PrepNow Tutor - Andres B.
An admissions consultant with a proven ability to deliver strategic guidance, Andres holds a BA in English literature from Temple University and an MS in technology management from New York University, School of Engineering. As a former Associate Director of Admissions, Andres deeply understands the holistic approach favored by top-tier universities today. He has held roles at Columbia University Undergraduate Admissions, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Admissions, New York University Center for Urban Science and Progress Admissions, New York University Data Science, and the Association of Admissions Officers and Collegiate Registrars. Throughout his career, Andres has evaluated thousands of applications, gaining unique insights into what elite institutions look for in their candidates.
“My extensive experience has sharpened my ability to discern the elements that make an application stand out,” Andres says. During his time as an admissions director and officer, Andres witnessed firsthand the overwhelming anxiety the admissions process can cause students and their families. “In my current role as an admissions consultant, I have the privilege of working directly with these individuals, building meaningful relationships, and guiding them through a process I know intimately,” Andres says. “The joy and satisfaction I derive from helping students and their families far surpass the experience of rejecting applications, which, unfortunately, comprised the majority of my work during the admissions season at Columbia.”
Andres's admissions consulting approach focuses on crafting authentic and compelling narratives. “I am committed to ensuring that each student I assist presents an application that truly resonates with admissions committees,” he says. Andres is passionate about guiding students through this transformative process and helping them achieve their academic aspirations. “I love developing relationships with my students—relationships built on mutual respect and trust,” Andres says. “Demystifying the admissions process and providing clear, actionable guidance contributes significantly to their success and happiness. For me, playing a part in their journey is an honor.” Andres specializes in Ivy League admissions, admissions into the top 50 schools, and secondary school admissions.
When asked to share a success story, Andres recalls a student who felt distinctly adrift in the admissions process and needed to work through her uncertainties regarding what schools and majors she wanted to pursue. “As we delved into her life, we sought the threads that tied her to her deeper self,” Andres shares. “These explorations brought us to beekeeping, an activity she loved but had dismissed as trivial. I saw it differently. It was a narrative rich with understated lessons on patience and stewardship, something we could weave through her application to show who she truly was.” Andres helped this student craft her essay to reflect these insights, and the piece transformed into more than just a personal statement: “It was a declaration of her path from uncertainty to a newfound clarity, envisioning a future in veterinary medicine.” When the acceptance letters arrived, they were not just confirmations of the student’s academic potential but affirmations of her personal growth. “However, the true measure of our journey was not in these letters, but in the quiet confidence the student gained, and the clarity of her own narrative,” Andres says. “This experience reinforced a fundamental truth about admissions mentorship: it's not just about guiding students through the admissions process but about listening deeply and fostering the unique strengths within each one. It's about illuminating paths they might not yet see and helping them walk those paths with confidence."
Andres lives in New York City and loves exploring Central Park with his young daughter. He has been playing acoustic guitar for twenty years and received a fellowship to study guitar performance, though he eventually chose to major in English literature. In addition to his musical pursuits, he taught himself to code in Ruby and owns a 3D printer. “I’ve built several tech projects, including a Lunchbox CyberDeck (portable computer), which has been featured in online publications like Hackaday.io.”
Andres considers college one of the most fruitful and enjoyable periods of his life. “I changed my major three times, I met hundreds of new people, some of whom became lifelong friends, and I even met my future wife,” Andres says. “That being said, the college experience is what you make of it. You will get out of it what you put into it. So, be brave, be curious, introduce yourself to your peers and professors, explore, and work hard—you will be rewarded.”
