Devon Blog

Category: pathways

  • You May or May Not Need a $10,000 Counselor—You Do Need the Right Insight at the Right Time

    1. Why We Built Pathways Consulting: College Admissions Has a Broken Advice System
    2. Peer Guidance Isn’t a Shortcut to College decisions — It’s the Missing Piece
    3. You May or May Not Need a $10,000 Counselor—You Do Need the Right Insight at the Right Time
    4. What Peer Advisors Can Do That Counselors Can’t
    5. The Five Moments When a Peer Consult Can Change Your Application
    6. Is Peer Advising for Everyone? (Yes, And Here’s Why)
    7. Why the Pathways Model Is Redefining Student Advising
    8. Rethinking College Counseling: Why Families Deserve Affordable, Flexible, and Personalized Guidance

    When Jordan, a high school senior from Maryland, started applying to colleges, he had access to his school counselor, a few family friends who had “been through it,” and the endless maze of forums and social media.

    But what he didn’t have—at least at first—was context.

    Jordan wanted to apply to Columbia, Tufts, and Northwestern. He was undecided between political science and economics. His SAT score was good, not stellar. His extracurriculars looked solid on paper, but he had no idea what would stand out.

    He considered hiring a top-tier counselor. One offered a $10,000 package with unlimited hours. Another charged $300/hour for essay editing.

    But Jordan’s family couldn’t afford that. And even if they could, he didn’t know if he needed it.

    What he did know was that he needed someone who had been through this—someone like him, who had recently succeeded in exactly the type of schools he was aiming for.

    So he turned to Pathways.

    A System That Meets You Where You Are

    Pathways wasn’t built to replace counselors. It was built to fill the most common gap in the system: applicants who need tactical, credible, first-hand insight—without a five-figure investment.

    Through Pathways, Jordan was able to:

    • Specify that he wanted a peer advisor who had applied to Columbia and Tufts
    • Filter for students with SAT scores within his range
    • Find someone who was African-American like him, from a public school background
    • Talk to a sophomore at Tufts who had written about community impact and chosen the test-optional path

    The conversation didn’t just make him feel seen. It gave him actionable direction: which parts of his story to lean into, how to position “leadership” when it wasn’t in a traditional club role, and how he could show demonstrated interest even with limited travel ability.

    One 30-minute consult gave him more usable clarity than two months of late-night browsing ever had.

    Counselors, Coaches, Consultants—And Now, Peer Advisors

    The reality is: different students need different types of support.

    • Some students thrive with full-service admissions consultants, particularly when navigating highly competitive schools or complex applicant profiles.
    • Some students only need help on essays, or recommendations, or picking a final list.
    • But all students benefit from first-hand, relatable insight—the kind only someone who’s just gone through it can provide.

    That’s where peer advisors come in. They’re not replacing professionals. They’re adding something the professionals can’t always offer: recency, relatability, and role-specific insight.

    You may not need a $10,000 counselor. Or maybe you do.

    But even if you hire the best counselor in your city, you still need the voice of someone who knows what it feels like to apply last year. Someone who understands the weight of every essay prompt, the unspoken trends in test-optional admissions, the strategy behind Early Decision when your GPA isn’t top 10%.

    That voice is what Pathways delivers.

    The Smartest Strategy Is a Layered One

    Think of it this way:

    • Your school counselor helps you stay on track.
    • A consultant, if you choose one, might help you build and polish the perfect package.
    • But a peer advisor? That’s your guide on the ground. The one who says: “Here’s how I answered that optional question,” or “This is what actually mattered at Emory,” or “If I could do it again, I’d have…”

    That’s not a luxury. That’s essential.

    So whether you’re bootstrapping your application process, building a dream team, or somewhere in between—Pathways gives you what every applicant deserves: right-time, right-fit insight that costs less than a night out.

  • Peer Guidance Isn’t a Shortcut to College decisions — It’s the Missing Piece

    1. Why We Built Pathways Consulting: College Admissions Has a Broken Advice System
    2. Peer Guidance Isn’t a Shortcut to College decisions — It’s the Missing Piece
    3. You May or May Not Need a $10,000 Counselor—You Do Need the Right Insight at the Right Time
    4. What Peer Advisors Can Do That Counselors Can’t
    5. The Five Moments When a Peer Consult Can Change Your Application
    6. Is Peer Advising for Everyone? (Yes, And Here’s Why)
    7. Why the Pathways Model Is Redefining Student Advising
    8. Rethinking College Counseling: Why Families Deserve Affordable, Flexible, and Personalized Guidance

    When high school junior Maya sat down to start her college applications, she had the same tools as most ambitious students: a long list of schools, a spreadsheet of deadlines, advice from school counselors, and dozens of open browser tabs filled with Reddit threads, blog posts, and TikTok explainers.

    But despite all that, Maya still didn’t know what her story was. Should she write about her robotics internship or her work at a local clinic? Would applying test-optional hurt her chances at NYU? How important was it that she’d only taken three APs compared to others who had six or more?

