LAUREN

Director of College Advising & Former Williams Admissions Officer

Originally from the Bay Area in California, Lauren went east for college, completing her undergraduate degree at Smith College with a major in psychology and a minor in English. Her early professional career exposed her to the world of community mental health, leading Lauren to return to school and earn her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University. 

Upon completing her graduate degree, Lauren worked in the mental health arena for many years, gaining experience in a range of clinical settings but focusing primarily on children, adolescents, and families. After approximately ten years of clinical work, Lauren took an opportunity to work closely with students at Central European University as the Director of Student Services while living in Prague, Czech Republic. There she discovered her true professional love — guiding and supporting students through times of educational (and emotional!) growth and transition. 

Lauren later returned to the US and served as Assistant Director of Admissions at Williams College for a number of years, working with domestic and international applicants. About 15 years ago, she moved to the DC metro area to become the Director of College Counseling at an elite private high school before transitioning on to work with numerous national college consulting companies.

Over the last twenty years, Lauren has helped thousands of students and families navigate the college admissions process. She understands the complexity of the landscape, and appreciates that the journey can be equal parts exciting and stressful. Lauren truly believes in each student’s potential to thrive where they land, and strives to offer thoughtful, highly personalized, and honest guidance with integrity and warmth. 

When she’s not working, Lauren is likely to be reading — there’s always a huge stack of library books in her house — or exploring the Washington, DC, metro area. Lauren loves spending time with friends, enjoying good food and great wine, and is infinitely grateful that all of her travels have allowed her to make, and keep, friendships across the globe. If she’s not doing any of the above, Lauren is likely to be tending to her very bossy rescue cat (who clearly thinks he’s a dog), or baking.

EMILY

COLLEGE ADVISOR & Former EMORY and UMIAMI ADMISSIONs OFFICER

Emily has spent more than two decades in college counseling, with fifteen years working in selective college admissions and the balance supporting families directly as Director of College Counseling at an independent school in New York. 

Emily began her career in admissions at the University of Miami, while she completed her Masters Degree in Enrollment Management. She then spent nearly a decade as "Emily from Emory," recruiting students from every corner of the US as well as international markets throughout Asia and the Middle East. While at Emory, Emily was Director of Selection and managed the application review process, coordinating admission committees and finalizing decision release. Emily wrapped up her admissions career at UNC Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School before moving to the other side of the desk.

Emily loves collaborating with families on the college search process, helping them navigate through all of the admission information (and misinformation!) that is out there. Emily finds it especially rewarding to support students and families as they sort through their options and finally find the right fit. Emily also recognizes the importance of accepting and appreciating differences, as she is a dual citizen of the United States and United Kingdom, spent four years living in the gateway to Latin America, and recruited prospective Emory students abroad.

Emily is a former member of Duke's Alumni Board and the Junior League; she volunteers for her childrens' school through its parent organization. She is the proud mother of two young children (& a Springer Spaniel) and is a certifiable “Cameron Crazie” for Duke Hoops. In her free time, Emily loves spending time with her family in the Adirondacks.