After graduating with honors from UCLA in 2001, Alexis White founded A-List Admissions and Tutoring, a comprehensive educational services company providing academic tutoring, test prep, K-12 admissions, and college admissions consulting. As an independent college admissions consultant, Alexis has gotten hundreds of clients into their top choice universities and last year, she started alexiscollegexpert.com – inspired by her social media presence. Alexis and her team now provide clients all over the world with the same fabulous attention Alexis has always given her in-person clients – from essay editing to one-on-one coaching. Alexis has appeared as a college admissions expert on CBS and ABC News and has been interviewed in The Daily Beast, The Huffington Post and Unacceptable (a nonfiction book about the college admissions scandal). Alexis loves guiding students through these next steps of their educational journey – from selecting and visiting colleges to assisting students with building their resumes and uncovering their true passions, to crafting a beautiful application that “pops” – Alexis sees every step of the process as a critical growth experience for young adults.

Dr. Alyson Mischel Ein is a college admissions expert with a rich academic background and extensive experience in counseling. Graduating from Stanford University with a Bachelor's in Communication and a Master's in Sociology, Alyson furthered her education with a Master's in Social Work from USC and a PhD in Psychology from Fielding Graduate Institute. She has worked in graduate admissions at UCLA and was an adjunct professor at USC for over a decade. In her academic and counseling work, Alyson focuses on guiding students through various aspects of their lives, including academics, interpersonal relationships, health, career, and finances, providing institutions with a holistic perspective of her clients. Alyson's expertise lies in understanding and nurturing her students' passions and facilitating smooth transitions between life phases. Beyond her academic and admissions work, Alyson maintains a private practice, where she has counseled hundreds of tweens, teens, and young adults enriching their lives with her insights and guidance.

Over the past thirty years, Carolyn has experienced the admissions process from almost every angle: as a classroom teacher, as the Assistant Director of Admissions at Crossroads School for sixteen years, as a K-12 and college admissions consultant and as a mother who navigated the process for her own daughter (Alexis!), a graduate of Marlborough School and UCLA. At Alexis Collegexpert, she lends her expertise as a writer and writing teacher (she taught middle and high school English for 10 years), guiding students, along with Alexis, through every facet of the admissions process — from school selection, to their personal statements and supplements. Some of Carolyn’s most recent students (from the 2022 and 2023 admissions cycles) have gained admission to everywhere from Harvard Law School to Barnard, Georgetown and UCLA!

Ivette Osorio holds a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a Master’s in Communicative Disorders from CSUN. With over a decade of experience as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, she brings a strong foundation in communication and storytelling, helping students find and confidently express their unique voice.

Fueled by a genuine passion for college admissions, Ivette has supported students and families throughout the academic journey. Her work in the K–12 community and involvement in admissions-related initiatives give her a clear understanding of how to stand out in today’s highly competitive admissions processes.

As a mother of three who has personally navigated highly competitive admissions processes, she combines professional expertise with real-life insight. Ivette specializes in shaping authentic, compelling student narratives—blending academics, activities, and personal voice into a cohesive story.

Fun fact: Ivette and Alexis were roommates at UCLA!

A Northwestern grad and professional screenwriter with 15+ years of experience, Mike has built his career on turning big ideas into stories people actually want to read (and remember). From film and television to publishing, he knows how to make narratives feel clear, personal, and genuinely engaging.

He’s also spent years working closely with high-performing students, guiding them through everything from competitive summer program applications to selective school admissions. He understands the pressure, the expectations, and the subtle art of standing out without sounding overproduced.

What really sets Mike apart is his ear for voice. He has a knack for pulling out what makes each student unique and shaping it into writing that feels authentic—not formulaic. And thanks to his background in comedy, his process is anything but stiff. It’s creative, collaborative, and—believe it or not—actually fun.

A graduate of Stanford University (B.A. in English Literature, Class of 2020), Ali is an accomplished college admissions counselor and essay specialist. Raised and educated in Manhattan, she attended the Brearley School through 8th grade and graduated from the Trinity School—two of the nation’s most academically rigorous institutions—giving her firsthand insight into the demands of high-pressure academic environments. Her expertise centers on guiding students through the college application process, with a particular focus on crafting standout personal statements and supplemental essays. Since her undergraduate years, she has worked with students throughout the New York City area, helping them shape compelling, authentic narratives that enhance their applications. In 2022, she relocated to Los Angeles and later earned her MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory, graduating in 2024. In addition to her work in college counseling, she is an active screenwriter and director, bringing a storyteller’s sensibility to every student interaction. Known for her empathetic, collaborative, and insight-driven approach, she leads students through a journalistic-style interview process designed to uncover their most meaningful stories. From there, she helps structure and refine each essay at the sentence level, transforming the application process from a stressful obligation into an empowering journey of self-discovery.

Zach graduated from the Annenberg School at USC with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and is a multi-hyphenate sportswriter, TV host, and performer. He first broke through on ESPN’s Dream Job and has since appeared on SportsCenter, Around the Horn, and Pardon the Interruption. His work spans Major League Baseball on TBS, NBA content featuring Hall of Famers, Red Bull broadcasts, and most recently, play-by-play for the Netflix basketball series Running Point.

A published writer, Zach has a natural gift for drawing out compelling stories—helping students find their voice and bring their experiences to life with both humor and heart.

He specializes in supporting sports-driven students—whether interested in media, broadcasting, management, or the business of sports—guiding them in building standout application profiles with meaningful extracurriculars that reflect both passion and direction.

