About CollegeThoughts

Question 1

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I am the Founder and CEO of CollegeThoughts, which I established in April 2006 and began operating as a full-time venture in August 2018. I lead the company's strategic vision while maintaining a hands-on role in college advising, academic coaching, test preparation, student workshops, and key relationships with families, schools, and community organizations. Prior to my work at CollegeThoughts, I spent 18 years working for A Better Chance, an educational non-profit organization that provides educational leadership opportunities for middle and high school-aged students of color, where I grew the student population from fledgling to one of the largest regions in the country with over 500 students and 80 participating schools in the territory. Over 29 years, I have counseled over 7,500 families, helped more than 1,700 students successfully navigate the college-planning and application process, and delivered more than 250 presentations and workshops for schools, community organizations such as Jack and Jill, and the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) conference on topics ranging from college readiness and admissions strategy, test preparation, metacognition and study skills, and student academic leadership. My work has helped students develop stronger academic and testing strategies, communicate more authentic application stories, make thoughtful college decisions, and approach the process with greater confidence, independence, and clarity.

Coaching Philosophy

My approach begins with listening closely enough to understand the individual student—their strengths, concerns, goals, learning style, and story. I help students turn an overwhelming process into a series of manageable next steps while providing the structure, honest feedback, and encouragement they need to become more confident and independent decision-makers.

Best Fit

Keith works especially well with thoughtful students who want individualized guidance and are willing to engage honestly in the process. This includes highly motivated students seeking strategic direction, students who have not yet recognized their full potential, and students whose anxiety or uncertainty can make the college process feel overwhelming. Students who are open to feedback and willing to take consistent next steps tend to thrive with his coaching approach.

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Question 2

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After spending ten years in the classroom, I transitioned to the CollegeThoughts team full-time in June of 2019. As Lead College Advisor and COO, I manage CollegeThoughts' team of coaches and ensure our thinkers and families have access to the resources they need to better support the students with whom we work. Students of mine have matriculated to many of the nation's leading colleges and universities, attending all eight Ivies, Stanford, and a wide variety of competitive liberal arts programs. The families I work with appreciate the deep level of trust and genuine connection I am able to develop with students, as well as my emphasis on meeting each student where they are, central to my coaching philosophy.

Coaching Philosophy

I want students to learn and have fun while doing so. Quality teaching means empowering students to discover and articulate their passions, interests, needs, and yearnings.

Best Fit

Lily works especially well with quiet, introverted students who are looking to build confidence and presence, and extremely extroverted students who are learning to share the spotlight and deepen practices of observation and internal reflection.

Question 3

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After graduating from the University of Rochester in 2017 where I had worked as a student tour guide, helping prospective families decide if it was the right fit, I joined the CollegeThoughts team and truly found my calling on the coaching side of the admissions process. The families I work with appreciate the clarity I bring to the process, knowing that I will not only answer their questions, but that I will assuage their concerns and create a clear plan of action forward. Families also appreciate my ability to hold students accountable for their work, while providing support and guidance every step of the way. On average, my students see score jumps of at least 100 points on the SAT and leave with the tools to stand up for themselves and seek out the resources and opportunities that will help them thrive.

Coaching Philosophy

For all my students, I work to instill the belief that they can do hard things and achieve their goals. I believe in helping students understand why we are taking a certain approach and working with them as a lead partner in the process to build student independence and agency, rather than simply telling them what to do and expecting it to be done.

Best Fit

Kim works especially well with students who may or may not know exactly what they want, but are willing to put in the work with a little bit of guidance and reassurance. She believes “It's okay to not have a fully baked plan, so long as you are willing to put in the time to create one and the effort to stick to it.”

Question 4

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In my work with CollegeThoughts, I have guided several classes of students through the college application process and take great pride in the scholars they have become. My students go on to attend a variety of the nation's leading colleges and universities, with many matriculating to top 20 schools and the Ivy League. Students and families appreciate my level of openness and understanding in our work together, as well as the emphasis I place on really getting to know my families and understanding their needs and goals. The connection I am able to develop with students not only informs my role as CollegeThoughts Partnership Manager, building connections with other organizations and programs to ensure our students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, but also allows me to guide students in crafting strong applications that make them shine.

Coaching Philosophy

Compassion pushes students forward. Students need someone they know believes in them and will encourage them to be the very best they can be.

Best Fit

Rebecca works especially well with both driven students and those who might need a little extra encouragement.

