The FLEX Team

Nathaly has 10 combined years of college counseling and teaching experience around the world.

In high school, Nathaly provided admissions counseling to low-income students around Orange County. At Yale, she was involved in education management and pedagogy at the Yale School of Management and performed research at the Yale School of Medicine. She also taught and counseled students in an alternative education center and taught English abroad in Israel and China. After graduation, she worked as a college counselor and test prep tutor in Mexico City.

Nathaly’s personalized counseling approach varies from student to student. She knows firsthand what it takes to apply and become admitted to the most selective schools in the country, and she understands the challenges many underrepresented and international students face in the admissions process. As such, she is a patient, creative, and compassionate counselor, but also an active and strategic counselor who challenges her students. Nathaly’s college placements include UC Berkeley, USC, University College London (UK), and King’s College (UK).

Born in Colombia and raised in Southern California, Nathaly is fluent in Spanish and has lived in Italy, Israel, China, and Mexico. Outside of work, she enjoys running, yoga, reading, writing, and going hiking with her dog.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admissions to highly-selective colleges and universities
• Students seeking admissions specifically to Yale
• International students
• Students who need help choosing a major
• Students needing motivation, guidance, and who are navigating personal challenges
• Students who are driven to give back to their communities
• Underrepresented and first generation students

Languages

• English, Spanish, and Hebrew

Education

• Yale University – BS in Cognitive Science; Education Studies Scholar

Karina is a professor of Gender Studies at UCLA, an alumni interviewer for Wesleyan, and an education consultant with several global foundations and start-ups. She has taught courses, advised students, and supervised research projects at USC, UC Berkeley, Pomona, Carleton, and Wheaton College. She has also delivered conference papers around the world and has several scholarly publications.

With 15 years of experience at top colleges and universities, Karina has deep, insider knowledge of what colleges are looking for in their students. As an admissions consultant, she takes a sincere, holistic, and inspirational approach. She encourages students to push beyond their comfort zones in order to grow and reach their highest potential as critical thinkers and leaders. She also takes an honest inventory of their talents and ambitions to help them find a “best-fit” college environment in which they will genuinely thrive.

In her free time, Karina loves to travel (especially to Paris and Istanbul!), write, hike, meditate, and pursue her passion for art, literature, music, film, fashion, food/chocolate, cappuccino, and all things French.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to top-tier liberal arts and women’s colleges
• Students seeking admission specifically to Wesleyan, Northwestern, UChicago, Pomona, Scripps, USC, UCLA, and UC Berkeley
• Students with a strong interest in the humanities, social sciences, and entrepreneurship
• International and first-generation students
• Students navigating adversity and unique circumstances
• Students who are driven to pursue social justice and community work
• Research mentorship
• Crafting unique, creative, and compelling personal narratives in college essays
• Graduate school advising and applications

Language(s)

• English and French

Education

• UCLA – PhD in Women’s Studies, emphasis in French, Middle East, and North African Studies
• Northwestern University – MA and PhD coursework in French and Francophone Studies
• Wesleyan University – BA in Women’s Studies, International Relations, and French (High Honors)

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

Judy has over 18 years of experience as an educator, working with students spanning preschool to high school graduates. A native of the San Gabriel Valley, she graduated at the top of her class from La Canada High School and went on to earn her BA in Social Studies. magna cum laude, from Harvard. There, she was awarded the Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Travelling Fellowship to teach English at a private boarding elementary school and magnet high school located on the outskirts of Beijing.

Judy’s experience with her own three daughters, combined with her elementary and high school teaching experience, as well as her counseling experience at FLEX, allows her to observe the educational spectrum from birth to high school graduation. She strives to help families and students make informed choices and attend a university that best fits their talents and personality.

Judy’s college placements include but are not limited to Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Princeton, UChicago, Northwestern, UC Berkeley, USC, UCLA, and NYU.