    Her counselor was supportive—but juggling 400+ students. Her parents encouraged her—but had never applied to U.S. schools themselves. The web was full of noise, contradictions, and “chance me” bravado.

    What she needed was someone who had been through this exact process, recently—and won.

    That’s where peer guidance comes in.

    Advice, But From Someone Who Gets It

    Peer guidance isn’t casual mentoring. It’s not a friend guessing what admissions officers want. It’s not a Reddit post filtered through twenty opinions.

    It’s structured, intentional, paid advice from a student who applied to similar schools, came from a similar background, and achieved real success.

    In Maya’s case, she used Pathways to find someone who:

    • Attended the same type of public school
    • Also applied test-optional and got into NYU, BU, and Emory
    • Was South Asian, like Maya
    • Chose to major in public health
    • Scored in the same ACT range

    Maya booked a 30-minute consult and came away with clarity: she had a compelling story around public service, and she didn’t need to apologize for not submitting test scores. In fact, the advisor helped her see how to frame it as a strength.

    The consult cost her less than a dinner out. The clarity? Priceless.

    The Myth of the One-Size-Fits-All Strategy

    The problem with traditional advice is that it often assumes a standard applicant. But admissions isn’t standard.

    • A rural Midwestern student with limited APs needs different advice than a competitive prep school senior in Boston.
    • An international applicant from Ghana faces different scrutiny than a first-gen Latina from Los Angeles.
    • A STEM-focused boy applying to Caltech will need different guidance than an arts-focused girl applying to Barnard.

    Peer advisors can speak to these nuances. They were those applicants. They understand the hidden levers—the moments when choosing the right essay topic or positioning an extracurricular made the difference.

    It’s Not a Shortcut. It’s the System That Should Exist.

    Some might hear “peer” and think less experienced. But that’s a misunderstanding of what applicants need.

    They don’t just need general wisdom. They need relevant context.

    Traditional counselors can provide macro advice: deadlines, FAFSA, letters of rec. But they rarely have time—or recent personal experience—to walk through:

    • What made an extracurricular spike stand out?
    • How to choose between prompt 3 and prompt 7 for Common App?
    • What “demonstrated interest” actually looked like at Tufts?

    Peer advisors fill that gap. And because they’re paid per consult, they’re prepared, focused, and generous with insight.

    This isn’t mentorship. This is strategy.

    A Better Way, Accessible to All

    At Pathways, we believe peer consults should be part of every student’s toolkit.

    • For some, it will supplement what their counselor already provides.
    • For others, it will replace the missing support they never had.
    • For most, it will clarify their unique path—by learning from someone who walked it just a year or two ago.

    This is not the future of advising. It’s the present, done right.

  • Why We Built Pathways Consulting: College Admissions Has a Broken Advice System

    1. Why We Built Pathways Consulting: College Admissions Has a Broken Advice System
    2. Peer Guidance Isn’t a Shortcut to College decisions — It’s the Missing Piece
    3. You May or May Not Need a $10,000 Counselor—You Do Need the Right Insight at the Right Time
    4. What Peer Advisors Can Do That Counselors Can’t
    5. The Five Moments When a Peer Consult Can Change Your Application
    6. Is Peer Advising for Everyone? (Yes, And Here’s Why)
    7. Why the Pathways Model Is Redefining Student Advising
    8. Rethinking College Counseling: Why Families Deserve Affordable, Flexible, and Personalized Guidance

    Why We Built Pathways: College Admissions Has a Broken Advice System

    When we set out to build Pathways, we weren’t trying to disrupt college counseling just for the sake of it. We were trying to solve a very real, very personal problem: the college advice system is fundamentally broken—for the vast majority of students.

    If you’re a high schooler applying to college today, here’s the reality: you’re expected to make the most important decision of your academic life with limited, outdated, or contradictory information. You’re supposed to figure out what schools to apply to, how to stand out, how to write, how to plan your time, how to showcase your personality, and what ‘strategy’ even means—largely on your own.

    The guidance gap isn’t just frustrating. It’s unfair.

    The Flawed System We Found

    In building Pathways, we talked to hundreds of students—some in the U.S., some abroad. What we heard, over and over, was this:

    “I had a counselor, but they barely had time to know me.”

    “Reddit is a mess. Everyone sounds confident, but I have no idea what applies to me.”

    “My parents wanted to help, but they didn’t know how.”

    “I paid thousands for a counselor, but they didn’t get my background—or what I wanted.”

    None of these stories are outliers. They’re the norm.

    Let’s look at some numbers. According to NACAC, the average student-to-counselor ratio in U.S. public high schools is 424:1. That’s not a typo. In California, it’s 572:1. That means the average student gets fewer than 40 minutes per year of one-on-one guidance.

