Top Tier AdmissionsEliza has years of experience at Top Tier Admissions, helping students gain admittance to top-flight colleges and pioneering the Writing Center. She holds a B.A. in English with Honors and Distinction from Stanford University, where she was a two-time recipient of Stanford’s Rebele Journalism Fellowship. She earned her MA and PhD in English Literature at the University of Virginia. Prior to working at Top Tier, Eliza taught in UVa’s English Department and its Academic and Professional Writing Program. The effectiveness of her teaching and her commitment to her students earned her multiple awards, including the All-University Graduate Teaching Award and honors from UVa’s Seven Society. Eliza’s own writing has appeared in publications ranging from academic journals to The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also has experience in publishing, digital humanities, and study abroad programming.
Many years ago, I headed to college planning to major in English, and I graduated four years later with an English degree. Recent studies, however, reveal that my straightforward pathway was likely the exception, rather than the rule. Many students officially enter college as “undecided,” and even more (estimates range from 30% to 85%) change […]
The college admissions process can be stressful—and not just for students. For parents who are nervously awaiting the results of every application, ready to celebrate their children or grieve alongside them, this season is riddled with anxiety. But it’s not just the parents of seniors who are feeling the pressure. As my colleagues and I […]
January brings with it a new year, a new semester, and—for some students—a new opportunity to apply to boarding schools. From Hotchkiss in Connecticut to Cate in California, boarding schools around the country will spend the winter accepting applications from domestic and international students hoping for an opportunity to study away from home. The application […]
As a former creative writing major and teacher of college English classes, I love working with young writers. Writing, as I have seen firsthand as a Top Tier Admissions Senior Private Counselor, not only allows students to exercise their imagination, but also to challenge expectations, build empathy, and, of course, expand their vocabulary. But when […]
Last year, amid a barrage of negative headlines around Ivy League universities, Forbes introduced a list of New Ivies. These schools, the magazine claimed, reflected public and private universities that were producing smart, successful graduates with excellent employment prospects. This spring, Forbes released its second annual list, using a methodology that considers school size, selectivity, […]
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