Joey graduated with honors from the University of Kansas with a degree in finance and a concentration in chemistry and attended the Notre Dame School of Law. He has a passion for teaching that blossomed while mentoring many of the University of Kansas student-athletes in math and science. With a commitment to empowering his students, Joey takes pride in instilling the confidence needed to set and achieve their academic goals. Alongside his studies at KU, he showcased his creative side by directing and writing musicals, orchestrating a memorable homecoming parade, and experiencing a transformative study abroad program at the Asian School of Business in Trivandrum, India. Joey embraces students’ unique learning styles, guiding them to discover and harness the best strategies for academic success. With his dedication and personalized approach, Joey inspires students to view their college essays as an opportunity to think deeply about who they are, their passions, and how to add strength and dimension to their applications.

Daisy Valadez is a dynamic professional who graduated from Syracuse University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in cognitive science and a concentration in neuroscience. With a passion for supporting neurodiverse learners, Daisy has honed her expertise as an Applied Behavioral Analysis specialist, excelling in her ability to empower individuals to thrive. Daisy speaks Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin, and firmly believes that language learning extends beyond the confines of the classroom. She has applied her linguistic skills on a global scale, traversing over 26 countries. With her diverse skill set and global perspective, Daisy is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of others, fostering inclusive environments, and promoting cross-cultural understanding -- something that she enjoys imparting to her students as they work to craft application essays that stand out.

Alice Cutler is a passionate educator who holds a degree from Vassar College. With over a decade of experience as a teacher, her expertise spans a diverse range of skill sets and grade levels, fostering growth and achievement in her students. Alice enjoys working one-on-one with students on their college essays, particularly because she has a knack for non-fiction writing, and a passion for helping students share their unique voices. Committed to giving back, Alice volunteers with the Young Storytellers Foundation, guiding young writers in crafting captivating screenplays. Additionally, Alice shares her warmth and compassion as a volunteer with Love on 4 Paws, bringing comfort and joy to children at the local hospital alongside Freddie, her therapy dog.

With nearly two decades of tutoring experience, Robert Spuhler is not only an authority on writing and specifically, personal narratives, he is also a leading authority on test preparation, specializing in private tutoring for the ACT and SAT exams. Robert graduated with honors from American University with a degree in print journalism and a minor in government. Whether guiding students through “The Great Gatsby" or the complexities of triangles, Robert is expert at both unraveling literary themes and explaining mathematical concepts. He enjoys the vibrant cultural scene of Los Angeles, attending concerts, or showcasing his skills on the soccer field. Additionally, Robert channels his passion for writing by contributing to esteemed publications such as The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Vulture. Robert’s students learn to tell their unique stories in powerful ways that weave their academic pursuits with personal passions to create a through-line that shines in their applications.

Hailing from South Florida, Arianna graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Communications, double majoring in Theatre and International Studies and minoring in Film & Media Studies. She brings experience teaching students of all ages in both classroom settings and one-on-one environments, with a focus on English, Theatre, and the college application process.

Arianna loves working with students to shape their story—finding unique ways to blend their academic interests, extracurriculars, and personal voice into a cohesive, compelling narrative. She is especially passionate about guiding students through the college essay process, helping them stand out with authenticity and creativity.

Outside of her work with students, Arianna is an actor and writer for both stage and screen, and plays bass in an all-girl alternative rock band.

Allysa Lisbon is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she majored in American Studies and Film and Media Studies. Throughout her academic career she developed a passion for history, culture, and art, which led her to work as an arts educator with students at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. After relocating to LA, she continued pursuing the arts through film and earned her MFA in Cinematography from the American Film Institute (AFI) in 2024. While there, she honed her storytelling expertise and was immersed in reading, writing, and visually crafting narratives. Outside of filmmaking, Allysa has done a variety of copy editing work, tutoring, and consulting for writers and directors at the collegiate and professional levels. Allysa is well versed in the culture of high performing academic institutions and brings her artistic background and empathetic worldview into each student interaction, helping them find the story in their application essays and bringing them to life as a candidate.

Arielle graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Narrative Studies from Dornsife and a minor in Songwriting from the Thornton School of Music. Storytelling has always been at the center of everything she does, which is why she especially loves helping students uncover the stories that make them memorable on the page. As an essay specialist, Arielle guides students in finding their authentic voice, shaping compelling narratives, and crafting personal statements that are both deeply personal and strategically effective for college admissions.

Outside of coaching students, Arielle is a singer-songwriter who has been writing, releasing, and performing original music under the name R E L since 2015, with performances throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, and New York. When she’s not producing her music, you'll usually find her playing guitar, hiking, traveling, reading, practicing yoga, exploring art museums, dancing, attending concerts, or writing poetry.

With 24 years of experience as an educator, Samantha is passionate about supporting students’ academic and personal growth through K–12 tutoring, educational consulting, and personalized guidance. She is the founder of a boutique caregiver agency and has dedicated her career to helping others thrive.

After relocating from Toronto to Los Angeles in 2016, she continues to embrace lifelong learning, connection, and service. Outside of work, she enjoys running, hiking, walking, shopping, and spending time with her husband, two children, and family dog, Jersey.

Nicole Galindo, a former business owner, discovered her passion for education, particularly in administration, during the pandemic, when she began working one-on-one with her own children, who are both neuro-diverse. It was then that she teamed up with Alexis as the client coordinator for A-List Admissions and Tutoring and Alexis Collegexpert. Nicole is the first point of contact for Alexis Collegexpert clients, and once they chat with her, they’ll learn how the admissions process with Alexis and her team works – including all of the incredible services we provide. Nicole is a voice of reason and calm, and consults with clients throughout their work with the team – from the moment they sign up for comprehensive consulting, submit an essay, schedule a coaching call, or sign up for test prep.