    Now add in international students, first-generation students, children of immigrants, low-income families, students in rural or under-resourced schools—people for whom context matters. The traditional model doesn’t just underserve them. It often ignores them entirely.

    So We Built a New Model—Pathways

    Pathways is not a replacement for school counselors or essay editors. It’s a correction to the gap that exists between what students need and what they get.

    We asked a simple question:
    What if every student could talk to someone who’s actually been through this process—and won?

    Pathways is a system where students can browse profiles of peer advisors—real college students who’ve recently been through the admissions process—and book 1:1 conversations. It’s flexible, modular, and highly contextual.

    • You tell us what kind of advisor you’re looking for—schools they applied to, schools they attend, cultural background, languages they speak, scores, career path.
    • We show you matches. You pick. You pay per consult. No bloated packages, no annual retainers.
    • You have a real conversation—ask your questions, understand the game.
    • Like them? Book another. Want to switch? Browse new profiles.
    • It’s a living, breathing network—not a one-size-fits-all spreadsheet.

    We designed it to be accessible. Consults can be as low as $30–$40. Students don’t need to commit to a multi-thousand-dollar contract to talk to someone who gets it.

    Peer Advisors Are the Missing Link

    Why peers? Because the most useful advice doesn’t come from a distant expert—it comes from someone who just beat the boss level you’re trying to beat. Someone who applied test-optional, who chose between Brown and UChicago, who got off the Stanford waitlist, who built a spike in esports, who overcame a weak GPA with incredible essays.

    They don’t just tell you what worked. They show you how it worked for them.

    And because these are paid engagements, students show up prepared. Advisors show up committed. It’s mutual respect, at scale.

    This Isn’t a Shortcut. It’s the System That Should Exist.

    Pathways doesn’t promise miracles. It doesn’t guarantee Ivy League admits. What it guarantees is access to relevant insight, strategic direction, and real clarity—delivered in a way that scales, adapts, and respects each student’s context.

    We built Pathways because we believe:

    • Great advice shouldn’t be a luxury good.
    • Cultural and academic context matter.
    • Every student deserves to be more than a number on a waitlist.

    And if we can help just one student feel a little less lost, a little more focused, and a lot more empowered—we’re on the right path.

  • I Didn’t Know the Rules, But My Peer Coach Knew the Game

    By Aditi R. (not her real name), International Student from India

    Before I even began applying to colleges in the United States, I knew I was already behind. Not academically—I had top grades, extracurriculars, and awards—but behind in understanding how the system actually worked. In India, we take entrance exams for specific fields and institutions. You study, take a test, and that score determines your admission. The U.S. system, with its essays, recommendations, financial aid forms, and holistic review, felt like an entirely different game—with rules no one around me could explain.

    I didn’t have older siblings or family members who had gone through the U.S. application process. My school counselor was well-meaning, but she had dozens of students and limited time. So I did what many students do: I started Googling. I found college admissions YouTube videos, blogs, and forums, but they often gave contradictory advice. Should I apply Early Decision? How many extracurriculars were enough? Should I submit SAT scores or not? I didn’t even know what questions I was supposed to ask.

    Then I found Pathways, a peer coaching program, and I was matched with Maya (not her real name), a college student from India who had been through the U.S. admissions process two years earlier. She became my coach—and my translator for the unwritten rules of the game.

    Maya didn’t just know how the U.S. admissions system worked—she knew why it worked that way. When I asked her why colleges cared so much about essays, she explained that in a system without standardized national entrance exams, essays help admissions officers understand who you are beyond your grades. When I worried about whether being a “generalist” instead of a “specialist” would hurt my chances, she helped me frame my broad interests—debate, science Olympiads, community work—into a coherent narrative.

    Most importantly, Maya taught me strategy. She showed me how to build a college list that balanced reach, match, and safety schools while still aligning with my academic and personal goals. She explained that some colleges are more generous with financial aid for international students than others, and that applying Early Decision could be risky if you needed aid. She even gave me a spreadsheet template to track deadlines, supplemental essay requirements, and scholarship opportunities.

    One of the most confusing aspects for me was recommendation letters. In India, it’s not common for teachers to write detailed, personalized letters. Maya helped me approach the right teachers early and even coached me on how to give them information about my achievements and goals to help them write stronger letters. Her advice was both practical and empathetic—she had been through the same awkward conversations and reassured me that it was okay to advocate for myself.

    When I struggled with my Common App personal statement, Maya didn’t tell me what to write—she asked the right questions to help me uncover a story that felt real and meaningful. I wrote about growing up in a multilingual household, how navigating three languages shaped the way I think and communicate. Without her encouragement, I might have written a generic essay about academics or volunteer work. Instead, I wrote something personal, something that sounded like me.

    Even with all this help, I had moments of doubt—especially when friends around me received admissions decisions earlier, or got offers from universities I hadn’t even considered. Maya reminded me that the U.S. system values fit over rank. Just because a school is ranked lower globally doesn’t mean it’s a poor choice for your goals. Her calm, informed perspective helped me stay focused on my path rather than constantly comparing myself to others.

