From Frustrated Parent to Trusted Guide: Why I Founded Anja Education Consultants

When my son was applying to college in 2014, I did what most involved parents do—I hired an independent college consultant. I was optimistic. After all, this was supposed to be a person who would help us navigate a process that had become increasingly complex, competitive, and emotionally taxing.

To be fair, the consultant had a good grasp of college options. But something vital was missing: strategy, personal connection, and clear communication—especially with us as parents. Instead of feeling supported, I felt more stressed and disconnected from the process. That experience didn’t just disappoint me—it sparked something deeper. I began to ask myself: What would it look like to truly empower students and families in this process?

At the time, I had a unique professional background that gave me a 360-degree view of college admissions. I was a Princeton alumna interviewer who spoke regularly with admissions staff. I volunteered as a college counselor at my son’s school, guiding students on college lists, applications, and scholarships. I also had years of experience as a teacher, helping students write compelling college essays and recommendation letters.

Despite all of this, when it came time to help my own child, I still felt overwhelmed. That disconnect led me to launch Anja Education Consultants, with the goal of creating a better path—one grounded in strategy, communication, and care.

Changing the Narrative Around College Admissions

Too often, families approach college admissions like a high-stakes competition. Students are told to chase “dream schools” as if their self-worth depends on the name on their acceptance letter. But I had seen the toll that kind of pressure takes—on students’ mental health, on family dynamics, and on their sense of purpose.

That’s why I wanted to flip the script.

What if, instead of a race to the top, college admissions was a journey of self-discovery? What if students could use this time to learn what truly matters to them—and build a future aligned with their passions, values, and goals?

This vision became the foundation of my work. I trained formally in college counseling and was mentored by a generous, experienced colleague. Soon after, I began advising students and families—first one-on-one, and eventually through a team of consultants I personally selected and trained.

Today, nearly a decade later, Anja Education Consultants is a small, deeply committed firm with a 100% success rate in helping students gain admission to at least one of their top three college choices.

Purpose and Affordability: Our Two Core Pillars

At Anja Education Consultants, we focus on two key elements that most consulting firms overlook—but that can dramatically reduce stress for families:

1. Purpose

Helping students find and articulate their purpose is central to our work. This is not about creating a “spike” or polishing a resume—it’s about developing a deep understanding of who a student is and what drives them.

To support that, we use our proprietary 3D Talent Development™ Process:

• Discover: We guide students in exploring their strengths, interests, and values.
• Develop: We help them deepen those interests through meaningful experiences like research mentorships, internships, and passion projects.
• Demonstrate: We teach students how to communicate their growth and purpose effectively in applications and essays.

This process doesn't just produce stronger applications—it helps students gain clarity about their direction, which research shows is one of the strongest predictors of long-term well-being and success.

2. Affordability

Affordability is often the elephant in the room. Many families feel they must choose between quality education and financial security. But there are exceptional colleges—what we call “hidden gems”—that offer outstanding outcomes in employment, graduate school placement, and internships without the sticker shock.

And for those who may not be able to afford private consulting, we recently launched a groundbreaking group coaching program that brings our best practices to a broader audience. This includes a robust online platform, live group sessions, and soon, an AI-powered agent to support students around the clock.

A Team That Feels Like Family

One of the most common questions I get is: “How are you different from the big admissions consulting firms?”

The answer is simple: we are small by design.

Many large firms hire recent grads or side-gig academics who may have impressive résumés but lack the experience or training to truly guide families. At Anja Education Consultants, every advisor on our team is a seasoned professional in their 30s or 40s, often with backgrounds in admissions or education. They are creative, compassionate, and brilliant at what they do.

More importantly, they’ve been with us for years—and they stay because they love the work. We’re a close-knit group, and that team culture translates directly into the quality of support our students and families receive.

When you work with us, you're not just hiring a service—you’re building a relationship.

Real Results, Real Stories

Over the years, our students have been admitted to the most selective colleges in the country: Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, and many more. But what means even more to us are the stories of transformation:

• A student who didn’t believe in themselves discovering a passion for environmental policy and landing a full-tuition scholarship.
• A parent who was overwhelmed by the complexity of the process finding peace of mind and clarity.
• A family who returned with their younger child and referred five other families because the process was not just successful—it was empowering.

With over 75 five-star Google reviews and a growing collection of video testimonials, the results speak for themselves.

The Joys and Challenges of Building Something Meaningful

Being an entrepreneur has been the most exhilarating and humbling journey of my life. Some days I feel like I’m flying—energized by breakthroughs and the joy of serving families. Other days, I feel the weight of responsibility, late-night worries, and the need to constantly adapt.

But every time a student discovers their voice, or a parent thanks us for reducing their stress, I’m reminded that this work is worth it.

I owe so much of this journey to my incredible business partner, Brian. His belief in me, his wisdom, and his steady guidance helped me find the courage to start and grow this company. He reminds me often of one of Nelson Mandela’s great truths: “You either win or you learn.” That mindset has become my compass—especially in challenging times.

The Road Ahead

Our vision for the future is clear: to make top-tier college advising accessible to more students, especially those who attend public high schools where the average student-to-counselor ratio is 455:1.

Students deserve better. They deserve personalized guidance, strategic planning, and the confidence to build lives of purpose, prosperity, and resilience.

We’ll keep refining our methods, embracing technology, and—most importantly—staying rooted in our belief that the college admissions process can be one of the most meaningful chapters in a student’s life.

Ready to Start the Journey?

Whether you're just beginning or already knee-deep in the college admissions process, we’re here to help. At Anja Education Consultants, we offer everything from affordable group coaching to white-glove, multi-year advising—all grounded in purpose, strategy, and care.