parents can encourage growth and independence
Discover practical ways to help teens build better habits, advocate for themselves, and take greater ownership of the process.
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Kate is what we fondly call a "lifer" In the field of admissions. She has over a decade of experience working in higher education; first at Hawaii Pacific University and later at NYU. She has read thousands of applications and rendered countless admission decisions for students across the country. While she loved the work, she eventually decided that serving as the gatekeeper for an institution was not where her passion lay so she jumped to the other side of the desk and has been counseling students through the highly competitive admissions process ever since.
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Nikki began her career in education as a special education teacher at Sheridan High School in Colorado, then became a counseling and curriculum specialist at the University of Iowa’s Upward Bound Project. She returned to Colorado as the director of college placement and success at Green Valley Ranch High School in Denver, where 100% of her students were accepted to college. She later served as a college and career transition coordinator at College Community School District in Iowa.