    Eventually, I was admitted to multiple U.S. colleges, including two with generous scholarships. But what I gained went beyond admissions letters. Through peer coaching, I learned to see myself the way admissions officers might see me: not just as a number or a resume, but as a whole person with a story, potential, and agency.

    The U.S. college application process may seem chaotic from the outside—but there is a system underneath it, a structure of priorities and signals. I didn’t know those rules when I started. But Maya did. And because she did, she helped me play the game on equal footing.

    Now, I’m planning to become a peer coach myself. Not because I want to give advice, but because I know how powerful it is to feel seen, heard, and guided—by someone who’s been there before.

  • How Peer Advice Gave Me the Courage to Apply Somewhere Unexpected

    By Rina T. (not her real name), International Student from Thailand

    When I first began thinking about applying to college in the United States, I made a list of schools that felt “safe.” Not safe in terms of acceptance rates, but emotionally safe—schools I had heard of, schools others from Thailand had applied to, schools my teachers and counselors knew how to guide me toward. My list included big-name universities with solid reputations and, more importantly, places where I thought I would fit in and wouldn’t be questioned for wanting to go there.

    I didn’t realize it at the time, but my list was driven by a fear of rejection and a need for certainty. As a first-generation college applicant to the U.S., I didn’t want to take risks. Every step—from researching schools, understanding financial aid, figuring out essays—felt like learning to swim in the deep end without a life jacket.

    Then I met Serena (not her real name), a peer advisor from a nearby country who was already studying in the U.S. Through a virtual mentoring program, I was paired with her just as I was narrowing down my college list. Serena had a calm, thoughtful way of asking questions that helped me look deeper at my motivations. When I showed her my list, she didn’t criticize it—but she did ask, “Are there any schools that excite you but feel too out of reach to even consider?”

    That question stayed with me.

    There was one school I had read about in an education blog—a small liberal arts college in the northeastern U.S. It wasn’t a name that came up often in my school’s counseling office, but something about it had stuck with me: the interdisciplinary approach to learning, the emphasis on close student-faculty relationships, and a strong global studies program. It was the kind of place where, I imagined, people might actually want to hear my story.

    But I hadn’t dared include it on my list.

    Serena encouraged me to research more and even connected me with a student from that college who had also applied from Southeast Asia. Speaking with that student changed everything. They didn’t have perfect grades or a flawless SAT score, but they had a story—and the college had valued it.

    Through Serena, I came to understand that U.S. colleges, particularly smaller liberal arts schools, often look for students with unique perspectives, not just perfect statistics. I learned about holistic admissions. I learned about the role of essays and recommendation letters. I learned that being different wasn’t a weakness—it could be an advantage.

    With Serena’s encouragement, I added the school to my list. She reviewed my essay drafts and helped me find ways to express not just what I had accomplished, but who I was. I stopped trying to sound like the “ideal” applicant and started sounding like myself.

    I hit submit in December. I almost removed the school at the last minute out of fear, but Serena reminded me: “If you don’t apply, you’re already saying no to yourself.”

    In March, I received my acceptance letter. Not only had I been admitted, but I was offered generous financial aid—enough to make it possible for me to attend.

    Looking back, that single conversation with Serena changed the direction of my college journey. Without her encouragement and the validation I received from someone who had been in my position, I don’t think I would have applied. Peer advising didn’t just help me navigate the process—it gave me the courage to believe that my story belonged in places I hadn’t even dared to imagine.

    Now, I tell younger students the same thing Serena told me: Don’t let fear make your decisions. Let your curiosity lead you. The worst that can happen is a “no.” But the best? The best can change your life.

  • Everyone Else on Reddit Sounded So Sure—But I Was Lost

    By Jamil H. (not his real name), International Student from Egypt

    As an international student, I felt a mix of excitement and fear when I started considering applying to U.S. universities. There was so much I didn’t know, and I constantly felt like I was a step behind my peers. I had always done well academically, but the college application process in the U.S. was a whole different world. I didn’t have anyone in my family who had gone through it, and most of my friends in Egypt were either applying to local universities or pursuing careers right after high school.

    In my quest for information, I turned to Reddit, thinking it would be the perfect place to find tips and advice from other students who had already been through the process. I’d read threads where applicants seemed so sure of themselves—some even knew exactly which universities they wanted to apply to and had already started working on their essays months in advance. They spoke with confidence about SAT scores, recommendation letters, and even the finer details of application strategies.

    I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. Here I was, struggling to understand what I was supposed to do, while others were talking like they had everything figured out. The advice on Reddit ranged from overly optimistic to downright intimidating. The more I read, the more lost I felt.

    That’s when I realized I needed more than just general advice—I needed a personalized guide, someone who could answer my specific questions, someone who had walked the path before me and understood what I was experiencing. I needed a peer advisor.