Question 5

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After graduating from Hampton University in 1986 with Highest Honors from the School of Pure and Applied Sciences as a finalist for the school's President's Award and earning a Master's degree in Education from Drexel University in 2001, I began my illustrious teaching career—the next in a long line of a family of teachers. Spanning over three decades, my career, which had been in the service of illuminating the minds of countless students with the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, is now focused on doing that same work with students through CollegeThoughts. My wealth of educational experience and passion for working with young people allows me to help my students not only reach their full potential, but truly want to do so. The families and students I work with greatly appreciate the energy and enthusiasm I bring to each session, as well as my ability to help students to make sense of complex concepts they've struggled with in the past.

Coaching Philosophy

My approach is one that works to establish an environment that encourages student discovery and the development of my students' confidence in their own ability and understanding.

Best Fit

Wes works especially well with students who are enthusiastic about their process and committed to maximizing the effectiveness of each session.

Question 6

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Having graduated from Brown University within the last 10 years, my relative proximity to the college application process allows me to connect and empathize with students, understanding firsthand the challenges faced by and dedication required of students of today. Students and families appreciate how supportive, knowledgeable, and dedicated I am throughout the college application process, feeling confident coming to me with questions and knowing I take the time to understand their goals, provide clear guidance, and genuinely care about helping their student make choices that are right for them. The students I work with make measurable progress in their process, achieving SAT scores in the 1400s, completing strong applications, and earning admissions to schools that align with their academic and personal goals. In addition, my work with students greatly informs my role in hosting CollegeThoughts' annual Virtual Summer Opportunities Fair, working to ensure students and families not only understand the value of a summer well-spent but also have access to the richest summer programs and opportunities.

Coaching Philosophy

My approach is supportive, encouraging, and individualized to each student's needs. I aim to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, building confidence, and taking ownership of their progress, while also providing the structure and accountability they need to keep moving forward.

Best Fit

Abby works especially well with students who need a little extra encouragement, patience, or structure throughout the process. Students who may feel overwhelmed or stressed often respond well to her calm and supportive approach. At the same time, Abby also helps them stay accountable, manage their responsibilities, and continue making progress toward their goals.

Question 7

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After spending 12 years in the classroom as a high school English teacher, I ventured into professional writing and editing only to return to my true love: helping high school students better themselves. My work with CollegeThoughts allows me to do just that, particularly in a way that is truly focused on the student as an individual and helps them to achieve their goals. With a dedicated commitment, my students are not only able to achieve 200-point improvements on their SAT, but also see increased depth in their college essays and gain newfound confidence in the college search and application process. My emphasis on strong communication and establishing a rapport with students leads my students (and their families) to feel more empowered in the process and see that, with a little hard work, they can attain their wildest dreams.

Coaching Philosophy

My approach is one that starts with the student's strengths and works to fill in the gaps thereafter. Once a foundation of trust is built, everyone—both coach and student—feels better equipped to do the hard work.

Best Fit

Corrie works especially well with students who appreciate examples as well as specific action items or a detailed plan of attack.

Question 8

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Having gone through the college process, myself, not too long ago allows me to empathize with students who are feeling overwhelmed, understanding firsthand just how demanding today's college application process can be. My focus on establishing strong organization systems, communication habits, and support networks equips the students I work with with the necessary tools to make sense of all of the information and deadlines they have to keep track of. Students and families appreciate my ability to create a clear plan of action and commitment to holding students accountable all while offering unwavering support. My expertise in writing and English has also allowed me to guide students through crafting compelling essays and improve their SAT/ACT scores. Students I have worked with have gone on to attend many competitive colleges and universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Hampton University, and Spelman College.

Coaching Philosophy

My approach is detail-oriented, goal-driven, and highly supportive. I believe in equipping students with the necessary skills, resources, and support for them to feel empowered in driving their own process, rather than it—or someone else—driving them.

Best Fit

Niara works especially well with students who are introspective and hard-working, as well as those who might need a little help getting started and a guiding hand to keep them on track.

Question 9

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After graduating from William Penn Charter School, a private school in the Germantown area in Philadelphia, PA, I matriculated to the University of Pennsylvania where I am now in my second year, pursuing a BA in Health and Societies in the College of Arts and Sciences. After working with Keith on my own college process, I was brought on a year ago as the team's College Intern and Social Media Manager. In my work with CollegeThoughts, I've grown our online presence through strategic content creation, consistent engagement, and data-driven optimization, increasing reach, audience engagement, and brand awareness across social platforms.

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About CollegeThoughts

A holistic approach that looks at the entire life of the student

The Cycle of Our Thinkers

The team behind every plan

Keith Wilkerson

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Lily Katz

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Kimberly Rouse

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Rebecca Latoff

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Wesley Rouse

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Abby Pompee

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Corrie Stango

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Niara Urquhart

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Arielle Willis

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