The FLEX Team

Ariana has been working in college admissions since 2017, at both the USC Undergraduate Office of Admissions and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s Graduate Office. She is therefore familiar with what goes on behind the scenes. Ariana has firsthand experience with college admissions and advisement, career counseling, essay review, and interview prep.

Ariana has also mentored high school students for competitive science fairs for five years, helping them win at international science competitions. In high school, she herself competed three times at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (now known as Regeneron ISEF). And she participated in competitive research competitions such as JSHS, SJWP, and the Google Science Fair. Ariana placed internationally in her science competitions, including a 2nd place Grand Award at ISEF and awards from NASA and MIT.

While at USC, Ariana interned for NBCUniversal, City National Bank, and Samsung Semiconductor. She there- fore understands high-level business environments and recruitment. Born in Seoul and raised in Honolulu, Ariana also understands the cultural nuances of being Korean American as they pertain to college admissions and career counseling.

During her free time, Ariana likes to practice yoga, bake, and hike.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admissions to highly-selective colleges and universities
• Students seeking science fair competition mentorship (ISEF)
• Developing creative and effective college essays
• Career assessment and planning
• Resume review and interview prep

Language(s)

• English and Korean

Education

• Harvard University – ALM in Psychology (in progress)
• University of Southern California – BA in Communication, minor in Cognitive Science and Philosophy

Dan has over 7 years of experience working with students interested in a wide range of schools. A Bay Area native, Dan graduated from Mission San Jose High School. While at the Santa Clara University School of Law, Dan was a Judicial Extern for a United States District Judge. Prior to joining FLEX, he worked at a speciality scientific instrumentation technology company.

During his collegiate years, Dan played volleyball for both UC Berkeley and SCU earning a League Championship and 2nd Team All-American Honors. He later he went on to coach at Mission San Jose High School and Archbishop Mitty High School, earning league, section and state championships. Dan also co-founded and directed a successful junior club volleyball program that earned multiple JO bids.

Dan’s students have been placed at top-caliber universities, including all of the Top 20 private schools.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to highly-selective schools
• Students seeking admission specifically to the Ivy League
• High-level students
• Athletes

Language(s)

•  English

Education

• UC Berkeley – BA in English
• Santa Clara University School of Law – JD

Paul has 22 combined years of teaching and counseling experience, 12 in a university setting and 10 in the college prep and educational consulting industry. He is a former professor in American Cultures and Asian Pacific American Studies at Loyola Marymount University, and has also taught courses and advised students at UC Irvine. He has also delivered numerous conference papers around the country and has published a scholarly article on James Joyce and Irish colonial subjectivity.

Given his extensive experience, Paul has a deep understanding of what colleges are looking for in a student. As an admissions consultant, he takes a direct, honest, and strategic approach with his students. His objective is always to guide students toward the college that’s right for them – rather than just the highest-ranking one – because he believes doing so will better set them up for future success.

Paul’s college placements include but are not limited to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia, UPenn, Cornell, Duke, Northwestern, UC Berkeley, USC, UCLA, and Carnegie Mellon.

During his free time, Paul likes to travel, eat good food, and learn about wine.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to highly-selective schools
• Students seeking admission specifically to Cornell, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, or UC Irvine
• Underrepresented students
• Transfer students
• Students who have experienced personal challenges in their lives
• Crafting effective college application essays

Language(s)

• English

Education

• Cornell University – School of Criticism and Theory, with distinction
• UC Irvine – PhD in English (ABD), emphasis in Critical Theory
• UC Irvine – MA in English
• University of Southern California – BA in English (Honors), cum laude, minor in Art History
• University of Kent at Canterbury, UK – University Diploma, with merit, in English and American Literature

Tiffany has been with FLEX since 2007, where she started as a science and math instructor. Her previous work experiences include positions in land development, children’s ministry, and oncology research.

While Tiffany has guided hundreds of students to top-caliber schools during her tenure at FLEX, she most enjoys finding the best fit school environments for each individual student. She encourages students to focus not only on application strategy and outcomes, but also on personal growth through the application process and on long-term goals beyond the undergraduate years.

An avid reader, Tiffany is always up for a good hike and enjoys noodles of all shapes and sizes.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to highly-selective schools
• Students interested in STEM subjects
• International school students
• Scholar athletes
• Digital humanities
• Motivational challenges
• Building personal narratives

Language(s)

• English

Education

• Stanford University – BS in Biology, minor in Economics
• Westminster Seminary – MDiv in Counseling and History

With over 10 years of teaching experience in higher education, Justin knows what it takes for students to succeed and thrive. After receiving his BA from UCSB, Justin went on to earn his MA in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz. Justin has also enjoyed his time at the University of Cambridge and Columbia University. Privileged to travel to over 25 countries, Justin brings a unique global lens to the work that he does: seeing problems from multiple angles and finding new solutions and insights.

Justin’s mentoring experience includes roles in student affairs, research assistantships, university teaching, as well as serving as a resident advisor, where he helped freshmen navigate the crucial transition to college life. At FLEX, Justin has worked as an essay specialist in addition to his position as an admissions consultant. Justin’s mentoring style is one of tough love and high expectations. He calibrates his feedback accordingly while still pushing each student to be the best versions of themselves. Justin’s students can expect honest, prompt, and detailed appraisals that will push them past their comfort zone so that their college applications can shine.

Justin’s students have been accepted into schools such as: CalTech, UCs, Dartmouth, MIT, Columbia, USC, John Hopkins, NYU, Swarthmore, and Washington University in St. Louis.