    Through my school, I was matched with Lara (not her real name), a peer advisor who had successfully applied to universities in the U.S. a couple of years prior. She was from Pakistan and had faced similar struggles while applying to college as an international student. From our first conversation, I could tell that she understood exactly where I was coming from. She didn’t just throw generic advice at me; she took the time to listen and offer guidance tailored to my situation.

    Lara’s approach was entirely different from the overwhelming advice I had read on Reddit. She didn’t assume that I knew everything about U.S. colleges; instead, she patiently explained the basics of the application process. For example, I was initially confused about which tests I needed to take. I had heard about the SAT, but I also kept seeing mention of the ACT, and I wasn’t sure which was better. Lara helped me understand the differences and gave me a strategy for deciding which test to take based on my strengths and weaknesses. She also explained that some schools had made the SAT optional, which saved me a lot of stress.

    What stood out most to me was Lara’s focus on helping me craft an authentic application. I had struggled with my personal statement. Back in Egypt, we were taught to focus strictly on academics, so writing about myself felt uncomfortable. I had no idea how to balance showcasing my academic abilities with telling a story about who I was as a person. On Reddit, everyone seemed to have an easy time with their essays, but I couldn’t even start mine. Lara helped me see that my unique experiences were valuable. She encouraged me to write about the challenges I faced growing up in Egypt and how they shaped who I am today. That advice gave me the confidence to tell my story authentically, which ultimately made my essays stand out.

    Another aspect of the application process that I struggled with was navigating the financial aid options as an international student. Many posts on Reddit mentioned financial aid, but they mostly focused on U.S. citizens or residents. As an international applicant, I felt like I was on my own. Lara, however, was extremely knowledgeable about the schools that offered merit-based scholarships for international students, and she helped me identify a few options that I hadn’t considered before. She also explained how to handle financial aid applications, ensuring that I didn’t miss any important steps. I was relieved to learn that some universities offered substantial aid to international students, which eased my concerns about how to finance my education.

    Throughout the process, Lara also helped me manage the emotional rollercoaster of applying to schools abroad. There were times when I doubted myself—especially when I compared my progress to the confident Reddit posts from others. Lara reassured me that I was on the right track. She reminded me that it was normal to feel lost and uncertain, especially as an international applicant. Knowing that I wasn’t alone in these feelings was incredibly comforting.

    By the time I submitted my applications, I felt much more confident in my journey. I had a clear understanding of what U.S. universities were looking for, I knew which tests I needed to take, and I felt good about the essays I submitted. Lara had provided me with a roadmap, and I could see the path ahead clearly, whereas before, it had felt like an impossible maze.

    When the acceptance letters came, I was overjoyed. I had been accepted into several of my top choices, including one that offered a significant scholarship. But more than the acceptance letters, what I valued most was the sense of empowerment that came from having a mentor who truly understood my challenges.

    Looking back, I realize that the advice I found on Reddit wasn’t wrong—it was just overwhelming and often too general. What I needed was someone who could help me navigate the specifics of my situation, someone who had been in my shoes and could offer personalized guidance. Peer advising helped me find my confidence, my voice, and ultimately, my place in the U.S. college system.

    If you’re feeling lost in the sea of online advice, I highly recommend reaching out to a peer advisor. at Pathways. It’s not just about getting into college—it’s about feeling confident in your path and knowing that you have someone in your corner who has been through it all. Peer advisors are there to help you turn uncertainty into clarity, and they can make all the difference in your college application journey.

  • Peer Coaching Helped My Parents Understand, Too

    By Amina K. (not her real name), Undergraduate Student from Pakistan

    When I decided to apply to universities in the United States, I was excited—excited to explore new opportunities, to challenge myself academically, and to step into a world that seemed so different from my home in Pakistan. However, there was a huge obstacle in my path: my parents.

    It’s not that my parents didn’t want me to pursue higher education abroad—they did. But they had never been to the United States themselves. They didn’t know how the admissions process worked. In fact, they didn’t even understand the basic concepts of what I needed to do: SAT scores, essays, interviews, financial aid—it all seemed like an insurmountable mountain to them. Even though I wanted this, they were scared. They couldn’t comprehend the complexities of what I was trying to navigate.

    I vividly remember long nights spent explaining the U.S. college system to my parents. I would tell them about deadlines, requirements, and what I needed to prepare, but they would get confused or frustrated. They wanted to be supportive, but they just didn’t have the context or knowledge to understand what I was saying. It wasn’t just a language barrier—it was the culture gap, too. The American way of higher education was so different from anything they had known.

    That’s when I found peer coaching. Through Pathways, I was connected with Lila (not her real name), a peer coach who was a student at a prestigious university in the U.S. She had gone through the same journey of applying as an international student, and she understood exactly what I was experiencing. But what I didn’t expect was that Lila’s guidance didn’t just help me—it helped my parents, too.