During her “free time,” Judy is busy taking care of her three elementary-aged daughters. When she has time to herself, she loves to exercise, eat out with her husband or friends, and serve the special-needs adults at the church she attends.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission to highly-selective schools
• International students
• Transfer students
• Connecting students with local groups and businesses
• Crafting effective college application essays

Language(s)

• English
• Mandarin (basic conversation)
• Taiwanese (basic conversation)
• Spanish (conversational)

Education

• Harvard University – BA in Social Studies, magna cum laude
• Cal State LA – Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, K-8
• UCLA – M.Ed in Educational Administration, Preliminary Clear Administrative Credential

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

Meagan has been working with students K-12 and in college for 5 years. During her time at Saint Mary’s College of California, she directed an outdoor summer camp leadership program for 250 students in the East Bay. After transferring to UC Davis, Meagan advised and mentored first-generation and underrepresented students through their college applications and essays. She also held a research position in the UC Davis Economics Department, worked with the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs, volunteered at Student Recruitment and Retention Center, and worked as a project management intern in Sacramento.

As a transfer student, Meagan has first-hand experience at both private and public college institutions, so she has a strong understanding of how important fit — size, location, culture, and major — is when making that all-important college decision. As an admissions consultant, she takes a compassionate and collaborative approach, fostering the unique growth and development of each student she works with.

During her free time, Meagan enjoys running outdoors, hiking, trying new cooking recipes, and traveling with loved ones.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission specifically to the University of California
• Students seeking admission specifically to Small Private Schools
• Finding a “College Fit” and matching students to their dream school
• Students interested in Business or Social Sciences
• Transfer Students
• Underrepresented and first-generation students
• Crafting unique and compelling college essays

Language(s)

• English

Education

• University of California, Davis – BA in Communications Studies

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)

Bernadette has been working with high school and university students for 10 years. She holds a multiple subject teaching credential and has taught English in countries such as China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Since 2010, she has worked with students in Southern California as a piano and violin instructor. Prior to joining FLEX, Bernadette counseled international high school students on navigating the college application process in the US.

Growing up in Southern California, Bernadette understands the difficulties and challenges coming from a high school in California. As an admissions consultant, she takes an honest, holistic, and nurturing approach. She works collaboratively with parents and students to help students get into their dream school and to find the best fit for them.

During her free time, Bernadette enjoys listening to music, playing the piano and violin, and watching movies.

Areas of Specialization

• Students seeking admission specifically to the University of California
• Students who have experienced personal challenges in their lives
• International students
• Crafting effective college application essays

Language(s)

• English

Education

• University of California, Irvine – MA in Teaching
• University of California, Irvine – BS in Biological Sciences

Anjali is a former Bruin Ambassador and worked on staff in the UCLA Office of Undergraduate Admissions for three years. As a Bruin Ambassador, she gave presentations on UC Admissions, represented UCLA at college fairs, and assisted prospective students in the application process. Anjali was tasked with developing personal relationships with individual high schools to recruit students for and provide information on UCLA. Anjali also served as an Arts Ambassador for the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture, Office of the Dean.

Additionally, Anjali previously worked as a College Advisor at an online learning center for underprivileged high school students. She helped dozens of students navigate the admissions process by researching colleges, editing personal statements, and managing timelines.

Anjali has over 8,000 hours of dance education, created and designed lesson plans in art, and choreographed a repertoire of dance pieces. She is inspired to work with children and make a difference through education and art.

Education
B.A. Dance, Minor in Visual and Performing Arts — UCLA

Jay has extensive experience working with a wide range of students including international students and transfer students with college admissions, as well as younger students with private middle and high school admissions. He is a certified Strong Interest Inventory counselor who can help students explore their academics interests and determine a suitable major for college admission.

Jay has been with FLEX since 2012. In this time, he has worked with hundreds of students throughout Northern and Southern California and internationally to help them get into their dreams schools. Jay has supported students to gain admittance to colleges including Columbia University, Brown University, Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, NYU, USC, Boston College, and all UC campuses.

Education
B.S. Microbiology – UCLA
M.S. Global Medicine – USC