When he isn’t mentoring students, you will likely find Justin engrossed in books, savoring delicious food, watching an NBA game (go Warriors!), or jamming out to show tunes.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission into highly selective, research-oriented universities and programs
• Students seeking to build a strong research profile
• Students specifically targeting UCs
• Crafting exceptional scholarship and admissions essays
• Social sciences/humanities students, especially those interested in sociology
• Students managing and navigating adversity
• First-generation college students
• Students who are driven to do social justice/activist/community work

Education

• B.A. Sociology – UC Santa Barbara
• M.A. Sociology – UC Santa Cruz
• Ph.D. Coursework & Research – UC Santa Cruz

Ben has been in college admission consulting since 2015, but his interest in the nexus between high school and college started during his time at Yale. His published senior thesis explored the local cultural factors that affect the college application behaviors of rural high-achieving students in Nebraska, his home state. In addition to his work as an admission consultant, since joining FLEX he has served as a College Essay Specialist, ACT/SAT Curriculum Developer, and all-around verbal instructor. He is currently the Director of Admissions Consulting, managing both the NorCal and SoCal Consulting teams.

Between his time as an undergraduate at Yale and his years of consulting experience, Ben knows what sets apart the most competitive applicants for elite colleges, among others. With his background in teaching and creative mindset, he helps students to understand how they can explore different interests deeply. Ben is very intuitive and puts even shy or nervous students at ease.

Ben’s college placements include but are not limited to Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Rice, Pomona, Brown, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, NYU, UCLA, and UC Berkeley, as well as selective Aviation and Art programs.

Ben enjoys keeping up with family and friends around the globe (London to Singapore!), singing in a men’s chorus, and understanding the stories all around him.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to highly-selective schools
• Students seeking admission specifically to Yale, Cornell, Brown, NYU, UC Berkeley, or UCLA
• Humanities and Social Science students
• Transfer students
• Students needing guidance with high-level writing in college application essays

Language(s)

• English

Education

• Yale University – BA in Sociology (Intensive)

Sunny has been with FLEX since 2013. Prior to that, she served as an admissions counselor at Shepherd University and also worked for a non-profit organization developing English language teaching materials for underprivileged children around the world. While completing her master’s program at Biola University, Sunny spent two years in China as an English language teacher and counselor for less fortunate high school students.

As a counselor at FLEX, Sunny’s goal is to help students find the right college by navigating them through high school and the college application process. In doing so, she strives to be a nurturing mentor who encourages students to grow in all aspects of their lives. Sunny believes that the high school years are an important time for students, not only to prepare for college academically but also to grow holistically so they can become more independent and responsible and eventually be prepared to leave their parents’ nests.

Sunny has assisted students interested in Health, Business, Journalism, Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Arts, Education, and more. Her college placements include but are not limited to Princeton, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, USC, University of Michigan, University of Texas-Austin, and all the UCs.

In her free time, Sunny enjoys doing simple sewing projects, spending time with family and friends, and hiking at Big Basin Redwoods Park.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission into health-related majors (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, sports medicine/kinesiology)
• Underrepresented students
• International students
• Students who have experienced personal challenges in their lives

Language(s)

• English and Korean

Education

• UC Berkeley – BA in Molecular and Cell Biology
• Biola University – MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

For the past 6 years, Anjali has helped students of all backgrounds navigate the admissions process
successfully. She is a former Bruin Ambassador and worked on staff in the UCLA Office of
Undergraduate Admissions for three years. In this role, she gave presentations on UC Admissions,represented UCLA at college fairs, and assisted prospective students in the application process. Additionally, Anjali served as an Arts Ambassador for the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture Office of the Dean, where she worked with prospective and admitted students to promote art majors within UCLA.

At FLEX, Anjali is both a Master Admissions Consultant and the Supervisor of the Southern California College Essay team. Her approach is strategic and creative in nature; she takes time to understand her
students strengths and weaknesses in order to make sound decisions throughout high school, and works to build well-rounded profiles that highlight her student’s unique personalities for college admission. Anjali believes there is a best fit college for everyone, and she is dedicated to helping each student find their next academic home.

Anjali’s college placements include but are not limited to Stanford, Yale, Amherst, Emory, UC Berkeley,
UCLA, UC San Diego, Carnegie Mellon, USC, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, NYU, and Boston University.

In her free time, Anjali seeks out all things food and dance. Bonus points for activities that include both!

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to any UC campus
• Developing creative and effective college essays, especially with students who are not strong writers
• Students looking to build performing/fine arts portfolios
• International students
• Students who are in need of more hands on support

Language(s)

• English

Education

• UCLA – BA in Performing Arts (Dance), minors in Psychology and Arts Education

Jay has over five years of experience working as a consultant in college admission. He has previously served as a volunteer reader and interviewer for the UCLA Alumni Scholarships Program. In addition, Jay is a certified Strong Interest Inventory counselor who can help students discover and explore their interests to determine possible majors and careers.

Having gone through the process himself, Jay understands the difficulties and challenges coming from a competitive high school in California. As an admissions consultant, he takes an informative and nurturing approach. Jay aims to work collaboratively with parents and students to craft an individualized plan to help students get into their dream school or program.

Jay’s college placements include but are not limited to Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, UChicago, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Vanderbilt, Emory, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, Boston College, Michigan, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and all the UC campuses.

During his free time, Jay likes to run, watch movies with friends, and discover new food to eat.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to highly-selective schools
• Students seeking admission specifically to the University of California
• Students seeking admission to BS/MD or BA/MD programs
• International students
• Transfer students
• Independent High School admissions

Language(s)

• English
• Chinese

Education:

• University of Southern California – MS in Global Medicine
• University of California, Los Angeles – BS in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, minor in Chinese