    When we first connected, I wasn’t sure how she would be able to help with my specific situation. I had a lot of logistical questions about how to write my essays and what schools I should apply to, but I was also struggling with my parents’ concerns. Lila was incredibly empathetic, listening patiently as I shared the challenges I faced with my family. After hearing my story, she offered a unique solution: “Why don’t I talk to your parents directly?”

    At first, I was skeptical. How would a conversation between Lila and my parents help? They didn’t speak English fluently, and they were understandably nervous about a system they didn’t understand. But Lila’s offer gave me hope. We set up a Zoom call where Lila patiently walked my parents through the entire application process—from what an SAT score was to the differences between financial aid and scholarships. She explained how American universities selected students and why extracurricular activities were so important.

    But most importantly, she explained that the process was not a “one size fits all” approach. There were universities with different financial aid policies, and that it wasn’t just about getting into the top-tier schools—it was about finding the right fit. This approach, this reassurance that we had options, put my parents’ minds at ease. They saw that this wasn’t some unattainable dream but a process that could be navigated with the right support.

    Lila also made it clear to my parents that applying to U.S. colleges as an international student wasn’t as simple as filling out a form—it required research and effort. But hearing it from someone who had been in their shoes made all the difference. She told them about the challenges she faced as an international student, her journey with the visa process, and the financial hurdles she overcame. Her success story made them feel like it was possible for me too. They no longer saw my decision as a far-off fantasy but as something grounded in reality.

    The conversation with Lila didn’t just address the technicalities of applying to college—it helped bridge a massive gap between my parents’ concerns and the practical steps I needed to take. I watched as my parents’ anxiety turned into cautious optimism. They started asking questions about schools and financial aid options they had never even considered before.

    What I also appreciated was that Lila encouraged my parents to be actively involved in my college search. In our subsequent calls, she reminded me to involve my parents in the process, helping them understand that their support would make a huge difference. She also emphasized that even though the system was different from what they knew, the principles behind it—hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn—were the same everywhere.

    In the end, the peer coaching experience wasn’t just about helping me get into college; it was about empowering my parents to understand the entire process and to be confident in my ability to navigate it. It helped all of us realize that while the unknown can be overwhelming, with the right guidance, it’s possible to break it down and make it manageable.

    When the acceptance letters started coming in, my parents were the first to celebrate. They had come to trust the process because they now understood it. They had seen firsthand how someone who had been where I was—someone from a similar background—had successfully navigated the same journey.

    Looking back, I realize how important it was for my family to feel included in this decision. It wasn’t just my future at stake; it was our collective understanding of how to take this leap together. And without peer coaching, I’m not sure that understanding would have ever fully taken root.

    If you’re an international student, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not just navigating a system that’s unfamiliar to you; you’re navigating it for your entire family. Peer coaching is a way to make that process smoother, not just for you but for the people who support you the most. It can give everyone the tools and confidence to make your dreams a reality—together.

  • Applying to College From 8,000 Miles Away? Here’s What Helped Me

    By Amir A. (not his real name), Undergraduate Student from Egypt

    The first time I decided to apply to a college in the United States, the idea felt both exciting and completely out of reach. Coming from Egypt, a country where the path to higher education was straightforward—one university to choose from, relatively low tuition fees for citizens, and a system that didn’t require essays or extensive interviews—it was hard to imagine what the American college application process would entail.

    I knew I wanted to study computer science, but beyond that, everything felt like a giant puzzle. What were U.S. colleges really looking for? Was I competitive enough? And most importantly, could I even afford it?

    I didn’t have the privilege of understanding U.S. culture or the education system from firsthand experience. I had never been to the U.S., and my parents had never gone to college, let alone navigated an international application process. So, I was left to figure it all out on my own—or so I thought. That’s when I found out about peer advising, and it completely changed my approach.

    I was paired with Zoe (not her real name), a peer advisor from Canada who had gone through the application process a year before. She had studied abroad in the U.S. herself and had helped several students from around the world, so she understood exactly how daunting it could feel.

    Our first call felt like a lifeline. Zoe didn’t just walk me through the steps of the application process—she helped me navigate the cultural differences and understand the mindset of U.S. admissions officers. She explained that U.S. colleges didn’t just want high grades; they wanted to see students who were passionate, curious, and ready to contribute to their community.

    One of the things that initially threw me off was the focus on essays. In Egypt, our college applications were primarily about grades and test scores. But in the U.S., the personal essay seemed to carry so much weight. I struggled to understand how to frame my story in a way that would be compelling to someone who had never met me. How could I make my story stand out when it felt so different from the experiences many American students had?

    Zoe guided me through this. She helped me realize that my story—growing up in Cairo, helping my family navigate our small tech business, and my fascination with computer science—was not just valid but unique. She emphasized that U.S. colleges were looking for students who brought something new to the table, and my international background, combined with my experiences in Egypt, offered a perspective that would be valuable on an American campus.

    With her help, I began drafting essays that didn’t just focus on what I had done, but why I had done them. Why I was passionate about coding. How building a website to help local businesses in Cairo get online sparked my desire to learn more about the tech industry. Zoe helped me find the balance between presenting myself confidently without sounding boastful—a tricky line to walk for someone coming from a culture where humility was more highly valued than self-promotion.

    Another major challenge I faced was the financial aid process. Coming from Egypt, the concept of need-based financial aid was entirely foreign to me. I was aware that U.S. education could be expensive, but I had no idea that there were scholarships and financial aid packages available for international students.

    Zoe’s guidance on this was invaluable. She not only helped me understand the financial aid options I had but also encouraged me to apply for specific scholarships that I might not have considered. She explained that many U.S. universities offer need-based aid to international students, though it’s often limited. She also directed me to several scholarship databases, and I ended up receiving a partial scholarship from one of the universities I applied to, which made attending school in the U.S. more financially feasible.

    When it came to interviews, I was initially nervous. I had no idea how to “sell” myself in a way that felt authentic. Zoe walked me through mock interview questions, encouraging me to relax and focus on what I could bring to the school. She explained that admissions officers weren’t just looking for the perfect student—they were looking for someone who could contribute to the community and who had a genuine passion for their field of study.

    This advice made all the difference. I went into my interviews with confidence, knowing that I had a unique story to tell. I wasn’t just a number or a set of test scores; I was someone with experiences and perspectives that could enrich the campus community.

    Finally, one of the most important lessons Zoe taught me was how to think about the bigger picture. While I had initially focused solely on my academic and extracurricular achievements, Zoe encouraged me to think about what kind of person I wanted to be once I arrived on campus. What would I contribute to the community? How would I use my education to make a difference?

    This shift in mindset helped me approach the application process not as a checklist to be completed but as an opportunity to reflect on my personal journey and goals. It allowed me to craft an application that was not just about meeting requirements but about communicating who I was and what I hoped to achieve.

    In the end, I was accepted into two of my top choice schools, and I received financial aid that made my dream of studying in the U.S. a reality. When I look back on the process, I realize how much easier it would have been without Zoe’s guidance. She helped me navigate the complexities of the application, understand the cultural nuances, and find my authentic voice.

    If you’re an international student considering applying to U.S. colleges, my advice is simple: don’t go it alone. Find a peer advisor who has been through the process, who can offer insight, advice, and encouragement. Because applying to college from 8,000 miles away is challenging, but with the right support, it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

  • What I Thought U.S. Colleges Wanted—And What They Actually Did

    By Anjuna S. (not her real name), Undergraduate at a Midwestern University

    I still remember the first time I sat down to start my college application for a U.S. school. It was overwhelming. I’d heard stories of students from India applying to top universities like Harvard and Stanford, and I was eager to follow in their footsteps. But the more I read about the process—the essays, the interviews, the recommendations—the more confused I became. What did these colleges actually want from me?

    I assumed that if I had high test scores and a solid academic record, that would be enough. I believed that being a hard worker, excelling in math and science, and following a predictable path through school would impress admissions officers. After all, I’d always been told that academic success is what matters most. I had been taught that achievements like winning state science fairs, attending math camps, and acing exams were the hallmarks of success, and I believed that these would be the keys to my future.

    But that’s not what U.S. colleges actually wanted.

    When I connected with my peer advisor, Sasha (not her real name), a sophomore at an Ivy League school in the U.S., she helped me see things from a new perspective. Sasha, who was originally from Brazil, had gone through the process just a year before me, and she knew the difference between what I thought was important and what U.S. colleges really look for. It wasn’t just about good grades or high scores—it was about the full picture of who I was and what I would bring to their campuses.

    Sasha explained something I’d never heard before: that U.S. colleges were looking for students who showed initiative, creativity, and passion—regardless of whether that passion was in academics, art, or community service. She told me that colleges wanted to know about my journey, the challenges I’d faced, and how I had overcome them, rather than just hearing about my academic achievements.

    For example, in my application, I had focused on my high academic standing and my success in math competitions. But what I hadn’t focused on was the fact that I had spent the past two years volunteering at a local NGO teaching computer skills to underprivileged children. I had brushed this off as a side project that didn’t carry much weight compared to my academic accomplishments. Sasha helped me realize that this volunteer work was actually an incredible part of my story. It showed that I was not only a dedicated student but also someone who cared about making a positive impact in my community.

    With her help, I restructured my essays to reflect who I truly was. I wrote about how volunteering had transformed my perspective on education and what it meant to have access to resources that others lacked. I also shared how this experience had sparked my interest in pursuing a degree in computer science, and how I wanted to create programs that would help bridge the gap between technology and underserved communities.

    Sasha also gave me a valuable tip on the interviews. I thought the interview was another opportunity to impress the admissions officers with my grades and achievements. But Sasha explained that they were really trying to see how I would contribute to the campus culture and how I would fit into their diverse student body. She encouraged me to focus on how I could make a difference on campus, sharing specific ideas of clubs or projects I wanted to pursue. This was a complete shift in mindset for me—I’d been so focused on proving I was “good enough” that I hadn’t thought about how I could contribute.

    When it came time for financial aid, that was another hurdle I didn’t understand. I assumed that as an international student, I wouldn’t qualify for aid at all, as many of my friends from India had been told that it was either unavailable or incredibly competitive. But Sasha encouraged me to look deeper, pointing out that many universities offer need-based or merit-based aid for international students, and that I shouldn’t assume I was ineligible without giving it a try. With her guidance, I applied for scholarships and financial aid, and much to my surprise, I was awarded a meaningful scholarship that made my dream of attending college in the U.S. financially feasible.

    The results? I was accepted into three schools, two of which offered me substantial financial aid packages. One of those schools was exactly where I had envisioned myself—the Ivy League school where Sasha was studying.

    Looking back, I realize how much I had misunderstood about what U.S. colleges wanted. I thought it was all about grades, standardized tests, and following a specific academic path. But in reality, it was about so much more. It was about passion, initiative, and the ability to contribute to a diverse and dynamic campus. It was about telling a story that was uniquely mine, and finding ways to communicate that in a way that resonated with the admissions team.

    Thanks to Sasha’s peer advising, I learned to see the application process through a different lens. I understood that U.S. colleges were not just looking for the best students on paper, but the students who would bring fresh perspectives, creative ideas, and a sense of purpose to their communities. And with that, I found the confidence to tell my story in a way that truly reflected who I was.

    In the end, I didn’t just get into college—I got into a place where I felt like I truly belonged, with a story that felt authentic to me. And I’ll always be grateful to Sasha for helping me understand that my worth wasn’t just in my grades, but in the way I saw the world and how I wanted to change it.

  • Why I Chose a Peer Advisor Who’d Been Through It Abroad

    By Aisha K. (not her real name), Undergraduate Student from Nigeria

    The decision to apply to schools in the U.S. wasn’t mine alone. My uncle, who had attended graduate school in Chicago, always encouraged me to think beyond Nigeria’s borders. But the application process? It felt completely foreign.

    I was attending a public secondary school where teachers were stretched thin and had limited knowledge of U.S. college admissions. To be honest, I didn’t even know where to start. Everything about the process—college essays, recommendation letters, financial aid—felt like a tangled web.

    That’s when I found peer advising. I connected with Chris (not his real name), a student from Ghana who had just completed his first year at a liberal arts college in New England. Chris wasn’t just knowledgeable about the U.S. system—he understood my unique perspective. His background made him an ideal fit for guiding me through the process.

    Chris understood the doubts that international students often face. We talked about whether I should mention my role in caring for my younger siblings, or if it would hurt my chances to admit that I hadn’t done an internship due to helping out at my family’s shop during school breaks. In Nigerian culture, we don’t always talk about our accomplishments. So, writing essays that centered around me was hard. Chris reassured me that my story mattered—how the responsibilities I had at home showcased my resilience and maturity, qualities that U.S. colleges highly value.

    More than anything, he emphasized the importance of showing my authentic self. We brainstormed ways to demonstrate my initiative—such as my involvement in local community development programs—and my dedication to my studies despite facing challenges. He helped me understand how these qualities aligned with the values American universities look for, helping me frame my experiences in a compelling way.

    One of the biggest hurdles I faced was the financial aid process. I knew that most American colleges didn’t offer financial aid to international students. What I didn’t know was that some did. Chris walked me through the financial aid application process step by step, even helping me request fee waivers. He pointed me toward schools that were generous with aid and more inclusive of international students. He also showed me which schools would offer merit-based scholarships, and which had more flexible policies for international students like me.

    I had no idea that there were colleges that would consider me not just as an academic candidate, but as someone who could contribute to the diversity of the student body in meaningful ways. Chris helped me realize that it wasn’t just about grades or test scores—it was about telling my story in a way that was true to who I was.

    When it came time for interviews, Chris role-played with me, helping me practice how to talk confidently about my experiences. Speaking about myself was awkward at first, but with Chris’s patient encouragement, I slowly began to feel more comfortable. The tips he shared about handling common interview questions made me feel prepared and empowered.

    Without Chris, I would have struggled to navigate all the complexities of the U.S. college application process. Peer advising made the difference in my approach. It didn’t just help me with the technicalities of the application, but it helped me build the confidence to believe I belonged in those universities, regardless of where I came from.

    The results spoke for themselves. I received offers from three top universities, one of which I was thought I was highly unlikely to get into. But the most valuable outcome was something more intangible: I learned how to tell my story in a way that felt authentic to me.

    Thanks to peer advising, I didn’t just apply to college—I applied with a sense of pride, knowing that my background and experiences were not barriers, but strengths. I was ready to step into a new world, not as an outsider, but as someone with a unique perspective to share.